Bearing It All (Grizzly Affairs Book 1) (8 page)

She couldn’t remember laughing so hard in her life. It had felt so good to laugh for once. She felt completely carefree, with no thoughts of apprehension leading straight to Malca. At the end of the evening she’d felt too worn out to even wait up for supper. She’d half expected to fight Doyle for the claim on the bed. However she hadn’t seen him again until he barged in at the crack of dawn throwing clothes at her with a happy disposition, declaring that she should get ready to go to town or else. That or else option had nearly tempted her to see how far he was willing to take his threat. The thought made her whole body shiver with wanting. Suddenly the confines of the truck felt too hot for her to withstand.

Bears don’t play fair…
she thought bitterly to herself.

“Are you cold?” Doyle asked concerned as he watched her body tremble next to him.

“No.” She shook her head as she kept her face turned away from him, she couldn’t risk him seeing how much being near him was beginning to affect her. She had to remain focused on the potential danger that she was walking into.

She didn't want to go into town. Only a day ago, she would have run bare foot in the snow to get there and hitchhike to get as far away as possible. But now, all her courage seemed to escape like water down an open drain. What if Malca was watching her? Walking around town was like painting a target sign on her and walking in the middle of a firing range.

Turning to face the smiling brute next to her, silently hoping to make one last effort to climb out of the hole she’d found herself in. “Could we please just go back?” Sweat began to gather over her palms.

“No. We’re in the truck, we’re almost there. Deal with it, baby.”

Narrowing her eyes at his slight smile, she scoffed. “Baby? Don’t call me that.”

“Kitten?” His eyes flickered from the earthy road to her scowling face.

“No.” she mumbled, crossing her arms over the borrowed black turtle-neck.

“Sweetheart? Boo? Pudding?” He asked, with a grin. Ignoring his playful banter, her eyes focused out the windshield as the serene forest images began to dissipate in the morning light.

The sight of a few red brick buildings appeared through the shielding foliage, Aria felt her mouth go dry. Her chest clenched with panic. Turning sideways in her seat to face him, she clenched her fists in her lap to hold back the panic rising in her chest.

Smiling coyly, her eyes dug deeply into his, reaching for the depths of his being. “What if I were to promise to have sex with you, would that change your mind?”

Without warning the truck jerked off the road, nearby branches slapped and scraped at the hard metal exterior and window of the truck. Quickly, Doyle jerked the truck back onto the uneven road, just in enough time to avoid hitting a tree head on. His breath escaped in surprised gasps as his fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

“What are you talking about?” He gasped out, his eyes sweeping suspiciously over at his conniving mate just inches from him.

“Sex…you know; it's when a man and a woman—”

“I know what
sex
is.” He growled out, “I am well versed in the art, that is
sex
…the things I could tell you—” His pride filled words came to an abrupt halt when his eyes took in the sight of Aria’s stony expression. Loudly clearing his throat he focused back onto the road. “Are you saying you will have sex with me if I don’t take you into town?”

“I am begging you. Please, don’t make me go.” She plead.

Smiling, he slowly shook his head. Repositioning his left hand at the top of the wheel, he reached out his right one, taking her hand. His strong fingers interlaced with hers. “Just so you know I am not taking you into town just for clothes.”

“Why then?” Slowly she attempted to pull her hand from his, but his grip was like a Vulcan death-hold.

“You’re running from someone or something. If someone is gunning for you the best way to draw them out is to let them see you. Plus, members of my pack will be in town. I want them to see me with you, so there is no question that I have found my mate.”

“You still haven’t told me what this mate thing involves. Also just for your information, if the people who are hunting me see you with me, your life could be in danger.”

“Let me worry about that.”

“I am serious, Doyle.” She snapped, not missing how he was avoiding telling her more about the shifter side of his world. Did he not trust her? She knew what he was, what other secret could there be?

