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Secrets to Bear

A Grayslake Paranormal Romance

by Flora Dare

www.floradare.com || Join Flora’s mailing list! || Facebook

DESCRIPTION

He’s her hot one-night stand. She’s his fated mate. And there’s one person determined to keep them apart.

Lira just needs room to breathe. Somewhere away from her small town, their prying eyes, and their intense focus now that her cheating ex… is really her ex. For good.  What better place to get away than a dive bar two towns over?  And if she happens to meet her next one-night stand in all of his muscular, lickable glory… all the better.

Werebear Jake just wanted a drink. What he got was an armful of luscious mate. For one night.  Then life--and his persnickety grandmother--interfere.  He has to get his family to Grayslake, Georgia (the werebear town) and then he’ll focus on finding his missing mate.  Unless she finds him first.

Jake has Lira, but can he keep her?  Lira’s ex refuses to let her go and Jake’s bear… refuses to let him live.

Table of Contents

Secrets to Bear

About the Author

Other Books by Flora Dare

Legal Bits

Secrets to Bear

Chapter One

Lira stared out over the dance floor. The blaring music and swirling lights tried to make the dirty honky-tonk bar look like a fun time, but she couldn't pull her thoughts out of her deep funk.

A month ago, Lira had walked in on her fiancé, well now ex-fiancé, balls deep in her so-called best friend. And everyone knew about it. Now, no matter where she went, it felt like everyone in the small town stared at her. She just craved somewhere she could let her hair down and not have people look at her in smug sympathy.

So here she was, two towns over, throwing back vodka sours and trying to forget the hurt in her heart. She swirled the ice in her cup and smiled. In truth, she was surprised at how little Ethan's betrayal bothered her. At least she found out before the wedding, in enough time to get all her deposits back.

The deeper hurt was in losing her long time best friend, Angela. The person Lira would have been with, crying over the breakup. She flashed back to the awful moment she let herself into the apartment the two women shared. She might have even figured out how to forgive her friend, if not for the sly smile that passed quickly over her face when Lira came home.

There had always been an undercurrent of jealousy from her former friend, but Lira thought that was left behind years ago, in high school. Except that smile told Lira she'd been set up.

And now Lira was drinking cheap vodka in a dive bar. She tossed back the last sip and thunked the glass on the bar. She might as well go. Her mind wouldn’t leave those painful memories alone and there was no way she was going to be able to relax and enjoy herself. She knew there was a diner within walking distance where she could eat some fried food and make sure she was safe to drive home.

The bartender waved her down and started to hand her another drink, but Lira shook her head. No way did she want another. He gestured down the bar at one of the other patrons and she glanced down, curious who was buying her a drink.

Ethan.

Lira tightened her mouth, emphatically gestured the drink away, and turned away from the bar. A hot flare of rage rushed over her body and the urge to claw his face to ribbons ran strong. It might be better that they weren't together, but the breakup should come before screwing other people.

She could practically feel him pushing his way toward her, his temper rising with each step. He didn't like not getting his way. He didn't like that she wouldn't take him back. And apparently he didn't like that she wouldn't accept his drink.

Before he could get to her, the crowd parted as a man walked into the bar and Lira's breath whooshed out of her. His jeans were well worn and hung off his hips just right. A burning lust set her veins on fire and made her wiggle in anticipation.

He met her eyes as he came in and strode toward her as if they weren’t strangers. They'd never laid eyes on each other before, but somehow she also felt like she was coming home as she walked toward him, practically in a trance.

She got about two steps before Ethan's heavy hand caught her shoulder. The growl that ripped out of her throat as she twisted away from him scared the hell out of her. The move broke her eye contact with the stranger and she spun on her heel toward Ethan.

"You don't get to touch me,” she spat out the words. “Not ever again."

How dare he? After what he did to her, he was pulling this kind of presumptuous bullshit?

"You should have let me talk to you already. We could have cleared this up."

How did she ever find his voice sexy?

"There isn't anything to clear up."

"It wasn't what it looked like."

"Seriously?” she sneered. “You are seriously going to use that line on me? You were fucking Angela. I don't care if it was the one time or a million times. That is a deal breaker for me." She twisted out of his grip.

"You don't get to just decide we're through."

"Actually, that is exactly what I get to do. I can decide I don't like your shoes, and that's it, we’re splitsville."

Ethan had always had a temper, he'd just never taken it out on her. Right now, the look in his eyes scared the shit out of Lira. It was like a different person stood in front of her. Maybe it was the person he really was, and he had hidden so carefully from her.

Lira stepped back with her hands up, as if to ward him off, and collided with a warm, wide chest. She knew it was the man she'd locked eyes with. The instant they touched, her fear drained away. However crazy, she felt like he would keep her safe from everything.

She couldn't help but melt against him when he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her cheek.

He whispered in her ear, "You seem in trouble, need help?"

She nodded, her eyes almost completely shut. But she could see the cords standing out on Ethan's neck and his face turned blazing red. He'd never liked anyone touching what belonged to him.

But she wasn't his, not anymore.

The man spun her around and melded their lips.  And that’s when Lira forgot about everything else. She forgot they were in a crowded bar. She forgot her ex was a few steps away. The warm velvet of this stranger's lips against hers was something she would never forget.

After what felt like an eternity locked in his embrace, she was shocked when he lifted his head, looking over her shoulder. His stance was casual, but she could feel his rock hard body against hers. He was ready to spring into action.

~ * ~ * ~

Jake ripped his lips away from the sumptuous bombshell in his arms and looked at the man who had touched her. His bear wanted to rip the male from limb to limb, but it was satisfied with marking this woman with his kiss. For now.

"Oh, sorry, dude. Just happy to see my date."

He was pretty much ready to lift her up and take her on the bar, but this was no shifter town. They would not understand.

Well, it's not like they would understand in Grayslake either. His friend, Ty, would have kittens if people started using bars as literal mating grounds. Which was saying something since he was a werebear and Itan of the Grayslake Clan.

Jake moved her so she rested under his arm. If the other man decided to get physical, he could push her behind him. Part of him wanted the man to try something. And not just because he put his hands on Jake's mate.

His mate.

He'd never wanted one…before. He much preferred not having any entanglements. Emotional connections were just something that could be used against you, to control you, to manipulate you. Ty's mate had just laughed and laughed at him when he said he was gonna skip the whole mate thing and bet Ty's brother, Keen, ten bucks on it. A bet he just lost.

Shit, to a human.

Didn't matter. He was going to get this curvy dish out of this noisy place, away from the man who seemed about two heart beats from exploding, and into his bed.

The man grimaced at them then spat out his words. "Well, Lira, I guess it didn't take you long. Assuming you weren't already wrapped around this piece of trash before you abandoned us. And here I thought you were heartbroken."

Jake could feel Lira shaking under his arm. His bear was starting to get very cranky and if he couldn't have Lira trembling beneath him, a bar fight would have to do.

But the bartender stepped between the two men. Wiry and not about to take crap from anyone, he had an internal power that neither man was willing to mess with.

The bartender grabbed the other guy’s arm. "Ethan, you're out tonight. Don't lay hands on ladies."

Ethan shrugged, his sour face belaying his light words. "Well then, I'll just have to come back another night."

When Ethan walked out the front door, the bartender nodded at Jake and headed back to the bar.

As if by magic, or maybe just a word from the bartender, a sexy slow song started playing. Lira looked up at him and opened her mouth to speak, but he just pulled her onto the dance floor.

Their eyes locked, and it was like nothing had pulled them apart when he first walked in the bar. She swayed towards him and he slid a hand down her back. Her sweet curves pressed against him as they moved to the music. She rested her cheek against his chest and he moved his other hand under her hair, to the nape of her neck.

His lust mingled with a fierce desire to protect her, to keep her away from the man who had so frightened her. The song ended and she pulled slightly back from him to look into his eyes.

Hers were like the sky during a storm. Turbulent gray.

When she tried to speak once more, he pressed a finger against her lips and whispered, "Please, just come with me. Let tonight be our magical moment."

The moment stretched into an eternity as she just stared wide-eyed up at him, finally slowly nodding.

Chapter Two

She nodded and she wasn’t sure why. Lira hadn't been planning on anything other than a night out, but nothing had ever felt so right as going with this man, right now.

She let him lead her off the dance floor and out to the parking lot. He guided her across the street, just holding her hand as they walked a block and into an apartment complex.

When they stepped into the elevator she finally found her voice, "Your place? You live here?"

He shook his head. "No, a rental agency. I like it better than a hotel."

He led her down the hallway and into a simple studio apartment. He pressed a kiss against the palm of her hand and said, "I walked into the bar expecting to just have a drink, then crash."

She smiled up at him. "Same." Her smile faltered and a flash of shame echoed through her. She remembered the look of hatred in Ethan's eyes as he glared down at her.

The man caught her chin and tilted her head up to meet his eyes again. "Hey, I don't know where that train of thought was taking you, but it didn't look good."

It was hard meeting his eyes but she finally got the words out, "It's just, with everything, I don't know your name. I'm kind of freaking out because I let a stranger take me to god knows where."

"Well, I'm Jake. I am heading to visit family and stopped here to get some rest on the way through."

"Hi Jake, I'm Lira. Although I guess you heard that already."

"I like it much better when you say it. It's such a pretty name," Jake practically purred.

"Thanks, I like it too."

"Lira, I really, really want to kiss you right now. But if you are feeling freaked out, we can just order pizza and watch some old Leslie Nielson movies."

Lira smiled to herself. He seemed really sincere. Like he just wanted to be with her. She surprised both of them by rising up on her toes, grabbing his face, and pulling him into a kiss.

It was as delicious as their first kiss in the bar. Even more so because his tongue kept flicking forward, delicately parting her lips. His hands rested against hers until he slowly stroked down her arms.

She let her hands move down to his shoulders. Lira enjoyed the flex of Jake’s muscles under her hands as he kept moving his hands down her back, finally slipping down the curve of her waist and cupping her ample backside.

She squealed as he suddenly hoisted her up, pulling her legs around his waist. Shocked words fell out of her mouth, "Oh you can't I'm too heavy..."

He just laughed and pressed her against the wall. "Are you? Because right now you seem just right."

With her legs spread she could feel his hardness against her core. She just moaned as he moved against her. The flames of desire licked through her body. It had never been like this before. She had enjoyed herself but never felt carried away by passion. Never felt like if she didn't have the man holding her she might actually die of want. Of need.

She was desperate to feel his skin. She grabbed the edge of his shirt and bunched the soft cotton in her hands. She let the wall take her weight, so she could get his shirt over his head.  A dusting of hair highlighted the perfect contour of his pecs.  She moaned as she ran a hand down his rock hard chest.

~ * ~ * ~

Jake looked down on her, enjoying the expression of abandon on Lira's face. Her eyes were soft with desire and her lips plump from his kisses. She caught her lower lip in between her teeth as he moved against her. He gripped her hips and took a deep shuddering breath. He wanted to just sink into her and mark her as his. Instead, he lifted her and walked further into the room.

He let her slide down his body because he needed better access to her buttons. She swayed at the foot of the bed, and he slowly undid just the bottom button of her shirt. He dropped to his knees and pressed a kiss on the now exposed sliver of rounded tummy. Her fingers caught in his hair as he swirled his tongue around the soft dimple of her belly button.

He flicked the next button and the next, slowly pulling her down to sit on the bed, kneeling between her legs. Her shirt hung open and he feasted his eyes on the lacy scraps holding her ample curves. He pressed his mouth against the tip of one, catching the hardening nub between his teeth through the fabric.

He growled. His bear wanted to tear every stitch of fabric off. He wanted to enjoy every inch of her. He was only going to get to unwrap her for the first time once. He tamped down his base desire and focused on learning every inch of her lush form.

Still, Jake needed the bra gone and slid both hands up her back. He wasn't slick enough to do a fancy one-handed maneuver to get it off, but to his relief the bra came undone easily. He pulled her shirt down her back and let her bra slip down her arms. He flung it behind him and admired her. She blushed slightly and went to cover herself, but he caught her wrists.

"Please, let me just look at you." He leaned down and lashed one hard nub with his tongue. "I could just look at you for hours." Then he tasted the other. "But I think I'd rather touch you." He leaned her back, gently. "Taste you." And flicked open the button of her jeans. "Definitely taste you." His voice was thick with desire. He needed to show her how wanted she was. He wanted to destroy any memory of anyone before.

The man in the bar? Meaningless compared to what they had, compared to what being mated meant.

Lira gasped as he grabbed the back of her jeans and stripped them off of her, taking her panties with them.

~ * ~ * ~

She lay naked on the bed as the exquisitely built man towered over her, his eyes raking her body. She returned the favor, savoring the strength of his body. Her eyes swept down to a set of abs so taut she wanted to lick her way down to the sharp V that disappeared into deliciously filled jeans.

For a moment she feared him, that he would look at her with disgust. Ethan had always wanted her smaller, tighter, less there.

But Jake grinned and lifted her foot to rest on his shoulder, exposing her intimately. His eyes were dark with need. His need for her. He dropped a quick kiss on the tender curve of her foot, then the inside of her ankle. He nibbled and kissed his way up her leg, pausing to give special attention to the inside of her knee.

With each nibble, he shifted higher up her leg, until Lira was shaking with anticipation. Her breath pressed out of her lungs in an angry grunt when he switched to her other leg.

~ * ~ * ~

Jake felt his body swell in anticipation when he looked up at her. Her head was thrown to the side, her eyes closed and her lip caught in her teeth. Her hands were pulled into little balls, hanging on to the sheets for dear life.

She was going to need to hold on; Jake couldn't tease her anymore, he had to taste. He slid his hands under her ass and lifted her slightly to his face. He admired her neatly trimmed bush as he gently sucked her clit into his mouth. He held on as she bucked against him, crying out.

Lira screamed as Jake swirled his tongue around her swollen button. He gently parted her nether lips with his fingers, slowly stroking the soft petals open.

He eased a single finger into her waiting core and Lira couldn't hold back the rhythmic pulses of her first orgasm. She collapsed against the bed as it passed over her.

Jake eased away from her, letting her body calm.

~ * ~ * ~

Lira mumbled, horrified her body had let loose so completely. "I'm so sorry, it happened out of nowhere, I've never been so fast."

