Sunday Bear-becue

A Grayslake Bite of Life Short Story

Celia Kyle

Contents

Blurb

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

About the Author

Blurb

Mia’s looking forward to a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends, family, furballs, and veggie dogs. (For her daughter Sophia, don’t ask.) But what begins with laughs soon ends with tears… of grief? Or joy?

This short story is set in the GRAYSLAKE: MORE THAN MATED world and does not stand alone. It should be read after HOWL MY NAME and is a little bit of family life for those who fell in love with the Grayslake gang and aren’t ready to let them go.

* * *

If you enjoy the Grayslake world, make sure you check out the Grayslake: More Than Mated Kindle World. Your favorite authors writing about Grayslake, Georgia.

1

If you enjoy the Grayslake world, make sure you check out the Grayslake: More Than Mated Kindle World. Your favorite authors writing about Grayslake, Georgia.

* * *

Six years into Mia’s mating with Ty and she’d gone from a cub in her pantry to a bun in her oven. Well, a second bun. Her first biological bun was—at that moment—attempting to talk her adopted son into making a break for freedom.

They didn’t want to stick around and listen to adults talk at some stinking barbecue. Not even promises of all the pork and green beans they could eat ended the whining. (Pork for Parker and green beans for her still-vegetarian daughter Sophia.) Don’t even get Mia started about that. A vegetarian werebear? Even the Southeast Itan—the territory’s regional werebear leader—had never heard of such a thing.

A familiar scent teased her nose, one she knew better than any others, and she mentally groaned.

“You gonna tell him anytime soon?” The deep, rumbly voice held a teasing note and then she groaned aloud.

“Dad.” She even whined… and not just a little. “I haven’t even taken a test.”

Though, really, she didn’t need to. Mia knew her own body, and well… yeah.

Her father chuckled and laid his massive arm across her shoulders, the weight both welcome and comforting. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and breathed deep, taking in the scents of home. He wasn’t her biological father, but Thomas Baker was even better—he was the father of her heart.

“Little cub, the day I don’t recognize a change in my own daughter’s scent is the day they put me in the ground.”

She elbowed him. “No talking about being put in the ground.”

After the troubles of the last few years, Mia didn’t want to think about death and her loved ones ever again. Ever. And yes, she repeated herself, but she wanted to be sure the powers that be heard her.

Her father grunted and then laughed again, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “I’m not looking to go anywhere anytime soon. I want another few grandcubs outta you two.”

Mia’s gut clenched and chest tightened, suspicions and worries colliding inside her. Her inner bear chuffed and grumbled, not happy about thinking of past pregnancies and sorrows. “Daddy…”

He sighed and pulled away, forcing her to turn toward him until they faced each other fully. “Little cub, you’re still blaming yourself, aren’t you?”

Tears stung her eyes and she squeezed them shut, fighting to keep them at bay. “I just… This is the fourth, and the others…”

The fourth time she’d been pregnant since giving birth to Sophia. Her little five-year-old was the light—and love—of her life, but she’d always wanted Sophia to have a sister or brother. She’d—they’d—never meant for Sophia to be an only child. Nature apparently had disagreed.

Until now.

He shook his head. “It wasn’t time. For whatever reason, it wasn’t time.”

“But—“

“It is too, vege-tamerian stupid-head!”

Mia sighed, recognizing that high-pitched, thoroughly annoyed voice coming from above.

Her daughter was obviously on the second floor balcony—directly above her—and there was only one person she argued with so strongly.

Mia’s father released her and she stepped away, tilting her head back as she yelled. “Sophia Cate Abrams! What did I say?”

Pure. Silence. Sophia didn’t even take a step on the wooden floor, and Mia imagined her frozen in place as if she’d scented a predator and didn’t want to be seen. Well, mothers were predators of a sort.

“Hi Mommy!”

Mia imagined the dimpled smile that would accompany that cheery greeting. Yeah, she wasn’t falling for it. Five years of being with that adorable hellion had taught her many, many things.

“Uh-huh. What. Did I. Say?”

A low huff from Sophia was followed by a boyish snicker from her daughter’s ever-present partner-in-crime. Though, really, Mia was pretty sure Parker encouraged Sophia into half of the escapades. She just couldn’t prove it. Yet.

“Mommy, listen. Listen, listen. I went on weeky… weeky…”

“Wikipedia,” Parker whispered. As if Mia’s shifter enhanced hearing couldn’t pick up the sound. God save her from ten-year-olds.

“Weeky-peed-ee-ah and it said stupid-head isn’t a curse word.”

“And Google,” Parker whispered again.

“And Googles!” Her daughter sounded so proud. Mia could imagine Sophia standing tall in the middle of the balcony, balled hands on her narrow hips and spine straight—just like her daddy when he thought he was right.

Oh, how wrong they both were. Often.

“Wikipedia and Google don’t put a roof over your head, young lady.”

“Mommy, listen. Listen, listen. I’m outside. There is no roof.”

Parker snickered. Even her father chuckled but managed to turn it into a cough when Mia glared at him. And Sophia… sounded so sure and proud of herself that Mia wanted to give her kid a high-five. She was smart. Annoying at the moment, but smart. Even Mia’s bear was proud of the girl, the emotion rolling through her with the animal’s encouraging snuffle.

“Sophia,” she said, adopting that mom tone. The one she’d learned over the years that would stop kids in their tracks. Not because she was the Itana—female half of the couple that ruled the Grayslake clan—but because she was a mom.

