Bear's Gold (Erotic Shifter Fairy Tales) Read online

  “It is a good thing they had you to help them through it.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Are wolves prevalent in this area?” Hearing about the attack, she was concerned about Theo going out at night alone to check the property.

  “No. They weren’t then either, just some rogue pack that wandered into our territory. They’re no longer a problem, the men of Den made sure of that.”

  Territory? Mates? Scenting? The people of Den County had a culture all their own.

  “That’s good to know.” Squeezing him, she said, “I’m sorry about the loss of your wife.”

  He kissed her forehead and resumed playing in her hair, but remained silent. Time passed with neither of them speaking, and no matter how much she tried to fight it, she lost the battle of sleep and drifted off, serenaded by his heartbeat and wrapped in his arms.

  Chapter Ten

  Theo opened his eyes and stared down at the woman in his arms. She was turned away from him, her ass pressed back against him. It would be dawn soon, his internal clock never failed; it was his Were-bear sense. As winter came in, they would sleep more, which meant to bed shortly after sundown but still up with the sun. That meant his sons would be rising soon. He knew he should leave Riley’s bed before they woke. He didn’t want to confuse them. They missed their mother and during the five days Riley had been with them, he could see how his boys were starting to connect with her. As young bears they would yearn for the security of a mother to show them tenderness and protection, even more than papa whose job in normal situations was to show them strength and how to be independent males.

  Last night he’d opened up to her in a way that surprised him since he’d kept himself guarded from others. He never spoke about his wife unless his boys asked a question. He had guilt about not being there when Cindy and the boys needed him, even though he knew he couldn’t be everywhere all the time. As a Were-female, Cindy was perfectly capable of taking care of her cubs, but he could not help wondering if he’d been around would there be a different outcome. Shaking away those thoughts, he refocused on the woman in his arms. His guilt returned for a moment as he faced the fact that he’d never felt the same insanity of emotions with Cindy as he did with Riley. Why that was he didn’t know. Cindy was at least Were. Riley was just a human—there should be no connection. In the shower, he didn’t miss the mind share when his bear had once again projected the image of her as a golden bear and the two of them running together. He’d felt Riley’s mind open up and the link between them. Only one bite. It should not be happening.

  Using his fingers, he brushed her wild strands away from the side of her face and took in every aspect of her features. His boys weren’t the only ones who were feeling a bond to Riley. But she wasn’t a part of his world. Den County’s life wasn’t for this city girl. Although he couldn’t help but recall how well she’d joined into the town activities and socialized with the inhabitants in the last five days. At times, he could feel a part of him urging him to tell her about them, see her response. Let her choose. But, he couldn’t risk it. If she rejected him, his ways or his boys it would destroy him—better to let her go.

  That had been the reason last night in the shower he’d fought his bear so strongly. His bear had wanted to bite her and claim her as his for the second time. His upper canines had lengthened and ached as his bear demanded he mark her. He’d barely turned his face away from her tempting neck before he took his bear up on his bidding. If Riley had managed to turn his face back to her, it would have been very apparent to her that the man who was buried to the hilt inside of her wasn’t her average male.

  He desired more than his next breath to linger in bed with her, but he couldn’t. Last night after he brought her back to the room, he should have went to his own, but if it was going to be the last night with her in his arms, he wanted the whole night. It was time for him to go. He couldn’t delay the inevitable any longer. Jack had assured Riley her car would be ready today and he believed the mechanic. Today was it.

  Taking in her lovely golden brown face one last time, he wanted to wake her up and kiss her, but knew if he felt her lips on his, tasted her again he’d never be able to walk away. Even now, it was hard as he felt her warm supple flesh against him and the combined scent of their essence still coating Riley’s body.

  She’s mine.

  Exhaling a long breath, Theo didn’t debate the words of his bear, instead he steeled himself and slipped his arm from under her head and pushed from the bed. He didn’t pause; in one smooth motion he scooped the towels up and exited the room; not allowing himself to glance back.

