Tempted by the Bear - Complete (40 page)

L
ucy

I
think
steam might be coming out of my ears, I’m so mad. When I arrived at Annie’s this morning, Nadia must have seen me pull up, because she just arrived smelling like Sven in his T-shirt to borrow cream. While I don’t detect the odor of them being together, the scent of the man I love on another werebear makes me want to gouge the smirk on her face right off. Plus, I bought cream on my grocery run yesterday, and I know she’s here to flaunt her claim.

Annie runs interference, and the fridge door snicks shut as she hands Nadia a carton and asks, “Are you settling in okay working at the lumber mill?”

“Yes. I’m enjoying it.” Nadia twists her ponytail with her hand and adds, “I’ve been meaning to tell you how much Sven and I love the bed in our room.” She glances at me as she says, “So cozy.”

A low rumble forms in my chest, and I squeeze my coffee cup so hard I’m afraid it’s going to shatter in my hand. Nadia grins as she scans my body with her gaze. She says, “I think someone needs a run.” She waves her fingers at us. “Thanks for the cream.”

When the door slams behind her I let out a huff. “I really hate that woman.”

Annie rubs my arm, and her touch is soothing. “She’s trying to get to you. Sven still sleeps here.”

“Thank you for telling me that.” I take a sip of my coffee to swallow down my anger before I say, “I wish this whole mess was over.”

Annie cocks an eyebrow at me, and I know why. I’ve avoided going out with Serge, and I do need to spend time with him if I’m going to figure out which twin is the true mate I’m destined to be with. Yesterday I decided I had to deal and made plans with Serge. I say, “I have a date with Serge today.”

“Good. I know this is frustrating for you, but I think the sooner you sort this out, the happier everyone will be.”

I glance out the window, and my heartbeat quickens as I notice Serge walking our way. I say, “I know. Here he comes.”

We’re going to a local lake for canoeing and a picnic. He’s in a pair of turquoise board shorts and a tight tee that does little to hide his muscular chest. He’s stockier than Sven was when he arrived, and I wonder how it is Serge came here so well fed.

I walk to the sink, and water rushes as I rinse my coffee cup before Serge gets in the house. He enters the kitchen, and Annie hands him car keys as they greet each other. I had expected to drive, since that’s what I’ve been doing for the De Rozier clan since they got here, so this is a treat. I smile as Serge turns to me and asks, “Ready?”

“Let’s go.”

While a part of me was dreading our date, I think today will be fun. It’s a beautiful summer day, and the heat makes me happy we’ll get to cool off at the lake. So far my break from school has been full of work, with little time for play. Annie hands Serge the picnic basket she prepared, and I lead the way to her car.

Annie drives a Hummer, and Serge fits his seven-foot-something frame easily behind the wheel. I ask, “When was the last time you drove?”

Serge whips the car backward with ease before shifting into drive with a click. “A couple weeks ago.”

I learned from Sven that many of the De Rozier were in their bear form to survive for the last few years, so I’m surprised. I ask, “Really?”

Serge cuts me a glance. “Really. I chose not to become a bear to get through the hard times.”

“How exactly did you make ends meet?” Plastic slides easily over my nose as I put on my sunglasses.

“I used what comes naturally.” Serge grins to reveal a mouthful of white teeth. “My charm.”

I snort. “You charmed your way into food and shelter.” Serge frowns, and I wonder if I hit a nerve. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so callous. What did you do?”

“I worked for an escort service.”

Oh god. “You mean—”

“No. I didn’t sleep with women for money. I was a date for social engagements.”

“A date? I thought that was something that happened in movies.” I imagine him holding the arm of old ladies dressed in designer suits and pearls.

“It happens in real life too.”

“What was it like?”

“Not bad. I met a lot of interesting people, ate fabulous food, and mastered the art of small talk with anyone.”

“Did some of your clients hit on you?”

“Sometimes, but I got good at turning them down gracefully. Being an escort is a lot like being an actor. I played the part of a charming date and in return got paid handsomely for it.”

I gaze at Serge and imagine he’s quite attractive in a suit. “That explains why you aren’t thin the way Sven was when he arrived.”

He nods. “Sven could have done it too, but he’s not good at pretending.”