“So am I. Little warning, kitten; you don’t mess with a grizzly and especially one that is protecting his mate.” Bring her hand to his lips; he placed a soft kiss on the smooth skin.

His tender show of affection tugged at her heart strings. She wished she could have met him under different circumstances. If being caught didn't scare the life out of her, she may let herself dream. But that’s all it could ever be between them—a dream.

Swallowing against the sudden tightness that had settled in her throat, she turned in her seat. Her soft eyes lingered out the window at the snowy scenery that flashed past them. The road suddenly smoothed out as the crude road joined a concrete one. As they drove under a snow crusted traffic light, she felt ice settle beneath her skin.

Sitting up from her slouched positing in her seat, she squared her shoulder back as her stubborn chin lifted. It was time to face the music. She could do this. If she could survive Malca’s captivity and escape alive, she would survive a shopping trip in town. Nodding to herself, her lips curved in a soft smile.

She could do this…

* ~ * ~ *

I can't do this!

She felt so frustrated that she nearly slammed her head into the wood table she was presently sitting at. Moments earlier Doyle had dragged her through a large general store. And when she meant dragged she meant; he dragged her forcibly into the store against her will. Damn slippery ice made it all the easier on him! Upon seeing how full the store was with people, she suddenly felt terrified about the idea of going in.

Once inside, she had decided she was going to grab a few clothing items and shoes and get out as fast as she could. Sadly; what she planned was much different from what Doyle had planned. He’d quickly began filling their cart full of feminine clothes, many times without asking her opinion wither she liked it or not.

But nothing compared to the evil twinkle he got in his eyes when he came upon a corner section dedicated to nothing but flimsy bras and underwear. This was a moment she wouldn’t have minded if he hadn't asked her opinion. However; each one he picked up came with a
“This one will look sexy on you, babe.”
Or “
I like this one; I can take it off with my teeth
.” Leaving her with no other option, she responded by taking the shopping cart from him and leaving him standing alone in the bra section, holding up a see through scarlet bra and thong set.

An hour or so after the unbearable clothes shopping experience, they wondered through the grocery section of the store as Doyle picked up supplies that he was in need of. She did her best to attempt to ignore the grinning, sixty year old shop owner as she rang up the millions of bras, panties, and thongs that Doyle sat before her. Once their purchases were loaded in the bed of the truck, Doyle proceeded to drag her down the street to the local restaurant for lunch.

Darkwood Springs bar and grill was a simple establishment. The interior was similar to Doyle’s cabin with the rustic styling and the homemade wooden furniture. The walls were decorated with hunting trophies and antique tools and weapons from years long past. The dining area was a large open space. Wooden booths and tables lined the walls by the multiple windows with a long bar set up in the center of the area.

Upon entering, Doyle waved to a tall, aggressive looking man tending the bar. Smiling at Doyle he gestured to a table in the middle of the collection of booths. She could only assume that Doyle ate here often. Having had barely settled in her seat, Doyle began hollering across the room at the bartender was a friendly voice, “Bull! Can we get some food, my woman wore me out last night and I need refueled!”

With a groan of embarrassment as her face heated from both young and old patrons laughed under their breath at them, Aria slammed her head into the table. If Malca’s men didn't shoot him, she may lend them a hand. Her head lifted in surprised as Doyle roughly shook her shoulders.

“Are you okay? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?” He reached out to touch her mortified flushed face; she glared back at him as she slapped his hand away.

“Stop it!” She hissed out, covering her face as she caught an old man drinking at the bar wink at her.

“What did I do?” he dared to ask oh-so-innocently.

“Stop all this! Stop acting like we’re sleeping together, stop acting like we’re a couple, and just stop already!”

Stretching his arm over the back his side of the booth, Doyle grinned at her as his large hand scratched at his dark stubble dusted chin with humor. “Correct me if I am mistaken, but wasn’t it you that offered to have sex with me if I would just not bring you into town?”

Gripping the edge of the table, she snarled at him, “That was different and you know it! You are purposely trying to make people think we are together.”

