Her Bear for Life (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Second Chance Shifters) (4 page)

Chapter Eight – Drake

She’d marked him.

He couldn’t believe it. They’d never discussed mating or rituals when they were younger, because honestly, he didn’t know all there was to know yet. That came later. But somehow, she’d instinctually known to claim him just as he’d claimed her.

Now it was official. Mia was his and he was hers… forever.

If anyone tried to take her from him again, Drake would tear them limb from limb. No matter who it was, even her father.

After their once again perfect coupling, they went upstairs to clean up and go to bed.

Tucked inside his luxurious sheets, Mia cuddled into him and immediately dropped off to sleep.

Drake lay there, feeling her heart beat against his chest, while his hands sifted through her long, dark locks. The smell of his shampoo wafted up to him, and Drake made a mental note to take her shopping so she could pick up her own toiletries to keep in his house.

In their house.

He wanted her to feel free to start making it their home, but worried that if he broached the subject of their future too soon, he’d spook her.

No, Drake decided, he needed to ease her into the idea. He’d give her a week to get used to being with him again, then he’d bring her up to speed.

He thought back to when they started dating as he held her, his bear practically purring with contentment.

Living in a small town, Drake and Mia had known each other their whole lives. He knew that her mom had raised her alone, and that her father was some big shot in New York. Though they went to the same school, there was definitely a divide between the humans and the descendants of bears in elementary and middle schools. So, even though they’d shared some of the same classes, they’d never really interacted.

That all changed once they reached high school.

No longer willing to live under the antiquated rules of his ancestors, Drake had vowed to branch out and try to squash the segregation between bear and human. They were all teenagers, dealing with changes in their bodies, fighting to shake off their parents’ control, and starting to see each other in a whole new light.

It didn’t matter if they were human or not, they were all going through the same things, and Drake wanted to learn more about the other kids in his school. He knew he was meant for greater things. His father had been Chief, and his father before that, so Drake knew he’d one day lead his clan, and even at the tender age of fourteen, he’d known he wanted things to be different.

It took a while for the two sides to learn to live cohesively, but by sophomore year, there was no longer a division in their school.

On a warm fall day, Drake was running around the school conditioning for track, when his bear scented Mia. Drake had never felt anything like it before. He’d gone through puberty, and had known that he was blessed with his bear, but his bear had been mostly dormant up until that point.

When he’d caught the scent in the air, he’d had to follow it, and had found Mia hiding around the back of the school, crying into her hands.

“Hey,” he’d said softly as he’d approached, careful not to frighten her, but suddenly so filled with emotion he didn’t know what to do with it. “Are you okay?”

She’d lifted her head, startled to find him there, and he’d been struck by how beautiful she was… her long dark hair spilling around her white dress like ink, her eyes large with wonder as they watched him warily, and her lips plump and pillow soft.

When their eyes met, Drake knew. And his bear roared in his head, eager to claim his mate.

From that second forward, they’d been inseparable. Drake and Mia, Mia and Drake, where one was, the other was not far behind.

They were young, but they were meant for each other and they both knew it.

Drake had never suspected that her mother was wary of their relationship. Being human, she didn’t understand the immediate and unbreakable bond between Drake and her daughter, but she’d never let on that she had a problem with it. He should have suspected that she’d try to keep them apart, but it had never occurred to him. He was too happy.

Mia moaned lightly as she shifted against him, pulling Drake back into the present.

It sucked that they’d been kept apart for so long, but none of that mattered now. Mia was back where she belonged.

Relaxed, happy, and very satisfied after two bouts of amazing sex with his mate, Drake drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face, and his arms full of the woman he loved.

Drake woke slowly, stretching languidly, his hand rubbing down his naked torso. When his fingers hit the mark on his chest, they stilled, and he tilted his head to look at the outline of Mia’s teeth. Grinning, he traced the pattern and realized he wanted that mark there, branding him as hers for the rest of their time on this earth.

Deciding a trip to the tattoo parlor was now on his agenda for the day, Drake looked at the clock, then rolled so Mia was beneath him.

She was blinking drowsily up at him when he slid inside her.

“Mmmmm,” Mia moaned as her head went back, exposing her delicate neck to him. Drake took the invitation and laid his lips there, on her soft, sweet smelling flesh, and licked as he moved gently inside of her.

Not hurried, not frantic, just allowing them both to feel every touch, every nuance. Mia tilted her hips and brought her legs up to allow him to get in deeper. Drake raised his head so he could claim her eyes, and they kept that connection as they made love, savoring each second together. 

Chapter Nine – Mia

Mia was practically floating.

The only thing that kept her grounded was the tragedy surrounding her mother. Drake had told her about the artifact, and she’d given him permission to go search the house. She remembered the piece they were looking for from when she was little, but she hadn’t seen it in years and had no idea where her mother might have hidden it away.

