The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) (18 page)

Ainsley looked over at Jackson. “Did you figure out our flight to Scotland?”

“Yes, we leave Friday, just as you suggested.”

That was perfect timing. Ainsley didn’t have a lot of friends. Now that she was free of her Changeling ways, she wanted to remedy that situation too. “I’d love to.”

“Great.” Elana placed a hand on Jackson’s arm. “I think your brother has something planned for you too.”

He grinned. “I’m game.”

The others came over to congratulate her, and Jackson introduced her to Kip and Teagan, as well as Izzy and Rye.

“That was some trick with the water,” she said to Izzy.

The tall, beautiful redhead smiled. “I couldn’t let you stay down there too long.”

Would she have drowned? “I appreciate the help.”

Jackson wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. “Ainsley and I need to meet with Naliana and James. So if you’ll excuse us.”

The group said they understood and then dispersed. Jackson had picked her up from her apartment and driven her to the lake. He would be taking them to Naliana and James’s house.

He glanced over at her, put his truck in gear, and drove back the way they came. “What are you thinking about?” he asked. “I imagine your mind is going wild right now.”

Should she tell him? Because she didn’t want to be like her former Changeling family, Ainsley had long ago adopted the view that lying was never good. “You. Us.”

He flashed her a smile then quickly sobered. “It’s complicated, isn’t it?”

Hope flared that he understood. Her wolf was doing the happy dance, but she didn’t want to rush into anything. “Totally.”

Jackson returned his gaze to the road. After what seemed like a three-minute drive, they arrived at James’s home. She wasn’t sure if Naliana and James were back at the cabin yet since the inside appeared rather dark.

Jackson opened her door. Crap, she hadn’t even noticed he’d gotten out of his side. “Ready?” he asked.

Not really
. “I guess. What do you think they want to talk to me about?”

“I’m sure it’s good.” He reached in and snagged the towel. It belonged to James.

When Jackson knocked on the door, James answered. Those two sure were fast.

“Come in!” James smiled brightly.

*

Jackson hoped this
conversation with Naliana and James didn’t take long. His bear wanted to start their mating process. He’d explained to his wild beast that he wouldn’t bite her, that Ainsley needed time. Who was he kidding? So did he.

For the moment, his animal agreed to stand down.

Naliana appeared from the hallway, carrying a plate of cookies. “I baked these for you both.”

Really? Naliana only saw James for twenty-four hours every month, yet she spent her time cooking? Or did she possess the talent to nod and have the food just appear? That would be sweet if she had that ability.

Kalan had once told him how Izzy had baked cookies for him that had been laced with some calming spice. Maybe these would do the same for him. He sure as hell needed something to keep his bear at bay.

Jackson placed a hand on Ainsley’s back and led her to the settee. Too bad that little maneuver woke up his inner animal again. Damn.

James knelt in front of the fire and tossed in two more logs then looked over at Ainsley. “I bet you’re a little chilled from your swim.”

“I am, thank you.”

She ran a hand over her wet hair, and Jackson itched to use the towel he was carrying to dry it for her. He settled for reaching an arm across her shoulder and rubbing it, trying to give her some of his heat.

Naliana placed the tray of sweets on an ottoman then sat down next to the fire. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions for us.”

Ainsley fingered her necklace and seemed off in space, so he asked a question. “I have one. How did the water change the onyx?” It was now pink.

Naliana smiled. “It wasn’t the water. I put a spell on it. The necklace, given to Ainsley by her dear friend Shamus, is designed to protect her. Now that she is no longer a Changeling, but rather a member of the bear and wolf Clan, she’ll need pink quartz instead.”

“That makes sense.” The thought had never occurred to him. Ainsley was still staring off into space as if she was trying to come to grips with some kind of loss—perhaps that of the original necklace.

Jackson had one more concern. “Ainsley stated that several of the Changelings could tell that she was one of them. What will happen when they see her again? Will they know she isn’t one of them and turn on her?”

He honestly wasn’t sure what he wanted the answer to be. If the Council knew she wasn’t one of them, it was possible they might leave her alone. On the other hand, they might feel betrayed and try to kill her.

“No,” James said. “I asked Naliana to put an extra spell on Ainsley that shields the established Changelings from seeing her new identity.”

Ainsley leaned forward. “You’re saying that if I meet one of these Changelings, he’ll believe I’m still one of them?”

Naliana nodded. “However, I should mention that the mark on the back of your shoulder has now changed. Instead of a circle outlined in black, your new identity has a wolf paw on the left to signify your wolf status and a vine on the right that comes from your Wendayan half.”

She sucked in a breath. “That’s amazing. In other words, keep it covered when in the presence of a Changeling.”

Naliana smiled. “Yes, dear.”

These two had thought of everything. They chatted a bit more until Jackson felt they might be intruding on Naliana’s time with James. He stood. “Thanks for the towel.”

Ainsley stepped over to the couple and hugged them both. Jackson held his breath waiting to see their reaction. He’d never heard of anyone touching either one. When they both smiled and hugged her back, he relaxed.

Once they said their farewells, they left.

Mate, mate!

Jackson tried to ignore him, but it was damn hard. When the time was right, he’d know.

Now, now.

