Bewitching The Bear Read online

  “We did, but you broke it.”

  “Don’t lie, you know I have not broken our deal…what do you think I’ve been practicing witchcraft?”

  “No, I know you’d keep your word, you are after all, a witch, but your fiancé seems to think otherwise.”

  “What are you talking about? Cade has kept his side of the bargain too.”

  “So, you’re taking a bear shifter’s word over your own flesh and blood.”

  “Cade has not shifted.”

  “Gillian.”

  It was Cade who now had his hand on her shoulder. She turned around to look at him.

  “Go ahead and ask him,” shouted Matilda.

  “Cade, you didn’t shift, right?”

  He looked down and then up at her. His eyes told her he had and that he’d kept it from her.

  “I couldn’t do it any longer. It’s in my nature. It was just the once.”

  “Once is all it takes. Spotted an owl did you, Cade Mallory? He reported straight back to me.”

  “Fuck,” Gillian heard Cade say under his breath.

  The silence was broken by whispers breaking out in the group.

  “Okay then, that’s all settled. Now if all you of you would go home and start packing. I’ll require you to actually leave the state not just the area. There is a nasty smell around here and I want to clear the air. Witches should not have to practice their craft among dirty animals.”

  Cade had done wrong, but Matilda had no right to talk about her friends, people that had treated her like their own family, with such disrespect. Their mother would be turning in her grave. She walked over to her sister and slapped her across the face.

  Matilda put her own hand on her skin, probably to take away the sting. “How dare you, remember your place in the hierarchy. You have struck your leader and must now be punished.”

  Before Gillian had chance to brace herself, Matilda had used her power to send her flying backwards against a tree trunk. She hit her head and almost blacked out but she wasn’t going to let Matilda do this. The truce was off, she could now use her own witchcraft to fight back.

  “Gillian,” shouted Cade.

  “Stay where you are, I have to deal with her myself,” said Gillian.

  She stood and used her own power to send Matilda flying backwards. Her sister landed with a thud in a nearby bush. Children began crying and Gillian had no idea how she was going to hold off Matilda on her own.

  She got back up, and both of them, obviously reading one another’s intent, put their palms up to face each other. At the very same time, they unleashed their power, sparks flew, the smell of burning filled the air as they tried to bring each other down.

  “All of you get out of her now,” shouted Gillian, feeling Matilda’s power getting stronger. Gillian had the advantage because her ancestry on both sides of her family were witches and wizards. Matilda, as far as she knew, had been fathered by a mortal but she could be wrong. Perhaps their mother had an affair with a married wizard and hence the reason she gave up the baby to avert a scandal.

  “Gillian, let me help you.”

  It was Aunt Louise raising her palms up toward Matilda, soon both of them were trying to bring her down but she stood her ground, almost turning up the heat as Aunt Louise went to the ground.

  “I’m stronger than you,” shouted Gillian. “You might have our mother’s strength but my guess is a mortal fathered you. Am I right, sister dear?”

  “No, I believe I fathered her.”

  Who had said that?

  Gillian saw a man standing beside Matilda.

  “I knew the moment I saw her. She looks like the girl I fell in love with 30 years ago.”

  Matilda’s power lessened, and the pain that had been traveling through Gillian’s body decreased. The sparks stopped and her sister fell to the ground, weeping.

  “Gillian, your hands and arms,” said Cade, rushing to her.

  She hadn’t realized how burned she was until she saw her blistered skin. She had the lightheaded feeling again and believed she might be on the verge of throwing up.

  “I’m a dirty bear shifter too.” Matilda rocked back and forth, her knees pulled up to her chest.

  “Martin, are you really Matilda’s father?” asked Cade.

  “I hadn’t realized any of this until I saw Gillian tonight and then when her sister showed up, I knew they both look like Annie.”

  Gillian sat down, almost ready to pass out. Annie was their mother’s name.

  Martin put his hand on Matilda “You are my daughter and I want to help you.”

  “Stay away from me, all of you, stay away from me,” said Matilda.