Everything in his expression suddenly froze, his eyes narrowed at her as his firm lips pressed together tightly. Just as he opened his mouth to say something he shut it as the bartender walked up to their booth, dropping to over flowing plates of eggs, potatoes and breakfast meats in front of each of them. While wiping his hands on his black apron, Bull smiled friendly down at her. This man was called Bull for a reason. The man was even larger than Doyle and his family. The man had to be at least seven foot tall with the body of a NFL player, a short dark beard covered his face and equally dark hair on his head was cut short. He seemed to be just a little older than Doyle, but not by much.

“So who’s this lovely creature?” He teased, roughly patting her shoulder with a heavy hand.

Picking up his fork, Doyle grinned up at him, “Don’t get any ideas, Bull. Or I will tell Nancy.”

A look of mock terror crossed Bull’s face at his threat, “You wouldn’t!” He gasped out before dissolving in deep chuckles. “Nancy’s a mean cat, but she knows she’s the only one for me.”

“This is Aria, my mate.” Doyle replied his face warm and kind as his eyes met her startled ones.

“I heard. Charlotte down the street has been buzzing about the gorgeous woman that you bought half the whole store for. Enjoy the food; it's on the house in favor of finding your mate!” After slapping Doyle on the back, Bull turned and strode away, leaving them to their food.

Watching as Bull returned behind the bar, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. The man was enormous. What was it with the men around here? Turning her thoughts elsewhere, she picked up her fork and began to eat her breakfast.

“Bull owns this place with his mate Nancy.” Doyle remarked, jerking his head in the direction of Bull.

“Bull? Does that mean he is a…” Could he be a shifter too? Her eyes followed the large retreating form of Bull.

“Yep, hence the name he has. He’s a bull shifter and his mate is a tiger.”

Unable to restrain her curiosity any longer, she set her fork down and folded her arms on the table. “You keep using that word,
“mate.”
Somehow I don’t think you mean mate as in friend.”

Shaking his head slowly, he reached for a napkin as he wiped his mouth before continuing. “To shifters, ‘mate’ has the same meaning as spouse or life partner. You are my mate; my wife to be more exact.”

Suddenly feeling she was in way over her head, Aria felt the familiar presser build in her head. Her brain felt like she was holding a bowling ball in her skull. Pressing a hand to the side of her head, she closed her eyes; wincing.

Reaching out, Doyle gripped one of her hands, drawing it across the table to him. “What's wrong?” he asked, the discomfort was written all over her face.

Shaking her head, she opened her eyes to look at him, looking tired beyond belief. “I’m fine. Just a headache,” Attempting to pull her hand from his, she was irate but not surprised that his hold was unyielding. “Doyle…I don’t understand. I am no one to judge another for being different. But this all sounds like something out of a fantasy.”

She was at a loss for words, what did you say when someone just told you that you were married to them in some mystical, hokey way. She didn't understand shifter ways and she didn't even know how she felt about it. Should she be flattered? Scared? Her headaches were getting worse every day, with no sign that they would let up any time soon. Whatever Malca had done to her, she knew it was killing her. What right did she have to give Doyle hope or even herself?

“Let me explain.” He beseeched, slowly caressing the top of her hand with his thumb. “In this expect; shifters are just like human, except for one thing. Where humans marry each other, when a shifter mates another it is for life. When we take a mate—our true mate becomes our lifeline. Without them, it’s impossible for us to exist.”

Shaking her head, Aria still looked confused at his softly spoken words. At her look of confusion he continued. “When a shifter is born, they are born with a specific animal spirit and we later transform once puberty hits. During your life you and your spirit are two separate beings. One is man, the other is the animal. But if a shifter finds their; what we refer to as our true mate; the two become one. You suddenly become aware of everything about your beast. When I first saw you I heard his thoughts, his needs and desires. Ultimately, it also means we have the means to tie that person to us by transforming them as well.”