Grizzly - Bundle Parts 1-3 (12 page)

“We’re mates, Abe?” I asked softly.

He smiled and leaned forward in his chair, a very earnest look on his face. “Yes, Cass. I believe we are. And there’s one more very important element to this.”

“Okay…”

“You’re what is known as an Alpha female. They’re rare. Rare enough that the Bear clan has certain rules and guideline when one is found.”

I absorbed what he shared, my curiosity taking the lead. This was all news to me. I knew a lot about Alpha and Beta dynamics. The social hierarchy of a pack and how it affected each member’s status and ranking within the pack group. Typically, though – an Alpha was male. Not female. This was new to me.

“How is it I’m an Alpha? Isn’t that supposed to be a male thing? Not a female matter?” I asked, confused.

Abe sighed. “Humans are the most familiar with wolf-pack hierarchy and that is indeed one way that Mother Nature determines how a unit self-manages, instinctual inclinations and what not. But it’s not the only way. In fact, it’s best to have a matriarchal hierarchy since it guarantees who the offspring are from. Their lineage.” He said, then paused to see how I was receiving the information he was sharing.

“Okay, that makes sense,” I said while nodding my head slowly. “But how does that have anything to do with a human. Or me to be blunt.”

He grinned, “I knew you’d ask. Basically, you’re a dormant Alpha female. Meaning, somewhere in your heritage was a shifter but it’s gone quiet or dormant. You carry the gene, but it’s recessive and therefore not active. Not active until triggered, that is.”

Comprehension settled upon me. This was very important and it explained why I was so invested in writing shifter and paranormal books.

Because I was one of them!

And not only was I one of them, I was an Alpha female…

Which was blowing my mind…

As was the part about Abe being able to mind-read me now as we were in mate territory.

“So, you triggered me? Our meeting… and um, er – intermingling is the impetus? What has allowed you to mind-read me?”

“Yes, and eventually – you’ll start mind-reading me too. It takes some time and getting used to, but it will happen. As long as…” His voice faded as if he was afraid to say what needed to be said next.

“As long as what?” I asked, already knowing the answer, the end of his statement but still wanting to hear him say it.

“As long as we remain mated. It just depends on how strong we’re bonded to one another.”

I smiled, “Abe, I very much want to be with you. To be… er, um – mated.”

The beautiful lull that existed between us at exactly that moment was enough to take my breath away. Because everything in his physical response cued that he was ready to devour me. His looks of concern dissolved into those similar to a hungry wolf.

Err, or a hungry bear.

If I hadn’t just fainted in my local
Starbucks
, I was certain my looks would be matching his.

“Will the mind-reading thing just be with mates, or will it be for other people too?” I asked, diving back into my curiosity.

“Hard to say, I’ve never had much interaction with an Alpha before and typically, their gifts tend to be more robust and they develop over time. We’ll have to take it day by day with you, as you acclimate into your shifter senses. Sometimes, they can be psychic. So don’t be surprised if you start to notice that you’re picking up on things that others aren’t. Like a sixth sense, almost.”

“Really? No friggin way! That’s crazy…” I said, feeling overwhelmed.

“I know it can seem scary, but it’s all about you being able to take care of yourself and others. To do what you need to do and to protect, even.”

“Are you sure about all of this? It’s so out there… Even for a writer that has been doing shifter stories.”

“I know, I know… Just be patient with yourself. It will take time, just like anything else in life.” Abe said, the look of concern on his face making me feel better. I could tell that he knew I was having a hard time wrapping my head around all of it.

“About this Alpha female part. How do you know I’m an Alpha, couldn’t I just be your average, everyday dormant female? Not necessarily an Alpha…” My voice wavered off in confusion.

Abe looked at me with the most earnest expression I’d yet seen. “Well, it’s a gut thing mostly. We sense it, mostly. But it also has to do with your inclinations. Most females – err, women will only want one mate and to settle down with that mate. An Alpha female is inclined to have multiple partners since she helps keep the order of the bear clan.”

I wasn’t sold. It couldn’t be that simplistic. Just because I was drawn to Jason, Officer Rotan. I found myself chewing on my lower lip.

