The Bear's Reluctant Bride: A Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (6 page)

“Of course he will. You should not talk about him like that. He's a good and kind man,” she said, hoping that she could convince them of what she knew in her heart.

“He stole you away,” they said in unison, looking like fierce little bear cubs.

“You know that isn't true. Let's not fight. We only have today together and I do not want to spend it fighting with my little loves,” she said, looking at her sweet little brothers and feeling all the love they had for her. It nearly brought her to tears.

“You're right,” Anton muttered.

“Yes, you are. Let's play,” Barton agreed. With that, they both began to run in circles around her, causing her to let out a loud roar of laughter.

“We definitely will, but first I need to go find Sister,” she said with a smile.

Mali would not appreciate being the last one to know she was there for a visit and it would be even worse if she played an entire game with the boys before going off to find her.

“She's usually pouting in the woods,” the boys said, laughing as they ran and jumped around her. It seemed only fitting that she was tracking down her pouting sister on her first visit home. It was how she had spent so many of her days when she lived at home.

“Let me go find her and then we will have a bit of fun all together,” she said, kissing them both on the cheek before rising.

“I'm glad you are here,” Barton said sweetly.

“Yes, so am I,” Anton said.

“Run along into the house. I'll come find you in a bit,” she said, trying to hide her tears of happiness from them.

It felt so good to be with them again. They ran off towards the cabin, and she was sure her mother would not appreciate their unchecked energy spinning around in the house. She laughed, thinking of the look her mother would give them as they burst through the door. It felt so wonderful to be surrounded by her family again.

She took a deep breath and headed for the tree line. She knew exactly where to find her. Mali had a very particular tree she tended to climb when she hoped the rest of the world would forget about her and leave her alone.

CHAPTER FOUR

It only took Kalia a few minutes to arrive at Mali’s tree. She looked up to see her younger sister’s feet dangling from one of the highest branches. She grabbed the lowest branch to begin to climb up towards her sister, but at the same moment, Mali realized who it was who had intruded upon her solitude and Kalia could not remember a time when her sister had ever looked so happy to see her. Mali scurried down the tree, and threw her arms around her sister, pushing her back against the tree and knocking the wind out of her.

“Sister, I've missed you so much,” Kalia said with a smile.

“Kalia, you're back!” she squealed, holding her even tighter.

“I can't breathe,” Kalia whispered, gasping for air.

Mali let her go then and looked horrified. “Is he smothering you? Is it awful?” she asked before grabbing her sister again and holder her even tighter.

“No, because you are squeezing me so tight,” she gasped.

“Oh, sorry. I've just missed you so much,” Mali said, looking apologetic.

“I've missed you, too,” Kalia said, pulling her sister in to an embrace.

“You look well,” Mali said, looking a little surprised.

“I'm well, Sister,” she said with a laugh.

“So you're not miserable?” she asked in disbelief.

“Not in the slightest,” she laughed, unsure of what she could say to convince her sister of just how happy she was with her mate.

“Even with Luke as your mate?” her sister asked bluntly.

“Especially because he is my mate,” she said gently.

“But he is so awful and serious. Does he ever smile?” she asked sadly, clearly not believing that her sister was truly happy.

“Yes, he does. He has a wonderful smile,” Kalia said, thinking of his sweet smile the night before and how much it meant to her.

“Well, I'll believe it when I see it,” she scoffed.

“He's a wonderful mate. We'll have a solid and happy life together,” she said, thinking that that might convince her sister that she meant what she was saying.

“Does he love you?” Mali asked boldly. The look on her face told her that she already suspected the answer.

“No, I don't believe he does, but he appreciates me. That is more important than you could possibly know,” she said.

She had been telling herself that the entire day. She was sure he did appreciate her and respected her. That was as good a foundation for a life together as she could think of and she only hoped he might realize one day that he loved her, too.

“Do you love him?” Mali continued.

“I think I do. No, I know I do. He is very dear to me,” she said with a thoughtful smile.

“You can't be serious,” Mali gasped.

