Bear Again (Second Chance Shifters 3) (8 page)

I
t didn’t matter
what had just happened. She had birthday cakes to make and an anniversary sheet cake to design. There were no muffins or croissants, and her cookie supply was low.

She pulled her hair on top of her head. For now, Liam Grayson didn’t exist. Bears didn’t live in Bear Lake. She wasn’t the she-alpha. And she hadn’t been claimed by God’s gift to women upstairs only an hour ago.

She tied the apron behind her back and began to work. She had a few quick recipes that would satisfy even her most demanding customers.

Two hours later, Sophia opened the front door to a line that had formed to the next store.

“Good morning.” She smiled at the regular customers. This was good. Busy was good.

Until Noah’s mother walked in.

“Janet?” Sophia walked around from the counter. She hadn’t seen her almost mother-in-law in months. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi, sweetheart.” The woman folded her into a giant hug. “Thought you could use a friendly face today.”

“Today?” Sophia looked around, but the other patrons were eating pastries and drinking coffee. They didn’t seem to notice the conversation.

“Yes.” Janet smiled. “Your blood oath is tonight, isn’t it?”

Sophia felt a sharp stab under her ribs. “You know about that?”

“Of course.”

Sophia took her soft hand in hers and led her to the kitchen, keeping an eye on the customers through the window.

“I had no idea. Really, I didn’t.”

Janet’s eyes softened. “You didn’t think Noah’s father and I expected you to be a nun the rest of your life, did you? You’re the she-alpha. Our family needs you.”

Sophia felt the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “Liam wasn’t honest about it. About us.”

“Apparently, Noah wasn’t either. You should have known the extent of the pledge you made to him and the clan.”

“I don’t think I can go through with the ceremony. I’m sorry, Janet.”

The older woman patted the sides of her silver bun. She was a stunning woman. Noah had had her eyes. “You can go through with it.”

“It’s too soon. All of it has been too soon.”

“I thought that’s what you would say. Have you thought about Caroline?”

“What does Caroline have to do with this?” She hadn’t seen Noah’s sister in six months. It was easier to keep her distance from everyone.

“She and Daniel are together. She wants to start a family.”

“Oh.” Sophia realized what that meant. They wanted their own brood of bear shifters. “And if I don’t give my oath, no cubs?”

Janet nodded. “Exactly.”

“Why can’t there be another she-alpha? I’m not even a bear shifter. This is complete madness. I’m not Venus or even close to it.”

“Tell me something, Sophia. Did you love my son?”

“You know I did.”

“Then when you took the oath for him, was it with pure intentions?”

Sophia nodded. “It was.”

“And what about Liam? Do you love him?”

Sophia closed her eyes and pictured him. His dark hair. His beautiful eyes. The way he could make her laugh even when she was trying her hardest to be annoyed.

“I do. So much it scares me.”

“Then don’t let what happened with Noah keep you from honoring the oath you’ve already made. He wanted you to make that oath. Caroline needs you to do this. I need you to do this so I can have little grandcubs to spoil. Don’t rob yourself of the chance to be loved by a bear who would give his life for you. Liam has always loved you.”

Sophia’s eyes flashed to hers. “You knew?”

“Of course. You couldn’t walk in a room without him losing his mind over you. He’s loved you a long time. Maybe he didn’t go about this the best way, but I’ve known Liam his entire life. If I had to choose someone for you, it would be him.” She squeezed Sophia’s shoulder.

“This is all so public. I don’t feel like anything is ours.”

“We don’t know anything more about you two than we do about any couple. What do married couples do on their wedding night?” She smiled. “I think you’re just coming out of the dark again, sweetheart.”

“You’re not upset with me that I’m with Liam?”

“No. I could never fault you for following your heart. I will fault you for keeping me from my grandcubs, though.” She winked at her.

“And I suppose I would have Caroline’s wrath, too?”

Janet shrugged. “She wanted to come talk to you herself, but I suggested I speak with you first.”

“I think there’s something I need to do before I can decide.”

“And what is that?”

“I need to talk to Noah.”

