Her Bear for Life (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Second Chance Shifters) (7 page)

Chapter Seventeen – Mia

Mia’s mind was going a million miles a minute. She couldn’t believe everything that had happened in the last few hours. Couldn’t believe that her own father had hired someone to steal not just from her mother, but from her. She felt like she didn’t even know him.

Sure, he’d always been callous and standoffish, but he’d been really proud of her modeling career, and Mia had fooled herself into believing that meant he loved her. Instead, he was obviously just concerned about money and status, and what a having a famous daughter could do for him.

Her heart burned at the memory of the things he’d said about Drake, and his prejudice against all shifters. Mia couldn’t believe in this day and age that people could still be so closed minded, let alone her own father.

As they drove along the lonely highway out of Montana, Mia fought the guilt that plagued her. She wished she hadn’t stopped Drake from going after her father. She knew it was wrong and made her a terrible person, and an even worse daughter, but he was a shit father… and if she’d let Drake do what came naturally to him, she’d still be back in Spring Creek with him, rather than with her father, trying to figure out how to knock him out and throw herself from a moving vehicle.

“Great, we need gas,” her father said, startling her out of her musing.

They pulled off at the next exit and parked next to a pump.

“I need to go to the restroom,” Mia said, thinking that maybe this was her chance to get away.

Her father looked at her blandly and asked, “Do you really think I’m going to fall for that?”

“Dad, it’s over thirty hours to New York from here. Do you really expect me to only go to the bathroom when we stop for the night? Where the hell am I gonna go, anyway?” Mia asked, looking around pointedly. Her heart dropped as she took in their surroundings. She wasn’t lying—there really wasn’t anywhere for her to go. They were at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, and she’d never get away on foot. She wouldn’t even know where to go.

Her dad looked around, then gave a sharp nod as he got out and moved to the pump.

Once she was done in the bathroom, Mia looked around for something that could be used as a weapon.

Toilet paper holder… No.

Something from the vending machine… No, no one ever died from tampon abuse.

She could try to break the mirror or something, but what would she break it with, and would someone hear her?

Maybe causing a ruckus is a good idea, Mia thought. I could do something that would make the clerk call the cops.

Satisfied that she had a plan, Mia flung open the door, then yelped at the large, hulking body in front of her.

“Go back inside and lock the door. I’ll take care of your father.”

It took a second before Mia recognized Mika, the sergeant who’d taken her mom’s statement at the hospital, then relief flooded her as she nodded and swung the door shut.

She worried momentarily about her father, then steeled herself with the realization that he deserved whatever happened.

Mia paced the bathroom, occasionally trying to look out the small window, hoping to see what was going on outside, but to no avail. She wasn’t sure how long she waited, but it felt like forever. There were a couple knocks on the door from people who said they needed to use the restroom, but she ignored them.

She wasn’t opening that door unless Mika told her it was okay. At least, that’s what she told herself until there was a loud pounding on the door, and then the sound of Drake calling her name from the other side.

Mia flipped the lock and opened the door forcefully, causing it to clang against the wall, and there he was. Tall, bearded, and beautiful, Drake stood there, his face etched with worry, which changed to relief when his eyes locked on her.

Mia flung herself in to his arms, crying softly as adrenaline and relief hit her in waves. She inhaled deeply as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, convincing herself that he was real. That he was really there and she was safe, and he wasn’t just a dream.

“You’re okay,” he murmured, his lips brushing against the top of her head sweetly. “I’ve got you.”

“You’re here,” she cried, her body beginning to tremble.

“Come on, let’s get you home,” Drake said, then lifted her.

Mia wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he carried her out of the gas station and to his waiting truck.

She looked around the empty lot and asked, “Where’s Mika? And my father?”

Drake opened the door and set her inside.

“Mika’s taking him to Helena, to the station up there. They’ll process and charge him.”

“And the vase?”

“Mika has it and will return it to your mother when he gets back to town,” he replied. He shut the door, walked around to his side of the truck, and got in.

“How did he find us?”

After he started the car and adjusted the settings so she’d be comfortable, Drake replied. “When I returned to the cabin and briefed Ty, he called back to the station to have everyone call our contacts and start searching. Mika was on the outskirts of town and caught a lead, which led him to your father’s trail. He’s an excellent tracker, the best in our clan, and I knew he’d find you once he started tracking. Still, I don’t think I took a breath until I got the call that he had you and you were safe. I got to you as soon as I could.”

Mia smiled at him, her eyes filling with tears.
              “I know you did,” she replied, then scooted over so she was sitting right next to him. She placed her hand on his thigh and rested her head on his shoulder, which was where she stayed until they were safely home.

Chapter Eighteen – Drake

Drake checked the house to make sure everything was perfect. Mia would be home any minute.

Her mother had been released from the hospital, and she’d gone to take her home and help her get settled.