A beleaguered sigh reached her—Sophia’s admission of defeat without her actually admitting anything. Something else she got from her daddy. But it told Mia she’d won. Which was good, considering Mia was pretty sure she was about to lose her lunch in the bushes. Actually, it’d be yesterday’s lunch, since she hadn’t eaten since then.

Ah, the joys of pregnancy.

She rubbed her stomach, silently begging it to calm so she didn’t embarrass herself in front of everyone. And she meant everyone.

The rumble of the party-goers grew with each passing moment, her little gathering increasing with each new car that pulled down the clan den’s driveway. Families, couples, and singles slowly trickled around the corner, filling the den’s backyard. Werewolves and werebears, along with the occasional werehyena, occupied the grass-covered lawn, the different types of shifters mingling and… getting along.

So far.

Reid still hadn’t shown up with his mate Evie and the few bears from his clan that decided to drive down. Mia hadn’t met many of the Brooksville bears, but if they tolerated having a werewolf as their Itan—leader—then they had to be decent enough. She’d call them good people, but…

Sure, they let a wolf lead them. That was fine. But they let Reid—homicidal, sometimes evil, and with his therapist on speed-dial—Bennett.

She wasn’t sure if they were understanding or suicidal. And his mate? Evie was a better bear than Mia.

The wind shifted, bringing over another wave of scents—seared meat and smoking pig—and she swallowed past the bloom of nausea. It was only going to get worse as soon as Ty’s brother Van arrived. He’d been tasked with bringing extra charcoal and lighter fluid. Reid was hauling “the best grills known to wolves” down with him from Brooksville while Keen was ready to prove propane charred a burger better than charcoal any day.

She’d tell them all to whip out their dicks and measure, but she wasn’t sure her mate would be okay with that. Actually, she was sure he wouldn’t.

“How much do I gottsa put in?” Sophia grumbled, but Mia’s bear allowed her to easily hear the five-going-on-thirty-year-old.

“A dollar in the swear jar, young lady.”

“Mommy,” Sophia gasped.

“Wanna make it two?” Mia arched a brow even though her daughter couldn’t see her.

And her father? Oh, he was red-faced and struggling not to laugh. She stared at the man, eyes narrowed. “Stop it,” she mouthed, not wanting the kids to hear her.

“I can’t,” he did the same back. “She’s just like you.”

Mia sniffed. She’d never been an argumentative, cursing kid. Her Daddy woulda tanned her rear end. And she darned sure better say rear end or she’d be the one putting money in the strategically positioned swear jars.

By the time her little barbecue was over, she’d probably have enough to cover Sophia’s college. Especially if Reid got near his half-sister’s mate, Bates. Those two…

She made a mental note to “encourage” Evie and Reid’s half-sister to chat.

“No, Mommy,” Sophia sniffled, and she could practically see that lower lip tremble. “I don’t wanna.”

Which was good because her churning stomach took a sharp right before flowing into a deep dive, and she swayed on her feet. She reached out and grasped the railing, fingers digging into the wood while she tried to keep herself from puking all over the porch. Vomit was not a good accompaniment to burgers.

Her father gave her a speculative, narrow-eyed stare and she dropped her gaze. The man had a way of looking at her and just knowing…

“Sophia? Parker? Run along now.” He didn’t raise his voice, his tone telling them it wasn’t a request, but an order. “I think I hear Uncle Reid’s truck coming down the driveway.”

“Yay!” Both shouted at the same time, the heavy thud of their pounding steps immediately following their yells.

Mia wasn’t sure if sending her kids to play with the homicidal werewolf was any better than puking up yesterday’s lunch in front of them.

Okay, she wasn’t being entirely fair. Reid had stopped smoking and drinking coffee courtesy of orders from his therapist Clary. Apparently the woman had tried to take away sex at some point during treatment but had rescinded the order out of pure self-preservation.

Her father stepped close, arm going around her waist and steadying her when she swayed. “Noise or scents getting to you?”

“Both?” She laughed weakly. Yeah, both were bothering her. A lot.

“Then let’s get you away from it all, hmmm?”

“But the barbecue…” She’d wheedled and whined her way into putting the barbecue together. Wolves, bears, and a handful of hyenas were all getting together to mingle and have a little fun.

With approximately twenty-five swear jars peppered around the backyard. She wasn’t about to have f-bombs littering her yard.

“We’re shifters, little cub. Give ‘em meat and drinks and they’re good to go.” He encouraged her to turn and shuffle toward the backdoor. “Which means I’m going to take you inside and out a side door so you can get away unnoticed.”

“Get away?” She crossed over the threshold, the sweet scents of the clan den surrounding her. The aromas of home and food prepared by the den house cook—Gigi—wrapped around her.

“Yup.” Her father led her down the hallway and her stomach calmed with each step farther away from the party. “Then I’m going to send Ty after you.”

“But…” She found herself standing in front of one of the side doors, her attention bouncing between the wood panel and her father. “He’s the Itan…”

“Who needs to be with his pregnant mate.” Her dad’s expression told her there was gonna be no arguing that one. “Meat and drinks. I think that between me, Ty’s parents, and his three brothers, we can keep the crowd under control.”

Yes, they probably could. Ty’s parents were the previous Itan and Itana, while his three brothers were the clans’ enforcer, healer, and keeper. They were also massive, strong bears in their own right.

“And Reid…” She raised her eyebrows, waiting for his reaction to his inclusion. Reid was family, of a sort, after all.

Her father grunted and agreed with her. “And Reid.”

She gave him a half smile and pushed to her tip-toes, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Daddy. Don’t let anyone get out of putting money in the swear jar.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I’ll keep an eye on ‘em. You just get going. Ty will catch up to you by the time you hit the tree line.”