~ * ~ * ~

He couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh. "You may just be stroking my ego, but I'm okay with that. He settled in next to her, gently running his fingers through her hair and softly stroking her face. He enjoyed the glow in her cheeks as she looked up at him.

~ * ~ * ~

"I just didn't expect to at all, I guess..." She trailed off. How to explain that she rarely came for a partner? Specifically Ethan. It was a pleasant experience. But did he ever bring her to bone shattering passion? Not even once.

"Didn’t expect to? Do you think I'm done making you scream in pleasure?"

"Uhm. It's just..." She trailed off again. She couldn't think with him still touching her.

"Your previous partner kinda sucked, I guess?"

"You could say that. Or not, I suppose."

~ * ~ * ~

Jake pulled Lira closer to him, settling her against his chest. He nibbled on her ear and listened to the way her breath caught in her throat. She wiggled slightly and he let his hands wander, rolling a nipple in his palm before skimming over her lush hips. He made soft, almost tickling passes over her wet pussy. Just a constant tease until she finally called out to him, "Jake, please. I need you."

"Do you now?"

Her hands fumbled on his pants and Jake groaned as she eased his cock out.

Lira wrapped her hands around his hard girth and sighed happily. She leaned towards him and darted her tongue out, catching the salty tip with an almost tentative lick. Jake seized her arms and rolled her under him.

"I won't last if you do that."

Lira wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him into the cradle of her hips. He positioned the head of his cock against her waiting entrance.

"Are you sure? Are you ready?"

She arched against him and whispered, "Yes."

He eased into her warmth as slowly as he could manage. His inner beast wanted to pound into her, a wild coupling. It took everything he had to tamp down that urge. He gritted his teeth as he pushed forward, an agonizing slowness that was made worth it by Lira's thighs squeezing him.

He eased in and out of her delicious wetness as he felt her passion building up again. Her head was thrown back in abandon and he grinned at the little mewls she made when he was fully seated in her.

"Oh god, Jake, please, stop holding back." And her nails scratched down his back, a prick of pain that roused his bear. He couldn't be slow anymore.

He grabbed her hips as he eased up into a kneeling position, her legs around his waist and her body dangling, only her shoulders touching the bed. His bear roared and Jake pistoned in and out of her. Her whole body arched and convulsed as an orgasm ripped through her again, and he didn't hold back, joining her passion, finally collapsing next to her.

Chapter Three

Sunlight beat against her eyelids and Lira slowly opened her eyes. Jake sprawled next to her and she wanted more than anything to snuggle against him, feel him wake up next to her. Yup, last night had really happened.

But it was very much the morning after, and more than anything Lira didn't want to ruin just how wonderful last night had been by sticking around long enough for him to awkwardly kick her out. She slid out from under his arm, slipped out of the bed, gathered her things and eased into them as quietly as she could.

She paused at the door and looked back at the sleeping man. Her heart quivered, practically commanded her to leap back into the warm and inviting bed. Lira steeled her spine and eased out the door, closing it silently behind her.

As she walked out of the building, she slipped her sunglasses on. It was her first walk of shame. Funny, it didn't feel all that shameful. Even though she'd never see Jake again, how could she ever forget how magnificent he'd been. She didn't have to settle of mediocre sex ever again.

Lira had never imagined just how amazing it could be. Now she realized just what a selfish lover Ethan was, caring only for his pleasure. She crossed the street to the bar parking lot with a bounce in her step.

She giggled at herself as she approached her car, her steps faltering when she realized something was written across her windshield. WHORE was scrawled across the glass. She spun around, praying she was alone.

Ethan. It had to be. Tears welled up in her eyes and she started to shake. How dare he? A cold chill crackled down her spine. Either he had come back and seen her car or had watched the whole time. Sour bile rose in the back of her throat.

She pulled her phone out of her purse and snapped a few pictures of the damage. It looked like it was just mud mixed with some grease. She still wanted proof it had happened. She opened the car and reached into the glove box.

Lira laughed as she pulled the baby wipes and a plastic bag out. People teased her about having baby wipes but damn they were convenient. She started cleaning as quickly as possible. It was a real pain being as short as she was to reach the middle. She was going to have to hit a gas station or a car wash.

Wait, there is a car wash on the way to Magda's house. Perfect. It was clear enough for her to drive and she headed to her foster mother's home.

She stopped in the driveway and stared up at Magda's house. She'd been a safe refuge after Lira's mother died and a safe refuge after the incident, since she was definitely not going to continue living with her former best friend. Still, she'd never come home to Magda after staying out all night.

Lira crept into the house, hoping her foster mother still slept. The smell of coffee from the kitchen clued her in quickly that she wasn't going to sneak past Magda.

"Get your ass in here, Lira!" Magda's booming voice filled the hallway and Lira walked into the kitchen.

"Morning, Magda." There was no way Lira was going to be able to pretend she'd been up and running errands. Magda knew her too well.

"Seems like you had a good night, then." Magda gestured at the chair across from her and poured a second cup of coffee. Lira took the coffee that was pushed across the table as she sat down.

She inhaled the earthy notes of the coffee, not knowing what to say, and finally looked at Magda bashfully. "You know, I did."

Magda threw her head back and cackled. Her sepia skin glowed in the morning light. "Finally! I was getting worried about you. Ethan was no good, and didn't deserve you."

Lira shifted in her seat and rolled the bottom of the cup against the grain of the table.

"Yeah, I'm starting to realize there was something about him that I didn't see. I saw him last night."

Magda stopped smiling. "He the reason you came home in the morning?"

Lira smiled shyly, thinking of Jake. "No, my knight in shining armor. Or perfectly worn denims."

"But you still saw Ethan?"

"I think maybe he followed me. I went over to Maybrick, to The Salty Shanty."

"Classy joint," Magda drawled.

"Well, they have dancing and I thought getting out might do me good. But then Ethan showed up. He literally said, 'It wasn't what you think.'"  Lira flashed air quotes.

Magda laughed again and shook her head. "You don't believe him, I take it."

"God no. I know exactly what I saw. It was very clear. But, it's really weird, Magda. He thinks it's my fault, that I should give him a second chance."

The older woman twisted her mouth. "There was always something off about him. I've heard stories, but it's a small town, you always hear stories about everyone."

"Well, he tried to make a big fuss when the best looking man I've ever seen walked in and bee-lined for me. Totally acted like he knew me. Shut Ethan down pretty quick." Lira smiled dreamily, remembering the moment her eyes met Jake’s.

Magda grinned and waggled her eyebrows. "Weeeell then, tell me about this man."

"His name is Jake, and get that matchmaking gleam out of your eyes.” She pointed at Magda. “He was just passing through town." Lira rested her chin on her fisted hand and swirled the coffee in her cup.

"Pity. He put a look in your eyes Ethan never did."

"Yeah, now I'm not sure how or why we were together as long as we were, I think we just drifted together because that was what everyone expected? Like we were supposed to pair off because everyone else already had."

"Except Angela."

Lira winced. Magda was still beyond-words-angry at Angela's betrayal, had slammed the door in the woman's face when she stopped by the house and try and talk to Lira. Magda had a firm boundary.

"Still, Jake made me feel completely alive."

"Sex that good?" Magda's dry tone reduced Lira to giggles.

"Magda! Well, I mean, also yes. He cared. Does that make sense?"

Magda reached across the table and grabbed Lira's hand. "Yes, it does. That's what I had with my Stuart and why I have never settled for anything less since. Even if Jake is a passing flame, if he gave you that feeling? He was worth it. Carry that with you, forever."

Lira sighed. She didn't want to tell Magda. "Something else happened. This morning."

"Awkward with Jake?"

"No, I left before he woke up." Lira blushed at Magda's grin and hurried on. "When I got to my car. I'm guessing it was Ethan, but someone vandalized it." Lira pulled the picture up on her phone and handed it to Magda. "See. He was watching me last night and he seems to think it's my fault he cheated."

Magda's lips thinned to a hard line.

"And something else. It's just...odd and doesn't make sense. When Ethan was harassing me? I've never felt so hot before. Like I was going to explode out of my skin and claw his face off. I wanted to not just scream at him, but roar and then chew his face off. If Jake hadn't come up to me, I don't know what I would have done."

Magda's face went gray. "Oh honey. Seems like we need to get you out of town and away from that crazy. And that feeling...I think I know who you need to talk to.  Your momma… She really hoped you wouldn't have to deal with her family."

"What are you talking about? She didn't have any other family, that's why we stayed together."

Magda shook her head. "I stayed with you because I loved you like you were my own. I wanted you well taken care of, and who better to do that than me? Your momma and I, we were estranged from the family. When she got sick, she made me promise that if we needed to, to go back to your family."

"I don't understand. Why are you telling me now?"

Magda stood and went to a nearby cabinet. She pulled her address book down and pulled out a fragile piece of paper.

"She said...” Magda hesitated and shook her head. “It doesn't matter entirely what she said. Mostly she said that I'd know if you needed to find them. That wildness you felt? That means you need to find them."

"I was only truly angry for the first time. I'm not sure what some distant quasi-relative could possibly do for me."

Magda's deep brown eyes were serious. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do,” Lira’s response was immediate.

"Then take this opportunity to get out of town, put miles between you and Ethan and Angela. If I'm wrong, it won't matter, you'll have seen a different place. A road trip will do you good."

"What about my job?"

"You don’t need your job and you hate it. Do you really want to stay here? Be honest. You stayed because of your relationship with Ethan. Because I'm here. What is your heart telling you?"

Lira wiggled uncomfortably in her seat. "That I love exploring."

She'd taken a desk job because it's what Ethan thought she should do. Not what she'd actually wanted to do.

"And you locked that part of you down. How many things did you pretend you didn't want to do, for the sake of being with that man?"

She winced away from the harsh truths. "More than I care to admit. How did I not see it, when I was in it?"

"Because he's very good at what he does. It's why he's good at selling houses. Selling dreams."

"What about you, Magda?"

"Tell you what, if you find a place you think I'll like better, I'll happily pull up my roots and move."

"That’s not what I mean. What do you want?"

Magda templed her hands and took a long, thoughtful pause. "Well, I wanted to have a long life with my Stuart, but the universe had other plans. Now, it would be nice if I could find another man like him, but he was one of a kind. Besides, I'm old and tattered."

"Magda, you're what, 50? 60?"

"You know I'm 43! Don't make me get the switch out."

Lira laughed, "You've never raised a hand to me and I don't expect you to start now."

"Well, keep calling me older than I am, and see what happens."

"Seriously, Magda. You took care of me for years. What about your dreams? Your hopes and desires?"

"I'm not sure if my dreams can ever be real again, but I had one last night."

"Really?" Lira was skeptical.

"It told me you should go to that town. Find those people."

Lira sighed and threw her hands up. "Your dreams, not mine."

"I'm serious. In my dream, you lead me somewhere. Because you went, I found something I'd been missing."

"In that case, I guess I'd better go on this crazy quest to find my roots."

"It's not that crazy, but if you really don't want to, we can figure something else out. I hear they need help rebuilding Nepal after those terrible earthquakes. I doubt Ethan would follow you there."

"That's not a bad idea. Maybe after I find these people you think I need to find, I can do something like that. Just go see the world for a while."

"Sounds good.” Magda snapped her address book closed. “You need a nap before you head out?"

"Wow, you want me to go today? Now?"

Magda's face grew still and Lira could tell she was measuring her words. "From what you said about Ethan, I think it would be better if you were completely out of reach for a while. I'm calling the sheriff, just to let him know what’s happened."

"They can't do anything. There is no proof. He's just being weird and unpleasant."

"He's being more than weird.” Magda narrowed her eyes. “I didn't want to tell you, but my friend, Libbie, visited yesterday."

Lira dryly said, "More like mouth of the south." The woman had made small town gossip an art form.

"Well, Ethan has been telling people the wedding is back on."

"What!?" Lira's voice hit a high, shrill note. She felt that odd hotness from last night flood her body and she curled her hands into claws on the table.

"Lira. Take a breath." Magda's voice penetrated her rage and Lira slumped back in her chair.

"He is such an asshole. Let me run through the shower and throw together a bag. Pack me a lunch, like you used to?"

"Get. Go." Magda shooed her out of the room and listened to her clomp up the stairs. She stared after her and looked down at the long scratches Lira had inadvertently torn into the wooden top. Magda stroked the shredded wood, sighed heavily, and said quietly to herself, "I wish your momma was still with us. I wish I could tell you and you'd believe me. But they will keep you safe."

She picked up her phone and dialed the sheriff. "Joe? Ethan is causing trouble for Lira, like I said he would."

Joe’s gruff rasp came across the line, "Dammit, are you sure?"

"Bothered her at the Salty Shanty. Check with Mark. I'm sending her out of town, but Ethan scared her pretty bad. Thanks."

“Will do.”

She hung up and looked back up the stairs. "Dammit, I can't help her with this. Not alone." She grimaced and picked the phone back up. She'd sworn she'd never go back to Grayslake. But twenty-five years was a long time for a vow made in anger. Deirdre warned her not to let spite lead her.

And Magda would do anything to keep Lira safe, even bend her pride. So she dialed the number.

Chapter Four

Jake reached out, a grin stretched across his face. He wanted to wake up the best way possible, wrapped around his mate, but there was no one beside him. He opened his eyes and his smile vanished. Lira wasn't next to him. He patted the bed and pillow, but they were ice cold, as if she'd never been there. If it wasn't for her lingering scent he could have believed it was all a dream.

No sounds came from the bathroom and her scent in the room was fading. She'd been gone for hours.

His newly found mate had fled.

He sat on the edge of the bed looking blearily around the room. The most amazing night of his life and she’d bolted. A hopeful spark jolted through him, maybe she left a note. She probably had things she had to do. Like a job. And he did sleep pretty heavily, like, well, a hibernating bear.

He stalked around the room, scanning the tables for something. Anything. Nothing. His bear growled in disapproval. It wanted to tear the town apart brick by brick looking for her. Jake sank down into a chair with his head in his hands. Even if she was his mate, he had obligations. He couldn't hunt her down right this second.

Ty sent him home to bring his errant family to Grayslake. His Itan was not going to want to hear about a missing mate until Jake had stuffed his cantankerous grandmother into the car and delivered her to the town’s little Bed and Breakfast.

His mom and sister had cheerfully packed up, but Gran was having none of it. Jake could still hear the slap of Gran's cane against the floor through the phone and her bellowing, "If his Itan wants me to uproot my life, then Jake can damn well get his ass out here and bring me his own damn self."