S
he hadn’t been here
since the funeral. She always avoided the cemetery. It seemed strange that a man so strong and powerful could die. He wasn’t supposed to die like that. Sophia knelt in front of the stone, her fingers dropping to trace the letters of his name.

“I’m here, Noah,” she whispered, tugging her coat closer to her chest.

She didn’t know what she expected. It wasn’t as if he was going to whisper through the wind. She was talking to a stone.

“I know I haven’t been here.” She sat on the ground, crossing her legs. “I didn’t want to face this. I know that sounds weak, right? I didn’t want to come here. I still don’t want to be here.” She could feel the anger rising.

“You weren’t supposed to die. You weren’t supposed to leave me.”

She expected tears, but there weren’t any. “So you probably know about Liam. And the clan. He swears you would be okay with this.” She sighed. “And your mom came to see me at the shop today.”

She twiddled a blade of a grass between her fingers. “And now it comes down to this. Do I do the oath tonight? If I don’t, I ruin the clan. Liam will never forgive me. Your sister and your mother will never forgive me. But if I do it, am I just giving in? Is he really the right mate for me? He tricked me. He used me, Noah. He’s your best friend.” She glared at the stone as if it would respond.

It was absurd blaming Noah for all of this, but as she sat and spoke the words, she realized that was exactly what had happened. She was angry at him for leaving. Angry that he was the reason she was at this crossroads. Angry that she was totally and completely in love with another bear.

She could feel it in every breath she took. With every thought. With every ounce of her being. He was in her soul. He had gotten under her skin and made his way to the inside of the fortress she had built around her heart. She didn’t want to live without Liam. She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall to the ground around her.

H
e looked
up at the sky. The moon was full, and the clouds kept drifting over the white glow. He knelt to the soft earth to arrange the rocks one more time. The circle was the right size. He knew that, but he needed something to keep his hands busy.

He had left three voicemails and sent texts. Sophia hadn’t responded to a single one. The later it got, the more he realized she wasn’t going to go through with the blood oath tonight.

If only he had had more time. He knocked two of the rocks together. He could have told her, but that wouldn’t have worked either. The hole in her heart was deep. The wall she had built around it was higher.

He stood back to make sure all the components for the ceremony were in place. There was nothing else to do but wait. He stared at the moon again, knowing the eclipse was less than an hour away.

His ears twitched when he heard the sound of snapping twigs. He turned, his breath caught in the back of his throat.

“Soph?”

She met his eyes. “Hi.”

“You made it. You’re really here.” He stepped outside the circle of rocks to greet her.

She nodded. “I just needed some time to think.”

His chest was about to burst with the emotion rushing in. She was here.

“I wish I could have given you more.” He glanced upward. “We don’t have much now. I’m sorry.”

She looked around the clearing in the woods. “Where are the elders?”

“It turns out they don’t have to be here for the ceremony. You were right about something—this is between you and me.” He took her hands in his palms. “This is our oath to each other, beyond our mating, beyond our commitment to the clan, it entwines our lives together on this earth.”

“Really? We don’t need witnesses?”

“Really.” He grinned. “I consulted with Howard. They would like to be present. But it doesn’t change the vow we make. It was only tradition.”

Her fingers laced through his as he led her to the center of the circle. “Just you and me?”

He nodded. “You and me.”

She exhaled, and he could see the relief in her eyes. “I need to tell you something before we get started.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t know anything about being the she-alpha.”

He chuckled, his chest shaking lightly. “That’s okay.”

“And I don’t know anything about raising cubs.”

He brushed her hair back. “That’s okay too. We’ll do it together.”

“And I want you to know I’m here because I want to be here, Liam.”

His eyes flashed to hers. He gulped in air as the words tumbled from her lips.

“I’m not here because I have to be. Or because of Janet or Caroline, or even Howard. I’m here because of you. Because of us.” She twisted his fingers tighter against hers. “I didn’t think I deserved to be happy again. That I deserved to feel joy in my life, but you changed that. You opened my heart again.” She tipped forward on her toes, her mouth tilted toward him. “I am your mate. For life.”

He didn’t care what the ritual said, or that the seconds were ticking away on the eclipse. Liam grabbed her in his arms as his mouth came crushing down on hers. His bear growled with heated fury as their tongues lashed against each other.

