Called by the Bear 4-6 (15 page)

L
ily

I
sweep
my hair up with a hand and glance in the mirror at Victor stepping out of the shower as I ask, “Up or down?”

I peruse my husband’s naked body as he rubs fluffy white cotton over his sculpted physique. “Up.”

I smile at him as he steps behind me and places his hands on my waist. He nuzzles my neck, and tiny hairs stand up on my skin as he whispers, “Although down might be better because I just might spend my evening imagining my teeth sinking into this tender flesh.”

The words send a shiver of desire through me. If I weren’t so nervous I’d drop my towel and make him follow through with that promise. “Are you sure my outfit is okay?”

I decided on a navy-blue sheath dress that has a short jacket that flares at the hips, accentuating my hourglass figure. With the strand of pearls Victor gave me and matching stud earrings, it should look elegant. But I’m afraid I’ll appear as if I’m trying too hard.

Victor has moved over to the second sink at the counter and slides a comb through his wet hair. “It’s perfect. You’ll look stunning and powerful at the same time. Very befitting of the new prima.”

“Yeah, about that.” Victor told me as prima I’m considered a leader of the Veilleux clan and that I’ve replaced his mother. “Your mother can’t be happy to give up the position to a stranger.”

“She’s not. But she’s had a few days to get over it.”

Victor swipes shaving cream onto his face with a brush. Silver flashes through his eyes as he raises a straight-edged razor. I’ve learned it means his alpha bear is talking. He says, “There’s nothing Patricia can say or do to change the fact that we lead the Veilleux clan. I need you to remember that and be strong.”

I nod but catch the reflection of the doubt in my eyes. Victor must have too because he says, “You’re my true mate, Lily. You wouldn’t be if you didn’t have the ability to lead.” Victor’s razor rasps against his skin, and he flicks off the black-specked foam into the sink.

I take a deep breath and rummage through my lipsticks, looking for the tube I received as a free gift with a makeup purchase. I slide red color over my lips and purse them to spread it more evenly. Smiling wide to check that my teeth stayed clean, I notice Victor’s grin. He says, “Excellent choice, darling.”

V
ictor’s
massive hand grips mine tightly as he helps me out of the car. He sends me a telepathic message as he winks.
“Be strong, darling. My mother’s a bitch.”

I smile and reply.
“I’m ready.”
But once I’m standing, I’m not so sure when I notice a tall, thin woman glaring in our direction. If eyes could be laser beams I’d be dead on the spot.

Victor tucks my arm in his and leads us over to her. “Mother.”

She tilts her face to present her cheek to him. “Victor.”

My husband lets go of my arm and leans in to kiss her. Patricia’s hand shoots out and grabs his chin as he pulls away. She kisses him on the lips and glances at me before letting go.

Victor steps back with a slight frown and places his hand at the small of my back. “Mother, this is Lily, my wife.”

I hold out my hand to shake hers, but she looks down at it quickly and back to my face without extending hers. “I see.”

She is a bitch.
I drop my hand and call on years of customer service experience. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Veilleux.”

She lets out a growl low enough that human ears can’t hear, but she knows I can.

Victor ignores her and says, “Come, Mother, our table is waiting.”

Patricia holds out her arm for Victor to take, and he links hers as well as mine to lead us toward the restaurant.

I lean out and glance at Patricia with a smile. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather tonight, don’t you agree?”

Her lips practically disappear as her eyes squint back at me in response. I shrug and turn forward to focus on walking in heels along the cobblestone path. I should feel slighted, but it must be werebear blood flowing through my veins that gives me confidence, because I plan to kill my mother-in-law with kindness instead.

The restaurant is in a historic mansion that appears to be from the same time period as my new home. Our feet tap against the granite steps that are old enough to be slightly concave with wear. Victor pulls open a thick wood door and lets me through before for his mother.

We enter a grand foyer that is more than two stories high. A large crystal chandelier catches my eye as the setting sun reflects and casts tiny flashes of light against the walls. I lower my gaze to an enormous staircase that reminds me of how large my life has become.