His mother had no sympathy for him. "Jake, you picked up the phone and demanded. Helen and I are ready for a clean start, but did you really think the Steel Grannie was going to ask 'how high?' when you said jump?"

He'd never seen his new clan laugh harder than the moment he had to tell Ty that if he wanted to relocate Jake's family to Grayslake he was going to have to negotiate with Jake's grandmother. Of course Ty charmed her, but only conditionally. Jake was responsible for bringing Gran to Grayslake and he had no time to track down his errant mate.

His bear was not happy with him and Jake considered calling Gran and seeing if she would at least start the drive with the rest of the family. For the possibility of him finally settling down, she might. He could at least give a call, after he made some coffee. He needed to check in and see if the movers had shown up to pack the truck.

As he futzed with the coffee maker, Jake wondered if he should call his Itan. He wasn't keen on letting the clan know he'd even found a mate, let alone one that had managed to slip away so easily. He'd never get any peace. He had to laugh when he thought about his Gran browbeating Ty. After the call, Ty just shook his head, but Jake noticed Ty found a house for them that wasn't anywhere near the clan den.

Smart man.

Not like Jake, whose hand was shaking as he called his old home.

Two rings and a young female voice answered, "Yallo, Helen's House of Horrors."

He grinned. His sister. She'd give him the lowdown on how everything was going. "Hey sis. How goes the packing?"

She whistled into the phone, "Whoooboy, am I glad you're driving Gran and we get a little quiet and a lot of peace."

He winced, that was not what he wanted to hear. He had to convince Gran and his sister. He didn't even want to think about what his mom would have to say. "Packing is always stressful, you should be done, at least." He'd try placating first.

Helen practically hissed, "She made me repack her thimble collection EIGHT TIMES, Jake. EIGHT. GODDAMN. TIMES. They aren't even fragile. I refuse to even speak about packing the perfume bottles. Or the figurines. She owns everything Lenox ever released!"

Helen wasn't fooling. She might be a monster of a teenager, but she was a good kid, generally. "Come on now, it couldn't have been that bad, you must be exaggerating."

"If Grayslake isn't jam packed with hottie shifters, I will tell Gran about everything, anything, all the things. All the things I could possibly tell her about you, I will."

Jake laughed and said, "So now would be a bad time to say I've run into something and might be late?"

There was a long silence on the line before Helen said, "Oh, yeah, no, that would be a really bad thing. Gran is currently occupied with beating down the movers loading the truck but if you aren't here when she's ready to leave? Noooope nope nope nope. Mom and I are getting in the truck and hitting the road. There is no room for Gran and there are no beds here, even if I was willing to abandon my grandmother like you seem to be indicating you would happily do."

He thought of Lira's long hair wrapped around his fist and had to try. "You really have no way of squeezing her in, just for a few hours?"

Helen's voice shot up about fifteen octaves. "Do you know what I Gran told me she collects? Vintage vibrators. VINTAGE VIBRATORS, JAKE. And that box smelled like Pledge. Lemon Pledge. As if it were filled with recently cleaned things. WHY would Grannie need to clean her VINTAGE VIBRATORS unless they’ve been used recently!?"

He groaned, regretting ever calling. "Why would you tell me that?"

"Pain shared is pain lessened. And frankly, if you are trying to ditch your road trip with Gran? You deserve all the pain I've been saving up for just such a moment. Not to mention, she's been ridiculously excited about this. All she talks about is the adventure you are taking her on and the nice woman she's been corresponding with in Grayslake. So yeah, I'm sure you aren't trying to wiggle out of anything, are ya Jake?"

He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. This was going even worse than expected. "No, of course not. It's just that there is a lot going on, so I was just checking in."

"Uh huh, sure." Jake heard a bellow in the background and the pounding of a cane. Gran. Helen continued, "Oh hey, Gran, Jake is on the phone. Making sure you are as raring to go as he is."

For a second, Jake thought he might murder his little sister. Her voice was so sweet and syrupy he could feel the diabetes ooze down the line. Gran wasn't deaf and she wasn't stupid.

"Jake! It's your grandmother. These movers are a mess. They tried to put my thimbles at the bottom of a stack! Can you believe that? The less said about their process the better."

"Hi Gran, sorry they are messing with your thimbles."

He heard the long sniff through the phone. "I set them straight. Now, where are you young man? You still set to be here this afternoon?"

It almost sounded like a question, like he could say anything other than 'of course'.  As if anything other than obedience was an option. Ty could learn something about an iron fist from Gran. "Of course. Woke up a bit late, is all. Just wanted to check in." He was babbling. He had to stop talking. "Just wanted to make sure everything was going smoothly for you guys." He begged himself to just shut up and finally just slapped his hand over his mouth.

"Good boy." Her voice sounded a little dreamy. "I've been thinking about this trip for a while. I've hardly gotten to see you at all since you found Grayslake. It will be nice to be around shifters again. I've missed it."

"We'll have a good time, Gran. Let me get on the road, I'll see you soon. Love you, bye."

He just had to make as much time as possible in the car. Maybe it would only take a day, if she let him really push the timing. He shook his head, she wasn't exactly frail but that would probably be too much for her. It was going to take at least two days.

No matter how hard he was willing to push himself, he wasn't going to hurt his Gran. He put aside the idea that he might not find Lira. She was his mate. She might just be human, but she would be as drawn to him as he was to her. He'd find her.

As much as he dreaded the entire process, and as much as he needed to find Lira, he would get his grandmother moved and then he was going to find his mate and bring her home. It might be the only thing that kept Helen from killing him when he skipped out of unpacking.

But vintage vibrators? He'd take the risk.

Chapter Five

There was something about the open road stretching in front of her that filled Lira with unfettered joy. She could forget the reasons she was heading off to some strange town to find her roots and just enjoy the hum of the road beneath her wheels.

It was a glorious day, so she cranked the radio and rolled down the windows. She bellowed along to Aretha Franklin as she let the miles slip by.

She pulled up to the small B and B Magda told her about and got out of her car. She looked up at the neat little Victorian, its gingerbread trim just so, and muttered to herself.

"Well, damn, this place looks like it was made to be a perfect getaway, like it was ripped out of a brochure."

She bounded up the front steps, and before she could even raise her hand to knock, the door swung open. A bouncy young woman gestured at her to come in.

"You must be Lira!" The girl was a whirlwind, her energy pulling Lira deeper into the house. "Let's get you settled. Your friend, Magda? She kind of set off a bomb with her call."

"A bomb? Is me being here going to be a problem? I can just keep driving." Lira felt a sharp pang of sorrow. She hadn't expected much out of the visit, but the thought of learning something about her mother was exciting. She hadn't realized how much she'd been looking forward to it. Her mother had died so long ago.

Lira spun on her foot, ready to head out the door. She didn't need any decades-old drama in her life. Not with ‘creepy stalker’ Ethan already occupying the front row.

But the girl grabbed her arm and said, "No, no no, nothing crazy. But it was just a big shock that you even exist, is all."

"This is all getting pretty weird for me."

"I know, but please, please, pretty please don't leave because I was running my big mouth. I just got excited is all. Your mom's story is just super romantic and tragic."

"Uhm, from my perspective, just tragic."

The girl stopped in her tracks and looked up at Lira. "I am... I just didn't think, I'm really sorry."

"Honestly, losing my mom happened a really long time ago, and while I wish it had not happened and I still miss her, it's a healed hurt. I won't bail, but you are kind of freaking me out. And I don't know anything about this town or my mother's family."

"We’re your family too. I'm Nancy. I guess we're sort of cousins, in a way. Probably removed eight times or something, I don't keep great track of the family tree. Let me get you up to your room and settled. Then we can have dinner? My Memaw, that’s Grace, will be here and she'll start filling you in on all the dirt."

"Okay, that sounds great."

"We were supposed to have some other visitors show up today, a family that is relocating to Grayslake, but I guess they ran into some sort of transportation problems, so you'll have the place to yourself for a few days."

"Sounds good, and I could use a nap before dinner." Lira skipped on talking about why she didn't get much sleep, but she was definitely ready for a really good nap.

Nancy hustled her upstairs to a spacious and airy corner room, pointed out the bathroom and fled. Lira laughed a little, assuming the girl was scared she was going to try to run away.

Still, it never occurred to Lira that there might be anything more than a handful of pictures. There was something exciting about having actual relatives. She kicked off her shoes and threw herself on the bed and sank into its comfort with a sigh. A nap was just what she needed.

~ * ~ * ~

She woke with a start, the room was dark and the tentative knock at the door left her confused for half a heart beat until she remembered where she was.

Nancy's soft voice drifted through the door. "I'm so sorry to bother you, but it's almost dinner time. I can bring you a tray up if you would rather."

Lira rolled out of bed and leapt at the door. "Sorry, I guess I was more tired than I realized. Let me rinse my face real quick, I'll be down in a minute."

Nancy smiled up at her and said, "Not a problem. Memaw is settling in and eager to meet you."

Lira dashed through the bathroom and headed downstairs, a little frightened about the meeting Magda had set up.

She walked into the parlor and saw a tiny woman with a turban, lounging. The woman radiated calm warmth and her voice was like warm honey drizzling over a crisp apple. "Child, sit with me. It's a bit of a shock to see how much you look like your mother."

Lira sank, speechless, onto the settee that was next to the woman. What should she say to this woman?

The woman gathered Lira's hands in hers. "I’m Grace. Please, feel free to call me Memaw. I wish we'd gotten to know you sooner."

"How do you know Magda?"

"I'm getting ahead of myself. Magda was already friends with your mother when they left Grayslake."

"What do you mean, when they left Grayslake?"

"I mean, this used to be where Magda lived too. There was an accident and they didn't want to be here anymore."

"But if my mom had family here, why would she hide me from them?"

Grace sat back and sighed, rubbing her forehead. "She blamed her clan for the accident. And she wasn't wrong. There was a lot of anger and confusion at the time."

"What accident?"

"Your mother, Magda, and the two men they were with ran off the road in a terrible car accident one night. Both men were killed."

"Was one of them my father?"

"I believe so, yes. How old are you?"

"I just turned 25."

"Then yes, he was. Your mother must have already been pregnant."

"And the other man, that must have been Stuart."

"How did you know?"

"Magda still talks about him. She said she's never met another man like him and she won't settle."

Grace sighed heavily and turned away. Lira thought she saw the glint of tears in her eyes but when Grace looked back, her eyes were dry.

"No one knew your mother was pregnant. I don't know that it would have changed anything. Some people were very angry she was choosing a partner from outside."

"So, this is a pretty insular place?" She tried to say it lightly, but a sick dread was building inside of her. It didn't sound like this was going to be much of a refuge.

"It used to be very insular. It is still a small town but life moves forward. It's not the old ways anymore, and I'm glad. The old ways took from a lot of people."

" Who was my mother? Who was my father? Do I have family here worth meeting?"

"Very straight forward. Just like your mother." Grace picked up her tea cup and sipped slowly. "Your mother was part of the Abrams clan. Your father was a lovely man who got lost here and met your mother. He was a human."

"Uhhh, of course he was human, we're all human."

Grace looked Lira in the eye without breaking her gaze. "No dear, that isn't accurate. Your mother was a shifter. A bear shifter, to be precise."

"A wait what? What the hell are you talking about?" Lira thought to herself, "Well, great Magda. You hooked me up with a bunch of crazy people. This is only slightly better than dealing with Ethan." Well, no one was vandalizing her car. Yet. "Are you trying to tell me my mother turned into a bear?"

"Yes, that is precisely the case. Magda is also a shifter. I realize this is quite a surprise."

"Grace, I'm sure you think this is all true, but I should really get going. I have a very long drive ahead of me." Thank god she'd napped for so long. She could get a lot of miles between her and this crazy assed town.

"Stop being ridiculous. Nancy! Nancy, I know you are listening in, get in here."

Nancy popped through the door. "I thought your hearing was going, Memaw."

Grace sniffed regally at her. "There is no reason Lira should believe me, so if you could show her, Nancy."

"But Memaw, if she's not part of us..." her voice trailed off and her eyes darted around nervously.

"Don't be ridiculous child. She is one of us. Magda would never have sent her otherwise."

Nancy stood in front of Lira and smiled. And suddenly there was a sleek wolf standing there. Lira dropped her cup and scrambled backwards.

"What the fuck. What the actual fuck?" The wolf padded slowly over to her and laid its head on her knee, nuzzling her.

Grace said, "Okay, Nancy, enough."

And the girl shifted back into existence while Lira just stared on. She looked back and forth between the old and young woman, her mouth gapping. "I think I need to lie down."

"No, dear, there is so much more to tell you. I don't want you to dismiss this as a dream or anything silly like that."

"I'm pretty sure I would like to do just that, then get and my car and dash home."

"Magda already told me about your little issue back home."

"She told you about Ethan?"

"Said he was a real nasty piece of work and was ramping up. I'd hate for you to discover your nature because he put you in danger."

"My nature?"

"Well, yes. You have the potential to be a shifter. A bear shifter. And from what Magda said, Ethan would use that against you, and then we would have to act, not just to protect you, but to protect our secret."

"You mean you would kill him."

Grace looked insulted. "Well, not me personally."

"So you pawn off your dirty work?"

"If you care to put it that way, I am not in charge, so it would not be my choice or my responsibility to act. I do what my Alpha commands. And you will do what your Itan commands."

"Uhm, yeah, I'm not one of you, so I'll pretty much do what I want." Alpha? Itan?

"You say that now, but you'll see. We are veering off track. You may be a shifter. If you are, I want to make sure you are safe when you discover it. I owe Magda that. She thinks you can."

"Do you?"

Grace shifted uncomfortably, finally locking eyes on Nancy and pointed to the door. "Nancy, leave the house. Now." Lira shuddered as a chill raced down her spine. The jovial woman was immediately replaced by a commander who even irrepressible Nancy must obey.

"Yes, ma'am. Dinner is in the warmer, whenever you want it." Nancy practically bolted and Grace kept her head tilted until they heard a car start.

"I'm sorry for that, dear. She is a lovely child, but just that: a child. She will learn the harshness of the world soon enough, I'd rather she not see my place in it just yet."

"So you have something ugly to share with me?"

