but not harsh. She would make a good mother to Maisie. He swallowed down the lump of longing that was stuck in his throat. He wanted nothing more than to take Isabelle now, here in the car, to strengthen their bond, to make it unbreakable.
His bear had other ideas, and as his mate pulled over and parked the car in a clearing under the trees, Cade knew there was no way he was going to stop his other side from bursting forth as soon as he had the first opportunity. Opening the car door, he had to hold himself together, fighting with his bear for control.
“I like it here, it’s quiet,” Isabelle said, “No one for miles usually, except for the occasional wolf.”
“There used to be a pack over in Creely Falls, they still there?” he asked, through gritted teeth.
“Yes, no trouble though. I talk to their pack leader every couple of weeks, I find it’s best to keep relationships open and honest.” She sidled up to him, her hands on his chest. “But our relationship will never be open, you are mine now, bear.”
“I will not argue with that. But it will be honest,” he reassured her. He leaned down, his lips meeting hers, wanting her to know how much he meant those words. Something in his head exploded as their lips met, an instant of recognition even deeper than when they touched. The need to make love to her grew; it thrummed through his veins. His heart pumped blood through his system, carrying the primal urge to mate with it.
His heart rate quickened, his cock hardened, and he groaned with need. Cade stroked her body, running his hand along her arms and then down across her back until they reached her round bottom. With his hand spread across her lush curves, he pulled her into him so she nestled against him, it felt so right. So good.
Isabelle wrapped her arms around his neck, a sigh escaping her lips as their kiss deepened. She tasted sweeter than any dessert he had ever eaten. Sweeter than any honey his bear had ever found.
That one sole thought about his bear was enough for the animal in him to claw his way free. Suddenly stepping away from Isabelle, he stood staring helplessly at her while his bear burst free. Maybe it was the shock on his face, but she stood and laughed.
“I thought I might make you lose control, but this was not what I had in mind,” she said. Then the air around her shimmered and she drifted out of this world before coming back on four short legs, with four powerful paws digging into the dirt. She lowered her head and huffed at him, and Cade walked forward, his head low as his bear sniffed the air, taking in the scent of his female.
His mouth watered and his bear agreed: much sweeter than honey .
They rubbed against each other, and he shivered with excitement. This was so much easier than being in their human forms, there was nothing to say, no issues to skirt around. They were free, with the dirt beneath their paws and the stars over their heads; they acknowledged each other, and the bond between them.
Then she pushed into him, nipping his shoulder before taking off into the night, spraying dirt and dried leaves up at him as she disappeared into the distance.
He snorted and then raised his head and roared, telling the world he was here, he was alive, and he had found his mate.
Then he set off after her, intent on letting his bear have his fun while he ran to catch up with her, but once she was caught, the human side of Cade meant to make her his. Completely.
Chapter Ten – Isabelle
They raced through the trees. She could feel him close to her, but not catching her, not yet. He was enjoying the thrill of the chase, and she had to admit, so was she. Usually Isabelle was the one doing the chasing, whether it was chasing people who had broken the law, dogs who had escaped their owners, or kids who thought it was fun to play tricks on old ladies.
Now she was the hunted, and she liked it; she wanted him to follow her across the mountain, until their hearts beat hard in their
Learning to Kill: Stories