Shifters on Fire: A BBW Shifter Romance Boxed Set (20 page)

He let out a sigh of relief. “Up to you. We can put you up in the hotel or you can stay at the cave.”

“With you?”

“Or without. There are empty rooms.”

“If I accept you—not saying I will yet—perhaps staying in the cave will make the decision easier.”

“So you are considering it.”

“I am. I really am.”

He threw down some cash and rose to his feet. “Shall we walk?”

“I would like that.” As they exited, he dismissed the two guards and offered to hold her hand. The sweet gesture made her heart skip a beat. Hand in hand with him, she let fate take her where it may. Let something higher than herself lead the way. As they passed two males, she realized although they were handsome—some might say gorgeous—they did nothing for her.

They reached the trail where she had been attacked the evening before. “When did they reopen the path?”

“They haven’t but I promise to take care of any bear who wishes to attack you.”

“Can you show me your bear? I mean, not simply the shimmery spirit but the whole furry animal.”

He took a step toward the woods.

She rested her hand on his biceps to stay him. “No, here, so I can see.”

“Are you sure you are ready for that?”

“I need to know what I am getting into, all of it, the good, the bad, and the weird.” She raised a brow and crossed her arms. “Well?”

He shifted, the glimmering bear surrounding him mimicking his moves until they merged into one and the hair began to cover his body and, in the next moment, a large male bear towered over her. “Wow.”

He came down on all fours with a thud but didn’t move other than his nose twitching. She sidled up next to him and ran a tentative hand through his thick fur. “I didn’t expect it to be so soft.”

He bumped her with his head before sitting down and lifting a paw to her. She pressed her palm to it, overwhelmed at its size. He allowed her a few more minutes to familiarize herself with his bear before rising on his hind legs and shifting again.

“I have never been so close to a non-sedated bear before.”

“Probably a good idea to still keep a wide berth from any of the wildlife unless I, or one of my clan, is with you.”

“Will real animals know or care?”

“
Real
animals, as you call them, will know you are protected, but if they are hungry enough or if a sow feels her cubs are endangered, she will attack you as quickly as she would anyone else.”

“Even you?”

“Even me.” He led them down the side of a hill to the well-hidden opening of a cave. “Unless we mate, do not attempt to come out here on your own. There are a large number of bears and my sentinels are always on high alert. They know not to hurt you, but they will detain you. I trust you, but I can’t put the safety of the group in danger. Someone could follow you.”

They walked through the damp cave to the secret entrance. She followed him into the brightly lit receiving room. “How did you create this cave? How is all this powered? Why doesn’t anyone seem to know it exists?”

“One question at a time.” He brushed his thumb over her lips as if to quiet them so he could answer before she come out with a slew more. “The bison figured out how to harness the steam from the geysers in exchange for our help to maintain the plumbing system in their family estate. The bison are great thinkers, but not so keen on the doing part.”

“And the security?”

“That would be wolves. Their pack has only recently returned to the park, bringing with them new technologies. But they didn’t install it for us, just gave us the ability to create what we needed.”

“In exchange…?”

“You catch on quick. We help them with items that need a bit more muscle.”

A woman she’d never met before came in, her eyes cast down. “Brutus, the beta’s quarters are ready.” “Thank you, Jovie. Can you call Asha and let her know Quinn will need an overnight bag from home?”

“Yes, Alpha.” The other woman gave her a bow and moved into what looked like a communication center.

They passed a few more people in the hall but not one looked at or acknowledged her. The evening that had been so promising and made her think there could be a future suddenly lay bleak and lonely before her. No way she could live here if no one would talk to her. She wasn’t one of them, and they made it clear they didn’t want her in their domain.

“Here are my rooms, should you need anything.” He pushed open the door to the chamber she had been in before. He studied her face then gave her a quick smile before moving down the hall to another open door. He waved her inside. “These are your rooms.”

As she walked in, she froze. The room was absolutely something out of her dreams. The king-size bed had bears carved into it. Open French doors beckoned and she followed the sound of water outside to find they were located behind a waterfall.

“Which waterfall is this?”

“Unnamed, but we call it Kodiak.” He joined her on the balcony. “This is the only room in the cave that opens to the outside.”

“Why don’t you use it?”

“Because it’s the beta’s.”

“You say that like it explains everything.”

He led her inside to a large comfortable sofa. “Okay, let’s talk about hierarchy.”

“You are the alpha, so big head honcho.”

“I have been since my father died. The beta is a strong female who is the mate of the alpha. That would be you if you choose to stay. Scouts, sentinels, hunters, and guardians are all strong men and women who have various jobs within the clan. Most shifter families work the same. Omegas are the weaker members who require more protection but fill equally important roles. They are the caretakers.”

“That didn’t answer my question. Why aren’t you in this room if it’s the best?” She spread her arms pivoting in her seat to take in the expanse of the room.

“Because the best is for the beta. She enables the line to carry on. Without her, the alpha is an empty leader.”

“So you would stay in there, and I am in here, and, like in some Regency novel, you would come to my room whenever you want to have sex and then return to yours when we are done?” That sort of arrangement would be a deal breaker and he could take her right back to Mammoth now if that was what he thought a relationship should entail. She was about to tell him as much when he cupped her cheek, the touch leaving her speechless.

“Not at all. If you permit it, I would move in here with you. My parents made the other room an office and sitting room. Later a playroom for me and my sister.”

“So, it’s my choice?”

“You have all the power.”

She rose to her feet. She had to get away from him—he made it all so tempting. “I can’t.”

“What? Why?” He stood but didn’t make a move to touch her again.

