Beck (BBW Bear Shifter Moonshiner Romance) (120 Proof Honey Book 4) by Becca Fanning Read Free Book Online Page B

their shifter clan.

    “There, there,” Anina cooed gently. “That’s all your family here, baby boy. Hart, Reinicke, you step up too.”

    Jane watched as the remaining men of the Best clan did as they were told. Reinicke was a brown-haired man, a little taller and slimmer than the rest of his cousins. He wore a deadly serious look as he gazed upon the child in the basket. Hart, on the other hand was relaxed as ever. Across the circle, his golden eyes flashed up and caught Jane’s gaze. She was mortified for a moment to have been caught looking at him, but when he smiled, she managed to smile back. It was a long, languid moment before Hart broke their gaze.

    When Jane’s focus returned to the matter at hand, she could see Elise grinning at her from the corner of her eye. She turned to her with a ‘don’t you dare’ kind of look, and spoke in a hushed tone.

    “So, what happens now?” she asked.

    “The boys awaken the spirit of the bear in Isaak,” Elise explained. “When they transform together, the collective power will inspire Isaak to do the same. Waking his shifter powers ensures he’ll grow up strong, and bonded to the clan. They’ll always be able to find each other if they’re in danger.”

    It sounded like a pretty good security system, but the concept was still a little terrifying. Jane couldn’t believe that she was going to witness a baby turning into a bear, let alone that there would soon be five huge grizzlies in the ample lounge of the Rangers’ Lodge. Elise took her arm, gently guiding her back away from the men. Only Anina remained at the crib’s side, the other four women watching from a distance as the joint transformation begun.

    Some of the men were in clothes, which began to rip apart no sooner than their barrel chests expanded with sudden power. Hart, perhaps more sensible than the others, had worn a robe for the occasion, and he shrugged it off just as the transformation hit him. His lower half was once again obscured by the basket, and Jane felt a pang as she watched his perfect chest and abdomen fade off into fur. Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed around the room, snouts, teeth and claws materializing out of nowhere. Collected together at their time of transformation, Jane had to admit that there was a buzz of something truly magical in the air.

    Isaak began to gurgle, and Elise stepped forward to peer into the crib with concern. Jane found herself standing between the massive heaving forms of Dietrich and Ben as she too took a look at the baby. With a slow, gentle motion, Isaak’s tiny dark hairs were growing thicker on his scalp, then spreading gradually over his little body. He grew with gradual, well-measured amounts, until his face had shifted completely to that of a cub’s. His body soon followed, and the little bear sat up in the wicker basket, now at least fifteen times bigger than he was before.  

    Isaak looked to his father, the largest and darkest of the bears, and gave a little grumbling growl. Dietrich returned the noise with a low hum of his own, dipping his nose into the crib to let the cub rub against his face. Each of the Best bears did this in turn, and Isaak bonded with them all gleefully. Even as a bear, he looked innocent and happy. Elise stepped forward, and Anina gave her a little nod.

    “Go on dear,” the old woman cooed, “it’s your turn.”

    Jane watched as Elise put her hand into the crib. Isaak seemed unsure for a moment, but when he ambled over to his mother’s hand, he let her stroke his head.  

    “There you are,” Elise soothed gently, “there’s my big strong boy.”

    The bear cub gave another satisfied little grumble, and then Anina clapped her hands together gleefully.

    “All done,” she said, her frail voice brimming with satisfaction. “Let’s all get changed ready for dinner. Stacey and I have made it very special for tonight.”

    Elise’s turned to look at Jane, and her face had fallen just a