Drake had texted her a little while ago and told her that they hadn’t found it, and that it also looked like the house had been empty for a while, so the thief probably hadn’t come back… yet.

After checking in at the hospital, Mia had decided to grab lunch at her favorite pizza place in town, but first, she was at the store picking up stuff to keep at Drake’s house. Though she loved having his scent on her, Mia needed her own products. She had a strict ritual when it came to hair and skin care, and she’d been lax in meeting it since she’d arrived.

She’d been a little preoccupied.

Just thinking about waking that morning to Drake sliding deep inside of her caused her to sigh, her legs feeling shaky, in the middle of the shampoo aisle.

“Mia Carter? Is that really you?”

Mia turned at the sound of her name being called, then squealed with delight when she saw her friend from high school, Jordan, standing at the end of the aisle with a grin.

“Jordan!” Mia dropped the finishing spray she’d been holding and jumped up and down with excitement.

Jordan ran to her friend and threw her arms around her, then they both jumped up and down as they giggled.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Last I heard, you were in Milan,” Jordan asked when they stopped jumping.

“It all happened so fast,” Mia explained. “I got the call about my mom being in the hospital, left Milan for New York, then hopped on a plane here. I just got in a couple of days ago. I’m sorry, I’ve been meaning to call, but I’ve been… busy.”

Jordan’s eyes widened and she asked, “Your mom’s in the hospital?”

Mia nodded.

“There was a burglary and she was shot. She’s in a coma.”

“Oh my God, seriously? I had no idea. I’m so sorry, Mia.”

“Thanks,” she said, accepting Jordan’s hug.

“Are you staying at her house?”

“Ah, no actually, since it was robbed and all, it didn’t seem safe. So, I’m, uh, staying at Drake’s.”

Jordan’s face split into an I knew it grin, and when she waggled her eyebrows, it was just like they were back in Jordan’s bedroom on a Saturday night, talking about boys. Drake and Ty in particular.

“You dog, not back in town for five minutes and you’re already shacking up with the most eligible bachelor in Spring Creek,” Jordan said with a laugh, then added, “Not that he’s really eligible; everyone knows it’s always been you for him.”

Mia’s breath caught at Jordan’s words. After all of these years, did people really still think that? Is that what Drake portrayed? Mia’s heart fluttered painfully in her chest as she thought of all she’d missed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Jordan said, reaching her hand out. “I know you never wanted to talk about Drake, so I abided by your wishes. But, Mia, if you’d allowed me to, I would have told you that he was lost without you. Like, half a person just waiting for the other half to return home. I’m glad you finally did.”

“I’m back now, but I don’t know if I’m back permanently. It’s only been a couple days and I have a life back in New York. Jobs booked, contracts signed, I can’t just walk away. Plus, Drake and I haven’t discussed a future. We’re just getting to know each other again.”

Jordan stepped in closer and lowered her voice, causing Mia to look around and realize they were having a very private conversation in the middle of a store.

“You know who he is, Mia, what he is. So you must realize that you’re it for him. You have been since the moment you met.”

“Uh, maybe we should talk about this later,” Mia said, when other people started walking down the aisle. “Are you free for dinner tonight?”

“If I wasn’t, I still would be for you,” Jordan said, backing off for the moment.

“Great, I’ll text you with where and when.”

“Sounds good, and Mia, no matter how long it’s for, I’m happy you’re home.”

They embraced with the promise that they’d see each other later, then Mia resumed her shopping.

She was sitting down, about to take her first bite of pizza, when her phone rang.

“Hey,” Mia said, after laying the slice back down. Looking at it longingly, she asked, “What’s up?”

“Not much, babe, just wanted to see how you’re doing,” Drake replied, his deep tone giving her a happy little shiver. “And to see if you were up for dinner with Ty tonight. He’s asking if I’m ever going to let you out of the house.”

“Yeah, that would be great,” Mia gushed. “I actually ran into Jordan and we made plans to meet up for dinner. We can do a foursome.”

“Uh,” Drake began, then cleared his throat. “I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.”

“Why not? We always used to do stuff together.”

“That was a long time ago, Mia. Let me just say that Ty and Jordan have some history, from after you left, and things didn’t end well. They pretty much avoid each other at all costs.”

“Really? She never said anything,” Mia said with a frown. “Well, I’m sure they’ll be fine for one night. I really want to get the gang back together at least one time while I’m here. It’ll be fine.” She kept talking, not noticing that Drake had gone silent. “One night won’t kill anyone. Just let me know where and when and I’ll let Jordan know. I’m about to eat a slice of Mickey’s pizza, so I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Mia hung up and finally took a bite, moaning as the spicy deliciousness hit her tongue.

Chapter Ten – Drake

At least one time while I’m here
. That’s what Mia had said to him on the phone. As if her time here had an expiration date. As if she wasn’t planning on staying.

Drake hadn’t been able to speak, his heart lodged in his throat at her words, making it impossible.              