  She now laid on the ground, sobbing.

  It all made sense, she’d probably guessed she had some bear shifter qualities, the smell, she complained so much about. The perfume she used to cover it. And the fact that Gillian had chosen a bear shifter as her Quest temptation, had probably sent her life into a tailspin.

  And Cade, he’d lied. He betrayed her.

  She looked between her sister and her fiancé. This was a mess. The happiest time had turned into one of the saddest.

  Back to Top

  Chapter 28

  Cade knew what was coming and he deserved it but first he had to get Gillian to the ER. Her hands and forearms had nasty burns on them, some of the skin on her face had also gotten slightly burned and her hair, looked like it had been singed. Her sister didn’t look in any better shape but she wasn’t his concern or problem.

  Matilda being half bear shifter explained the whole I hate shifters thing.

  “I think we need to get her to the clinic,” said Bear. He’d sat Gillian in his SUV and had looked her over while Cade waited. “Taking her to the ER might draw attention. They’d ask how she got the burns.”

  “Good thinking. She is going to be okay, right?”

  “Nothing that can’t heal in time but I think she’s in shock. Not only about the whole fighting with her sister but…”

  “The fact I lied. Lied to everyone, worst thing is I lied to my mate.”

  Bear raised his eyebrows. He knew that was a no-no, well, at least if you wanted to keep that mate.

  He hoped he hadn’t ruined what he and Gillian had. He couldn’t live without her now.

  “I’ll drive her to the clinic,” said Cade.

  “I have her settled in the SUV and Hannah’s watching over her so I think it best we take her.”

  Had she told them she didn’t want to ride with Cade?

  “Why don’t you follow behind?”

  “Sure, sure. I can do that.”

  He walked back to the car, head down, not wanting to look at anyone. The shame was too intense.

  *****

  Gillian couldn’t stop shaking. She’d done that all the way on the ride to the clinic. Hannah had wrapped a blanket around her and Bear had cranked up the heat but still her body had shaken and she’d actually thrown up twice.

  She’d told Bear, that she didn’t want Cade to ride with them so she had chance to process what he’d done. Her engagement ring had melted in her fight with Matilda and she wondered if it was an omen that she should call off the wedding.

  Could or would she do that? She loved him and couldn’t live without him.

  “Gillian.”

  Bear’s voice made her jump.

  “I’m going to put this salve on your skin and it should take away some of the pain and help you heal. I’ll also give you some painkillers and something to help you relax. I’d like to keep you in overnight so we can monitor you because I’m pretty sure you’re in shock.”

  She nodded. “And Cade, is he…”

  “He’s outside. I told him he can see you when we get you settled into a room. He’s worried sick about you.”

  Bear began to apply the salve and she bit her lip because the pain was so intense.

  “Stay with me, Gillian,” said Bear. “Feels like hell at first but in a few days, you’re going to be on the me
nd.”

  She tried to focus on something else. Cade, what she was going to say to him when they took her to the room?

  “Hey, there’s something Hannah and I wanted to ask you and Cade. We’d love if you could be Spirit Guardians to the baby. You know what that is?”

  Gillian shook her head.

  “It’s sort of like being godparents…that will be Ash and Chloe, but you and Cade will oversee the baby’s milestones, when he or she comes of age, their first shifting, well, that is if our little one inherits shifting abilities.”

  “Do the Spirit Guardians have to be a couple?”

  She saw Bear suddenly look up her.

  “I hope that doesn’t mean that you…Hey, it’s not my business but I know he loves you and feels awful about what happened so please cut the guy some slack, okay. You’re the perfect couple.”

  *****

  Cade had read the same line in the magazine about twenty times. Usually, an avid reader, tonight, he couldn’t concentrate on a single word.

  “Cade…Cade…”

  He jumped when he heard his name being called. It was Bear.

  “Gillian’s in her room if you want to go along and see her. I’ve given her a sedative so she might seem a little sleepy.”