"It is my greatest shame. It wasn't an accident. The car was forced off the road by a very angry man who wanted control. The girls were leaving because I did not believe the humans they had chosen where fated mates. No one did. They were human."

Grace stood up and walked to the window, looking out into dark woods.

"I didn't believe my daughter, because I wanted her to marry an alpha. So when Magda said she was leaving, I told Deirdre’s Itan, because I knew he would stop your mother. But they were already on the road, and he sent a hothead bear after them. The Itan thought they would pull over, come home with their tails between their legs. But that didn't happen. Instead, the hothead rammed them, the car spun off the road and hit a tree. The shifters survived. The humans did not."

"Hang on, your daughter?"

"Magda. Magda is my daughter. She sent me updates about you, dry letters. But until she called me about your issue, she hasn't spoken to me since."

"Magda is..." Lira trailed off. If Magda was Grace's daughter, and Grace was a shifter, then Magda was also a shifter.

Grace continued, "But if your parents were fated mates, then you can shift. That's how it works."

"This is kind of a lot to take in. And who are my mother's people? Do I have grandparents?"

"I'm sorry, but you don't. Your mother, Deirdre, was an orphan cub, from Alaska. The hothead sent after her, he wanted her for his own. So when he thought they were getting away, he rammed the car. He never forgave himself. He wasn't bad, just young."

"But he killed people." Lira was angry, another man like Ethan is who took away her father.

Grace smiled, "I know. He's not here anymore either. It doesn't matter who he was, he's dead and buried."

"Life spans seem kind of short around here."

"It's not all bad, you know. The clan will welcome you."

"So, if I don't actually have family here, why did Magda say my people were here?"

"Because we might not be your direct relations, but shifters are your people. And you are in trouble."

Lira shrugged, "A jealous ex-boyfriend isn't exactly huge trouble."

"Magda sees something deeper in the problem. I didn't listen to her once, and I swore to her I would never do that again. She asked me to help you, shepherd you and protect you. Please, don't run." Grace's voice was soft, pleading.

"You know I think you are all kind of crazy." But the sadness in Grace's eyes was real and touched Lira.

Grace said, "It's a lot to take in."

"And then someone turned into a wolf, in front of me. That really happened?" Lira knew it did, she just wanted confirmation.

"It did. I would turn, but my old bones get cranky if I flip back and forth. But if you really need the proof, I will, for you."

"Please don't, then. I believe you. And Magda...she's a shifter?"

"She is. She takes her guardianship of you very seriously. That you were all less than a day's drive away...and never a peep about how close you where, she was."

"Magda is a mother to me. She's been with me my whole life. When my mother died, she just expanded her role in my life."

Grace smiled, her eyes looking suspiciously damp. "I'm glad Magda got to be a mother. Wolves are very protective of their young. Let's have some dinner. I'd like to hear about your life."

"And I'd like to learn more about Grayslake. Are you going to introduce me to the whatsit...bear boss?"

"The Itan, and not yet. I guess I'd like to keep you to myself a little longer. You'll have all kinds of hulking bears sniffing around you. You're new, they'll never leave you alone."

Chapter Six

"Gran, are you really asking me to stop, again?" Jake wanted to scream. They should have been back at Grayslake two days ago. He should have been able to start looking for Lira already. He wanted to scream at his grandmother.

"Jake, are you questioning me? I've been wanting to stop at this museum for ages. You know, at my age, I might not have the chance again."

She wasn't afraid of using the 'I might die any moment now' card. He sighed and turned into the parking lot.

"I assume you'll want to spend all day here?"

"Don't be smart with me. Just the morning. There is a lovely pottery studio and artist collective across the way I'd like to spend this afternoon. There is a really delightful hotel that was recommended here. There is a hot spring that just does miracles for arthritis."

"Delightful. I'll call Grace and tell her we'll be another day."

"I've already spoken with her."

"Really? When?"

"Yesterday. She's the one who recommended stopping here. She knows what it's like to travel at our age."

He sighed heavily.

His grandmother slapped his hand sharply. "Did it ever occur to you that my delay was for Grace, not just me?"

"I had not thought about that in the least. Is it true, or are you just trying to get me all riled up again?"

Gran leaned back in the chair. "While I do enjoy riling you up, I've been talking with Grace for some time. A long-lost relation is visiting with her. It's a special and fragile time. You are still young and impetuous, you don't understand how things can be broken and never set right."

Jake said, "You could have just told me, you know? I would have just collected you later."

"And miss this time together? At my age, you take opportunities as they come up. It's not like you have a mate and cubs yet. That I would have let you off the hook for."

Jake couldn't' help himself. "Well, I think I might have found my mate."

She sat bolt upright and glared at him. "Jacob Riley Masters! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, I'm not sure...that's not true. I'm sure, but she kind of disappeared and I have to find her."

"And instead, you've been dealing with your cranky grandmother."

"Who I love very dearly and of course I stayed with."

Her mouth twisted wryly. "You don't have to butter me up. At my age, I can see right through that nonsense."

Jake wiggled in his seat. "It's just kind of embarrassing." He did not want to explain a one night stand to his grandmother.

"Let me guess. Bar, one-night stand, she was gone when you woke up because you sleep like the dead?"

"Gran! How did you know?"

She grinned and him and lifted an eyebrow. "How do you think I met your grandfather?"

"You did not. You were introduced at a picnic."

"Bless your heart."

Jake sat in stunned, horrified silence, then said, "I'm going to stick with the picnic story. It's better for everyone."

"Of course you are, dear. Every generation likes to pretend they invented sex. Lust is part of the human condition."

"And we are shifters."

"So even closer to our baser nature."

"Regardless, I need to find her." Jake clutched the steering wheel. She was out there and he needed to be with her.

His grandmother extended her hand and rested it on his, squeezing softly.

"It takes you hard, doesn't it? Take me to the hotel, I'll do a few spa days. Take a taxi around town. Although you will have to come get me, so don't take too long."

He grinned at her. "Thanks, are you sure? Do you want me to call mom? Have them meet up here?"

"God, no, they hover something fierce, you do not know what I had to tell Helen I collected to get her out of my hair. I want to do some exploring. Besides, you'll just get in trouble for leaving me."

"We aren't that far from where we met. I'll keep you up to date."

"Just find her, I'd like to meet her."

~ * ~ * ~

Jake was back in the parking lot of the dive bar where he'd met Lira. He could get the faintest whiff of her scent, but it was maddeningly illusive. Too much time had passed, and she'd gotten in a car.

He walked into the bar, relieved to see it was the same bartender who had broken up the fight and kicked Ethan out. Jake pulled up a stool to the bar and sat down.

The bartender said, "What's your poison tonight?"

"Oh, I'd say the curvy blond I met last time I was here. But I'll take a beer, whatever is on tap."

"You almost had a throw down for her, she's a nice girl."

"The guy gave me bad vibes."

The bartender looked Jake over. "You trying to give her more bad vibes?"

Jake held his hands up and warded the man away. "No way. I just wanted to make sure she was okay and see if there was a way I could get her a message."

"She leaves quite an impression, doesn't she?"

"She is the most beautiful woman I have ever met." Jake's quietly respectful tone earned him a nod and his beer.

"She doesn't live here."

Jake deflated. He wanted to casually run into her again.

"Ahh, well. That's that then."

"But, I know how you can leave a message. I know basically everyone. I wouldn't give this information out lightly. But you give me good vibes."

The bartender pulled an address book out from under the bar and scrawled a number down. He handed it to Jake.

"Tell Magda that Mark from the Shanty sent you. She won't give you the time of day, otherwise."

Jake took the paper from Mark. "Thanks man, I really appreciate it."

"Don't thank me. Magda is worried about Lira and I've been friends with her a very long time. So go already, I know it's not my company you want."

Jake was already walking away and dialing the number into his cell phone.

~ * ~ * ~

Jake pulled up to a modest house. It was very tidy, everything in ordered lines. He couldn't picture Lira here, he saw her in bold colors, swirling lines around her. But it gave him a hint about whoever Magda was.

He strode up to the door and rang the bell. The door swung open and a tall woman opened the door. She looked scattered, completely different from the women he'd talked to on the phone or whose orderly house this was.

His eyes squinted and he said, "Magda?"

She nodded and her eyes shot to the side of the door. "I'm sorry, I don't accept door to door solicitors."

Something was wrong. Jake froze and mouthed, "You okay?" then said out loud, "But ma'am, I'm sure I can offer you something you'd enjoy."

She shook her head, vigorously. "No, no."

Jake took a deep whiff, he could smell her fear and someone else's scent, near her. He knew that smell. It was that asshole from the bar. Ethan. His bear roared in fury and Jake exploded into action.

He put himself between Magda and Ethan, then he grabbed the edge of the door with one hand and threw it back, hard, catching the man by surprise and sent him sprawling on the ground. Jake's other hand grabbed Magda and shoved her out the door and out of the way.

A gun skittered out of Ethan's hand across the hall. Ethan scrambled for it, but Jake grabbed his legs and tossed him out the front door. He was barely holding on to his rage and wanted to maul the man who had scared Lira and now Magda.

Magda grabbed Jake's arm and said something. His rage was too strong to hear it, but her low tones slowly calmed him.

"Breathe through it, Jake. If you change here, people will see. Breathe. I need you to look at me now."

Her hand grasped his chin and broke his gaze on the other man. Her voice soothed him until he realized what she was saying. She knew! She knew he was a shifter! His eyes went wide, and she shook her head. Wait, he took a cautious sniff. So was she and there was something familiar about her scent.

"Focus on me, Jake. I'm the only one here now." Tires squealed and he tried to turn his head, but her grip was too strong. "Look at me. Do you see me?"

His voice was harsh, "Yes."

"Can I let go? Are you in control?"

"Yes."

She released him, instantly.

"I'm sorry for that, you seemed on the edge. He can't get far."

"I'll find him." The rage started to come back but Magda shot him a hard look.

"You will not. Come inside, we have a lot to talk about."

She stepped into the house and Jake trailed after. She scooped up the gun and frowned at it.

Jake said, "Do you need me to do anything with that?"

She lifted one eyebrow as she removed the clip and cleared the chamber. "I do not." She flipped a painting forward on the wall, revealing a small safe that she keyed open and deposited the gun in. "Although I appreciate the gesture. I'm going to make myself some tea. I believe shock is setting in."

"For me or you?"

"Very funny, young man. I never expected Ethan to behave like this. I believe you've meet him."

"Briefly."

She bustled around the kitchen before finally settling at the table with Jake.

She gave him a good look over, her dark eyes dancing with laughter. "I can see why Lira said you had perfectly worn jeans."

Jake flushed and could feel his ears start to scorch.

"He can blush. How adorable."

Magda was cut from the same cloth his Gran was, albeit quite a bit younger.

"Should we call the cops about Ethan? He held you at gunpoint."

"I'll call the sheriff later. Ethan won't be coming back here anytime soon."

"Or he'll get another gun and be aiming at both of us."

"Fine, I'll call now."

Magda picked up the phone and dialed quickly. "Joe, its Magda. Ethan came by. With a gun. Thanks." She hung up the phone. "It went to voicemail, but Joe will take care of it."

"You are remarkably cavalier about the fact that a crazy man who is stalking Lira held you at gunpoint."

"Let's not kid ourselves, Jake. I was gathering information from Ethan." She slumped in her chair. "Although he is stalking Lira. I knew I could easily disarm him, but if I shifted, I was fairly likely to kill him."

Jake froze. "That's right, you recognized me as a shifter. I'm a bear."

"I'm a wolf."

"Do you have a pack?"

"I had a pack. I don't now." Her voice was fairly flat. "So, you are interested in Lira?"

"She's my mate."

"Are you sure?"

"I've never been so sure in my life."

"And you'll protect her?"

"With my life."

Magda's mouth quirked. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Even if she's human?"

"She's my mate. It doesn't matter what she is."

"I had a human mate. It ended poorly."

"I don't understand."

"I know, and I'm not sure when you will.” Magda shook her head. “Where do you live?"

"Grayslake, GA."

Magda leaned back and started laughing. "The universe is a funny thing."

Jake smiled weakly. "I guess it is."

"What have you been doing since you met Lira? It's been several days."

"Well, my family is relocating to Grayslake and my Gran wouldn't come without me being the one to drive her."

"Have you been to Grayslake yet?"

"No, she's only let us drive about an hour a day before she finds a new spa or museum she has to visit."

"So she's been slowing you down."

"Deliberately, it turns out. She'll be staying with someone who got an unexpected family visit and wanted a little private time first. She could have just told me."

"But she enjoyed the trip."

"Other than being desperate to find Lira, I've enjoyed it. I like my Gran. She's a lot of lady."

"Well, I look forward to meeting her."

"Meeting her?"

"What, you think you can just sweep Lira off and never deal with any of us again? Or you just haven't much thought past seeing her again?"

Jake felt the heat rise in his ears again and he looked down at the table. He really had not thought much past seeing Lira and holding her again.

"How long did your grandmother say she wanted?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"And where in Grayslake are you taking her?"

"Grace's B&B. It's new, for visitors. We didn't so much find a hotel. You know how it is, outsiders not so welcome."

"I'm aware. Shifters are alike the world around. Insular. Go spend time with your Gran for the next few days."

"Will she be safe from Ethan? Are you? I don't like the idea of just leaving you here."

"I won't be staying here, but you can give me a moment to pack my bags and escort me to my car."

"And you'll call me, in a few days? After you talk to Lira?"

"Something like that."

Magda stood and said, "Give me five minutes and we can both be on our way."

Chapter Seven

Lira came downstairs for a late breakfast. Nancy was up and bounding around the dining room.

She sat in the chair and stared at the young woman. "How are you such a morning person? I thought wolves were nocturnal."

"That is ridiculous. For one thing, I'm not a wolf. I'm a shifter. And I happen to be a morning girl. It’s nothing to do with my animal self."

She poured Lira a cup of coffee and handed her a warm croissant. Lira sniffed the coffee gratefully and tore open the buttery, flaky pastry.

"And that is a fresh baked good, another bonus to being a morning person."

Lira was impressed, "You made them?"

The girl giggled at Lira. "God no, I just ran over to the bakery and got them. And I would hardly call 10 am morning. It's practically afternoon."

"Grace and I stayed up pretty late talking."

"Anything especially interesting?"

"Just about my mom, who she was when she was younger. Lots of old albums and pictures."

