Tamed by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan 3) (10 page)

“Kay, I’m so sorry, you should be able to confide in me without me freaking out. I just panicked. After last night, I know it’s what Sam would want if I stayed. But it’s all too soon. I like my independent life here.”

“Can I at least tell him you’re safe?”

“Of course. I should have spoken to him before I left.”

Kayleigh’s voice broke. “Do you think you would come back for the wedding? Just one day. You’re the only family I have. I don't want to pressure you. And I promise Sam won’t force you to do something you don’t want to do. But ... please.”

“I can’t promise, Kay. But I’ll ring you tomorrow and let you know.” She knew she should have told Kayleigh either way. But right now, if she did, the answer would have been a resounding no.

“OK. I love you.”

“I love you too, Kay.” She heard her sister sob as she ended the call. All she felt was guilt at causing such heartache for the people she loved. She felt more like her mom than ever. Whereas Kayleigh had risen above the legacy of their past, Antonia seemed compelled to let down those she loved. They were better off without her.

***

Nights had always been the worst time for Antonia. When they were kids, she remembered lying in the dark listening to the noises of a new house as it settled around them, knowing that by the time she had become accustomed to it, she would be moving on again. Last night had been filled with the taste of regrets and recriminations. She had berated herself about everyone she had let down over the wedding: Kayleigh and Daryl, even Ginny. And Sam, who would have to smile and look happy while his brother wed his mate. Knowing that he had been dealt a bad hand where his own mate was concerned.

Trying to forget all that, she dressed to get ready for work. Although she had been given the week off, there was no reason not to go in since she was back. Going to the kitchen, she brewed herself black coffee and made a mental note to pick up some groceries later. Then she left her apartment, passing the guy who had lived two doors down from her for the last two days and realising he didn’t even know her name. She was invisible in this world.

It was a theme that carried her into work. People on the train, on the street and even in her own office made her feel invisible. Did this world really make her feel safe, or mean more to her than the life she could have in Bear Creek? This life promised her nothing more than a lonely apartment and acquaintances she passed in the corridors. Whereas Sam offered her love and a family.

She dived into the restroom, trying not to hyperventilate. She hadn’t had a panic attack since she was ten years old and they had tried to split her up from Kayleigh. Someone had wanted to adopt her, but only her. She had made sure they never tried that again. Making herself so sick that the prospective parents had left, muttering something about needing some more time to think about it. Kayleigh never knew. But that day she had chosen her family, Kayleigh, above all else, above her own security.

She washed her face and dried it, looking at the pale face staring back at her from the mirror. The same girl who had made a life-changing decision and stuck to it all those years ago.

She threw the paper towel in the garbage and headed to her manager’s office. He looked up, surprised, as she walked in.

“Hello, Antonia. I hadn’t expected to see you today. I thought your sister was getting married.”

“She is. I have to go back later today.” She saw the confusion on his face. “I’ve come to resign. I believe I have several weeks vacation due that I’d like to take in lieu of notice.”

***

Back on the road, heading for Bear Creek, she had everything with her that was important. It saddened her that it didn’t amount to much more than a couple of boxes. But her future was in front of her. She had taken a gamble on happiness, on belonging. Now that decision was made, she felt lighter, happier than she ever had.

No longer torn in two, she embraced trying something new, something she had never experienced. She embraced Bear Creek and the family, including her sister, who would welcome her and smother her in what she had missed her whole life. Love.

When she reached Bear Creek, she didn’t go to Kayleigh first. She needed to speak to Sam and apologise for her behaviour. So she went straight to the farm. But when she knocked on the door, no one replied. He was out, leaving Antonia flattened and unsure what to do.

He had no choice, his bear had clamoured at the edge of his consciousness all day. The only way to ease the agony tearing his soul apart was to go up into the mountains and run until he was exhausted. Only then might he find a way to sleep. He had always known it would be bad to lose your mate, but never this bad. Once again, he struggled to comprehend how Will had done it, or why.

Going out of the farmhouse, he went up the track that led into the woods. He always went away to change so that he didn’t frighten the farm animals. Releasing his bear had never felt so good, so right. This way he could push everything else out of his mind and go hunting; it didn’t matter if he got a kill. He only wanted to find something to occupy his mind.

Off and running as soon as his paws were formed, he headed straight into the forest. He ran out into a clearing and looked down on the town below. All those people going about their lives, while something inside him quietly died.

For a moment he paused. There was a car coming along the track. He expected it to turn off and head to Daryl’s house on wedding business. Instead, it kept on coming up towards the farm. Why did someone have to come now? He wanted to ignore it and keep going, being in no mood for visitors. But something pulled him back.

Then the car stopped and a figure got out. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, hammering so hard the sound filled his ears. It was her. She had come back to him.

Still, he didn’t move. Was his mind playing tricks on him? No. He would know her curves anywhere. Then the scent of her came to him. He turned and ran back to her, calling as he went charging back down to the farm.

He never thought what she might think, having a bear hollering at her. It never crossed his mind that she might get scared and run again. All he could think of was how much he needed to get to her. The animals around him scattered, scared by the creature that was roaring loudly. He didn’t see; he didn’t care.