They gulped for air as their hands moved wildly over each other. He kissed at her lips, drowning himself in her.

At last, he broke free, smiling at her. “I think we need to get this started.” He motioned to the sky overhead.

She nodded. “I’m ready.”

He struck a match against his boot and lit the twigs circling the inside of the rocks. The small flames danced around their feet.

Liam pulled a leather bracelet from his pocket and began to wrap it around Sophia’s wrist and then his own. He looked into her eyes as he pulled tightly on the ends, pinching their skin together.

“We must kneel together,” he directed her.

Slowly, they lowered to the ground. Liam retracted a blade from his back pocket.

“You already bear my mark. I swear this is the only time I’ll hurt you, Soph.”

“It’s okay. I know it’s part of the ceremony.” She urged him on with her eyes.

Liam ran the blade over the flames of the fire next to them.

“The fire represents the heat of our love. The flame that will burn as long as we are on this earth.” He held it out while the blade cooled. “And the blood represents our two lives now joined as one.”

He dug the tip of the blade into his own palm first and drew a short cut before doing the same to Sophia. She winced as the knife sliced against her palm. Liam slid his palm over hers, joining their blood.

He looked at her, dropping the knife to the ground. “Now the vows.”

Sophia’s eyelashes lifted. The fire glowed warmly on her face. She smiled at Liam, speaking each word to his heart.

“I devote myself to you, Liam Grayson. My body, my heart, and my soul belong only to you as long as we are on this earth.” Her eyes began to mist. “And I pledge myself to your clan as your mate.”

Liam had watched twenty of these ceremonies. He had performed many as the clan’s alpha. He had seen bears and humans swear their lives to one another, but it never felt as intense as this moment with Sophia.

“I devote myself to you, Sophia Withers. My body, my heart, and my soul belong only to you as long as we are on this earth.” He spoke lower. “I will protect you as long as I live. As the alpha, I pledge my clan’s loyalty to you. They will protect you to the death.”

He looked at her, waggling his eyebrows. “We did it.”

“We did, didn’t we?”

With his free hand, he cupped the side of her face, drawing her lips to his. He kissed his mate.

L
iam’s lips
drove her wild. He couldn’t kiss her without her wanting more of them everywhere. The fire inside the circle crackled lightly next to them.

She sat back on her heels while he untied the leather rope binding their hands together.

The forest began to darken and she glanced up to see the eclipse.

“Just in time,” she marveled.

“Perfect timing.” Liam helped her to her feet. “We still have one more unofficial part of the oath.”

“Is it too late?” She felt the panic tighten around her chest. Maybe she had given herself too much time to come to terms with the decision. Maybe after all of this, she had let the clan down—she had let Liam down.

“No, no. The blood oath has been completed.” He grinned. “The rest is only tradition.”

She knew exactly what tradition he was talking about. It was the equivalent of a human couple spending the night in the honeymoon suite. Just the thought of being with Liam that way again made her ache.

“Are there any rules about the tradition?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No. No rules. Why?”

“And we’re alone?”

He turned his head from side to side, using his keen hearing. “Completely alone.”

She wanted all of it. The complete circle of devoting herself to him. She wanted him to know he was her alpha now. She was committed to him. There was no more hesitation. No more doubt. She was his mate.

She fingered the buttons on her coat, sliding one arm out of the sleeve and letting it fall to her feet. Next, she unzipped the back of the white dress she was wearing and shimmied it over her hips and thighs until it was in a heap on the ground. She shivered from the cold, but knew that in seconds, Liam’s warmth would send a fire through her entire body.

His eyes grew hungry with the sight of her standing in a bra and panties. He licked his lips. “I was going to take you back to the lake house.”

She shook her head. “Since you went through so much trouble to make sure we’re alone…” Her words trailed off.

Liam pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her. “I didn’t know it could be like this, Soph.” His lips descended to her neck as he kissed her.

“I didn’t, either,” she breathed, gasping for air when he slipped his fingers between her legs. “I’m yours, Liam. Only yours.” She gripped at his neck, knowing she was losing control of her limbs. They were on fire for him.