"That sounds really great. I'm glad you and Memaw are having a good time. Is she ready to share you yet? Everyone in town knows you're here and everyone is just dying to meet you."

Before Lira could answer, the house phone started ringing.

Nancy rolled her eyes but picked up the phone and said, "Grayslake B&B, Nancy speaking. How may I help you?" She went a little white and said, "Of course, one moment." Then handed the phone to Lira before running out of the room.

Lira said, "Hello?"

"It's Magda."

"Oh, Magda. What did you say to terrify that kid? She just ran out of the room like you set her tail on fire." Lira listened to Nancy run up the stairs, hollering for Grace.

"Oh, just to call me Auntie Mags, prepare a room, and then get you on the phone."

Lira was shocked silent for a moment. "Are you coming here?"

"I should be there this evening."

"You don't have to come here, if you don't want."

"Has...Grace been taking good care of you?"

"Very. Sharing things about my mom. It's been nice. Good to get away for a while. Has everything been okay there?"

Lira could practically hear the shrug from Magda. "I'm not so sure I would say it's been okay. I can tell you about it when I get there."

"Something’s wrong. Between what you've told me and what Grace told me, you would not be heading here if it something wasn't up."

Magda sighed. "Ethan showed up."

"Are you still there? You need to call the Sheriff right now! Did he try to hurt you? Are you okay?"

Magda made soothing noises at Lira. "Calm down, honey. I'm totally okay. He wanted to know where you were, and I obviously didn't tell him. He got a little loud and a little rough and you know I don't allow that in my home."

"He got rough with you?" Lira was practically screaming into the phone, and a burning rage slashed through her body. "I will murder him! I'm coming home now."

"Lira! You will do no such thing. I reported it. I'm leaving now and will be there tonight. You are not to leave. He has no idea where you are and I'd like to keep it that way."

"But what if he follows you?"

"Hmph. As if he could keep up, you've seen me drive. Plus, the sheriff is making me go to the mall, see if anyone follows me. It's going to be a real pain in the ass."

Lira thought she might crack the handset in two with her grip. "As long as you’re safe, okay?"

"I am safe, and I am okay. I'll give you all the gory details once I'm there. It's going to be a weird trip."

"Magda...Grace, I think she'll do everything in her power to make this comfortable for you."

"I know. It's still going to be really..." Magda sighed heavily. "I let it go longer than I should have, and by the time I realized that, I had no idea how to fix it. Neither of us did. It's a good opportunity.  I've missed my family."

"Magda, I have a strange question. I haven't known how to ask but no one talks about your other siblings, how is Nancy related to you?"

Magda laughed. "We're a confusing bunch, but Grace, my mother, I mean, she has a tendency to make room for anyone who needs a family. Nancy needed family, like your mom back in the day."

"She helps keep it from getting to intense. I like her a lot."

"I look forward to meeting her."

"Are you sure you want to come here? We can pick some other place to go, this is not the only B&B in the world."

"No, I want to come, it's time. It's past time."

Lira heard something heavy fall upstairs and Nancy yelp. "Well, I hear a commotion upstairs, I should go help. And you should get on the road."

"Roger that, kiddo."

~ * ~ * ~

Grace stood in the window while Nancy paced and Lira sat on a settee. They were all waiting with varying levels of patience. Magda was due anytime now.

Grace finally turned away from the window and said, "Child, if you don't calm your body, you aren't getting dessert for a week."

Nancy said, “I'm a little old to punish with sweet withholding."

"Then you should be old enough to sit for a minute. You are making me fret. Go get your sampler."

"Memaw! Really? Now?" Lira smiled as the teen drew out her words into the perfect adolescent whine, but Grace just lifted an eyebrow until Nancy huffed out of the room and headed up stairs.

Lira said, "Sampler of what?" Anything to distract them for the wait.

"Oh, cross stitch. She wanted to learn and I thought it would be a good practice for her to calm her mind."

"Does it work?" Lira contemplated picking it up as a new hobby, she'd been more agitated in the last few months than the rest of her life.

"God no, mostly she swears at it. I think we'll move to crocheting or knitting next. Something less initially fiddly."

"Maybe you can teach me? Crochet sounds fun."

Grace smiled at her. "Of course, I'd love to." At that moment, they both heard the crunch of a car on gravel. Grace shot to her feet and nervously rubbed her hands on her skirt.

Lira caught the older woman's hands in hers and squeezed gently. "I'll go out to her, get her bags. Bring her to you."

Grace squeezed back and sank back into the chair. Lira walked out the front door as Magda was getting out of the car, and waved.

"Good to see you!" Lira hugged Magda, then gave her a once over, looking for bruises or any visible signs of Ethan's attack. "You kind of worried me. He really didn't hurt you, did he?"

"No, dear, I'm okay. It was unpleasant, and I'll tell you all about it, inside."

Lira walked to the back of the car. "Let me get your bags. I had everyone wait inside, to give you a chance to catch your breath. Do you want to settle into your room before talking to anyone else?"

Magda smiled as Lira grabbed the suitcase and closed the trunk. "I've had a lot of time to completely freak out in the car. I think I should just get in there. Get the awkward out. And that way if it's a complete mess, I can grab my bag and hit the road again."

"I can go pack up and come with."

"Let's not catastrophize, okay? I've already gone through every terrible option in my head." Magda stood at the door with her hand on the handle and took a deep breath. "I put this off for a good twenty years."

They walked in together. Lira stashed the bag next to the stairs and guided Magda to the front room. Magda stepped into the room, and Grace stood as she entered.

Lira could see the tears in Grace's eyes as she said, "Oh Magda, you are so beautiful. It's good to see you."

Magda froze and Lira wondered if she should say anything, when Magda's voice cracked. "M-mom." She rushed over to her mother and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I missed you so much."

The two women just held each other and wept, as Lira started to edge out of the room. Magda paused and turned to Lira. "Honey, can you take my bag upstairs, so we can catch up?"

Lira nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door behind her. She turned around and almost ran into Nancy. She lifted her finger to her mouth to shush the younger girl then went to grab the bag.

When she realized Nancy was lingering by the door, Lira leaned back and grabbed the girl's arm and dragged her up the stairs.

Chapter Eight

Lira felt prickly and restless. The air around her felt slightly electric and she paced in the front room. She was trying to give Magda and Grace time together. She considered having Nancy take her into town, finally show her around, but Grace had been so hesitant. Besides, the other visitors were due sometime that afternoon.

She threw herself on the sofa and thought about Jake. Why hadn't she gotten his last name at least? How was she supposed to find a guy with just a common first name?

She pulled out her phone and scrolled through Facebook. Oh goody, there were only a million Jakes or Jacobs. Not that the guy was looking for her, but it would be really nice to run into him again. Accidentally.

Or lick those delicious abs again.

Lira tried to pull her mind out of the gutter. They had just fit together so beautifully. A pang of homesickness twinged in her gut. He made her feel like she was home, which was ridiculous, because they had one night together and never even exchanged last names.

And yet, here she was, moping over him. Jake 'Rock Hard Abs' NoLastName. It was a stupid fantasy. Maybe she was fixating on him so hard because he was safe. He wasn't ‘gun brandishing, delusional stalker’ Ethan.

Jake was unavailable and Lira could project any image she wanted on him. He was her perfect fantasy because she didn't really know him even if they had been in perfect unison from the moment they met.

Lira sighed heavily. She had to stop thinking about him. Maybe one of the bear shifters Nancy sighed over would be a good match.

God, she could almost hear him laughing.

She sat up abruptly. Someone had opened the front door and she heard a woman's voice—an unfamiliar woman—and then Jake's laughter. The pit of her stomach dropped. If it was him and he was with a woman she would curl up and die.

She cleared her throat, stood up and peeked into the hallway. She froze when she saw him at the door, his hair kissed by the rays of the sun. Then their eyes met and time stood still.

~ * ~ * ~

Jake was just relieved to finally be back in Grayslake. He’d drop Gran off and find Magda. Everyone, including his Itan, could kick rocks until he found her.

Gran patted his hand as they pulled up to the B&B. "I can't wait to meet this young lady who has you so worked up."

"Me either. I just have to find her."

"Well, let's get in and find Grace and this Magda woman you've been talking about, so you can find this mate of yours."

He just grinned at her and hopped out of the car, hustling around to her side to get the door for her.

She took his arm and walked with him to the entrance. "Besides, I'm not getting any younger; I'm ready for there to be some more little cubs around, and your sister is still too young."

He started laughing and said, "How about we make sure she's willing to be my mate before you start crocheting booties and blankets." He was not going to tell his Gran that he'd certainly do his damnedest to start a family the second he saw her.

They walked into the hallway and he turned as someone entered his peripheral vision and paused.

Everything went silent as Jake stared at Lira. The entire rest of the world fell away just like when he saw her at the bar. He strode forward, pulling her into his arms.

"I found you." He couldn't help himself as he pulled her tight against his body and dropped his mouth to hers. Pure electricity shot through him as their lips met and all he could do was hold on to her.

Lira’s arms wrapped around him, and as he lifted her up to press her against the wall, he felt a firm smack across his back that brought him crashing back down to Earth.”. He set Lira back on the ground and turned his head to look sheepishly at the front door.

They had gathered an audience. His Gran, Grace and Magda were all watching. Magda started laughing and his Gran held the umbrella she'd whacked him with.

Gran looked at Jake and said, "This must be the young lady you wanted me to meet."

Lira wanted to sink into the ground or perhaps just die of literal embarrassment. She tried to pull out of Jake's arms, but he wouldn't let go.

He whispered in her ear, "I cannot turn around right now. That is not a thing I could do without showing more of myself to my grandmother than I am willing to."

A giggle burbled up her throat. Jake was exceedingly happy to see her. She found her voice and said, "We need a moment. Of privacy. Alone. By ourselves. Without everyone here. Watching us."

Magda grabbed the two older women's arms and drug them back outside while grinning at her foster daughter.

Once the front door had closed, Jake caught Lira's face in his hands and peppered her with kisses.

She turned her head away. "Jake, please, they won't stay out forever."

"I don't care. I found you. Why did you just leave like that?" Jake could only stare at her.

Lira looked out the window, trying to avoid his eyes. "Uhm, it seemed like a one-night stand. You made it clear you were just passing through."

"I am the stupidest man alive. I knew who you were from the moment I first laid eyes on you."

"You knew... what do you mean?" She crinkled her face, trying to figure out what he meant.

"I mean, I knew you were the woman I'd been looking for my whole life. You are my other half, my mate."

"Your mate?" Lira and Grace had talked about mates, but that was a shifter thing and, at best, she was half shifter. Was he a shifter?

Jake paused, his mind racing. He had no idea if she knew anything about shifters, or if she was a shifter. There was a lingering smell around her, but Magda called her human. "Why are you here? If it isn't to find me?"

"Magda sent me here, to get away from Ethan."

Her husky murmur went straight to his cock, and he let her go abruptly and stepped away from her. He had to keep his hands off her; he couldn't think with her so close. "Have you met anyone else from town?"

Lira shook her head, "No, it's kind of complicated."

"You're telling me." Should he just tell her about the clan? Ty and Van would not be pleased if he just blurted it out to an outsider.

"Why are you here?"

"I live here. Grayslake is my home and the rest of my family decided to move here too. The only reason I didn't track you down sooner was because I needed to get my Gran moved."

"I had no idea how to even start to find you. I never got your last name. And when Ethan vandalized my car and I got so upset, Magda said I should go meet my people."

"Your people?" Jake felt a welling of excitement push his heart into a fast-paced flutter. He wanted her to be a shifter or to at least already understand, to be able to know.

Nancy suddenly popped out of the closet. "Okay, so, before this gets any more awkward, I'm going to go, but Jake - her mom is from around here and her mom was a shifter. Lira knows." And then she turned and ran out the door as Lira and Jake watched after her with gaped mouths.

Jake recovered first. "So yeah, what I was talking around is that I'm a shifter, Bear. Part of the local clan. When I saw you, the entire world stood still. I think you are my mate. Even if you can't shift. Doesn't matter. Why was she in the closet?"

"So, yeah, apparently my mom was a shifter, from here. My dad was human. I've never shifted so I'm guessing I can't? Something about everyone doubting that they were fated mates. And Nancy hides in there to read the really steamy books Memaw confiscates if she catches her reading them."

Jake looked at the closet and back at Lira. "Uhhh…" He closed his eyes and shock his head. "Never mind, I have given up understanding teenage girls. I'll introduce you to my sister, Helen. You'll get it." He dropped Nancy from his thoughts and looked back at Lira, "When it comes to shifting, you might have just never been sufficiently motivated. Have you ever truly lost control of your temper?"

She shook her head slowly. "Magda said the same thing. That I've always been extremely in control of my emotions. But that isn't entirely true. I've been, I guess angrier recently. Since...Ethan and Angela. Is me not being able to shift a... problem for you?"

"I don't care. Our kids will shift, though. You okay with that?"

"Uh, hold on cowboy. Maybe don't get so far ahead of yourself. This isn't my home. I'm just visiting. I have my own life."

Lira didn't know why she had to put space between them. No, she actually did. It was the jump into ownership. It didn't matter that he hadn't been more than a heartbeat away in her thoughts. Ethan had tried to lock her down and look what he'd done to her.

"Just because you are a shifter and believe in fated mate bullshit doesn't mean you own me. You are not the boss of me."

Jake snapped back. How could she not feel what was thrumming between them? "Dammit, Lira. You can't leave here. You just said Ethan was a danger and a problem. I'm not trying to trap you, I just..."

He did want to trap her. He wanted to push her down onto the floor and screw her brains out. He took a deep breath. "I just want to get to know you, I guess."

"Then back off." It would be so easy to just let him roll over her, to give in to him. But who would she be if she did that? They would never have a partnership.

He walked away from her, devastated and trying to hide it. "Well, I don't know what to say. My gran will be staying here while my sister and mom set up the house. She'll expect me here."

"I don't mean..." Lira felt a powerful surge of raw emotion and gasped at the intensity of the moment. "I feel funny, that's all. I just...I don't want you to avoid me. But we just spent a night together, we know nothing about each other."

"I dunno, I'd say we were pretty goddamn intimate." He was getting angry, his bear was screaming to claim her again. He could barely hear Lira over its roaring in his head.

She snapped at him, "What is my favorite color then? My favorite movie? My favorite song? What do I like to eat for dinner? Breakfast?"

