Wedding Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Enforcer Bears Book 3) (7 page)

“I know Karen is happy in the city—but I never wanted to move away from here.”  She looked up towards the blue sky, her eyes gleaming. “I just—how can you leave this behind?”

When she turned towards him, Kayden found himself once more captivated. Her gray eyes were shining, bright like silver. That ages old call to claim his mate throbbed through him with sudden intensity.

This was her home—and why shouldn’t it be
his
as well? He was a bear, the ruler of the forest. If he wanted to claim this territory as his own, who could stop him? He would lead his own clan the way Iron Fang never could—he would be just and generous. He’d make certain that they’d all find happiness here. No more violence. No more cruelty.

But could Sidney love him if she knew that he’d been one of Iron Fang’s enforcers? Surely she’d understand that he had run because he didn’t want to be that sort of person?

She’ll never know, as long as we get rid of Blood Claw now,
his bear growled silently.

“It’s beautiful here,” Kayden said, watching the way the sun gleamed on her hair with awe.

He liked the secludedness of the spot. He knew he couldn’t settle in the town itself. Still, he suddenly ached for a place like this to call his own. A house, a garden, meadows and trees that were his.

It was sometimes difficult to satisfy the urge of his bear to claim a territory of his own—but now at last, his bear’s desires and his own were in perfect accord. A house close to the town, but secluded enough that he could shift without anyone observing. Quiet meadows and the beckoning forest, with his clan settling nearby so that they could be there for each other in case of danger and bring up their own families in peace.

His bear wanted to warn intruders away. His human side wanted a spot where he could build a home and love his mate and watch his cubs play among grass and bushes.

And no danger to keep us on our toes all day. No threat just waiting for us to step outside of our house...

What would he do if Blood Claw just left, only to return in a year or two to take his vengeance?

Maybe it would be better to take him out now. Damn. That’s not why I came here. I don’t want to start this new life with murder...

It’s not murder if he invades our home!
his bear roared, fury rising up in that feral side of him instantly.

Kayden stiffened, his heightened senses suddenly picking up on the fact that the wind had changed. It had come from the west before—now it was blowing from the north. And with it came a hint of a scent he recognized...

Bear!

Kayden inhaled, all of his senses screaming at him to shift and attack.

Blood Claw found us,
his bear growled.
Let’s find him! Let’s end this once and for all!

“Is everything OK?” Sidney gave him a questioning look, resting her hand on his arm.

With difficulty, Kayden forced the angry bear inside him down.

Down,
he hissed silently.
The scent is faint. Wait. Wait!

“Where does the garden lead?” he asked, looking around once more with new urgency.

Where before he had admired the hidden orchard for its beauty, here in the heart of the small town, he now scanned it with the eyes of a warrior. He took note of exit points, branches and a forgotten ladder that could be used against him in a fight, and a small shed behind which someone could hide.

“Don’t tell me you saw Karen?” Sidney winced at the thought. “If she catches us here, she’ll probably drag us to go see Mom, and I really really—”

“Want to get to those dance lessons I was promised?” Kayden gave her a brief smile, still trying to hide his sudden suspicion. “I think I heard a car—but never mind. I’m sure it was nothing. Still, we should leave.”

“Eager for those lessons?” Sidney’s smile was wide, her eyes teasing.

Even in his agitation, Kayden couldn’t help but notice the way her breasts rose and fell with every breath she took. Her lips were flushed. As he watched, she bit them again.

Even with the sense of danger that had taken hold of him, desire spiked once more, a red haze throbbing through him until Sidney gave him a wicked grin. Her eyes briefly lowered to where he could feel his erection pressing against his jeans.

“Oh, now I know why you’re suddenly so eager to get back,” she breathed, her eyes laughing at him.

Flushed and with the wind tugging at her hair, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Sidney reached out for his hand. “Let’s get you home for those lessons you promised me, before anyone sees us here and wonders just what we were up to.”

“One day I’m going to make love to you in the sunshine,” he said hoarsely. “With blossoms all around us and the sun on your skin. But it will be
our
garden. Our orchard.”

