BEARing The Frozen Night (Ice Bear Shifters Book 1) (8 page)

Kenzie nodded, and finally let herself relax. Worrying about attacks from bear shifters was new territory for her, but she had confidence that she was safe under the watchful eye of Ryker and his clan. She never considered backing away from her commitment to Ryker. For better or worse, she was his now, and he was hers. And, besides, she had a feeling that things would only get better from here.

The Northern Lights Bears were confident that the Blizzards would leave them alone, now. And soon, the long, dark winter would be over.

The life mate ceremony was set for the first day the light returned. Although the daylight was short on that day, seeing the sun again brought a sense of renewed hope to the Northern Lights Clan, and to Kenzie.

Ryker and Kenzie chose to hold the ceremony outdoors, right near Ryker’s cabin. Ryker wore his best pair of jeans and a hunter green corduroy button-down shirt. Kenzie wore a beautiful white dress and held a bouquet of pale yellow roses. She had white fur boots and a matching white fur shawl. Her hair hung in long, sleek curls around her shoulders, and a garland of white and soft yellow flowers decorated her hair.

Ryker teared up when he saw her. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful,” he said.

Kenzie blushed with pleasure at his praise. “I have to say, you’re looking gorgeous as well.”

Ryker’s chiseled face shone with pride as he held his new mates hand. They stood in front of Neal and bowed their heads in respect as he pronounced his alpha blessing over them. The sun shone across the snow in brilliant yellow and orange hues, chasing away the darkness that had smothered their spirits during the long, bleak winter.

Neal finished his blessing and let out a loud roar. Eric, Tyler, and Alan followed suit, roaring together in a salute to the new life mates. Kenzie’s induction into the Northern Lights Clan was complete. Although she was human, her soul was forever tied with their souls, now. In her heart, she had taken on the essence and spirit of the resilient ice bears of the Northern Lights legacy.

With great joy, the clan returned to the inside of Ryker’s cabin, where a fantastic spread of fish, steak, and wine had been prepared to celebrate the occasion. Once each clan member had a glass of wine, Ryker raised his glass in a toast.

“I want to thank you all for coming today. With all the sorrow that our clan has endured over the last year, it brings me so much happiness to be able to celebrate this occasion with you. And it brings me immeasurable joy to announce that Kenzie is not the only new addition to our clan—we’re expecting a new little cub. The Northern Lights Clan may have had some hard times, but we are rebuilding!”

The clan members let out cheers and whoops of delight at Ryker’s announcement. They congratulated Kenzie and teased her that they were wondering why she hadn’t been taking any sips from her wine glass. Kenzie just laughed good-naturedly and beamed at their joking. She almost had to pinch herself to believe that she had been lucky enough to find Ryker and the Northern Lights Clan. When she first moved to Glacier Point, she had been so lonely. She had wanted so badly to find a group of friends, but it was hard to break into the social circles of any of the townspeople, who were all reserved and suspicious of outsiders. But now, Kenzie had found not just a group of friends, but a new family. She had found the love of her life, and soon she and Ryker would be showering their love on a new baby. She smiled up at her new life mate as he put his arm around her and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. Kenzie knew deep down in her core that she’d found the true happiness she’d spent her whole life seeking.

Her adventure to Alaska had taken an unexpected twist, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

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There are bears walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.

Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane promises hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.

When she’s not busy crafting bear tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading, baking, and pretending that she’s actually a music buff. On weekends, she spends a lot of time in the great outdoors, hiking with her own sexy alpha and adorable little cub.