Jake roared back at her, "Well, I'd at least know about breakfast if you hadn't run away."

"It's not my fault you're a heavy sleeper!"

They were nose to nose, hands clenched, screaming at each other.

"Okay, kids, I think perhaps it's time for a break until dinner." Memaw’s dry voice startled them. The gaggle of women had come back into the house. "When the yelling started, we thought we should make sure you didn't destroy the house."

Magda's voice was sharp. "Lira. Kitchen. Now."

Gran's voice was just as edged. "Jake. Parlor. Now."

They slunk away from each other.

Memaw said, "Don't be too hard on them, it was just yelling. No one shifted or broke anything. Bears are just cranky sometimes."

Lira started to open her mouth when Memaw put a hand up. "Even if you haven't shifted or never do, you are still a half bear shifter. We will reconvene for dinner in one hour."

Chapter Nine

It had been a week since Jake found Lira and he hadn't been able to so much as steal a kiss since. The past several days had been a blur of fretting that made him feel useless.

Jake pulled up to the house and twitched in his seat. None of this was going as he'd expected. His vision of finding Lira always ended with her under him. Not with his grandmother kicking him out after dinner every night for a week.

Was this how it all ends? Not with a bang but a whimper. Being harried to death by a cadre of grannies with their eyes on a future prize.

Tonight he wasn't going to let them run him out after dessert. He'd been distracted as hell all week and he'd mooned around so much he thought the rest of the clan might launch an assault on the B&B just to get him out of their hair.

He squared his shoulders and slipped out of the car. He bounded up to the door and pounded on it. Gran whipped the door open and glared at him.

"Really, Jacob. Have some chill, as the kids say."

He was going to stand up to his Gran. "It's been a week and you've barely let me see Lira. I have no chill, none. I'm not letting you fuss me out the door again tonight."

"Why, we wouldn't dream of it. I mean, assuming Lira wishes to spend more time with you."

Jake paused. Lira had been pretty upset about the idea of being mated, bound by something out of her control. He was okay with taking it slow, but he was pretty sure that dinosaurs turned into oil faster than they were going.

"Well, it's not like I get a moment alone with her."

Gran fixed him with a hard stare. "You said you were willing to do old fashioned courting to give her time to acclimate to Grayslake and shifters and you. Is that no longer the case?"

He knew she'd just thrown him into dangerous waters and backpedaled as gracefully as possible. "Does 'old fashioned courting' mean never being allowed to take her out of the house on a date?"

"Oh, a date? That sounds lovely. Have you asked her out on one?"

He frowned. "Well, no, it's just..." He trailed off. He just assumed everything would be smooth paths and roses.

"Silly boy. Get your head out of the clouds. Lira is her own woman. You can't just pluck her up and stick her in the clan den and keep your life the same."

He hung his head and she patted his hand.

At that moment, Lira appeared at the top of the staircase. The warm light of the fading sun illuminated her, and Jake just stared up in wonder. She was so beautiful. She smiled down at him, and the world fell away.

He stepped toward her but only got a foot on the first step before his Gran's sharp voice cut through the moment.

"Youth! You know the rules, the upstairs is for ladies only."

Lira blushed and Jake felt his ears get hot. He had forgotten the world and was completely focused on whisking her into the nearest bedroom. But he extended a hand as Lira walked down the stairs and felt his heart beat faster when she rested her palm on his.

He escorted her to the dining room where everyone waited, pulled her seat out, and settled next to her. It was the first time there was a seat next to hers available.

Half-way through dinner, a hand rested on his knee. Lira let her hand tickle up his thigh. The rest of dinner flew by for Jake as her hand teased him beyond reasoning. As dessert was being dished out he finally girded his loins enough to say, "Lira, would you like to go out after dinner? Maybe for a drive."

A drive where he could pull her into the backseat and have his wicked way with her, over and over again. Punish her for that relentless hand every time he spoke.

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She might be leery about the whole fated mates business, but the enforced celibacy was wearing rather thin on her. She had picked her evening's outfit very carefully.

"I'd love to. I still haven't seen much of Grayslake."

"I'll give you the nickel tour." Of his room.

Gran interjected, "Oh that sounds like a lovely plan. Nancy will really enjoy that." Gran had a look like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

Jake tried not to frown at her. "I'm sure it wouldn't be interesting for her at all." But he would park that wolf pup in the living room if he had too.

Grace barked out a laugh. "She's your chaperone. Unless you'd like one of us to join you?"

Even Magda couldn't keep the amusement off her face. "You said old fashioned courtship. We're being generous letting you take Nancy."

"Well then, Nancy, let's get a move on." Jake would figure something else out.

They left the house and settled in the car.

"Okay, Nance, twenty bucks and I drop you on Main. Pick you up at Midnight?"

"No deal. $100, bowling alley, 9pm. I got a curfew, buddy."

Lira laughed and Jake sighed. "You drive a hard bargain, but it's worth it." He squeezed Lira's knee. "More than worth it."

"And you can't go to your house. You gotta park the car at the bowling alley. Plausible deniability on being at the bowling alley with me. Plus, Helen is meeting me there already."

Jake growled, frustrated beyond belief. He pulled up to the front of the bowling alley. "Out."

Nancy giggled and blew them both kisses.

Jake pulled further into the lot until he could position the car at the furthest, darkest edge.

Lira's voice was on the edge of a giggle. "I guess I'm not going to see much of town tonight, am I?"

Jake just pushed the seat back, pulled her on to his lap and claimed her mouth. His hand dove under the froth of her full skirt, skimming up her knee, tracing the same line she'd taken during dinner, until he got to the edge of her panties.

A flood of moisture dampened them as he flicked against her, teasing her until she moaned. He slipped a finger under the lacy edge and groaned as he explored her soft petals. She was slick against his fingers and he gritted his teeth. What he wanted to do was position her over him and slip his cock deep into her hot, wet pussy and let her ride them both to oblivion.

In the parking lot of the bowling alley.

Instead he focused on her breathy little sounds as he circled her clit with his thumb.  He pressed on the nub as he slid a finger into her core. He growled and nipped her ear as she bucked against his hand. He slid a second finger in and she squealed in delight.

His free hand fisted in her hair, pulling it back, hard. He loved having her ear and neck open to his love bites. He wanted to mark her, to leave no question who she belonged to. Plus, every time he used his teeth on her, particularly on that little spot right below her earlobe, he felt a flood of moisture and heat on his fingers.

She was clawing at him, completely lost in passion. Jake didn't think his cock could get any harder until she wailed and exploded around his hand.

Lira slumped against Jake. "Oh my god, in the car, like teenagers."

"Well, not all the way, not yet."

"I want to feel you in me."

He nibbled on her ear lobe, content to hold her for the moment. "And you will." He just had to get them far enough out of town and into the woods. Up against a tree? Over the hood of the car?

Of course, at that moment, they almost leapt out of their skin as someone rapped hard on the window. Jake rolled the window down when he recognized Van Abrams, Grayslake Enforcer and local police officer.

"What the fuck do you want Van?" He didn't give a damn if his tone was less than respectful.

"We're all dying to meet the girl you keep disappearing to see, since you won't introduce us. And the epically steamy windows caught my eyes."

Lira pressed her face into Jake's neck, convinced she was about to find out what dying of embarrassment felt like.

Jake said, "Very funny. Go away." And started to roll the window up.

"Hey, hey! Seriously, bring her over for dinner." Van started to push away from the car, then said to Lira, "Don't let them steam roll you. We really do want to meet you before you move in." With that, the man sauntered away.

"Uhm, he's getting ahead of himself a hair."

"They just like to picture me settling down." He was willing to give it another week. Maybe.

Both of their phones lit up. Nancy had texted something about Van talking to her. Jake groaned as he realized his plans to drag Lira somewhere private were shattered.  Jake might never forgive the cockblocker.

They looked at each other and laughed, getting out of the car to meet Nancy in the bowling alley.

Chapter Ten

After the bowling alley date, another week had gone by without a chance to get Lira alone, and Jake was antsy. They sat on the front porch of the B&B. She sat snug against Jake, under his arm on the swing, their legs pressed together.

His days were spent thinking about seeing her at dinner; and his nights? A frustrating exercise in self-gratification that took the edge off but left him so hungry for Lira he could barely see straight. He was a grumpy mess.

Lira's days were a little different. Magda and Grace had two decades of life to catch up on, and the three of them would go for walks and talk. Afternoons were for a cutthroat game of whist with the addition of Gran.

And, finally ready to come home, Magda also spent time looking for a house in Grayslake.

Resting snugly beneath Jake’s arm, Lira could easily picture a life here, with him. She’d do freelance work during the day and they’d make love all night long.

It all went wrong when he left the B&B and she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, before she could fall asleep. Then her thoughts roiled and boiled. The reality of life here punched her in the gut. She still hadn't met the clan she'd be living with. Everyone seemed to expect her to just be inserted into a life she didn't entirely understand.

She'd be half-human in a world that didn't make much sense to her. And she'd be drifting into it as much as she'd drifted into staying with Ethan all that time. What about her plan to explore the world? She lusted after Jake, but that wasn't love. Magda had been alone for twenty years rather than settle for another man who just staved off loneliness.

Was this love? Or just desire and the need to find her roots?

The questions made her shiver, and Jake squeezed her arm. She looked out over the darkened tree line and frowned. Something was making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "This will sound odd, but I feel like we're being watched?"

Jake tilted his head and took a big sniff. "I can’t scent anything, but the wind is blowing the wrong direction, do you want me to go check it out?"

Lira shook her head. She was just really wound up. It was just her nerves playing tricks on her. "It's probably just feeling like everyone in the house is peeking out on us."

He claimed her mouth with his, giving her a scorching kiss that continued on and on as their tongues tangled and explored.

When they finally came up for air he said, "Well, hopefully they enjoyed a little show, then." He trailed kisses along her jaw and then growled against her neck before giving her a stinging nip. "Except the part where I don't so much want to take my hands off you. I'd rather slip my hands under your skirt, lift it up to your waist, and then bury my face in your sweet pussy."

His hands tightened on her waist as he nibbled his way to her ear. Sharp spikes of desire shot through Lira as his tongue flicked against her earlobe.

He groaned. "I can practically taste you on my tongue, hear you screaming my name. We're both adults, why the hell are we putting up obstacles?"

She took a long and shaky breath, trying to remember anything other than the feel of his hand on her body. "We both thought it was a good idea to try and take it slow."

"I don't think that anymore. I think it's stupid. I think it's beyond stupid that I can't even kiss you without the world watching us. Do you really want to go up to that cold, empty, lonely bed?" His voice pleaded his case.

Lira wanted to agree with him, lust practically blinded her. But the doubt still lingered in the back of her mind. Her experience with Ethan was still too fresh in her mind. Animal attraction wasn't love. She put her arms up between them and pushed him back. He growled angrily but let her go.

Lira pushed herself off the swing. The panicky feeling was back, she felt backed into a corner. If she went straight into whatever this thing was with Jake, would she ever know who she really was? The pressure of the past was a massive weight sitting on her shoulders, pressing her into the ground so she could barely move.

"It's not that I don't want you, I just… this is all a lot." She didn't know how to make him understand. She wanted to be with him, but his intensity was smothering her.

Jake felt her slipping away from him, he had reach out and pull her close. He couldn't let her get away. "I've taken it slow, just like you asked. Although I admit I didn’t anticipate the vigor our more senior relations would take to 'helping' us take it slow."

"I know, it's not you. It's me." She cringed as the words left her mouth. But it was true. Mostly. Although he kept pushing.

"Seriously? Did you seriously just use that line on me?" His bear was getting the better of him. He'd been on an unsatisfying low simmer for way too long. "No, you need to just come with me. I need you."

He stood up, his bear was driving the bus and Jake was ready to just throw Lira over his shoulder and carry her away.

Lira snapped back at him, "That isn't going to happen."

He growled. "You're my mate. You should be with me."

"I'm not your anything. I'm not going to just give up everything in my life to join yours."

"I'm not asking you to! I'm just asking you to be with me, to marry me and join the clan." He would never stop her from following her dream. He just wanted to be by her side when it happened.

"MARRY YOU?" Lira felt her voice hit a whole new high note. She just heard the words 'trapped like a rat' echo in her head. He was trying to trap her, just like Ethan had. "For one thing, you didn't ask me anything. You just demanded I live with you."

Jake could feel what little grip he had on his bear slipping. Why didn't she understand she was his mate? She had to feel the powerful connection between them. It was all he could feel when he was near her. Everything would work out if they were just together. He could kiss her into giving in to him. He reached out for her without thinking, and she skittered away from him, fast.

And it made him want to chase her. To punish her for running. And that just made Jake mad at himself, this wasn't getting either one of them what they wanted. He clamped down on the animal instincts that were pushing him, but his temper was still hot.

"Whatever, I'm out. If you ever decide you actually want to be with me and stop letting Ethan dictate your future, you know my number."

Lira watched him jump down the steps and stride angrily to his car. She clung to the banister column as he roared away, tears pricking at her eyes. She just sighed and rested her head against the cool column.

She muttered, "Stupid, stupid boys." She wasn't asking him to stay away, just to give her breathing room. Or even just to see her point of view.

"Little bit of a fight?" Lira almost leapt out of her skin. It was Nancy.

"You could say that. He just keeps pushing me.” And it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about at the moment. “Did you need anything in particular?"

"Well, I was sent to offer a second dessert, but that was before Jake roared off into the night in an epic huff."

"Ah, so dessert and cockblocking?"

"You know them all too well. You know, I thought Memaw was a holy terror before, but her and Gran? They are an unstoppable machine of lavender, cookies and slightly judgmental eyebrow lifts."

"Slightly judgmental?"

The teen pointed at the house, "I'm only saying slightly because I'm pretty sure they’re listening in and I don't want to lose dessert privileges."

Lira laughed and let Nancy pull her into the house. They might be holy terrors, but their lemon tart was pretty dynamite.

Chapter Eleven

Lira stomped through the woods, grumbling to herself. "I mean, really, what is the point of this exercise? To get in touch with nature?"

She stopped to flick a mosquito off her arm. Nature could suck it. "That is so much more nature than I want to encounter. Stupid bugs, why do they like me so much?"

She looked at the map and the compass. She still seemed to be on the right track. The meadow should be just ahead. She pushed her way through the overgrown path. The bag was starting to weigh her down. At least after she ate the massive lunch Grace had packed, she's be carrying more of the weight in her belly, not on her back.

