Rough (The Bear Chronicles of Willow Creek Book 1) (12 page)
Read Rough (The Bear Chronicles of Willow Creek Book 1) Online
Authors: Julia Keith,Emily Minton
He doesn’t respond to her, so she tries again. “Honestly, there’s plenty if you’re hungry.”
He looks up at the feast she’s prepared, before finally nodding. “I could eat.”
Eli and I both offer to carry the food over to the table. By the time the last of the dishes is sitting on the table, Eli and I are digging in. As soon as the flavor of the ham hits my mouth my bear lets out a rumble of satisfaction. “This is good, darlin’.”
“It’s your mom’s recipe, a three spice glaze.”
“You’re the one that cooked it though.” I smile at her, before shovelling another bite into my mouth.
“I talked to Dad today. He’s gonna take over my patrol, while we’re gone,” I tell her, grabbing another serving of macaroni and cheese.
“I didn’t know you were gonna go out of town,” Eli says, covering his roll with butter. “Where are you going?”
“We’re going to Chicago to pick up my younger sister this weekend,” Amelia replies with a smile.
“I’ll be so glad to have Liza here with me. I just know she’s gonna love it in Willow Creek.”
Honestly, I’m glad that Liza’s coming. Having her here will make Amelia happy, but I’m worried about her reaction to a town full of shifters. Amelia and I discussed it, and we both think we will have to tell Liza about our differences at some point. We’re gonna give it a little while first, just to feel her out. Also, Amelia wants to make sure Liza’s planning on staying here before telling her the town’s secret. There’s no reason for her to know if she plans on going away to college in the fall.
“You’re bringing another one to Willow Creek?” Eli sputters out, his food momentarily forgotten.
I can feel the pain coming off my mate and I rumble out a growl. “That’s enough Eli. Cut the shit now, and remember that you’re in our home.”
I’m about to stand up and kick his ass, when Amelia grabs my hand and answers Eli’s question. “Yes, Liza will be living here with us, for a while anyways.”
“Exactly like I said, there’s gonna be another one running around town,” he says, not realizing how close he is to losing his head.
Banging my fist against the table, I shout out my anger. “She’s not another one. She’s Amelia’s sister, so that makes her my sister too. You better show her respect, or I’ll rip you a new asshole, you ignorant fucker.”
My bear is fighting for control, wanting to kill the bastard. Just when I feel the first pull of my shift, Amelia starts talking. “She’s really sweet Eli. You’ll like her.”
He doesn’t respond, just stares at her. My brave mate doesn’t let that deter her. In fact, she does something that I never would have expected in a million years. “Why don’t you ride to Chicago with us? We’re gonna be bringing back a truck full of stuff, Liza’s belongings and some of my parents’ things. I’m sure Ethan could use your help loading it.”
“I thought you lost your parents when you were young and then you lived in a foster home.” Eli’s eyes soften just a bit and his voice is gentle.
“I did,” she whispers out. “My foster parents were not the best of people, for them it was always about the checks the state sent them. Still, they were nice enough to let Liza and I store some of Mom and Dad’s things in their barn. We’re gonna stop and get them, when we’re there picking up Liza.”
“I guess I can help. I don’t mind at all,” Eli says, finally smiling.
“Thanks, cousin,” I say, lifting my chin to him.
Amelia leans against me, nearly crawling into my lap. “Even though there wasn’t much left after the fire, it will be nice to have a few things that belonged to my parents in our home. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to take the time to stop and grab them.”
“Yeah, it will be nice to have some of your history inside our house,” I say, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into my lap. “As for being willing to bring them here, don’t mention it darlin’. It’s a part of you and they belong here. I’m the one that should be thanking you for being such a wonderful mate.”
She looks into my eyes, before brushing her lips over mine. “No Ethan, thank you just for simply being you.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Amelia
MEMORIES BOMBARD
me as Ethan pulls the truck into the driveway of the house I spent the last eight years of my life in. Being here, I’m reminded once again of all that my sister and I lost the day my parents died. Just thinking back to the fire that took their lives brings tears to my eyes.
I knew coming here would be hard on me, but Ethan said driving out to get Liza would be for the best. He thinks her coming to town will draw just as much attention as my arrival did, and he wants her to have time to get to know him, before dealing with everyone and everything else Plus, we have to pick up Mom and Dad’s things.
Doing my best to hold my tears back, I paste on a fake smile. “I wish my parents could have met you.”
My husband reaches over and takes my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my palm. “I wish I could’ve met them too, baby.”
Undoing my seatbelt, I scoot over just enough to place a kiss against his lips. “They would’ve loved you, you know that?”
“Of course they would’ve. There’s nothing about me not to love,” he says, shooting me a cocky smile.