2

Ty leaned against a tree at the edge of the yard, his position giving him a clear view of his domain. His bear bristled at all the others that’d entered their territory, but he pushed the animal back. Mia—their mate—wanted the party, so she’d have the party and that was it. His human mind and bear’s instincts could get over any and all objections.

Didn’t mean his fingers and gums hurt any less, though. His nails darkened and eased toward black more and more with each passing second. The bear shoved at his control, furious about having so many males—mated and unmated—near Mia. She was his. All of her was his. And to have all these other bears, wolves, and hyenas nearby…

His gums throbbed, fangs attempting to push past the tender flesh of his gums. The beast wanted him to flash his elongated canines at the next person who even glanced at Mia.

Mia… His cock twitched when he simply thought of her name. His palms tingled, memories of the feel of her smooth skin teasing him. He touched—caressed—her every chance he got. Unfortunately, he hadn’t had a chance that day. Not when she was out of bed and off like a shot to work on preparations before he even opened one eye.

She was running herself ragged with this mess and he had half a mind to send them all back home.

But she wanted it, so…

Ty sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, settling into his position beneath the shade of the tree. Nothing to be done now. Nothing but to wait until everyone arrived, ate, and then left again. Hopefully with little bloodshed, but lots of cursing.

Because, damn his woman was hot when she was all annoyed and frustrated. He loved nothing more than stripping her down and loving the mad right out of her.

Which he couldn’t do with a yard full of people.

At least he had his family nearby. His parents flew in from Florida a few days ago and his brothers were always hanging around the den. Then there was Mia’s father… Ty turned his attention to where he’d last seen the older man. The half-bear had been standing with Mia beneath the porch overhang.

Only now both of ‘em were gone. Ty frowned and turned his gaze to the growing crowd, searching for his mate. She’d said she’d stay around the house and not dive into the middle of the temperamental crowd. They may have all come to the Grayslake den for some fun, but… shifters were shifters.

He stared out at the milling groups, small circles peppered throughout the green space while kids darted around talking adults. He spotted more than one cub who’d shifted while still dressed and was now wrapped up in their human clothes.

Man, he remembered doing that. Getting all excited and playing with his friends. Hands one second and then boom, paws.

One particular little cub—pup?—raced past, blue eyes wide and smile even wider, with pale blonde curls flowing behind her. Racing until a dog barked and the toddler froze in place.

“Uh oh.” Little bow-shaped lips trembled and her shoulders slumped with her sigh. The dog circled her, chuffing and grumbling, until the girl reached out and patted him roughly on the snout. “Hewo Ebie Wiffa-waffee.”

Ebie. Also known as Ebenezer something or other—Kira Kolanowski-Abrams’ seeing eye dog. Unofficial, of course. Half the time the damned—darned—mutt walked Kira into obstacles, not away from them.

It seemed the dog was taking Kira and Isaac’s little girl under his paw, too.

The wind changed and the little girl tilted her head to the side, little chest expanding as she breathed deep. Then those glacier blue eyes were on him, her smile just as wide as before. “Unca Ty!”

The toddler bolted toward him, tiny legs pumping while she ran in his direction and… tripped over a tree root. He bent and scooped her up, propping her diaper-clad bottom on his forearm.

“Hey, Zee-Zee, whatcha’ doing?”

She shrugged, her grin deepening until her dimples appeared. “Dunno.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Isobel Zoey Abrams!” His brother Isaac’s voice rose above the crowd, only to be followed by Ebie barking and then… “Dammit Ebenezer, I will gut your ass—“

“Daddy! ‘angage! Swear R!”

Language. Ty grinned at Izzy—Isobel when she was in trouble and Zee-Zee when she had to introduce herself to others. He figured by the time the barbecue was over, Mia’s swear jars would be pretty full.

“Jar, Zee-Zee. Jar.”

“R.” She nodded hard. “What I said.”

Isaac finally pushed through the crowd, Ebie on his heels and trotting after him with his tongue lolling out. The scar that bisected his brother’s face—a wound earned when he’d fought to save Mia—was no longer a harsh line that marred his features. It’d softened—he’d softened—ever since he’d found Kira. Even more so when Isobel was born.

“Isobel.” Isaac marched forward, eyes narrowing and gaze missing nothing as he looked his only child over. Ty knew what his brother saw—dirt-scuffed, bare feet and grubby, mud-caked fingers. Then there were the knots in her hair and the new scratch on her knee.

His brother stopped mere inches from them, staring down at the little bit of nothing in Ty’s arms. “How many times have I told you not to run off?”

Isobel—so much like her mother—reached out and patted her father’s face. “Bil’on times, Daddy.”

Ty fought his grin. He really did. “She’s a kid, Isaac.”

“She’s blind, Ty,” Isaac snapped right back.

“Only little of a lot, Daddy.” Zee-Zee nodded, repeating her own mother’s often-repeated statement. Kira—mole shapeshifter—was a little of a lot blind. Her daughter, also a weremole, had the same vision problems, and both Kira and Isobel drove Isaac crazy.

It was fun as hell to watch.

It also made Ty jealous, watching his brother chase after a little hellion while his mate was ready to give birth to their second child. Hell, his other two brothers were slowly building their families. Van had two boys—twins—and he was shooting for a girl next time. Keen and Trista wasted no time, either.

And then he and Mia… well, they’d have another baby when it was time. They’d been waiting for it to be “time” since a year after Sophia’s birth.