Magda swore up and down that Lira would understand once she got to the stupid meadow. That she would feel better about her background and being part shifter. Which was silly.

Still, she had been cooped up at the B&B for a while, and since she and Jake were pretty actively not talking after their fight, the walk couldn't hurt.

Lira looked up at the sky and felt sorry for herself. Why was she fighting against Jake so hard? Her heart sped up when she saw him. She wanted to throw herself in his arms and if she was honest with herself, feel him between her legs again.

The truth she was having trouble admitting to herself, and why she fought against him, was that Ethan never had the power to hurt her. She had been upset catching him with Angela, but it was more the betrayal of trust from her former best friend. She'd been more relieved to be free of Ethan. That's why she never really lost her temper about it.

She'd been happy to have a reason.

And she was scared to death of trusting Jake with her heart because he could hurt her so easily.

As she made the epiphany, she stepped into a glorious meadow. It was a sea of wild flowers with a wide, flat rock in the center. She picked her way through the winding path. It led to a smooth area that was perfect for a picnic. She set her pack down and stared up at the perfect sky.

She felt peace settle over her roiled emotions. She might not be entirely cool with her newly discovered background, but as she rummaged in the bag Magda had packed, she understood the little smile on her face.

Magda had squeezed her hand and said it was a favorite spot of her mother's, and that she often retreated there when she had a lot of things to think over. Lira pulled things out of the pack. At the top was a blanket she spread over the rock. Her lunch was a series of separately wrapped little treats. She pulled out the water bottle and took a swig while she opened them up.

She could imagine her mother sitting with her, showing her all the things about Grayslake that she'd loved. "Stupid cancer. I wish I had gotten to know you better. At all. I was 8. That just isn't enough time. It's not fair." Even as she said the words into the air, Lira knew she was lucky. "Thank you for making sure Magda was there for me."

Lira had another epiphany. Magda and her mother, Deirdre might not have been married or romantic partners, but Magda had been just as much a parent as her biological mother. Magda had been the one to catch Lira when she was born.

There had been no question that Magda would keep Lira and had always treated her as her own. Joy burbled inside her heart. She might not know what to do about Jake or entirely understand the shifter world yet, but coming to her mother's spot gave her a chance to recognize exactly what Magda was to her.

She picked up the small tangerine and cracked open the peel of the fruit. Its sharp tang fizzled in her nose and she laid back to watch the clouds while she savored each bite of the fruit.

She'd lay it all out for Magda when she got back and ask her what the hell the best course was.

Lira woke up with a start and sat up. She must have drifted off. She pulled a wet nap out of bag and wiped the sticky residue from the orange off her hands and face. She yelped when she looked at the time. She'd napped for hours!

Thank goodness it was summer or she'd be worried about making it back to the house before the sun set. Still, she double checked that the flashlight worked. She gathered everything up, making sure to pack her trash out.

If shifters were real, maybe ghosts were too, and she'd hate to see her mother again only to be fussed at about littering. Not to mention, she'd be ashamed to return knowing she'd left garbage strewn about.

She hoisted the much lighter pack to her back. Maybe next time she'd bring Jake just so he could be the pack mule. And because she could easily imagine making love all afternoon on the sun-warmed rock.

It put a spring in her step as she headed back to the B&B. Still, by the time she saw the house in the distance she was exhausted. It was a bear of a walk. If she stayed in Grayslake she'd end up in a hell of a lot better shape.

She giggled at the thought of carrying bear spray with her, in case anyone got rowdy. She didn't notice the silhouette in the front room window watching her approach the house, and she opened the kitchen door, dropping the pack at the door.

"Hello? Anyone around?" She called out as she turned on the sink faucet. She wanted to rinse some of the sweat off her face so didn't hear the man approaching until he'd grabbed her by the waist and swung her around.

Her blood ran cold and she opened her mouth to scream, but Ethan covered it. She flailed against him, summoning what little energy she had left to try and get away.

He slapped her, hard, knocking her off her feet and to the ground, stunning her into silence.

"Keep quiet, or those old bitches will get it."

She panted on the floor, staring at his shoes. She nodded. Memaw and Gran might be shifters, but they were also elderly and she was scared of what he could do to them. So she nodded and let him reach down and pull her to her feet.

Ethan sneered at her. "Look at you. You're a fucking mess. How could you let yourself get so disgusting? I've let this go on long enough, I thought if I gave you enough time to get your pre-wedding jitters out on your own, you'd come to your senses." He dragged her out of the kitchen and into the front room. "We'll just wait for that bitch Magda to get back. I know you think you should feel grateful that she took care of you when you were younger. But you have me now and you have to let her know where we stand."

Lira wanted to wretch. Ethan had completely lost his grip on reality. She hated his hands on her.

But she took a deep breath and said, "Why don't we just head back home? I can call her later?" She desperately wanted to get him out of the B&B and away from everyone, so she managed to keep her tone light.

He pulled a handgun from his waist band. "Because I have to make sure the wild oats that you sowed are taken care of. He is here, isn't he? That's why you came here? To find your nasty one-night stand?"

"Ethan, honey, you don't understand, I came here because this is where my mother was born."

"I'm not stupid, you know. Your mother was a rich man's side piece. That's why there was all the money for you. But it's okay. I forgive you." He looked so sincere Lira wanted to scream. How could he say all those things? And the money thing was so crazy and out of left field. "But once I take out the trash, we'll get married and then it will be our money. And everything will be just fine."

"Ethan, honey, I don't think there is any money, not from my mother."

"Magda's been in charge of it. That is why you have to tell her. Everyone knows."

She knew she couldn't reason with him, but he was making so little sense. "But even if I do have money, you wouldn't need it. You are such a good Realtor, everyone uses you."

"Sure, I do okay. Enough to take care of us, after my debts are cleared up."

Ethan was into something deep and it was agitating him. Lira decided to redirect the conversation. "Are you sure I can't just leave Magda a note? There really isn't a need for anything else. You know I've been staying with a very sweet little old lady."

May Memaw forgive her lie. She might be old, but she was neither little nor especially sweet. It was at that moment that she saw Gran at the top of the stairs. Gran put her finger to her lips and Lira reached out a hand to Ethan to keep him distracted.

Ethan frowned and looked out the front window. "I did think they would be back already. I could just come back to kill him later."

Lira thought Jake and the Bears of Grayslake would make very short work of Ethan, but she was terrified of what he might do to Magda. He clearly saw her as a threat to something he needed. She had to keep him distracted and off balance.

"Babe, you know I'm not much for the outdoors. They made me take a really long walk and I am just so exhausted. You know I don't have much energy left and we have a long drive ahead of us. Don't be stubborn." It was dangerous playing to him like that.

He reached forward and stroked her cheek. "You really are a mess. You could go run through the shower while I wait for Magda." He ran his hand down her neck and circled her breast, cupping it. His voice thickened. "And I've missed you so much. Angela was a tolerable lay, but nothing compared to you.  Maybe we'll just get to a hotel where I can properly enjoy you."

Lira couldn't help her body clenching away from his touch. His eyes narrowed and he squeezed her nipple hard. She squeaked. "I'm just so dirty. Please, let me run through the shower and change. I hate you seeing me like this. I'm just so embarrassed." She looked away as tears filled her eyes. Let him think they were shame.

He released her suddenly and she staggered back. He shrugged and said, "Sorry, I wasn't thinking. You know how fastidious I am."

She walked past him and into the hall.

Ethan called out to her as she stood on the first step, "You know, if the money isn't yours and is Magda's, that's an easy solution. I'll take care of her too, and then it really will all be ours."

Lira froze in horror as she realized what he was saying. "Ethan, I'm sure you can't be saying what I think you're saying. She's my parent. As much a parent as my mother."

"She isn't your blood."

"Neither are you."

"Don't speak to me that way. You still have to earn my forgiveness. I'm just willing to let you." His eyes opened wide and she could see the whites all around them. She heard footsteps on the porch.

Time slowed down as she saw the door knob turn. She forgot the weakness of her legs as she vaulted forward. Ethan raised the gun as Lira leapt in front of Magda. The blast ripped through the house and threw her on Magda as the force ripped through her body.

Pain shot through her and she heard screaming all around. Ethan and Magda and Memaw and Gran and Nancy. Red swirled around her and white hot rage filled her. Pain gave her strength and she thrust herself off the ground.

Ethan still had the gun raised. He tried to aim around Lira, to get Magda. And that's when Lira lost her temper, truly for the very first time in her life. She threw her head back and roared.

It filled the house and she could feel her face expanding into massive muzzle. She stepped towards Ethan and her body filled out, every step she grew taller until she towered over him.

She was a massive Kodiak bear with one thing on her mind. Stopping the man who was trying to kill her family. He emptied the gun into her but she could barely feel the tiny bullets part her fur. She was all powerful, and as he struggled to reload she swiped him with her massive paw, knocked the gun across the room and left bloody stripes down his body.

The blood rage had taken her as she prepared to crack his head open. She would punish him for everything he'd ever done.

But a wolf knocked him back from her. She growled at the wolf who sat down and stared at her. She wanted to push past, to feel his life blood flow down her face. But the wolf exuded calm. If it had moved, she probably would have been lost.

But as the seconds turned into stretching moments, Lira came back to herself. And just as suddenly as she'd become a bear, she was human.

She collapsed as the pain wracked her body. Magda pressed hard on Lira's shoulder and darkness edged around Lira's vision.

"Shhhh, baby. I'm just stopping the bleeding. Focus on me. Look at me, honey. I'm right here."

Lira felt cold. Was this dying? She had to tell Magda. "Couldn't let him take you. You're momma too."

Magda sucked in her breath, hard. She never wanted to replace Deirdre, but she'd been there for every step, every fall. "We can talk about this once we get you stabilized."

"I'm real cold. Is this what the end is like?"

Magda's hands convulsed and she looked up at her mother, Memaw, who had shifted back and was standing over them.

Memaw covered Lira with a blanket and said, "Don't be ridiculous. You are cold because you are naked. Your shoulder looks a mess, but that isn't going to kill you."

They all heard the engine of the car pull up. Memaw moved to the door and looked out. "It's Jake." She turned back to Magda. "I called the cops and Gran called Jake."

They finally heard sirens in the distance as Jake exploded into the house.

He dropped to his knees in front of Magda and said, "Is she...did he?"

Memaw put a hand on his shoulder and Magda smiled up at him. "We'll just get her checked out. She should heal up fast."

Lira moaned and reached out to Jake as cops and paramedics came into the house. An EMT started to push him out of the way when Memaw said, "They're mates."

The medic nodded and pushed Jake towards her feet. "You can touch her legs while we stabilize her, okay?"

He nodded and knelt at her feet. She was hurt. There was so much blood. Her face was so very pale. He started shaking at how close he'd come to losing her. How close she was to the edge of life. Humans were so fragile.

He felt his Gran come up behind him, her hand resting on his head. She was giving him strength. He pressed his face against her leg, like he was a little boy again, seeking comfort.

"Jake, it really isn't as bad as it looks."

"But she's lost so much blood. It's everywhere."

"He shot her while she was shifted."

He froze. "Shifted? She shifted?" His brain felt sluggish and slow.

"Yes. After he shot her the first time, she went full bear. Big and angry."

"Did she kill him?" He hoped she had, it would solve a lot of problems. But killing someone with your bare hands...it would crush her.

"Memaw got her to calm down. He's hurt pretty bad. She got a swipe in, but he got really lucky, her aim was bad."

"She isn't a very big bear?"

"Oh bless your heart, honey. She's Kodiak. Her momma was a Kodiak from Alaska. She's massive."

Jake almost wept in relief. Lira was going to be okay and she was going to be his big beautiful bear.

Chapter Twelve

Sunlight beat against her eyelids and Lira slowly opened her eyes. She looked around the room confused. White walls, equipment everywhere and random beeping instruments.

She struggled to sit up and gasped at the sharp pain in her shoulder. At the sound, a tall figure unwound from the chair in the corner.

It was Jake.

His hair stood out at every angle and his eyes had deep dark circles under them. He struggled to his feet and pulled the chair over to the side of her bed, taking her hand in his. He lifted her hand and pressed it to his cheek and took a deep, shuddering sigh.

She could see tears bristle at the corner of his eyes. She cleared her throat. "How long have I been here?"

Jake closed his eyes and squeezed her hand. "Just overnight. They gave you something to take away the pain, conk you out, and keep you from shifting and murdering the whole town while they made sure you were going to be okay."

"It feels like I've been kicked by a horse, like, everywhere. My shoulder..." She started remembering and her hand shook. "Mama? Is she okay?"

"You took the bullet meant for her. Several of them."

"How am I okay?"

"You only took one bullet as a human. Bear hide is way thicker."

Lira rubbed her chest. "Did I hurt Ethan?"

"Knocked him out."

"So he knows about the bear thing?" Lira wondered how what happened to people who shouldn't know about shifters.

"Mmmm, not really. He's under guard. He'll be in prison a very long time. He tried to murder you and with everyone's testimony, no one is going to believe him about bears."

Lira slumped back onto the bed, her pain level ratcheting up.

A nurse came bustling in, "Okay hon, you are due for some pain meds. Luckily, you'll heal up real fast, so you'll be right as rain in a few days." She gave Lira a pill and a glass of water, then turned to Jake. "You need to let her rest. No hanky-panky. No strenuous activity. Understand?"

Jake looked shocked. "Of course I'll let her rest." The nurse just raised one eyebrow at him. "Really."

She sighed and left the room, muttering about shifters and mates.

Jake moved back to Lira and gathered her hand in his. "I really will let you rest. I mean, I adore you in every way, but walking in and seeing all that blood? It kind of scared the life out of me."

She smiled faintly at him and said, "It was not a great experience on this end either."

He dropped a kiss on her palm. "Let's agree that we're going to be super boring going forward. I'll come over for dinner and charm the various ladies. We'll sit on the porch and swing."

"Not too boring, I hope."

"Well, I might try and steal kisses while they aren't looking."

"Just kisses?"

Jake pressed his face against her hand, his voice low and serious. "Lira, I kept pushing you, until you ran. I should have been there when he showed up. Ethan never would have had the chance to hurt you or anyone else if I'd really listened to you. All I could think about was myself and what I wanted. Please give me another chance? I will be strictly by the book."