Her eyes widened. A flush heated her cheeks, and she had to swallow. “Come on then...”

She tugged on his hand, and Kayden allowed himself to be led away.

In spite of the arousal, there was still the sense of alarm. The scent was faint. He didn’t think they were in any immediate danger. But there was danger around, somewhere in this town. There was a bear nearby—a shifter, Kayden was sure of it.

Was it Blood Claw? He couldn’t say. The scent was too faint for that. It was just the briefest whiff of fur and claws.

Perhaps, if he shifted now, he could track it down...

No. Sidney knew nothing of shifters. Most importantly, she had no part in the war between him and his old clan. He couldn’t drag her into it.

One way or another, this thing between him and Blood Claw would need to be settled—but not now. Not here.

When they excited the garden on the other side, they found themselves on a small road. Kayden kept scanning their surroundings. This was a residential street. The houses looked old, but well cared for, and it was quiet even though they were so close to the town’s center.

“Sidney! Sidney, is that you?” a voice called out from somewhere behind them.

Kayden froze, but when he turned, he found himself facing a gray-haired woman and an inquisitive dachshund that let out a high bark of greeting.

“Were you coming to visit us?” the woman asked, patting Sidney’s arm in greeting. “We only went out for five minutes—you know how he gets when he doesn’t get his daily walk to the corner!”

“You mean his daily walk to the treats he gets from the owner of that corner store?” Sidney returned with a delighted laugh, then bent down to stroke the small dog in greeting. “Hey there!”

“And you just missed your friend Eve and her fiancé. I met them at the store.” The woman gave Kayden a curious look. “So you are the young man I’ve heard so much about?”

“Sorry,” Sidney said as she stood again. “I should have introduced you first.”

The small dog made a disappointed yip as no treats were forthcoming.

“This is Kayden Hunt. We were just looking at outfits for the wedding. And this is my old high school teacher I told you about, Kayden—”

“Amanda Granger,” she said promptly and shook Kayden’s hand. “One of our summer guests, I hear, who got lost in the woods? Nice catch,” she mouthed to Sidney.

Sidney blushed even as Kayden had to bite back a grin.

“I hope you’ll be staying for longer than just the summer.” Mrs. Granger winked at him. “It gets cold in the winter, but there are ways to keep warm...”

Sidney fidgeted by his side, her cheeks still red even though she was laughing. “Mrs. Granger, please! He only just arrived in this town; you’ll scare him away—”

“A big, strong man like that? He doesn’t look easily scared to me, honey,” the old teacher replied with a twinkle in her eyes.

Kayden found himself chuckling. He didn’t think it would take long at all to feel at home in this place.

“It takes a lot more to scare me,” he reassured them. Then he took hold of Sidney’s hand again. “In fact, I’m very, very good at keeping a house warm...”

“Oh, good, did I just hear someone volunteer to chop all my firewood?” Sidney teased.

“Now that is a sight I’d like to see.” Mrs. Granger laughed, the sound a little rusty, but her wrinkled face was animated and her little dog was dancing around between her feet.

Once more Kayden felt himself overcome by a strong sense of belonging. But just as sudden was the sharp awareness of how different he was. Linden Creek was nothing like the territory of Iron Fang’s clan. It was everything Kayden had ever wanted—but could he and his clan of runaway shifters truly fit in here?

We have to. No, we will. No matter what it takes, this is what we’ve sacrificed so much for.

The tiny dachshund was still bouncing in excitement, clearly awaiting another treat once they got home. Mrs. Granger waved as they took their leave.

“We’ll see you at the wedding,” Sidney called out and waved back.

Kayden twined their fingers, then raised her hand to his lips to press a kiss to her knuckles.

“She is nice,” he said, and then wickedly added, “And she has a point about keeping warm in winter.”

“Mm,” Sidney purred, her eyes gleaming at him. “What if I tell you that I’m just a little bit cold right now?”

“I would tell you—” Kayden stopped in the middle of his sentence.

Bear!
all of his senses shouted in sudden alarm.

He stiffened and inhaled, fighting down the immediate fury of his inner bear.