Victor explains that there are private dining rooms upstairs that are often used for clan business. A young woman greets us, and we follow her to the main restaurant.

I’m struck by how easy it is for me to hear conversation by focusing on the voices I want to tune in. I suspect that’s both a blessing and a curse for werebears that work in the human world. I lean into my husband a little when I hear a woman tell her friend to look at the sexy man that just walked by.

We are seated at a table in a secluded corner. While it’s not completely private, we’re tucked away where it’s hard for other diners to see our faces. I make a guess about Victor’s tact in asking for the location when Patricia orders a martini from the hostess. My
drunk
warning bell is ringing. I spent too many years of my childhood cleaning up the messes my alcoholic mother left, and I pray this isn’t usual behavior for Patricia.

A waiter arrives as we place napkins in our laps. “May I get anyone a cocktail?”

Victor answers, “Merlot for me and chardonnay for my wife, please.” He nods toward his mother. “She’s already ordered.”

When the young man leaves I exert my present confidence and say, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting the woman who raised such a wonderful man.” I smile sweetly at Patricia as I wait for poison to spew from her lips.

“Yes. Victor is an amazement, isn’t he?” She glances over our heads, and her drink arrives. Addressing the waiter, she says, “Keep a careful eye on us.” She glances at me as she raises a skewer of olives toward her mouth. “I don’t suffer fools easily.” A glimpse of her fangs flashes as she bites one and removes it from the tiny plastic sword.

The waiter replies, “Of course, Mrs. Veilleux.” He moves away as a young man approaches our table. I’m struck by the deep shade of his blue eyes. They remind me of Carly.

Victor stands. “Luke Robichaux, how wonderful to see you.” He turns toward me. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Lily.”

Luke extends his hand across the table for mine, and when I reach for it he traps it with the other. Perfect white teeth gleam as he says, “I’m honored to meet the new prima. May I say you’re more breathtaking than I imagined?” He kisses the back of my hand before releasing it.

I fight the heat that is rising to my cheeks. “Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

He turns and gazes at Patricia. “Mrs. Veilleux, you’re looking radiant tonight. You must be so proud.” I detect a note of taunting in his tone, but Patricia has almost drained her glass, and I doubt she caught the slight.

She offers him a smile as her eyes wander the room. My stomach clenches because I bet she’s looking for her next drink.

Luke and Victor make plans to golf later in the week while I take in the young man’s appearance. He’s large, like most of the men in this town, and his scent tells me he’s a werebear too. With thick blond hair and broad shoulders, he has the kind of good looks that I associate with trust funders. The prominent polo pony on his Oxford shirt and flashy gold watch scream money. Add that to his charm, and I’m sure Luke is a hit with women.

Victor hits him lightly on the arm in the male bonding way friends do, and I make a mental note to find out more about the Robichaux family. I suspect Luke will be a part of my new life.

After he leaves us Patricia thumps her empty martini glass down on the table as she sighs. “There. Now I might be able to handle this evening.”

Victor says, “That’s a bit dramatic. Even for you, Mother.”

She hisses, “You married a half and made her a prima. Now you’re showing her off as if she’s a treasure. You expect me to be okay with that?”

“She
is
a treasure.” The muscles in his jaw jump. “Lily is my true mate. Her heritage is strong. She was born for this.”

Crisp fabric is rough under my fingers as I place my hand on Victor’s thigh. He clasps my hand as Patricia asks, “Tell me, Lily, what makes you qualified to be a prima? Cleaning toilets? Handing out keys? Or is it something else?”

Victor squeezes my hand as I communicate with him.
“How about dealing with drunk mothers?”
Her insults cut but not as deeply as she hoped, because I’ve been trained in the art of dealing with alcoholics. Memories of my mother’s liquor-induced rages replay in my mind. That woman could teach Patricia a thing or two about how to hurt me.

Before I can speak, my husband says, “Lily is smart and has many skills that will transfer.” I wonder if he’s speaking to her silently when he pauses before he says, “She’ll learn whatever is necessary.”