They would. My parents would have absolutely loved Ethan. They would have adored the way he treats me, and the way he always puts my needs first. My father wouldn’t have been too happy about the way Ethan is always touching me, but Mom would have thought it was sweet.
“You’re right about that. There’s not a thing, I don’t love about you,” I reply, going in for a deeper kiss.
My hand goes to his leg, making its way up to the hardness I love so much. Before I can reach what I seek, Ethan catches my hand. “Did you forget we’re not alone?”
Taking in a harsh breath, I rest my head on his shoulder. “Yes, I did.”
We made love right before we left the house, but the long drive has left me feeling achy and filled with need. We barely ever go more than a few hours without making love. Even our lunch breaks are filled with quickies in his office. In nearly two months of marriage, I haven’t slept through one night, without being woken up with him between my thighs. I’m not sure if the unquenchable thirst we have is because of his bear or if it’s just the way we are when we’re together.
“Can you two stop that shit?” Eli grumbles from the back as he opens the door. “I’ve had enough of you two pawing all over each other to last a lifetime.”
Having Eli along for the trip wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. His gruff attitude hides a good person. He’s kinda quiet, but he’s funny when he finally gets going. He’s only made a few human comments today, so I figure that’s something to add to his positive side. I’m not saying we are friends or anything even remotely close, but I don’t dislike him quite as much as I did before this trip started.
Chuckling, Ethan turns to his door and climbs out. A few seconds later, he is opening mine and helping me out. “Come on, darlin’. Let’s get your sister.”
Just the thought of seeing her has me smiling. Before we can even reach the front of the truck, I hear Liza’s shout. “Amelia.”
I rush to her and pull her into my arms, squeezing her as tight as I possibly can. We both break into sobs as we hug each other, neither of us willing to let the other go. After what seems like hours, I pull back and look at her. Running my hands over her auburn hair I say, “Wow, you’ve grown up.”
She lets out a little laugh, stepping out of my arms. “You haven’t even been gone two months, sis. I doubt I grew up that much.”
“It seems like you have. It also seems like it’s been a hell of a lot longer than two months. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I know, me too. I may be a grown up now, but I’m not embarrassed to say I cried myself to sleep the first few nights you were gone,” she admits.
I start to say something else but stop when I notice she is no longer looking at me. Instead, she is transfixed by something behind us. Assuming she is looking at my sexy husband, I smile. “That’s Ethan.”
Turning around, I realize she is staring straight at Eli, and he is staring right back at her. When I first asked him to come with us to pick up Liza, he looked disgusted. The entire way here, he complained. He has made his distaste for humans known from the very beginning, and isn’t shy about letting me know I’m not his favorite person. Granted, he never treats me with outright disrespect, but there’s no hiding the fact he doesn’t think I’m right for Ethan.
Now though, the look on his face says he finds nothing distasteful about my sister. In fact, it looks to me like it’s the exact opposite. He actually looks like he’s going to jump on her at any moment. Moving my eyes to Ethan, I mouth, what’s going on?
He just shrugs and smiles at me. Holding his hand out he motions for me to come to him. I do as he asks, placing my hand in his. As soon as I’m away from Liza, Eli walks right to her and growls out. “Mine.”
Ethan lets out a full belly laugh, as I watch my sister take a step forward and start kissing him. I can’t believe that he’s the shifter that claims to hate humans. Knowing there is nothing I can do to stop them from being together I look up at my husband. “Well, at least our baby might have a cousin to play with soon.”
His eyes come to me, searching my face. “You’re having my cub?”
I slowly nod. “I sure am.”
Letting out a shouted whoop, he picks me up and twirls me around. “I love you, my little human.”
Placing my hands against his beard covered cheeks; I stare into his beautiful honeyed eyes. “I love you too, my bear.”
THE END
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A special thanks to Jo-Anna Walker, Miranda Johnson, Shelley Springfield,
Shay Lich, and Kellie Montgomery
We also want to thank our husbands for providing inspiration for this book.
Julia Keith
Julia Keith is a UK native based out of Bradford England but she loves to go back to her family roots in Scotland whenever possible.
Although Trapped With the Alpha is her first published novel, Julia has been a part of the Romance community for years through blogging and reviewing. Her love of Paranormal Romance inspired her to start some of her own stories and after sharing one with her now Co Author Emily Minton, she decided it was time for the world to meet the characters she had grown to love so much.
Emily Minton
USA Today Bestselling author, Emily Minton is a Kentucky native. She is proud to call the Bluegrass State home. She claims she bleeds blue–Wildcat Blue! She has been married to her husband, David, for over twenty years. They share two wonderful children.
Emily loves to read and has more books on her kindle than most people could read in a lifetime, but she intends to read every single one. She has published nine books, but there are many more are floating around in her head. She hopes to get them all on paper before long. She loves sharing her dreams with her readers.
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