It was the same scent as before. Was it Blood Claw? He still couldn’t say. It wasn’t strong enough for that. But what if the shifter was still nearby?

He grabbed hold of Sidney and pulled her into a little alcove to their left. There, a bench and one of the linden trees the town was named for formed a cozy, secluded spot, shielded by the wall of a house at the back and a wall surrounding a garden to the right.

While his senses were still on high alert for any nearby danger, he pressed her gently against the wall. Then he kissed her until her surprised gasp turned into a little moan, her body melting against his.

“Ooh,” she sighed when their lips parted. “Yes. Yes, that does seem to help! I’m feeling much warmer already.”

The scent was less strong here. Still, it kept irritating at the back of Kayden’s mind, a niggling little reminder that they were not as safe as he had hoped.

“Are you sure it’s working?” he murmured back. “I don’t want you to catch a cold!”

Let me fight!
his bear roared inside his head.
We need to protect our mate!

I can’t shift here,
Kayden replied silently.

It was difficult to contain his bear’s anger and excitement. For most of his life, trusting his bear’s instinct and aggression had kept Kayden alive.

Still, if he wanted to remain in this town, he would have to prove that he could lead a normal life. And the first thing he needed to prove was that he had his bear under control.

Not here. Not in this town, and not in front of her,
he thought in determination while his bear growled in anger.

No. The trace of the scent that had upset his bear so was still in the air—but whoever it was, he wasn’t close enough to attack. Kayden would have to deal with this problem, but not while Sidney was in his arms.

He kissed her again, his hands sliding around her hips until he could pull her even closer. Her mouth opened sweetly for him, the taste and the scent of her threatening to overwhelm his senses, although he was still alert for any danger. For one moment, he wished he was back out in the forest, in shifter territory, where he could have just grabbed his mate and run away with her.

But Iron Fang would have never allowed him to take a human mate.

And Sidney deserves better than that sort of life. Our cubs deserve better.

Passion turned to gentleness as he slowly drew back. He raised one of his hands to cup her cheek, tracing along the tender skin below her eye with the callused pad of his thumb, then trailing downward until he could follow the frantically beating pulse at her throat.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “I don’t have a lot to offer, but I will keep you safe. Always. With my life, if I have to.”

Sidney smiled up at him, a dreamy smile of disbelieving pleasure.

“From the cold?” she murmured back, her voice a little hazy. “You’re a strange one, Kayden. Perhaps that’s why I like you so much.”

“From the cold and—and anything else.” Kayden hesitated a little before he continued. “Admittedly there can’t be much else in this town. Spoiled dachshunds begging for treats?”

“Oh, that will do.” Sidney bit her lip, clearly to hold back laughter as she lightly boxed his shoulder. “My hero and protector. Slayer of dachshunds. Only—don’t do that. The slaying,” she hastened to add.

Surprised, Kayden threw back his head and laughed.

“I promise,” he said when he had calmed again. “No slaying of dachshunds. Though I might have to barter for peace with the dachshund nation by offering treats, the next time we visit.”

“That will be acceptable,” Sidney proclaimed, still giggling as they slowly made their way out of their little alcove to continue down the street.

The scent of bear was still faint. Whoever it was hadn’t moved closer—unless the wind was playing a trick on him?

“Oh no!” Sidney suddenly called out, waving at the intersection in front of them where a woman was just stepping into a car. “We missed Eve and Chris!”

Despite Sidney’s waving, the car pulled away and turned to the left at the intersection, speeding away from them. Kayden didn’t get more than a glimpse of Eve’s blonde hair and a broad-shouldered man driving the car.

“With any luck, they’ll pull your sister off our trail,” Kayden offered.

Secretly, he felt glad that Sidney’s friends seemed to have finished whatever business they must have had at the stores here. If there was a shifter sneaking around these streets, it would be best if as few people as possible were around, just in case.

Once again Kayden felt torn. Shouldn’t he warn these people? The quiet town of Linden Creek didn’t deserve the devastation a war between shifters could cause. On the other hand—whom could he tell? He couldn’t just spill out all of their secrets to humans.