“Your people…they can’t even look at me? It’s as if I am invisible.”

His brow furrowed. “Who? Who offered you such an insult?”

“The women, and they didn’t insult me,” she rushed in, not wanting anyone to get into trouble.

He visibly relaxed. “They are omegas. Unless and until you accept me, they won’t talk to you. Do not take it personally. They’re just shy. If you were to say hello to one of them, she might jump out of her skin.”

“That is not what I saw. I saw a bunch of women not happy with my presence.”

Brutus got up and threw open the door. “Jovie, Nevia, and Bella.”

Three women ran into the room, heads bowed, two visibly shaking. He gave the tremblers a reassuring touch before returning to Quinn’s side.

“Is something wrong, Alpha?” A dark-skinned woman, their visitor from a few moments before, asked. Quinn was struck by her absolute beauty, her short hairstyle giving her an exotic air Quinn could never hope to have.

“Stop fretting, Jovie. Nothing is wrong. Quinn, this is Jovie.”

The woman met her gaze with a tentative smile then Brutus gestured to a blonde, curvier woman. “This is Bella. And, finally, Nevia.” He laid a hand on Nevia’s shoulder, but the girl didn’t look up or acknowledge Quinn.

For lack of anything else to say, Quinn said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

A long silence followed her greeting until Brutus stepped in. “Jovie, would you please tell Quinn here what you said to me this afternoon when I was leaving.”

The least fearful of the three looked up. “I asked if we shouldn’t get a room ready just in case.”

“In case what, Jovie?” Quinn asked.

Jovie lifted her chin and with pride said, “In case you said yes, as we hoped you might.”

“You did say yes, didn’t you?” Bella took a step forward then backed up again.

Brutus raised an open hand in a gentle gesture of reassurance. “She is still thinking, as a good beta should. Bella, what did you say to me?”

Bella blushed but took a deep breath and announced, “I said, if he wanted you to say no, he should continue to wear the ratty old flannel he had on.”

“And then she proceeded to tell me my wardrobe needed a serious overhaul, I needed to shave, and I could use a haircut.”

“Nevia? That is your name isn’t it?” Nevia had been the only who hadn’t spoken or engaged.

“It is, ma’am,” she said behind a curtain of chestnut hair.

“And what you did say to him?” Quinn did what came natural—she took a step towards the other woman and brushed the hair behind her ear. Even being the smallest of the three, Nevia stood a head taller than her.

Voice soft and unsure, she said, “Please make her understand we need her.”

“But I am human.”

“Then it’s a human we need, if the fates have decided you are his mate.” Nevia flushed. “You must convince her, Brutus. We can’t wait another century for the beta to arrive.” She focused on Quinn again. “He has to convince you.”

Quinn enveloped her in her arms. “He wasn’t able to, but you might have.”

Nevia lifted her eyes filled with hope. “Then you have agreed?”

“Not yet, but I am getting closer to making a decision.” She couldn’t lie to the poor woman, but for the first time she really felt the desire to say she had made up her mind and the answer would be yes.

The three women excused themselves, leaving their alpha to woo the beta.

“You have no idea how hard it was for Nevia to speak up.” Brutus closed the door after them.

“You are protective of her.”

“I am protective of all my people.”

Protection seemed to ooze from every pore of this man. He cared about his people, he knew what they needed, and he fought to give it to them. And yet, knowing how important bringing a beta into the fold was, he hadn’t pushed her to make a decision. That was enough to show her the honor of the man.

They spent the rest of the evening in a question and answer session. He would ask a question and then she would. They talked about everything from his parents to hers. It had been a long time since she had confided in anyone about how lonely she was since the loss of her family. Brutus understood her pain and sense of loneliness. With him, she could confide. She learned some of the bears did hibernate in the cold months but he didn’t. And, yes, they could leave the park in the winter for a vacation. Although they would have to plan it well, as getting her in and out could be an undertaking once the main roads closed to the snows.

On her second yawn, Brutus stood with obvious reluctance. “I will let you head to bed. If you need anything, knock on my door. Or go to the receiving room. Someone is always at the post there. They can get you whatever you need. The kitchen is open twenty-four hours a day.”

“After dinner, I can see why.” She touched his biceps. “You don’t have to leave.”

“Have you decided?”

“No but perhaps…”

He growled in frustration. “If we make love, we will be mated.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

And although his hard-on pressed against his jeans, he did not take the opportunity to get everything he wanted. As he walked away, she felt his absence like a stab to the heart. When he paused at the door connecting their rooms, the ache became too great and she called his name. He stormed back to her. His large hand gripped her buttocks and lifted her into his arms.

As his mouth descended on hers, she became aware of the wall behind her pushing her into more intimate contact with the erection. He overwhelmed her and never let up. He held her like she weighed nothing. In his arms, she was as desirable as Cleopatra and beautiful as Aphrodite. The heat within her built and then, a bear she didn’t know existed roared to life deep within her, hunting for her mate.

She laced her fingers into his hair, gripping his head and pulling it back. She could no longer be a passive half of his passion. She kissed his neck below his beard where his pulse beat as strong as his heart against her breast. Her teeth grew within her mouth and the sudden desire to taste him grew within her like fever. Her mate held still, perhaps anticipating her next move. She growled and, as she was about to puncture his skin, he held a finger to her lips.

“No.” He pulled back, panting hard as if he had run at full pace for a mile. She moved in to try again. This time, he walked her over to the large bed and placed her down as if she were the most precious thing in the world to him. “If you continue, we will make love, there will be no stopping, and you need to sleep on your decision. In the morning, if you feel the need to bite me and mark me as yours, I will wear your brand with pride.