“Sam,” she said, and he stopped dead in his tracks.

Before her eyes, he changed, watching her face as she watched him shimmer back into existence. The final atom of his human body hadn’t even settled before she launched herself into his arms. She kissed his neck, her tears salty on his lips when finally he met her lips with his.

“I thought I’d lost you,” he said.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Shh. It doesn’t matter. None of it matters now.”

He lifted her and carried her to the house, kicking the door open without pause. They never made it upstairs; the kitchen was closer. He set her down on the table and lifted her skirt, his hands going to his belt and undoing it. With his jeans pooled around his ankles, he guided himself toward her, needing to claim her.

“Oh, damn. Where’s your purse?”

“In the car.” She captured his face when he went to move away. “It’s OK. Everything we need is right here.”

She slipped her hand around his cock and guided him towards her while they kissed. His hand went under her bottom and he pushed himself into her, holding her in place while he impaled her in one fluid movement. She clung to him as he thrust hard and fast, her body taking everything he had as she fought to contain her orgasm.

He didn't want it to be over so fast, but he couldn’t hang on. His raw emotion was too much. The feel of her around him, skin on skin for the first time, made it impossible for him to keep his head. He roared as he came, his voice cracked with emotion. She had turned his world upside down. She had chosen him. All he needed to know was one thing.

“Antonia, will you marry me?”

“And you’re sure you don't mind?”

“Stop asking. This is more perfect than I could have ever planned,” Kayleigh said, adjusting her headdress in the mirror and smiling radiantly.

Antonia helped her sister put her necklace on and smiled at her. “Who would have thought things would end up like this?”

“Daryl says that sometimes we just have to wait for life to iron out the kinks.”

“So we are kinks?” Antonia asked.

“No. You know what I mean. Our childhood was the kink, and this is kind of like our reward for getting through it.”

“A life with two men who will go to the ends of the earth for us?”

“Yes,” Kayleigh said simply.

“Then I don’t think we should keep them waiting.”

“You’re keen,” Kayleigh said, taking Antonia’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Walking hand in hand, they made their way through the congregation to where Daryl and Sam stood side by side. In front of them was the head of the Bear Creek Clan; it was he who would marry them. He performed every wedding ceremony in Bear Creek. All around them well-wishers smiled. It seemed everyone had turned out to see the Cartwright brothers finally married.

In the front row sat a very proud Ginny with her husband, Hank. Ginny was already dabbing at her eyes, Hank had his arm around her, smiling broadly, and Antonia already loved them. They had been overwhelmed when Sam had broken the news to them that he had asked Antonia to marry him and she had said yes.

Hastily, the town had pulled together to make the double wedding possible. Two sisters who had never belonged anywhere being welcomed into Bear Creek and the Clan, as if they had always lived here.

The two grooms took their brides by the hand and the ceremony began. Antonia looked into Sam’s eyes, knowing she had made the right decision. He was her life now, and she was excited by the prospect of sharing every day with him. When they were pronounced man and wife, he lifted her veil and kissed her as if it was the first time.

Her stomach clenched with desire for him. A desire that they would fulfil on their wedding night and every night for the rest of their lives. Lives that would be made longer at the Beltane Rites, but for now the ceremony was over and the party was about to begin.

“I love you,” he whispered.

She smiled, stroking his cheek and saying, “I love you too, Sam.”

Beside her, her sister stood, wrapped in Daryl’s arms. Antonia gave herself a moment to absorb the joy she felt inside. Hadn’t they shown that despite everything, happiness was always waiting around the corner? They had simply found the strength to grasp hold of it, and they would never now let go.

High up in the mountains, Will ran until he thought his lungs would burst. His heart beat rapidly, but he didn’t deserve a heart at all. Not when he had turned away from his one true mate. He stopped, his short snout raised in the air as he breathed in the scent of her. She was close. Today of all days, when Sam and Daryl were getting married, did he have to feel her presence?

He could have gone to her. Told her the truth and eased her pain. Instead he turned and ran away. He was a coward, what right did he have to call himself a bear at all? He was nothing. She was better off without him. Yet the pull of her was so great, but his resolve was stronger.

Other Books By Harmony Raines

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The Escort Box Set

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The Escort (The Escort Series Part One)(Free in some regions)

Books In Kindle Unlimited

Rescued by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book One)

Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Two)

The Escort (The Escort Series Part Two)

The Escort (The Escort Series Part Three)

A Curvy Christmas: Robin's Romance (BBW Romance)

Helen’s story:

His Secretary (Her Second Chance Book One)

Rescued by the Bear (Book One)

Finding Her Bear (Book Two)

Soul Of The Dragon

Blood of the Dragon

Bound To The Flame - A Virgin For The Dragon

When the dragon egg hatches for Trinity she becomes the Dragon Princess and must remain pure until the dragon comes back to claim her as his mate on her twenty first birthday.

An Heir For The Flame (Dragon Fantasy Romance)

The elder dragons have predicted that Trinity will conceive the new dragon child tonight. So she mates with ShanRohit under the full moon.

Waiting For Curves (Curves For Her Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)

Curves For Her Wolf Doctor (The Greystone Wolves - BBW Paranormal Erotic Romance)