He looked around, searching for a place for them to consummate their bond in the purest form. She met his eyes and unwound her hands, then lowered to the ground to spread her coat and dress out like a blanket. She didn’t care that they were about to be trampled. She could get another dress. She stayed on her hands and knees and looked up at her mate.

Liam let out a low rumble, dropping his pants to the ground.

“You know you’re the perfect she-alpha,” he said, sliding his boxers over his powerful legs.

She could hardly think. Her body was buzzing with primal want. She needed his bear to take her before she exploded. She wiggled her hips toward him.

As he positioned himself behind her, Sophia sighed. It was everything she wanted.

He tangled his hands in her long strands of hair, turning her head to watch him.

“My mate.” He grinned.

With one slow powerful thrust, he joined them in primal pleasure. Sophia trembled from the intensity, loving how she surrendered her body to him. Liam kissed and stroked her back, his bear unleashed in her, pumping harder and faster. His muscles tensed and quivered while they recklessly gave each other their final commitment.

Sophia eased back onto his cock and Liam lifted her up and down, tugging and teasing her nipples while she rode him with abandon.

She no longer felt the cold. Liam’s body wrapped her in warmth as his cock blazed in and out of her.

And when their heated frenzy ripped through them, he held her close to his chest, pumping his seed deep inside her while she cried his name.

“Oh, Liam,” she mewed, as the bliss soothed her like warm honey.

He kissed the back of her neck and the tops of her shoulders. His hands rested on her breasts, massaging them lightly.

“Fuck, you’re amazing,” he growled. “And surprising.”

“I wanted you to know I meant every word. I want no doubts between us.” She rested her head against his chest, struggling to breathe. All her limbs felt like jelly.

“After that, I have no doubt. I didn’t, once I saw you walk into that oath circle. The oath was just a ceremony. The bond we have is unbreakable.”

“It is.” She smiled, feeling his love wash over her.

And she knew it was a truth stronger than the blade that sealed their blood. She no longer felt the hurt from Liam’s deception. He had been trying to give her time to heal and please his clan. It was an impossible position.

“What made you change your mind?” he whispered. The fire from the circle was beginning to burn out.

“You. For one second, I closed my eyes and tried to picture my life without you. It almost killed me. I didn’t need more time to realize that I belong to you. I wouldn’t have let you make your mark on me if I didn’t already feel that way. The ceremony made things seem different somehow. I freaked out. I’m sorry.”

He kissed behind her ear. “This makes things different, Soph. Asking me to claim you here in my natural element, under the eclipse, after we pledge our souls to each other. God, you have no idea the gift you just gave me. This used to be the blood oath tradition, but it stopped once others started attending.” He ran his hands along her arms, cupping her breasts with a gentle squeeze. “I love you.”

“I love you, Liam.”

Her skin prickled, and she shivered from the wind. The fire was all but a pile of ash.

“What do you say we head to the lake house now?”

She giggled. “What? You worried someone might see us like this?” They were still half dressed. Liam was wearing a shirt, and her panties were riding up to an uncomfortable place. She searched the ground for her bra. She was certain he had ripped the clasp on the back.

“I might have a surprise for you.” His eyes twinkled as he helped her up from the ground.

“A surprise?” She draped the dress over her shoulders and quickly slipped her arms in the coat sleeves.

“You’ll just have to see.” He led her out of the woods.

Sophia couldn’t imagine what the surprise was. Up until a few hours ago, she hadn’t decided to go through with the blood oath. How could Liam have planned something?

They walked through the woods until they ended up in Liam’s yard. The lake was quiet. The eclipse was still full overhead. Sophia strained to see.

“Wait right here.” He deposited her in a chair on the pier.

“But I—”

He disappeared, leaving Sophia alone in the dark. The water lightly lapped against the pilings. She rubbed her arms up and down, missing the heat from Liam’s body.

She heard his footsteps and turned to see a shadowy figure approaching.

“Liam?”

There was a heavy thud in front of her, and then sudden light.

She smiled when she recognized the dark eyes she had fallen for. A small lantern glowed near his face. He placed it on the pier.