Patricia’s reply is quick. “Are you sure there’s a brain in there?” The waiter has returned with another drink and she takes it from him.

Victor glares at her, and now I’m sure he’s speaking in her head. Shock flickers across Patricia’s face before she splays her hands out on the table and leans forward to talk to me. “Don’t underestimate me. I won’t watch this clan flounder under poor leadership and will take whatever action is necessary. Do you understand?”

I ask Victor
, “What did you say to her?”

“I told her she is no longer welcome at leadership discussions and that you don’t need her help.”

Patricia is openly glaring as she hisses, “You aren’t welcome here.”

Damn it.
Even if Victor hadn’t pissed her off, she wouldn’t have helped me anyway. I don’t know how to be a prima, and this snake of a woman intends to make things as difficult as possible. I don’t know why I’m surprised; not much in my life has been easy. Somehow I’ll manage to survive this too, and I steel myself for the challenge. I answer, “I won’t disappoint the clan.”

Patricia snorts. “Too late. The day you...”

I tune out her venomous words as I notice the vein on her forehead pulsing. Her nostrils are flared and spittle is on her lips. The image of a rabid animal almost makes me smile before I listen again.

“...A
half
became a Veilleux you cheapened everything we are.”

Victor’s chair scrapes across wood as he stands. Apparently he listened to the whole thing, and he growls before he commands, “You may never speak to Lily like that again.”

Although his gaze never leaves Patricia, Victor sends me a telepathic message.
“We’re leaving.”

I stand before I realize I had no choice because of his alpha order. And I think Patricia Veilleux may have just been cut from Victor’s life. He says, “Goodbye, Mother.”

Her face falls, and she reaches out for Victor. But he ignores her as if she’s invisible. Victor’s grip on my hand is painful as he leads me with controlled grace through the dining room. People stand and bow as we approach. I throw my shoulders back and walk like I’m in control too. Our waiter also lowers his head to us as we go by. As if we’re the king and queen.

Oh my God.
For the Veilleux clan, we are. The chill of the September night air flows around me as we exit the restaurant, and I wonder what I’ve just stepped into.

S
ierra

H
ot tea trickles
into my cup. I’ll be glad when I don’t have to drink the floral-scented drink Donna tells me is good for pregnant women.
“What do you think, babies? Does it taste good?”
I glance out at the rainstorm. The wind is howling, and leaves are swirling around in a dance that calls for winter.

I’m waiting for Ashton to come down to the kitchen so we can talk. I think he may have been behind the idea for the martial arts studio next to the tattoo parlor. Rubbing my hard belly, I imagine he was trying to keep the children and me safe in a way I couldn’t refuse.

Steps sound on the stairs, and I rise from the kitchen table to pour Ashton a cup of coffee. I hand it to him as he approaches me. “Thank you for loving me for who I am.”

My husband takes the cup and leans down to brush his lips against mine. “Who you are is exactly why I love you. What makes you think I’d want anyone else?”

“I know you were behind the cleverly disguised bodyguards at Ink It for me.”

He swallows a mouthful of coffee, and I wonder if that man has a steel-lined throat, because I imagine it had to have been burning hot. “Ah, so you’re on to me. I’ll have you know it was Carly’s doing. I just agreed.”

Eggs crack as I break them, and they sizzle when they hit the hot pan. I’m a little unsettled about the idea of Carly taking charge of my welfare when throughout our friendship I’m the one that watched out for her. I recall how she used to be insecure in her worth as a woman and the ways I would help her see the beauty she possessed.

But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. While I worked on pumping up her ego, Carly worked on cultivating my career. In a male-dominated field, being a female tattoo artist is tough. As the famous Al Cutler’s daughter, Carly had an in, and she never thought twice about using her clout to help me.

“I’m afraid you guys know me too well. Thank you for making it easier for me to accept.”

Ashton takes the spatula from my hand and flips the eggs for me. “Thank you for letting us. I know you hate the constant reminder of Victor’s threat, and I hope this way you’ll be able to concentrate on doing what you love.”

