Called by the Bear 4-6 (9 page)

T
aylor

M
y head is reeling
. I’ve been in Maine for about a month, and I feel like it’s been a lifetime. I’ve become a werebear, fought battles in my bear form, and found my true mate. It shouldn’t shock me that I got engaged last night and am talking about marriage as if it’s the next natural step.

Keith’s coffee mug thumps on the breakfast table, and he says, “I know you’re not the girly type, but I’ve always imagined watching my bride walk down an aisle toward me. Surely you’ve had that dream, too.”

“Yeah, I have. But I really don’t want our wedding to be a big party for everyone else. I’m selfish and want it to be for us.” I sip my coffee cautiously to check the temperature.

“Don’t you realize it will be? Haven’t you noticed when we’re together, nobody else matters?”

He has a point. Even at the important weekly clan meetings with Brady, Carly, and Donna, my mind wanders to thoughts of Keith. If we didn’t force ourselves to sit apart from each other, we’d be touching and fantasizing about the things we do. “Okay, but please let it be a small celebration. One that will fit here, because the fairyland backyard you’ve created just screams wedding.”

Keith’s smile reaches his eyes. I know he’s proud of his landscaping, which he created with his true mate in mind. While he’s never mentioned it, I’ll bet he pictured it for nuptials. I think I’ve managed a compromise we can both live with.

He says, “That would be perfect. Annie and Donna love to plan events. If you’re not into it, we could get them to organize everything.”

I shake my head. “No, I’m too much of a control freak to let Donna run things.” The metal is warm on my skin as I twist the solitaire diamond on my ring finger. The thought of planning a party suddenly overwhelms me. Annie isn’t so domineering, so I add, “But I’ll ask Annie to help.” I stand to get more coffee for Keith.

“Great. Let’s pick a date, and we can tell everyone at the morning meeting.”

A tremor of panic vibrates through me, and I wonder how soon we can swing this, because my period is a few days late. I’m not one for drama and would like to be married before the world knows I’m pregnant. Keith and I never bothered with birth control, knowing we are true mates. Besides, that’s why I was called—to bear children for the Le Roux clan.

Hot liquid splashes into Keith’s cup. My new life is unexpected. I grew up with a single dad and was a tomboy. Sure, I had relationships and even got close to marriage once, but I wasn’t sure I would ever want to be a mother. My hand falls to my stomach, and I answer, “Sure. The sooner, the better.”

Keith glances down at my hand and takes the coffee pot from me to set it on the table. “Is there something you want to tell me?” He stands and wraps an arm around my waist to pull me against him.

His brown eyes are warm, and I know I want to be pregnant with his children. “I’m not sure, but I’m late.”

Keith lifts me in the air with a whoop, and I squeal. I’m still surprised every time he picks me up as if I’m tiny instead of an Amazon version of female.

He says, “Donna will know the second she smells you.” He lets me down slowly and kisses me. Keith’s joy turns to lust in seconds, and his erection pressing against me makes rational thought leave my mind, too.

I break away and mumble as I work on his pants. “We’ve got fifteen minutes.”

Keith lifts my shirt over my head and replies, “Plenty of time.”

I
t turns
out fifteen minutes wasn’t time enough, and we arrive late for the meeting. When we enter the kitchen full of delicious smells, I glance at Donna for her reaction. My hope is deflated when she only looks annoyed at our tardiness.

Her brow furrows as she says, “Nice of you two to join us.”

Keith winks at her, and I want to laugh when he says, “Sorry, we lost track of time.”

Donna utters a small noise of displeasure. “We were just talking about Sierra and Ashton’s wedding.”

Food is set out on the kitchen counter, and we know to serve ourselves. A fork clashes against a platter as Keith gets bacon. I load up my plate quickly while Annie talks about how she thinks the garden should be decorated. The wedding will be a small ceremony, and it makes me decide I’ll definitely employ her to help plan our celebration.

When I sit at the table, I reach for the salt dramatically so my ring is obvious.

Annie’s hand shoots out and grabs mine, surprising me into a giggle. “Oh, Keith, you did well. It’s gorgeous.”

“He did, didn’t he?” I grin across the table at Keith.

Carly takes my hand next. “Oh, this is perfect for you. I love it.”

Brady says, “Congratulations.” He hits Keith on the arm.

I glance at Sierra, wondering about her reaction. But she’s looking at Ashton, and I think they’re communicating with each other. She and Keith broke up only weeks ago, and though she’s about to marry her true mate, there have to be some residual feelings.

She turns and smiles at me. “I’m glad you two found each other.”

I smile back, because judging from the look in her eyes, I think she means it.

Donna says, “Well, now we have two weddings to plan. Have you set a date yet?”

Keith replies with a twinkle in his eyes, “I started the conversation, but Taylor got distracted.”