  ~YH~

  “Papa-Bear, can we go get honeycombs?” Bernie jumped up and down before his father.

  “Hmm. I don’t know if you deserve it.” Theo, dressed similar to his sons in a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots, placed his fist on his hips and stared down at them.

  “We do, Papa-Bear. We cleaned up all of our toys and were quiet while Miss Riley slept.” Aubrey pleaded their case as he joined his brother in jumping.

  Riley didn’t even try to hide her smile as the two boys begged, danced around, and tried to cajole their dad to give in. They had just arrived in town. The boys told the truth, like always she was the last one to rise. When she woke, disappointed that Theo was no longer in bed with her, she’d seen the evidence of his being there when she saw her clothes she’d worn the day before clean and folded at the foot of her bed. Her body had felt tender and well loved. Smiling she’d gotten up from the bed and was shocked to see that the scar on her thigh was completely healed over, gone. It had taken her a minute to convince herself that the wound had not been as serious as she’d believed. Or that possibly Kaley had some kind of magic solution she’d placed on it in the first aid tent. Showered and dressed she joined them for a breakfast of honeyed porridge and honeyed apple cider. Since she’d been in this town she’d develop just as much of a craving for the sticky sweet natural substance as everyone in Den.

  “Maybe after we check on Ms. Riley’s car if we have time before the talent show,” Theo told his sons.

  Riley watched the twin crestfallen faces. She didn’t want to be the cause for their little broken hearts. Glancing at Theo as they all stood by the truck parked behind the general store. “I’d like one, too. So, how about I walk them over to the fairgrounds and get honeycombs and we can meet you there after you touch bases with Jack. I’m sure he isn’t finished yet so there’s no need for me to be there.”

  His dark gaze held hers, his eyes caressed her features and she looked down. She’d kept herself all morning from looking at him because it pulled at her heart every time. She’d be leaving too soon and she had to keep her distance.

  “If you’re sure.” Theo’s voice was rough, but controlled as if there was something more he wanted to say to her, however, he didn’t.

  “I am.” She glanced back up and gave him a small smile then met the gaze of the twins’ bright, happy eyes.

  “Yes!” Aubrey cheered.

  Theo pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and handed her a few bills. “They will probably want something to drink afterwards.”

  “Okay.” She took the money.

  She barely had enough time to shove the bucks into her pocket before Bernie took one of her hands and began pulling her in the direction of the treat he desired.

  “See you later, Papa-Bear.”

  “Bye, Papa-Bear.” Aubrey trotted to her other side and took hold of her free hand.

  She glanced over her shoulders laughing and saw Theo shaking his head and grinning at his sons, but when he looked at her, his eyes flashed metallic. Licking her lips, she turned and looked forward. This man was too addicting. Exhaling, she focused on the small boys on either side of her. They were sweet, well-mannered kids who loved and respected their father. It almost caused her feet to pause knowing that she would not be seeing them after today.

  There was a large chance that Jack was finished with her car, he’d
told her that he needed a few more hours and today at the latest. In not going to Jack’s shop, she was only postponing the foreseeable outcome—her departure. Last night she had her last moments with Theo, today she’d spend her last hour or so with the boys. Being around Auberon and Bernard had made her miss teaching pre-K, but even more than that she had begun thinking about it being time to settle down and have children of her own. She’d never lived in a house with small children. Her brother and sister had little ones but she never spent more than one night crashing at her brother’s when she was home and her mom was driving her insane.

  After Theo had told her how he’d lost his wife in an attack from a wolf pack, she was thankful he’d told her the wolves had been run off and wouldn’t return. However, it made her heart ache for all three males. Mostly the two little ones who would never get to know their mother. The only reminder, a picture. Theo even said that Cindy’s parents had been so distraught after their daughter’s death they moved away.

  “There’s the booth, Ms. Riley.” Bernie announced, pointing at a green booth with painted bees on it and the name SHARDIK FARM’S HONEYCOMBS.