It did not surprise Kalia at all that her sister was so horrified. She had never been very practical and she'd always been impulsive. She would expect nothing less than full love and devotion on the very night of her mating. Kalia knew better than to expect that from Luke. He was warming to her, but he was still a serious and practical fellow. Such feelings would never appeal to him.

“I am. He is sweet and smart, not to mention hardworking. He is kind and tender with me. There is so much more to him than I ever knew,” she answered.

It amazed her that she had never even seen a hint of the man he truly was before their mating. She had been too entranced by the showier warriors to realize just how wonderful he was.

“You've only been mated a few days. How can you know you love him already?” Mali argued, clearly bothered that her sister loved a man who did not love her. In a way, Kalia found it very sweet.

“I just feel it,” Kalia said, unsure of what else she could say to explain something that she did not even fully understand herself.

“Even though he doesn't love you?” Mali demanded.

“That is not how it works.” She laughed. “If people only loved those who loved them, where would love stories and sad songs come from?” she teased.

“I thought maybe he'd sent you back to us. I was sure he would find your joyful nature annoying,” she said with a smirk.

“No, I'm afraid not.” She laughed, enjoying the feeling of bickering with her sister again.

“So why are you here?” she asked.

“He suggested I come home for a visit,” Kalia explained.

“What's your new home like?” she asked, clearly trying to change the subject to something more neutral.

“It was a rather rustic tent when I arrived, but I've already accomplished quite a bit. The sewing you and mother helped me to do before I left helped immensely,” she said with a smile. She was very proud of her little home.

“I'm glad to hear it. That way, a little piece of us is always with you,” Mali said with a sad smile.

“Yes, it is,” Kalia said, hugging her sister close.

“Well, that's something, isn't it,” Mali smiled.

“It's everything. Now, let's get up to the house. I'm sure the boys are driving mother mad waiting for us,” she said with a laugh.

“Wait, I have one more question before we join the rest of them,” Mali said hesitantly.

“Sure, what is it,” Kalia said, eager to know what kind of question Mali might have that had her so nervous.

“Does it hurt you to be in love with a man who's not interested in loving you,” she whispered, so low that a human would not have heard her.

“No, just because he does not love me now, doesn't mean he could not grow to love me one day. All I can do is be the best mate and partner to him and hope he comes to feel something for me,” she said with a sad smile. It certainly was not ideal, but she could imagine many worse ways her mating could have ended.

“That sounds painful,” Mali said, taking her sister’s hand to comfort her.

“No, it's odd, but it is actually an incredibly hopeful feeling. Plus, I have a lifetime,” she said with a forced smile, trying to show Mali just how happy she truly was, even if Luke did not yet love her.

“I suppose you do, unless your mating is challenged,” Mali blurted out, clearly regretting the words as soon as they slipped out.

Kalia thought for just a moment of telling Mali of her strange visitor, but she didn't want to worry her. Besides, she was sure that her sister would tell her mother and there was no need for everyone to be concerned about something Luke told her he was handling.

“Oh now, if someone were to challenge it, they would need to do it before the month ends and I can't imagine who would want me that badly,” she said, laughing to try and relax her sister.

“If someone did, do you think he would fight to keep you,” Mali asked, unable to keep her curiosity in check.

“If we are being honest, he is a very practical man. It's not practical to fight for a woman you don't love, when you could simply take another mate after she is gone,” she said bluntly.

The thought of it made her very sad, but she did her best to hide that from her sister. It made no sense for them both to worry about it. However, her efforts could not keep her sister from realizing what thoughts were on her mind.

“I'm so sorry,” Mali said, putting her arm around her sister’s shoulders.

“There's no need to be sorry because it's not going to happen,” she said, pushing the thoughts from her mind.

“Yes, of course, you're right,” Mali said with a smile.

“I usually am. Now let's get up to the house. I told him I would be back before dark,” she said with a half-smile.

“Over protective, isn't he?” Mali asked, wondering if her sister was right about her mate not loving her. Being home before dark seemed like the kind of request that a man would make of a woman he cared about.

“I don't think that's the problem,” she said with a laugh, trying not to think about the stranger and the reasons that he wanted her home before dark.

“I'm glad you're happy,” Mali said as they walked towards the house.