I snort. “Right.” I’m not sure what’s gotten into my introverted mate, because he usually blushes when I’m blunt about sex. I tease back, “Some things are too big to ignore.”

Sierra spits out her coffee as Keith’s cheeks flush.

Carly takes pity on him and pats his arm as she says, “We already know his dick is huge. Can we move on?”

Donna says, “Size isn’t what’s important here. What I want to know is if he uses it regularly.”

Now I fight embarrassment as I force myself to answer. “Yes, he does. We’re taking your demands for grandchildren quite seriously.”

Sierra is giggling, and I can’t help but join her.

Carly shakes her head. “Oh, Donna, what would we do without you?”

Donna smiles at us over her cup of tea. “I have no earthly idea.”

Keith speaks to me in my head.
“Are you ready to join my crazy version of family?”

I think about Keith’s parents. His mother, Peggy, is Donna’s best friend, and the two families have always been close. I know I’m marrying into love and fierce loyalty.
“Bring it.”

We eat in silence for a few minutes before Annie speaks. “Lily has left us.”

Carly asks, “What? When?”

Annie sighs. “She texted me two days ago, saying she was canceling her appointments because something came up. And then yesterday, she texted she has to quit. I’ve been trying to reach her, but she hasn’t returned my calls.”

Carly says, “I know she didn’t click with Ian, and she’s been distant ever since. I’ve felt her pulling away, so I’m not that surprised. But I did think she’d handle leaving us in a more mature way.”

Donna snorts. “Maturity doesn’t happen because of age. That girl couldn’t cut it, and it’s a good thing we found out before it was too late.”

Carly says, “She has a conscience, and I think guilt is making her act this way. I know she felt like she was taking advantage of us. My concern is where she’s going to go.”

Sierra adds, “Yeah, I don’t think she had much in Colorado to return to. I hope she’s okay.”

Annie’s chair scrapes against the floor as she gets up to clear her plate. “She’ll probably call me eventually. I’ll make sure she’s fine.”

A vision of the shy blonde with doe-like eyes flashes in my mind. I barely knew the girl, but something about her innocence made me want to protect her. A sense of dread settles in my stomach as I wonder what would make her leave so abruptly.

L
ily

T
he scent
of coffee floats toward me as warm fingers stroke my cheek. Victor is sitting next to me on the bed. “Wake up, my darling.”

“Hmmm, Victor.” I reach up and grab his shoulder to pull him down to me, but the crisp cotton under my palm tells me he’s dressed. I open my eyes to his intense gaze. “Are you leaving me?”

“Never. I just had a few things to take care of this morning.”

A plastic button is smooth under my fingers as I work at removing his dress shirt. “And you’re done now, right?”

He stops me. “I am, but we have a justice of the peace waiting for us in less than an hour.”

I bolt up in panic. “What? But—”

Victor hands me a mug of coffee and places his finger on my lips to stop me from talking. “Take your shower. I’ve laid out a dress for you. I took the liberty of getting you something to wear.”

The chill of a summer breeze wraps around my naked body as I pad my way over to the outfit on the couch. It’s a cream-colored silk wrap dress, and there’s a pair of heels to match. The large velvet box next to it holds what I assume is the perfect jewelry.

Tears form in my eyes as I turn to see him walking toward me. “It’s lovely.” I bite my lip to keep from crying. “Nobody has ever made me feel this way. God, I love you.”

Victor smiles down at me. “This is just the beginning. You’re my queen, and every single day, I plan to prove it to you.” I reach up to kiss him, but he takes my face in his hands and touches his lips lightly to my forehead. “Get ready. We can’t be late.”

I grin, “Yes, sir.”

He swats my bottom as I turn to leave, and I let out a squeak.

Thirty minutes later, we’re speeding along a road with the ocean at my side. Sunlight bounces on the water as if it’s as excited as I am. I fiddle with the pearls of my necklace. They’re real, and I marvel at the wedding gift from my groom.

Victor reaches his hand out to me. “Are you nervous?”

“Excited.” I grasp him, revealing my sweaty palm, and giggle. “And a little nervous.”

“Me too. But only because I’m afraid you might get cold feet.”

“What? No. Not on your life.” I lift his palm and kiss it. Then I wrap his fingers into a fist as if I’ve given him a present. It’s a gesture he’s done to me, and I hope it makes him feel as special as it makes me feel. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Good. Me, too.”

We park in front of a small brick building, and Victor walks around to open my door. He pulls me out of the car then off my feet as he says, “One last kiss as Lily Wilson. Because the next one will be as Lily Veilleux.”

His tongue teases me, and I melt in his arms as I get carried away by our connection. When Victor sets me down, I wobble a bit. “Wow, each time you do that, I lose a little more control. How soon until we can go back to our cabin?”

Slipping an arm around my waist, Victor whispers, “About thirty minutes until I can make you scream for hours.”

I smirk at him. “Hours, huh?”