‡

A
insley just might
be an even bigger mess now than before the ceremony. Thankfully, any evil thoughts and urges that had once lived inside her were now gone. The whole concept that she might give into the dark side had always loomed over her. Now, she was free—free to meet people and free to love.

Which brought her to Jackson. Her body was vibrating with need, and she had to work hard to keep the blue sparks from randomly escaping. She wished now that she’d questioned her mother more about this sparkly stuff escaping her skin. Sure, in the past when she was excited, there might have been an occasional flare, but she’d never experienced anything like what happened when she kissed Jackson. Hell, she almost glowed blue.

Before she had the chance to calm down emotionally or sexually, they arrived at her apartment. He parked in back of her building then escorted her upstairs.

This is it!

Was she even ready for him to bite her? No. She barely knew him. Her wolf wanted it all, that much she knew—the sex, the mating, the emotional connection—but the human part of her? She wasn’t sure. She was scared.

Ainsley unlocked her front door and Jackson followed her in. “You want a drink?” she asked, not knowing the protocol on how to start the seduction. Should she undress and motion him to follow her into the bedroom? Or should she let Jackson take the lead? In the past, she’d been the aggressor because she had to be ready to put a halt to things if the man wanted to take it too fast.

“I could use something to drink,” he said. “I have to admit all this cleansing stuff has me a bit off-kilter.”

She whipped around and stared at him. “You? Why? I was the one who had to dive into the water.”

He chuckled. “We’re mates, or rather we’re destined to be mates, and I don’t want to mess this up.”

Relief poured through her, and she almost smiled at the worry skating across his face. “Me too. I have so many questions about what will happen that I need some time to think.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Thank goddess they got that worry out of the way. She now could relax a bit. “I’m glad we’re in agreement. Let me pour us a drink.”

Ainsley headed into the kitchen and was reaching for the glasses when Jackson placed his hands on her waist. Anticipation shot through her.

Take him; fuck him hard
, her damn wolf demanded.

“I changed my mind. I can’t wait,” he said, as he twisted her around to face him, his eyes shimmering an amber-gold. He reached behind her, and when he unclasped her necklace, the heavy metal and stone pendant dropped into his hands. He glanced down and fingered the large stone. “I can’t believe these changed. It truly is magic.”

He was truly magic. “I know.”

After placing Shamus’s gift on the counter, he drew her close and leaned over. “It’s been so hard to keep my hands off of you. Seeing you naked at the lake, I was so close to shifting.” He placed his thumb and forefinger a quarter of an inch apart.

His need to be with her matched her own desires. Before she could tell him, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her. Sparks flew, and her pulse soared. Without the fear of harming anyone, she could finally let loose and just feel. And boy did she feel. Pinpricks of lust darted up and down her body, throwing off blue light everywhere. The random sparks kind of freaked her out, and she wondered if she just might combust.

Ainsley wrapped her hands around his waist then slipped her fingers under his flannel shirt. She dragged her palms up his corded back, and the flexing of his muscles sent her hormones into a state of chaos. As amazing as that was, she needed more. Slightly opening her mouth, she ran her tongue along the seam of his lips and demanded entrance. His earthy scent swirled inside her and created havoc with her thoughts. All she could think about was devouring him. All of him. Totally. Fully. Divinely.

Jackson opened his mouth, and the moment their tongues touched, her need exploded. Bones cracked, and she couldn’t tell whether the noise was coming from her or from Jackson. His eyes lightened, his teeth sharpened, and his hair sprouted.

He broke the kiss, stepped back, and bumped into the small center island. Fur spun and suddenly a huge bear loomed before her. Ainsley’s wolf went crazy. She wanted this bear. Now. Uncontrollable lust swamped every cell, and her vision sharpened as her body transformed into her wolf.

Holy hell. Now what? She looked up at the giant animal. Jackson’s bear lowered his cute snout and sniffed. Her wolf looked up at him and licked his face. He growled, but she wasn’t certain what that meant.

Needing some fur-to-fur contact, she walked in between his legs, rubbing up against him. Pinpricks of erotic lust skittered up and down her body. Wanting more room to maneuver, she darted around him and rushed into the living room. He followed.

It might have been out of fear that things had already become out of control, but she cloaked her body with invisibility. Seconds later, Jackson returned to his human form—make that his gloriously naked human form.

Ainsley shifted back too, but remained invisible.

“Where did you go, magic girl?”

Oh, this could be fun. As much as she wanted to make love with him right now, she had to calm down a bit. Rushing into mating with him wouldn’t be smart. It didn’t matter that she wanted him more than life itself.

As he stepped farther into the living room, presumably to locate her, his huge cock bounced, and Ainsley couldn’t take her eyes off it. Jackson was a thick man, packed with muscles. His long legs bulged with thigh and calf muscles, and when he moved, they flexed with power. His upper chest was thick with hair, but his flat belly was spared, save for a sprinkling of hair that led to where she was looking.

She might have been cleansed of her Changeling ways, but that didn’t mean Naliana had taken away her challenging spirit. Still invisible, Ainsley moved toward him. Inches from him, she leaned over and swiped a tongue up the length of his cock. Jackson jumped.

“What the hell?”

Ainsley materialized and giggled. At his look of fake outrage, she bent over laughing.