Since he’d gotten her back from her father, Drake and Mia had stuck by each other’s sides. They’d needed that time to reassure each other that they were safe and that no one was going to keep them apart any more. Now, it was time to get things back on track and return to normal.

That’s what Drake was doing: moving them forward.

He’d already contacted a moving company to pack Mia’s things in New York and have them shipped here, and even though she’d already agreed to marry him, Drake was ready to make things official.

No more waiting.

He wanted Mia to be his wife, and he wanted to start a family.

Now.

There were roses and lit candles throughout the room, and the ring he’d bought was in the pocket of his jeans, which were the only piece of clothing that he had on.

“Drake?” he heard Mia call from downstairs. “I’m home.”

He heard her movements, then the intake of her breath when she noticed the rose petals leading through the living room and up the stairs. Drake’s heart pounded in anticipation as Mia walked up, then he grinned broadly when she appeared in the doorway, as beautiful as ever.

Her long, dark hair was in a braid down her back, and she was wearing jeans with a flowery top and sandals. Mia’s beautiful eyes widened, and her bee stung lips opened in surprise as she took him in, her eyes raking over his bare chest and stopping when she saw the tattoo of her mark on his chest.

“What’s all this?” she breathed, then began to walk slowly toward him.

“This is the beginning of the rest of our lives together,” Drake said, his voice strong and sure as he lowered to one knee before her. Pulling the box from his pocket, he opened it and presented the ring to Mia.

She gasped, her hands covering her mouth as her eyes filled.

“The marks on our skin prove that we’ve claimed each other, and that you’re my mate for life, but now I want the world to know that you’re mine. I want you in my home, in my bed, and on my arm for the rest of our time on this earth. Marry me, Mia, make babies with me. Make me the happiest man on the planet.”

“You already know I will,” she responded, with a catch in her throat.

“Let’s make it official,” he said and took her hand in his. Pulling the ring out of the box, he slid it over her finger until it was snugly in place. Right where it belonged.

Mia leaned down and kissed him soundly, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders as she opened for him.

Drake’s hands slid up her legs until they cupped her rounded ass, squeezing them tightly as his tongue swept through her mouth. He rose swiftly, taking her with him and laid her on the bed, not missing a beat as he lowered his body over hers and rocked against her. He was already hard and full of need, and when Mia moaned in his mouth when his cock rubbed against her clit, he knew she was as turned on as he was. Her desire was already filling the air.

Eager to feel her silky skin against his naked chest, Drake made quick work of removing her top and bra, pausing when he felt the tip of her finger gently outlining his tattoo.

“I love this,” Mia said softly, her eyes full of love.

Drake filled his hands with her ample breasts, his eyes on her as his thumbs brushed across her taut nipples, so he could watch the flush run over her skin.

So sexy, his Mia, and always so ready to mate with him.

Suddenly he needed everything—to touch her, taste her, feel her.

His hands and lips were everywhere. Drake sucked her nipples between his lips, his teeth nipping lightly as his fingers undid the button and unzipped her jeans. Mia wiggled beneath him, as eager to feel his touch as he was to touch her, and managed to push her jeans and panties down far enough to give his hand access to the place they both wanted it most.

Her pussy was velvety soft as his fingers found her, and Drake loved the sounds she made when he slid his fingers inside, her back arching and pushing her breast deeper in to his mouth.

“I need you,” she whimpered.

“What do you need? Tell me.”

“You, your cock… I want it inside me. Filling me. Please.”

Drake jumped up, pulling off his jeans in record time, and watched as she tore hers off and eased back on to his bed, ready for him.

“I love you,” Drake said, as he settled between her open legs.

He lifted her left hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her hand above the ring that was glinting on her finger.

“I love you, too,” Mia responded, the “too” turning into a moan when he slid inside of her.

Hot, wet perfection. That’s what Drake felt as he moved inside of her. Mia’s body was made for him to worship, so that was exactly what he did.

Drake got on his knees and lifted Mia’s hips, holding her there as she braced herself to hold the position. The tip of his cock hit her g-spot, and a little groan of surprise passed her lips. Harder and harder he moved, thrusting in and out fast and deep, and each time he hit the spot, Mia became more and more frantic.

Her head turned to the side and her mouth opened as she panted.

Drake was torn between watching Mia’s hands on her breasts and the magnificent sight of his cock moving in and out of her.

It wasn’t long before he felt her walls begin to clench around him, and he knew she was about to come. Drake drove faster, chasing his own release, and when they came together, it was with the other’s name on their lips.

Epilogue – Mia

The woods were their backdrop and the stream in the distance their music, and as Mia walked down the grassy aisle, barefoot, the chiffon of her ivory dress dancing around her ankles, all she could see was Drake.