He stared at his niece, a picture-perfect replica of Kira, and his throat tightened while jealousy speared his gut. He didn’t begrudge his brother happiness, he just wanted a little for himself, too.

Kira soon pushed through the crowd, Ebie racing to her side and sticking to her while she made her way to them. “Isaac Abrams, sexy man-noms or not, you can’t just run off. I swear—“

“Swear R!” Zee-Zee shouted right into his ear.

Isaac dropped his head forward with a defeated sigh, Kira’s light-hearted laugh filled the air, and a little more jealousy stabbed Ty.

“Who needs to put money in the swear jar?” Thomas Baker—Mia’s father—strode into their small circle. “Was that you, Miss Zee-Zee?”

“Nu-uh, Daddy!” Zee-Zee pointed at Isaac.

And Isaac mumbled to his daughter, “Traitor.”

A round of laughs went around their circle, and soon the rest of Ty’s family joined them, the people he loved most surrounding him. Even Reid.

Someone took Zee-Zee from his arms and then he had Thomas at his side, leaning close and talking low. “Mia needed a break from the noise. I sent her off into the forest to get some peace and quiet.” The older man raised his eyebrows and Ty had no trouble reading the meaning in Thomas’s gaze. “Maybe you can go find her?”

Ty’s pulse raced, excitement over escaping and getting some time alone with his mate sending his heart rate soaring. Between Parker, Sophia, and the clan, they didn’t get a whole lotta time alone, just the two of them. “Yeah. I think I will.”

Thomas gave him a knowing smirk and Ty didn’t even call him out on the disrespect. He was too consumed with desire—need. He had a house—yard—full of people and he was the host, and instead of sticking around, he was chasing his mate through the forest. A pang of guilt weaseled into him, but his bear quickly chased it off. The animal wanted time to just be with their mate as well. It wanted to savor her, claim her again and again.

It’d been a long time since he’d been able to make love to Mia properly—drive her mad with need before making her come as he sank his teeth into her flesh. His cock jerked in his pants, hardening and lengthening within the denim confines.

Ty went from a brisk walk toward the tree line to a loping jog, increasing his pace the closer he drew to the forest. He managed to get ten feet past the very edge before he ripped off his shirt and tossed it aside. His shoulders broadened, skin stretching and stinging as his bear pushed forward. Fur slid free of his pores, coming out to pepper his arms and chest with dark fur. The animal was anxious to get to Mia and didn’t care for his human half’s easy strides.

His thighs thickened, straining the seams of his pants, and he heard the first thread snap due to the bear’s insistence. The animal wasn’t about to let him take it slow. If he didn’t do something soon, his jeans would be a total loss.

“Fuck it,” he mumbled and reached for the button and zipper.

Claw-tipped fingers fumbled with the metal but he finally managed to get them undone. He yanked and pulled, tugging as he continued his run, and paused just long enough to discard the jeans before he fell to all fours.

Bones snapped and cracked, the sounds reverberating in his ears while snippets of pain suffused his body. His muscles stretched, pulling against tendons, reshaping to his bear’s reformed body. Hands and feet became massive paws that dug deep into the soil, churning the fresh earth.

His shift didn’t just give him an increased size, but enhanced senses as well. He caught a hint of deer followed by a light brush of squirrel and then rabbit. He’d bring Sophia out later—much later—to explore the animals. Why? Because another aroma taunted his nose. One he knew better than any other—his mate.

So sweet and fresh and… his.

He growled low, the knowledge filling his mind as her scent filled his lungs. He tipped his head back, searching through the brisk wind and trying to determine her direction.

South. South toward one of their favorite spots in the clan’s lands. A nice little secluded area, a meadow cleared of trees and filled with fresh honeysuckle. Their own little bit of perfection they hadn’t visited in longer than he wanted to admit.

Ty spun and picked up speed, racing past fallen trees and easy prey, his bear not wanting anything but to be at Mia’s side. He dodged around a row of bushes and ducked beneath a few low-hanging branches. He hopped over the next downed log and skirted some brambles that were in his path. Sure, he was a big, bad bear, but brambles…

His bear internally whimpered. It remembered the last time they’d tangled with those stickers.

Light filtered through the trees, the forest thinning the closer he drew to his destination. Soon, the crowd of trees was replaced by a smattering of bushes and then… then there was nothing but a blanket of high grass spreading out before him. And in the middle, standing tall with her head tipped back and face turned toward the sun, was his mate. She was bathed in the bright rays, wind tugging at her brown hair and caressing her pale skin. Skin he wanted to touch and taste.

He padded forward, large body silently moving over the dense grass. He didn’t make a sound, carefully travelling toward her, until no more than three feet separated them.

The wind buffeted her again, bathing him in her natural scent with that single gust. He parted his jaws, drawing in the flavors and letting them dance across his tongue. He picked out other flavors then. Ones that said she was aroused as well. His mate might not be avidly focusing on him, but she was still aware of his presence.

He let out a low chuff, his bear tired of being ignored by Mia, and stretched out his neck. He nosed her fingers, nudging until her palm caressed his snout with a gentle touch.

A soft smile teased her lips. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

This time, he let his annoyance tinge his grumbling. He came when he’d been told, dammit.

“Uh-huh,” she murmured, reaching the top of his head and rubbing the tip of his ear. “Right. I think that deserves a swear jar deposit.”

Dam—Darn it. She always knew when he cursed—even when it was only in his head. It annoyed the heck out of him, but he wouldn’t change her for anything.

That smile still tipped her mouth and it reached her eyes as she turned her gaze to him. “Shift for me?”