“No.” Sven isn’t fond of humans, and I can imagine he preferred solitude instead. “I suppose not.”

The blinker ticks softly as we slow down to turn on the dirt road that leads to the canoe rental shop. Serge grabs a backpack and the picnic basket before he gets out, and when I get to him he grabs my hand. “Lucy, thanks for coming. I know this isn’t easy for you, but I think you’ll have fun with me today.”

I pull my fingers away. Our connection has sent a rush of warmth through me. “Of course I will. You’re a professional escort, Serge.” My sarcasm makes me wince. “I’m being snarky, sorry. I know this isn’t easy for you either. I can’t imagine having to compete with my twin for a true mate.”

Serge places an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t be. Even if I’m not the one, I won’t regret spending time with you until we find out.” We enter a wooden shack that is hot from baking in the sun, and the scent of pine is strong. Rows of paddles hang on a rack before us. I gaze up into his pale-blue eyes as he asks, “So are you any good at this?”

The varnish of a paddle is smooth in my hand as I grab it and say, “Never been.”

Serge chuckles before he says, “Me either.”

The guy behind the counter says, “It’s easy. You’ll be fine.” Serge hands him money as I shake my head and say, “Good thing I planned on swimming.”

Sand crunches under my feet as I walk out of the building toward the canoes. When I glance over my shoulder at Serge, I discover his gaze is on my butt. He smirks at me catching him and lets out a growl that make me tremble, and he says, “Please tell me you wore a thong.”

Heat rises to my face as I recall the way he pressed up against the back of me the first time we met. I turn and walk backward as I say, “Get me to the middle of the lake, and I’ll let you find out.”

Serge is close to me, and he slips an arm around my waist to pull me into an embrace. “Careful what you promise, because the idea of you without any clothes on has been my constant fantasy since the day we met.”

It’s been the same for me. And the scariest part is my fantasies seem to interchange between both Serge and Sven to the point where they’ve become the same. My body trembles at our contact, and Serge lets out another low growl that begins an ache of desire in my core. The scent of our combined arousal is almost too much, and I swallow hard before I pull away. “I’m going to need a swim. Soon.”

Serge raises his eyebrows at me and says, “Yeah. That’s what we need, Lucy.” He winks at me and adds, “A swim.”

The vision of Serge naked and wet flashes in my mind, and I quickly replace him with Sven. But all that does is make my stomach queasy, so I close my eyes for a second to push it away. I’ve got to figure out which one of my true mates is the right one, and soon, because my body wants them both, and I’m dangerously close to letting it win.

A
nnie

B
rady opens
the front door of his home before I get to it. He holds his arms out for me, and I step into his embrace as he says, “How’s my sister holding up? It’s been a long week for you.”

I squeeze him back as I let tension melt away. I’m here for our weekly breakfast meeting. “It has, but I’m doing okay.”

“How’s Tristan?”

I think about how my mate has moved on from Isabelle and Helga’s death as if nothing happened. But I think it’s his way of coping. “He’s managing too. All I can do for him is be there.” We release each other and make our way to the kitchen. I inhale the delicious smells of maple, bacon, and coffee.

Familiar voices are engaged in conversation, and I realize I’m the last one here. This is the first time I haven’t come early enough to help Carly cook, and it’s a bittersweet realization. My attendance at these meetings won’t happen once I become the De Rozier prima.

My mother smiles at me while Tori tells a story. Keith has a plate of food in his hand and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before he sits at the table. Sierra and Ashton are already seated with Tori and Donna, and they nod in greeting. I walk over to the coffee pot, and Carly squeezes my shoulders. Her pregnancy adds a slightly sweet note to her scent, and I ask, “How are you feeling?”

She rubs her stomach, and the plate she hands me is cool in my fingers as she says, “Great. They’re so easy to take care of before they’re born.”

I smile at my sister-in-law as I load eggs onto my dish. I go join everyone at the table in the empty seat next to my mother.

Donna says, “Before we get started I want to share with everyone that we’ve encountered something quite interesting. Lucy Robichaux has two true mates, and they happen to be twins.”

Sierra says, “Whoa.” She waggles her eyebrows. “Please tell me I’m not the only one that can imagine what to do with twin true mates.”

