Leaning forward, his warm breath caressed along her face a second before he pressed his lips to hers. Claiming her mouth with his, he stole her breath. A soft moan escaped her throat as she met his advances with an eagerness of her own. Without breaking the kiss, she grabbed the hem of his shirt. She needed his skin against her.
He leaned back, allowing her to drag his shirt up his chest before taking hold of it and pulling it over his head. “Bedroom?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She ran her hand down the front of his abdomen. “Which room?”
“Straight back.” As she stepped away, he swooped her up into his arms. “My mate gets first class treatment.”
“A girl could get spoiled like this.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair. “I expected a polar bear shifter to have blonde or white hair.”
“Our fur has no color to it.”
“Huh?”
“The fur is transparent. Light is reflected, which makes it appear white. Sometimes our fur will take on other colors depending on the conditions. In human form, my hair is black like the skin under my fur.” In the bedroom, he came to stand next to the bed, glanced down at her, before lying her in the center.
“Naked.” Hooking her fingers in the waistband of his jeans she pulled him toward her. “You need to be naked.”
“That’s the point.” Keeping his gaze on hers he unhooked the button of his jeans. “I’m planning on claiming you as my mate once and for all.”
“We better get started. Evie’s expecting you in the dining hall for dinner.” She leaned back on the bed, her gaze traveling over his body as he finished undressing.
“We’ll make it up to her if we’re late.” He stripped out of his remaining clothes and crawled onto the bed, until he was hovering over her.
She leaned up, tangled her fingers in his hair, and pulled him down so his chest brushed against hers. “Kiss me.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this? After talking with Maynard’s Alpha I understand if you want to wait.” His lips hovered over hers, waiting for her to answer him.
“I want this. No, I need this. I want to forget about everything else for now. I want you. Don’t you?” Her body stilled waiting for his answer. Had she misread the situation? Maybe he had second thoughts tying himself to her.
“Beautiful.” He caressed the side of her face, teasing the tips of his fingers along the curve of her cheekbone. “You have no idea how much I want you. I want to make sure you’re ready. Mating with a shifter is different than hooking up with a human. This…”
“Is for life? I know.” Tipping her head toward his hand, she kissed the skin beneath his thumb. “It’s crazy fast, but I want to spend my life with you. I can feel the tension growing within you. If this incomplete mating didn’t have your bear on edge you’d have never snapped at Ty for the video.”
“Bullshit! He put you at risk.”
“No.” She ran her hands along his back, teasing along the tight muscles. “He sent you to save me, and he allowed you to bring a human here even though I brought danger to the clan. He refused to allow me to leave even though it would mean his clan would be safe, at least for now. Tabitha mentioned the video, but more important things had my attention, and I forgot. Still. You know as well as I do the Elders had it under control. There was no immediate threat to me or to the clan. Otherwise you’d have known, you’d have been prepping for a fight.”
“You’re my mate, it’s my duty to protect you.”
“You have. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.” She reminded him. “We need this. I want us linked completely. I want to be your mate. Make love to me, Frost.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re getting into?”
“As long as you’re by my side, maybe I don’t care.” Lightly digging her nails into his back, she said, “Now shut up and kiss me.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her as if he hadn’t expected her to make the demand. Instead of pressing the subject, he leaned down and claimed her lips. The timid kiss turned hot quick as if the first taste was enough to urge him forward and forget his reservations. He slipped his tongue between her lips, exploring the contours of her mouth, as he teased his fingers along her thighs. Reaching the hem of the shirt, his gaze locked on hers as if expecting her to stop him, but she nodded instead.
Moments later, not only was her shirt off but every scratch of clothing was gone, leaving her naked. She fought the urge to reach for a blanket, to cover herself, as his gaze scanned down her body.
“Fuck, baby…” His fingers slid along her hip, teasing upward slowly. “Gorgeous, breathtakingly gorgeous.”
“You just going to stare at me or are you going to…”
“Going to what?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.
“You know what I want.” She wrapped her hand around his shaft, gently dragging her nails down the length of him.
“Alicia.” Her name came out on a breathless moan as he wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her hands away, drawing it up above her head.
“Seems to me you liked that. Why did you stop me?”
“I love having your hands on me, but this is about you. I want to hear you scream my name.” Supporting his weight above her, he nuzzled her neck, nipping along the curve of her collarbone enough to cause a little pressure.
“Please, Frost…” Moaning, she arched her back, pressing herself into his chest. “I need you inside me.”
“I love when you moan my name like that, but, baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.” He nipped her neck this time a little deeper. “Bears are demanding. We growl and snarl, and we hate being woke up. If you ask Evie, she’ll tell you I’m hard to live with, and I’m sure at times you’ll find me unbearable. There are times you’ll bitch that I’m controlling, but when it comes to protecting you, I’ll be relentless. When we’re done here, you’ll understand you’re my everything, my world revolves around you.”
“I thought we discussed this. I want you. Why are you telling me this now? Are you hoping I change my mind?”
“No.” He leaned back and looked down at her. “I want you to understand what you’re getting into. You need to understand this is forever.”