He’d do anything for her—anything. His bear had the same opinion, anxious to give her whatever she desired. His transition reversed itself, the bits and pieces of him shifting from bear to man. There was no pain with the breaking of bones and reformation of his body. Not when his entire focus was on his mate and not his change.

His delicious, luscious, beautiful mate.

While the bear handed over control, his human mind pushed to the front of his mind. And with that came a resurgence of his need for Mia. His bone-deep desire pushed to the forefront of his thoughts, taking over and replacing any other idea in his head. Only one word repeated inside him over and over again—need.

Need and need and need again.

When the bear was completely gone, he rolled his shoulders, settling into his skin before giving his mate his full attention.

3

Mia wasn’t sure what her father told Ty, but based on her mate’s hard cock and the scent of his desire, he hadn’t told him the truth. That the noise and scents sent her stomach rolling and practically turned her face green.

Which was good, since she wasn’t ready for Ty to wrap her in cotton just yet.

She smirked at her mate, a small smile tipping up the corner of her lips, as she looked him over from head to toe. She paused when she reached his cock—long and hard for her—before returning her attention to his face. His bear had retreated, but not fully. A hint of the animal’s scruff peppered his cheeks, and his cheekbones and jaw were sharper than normal. The beast was gone, but wouldn’t be completely banished. It was proof of his inner bear’s need to be present.

And that turned her on. It sent a sliver of warmth through her blood, her desire gradually uncurling inside her. Not that she was turned on by a bear, but that the feral part of him wanted her just as much as his human mind.

She took a step toward him, closing the distance between them, and immediately reached for her mate. But not his shoulders or his face. Not his chest or his thick biceps. She touched him there. She wrapped her fingers around his thick length, reveling in the heavy weight of him in her palm.

Hot. Hard. For her.

She stroked him from root to tip, brushing her thumb over the moist head. Pre-cum decorated the end of his shaft, further proof of his craving.

“Hi,” she whispered and stroked him again. “Is this for me?”

She practically purred the words, teasing him with her touch and voice.

“Mia,” he rasped, hips jerking and his cock sliding within her fist.

The way he said her name… her pussy clenched, tightening and begging to be filled and stretched by him. “Love that.” She squeezed the base of his cock and then stroked his shaft. “Love the way you say my name.”

“Love you.” He growled the words, his fangs peeking past his upper lip. “So much.”

Sure, he wanted her—she held proof in her hand. But his love? She saw it in his eyes. She saw it in the darkening of those orbs and in the way he looked at her. He didn’t look at her. He looked into her. Ty saw everything about Mia—good and bad—and loved all of her.

“Missed you.” She stepped nearer, releasing his cock and wrapping her arms around his waist, bringing their bodies flush. He was still hard and aroused, but instead of pushing, he turned tender. He gave her what she needed.

Ty buried his face against her neck, breathing deep and releasing the air slowly. His moist breath tickled her sensitive skin and she lightly laughed.

“Missed you, too.” He smiled against her shoulder, his tongue flicking out to lap at her mating mark. She shuddered and moaned with the touch, the old injury sending a spiral of need curling through her body. “Too much going on and not enough time for us.”

Never enough time for them.

She turned her head and kissed his neck in return, parting her lips and lapping at his moist skin. Sweat clung to his tanned flesh, sweat and bear and man all rolled into one. The scent and taste had her moaning and wiggling even closer to his rock hard body. Ty was so muscular and lean—like many werebears—but what made him different was that he was hers.

He caressed her, hands sliding around her hips to briefly rest just above her ass before moving on to trace her spine. He stroked her back, the heat of his touch sinking through the thin fabric of her shirt. She sighed and relaxed into him even more, taking comfort in his solid presence.

Ty opened his mouth and bit the juncture of her neck and shoulder—not enough to break the skin, but enough to remind her of the scarring there. Mia trembled and moaned, tilting her head to the side and giving him greater access. Her clit twitched, pussy tightening, and she couldn’t wait to feel him deep within her. Taking her. Fucking her. Making her his all over again.

Normally, she’d add making babies to that list, but… She’d stood in the middle of that clearing, face tipped up to the sun while she did a little internal retrospection and discovered…

Yeah, she felt like she did when she was pregnant with Sophia. Like those very early days when her cub first came into existence.

Her father was right. She was pregnant. Girl or boy, she had a new little bun in the oven. It took the pressure off their lovemaking, turning it into something just for them instead of a desire to grow their family.

She hadn’t just missed being alone and away from everything with Ty. She’d missed this. She’d missed things being just about them and nothing else—not babies.

Ty fisted the bottom of her shirt, gradually tugging it up her body. The thin material caressed her back, his attentions exposing her to the warm sun and cool winds. His warm palms skated over her sensitive flesh, fingers pausing to flick the strap of her bra. The hooks parted with ease, releasing the tight hold on her breasts, and she sighed with the easing of tension. She groaned when his hands roamed to the front of her body, moving to cup the heavy mounds. He nudged her bra higher and teased her nipples, thumbs circling the tiny nubs.

Mia arched her back, pushing into his hands, needing more from her mate. “Ty…”

“Right here.” He pinched her nipples between thumb and forefinger, adding a hint of pain to the burgeoning pleasure. “Always right here.”

She whimpered and whined, aching for his mouth—for him to nibble and suck those nubs.

As if he read her mind, he pushed her shirt higher, exposing her stomach and then breasts to the afternoon light. He bent slightly, lips parted, and her breath caught in her throat. Her mate moved slowly, taking his time as he lowered his head. Her heart raced with the anticipation, the unending wait for his mouth nearly killing her.