Didn’t she realize what had happened between them, what was happening? Was she really planning to go back to her life and leave him behind… again?

It wasn’t feasible.

He couldn’t let it happen.

Drake just wasn’t sure how to make Mia understand that she belonged with him, if she didn’t feel it as instinctually as he did. His love for her was like his need for air. Just the thought of losing her again made his bear want to go into permanent hibernation.

“Sorry, brother,” Drake said to Ty as they approached the entrance to the restaurant. “I know you and Jordan left things… badly, but Mia doesn’t know that. She’s excited about getting us all together again. I didn’t have the heart to tell her now.”

Ty shrugged off Drake’s apology.

“We’re all adults, right? One dinner won’t hurt. As long as this place serves alcohol, I’m good.”

Drake laughed and replied, “That it does.”

“Fantastic,” Ty said wryly as he shoved the door open.

Drake vowed to keep an eye on his friend and put an end to the dinner if things got out of hand. To say the relationship between Jordan and Tyson hadn’t ended well was putting it mildly. They’d gotten together well after Mia had left town, when they were all in their early twenties. The relationship between the two had been passionate and explosive. Drake wasn’t sure if they were too different, or too much the same, but he’d worried about his friend when Jordan had left him.

Tyson had been forlorn for months, then chose to go into hibernation rather than stay with his clan for the winter. Since his friend was the social sort, not a loner, Drake had worried about him during that four month long winter, but when spring had sprung, Ty had returned content and back to his old self. But, as far as Drake knew, he and Jordan hadn’t spoken since the break up.

It wasn’t easy to avoid people in a small town, unless you were really committed to staying away.

Mia had texted Drake to let him know that she and Jordan were already seated, so he searched the dining room, then pointed Ty toward their table.

Drake kissed Jordan on the cheek before turning his attention to Mia’s upturned face. She was smiling at him, her eyes twinkling with happiness, and he couldn’t resist giving her more than just a peck. It had been too long since he’d had her.

He cupped the back of her head as her lips parted and he deepened the kiss, his body tightening when she moaned into his mouth. Drake heard Jordan clear her throat and Ty chuckle, then pulled back to see Mia blushing prettily.

“Hi,” she said, somewhat breathless.

“Hey, babe,” he replied, then took his seat next to her at the table.

They ordered drinks and Drake and Ty talked about football, while Mia told Jordan about her travels. Jordan and Ty managed to totally ignore each other, even though they were sitting two feet away from each other.

Until their food came, and Mia said casually, “So… Drake mentioned that there’s some history between you two…” She pointed her finger back and forth between Jordan and Ty, who were looking at her with wide eyes. “Funny, you never mentioned anything.” Mia pointed accusingly at Jordan. “What happened? Did you guys date?”

Jordan cleared her throat and took a sip of water, as if composing what she was going to say, but Ty beat her to it when he said, “Actually, we lived together. We were together for two years, and then one day, Jordan just up and left me for no reason.”

Mia’s mouth dropped, and Jordan’s fork clattered on her plate.

“That is not true and you know it,” Jordan exclaimed, turning in her seat to look at Ty for the first time since he’d sat next to her. “I had a reason. You know why I left… Don’t do that. Don’t sit here and pretend that I just up and left you like some heartless bitch. I loved you. That’s why I had to leave.”

“And I told you that your reason was bullshit and we could make it through anything. If you loved me, you would have fought for me. Not given up at the first sign of trouble, even if you thought it was in my best interest.”

Jordan’s lips quivered, but Drake saw her back straighten as she gained control of herself.

“Fuck you, Ty,” she whispered as she pushed back from the table. “Sorry, Mia, but I’ve gotta go. Text me later?”

Mia nodded wordlessly, still shocked by the exchange between her high school friends.

Ty sat still for a moment, before pushing back himself and telling Drake, “I’m going after her. We have to sort this out once and for all.”

Then he too was gone, leaving Drake and Mia at a table with half empty plates and dumbstruck expressions on their faces.

“Um, I guess I should have listened to you,” Mia said softly as she looked around the restaurant. “I didn’t realize things between them were that bad.”

“Yeah,” Drake said, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. “They’ll be okay though. I think it’s actually good for them to finally talk it out. I just hope Ty can handle it if things don’t go his way this time.”

“Was he really hurt?”

“Yes, he loved her. Still does,” Drake said, turning to look deep in her eyes, hoping to convey his meaning. “Jordan’s Ty’s mate, Mia. It doesn’t matter what she does or what happens between them, she’s the only woman he’ll ever love. If she continues to shut him out, Ty will remain alone forever, longing for his mate. I just hope she’ll see that they belong together and stop this charade.”

Mia looked over her shoulder in the direction their friends had gone, then turned back toward him, her eyes thoughtful.

“He’d spend his life alone, rather than find someone else?”

“Of course. She’s it for him. It’s either her or no one.”