“I already know. Nothing you can say or do is going to change my mind.” She hooked her legs behind his thighs and lifted her hips up toward him. “We both need this, so stop fighting it.”
As if finally accepting what she was saying, he dipped his head and brushed his lips against hers, feather soft before working his way down her body, until reaching her breast. “You’re beautiful.” His lips circled her nipple, grazing his teeth over it until she arched into him.
“Frost.” Moaning his name her nails dragged up his sides.
He tore his lips away from her breast, leaning back to look at her. Before he could say anything, she dug her nails into his back. Her body arched toward him, needing his mouth on her again. “More.”
“Stop rushing me.” Rising back up to her lips he hovered over her, his face hovering above hers. “I want to enjoy every minute of this.” He kissed her again, this time deeper, more passionately, stealing the breath from her.
Her hands slid down his body until she found his hips. She wanted to wrap her hand around his shaft, to feel the hardness in her palm and know she caused it. She moaned softly, unable to form any words as he kissed a path down her neck. Sensations collided and threatened to overwhelm her.
“You smell like vanilla mixed with a hint of blueberries. Enticing.” He nuzzled her neck. “Two of my favorite things. That’s what I first noticed about you when I knew you were mine. My mate.”
“It could have been shampoo.”
“No, it’s you.” He nipped her neck, applying just enough pressure her breath escaped her lungs in a deep exhale. She grabbed hold of his hips, pulling him tighter to her.
“You like that, baby?” He kissed down her chest until he reached her nipples. Dragging his tongue in lazy circles he kept his
gaze on her, watching her every reaction. Teasing her nipples gently, pulling them between his teeth until they stood at attention, he rested his weight on his elbow and used the other hand to explore the length of her body. His fingers traced every curve as if he was trying to memorize her.
He blazed a trail of kisses across her stomach, stroking her thighs with his fingertips. With every touch, she arched her hips into him, demanding more. Desire coursed through her, and her thoughts were lost within the sexual haze. With each move he made, she urged him further, speeding the pace.
Unable to wait any longer, she spread her legs further, giving him access he needed, and hooked her ankles along the back of his thighs, pressing him toward her. “Now! I need this now. No more teasing.” Her control had reached its limits, and she needed him. Waiting even a second longer seemed like torture.
Without arguing he slid his shaft into her core, his thickness stretching her as he worked deeper into her. He slowly pulled back before thrusting again. Each time going deeper until he buried his shaft completely in her. As he pushed into her completely for the first time, a warmth filled her, and she could feel his bear, rising within her. She’d known part of the bear was already inside of her, it had been since her vision. Now that part seemed to grow, taking on a life of its own. Within her the soft fur brushed against her skin, throaty rumblings vibrated along her body until it seemed like they were coming from her.
The first few strokes were slow, as if not to hurt her, but with each stroke, the tempo intensified another level until she arched into him, slamming their hips off each other. The thrusts became deeper and faster, falling into a perfect rhythm. Their bodies rocked back and forth, tension straining his muscles as she fought for the release she desperately needed. The longing was stronger than anything she felt, urging her forward, demanding she find her release.
“Frost!” Screaming his name, she arched her body into his as her climax coursed through her, her nails digging into his hips and leaving deep welts and angry red scratches as she dragged her hands down his body.
He pumped a couple more times before he leaned down against her body. His mouth kissing along her collarbone. A growl escaped him as he slammed into her again. Pain blossomed in her shoulder as he bit her, breaking through the skin. Even as the wound ached, passion exploded inside her, giving her another release, bringing her over the edge again as his seed filled her.
“You bit me.” There was no anger lingered in her words as he leaned back to look at her, making his shaft which was still buried within her twitch.
“Polar bears always bite when they cement the mating bond.”
Collapsing back onto the pillows, she opened her mouth to reply when a haze filled her vision. It was like the visions she had before, almost as if she was asleep and dreaming, but she knew this was different. This was what Frost had warned her about. She’d see every moment of his life played out before her like a movie. She tried to calm her racing heart and breathe deep as it happened.
“Baby.” Above her she could feel Frost move, sliding out of her to lie next to her, but she couldn’t see him. “Deep breath, baby, it will be over in a minute. I’m right here. Remember where you are. You’re not there, you’re in Alaska with me.”
Standing in the fog, she stared down at the man she knew was Frost’s father. The blood seeping from his chest as he told Frost to keep Evie safe. The rage surging in Frost bubbled in her. She wanted to rip those bastard’s limb from limb.
Another image flashed before her eyes, gone almost before she realized it was Frost and Evie. The pain raw in both of them as he held her as she grieved for their parents. The loss was still raw for both of them as Evie tried to hide it from Frost.
The visions shifted flying by almost quicker than she could keep up with until she was standing in the living room. Blood thick on the hardwood floors, making it slippery to walk.
She’d already seen this, she knew what to expect but still her heart raced as a condensed version of her vision played out before her.