Donna grins at her. “
Ménage
was suggested.”

“Poor girl,” says Sierra. “She’s stuck between a rock and
hard
place.”

Hands smack as Donna gives Sierra a high five and says, “Good one.”

Tori chuckles at the exchange. She’s been coming to these meetings since we discovered she’s the Veilleux alpha. Brady and Carly thought it was a good idea to promote peace in the kingdom.

Carly sighs, and I glance over at her as she looks around the table. I ask, “Do you need something?”

“No.” She grins at me and then turns her gaze to the kitchen counter. I watch as a bottle of honey levitates and comes to her. It lands on the table with an almost undetectable thump. She says, “That never gets old.”

Sierra says, “Show-off.”

Donna says, “I’m glad to see you’re practicing. One never knows when they’ll need to use their gifts.”

I think back to when Carly used her magic to thwart the Veilleux’s medicine man’s attempt on Sierra’s life. That was after the evil man killed Taylor with his powers. I glance over at Keith, but he didn’t go where I did with his thoughts because he’s gazing at Tori like she’s the most precious thing he’s ever seen. I catch her eye and ask, “How’s alpha life?”

“Interesting. I met with Lily, and I’ve got a lot to learn. But fortunately, she has every intention of helping me.” Tori turns to Keith. “The biggest adjustment is going to be for Keith. We’re going to move to the Veilleux mansion.”

Oh my.
Keith doesn’t appear to be uncomfortable, but I wonder how okay with this he really is.

Sierra asks, “Donna, do you know how Tori being alpha affects the custody of my boys?”

“I’m looking into that. I think you could challenge her for it if you wished, since the need for your children to be raised as Veilleux isn’t so dire now that we know none of them are the next alpha.”

I know how close Lily is to the triplets, sons of her dead husband, Victor, and I scowl as I wait for Sierra’s response. She glances at her husband, Ashton, and says, “I can’t do that to Lily. She loves our boys as much as we do. I’m not sure what the answer is, but let’s give it some time before we make any drastic decisions.”

I know how difficult it was for Sierra to swallow the original shared custody agreement, and relief washes over me that she’s thinking about Lily in this situation. I say, “I think that’s wise, and very thoughtful of you, Sierra.”

“Just doing my part to muddy the lines of the different clans in the kingdom.” She smiles at me because she knows one of my greatest dreams is to see our territory live in peace.

I smile back. “Thanks.”

Ashton says, “We need to discuss the Ouellette clan.” The Ouellette clan is in New Brunswick, Canada, where Isabelle and Helga died, and I brace myself against a rush of grief as Ashton says, “In our short time there I got the sense that something is going on, so I followed up on my hunch.” He glances at Brady.

Brady says, “While we’ve managed to maintain a low profile with the humans here, it’s not so for the Canadian clans. We believe there are human hunters after the Ouellette. And while we are very concerned for them, the implications are something we can’t ignore for us either.”

My stomach sinks as I choke down my mouthful of eggs. If the human population here found out what we were, I’m afraid we’d never be able to contain it. After more than a century of living among them undetected, we’ve felt safe. Nobody speaks as we all process the danger that could be coming our way.

Tori’s voice doesn’t sound quite real when she says, “Then we’ll do what we have to do. Count on the Veilleux to be part of the plan.”

Brady nods at her, and I take a moment to study the girl. Like the other human women I watched change into werebear, she’s more solid than she used to be. And like Carly, she’s taken on an air of power that commands your attention. I glance around the table and realize I’m in the presence of two current alpha, one in waiting, and about to be married to the fourth. We are a good portion of who the entire population of werebear in Northern Maine depend on to keep them safe.

I say, “I’m not prima yet. But I’m confident you can count on the De Rozier clan, too.”

Brady reaches out his hands. He’s got hold of Carly’s, and Tori grasps the one he extends to her as she reaches for me. I squeeze Carly’s fingers to complete the circle as Brady says, “I think the lines between our clans are about to disappear completely. This fight could make the difference between life and death of werebear beyond just our kingdom.”

Carly looks at Tori. “You are the final piece in a master plan to prepare us for survival. I’m so glad you answered the call.”

A white glow appears around Tori and Carly’s clasped hands as Tori nods and says, “Me too.”