He was handsome in head-to-toe black, his eyes intense and his face full of happiness. Their gazes stayed locked on each other as she fought the urge to run the rest of the way to him. Their friends were there. His clan. Her mother. Tyson and Jordan were standing up for them and were already at the front waiting for her with Drake. But they might as well have been alone.

Mia walked down the aisle by herself, preferring to give herself away since her father was in jail. Not that he would have been invited anyway.

When she finally reached him, her big, beautiful man, Mia held her hands out for him to take her the rest of the way to the altar. They didn’t want a huge wedding, preferring to keep it small, simple, and to the point.

The point being that they were ready to be married and didn’t need the pomp and circumstance of a large, showy wedding. All they wanted was to finally belong to each other and move on with their lives.

Mia felt a single tear fall as Drake recited his vows to her, but felt nothing but joy as he slid the stamped silver band on her finger. She’d known since the moment he’d spoken her that day at school when she was fifteen that they’d be married one day, but she’d never imagined what a hard journey it would take to get there.

“I do,” she promised, her heart in the words, and Drake promised the same.

The ceremony was over in a blur, and they were walking down the aisle as husband and wife to the cheers and shouts of their friends and family.

Drake kissed her all the way to the reception, which was being held in a small hall in town, and when the limo stopped, Mia didn’t want him to stop.

“Can’t we just skip the reception and go right to the honeymoon?” she asked, referring to the chateau they’d rented in Alberta, Canada. They were leaving that night and planned to be gone for two weeks.

“Patience, my sweet Mia, we’ll be alone soon enough. Let’s go in and let our friends help us celebrate our marriage, and then I’ll sweep you away. Just a few hours,” Drake said, dropping a light kiss on the tip of her nose.

“Promise?” Mia asked, trying to move in for a quick snuggle.

Drake laughed dropping a light kiss on her nose.

“Promise.”

“Okay,” she grumbled jokingly, then stepped out when the driver opened her door.

The music was already playing, but it stopped long enough for the DJ to announce their arrival. Then it started pumping again.

Despite her reservations, Mia danced until her feet hurt. She sat down at the table, kicking her shoes off as she looked around the room with a smile.

The day had been perfect, with one exception: the continued standoff between Jordan and Ty. They’d been amicable enough, as neither wanted to ruin the day for her or Drake, but Mia wished she knew what the cause of the problem between the two of them was, so she could fix it.

“What’s causing that frown on my bride’s face?” Drake asked as he joined her, setting a glass on the table in front of her as he drank from his own.

“Just wishing I could help Ty and Jordan.”

“That’s for them to figure out, babe,” Drake said, leaning in to kiss her softly on the side of her neck, just under her ear.

Mia sighed.

“I know, I just want them to be happy.”

“I want you to be happy,” Drake countered, his voice low.

Mia turned to look in her husband’s milk chocolate eyes and promised, “I couldn’t be happier.”

“Me too,” he said, as he leaned down for a kiss.

Before his lips touched hers, Mia said, “I bet I could make you happier.”

Drake paused a breath away and cocked his head, “You can, can you?”

Mia bit her lower lip to keep from smiling like crazy and nodded.

“How’s that?” he asked, his eyes turning suggestive as he misread her intent.

Unable to keep it to herself anymore, Mia brought her hands up to turn his head and whispered in his ear.

“I’m pregnant.”

Drake’s head turned slowly back so that he looked at her face.

“Really?”

Mia started to say yes, but before she could get the word out, she was lifted out of her chair and spun around the room.

The music stopped when Drake roared with delight.

“We’re having babies!” Drake shouted to the room, causing everyone to start clapping.

Mia was laughing as her friends rushed to hug her, and she accepted their thanks with a smile before what Drake had said penetrated. She turned to her husband, who was happily clapping Ty on the shoulder, and asked, “Babies?”

Tyson grinned at Drake and said, “Looks like you two need some alone time.” He gave her a wink before turning and walking away.

Mia crossed to Drake, whose arms immediately came around her and cradled her as if she were made of glass.

“Plural?” she prompted.

Drake smiled down at her and said, “It’s not uncommon for us to have three or more children at once.”

“Three or more?” Mia asked, suddenly worried.

“Don’t worry, babe, it’ll be fine. I’ll be with you through all of it.”

“We’re going to be busy,” Mia replied, chewing on her lower lip as she thought of all of the diapers and supplies they’d need. And clothes. And furniture.

“Hey,” Drake said, pulling her attention back to him. “We’ll be fine… better than fine. Okay?” When Mia nodded, he traced her lower lip with his finger tip and gave her a wicked grin. “But you’re right, we will be busy, so I think we should get out of here now and start enjoying our time together as husband and wife, before our family gets a lot bigger. What do you say? You ready to get out of here?”

“Absolutely,” she replied, then laughed happily when he lifted her in to his arms and marched out of the reception without a backwards glance.

THE END