The bodies of two men sprawled out on the floor. Not that they were bodies anymore. They were pieces. Blood was splattered along the cream walls. Crying pulled her attention to the other side of the sofa. Her gaze centered on the girls, the ones she now knew as Grandy’s nieces. The youngest one’s tear-coated face quickly turned toward her mother. With a blank stare, the older one stared at Alicia, but she knew the girl was actually staring at Frost, not her. No wonder Frost thought he terrified the girls. Except there was something in her eyes Alicia recognized. She wasn’t terrified, she was thankful. Even as she stared at Frost’s blood-covered bear, she was thankful Frost saved them.
As the visions subsided Alicia reached out for Frost. Her hand settled on his chest, and her racing heartbeat subsided, allowing her to breathe easy again.
My sweet Frost. Mate.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mating seemed to calm the storm inside Alicia leaving her relaxed for the first time since this started. Grief of losing Lou settled over her in place of the fear. For the last several years, he had been the one constant in her life. A friend who somehow managed to get close enough that she considered him family. Now he was gone, too. It seemed like a theme to her life. Care for someone and lose them. Now that she let Frost, Evie, and really the whole Alaskan Tigers clan in, how long before she was on the losing end again?
Without realizing it, she reached up, her fingers brushed against her sweater, knowing underneath the material Frost’s bite mark was hidden. She hadn’t expected him to draw blood during sex, but the wound had somehow brought them closer. The part of Frost’s bear she carried with her seemed stronger, centering the connection between them.
“Hey…” Evie pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. “Sorry about before, I didn’t know he hadn’t told you.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” She sat her glass on the table and turned to the young girl. “Your brother is stubborn, and without you, who knows how long he’d have waited.”
“Knowing him, until his bear was at the end of his tether.” Evie blew out a deep breath before she tucked her shoulder length ebony hair behind her ear and looked at Alicia. “Frosty was always the best brother anyone could ask for, and without our parents, he had to fill other roles. He’s a good man. Stubborn like you said, and he tends to sulk for a bit when things don’t go the way he planned. When he’s like that, I give him space to work it out. Somehow he always manages to come up with a new plan and is even more dedicated to making it work.”
“It’s because he wants what’s best for you.” Taking a risk Alicia placed her hand over Evie’s gently squeezing it. “He’s been raising you alone for the last few years, trying to fill the role of brother and guardian. I know you’re growing up quick, and you can take care of yourself, but I hope both of you’ll allow me to help. You deserve to enjoy those carefree days of youth as much as you can, and Frost will worry less when he’s away if I’m here to make sure you’re safe.”
“It will be kind of nice having another female around.” Evie’s lips curled up into a smile as she looked over at Alicia. “Mom and I used to go shopping and have lunch. I miss that.”
“If you allow me, I’d love to do that with you.”
“Really?” Excited, Evie’s eyes widened.
“Sure, what girl doesn’t like to go shopping?” Knowing a shopping trip would be good for them Alicia wondered how she could convince Frost it was a good idea. They’d need to do it soon. Once things heated further with the Washington D.C. Tigers, even a trip into town might be too dangerous. “I want to get a few things for the cabin to make it feel like a home, so I’ll talk to Frost tonight about it.”
“Tora was going through the pantry, making a list of things they needed. She said they’d be making a trip into town soon. Maybe we could go with them.” Evie scooted her chair toward Alicia. “I really like it here and want to stay. We need to make this home. I want to get involved with the daily lif
e here. I don’t want to feel like an outsider. Frosty has the team, and when they’re gone, I don’t want to feel out of place. I want…”
“To feel like you’re part of the family.” Alicia nodded, knowing exactly how the young girl felt. “Me too. We’re going to make this home and before long we’ll feel like one of the family. One day, we’ll look back at this moment, and we won’t remember the loneliness weighing us down.”
Alicia hoped that by being accepted by the clan members would allow Evie to start working through her own grief and guilt of her parents’ death. Alicia hadn’t brought it up because part of her knew Evie wasn’t ready to talk about it. They were just getting to know each other, and she wasn’t ready to confide in her yet. Hopefully in the coming weeks, it would change. She’d be there when Evie was ready.
“There you are.” Frost strolled toward them. “What are you still doing here? I figured you’d be back at the cabin by now.”
“We were just talking.” She glanced toward her mate. “How did your meeting with Brooklynn and Styx go?”
“Good. We’ll start the new training routine tomorrow morning and do a second session in the afternoon.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and teased his thumb along the curve of her neck.
“But something’s wrong.” Evie stared up at her brother. “Frosty.”
“Everything is fine.” Stepping around Alicia’s chair, he came around to squat down between them.
“Liar,” she snapped staring at her brother. “You’re thinking about leaving, aren’t you?”
“No.” He took her hand in his. “We’re going to make this our home, just like you want. On my way here, I bumped into Daniella—she’s a little older than you—but she’s going to find you tomorrow after breakfast and introduce you to those you haven’t met yet. She’s Scarlett’s normal babysitter, but her family was away visiting another clan, and just returned. She’s excited to meet you.”
“Tora mentioned her.” Still unsure Evie kept her attention on her brother. “If we’re not leaving, what’s going on?”
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