  Cade stood. “Can I stay the night with her?”

  “Absolutely. I can have a bed sent in for you. It’s room 5.”

  Cade walked along the hallway, stopping to look in at the two new babies who were in there. Hopefully, one day soon, he’d be bringing Gillian in here to give birth to their two boys and one girl.

  He arrived at room 5 and slowly opened the door. Gillian had her eyes shut and her hands bound in bandages. White cream was smeared on her cheeks. He tiptoed into the room and over to the bed. He sat gently on it, but not gently enough because she opened her eyes and looked at him.

  “How you feeling, baby?” he asked. He attempted to reach for her hand but thought that wouldn’t be a smart move. She had to be in lots of pain.

  “I’m sort of tired.”

  “I’m going to let you sleep but they’re bringing in a bed for me and I’ll be right here for you.”

  “Cade.”

  “Yes, honey.”

  “I’d rather be on my own. In fact, I think I’d like to be on my own for a while so I can process everything that happened tonight.”

  His heart sank. Did this mean she was thinking about her future with him? Or maybe not having him in her future.

  “Okay, whatever you feel you need but when you’re ready for us to be together again, give me a call. Give me a call if you need anything.”

  “I will, goodnight, Cade.”

  Her eyes fluttered and she was asleep again.

  Maybe it was the medication that was clouding her judgement. Once she woke up tomorrow, she’d be asking where he’d gone. When she did, he rush back to be by her side.

  *****

  “How are you feeling this morning?”

  Gillian opened her eyes to see Charlotte standing at the bottom of her bed.

  “I thought I’d had a bad dream but then I realized it was reality.”

  “Oh Gillian, I’m so sorry about all that happened. Aiden and I heard about it from Bear.”

  “Cade lied to me. If I’d known I could have been prepared.”

  “I know he shouldn’t have done that but I think he didn’t want to burden you.” She raised her hands. “I know that’s not an excuse and I shouldn’t stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong but you and Cade, you’re a match made in heaven.”

  “I sent him away last night.”

  “It will probably do him some good. I was so angry with Aiden when I found out he was a bear shifter. I vowed I never wanted to see him again, but then he saved my life and I couldn’t think about living without him. Give Cade another chance. Without giving Aiden a second chance, I wouldn’t be this happy. I wouldn’t have Bridget, and I wouldn’t be having this baby.” She rubbed her belly and smiled. “And speaking of babies. You know Maisie’s still in the clinic. She had a C-section so she and the baby are here for a few more days. Why don’t you go along and see her and baby, Jonathan? He’s a cute one.”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Great, she’s in room 10 and I know she’s going to love seeing you too.”

  *****

  Cade sat down at the table as Ian pulled out crackers and ginger ale for Eve who’d had a bad round of morning sickness. She walked into the kitchen and sat at the table and groaned.

  “Hope this doesn’t last during my whole pregnancy,” she said, running her hands through her hair.

  “Here drink this and nibble on the crackers.” Ian handed both to her. “Cade, you want bacon and eggs?”

  “Did you have to say that?” asked Eve. She heaved and ran holding her hand to her mouth. The sound of her throwing up again could be heard all the way to the kitchen.

  “My poor Evie,” said Ian. “Just think you’ll go through this with Gillian.”

  “That’s if we even get married. I have this awful feeling she’s going to call off the wedding. She told me to leave her and to give her space. I know what that means.”

  “She’s crazy in love with you.”

  “Was crazy in love with me.”

  “You lied. It was the wrong thing to do but she’ll forgive you. I don’t think Gillian’s the sort of girl who would hold a grudge against anyone especially her mate.”

  “If I could take it all back, the shifting in secret, I would.”

  “Her sister is quite something isn’t she? I guess that’s what happens when a bear shifter mates with a witch, you get someone you don’t want to mess with.”

  “You do know you’re talking about the combination of Gillian and mine’s future children, right?”

  Ian smiled. “See, you haven’t given up hope quite yet.”

  “Nice one, brother.”