“Thank you. Soon enough, it'll be your turn to mate,” she said with a knowing smile.

“Hopefully not too soon. I have a lot to learn,” Mali said, looking nervous.

“It all comes much more naturally than I ever thought it would,” she said to comfort her sister.

“That's very good to know,” Mali said, though she didn't look any more relaxed by the thought.

“I love you,” Kalia said, unsure of what else to say.

“I love you, too,” Mali said as they got to the cabin’s front door.

The entire family spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon fishing in the stream as they had when all of the children were very young. It brought back lovely memories and it warmed her heart to be able to spend such quality time with them.

Soon enough, she looked up at the sky and the sun’s position told her that it was time for her to begin her journey home. Her mother insisted she take some of the fish home with her to cook for dinner. Though the boys both cried when she said goodbye, her mother and sister only hugged her and wished her well. Everyone asked that she visit again soon and only let her leave when they had her promise she would be back as soon as she could for another visit.

Then, she was back at her tent. Their home seemed oddly quiet after being surrounded by children all day. She made a silent wish that it would not be long before they had children of their own, then she went to work preparing the fish for dinner. It was nearly complete when she caught Luke’s scent, approaching at high speed. In a matter of seconds, he was in their clearing, his eyes filled with anxiety and then relief as soon as he caught sight of her.

“Hello,” he said gently. He opened his arms to her.

“Welcome home,” she said with a smile, going into his extended arms.

“Did you have a nice time today?” he asked, still holding her close.

“It was wonderful to see my family. Thank you,” she said, resting her head on his chest.

“You can go to them anytime you like. I would never keep you from them,” he assured her.

“I know that,” she told him.

“Were they glad to see you're doing well, despite being the mate of such a serious fellow?” he said with a smirk on his face.

“They were a bit worried you had sent me back to them because my nature was displeasing to you,” she said with a grin.

“You mean they worried your joyful nature was not a match for my sour one,” he said, looking a little saddened by her words.

“Why do you let people think that way about you when it isn't how you really are at all?” she said, asking the question she had been thinking for days.

“I don't care much for what anyone thinks,” he snapped.

“Oh,” she said, unsure how to take that. She knew, of course, that he did not need to care what she thought, but it stung a bit.

“I do care what you think, though,” he added tentatively.

“Oh,” she said, unsure of what else to say.

“I wouldn't want you to think that I'm a dour man, incapable of giving you joy and happiness,” he continued, looking very uncomfortable.

“I don't think that,” she gasped, unsure how he had come to think such a thing.

“I'm glad,” he said, smiling down at her.

“I don't think that at all. You make me very happy. I think we'll have a good life together,” she said truthfully.

“As do I,” he said, seemingly relieved that the awkward topic had been addressed and was now passed.

“I am very glad you were chosen as my mate,” she said while she had the chance to. She was not sure when she might have another opportunity to be so open with him and she needed him to know that she valued him.

“As am I,” he said, surprising her a bit. “When did you return home?” he asked casually.

“An hour or so ago,” she said, returning to turn the fish as it cooked.

“Well before dark then,” he said, obviously pleased.

“Yes,” she said, smiling at him.

“Thank you for that,” he said, walking towards her and kissing her on top of her head.

“Is that because of the strange visitor from the other day?” she asked boldly.

“Yes,” he said without elaborating.

“Alright,” she said, unsure what to do next. She had a bit of an answer now, but no more details than she had before. Not knowing had always been something very difficult for her.

“What did you do with your family all day?” he asked in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

“We went fishing,” she said proudly.

“Really?” he asked, a little surprised at how she had spent her day at home.

“Yes, we took our bear forms and went to the river. I caught quite a bit of trout so I have some cooking for dinner. I hope that's alright,” she said, checking the fish again so see if it was nearly done.

“Yes, that sounds very good,” he said, sniffing the air to take in the delicious aroma.

“It'll be done in about half an hour,” she said apologetically. She had hoped to have it done when he arrived home, but he came back sooner than she had anticipated.

“I'm glad to hear it. It smells too good to wait much longer than that,” he said with a smile.