“Ok, what’s going on?” she asked.

Liam’s brow furrowed. She’d never seen him look so nervous. He reached behind his back and presented a box. Carefully he flipped the lid open.

“Oh my God.” Sophia covered her mouth. She’d never seen a diamond so large.

“Will you marry me, Soph?”

She looked in his eyes. “But bears don’t do this. We had our ceremony.”

“But humans do.” He smiled. “I’ve seen you make wedding cakes. I can’t imagine anyone looking more beautiful in a white dress. I think it’s something you’ve always wanted, and never thought you’d have.” He pulled the diamond from its velvet cushion and held it toward her. “Will you marry me?”

She nodded, the tears springing to her eyes. “Yes. Yes, definitely yes.”

She watched in awe as he slipped the princess cut stone over her finger.

“I know it would be more sparkly in the sun, but under the eclipse is where we sealed our forever. I thought it would be fitting.”

She threw her arms around his neck, desperate for his mouth. “I love it. I love you.” She scooted back to see his expression. “A wedding? You really want to do a wedding?”

“You’ve accepted my clan. You’re my she-alpha. You’re my mate. If you can do all of that, I can do a wedding.” He winked.

“You’re going to wear a tux.”

“Oh, I know. I’m making Snowden wear one too.”

“This is more than I ever thought I could have, Liam.” She kissed him.

“I want you to know something.” He tilted her chin toward him. “I wanted to give you this ring no matter what happened tonight. If you weren’t ready, then I would have waited for this. It doesn’t matter to me how we are together, or what ceremony says we’re bonded. I would have waited the rest of my life for you.”

“I’m glad you didn’t have to.”

Sophia laughed. There were a lot of things that were unexpected in life. She never expected a man she loved to die. She never expected to fall for his best friend. And more than anything, she never thought she could be so utterly happy and in love with her soul mate. She took a chance, and that was all she needed.

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O
ther Books
in the Second Chance Shifter Series

L
oyal
To The Bear

Carly Tate lost her father to a shape-shifter when she was five and has hated the shifter world since.

In college, she meets her true love, Henry and her life seems to be perfect.   Until she finds that he is a bear shifter and despite what her heart tells her she leaves him without saying goodbye.

Henry still longs for her four years later, and he moves to Boston to be closer to Carly.  When he shows up at her apartment she pushes him away, breaking his heart. But his bear knows something is wrong and stays close to protect her. When his back is turned a serial killer takes Carly captive. Henry must race against time to save her life.

Loyal To The Bear is a STANDALONE in the Second Chance Shifter Series. It contains a serial killer, a protective bear, and a relationship that can’t be stopped.

E
xcerpt
:

“Carly, wait!” Henry called after her.
Shit
, she thought, as she stopped short in front of her door. She felt his strong presence behind her and gripped the door handle to make sure her knees didn’t give out.

Henry’s breath fell against Carly’s neck, sending goose bumps spreading across her body. Carly knew she needed to put space between them, but a part of her didn’t want to. She hated how he made her question herself.

As she felt Henry’s strong hand encircle her wrist, a pulse coursed through her, and she longed for the relationship that they once had. Things had been so easy between them. They just clicked. Then it all went to shit.

Henry gently tugged on Carly’s wrist, and Carly slowly turned around to face him, but she couldn’t look into his deep brown eyes. She knew that if she did, she would lose all of her strength. She heard Henry clear his throat and wondered if this was as hard for him as it was for her.

H
er Bear for Life

Drake knew that Mia was his mate when he first laid eyes on her at fifteen years old. The last thing he ever expected was for her to be taken away from him and for her not to return to their small Montana town until twelve years later.

M
ia loved
Drake with all of her young heart, but when all of her letters went unanswered, she assumed her parents were telling the truth when they said he'd moved on. Now, her mother's in the hospital and she's forced to return to Spring Creek, Montana and face him after all this time.

D
rake's been waiting
for his mate to return home, to get answers for why she left without looking back, and to claim her as his. Now Mia's back where she belongs, in his bed and in his arms, but someone is still trying to keep them apart. Little do they know that Drake is her bear for life, and has no intention of ever letting her go again.