I hold out two plates for him to serve our breakfast. “I will.” A little foot kicks, and I look down at my stomach. “The babies agree. One just kicked me.”

“Let me feel.” My husband places a hand on my belly. Another tiny limb thumps from within me, and Ashton smiles. “That’s amazing.”

“One of these guys is a fighter, because he’ll keep punching and kicking until I’m full.” We sit at the table, and I continue. “He must know his daddy is a warrior and is getting ready to train.”

“And I bet the other is a creative soul that will help her mother make the world a better place.”

“I’m not sure I do that.” I play with the food on my plate as the harsh reality that Victor is the father of my children dampens my mood.

“Of course you do. You help others realize their potential. Carly is a capable leader because of you.”

“You give me too much credit. Carly was born for this; she couldn’t have fought it if she tried.”

Ashton shakes his head. “No. You made sure she got here, and—” He reaches over and cups my chin with his hand. “You saved her life while sacrificing your own. You’re my hero, Sierra.”

Tears fill my eyes at his words. Maybe I did have a part in Carly finding her destiny, but she’s a fierce prima now, and I couldn’t be more proud. I take my husband’s hand and place it on my heart. “And you’re mine. I’m so thankful I found you.”

“I believe I was the one that found you.” He winks at me. “And it was quite a find.”

I chuckle as I recall how, within seconds of meeting, we were fucking on a bathroom counter. I get up and walk over to his side of the table, while his chair scrapes against the floor as he moves away to make room for me. I straddle his lap. “Did I ever mention how horny pregnancy makes me?”

Plates rattle as Ashton shoves them aside, and he lifts me onto the table. “Thank God, because I can’t get enough of you.” His chest heaves as he unbuttons his shirt and watches me pull my top off over my head.

I unhook my bra and let the straps fall off my shoulders to reveal my larger-than-ever breasts. The moan from Ashton makes my nipple pucker in anticipation of his mouth. He suckles me as I work at the waistband of his jeans.

I don’t get far before his strong grip yanks my yoga pants down, dragging my panties with them. My husband drops to his knees and pulls my hips to the edge of the table. “Now this is my idea of breakfast.” He licks once along my slit. “So sweet.”

I squirm in an invitation for him to taste more. I’m rewarded with his mouth devouring me as if I’m an all-you-can-eat buffet. His low growl rumbles through me and encourages my cries of pleasure. Even when I’m quivering with an orgasm, he continues.

I push at his head for a break. “Ash, I—” Another climax quakes through me before he lets up. I fall back on the table to recover. The grind of his zipper makes me prop myself up on my elbows to watch.

His huge erection is standing tall as removes his pants. “Oh my, is that my breakfast?” I giggle as he sits back in his chair.

I scramble off the table and move between his legs to administer oral pleasure of my own. I work him until the point he’s on the edge. Ashton croaks out, “Babe, ride me.”

The muscles in his thighs are rock hard as I brace my hands against them to stand. As I place myself over his lap, strong fingers grip my ass to guide me. I lower myself slowly onto his cock and gaze into Ashton’s eyes. His eyelids droop, and his head falls back.

I revel in the sensations of our flesh sliding together, with the juices of my desire surrounding him and my very being engulfing the male essence of my true mate. I’m not surprised when I lose myself in our lovemaking. When we’re together like this, nothing else matters. And when we’re done, all is right in our world.

Ashton traces the tattoo on my breast with his finger, and I purr like a cat in the sensation of his touch. He asks, “Would you give me one of these?”

“You want me to give you a tattoo?” While the image is simple and I can, I feel the need to make sure my husband knows the extent of my experience. “I haven’t really done one on my own.”

“But you can do it, right?”

“Yeah.” I smile as lift myself slowly off his lap. It’s fitting that my first complete tattoo be for Ashton.

He places his hand over his heart. “I want it here. Because the day you were called I was too.”

I gaze into his eyes and lean down to kiss him. “I would be honored.”