“Is it really that simple? Just because I happen to be drawn to two men at the same time? I mean, there are movies about this very thing. It can’t be all that highly unusual…”

      
Abe leaned back in his chair, an amused look on his face. “Yes, that’s true but typically the character chooses one and settles on him. She doesn’t get to be with both men.”

I flashed another confused look at him. “Are you saying that an Alpha can choose to be with multiple men, simply because she’s an Alpha?”

“Yes, Cass. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

I had to admit, it was both stirring, exciting and crazy all at the same time. But was Abe okay with it or was he just playing along? The last thing I wanted was to hurt him. As it was, I was deeply in unfamiliar territory.

“And you’d be okay with this Alpha aspect about me? How it involves other shifter men?” I asked tentatively, my mind completely blown.

Abe nodded, “I know that may seem strange to you, given the human way of things that you’ve been in your entire life, but yes, I’m okay with it. I have no choice but to be, really.”

“You’d be honest with me if it did bother you, right?” I asked, wanting him to know that his feelings mattered the most to me.

“Well, truth is – I’d be honest with you no matter what. Just the way I’m made. So, that means that since I’m navigating this new development, just be patient with me, okay?”

“Of course. Your feelings matter a great deal to me…” I muttered, nearing stupefaction. “I think this is as much of this conversation as I can handle for right now. Is that okay?” I shared, feeling overwhelmed and glad that I could admit it without fearing judgement on his part.

Abe stood up and in a sweet gesture, indicated for me to sit up so he could sit down next to me on the sofa.

“Of course, no worries. I’ll see you through this, Cass.” He said while gathering me up in his arms and placing a soft kiss on the top of my head.

I’d never felt so safe and cared for in my entire life. I was in heaven. Just the two of us sitting there, snuggling. Feeling his warmth. His firm, rugged physique.

“Let’s just enjoy this, for now. Just being close…” I said quietly.

“Whatever you say, Cass. I’m here for you now.”

My heart swelled. Yes, he was. Like a dream, he’d appeared in my life. As it was, I was still pinching myself when I woke up each day. That it was real. That he was real.

I was falling in love with Abe. And he was my mate.

And I was his Alpha.

Even though I had no idea what in the hell that entailed. But I was willing to be led through it since he was there and by my side. To get me through it.

Chapter Fourteen

(( 14 ))

ABE

Wood working was one of those things that I enjoyed doing when I was deep in thought. Being newer to the Boston area, I had sought out some woodshops to see if I could get work on the side while I built up my editing business.

Gratefully, I’d found a semi-retired wood worker who was willing to share his woodshop a few times a week. He provided me projects that his hands were no longer nimble enough to do on his own. He’d been glad to have someone interested in the woodcraft who was willing to do some of the work he couldn’t finish on his own.

After the very revealing conversation with Cass the day prior, I found myself deep in thought about how to best guide her into what was very new terrain for her. How to make this work for us, as a new couple.

I reran our conversation over and over again in my mind. Each time, I kept sight on the fact that although she may be an Alpha, she would need a lot of guidance. Introduction to the shifter world, the real shifter world and not the one she’d imagineered in her stories. Which was now even more fascinating that she’d found an outlet for what her unconscious likely had been trying to reveal to her, all along.

“Pensive today?” Jacob, the woodshop owner asked. He too was a shifter and had only been partial to opening up his private workspace since I was one too.

“Yeah, what gives it away?”

“Well, you’ve been pretty much silent since you got here. Usually, you chit-chat a bit. Not that I expect it. What’s on your mind?” He asked.

“A woman.” I said.

Jacob smiled and stopped what he was working on. “Imagine that. Found yourself a lady already, did ya?”

I nodded, “I did. A very special one at that.”

“How’s that?” He asked.

Despite only having known him for a brief time, I knew I could trust Jacob. He was the kind to instill confidence and trust in him. A man’s man who’d held his own throughout the years. He’d seen his fair share of living and was slowly opening up about what was turning out to be his very interesting, rich and long life.

“Well, have you ever felt compelled to do something that didn’t make much sense initially? Almost like pure instinct was pulling you along? Yet, you trusted it?” I asked.