  “I can’t believe Martin. Quiet, innocent Martin fathered a child when he was a teenager.”

  “The poor guy’s always felt bad about him and Sally not having children. Now they do, even if it’s in the form of the wicked witch of the west. And I don’t think Matilda wants anything to do with him.”

  “She’ll come around. I heard from Bear that Martin and Sally had taken her home and she hadn’t put up any opposition.”

  “Maybe if Gillian and Matilda can put this all behind them then she’ll forgive me too.”

  Back to Top

  Chapter 29

  “I’m so sorry about the whole thing,” said Hannah. She put her arms around Gillian and hugged her. “You want to come have dinner with me and Bear tonight? I don’t suppose you can cook with your hands bound like that.”

  “I’d love that but I guess I should go see my sister first. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

  “She’s at Martin and Sally’s house.”

  “Really?”

  Hannah nodded. “Seems she went with them without any fuss. I’ll give you their address. And let me know if your sister needs any help. I mean if she feels like she wants to shift. Sam had issues, in fact they thought he was autistic but your sister seems to be different.”

  “Okay, I’ll head over there now and I’ll see you later.”

  *****

  Gillian hadn’t really chatted with Martin or Sally. She’d seen them at Ian and Eve’s wedding but that was about it. They lived south of Kalispell but she found the house easily, thanks to Hannah’s great directions. Driving had been tough and painful with the special gloves Bear had given her to wear to keep infections at bay.

  She walked up the driveway and rang the doorbell. Sally answered the door.

  “Gillian, honey, I’m so happy to see you. Come in.”

  Gillian stepped inside.

  “Is my sister still here with you?”

  “Yes, she’s in the kitchen with Martin, come on and I’ll make us all some tea.”

  Gillian followed her to the back of the house where Matilda looked up
at her as soon as she saw her enter the room.

  “It’s okay Matilda I’m not here to fight or argue. I’m just happy that you’ve accepted Martin.”

  Martin stood, rushed to Gillian and hugged her.

  “Come and sit, let’s all talk,” he said.

  Gillian slid onto the chair Martin had pulled out for her. She saw Matilda’s hands had also been bound and the little piece of skin that peeked out from under her sweater had an angry bright red hue to it.

  Sally put mugs of tea in front of the three of them.

  “Why don’t I go run some errands while the three of you have a nice visit,” said Sally.

  “Your hands…I’m sorry,” said Matilda.

  Gillian thought about reaching across the table to hold Matilda’s but sensed that would be painful for both of them.

  “Let’s both say we’re sorry, never talk about it again and move on,” Gillian said.

  “Can I just say I’m sorry that I had Cade followed and forced something upon him that I know was almost impossible to maintain,” Matilda said.

  Martin put his hand on her shoulder and smiled.

  “I guess I’ve been angry because I’ve sensed what I was all my life and when you chose a bear shifter, it sort of sent me in a downward spiral. I thought maybe our mother had told you about me and who’d fathered me and you were sticking it in my face.”

  “I’ve explained to Matilda that it wasn’t just a one-night stand with her mother and me. I first saw her by the lake. I’d shifted for only the third time, been on a run, shifted back, was putting on my clothes and I heard this angel singing. I looked across the way and saw the most beautiful young girl, naked and about to take a dip in the water. I couldn’t resist watching her. She saw me, smiled and waved, and we swam together.”

  Gillian put her hand on top of Martin’s.

  “We met every day and eventually, yes, we had sex…first time for both of us. It was beautiful,” he continued. “We were in love and as Sally isn’t around to hear this, I marked your mother as my mate.”

  “What happened? I mean, why didn’t the two of you marry?” asked Gillian.

  “I think her parents had set up an arranged marriage with your father because she would never let me near her home. One day she told me that her parents were moving. I sensed something else was going on. She’d gained weight and was sort of moody. My senses told me she was pregnant. I was going to ask her but I never saw her again. I even got up the courage to go to her house but it had been sold, it was empty, and there was no forwarding address.”