Lira squeezed his hand, trying to find the words around the increased fogginess of the drugs. She said, "Wasn't you I was scared of, was how strong I felt about you. You could hurt me. Scared the piss out of me."

"I'll keep you safe from everything." She could barely make out his words as drugged sleep swept her away.

~ * ~ * ~

Lira woke up a few hours later with a mouth as dry as the Sahara. She was fumbling for a nearby cup of water when the doctor strode in. He was loud and cheerful and Lira kind of hated him. And he wasn't Jake.

She took a sip of water while she glared at him, not understanding his words, until they finally sunk in. "Oh, I get to go home? Now?"

He sighed and shook his head. "Shifters will be the death of me. You should take it fairly easy the next few days, not that you will. But at least another 24 hours until uhm, strenuous activity, understand me?"

Lira flushed hot and she thought her ears might actually just burst into flames. She just nodded at him and sipped at her water.

"Your mother should be here shortly." Lira assumed the doctor spoke of Magda.

"Oh, okay." But not Jake? She didn't even know how to ask. She just looked over her discharge paperwork. "Do you really want me to take painkillers this long?" Lira had never had any kind of surgery before and had no idea what to expect.

"Oh, no, that's just if we get audited. Then the outside world just sees an appropriate standard of care. You should take one tonight, to help you sleep, maybe tomorrow night if you don't listen to me about strenuous activity. If you need more after that? You get your ass into my office."

At that moment, Magda walked in and the doctor smiled at her. "Nice to see you again. She is free to go. Although if she is in any real pain after tomorrow night? Call me, immediately." He handed Magda a business card. "And if she's not? Call me for dinner."

Lira grinned as Magda fumbled with the handsome doctor's card. She'd never seen Magda's head turned by any man, but maybe this doctor could get near Magda's standards. At the very least, it might distract Memaw and Gran from Lira and Jake.

Lira was more than ready for some shenanigans. Even if she had to wait until tomorrow.

Magda handed Lira a bag with a change of clothes and said, "I figured you'd want comfort over style, especially since Jake won't be over until dinner. Dr. Full of Himself recommended yoga pants and a button down shirt, so you didn't have to maneuver around your bandages."

Lira eased off of the bed, grateful that her pain was very minimal. Still, her shoulder was pretty stiff so it was nice to not have to fuss. "Oh, you think he's full of himself? You don't think he's a little bit handsome?"

Magda huffed and took the bag back. "He's very handsome. And he knows it."

"Is that so bad?" Lira had never been able to tease Magda about a man before. He might have annoyed Magda, but Magda looked vibrant and happier.

"No, I suppose not. At least he's not trapped in false modesty. That's profoundly boring."

"And if nothing else, you hate being bored by a man. Right, Mama?" Lira paused, unsteady, unsure of what Magda would say. Her mother would always be Mom, but all these years of dancing around what to call her other parent just seemed silly now.

Magda's voice was low and trembly, "You don't have to call me that."

Lira caught Magda's hand in hers, "You know what's great? My love for you and what you are in my life doesn't diminish my other mother's love. You both raised me together as long as you could, and when she died, you were my parent. Not lesser, not more. How many kids get to have so much love in their lives that they run out of words to label it?"

A tear slipped down Magda's cheek. "Deirdre and I, we knew we weren't a traditional family. Everyone assumed we were lesbians, but we didn't even fit in that mold. It would have been easier in a way, if we were, people would have understood what to call us, what our family was." She held on tight to Lira's hand. "I've always considered you my daughter, even if it wasn't of my flesh."

"I love you, Mama. I like saying it." They sat quietly together, letting the moment happen around them. Lira then said, "How is Memaw taking everything?"

"We, no, let me be honest. I let anger keep us apart for a very long time. I was too hurt and angry. As you grew up, I understood better her fears and how they drove her. We're getting along now. Getting to know each other as adults. It's good. She's good." Magda pushed Lira out the door. "Besides, I did give her updates, after Deirdre died. Did you know your mom, she had been sending updates all along? Made me swear to keep doing it, when she was dying."

"So mom guilted you with a literal deathbed wish?"

"She knew what it was like, growing up without any kind of connection to her people. She wanted you to have that connection. She forgave my mother long before I did. Memaw had no idea and no intention of hurting us, she really thought she was doing the right thing. The car crash was tragic accident that I wanted to blame on someone."

"Oh, did we ever figure out how Ethan found us?" It had made no sense to Lira, he shouldn't have been able to figure it out how to find them.

"Before he came into the house at me, he put a tracer on my car. Turns out he might have been crazier than a shithouse rat, but he was that smart. He just waited until he got the right opportunity." Magda hugged her daughter tight. "Now let's get you home so Memaw can fuss over you endlessly."

Chapter Thirteen

It had been a week since Ethan shot her. Lira flexed her shoulder. Except for a little stiffness in the morning, she was completely healed. She'd gotten pretty lucky that the bullet didn't hit anything important. That and the whole magical shifter healing mojo. Still, even Memaw was done fussing over her.

But Jake wouldn't stop treating her like she was made of spun glass. If she was any kind of glass, she was borosilicate Pyrex. It took a hell of a lot to break. He came for dinner every single night. But never sat next to her and hadn't tried to steal a single kiss.

Maybe he'd realized she was more trouble than she was worth. She wanted to scream in frustration.

Maybe she should just go on a road trip. Mama was figuring out her move to Grayslake. Turns out Ethan was right about one thing, there was some money floating around. Nothing like his crazed mind had seized on, but enough so that Lira could drive and drive and drive until she forgot her fair-weather mate.

She stared at herself in the mirror, frowning at her curves. Maybe if she'd been built like Angela, she could have kept his interest longer. No, Jake had worshiped her body. It was easy to beat yourself up, to turn everything inward.

After dinner, she would drag him out for a walk, and he would either spit out his problem or she'd say goodbye. He was her mate, dammit, and it meant something. She wasn't going to let him get away from her that easy. And, if he wasn't her mate, then, like Magda, she wasn't going to settle for anything less.

She'd pack her bags and he'd either move her to the Clan house or she'd drive off into the metaphorical sunset to find some other shifter town full of potential mates. Who was she kidding? Her body practically screamed for Jake.

~ * ~ * ~

Jake paced the porch. He was crawling out of his skin having to keep his distance from Lira. He knew it was going to be difficult, but not throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her away took every bit of his willpower.

But she was still recovering and had promised that he would give her the space she needed. He wanted her to choose him because she had to. Because she felt the mate bond. Not because it was what she had to do to stay in Grayslake with her family.

He hadn't even so much as kissed her since she came home from the hospital. He knew if he kissed her, he wasn't going to be able to stop at that. Then Memaw would never let him come back.

The door snatched open and Nancy stood there with her hands on her hips. "Stupid bear. Really, you both of are. Get into the dining room."

Jake followed her meekly.

Even Gran was glaring at him, as he walked into the room. Lira wasn't there yet.

He settled next to his grandmother who just huffed at him and said, "What is the wrong with you, boy? Did your mother drop you when you were a cub and not tell me?"

He just stared at her, baffled. What had he done? Everyone ignored him as Lira walked in the room. His eyes went soft as he stared at her. She was so beautiful.

She wore some sort of flowy strapless dress that followed the curve of her breasts. He swallowed hard because all he could imagine was tugging it down and watching it slip off her lush body. He drug his eyes upward, catching the exposed scar on her shoulder and scowled. She would always be marked by her attack. Ethan had hurt her, tried to kill the other women. And he hadn't been there. How could he forgive himself when her injury stared at him?

Jake just wished he'd killed Ethan when he had the chance, so she would know she was safe. Instead of a drawn out court case.

Dinner was a whirlwind until they were finishing dessert and Gran said, "Lira, you said you wanted to go for a walk after dinner? Jake, you will escort her." It wasn't a question.

"I really should be going. I don’t want to keep anyone up late." Lira flinched at his words. "But of course we can walk a bit of dinner off first."

He stood and offered a hand to his gran, but she waved him off. "You children go ahead, we'll catch up."

Alone with Lira? Out of sight of the house? Jake swallowed hard and pressed his lips together. He could do this. This would help prove to Lira he'd meant it when he said he'd go slow. He offered his hand to Lira and avoided her eyes.

He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her down the path at the back of the house. They walked slowly, in silence for a few minutes until they were out of sight of the house. His bear was restless and cranky and wanted to feel his mate melt in his arms.

Lira finally broke the silence. "Dammit, why won't you even look at me?"

He froze, this what not what he expected.

She pulled her hand away from him. "Are you regretting me? Don't freeze me out, just tell me if you are done with me."

His eyes were wide as saucers and he stammered, "I just don't want to hurt you. Your shoulder. And you said you needed slow."

Lira said, "Slow? That didn't mean glacial."

"And regretting you? The only thing I regret is that I wasn't there when that asshole showed up. He never should have been able to get near any of you. I should have tracked him down. I failed you, and he hurt you."

She pointed to her shoulder and said, "You mean this? Yeah, that sucked. But it turns out I'm a motherfucking bear, and, if you didn't know, bears do not like being shot." She grabbed his hand and pressed it against the raised and lumpy skin. "The scar will get smaller and smaller, until it basically disappears unless you know what to look for."

Lira's skin was so warm against Jake's hand and he pulled her closer, letting her scent wrap around him. His mouth ran dry as her face tilted up towards him. He stroked down her face with one finger, then stepped away.

"Please Lira, this is already so hard on me." How could she not know how close to the edge he was, that if he took her in his arms, he was never going to be able to let her go, no matter how much it embarrassed his Gran?

She growled at him and said, "Keep up with me now, or leave and never come back."

She turned and ran from him, down the path. The beast inside of him almost deafened him with the need to chase, to follow and to catch. Oh to catch her, and take her, over and over again. His legs were moving, and as he almost caught up with her, Jake heard her laugh and she transformed.

Shifted.

To her magnificent bear form. She was a match to him, a splendidly large Kodiak bear, who was speeding away from him, shreds of fabric falling around her. He gave his bear free rein, shifted and followed her into the woods.

After the burst of speed, they settled into a mile-crunching lope through the woods. Bears weren't built for speed, but could cover ground if they put their minds too it. Jake thought she was leading him somewhere. If nothing else, the run would tire him out enough that he might be able to keep his hands off her.

They burst into a meadow with a huge, flat rock in the center. Lira bounded up it, leaping to the top and shifting back to human. The moon bathed her in silvery light and her hair curled around her. He leapt up next to her and shifted.

She was in his arms before he could react. Hers lips against his and he couldn't resist and melted into her. This time Lira pushed him away.

They faced each other and she said, "I need you. I want you. No games. No more waiting. You're right, I could have died. And I would have died not saying yes to you, over and over again." She turned away from Jake and started pacing. "If you don't want me anymore, or you just want some fun, tell me. My bags are packed, I'm ready to go."

Ice cold fear shot through Jake's body. "You can't go."

"I can and I will. I'm not spending another night at the B&B. If it's not us, I'm hitting the road."

"I don't understand, what you do mean? Talk to me like I'm a big stupid bear. Because right now? I'm a big stupid bear trying not to freak out."

"I spent the afternoon packing up all my crap and putting it in the car. Because if you won't have me, I'm not staying in Grayslake to be hurt."

"If I won't have you?" Time stood still for Jake. He thought he knew what she meant, but his big dumb bear self was freaking out pretty hard.

"I was so scared before. I don't mean about Ethan. I realized that day that I was keeping you at arm’s length because while Ethan’s cheating hurt, you had the power to destroy me. And that's why I had everyone riding interference. I figured out a lot of things that day, but one of them was that I was at least going to let you know. And let you choose."

"Are you telling me you want to be with me?"

She sighed. "Yes, you goofy bear, I want to be with you, even if it means I get hurt. Life is short, and things can happen we have very little control over. I'd rather be happy with you for as long as we have. But I'll also make it easy for you. If you want freedom, just go, I'll be leaving tonight."

Jake started growling and reached for Lira, but she danced out of the way. "Are you out of your mind? Do you...I just...I'm going to..." He stood with his hands on his hips. "Get that sweet ass over here right now, or I'm going to put you over my knee and spank you until you can't sit for a week."

Lira was so tense, she could barely speak and her voice cracked, "Threat or promise?"

"Both, if I can't hold you now."

Lira let him pull her into his arms. The night air had chilled her skin, and his warmth as he wrapped his arms around her made her sigh.

He said, "You are my mate. You might be able to shift, but there is a lot you have to learn about being a shifter. Being my mate is forever. That's why I could wait. Will wait. If that's what you need. Because you will always be my heart. When I wake up, you the first thing I will think of. And when I fall asleep, you are the vision that will take me to slumber. If you run? I'll chase you forever."

He lowered his mouth to hers, showering her with lightning fast kisses. She started laughing and he frowned at her.

Lira said, "I'm sorry, but, I was so prepared to watch you run away as fast as you could, and I would have to go back to the house and say goodbye to everyone and get in my car and leave."

Jake’s hands tightened around her and he said, "What on earth would make you think I didn't want you?"

"You never tried to even kiss me!" And she really wanted him to kiss her and never stop.

"You idiot! I knew if I started kissing you I wasn't going to stop and I promised you we'd only go as fast as you wanted."

"I couldn't go faster before, but I'm ready for you, now."

"Did you really pack your car with everything?" She nodded against his chest as they sank onto the rock. "I would be privileged and honored if you would come with me to the clan house, as my bride." Lira could feel Jake tense as he waited for her answer.

She took a deep breath and said, "Anyway you want, that's how I'll come to you."

"That's a promise I'll hold you to, when I'm dragging you to City Hall tomorrow." A little squeak escaped Lira's lips and Jake stroked her face softly. "Too soon?"

"It was a knee jerk reaction. I said any way you want, I'll come."

He nipped her ear and said, "Well, I guess I'd better get to work."

~ * ~ * ~ The End~ * ~ * ~

Thank you for reading Secrets to Bear.  To find out more about upcoming book releases join my mailing list or like me on Facebook.

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About the Author

Flora Dare lives in Durham, NC in a cute little pink house, with her husband, Scott and their hellion of a puppy, HaliToeses. She writes love, lust and mayhem in almost every flavor, and like The Pirate Movie, she wants a happy ending, every time!

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DISCLAIMER

The characters and events portrayed in this book are a work of fiction or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.