Ty’s gaze lifted to meet hers, eyes intent while he closed the distance between his lips and her nipple. She held her breath, waiting… waiting… waiting…

Her pussy clenched and it took everything inside her to stop from touching herself. She wanted to finger her clit, circle that bundle of nerves and ride her fingers until she came. But she wouldn’t. Not when she had her mate so close and so willing to give her what she desired most.

He flicked his tongue out to lick his lips, and then he blew a soft puff of warm, moist air across the hardened nub. She whimpered again, the anticipation nearly driving her mad. That had his lips twitching with a small smirk, and she knew he’d teased her on purpose. He wanted to torment her. Almost as much as she wanted to be tormented.

Then his mouth was there… Closer and closer until he opened his mouth and—

Kaboom.

Not kaboom because one touch of his mouth to her nipple gave her the most explosive orgasm of her life.

No, kaboom because a ball of fire suddenly filled the air above the tops of the tall pines.

From the north.

From the direction of the clan den.

Mia was in motion before she even realized she’d moved. One foot in front of the other, her feet pounding over the soft earth. She dodged tree after tree, running and pushing her body as fast as she could go.

A growl and roar came from behind her and she knew her mate was on her heels, running as fast as her.

Almost.

The thump of her heavy treads filled her ears, each step corresponding with a beat of her heart. And still she pushed harder—faster. The scent from the fire reached out and wrapped around her chest, squeezing her lungs as if to choke her, but she wouldn’t be stopped by a lack of air.

No mother could be stopped by something so trivial. Yes, she was an Itana. Yes, she should worry over the bears in her clan and her friends at the barbecue, but Mia…

Mia was a mother first.

Parker and Sophia…

Snaps and cracks, some louder than others, followed in her wake, her mate shoving his way past branches and trees. More than one crack was loud enough to tell her that he’d literally snapped a tree rather than go around.

But he wasn’t faster than her. Sure, he was motivated by the same level of fear, but a mother…

It seemed to give her extra strength. Light gradually filtered through the trees, illuminating the forest and giving her a better view of the foliage ahead. It allowed her to plan her steps a little better, so she didn’t take a jagged, random path, but one that would get her home even quicker.

Ty kept pace with her, his harsh pants interspersed with snarls and growls never drifting far.

Still, she ran. Ran and ran and ran until…

Until she burst through the trees and into the bright light of day once more.

Into chaos.

4

Smoke filled the air, banishing any hint of Mia’s scent from Ty’s lungs. They were filled with the aromas of charred flesh and burnt wood. Ash rained down on them, peppering his mate’s hair with drifting specks of gray.

Any hint of arousal he’d felt for his mate was gone—banished by a new emotion.

Utter terror.

His mate was well and whole, but his cubs… his family… his clan… his friends…

The thick smoke masked his vision, making it nearly impossible to see far in front of him. The wind tried to push the gray plumes away, but it was replaced by more and more.

And that was when the screams reached him. Screams and cries and dear God, let them all be alive and well. Let those shouts be out of fear and nothing else.

“Ty!” Mia’s panicked voice reached him, breaking him out of his frozen panic and into motion.

He immediately reached out for her, grasping her cold hand in his, and tugged her into the unending cloud of darkness. The wind still churned, pushing more smoke away and the fire—fires?—had to be dissipating. Their vision cleared, the yard slowly becoming visible beyond the dark smoke. Some spots of the grass were blackened by fire, replaced by burnt remnants—the green a stark contrast to the charred spots.

Ty led Mia through the yard from memory, his pace increasing with every step. He fought to ignore the frightened cries and the furious snarls that surrounded them. He had another purpose—another task to complete—first.

“Parker! Sophia!” He bellowed their names, his tone not leaving any room for misinterpretation. They better answer if they were able or face the consequences.

He had a safe just waiting to keep video games and baby dolls out of reach.

Please let them be okay. Please. His bear growled and snarled, demanding and begging for the same. His bear would never admit it was worried, but the animal paced in the back of his mind. It moved from side to side, alternating between demanding control and urging his stupid human half to find their cubs.

They had their mate. Now find the cubs.

He squeezed Mia’s hand, reassuring himself of her presence. He had her. Find the cubs because he had her.

He stumbled across his father first, the old Itan coughing and pounding his chest with one hand. Soot coated his father’s cheeks, but a quick scan with his gaze and he didn’t find any wounds on him—no burns or scrapes. One of the knots around his heart eased, but not all the way. Not when he saw his father didn’t have anyone else with him.

“Dad? Where’s—“

His father’s bellowing laugh cut him off, the wide smile and joy filling the male’s gaze unmistakably. “I’ve never had so much fun…”

Ty swayed in place for a moment. He wasn’t about to faint—Itans didn’t faint—but he might have become a little lightheaded. “Dad…”

His dad just smiled wider and shook his head. “I think the kids are off in that direction. Gonna get your mother out of this.”

Ty’s mother was also smiling and staring at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. “It’s payback. God has finally given me payback.”

And she seemed happy about it.

Ty shook his head and opened his mouth to ask what she was going on about, but Mia pulled against his hold, bringing his attention back to her.

“Ty!” She yanked again and he followed the direction of her panicked stare.

That was when his own bout of panic took over. His heart rate soared, the muscle thundering and beating so hard he thought it’d burst from his chest.

His daughter.

His son.

Cradled…

Bile churned in his stomach, searing his throat as it rose along his esophagus.

His daughter and his son cradled in Reid’s arms. Neither moving. Neither making a sound. No coughs as they fought for breath and no sobs as they cried for their parents. Tears didn’t streak their cheeks to cut a path through the soot on their faces.