  “Okay, I’m coming.” She laughed as both boys started running and dragging her behind them. Impressed by the strength of the small boys, she jogged to keep up.

  At the booth, she ordered three honeycombs from an older woman with short brown and silver curls, Lola Shardik. The woman spoke to the boys as she leaned over the side of the booth and handed them their powdered honeycombs wrapped in wax paper to keep their fingers from getting sticky.

  The boys wasted no time in biting into the treats and Riley smiled at the dripping honey already coating their chubby cheeks. The wax paper would be little protection.

  “And three mini cookies covered with chocolate and honeycomb chunks for you.” Lola passed her a napkin with her bite-size treats.

  “Thank you, Ms. Shardik.”

  The woman waved her words off. “Everyone calls me Lola.”

  “I’m Ben,” called out the man standing at the cutting board dipping cut pieces of combs into various toppings.

  “Nice to meet you both.” Smiling, she moved the boys to the far side so others in line could get some. She didn’t want to go far since Theo would come there first to look for them. Riley had learned from him that the Shardik’s owned the largest honey bee farm in Den which shipped to all areas of California, Nevada, and Oregon.

  The boys chatted happily about the coming concert and log rolling race at the river later that day. Riley figured she would be able to enjoy the concert by the various people in town that played instruments and song, but doubted she’d see Theo compete in the log rolling.

  “I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced.”

  Popping a chocolaty-honey treat into her mouth, Riley turned and saw Gordon. The man who was the captain for the kickball team they competed against yesterday.

  The tall, wide, blond-haired man had dark blue eyes. She knew that he and Theo had a rivalry between them for something, but she didn’t want to be rude to the man.

  “Hi, I’m Riley, as you know.” She held her hand out. She’d become used to being sniffed by the men in town and expected it.

  Gordon claimed her hand, wrapping his strong fingers around it, tugging her slightly. She held her ground as the man bowed his thick blond head over it and inhaled.

  His hold became tighter as the ‘sniffing’ seem to go on longer than most of the men. She didn’t know what the respectable amount of time was for the custom but Gordon didn’t seem as if he’d turn her loose anytime soon.

  Rubbing her lips together nervously, Riley glanced around hoping that no one else was watching the exchange. “Um…Gordon.”

  He lifted his gaze to her, his midnight blue eyes seemed to sparkle. “Riley,” he seemed to sigh her name.

  Not wanting to investigate if there was a metallic hue to his eyes, Riley snatched her hand away. “Yes, Riley. I’m staying with the Kodiaks. They’ve been kind to put me up while my car is under repair with Jack.” Rambling, she resisted the urge to wipe her hand against her jeans.

  “You know, Theo’s place isn’t the only available place you could have stayed.”

  “Really?” She frowned. Had Theo lied to her? Was there some kind of bed and breakfast place in town?

  Gordon stepped toward her, making the distance between them too close for comfort. Not moving, she refused to cower away.

  His nostrils flared as he leaned toward her and inhaled. “My place. I don’t have pesky little ones either.”

  “I see.” Good Lord, no. She’d only been around Gordon a couple of times but the man made her uncomfortable.

  “Hey, Mr. Gordon, leave Ms. Riley alone.” Bernie stepped into the small space between them.

  “Yea, stay away from our Riley.” Aubrey moved in beside his brother and shoved at Gordon’s thighs.

  “Annoying cubs. Move your ass out of my way.” Gordon pushed the boys away and caused the twins to fall in the dirt as their honeycombs went flying.

  Gordon didn’t even pause to assess his damage.

  “You burly bastard.” Something came over her as her vision turned a haze of red and her body became so tight that her teeth ached. Tossing down her own treats, she threw all her weight behind her hands as she slammed her palms against his chest. “How dare you.”

  The man stumbled back only a step and smiled. “Ah, a sweet smelling feisty one.”