He winks back at me. “Just you wait.”

We enter the building to a small lobby with a counter. The woman behind it looks up at us, and she smiles. She pushes her glasses up onto her salt-and-pepper hair. “I bet I know what you two are here for. I’m your witness.”

Victor reaches out a hand to her, palm side up. “You must be Janet.”

She places her hand in his, and he lifts it to his lips. She grins even wider and says, “Yes, I am.”

Anyone else acting this way would make me roll my eyes, but for Victor, it seems natural. I smile at Janet. “Hi, I’m Lily.”

“And just as beautiful as one. Right this way.”

Apparently Janet knows about charm, too. She leads us to a small office with fluorescent overhead lights. Not a stitch of this room is romantic, including the stark white walls and gray tile floor, and I wish I could have decorated it a bit.

My face must give me away because Victor tips my chin up so that I’m trapped in his gaze. “Thank you for humoring me about this. I promise you’ll get a real wedding complete with a gorgeous setting.”

“I don’t mind.” And I don’t, because seeing his love for me in those emerald eyes makes me want to do anything he asks. “I can’t wait to start our life together.”

An older gentleman enters the room. “Well, well. The bride and groom.” He reaches out to shake our hands. “I’m Lee Shay. Let’s do this.”

A sudden thought occurs to me.
I don’t know what to say!
But just as I’m about to say something, Victor hands me a piece of paper. “Your vows. And Janet has our rings.”

Heat rises to my cheeks. “You thought of everything. Thank you.” I set the note on the desk separating us from Lee and Janet.

Victor takes my hands and looks down at me. “Darling, Lily. The moment I met you, I knew you were my destiny. You were born to be mine, and I, to be yours. I, Victor Veilleux, take you, Lily Wilson, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part.”

It’s fitting that my traditional guy said such conventional vows. Janet hands him a ring, and he slips it on my finger next to my emerald.

I glance up to his face. “Since the day I’ve met you, you’ve taken over my dreams. It’s as if you’re the very thing I need to survive.” I repeat the same vows Victor said, and Janet hands me his ring.

When I slip it on his finger, he grasps my hands and squeezes them tight.

This man is my husband!
Lee says something I don’t hear, because I’m already on my tiptoes to kiss Victor. I keep my hands from wandering, but our bodies meld together intimately enough my intentions aren’t unheard.

Victor releases me before I lose all reserve, and he presses his forehead against mine. “Mrs. Veilleux, let’s go start out life together.”

“Mr. Veilleux, that sounds wonderful.”

I glance over at our witnesses and notice Janet’s eyes are moist. I smile at her. “Thank you both for accommodating us on short notice.”

Janet dabs at her tears with a tissue. “You’re welcome, dear. God bless you two and your union.”

V
ictor insisted
I eat a big breakfast with lots of protein before we returned to our cabin. He said I would need the energy, and after our first round of lovemaking, I’m thankful. Cuddled in his arm, I trace my finger along a faint scar down his chest. It’s one of a series of lines that look as though they came from a claw. “How did you get this?”

“A fight with a bear.”

The memory of the bear I saw when I first drove into town plays in my mind. “Seriously?”

“Um-hmm.” Victor’s tracing his own line down the edge of my body. “But you should see what he looks like.”

I hit him lightly. “You’re teasing me.”

His fingers stroke over the paw-print tattoo on my hip, and desire pulses in my veins. God, I’m a mess when it comes to my attraction to my husband. It occurs to me that only those of us called to come here are supposed to be able to see the mark. It also occurs to me that I never told Victor why I’m here, and he never asked. “Can you see my tattoo?”

“Of course.” He lifts me off his chest and climbs over me. He leaves feather-light kisses on my skin as he makes his way down my belly. “Do you trust me with your life?”

What a strange question.
But my body is humming with lust, and I want him to keep going. I let out a shaky breath. “Yes.”

“Do you know the Le Roux had evil plans for you?”

“What? No.” I picture Annie and remember how wonderful she was to me. Shame at how I left without explanation makes me flush. “They couldn’t have been nicer to me. What makes you say that?”

Victor licks my tattoo, and my hips jerk up in response to the bolt of pleasure that slices through me. He says, “It’s true. But you’re safe with me. I’m about to save your life.”

I’m not sure what game he’s playing, but my orgasm is dangerously close, and I’m in. I moan as his tongue continues to stroke my skin. “Save me, please.”

A delicious sensation floods my body as what feels like teeth slide into my flesh. The pleasure immediately shifts to burning. I shove his head away. “Shit! Did you just bite me?” I scramble off the bed, but searing heat is spreading throughout my body. I crumple to the floor as I shriek in pain.

Victor’s face appears through my haze of agony as he pulls me to my feet. “You’re going to be fine. I promise.”

I barely register the fact that he’s cuffing my wrists and ankles to the iron bedposts before I pass out.