The werewolf’s expression was grim, lips pressed tightly together, while his eyes were filled with a combination of guilt and regret.

“No,” Ty whispered, voice hoarse and throat scratching as he shoved the word from his mouth. His knees trembled, fear taking up residence in his heart. His bear roared its objection, the animal furious and out for blood, craving the flesh of the person behind the atrocity.

“No.” That time it was the bear, the animal demanding he repeat the human word.

Mia sobbed, whole body shaking with what he knew were the first inklings of grief and disbelief. “Ty.” She no longer fought to get away, but turned her wrist and clung to him, squeezing his fingers until he thought they’d break. “Ty, please.”

Please tell her she wasn’t really seeing what was in front of them.

Amber eyes—Reid’s amber eyes—met his, and the urge to kill the wolf nearly overrode his human desire to figure out what went wrong and fix it. Fix it enough so that his kids were looking at him with wide smiles once more.

The wind continued to pull at them, shoving the smoke away from the yard and into the forest. It cleared their vision, giving him a chance to see the destruction, to see what’d caused his children to…

Mia sobbed when Reid was close enough to touch, close enough to reach out for their kids and rest trembling hands on their small backs.

So small. So tiny.

“Oh, Parker, Sophia.” Tears slid down his mate’s cheek and Ty fought his own urge to cry.

Itans didn’t cry. They killed things. His bear wanted to kill whoever caused the damage to his life. Slowly. Painfully. Possibly starting with Reid.

“What the fuck happened?” Ty snarled, not willing to wait for an explanation. His fangs elongated, the bear pushing forward, and Ty let the animal have a bit of control. He needed the beast’s strength to win against whomever he had to challenge. “Who the fuck did this—who hurt my kids—and where the fuck can I find them?”

Reid jerked back, his attention bouncing between Ty and Mia before falling to the kids. His brows lowered and lips turned down with a frown. “Ty,” he said, shaking his head. “We were just over by the grills. Things got a little…”

“Who, Reid? Give me their fucking names.” And may God give them mercy when he found them, because they were dead. Human or shifter, Ty didn’t care. Nothing mattered more to him than Mia and his kids. Nothing.

Reid jostled Parker and Sophia. “The kids are fi—“

“My babies.” Tears streaked Mia’s cheeks, her whole body trembling.

“Dammit, Mia. Fuck, Ty. Listen, you little shits…” Reid shrugged and jiggled them again. “This was fucking funny until…”

“Reid, you need to fucking—” Then he heard it. Above the roaring in his ears, the pounding of his heart, and the growls of his bear… he heard it.

A laugh.

Not from one of the others at the party, but one he knew just as well as Mia’s.

It was his daughter’s laugh—her giggle—her chuckle. But she was…

She repeated the sound and lifted her head, turning a gap-toothed smile and eyes dancing with happiness on him. Then onto her mother. “Mommy, you didn’t tell them to put a dollar in the jar once.” Then those eyes narrowed and she propped one fist on a slim hip. “Not. Fair.”

“What?” He rasped out the question, unable to hear himself over the pounding in his ears.

But Sophia wasn’t listening to him or Mia’s cries. She was poking her brother—cousin—and demanding his attention. “Did you hear Parker? Daddy said F words and Uncle Reid said badder ones and Mommy didn’t tell them to put money in the swear jar.” She poked Parker again. “Parker? Are you listening? Listen, listen. Mommy—“

His adopted son huffed and lifted from Reid’s shoulder to glare at Sophia. “You ruined it, brat.”

Mia’s gaze was filled with the same confusion that consumed Ty.

“Daddy? Parker called me a brat.”

“Because you are a brat,” Parker grumbled.

“I don’t understand…” Mia whispered, her gaze bouncing between their soot-covered-but-healthy children.

Thomas, Mia’s father, emerged from the smoke, coughing and hacking, but still smiling wide. “That was fun as heck!”

“Grandpa!” Sophia leaned away from Reid and the older man took Ty’s daughter with ease. “Daddy said F words and Uncle Reid said…”

“Badder ones and blah, blah, swear jar,” Reid finished for her. Which drew Ty’s gaze back to him.

“What the fuck?” Ty jerked free of Mia’s tight grip and stalked toward Reid. The werewolf put Parker down and then took a slow step backward. He retreated at the same pace Ty advanced, maintaining the distance between them. “Explain what the fuck all this is?”

“No, Ty, calm down. It’s nothing a little paint can’t fix.” Reid held up his hands as if to ward off Ty.

Ty ignored Thomas’s snort.

He couldn’t ignore the tug on his hand. “Hey, Pop. Know what?”

He turned his attention to Parker. Parker who still lived and breathed and smiled at him. The kid was a little worse for wear—his clothes were more than a little charred, but his skin wasn’t pink or red from a burn. “What?”

The kid needed to tell him whatever was on his mind so Ty could get to torturing Reid until he got the full story out of him.

“When you turn the handle on a po-pane tank all the way open and then you turn a knob and then you spray it with a bottle of lightning fluid and then you throw a match…”

Ty’s breath caught, but those rambled words were enough to tell him what the hell happened. Somehow—either on his own or with adult supervision, and he wanted to kill that fucking adult—his son opened up a propane tank, added a whole bottle of lighter fluid, and then lit a match.

Then boom.

“You’re naked. Did you shift without me? That’s not fair. You said I could shift the next time…” His son was still rambling as if Ty hadn’t gone through a whirlwind of emotions in the last thirty seconds that left him exhausted.