He studied my face and nodded, almost solemnly. “Yes, in fact, I have. It’s hard to say why we know we need to do it and go that way, but I’ve been there. More than a few times too, over the years.”

I paused, studying the wood I was working. “Then, I won’t sound like a fool if I share that the reason I came to Boston, moved here, and left
Jackson Hole
, is that all of my life, my instincts told me my mate was here?”

Jacob let out a hearty laugh, the amusement rich in his voice. “And you’ve met her? You found her?”

I nodded, “Yes. And get this. She’s an Alpha.”

The teasing glint in his eye turned into an amused gleam. “Is that right? No kidding…”

“No kidding. We just figured it out.”

There hung a silence in the air while we both pondered it. I could see his wheels turning.

“The thing of it is this – she’s entirely new to the shifter world. She didn’t know… Doesn’t know anything. I’m the one introducing her to it all.” I continued sharing.

Jacob nodded understandingly, “That’s a hell of a thing. You up for the task?”

I peered at him, taking in the Fatherly tone that I appreciated. “I believe I am. Just wrestling with myself on how to go about easing her into all of it without overwhelming her.”

“Are you worried it will scare her?” He asked gingerly.

I chewed on his question. “I think she won’t be so much scared as just a bit naïve and clueless. More likely she will just need some navigating, so to speak. Being pushed in the right direction. Some guidance on shifter politics, etc.”

“Are you thinking about introducing her to your bear clan in
Yellowstone
?” He asked.

“I was thinking about it. Not sure how she’ll take it. She’s been a city girl her entire life. Not so sure she’s gonna be up for running off to the mountains to discover her fate. Know what I mean?”

He grunted, “You won’t know til you ask. Maybe there’s more to her than you yet understand. What’s she like?”

I paused again, a smile coming to my face. “She’s exactly my type of woman. Full of life, very passionate about her writing career, a strong personality. But not overbearing. She doesn’t take herself too seriously and can be quite playful.”

I paused, running my hands along the edge of a piece I was smoothing and polishing, thinking about how it felt to run my hands along the contours of her body. “She’s a looker too, a curvy woman. Full of curves..." I murmured, not worried what he might think. Jacob understood my preference for plus-sized women, he had his own buxom wife he adored.

“That sounds like an Alpha all right. She sounds lovely. What’s her name?” He said, grinning again.

“Cassidy. But I call her Cass.”

“I like it, nice name.” He said, nodding appreciatively.

“I like it too.” I said softly, mostly to myself.

“Does she know yet about her tendencies?” He asked as casually as he possibly could.

“Yeah, the gods of fate have a sense of humor. She met another suitor the same day she met me. Has her confused. That’s how all this Alpha stuff surfaced and revealed itself, actually.”

I worried that perhaps I was oversharing, but something about Jacob’s demeanor confirmed for me that he got it and that he wasn’t the type to talk about or share other people’s business. He seemed to keep to himself for the most part. I’d always had very good instincts for scrutinizing others on that level. On whether they were good with secrets and information shared.

I let out a long exhale, getting back to his question. “Yes and no.”

“Ah.”

“Exactly.”

“And you’re the lucky man who gets to hold her hand while she gets this all square in her head. I don’t envy you…” He stated, matter-of-factly.

I sighed. It was true. How fate or the powers that be determined it would be me was anyone’s wonderment. Especially my own.

“Yup. Modern human culture doesn’t exactly support or condone multiple partners. And we’re just getting to know one another. It’s a lot to figure so soon. Not just for her, but me too.”

Jacob nodded sympathetically. “Take it a day at a time. We all have a tendency to overthink it, ya know?”

“Very true.”

We each sat with our own thoughts and eventually, the woodwork pulled us back into its satisfying outcome. For me, it was a way to zone out and be present but still be productive. Heavy with my thoughts, I thought about what was around the bend for Cass and I. I wanted to live up to her expectations and needs. Help her however I could. I worried that I was the right man for it. To see her through all the incredible changes that were to start entering her life once she became introduced to Shifter society, politics and way of living.