  “I’ll show you what a feisty woman acts like.” Riley was balling her fist and prepared to slug the overbearing ass, when it seemed as if a mountain equal the man’s size blocked her attack—Theo.

  Theo punched the man, snapping Gordon’s head to the side.

  “You dare touch my boys. Touch what’s mine.” Theo’s words came out like a growl.

  Gordon sneered and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Yours?” He roared with laughter. “Your scent is nothing but a trace. I’ll mark her right.”

  The other man launched himself at Theo.

  Kneeling down, Riley wrapped her arms around the boys as a fight broke out between two larger than life men, and stared at the two rivals.

  A crowd circled them as fists were thrown. Growls shattered the air.

  When Sherriff Smokey plowed through the crowd of onlookers and cheerers who were egging the fight on. Theo and Gordon were locked together, neither man willing to give.

  “That’s enough!” The Sherriff waved over four men from the crowd, two for each man to help pry them apart.

  Once Theo and Gordon were separated, Theo’s shirt in tatters and Gordon’s face still bleeding, the Sherriff shook his head and gave both men disapproving looks as they struggled against restraining hands still trying to get at each other.

  “Damn it, I said that’s enough. You guys know every year tensions get this high between men in this town.”

  “Kodiak here’s trying to lay claim on what apparently he ain’t been bear enough to mark as his in a week,” Gordon taunted.

  “Kiss my ass, Shardik. I got nothing to prove to you. You're still pissed that Cindy chose me that night. Fucking get over it.”

  Gordon made a noise that was representative of a full-on roar of some kind of animal. Chills raced down her spine at the sound.

  Riley now understood. A woman had stood between them then and Gordon was trying to use her to get back at Theo.

  “You all can settle it tomorrow. Riley will have her choice during the festival’s bear run.”

  Theo broke away from the two men and shook his head. “No, she won’t. She’s on her way out of town.”

  Those words seemed to shock everyone as the crowd mumbled.

  Her time was up.

  At the same moment Theo’s gaze rested on her, void of emotions, Riley felt Aubrey’s tears against her shoulder and Bernie trembling in her lap. Squeezing Aubrey, she glanced down to comfort Bernie. However, instead of seeing a small boy on her, she noticed a chocolate brown bear cub’s face looki
ng back at her.

  She froze. The world around her faded away as her heartbeat filled her ears and drowned all other sounds out. Flashes of memories she couldn’t piece together ran through her mind like a psychedelic collage. She didn’t know if it was memory or fantasy. A part of her wanted to shove the bear cub away and run screaming. Another part of her mind kept telling her this was Bernard Kodiak, a little boy she had grown fond of in the last five days.

  So many questions tumbled over and over, things she’d experienced in Den County—customs, words, lifestyle. All strange. Different.

  Unsure what to believe or what to do, she just tried to breathe. Something she had ceased doing at some point. Closing her eyes, she tried to make everything go away.

  “Riley…”

  Someone called her name in the distance, it sounded like Theo’s voice, but she was afraid to believe it. Nothing else was as it should be; why would he be? Her body began to quiver uncontrollably, she felt as if a glacier moved through her veins and her eyes burned with unshed tears.

  “Riley, look at me.”

  A warm, strong hand touched her arm, keeping the icy feeling at bay and drawing her out of the fog of confusion that was smothering her. She focused on that gentle, but firm touch and willed her eyes to open.

  Her gaze, only slightly watery was clearer than it had been as she stared into the face before hers; Theo. A tanned face, thick dark hair, and darker eyes that held compassion and worry. Auberon and Bernard, both now human boys, stood gazing over their father’s shoulder observing her shyly as if they feared they had done something to hurt her.

  Her heart yearned to comfort them, but her mind wouldn’t allow it as it still attempted to make sense of all she’d seen and heard.

  “Theo?” she whispered, hating the quivering in her own voice.

  “It’s okay…I know it’s a lot to take in.” Theo’s hand moved up and down her arm, comforting.