“This smoke isn’t good for you or…” Thomas was probably trying to be quiet, but the presence of Ty’s bear made everything sound like a bellowing shout. “Did you tell him yet?”

“Tell who what?” Sophia interrupted. She always interrupted, and she would forever interrupt because she was alive. He had to take strength from that.

“Tell your daddy that he’s gonna be a daddy again.”

Parker was still whining, Reid was still backing away, and Sophia was still rattling off a million questions about babies and all Ty could do was…

Roar.

“Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?”

Silence. Utter silence surrounded them. Even the fire quieted as if it was afraid of angering Ty. No one else made a sound and both kids snapped their mouths shut which let him focus on Mia and Thomas. Mia, who glared first at her red-faced father and then shifted that attention to Ty.

“Language, Ty. Language.”

“Lan… You… Lan…” he sputtered and stuttered, shaking his head back and forth. “I don’t…”

He’d lost his grasp on the situation at some point. Lost it and he wasn’t sure he’d ever get it back again. For now, he’d have to be thankful for what he did have.

Parker.

Sophia.

Mia, even though she was glaring at him.

That was when his mother bustled up to their small group, her smile even wider than Thomas’s, while his dad followed in her wake. “Oh, that was amazing!” She clapped her hands, her laughter filling the air. She even went so far as to bounce in place. “That was…” His mother froze, attention turning to Mia and no one else. “Sweetheart, what are you doing out in this smoke? It’s not good for the baby. Let’s get you inside.”

Fire. His children who appeared dead and now… baby?

“Mia?” He wasn’t sure if she heard him or somehow read his mind, but she looked at him, shoulders hunched while she nibbled her lower lip.

“I was gonna tell you…”

5

Mia stared out at the remnants of her yard. The grass was ruined, more than one tree was now charred and black, and the twisted wreckage of one of Reid’s grills seemed embedded in the ground.

All in all, she’d have to call the barbecue a complete and utter failure. Although, her swear jars were full. Apparently, when something blew up, adults cursed up a blue storm. So, that was a positive to the day.

That and the fact that Ty knew about the baby now.

A baby he hadn’t talked about since he’d heard of its existence. Her throat tightened and chest squeezed while doubt invaded her mind. Did he not want another child anymore? They hadn’t used protection in years and she’d sorta assumed that meant they were on the same page and now… Now she was pregnant and alone on the back porch.

She’d showered and changed, pulling on comfortable stretch pants and a soft tank top. There was only family left in the clan den and they could deal with her free-flying chesticles and soaking wet hair.

Mia sighed and leaned against one of the support posts, resting her head on the wood while she tried to figure out what to do next. Her mind was a whirlwind of to-do items ranging from salvaging the back yard to what to take away from the kids as their punishment. Her hands were still shaking too much to actually sit and talk to them and if she wasn’t shaking, she was crying. Neither went well with trying to appear like a strong disciplinarian.

The back door squeaked, the screen swinging open while someone stepped from the house to the porch. The wind changed and she tried to figure out who’d joined her, but the smoke still clogged her senses. So she waited for the newcomer to get closer, to pad within sight beneath the moon’s light.

Then there he was—standing tall and proud.

“Hi,” she whispered.

He didn’t say anything, not at first. Ty simply reached for her and pulled her away from the post. He tugged until their fronts were flush and he had her wrapped in his arms. He surrounded her with his touch—his scent—and she’d never felt safer in her entire life.

“You’re pregnant.” To anyone else, his tone sounded flat and unemotional, but to Mia… He was thrilled. Ty was a man—an Itan—and emotions weren’t exactly his forte outside of stressful situations.

“I am.” She rested her head on his chest, ear pressed to his pec while she listened to the steady thud of his heart.

He sighed and squeezed her a little tighter, another display of his deep feelings. “Fuck, Mia. You’re pregnant.”

She grinned. “What did I tell you about that kind of language?”

Ty shook his head, chin brushing her hair. “I’ve dealt with people invading the den, getting cock-blocked by an explosion, thinking my kids were dead, and then finding out you’re pregnant with our cub. I think I get a little leeway.”

She pulled back, smiling at her mate. “Yeah?”

Ty grunted. “Yeah.”

“Does that mean I get some leeway? Because I seem to remember getting cock-blocked, too.”

“Mia, you get anything you desire.” He cupped her cheeks and lowered his head, brushing his lips across hers. “I want to give you the world. I want to be everything to you. I want you to be so fucking happy… I just…”

Mia pushed to her tiptoes and gave him a kiss of her own, the caress fleeting before she eased away. Her pussy was already wet and aching, his mere presence sending her desire from zero to bend me over in an instant. She knew what she wanted and he was the only one who could sate her need. “I want you to take me inside and fuck me.”

She waited for his response—his growl or snarl—but heard a gasp instead.

“Mommy! Language!”

Yeah, it seemed Ty would sate her need later. Much, much later.

~~*~~

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About the Author

Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile collectible doll salesperson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Celia Kyle now writes urban fantasy (as Lauren Creed), science fiction (as Erin Tate), and paranormal romances for readers who:

1) Like super hunky heroes (they generally get furry)

2) Dig beautiful women (who have a few more curves than the average lady)

3) Love laughing in (and out of) bed.

It goes without saying that there's always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road bumps along the way.

Today she lives in Central Florida and writes full-time with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.

Find Celia on the web…

Twitter: @celiakyle

Facebook: authorceliakyle

www.celiakyle.com

celia@celiakyle.me

Copyright © 2016 by Celia Kyle

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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