Bewitching The Bear Read online

  “No, not anymore.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  They looked at one another.

  “I have to be perfectly honest with you, Gillian. When I first heard about you and we had a meeting about what you’d told Cade, well, they thought us human wives getting to know you, having you open up to us would be the way to find out if you meant any harm to the community.”

  Gillian, was about to say something but Hannah put her hand over hers and squeezed.

  “That’s not my motive for this lunch. I want to be your friend and I’ve got a feeling you’re the one who needs help. Maybe needs the shifters’ help.”

  Gillian bit her lip and then looked down, a tear dropping from her face. She looked up at Hannah.

  She was going to keep this all to herself, never let anyone outside her own community know but she needed to unburden her troubles on someone and Hannah seemed like the idea person to do just that.

  “I’m a witch.”

  Back to Top

  Chapter 15

  Cade led his blindfolded older brother through the maze of chairs until they found the one marked groom to be. He sat him safely down.

  “You ready for your last night of freedom,” Cade asked him.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be,” said Ian.

  Cade pulled off the bandana he’d tied around his head.

  “Surprise,” all the guys shouted at the same time.

  It was certainly a great turnout. The only person Cade had made sure wasn’t on the list was his ex’s new husband or any of the Goodsen family. He knew the incident of Ian trashing their supermarket was water under the bridge, but he didn’t want to test fate. This was going to be a great night for everyone, especially the doomed man of the hour.

  The DJ began playing music and soon the beer was flowing.

  “We have much more to come,” said Cade. He whistled and soon five women were dancing around among the guys.

  “I better not do any touching or anything bad,” said Ian.

  “Hey buddy, it’s your last chance.”

  “I know but Eve is my one and only.”

  Cade drank his beer as he watched the women begin to give some of the guys lap dances. A blonde-haired girl came over to him and stroked his face.

  “Hey there handsome.”

  “Hey there yourself.”

  Cade got out a five-dollar bill and pulled on the front of her panties and pushed the note down next to her skin. She’d waxed her mound and it reminded him of a shifter woman. Hairless mounds were something he actually hated. His thoughts went to Gillian and he wondered if she waxed too. He hoped not.

  Before he knew it, the girl had straddled him, quickly running her hand over the front of his pants. That would have usually turned him hard but he felt nothing, no reaction, no sexual desire. He hoped he wasn’t suddenly impotent. She stroked him again, still nothing.

  “You don’t like blondes or what?” she whispered in his ear.

  “I guess I’m not in the mood,” said Cade.

  “Well if you get in it, you know where I’m at. If your cock is as big as it feels, then I’d love to have you fuck me.”

  She slid off his lap as swiftly as she’d gained access to it and moved onto another guy. Cade took another swig of beer.

  He looked around to make sure everyone was having a great time. The girls were now topless and mingling. The mate less shifters were loving it, throwing money at the girls and demanding they take off the bikini bottoms.

  He was mate less so he should have been with them, demanding to see some pussy, but not tonight. In fact, he was going outside. He walked out to the side room and found all the married shifters standing around talking. They stopped when they saw him.

  “What are you doing? You should be in there enjoying yourself,” said Dane.

  “It’s getting hot and I needed some air,” he lied.

  “How are things going with Gillian?” asked Aiden.

  “I think I’m making progress.”

  “Found anything about her, like how she knows about us?” asked Liam.

  “I’ll be getting to that tomorrow at the wedding. So, what are you guys up to out here?”

  “Talking about our wives and kids,” said Christopher.

  That sounded so boring.

  “Aiden and I just realized that Charlotte and Melanie are due to have babies two days apart,” said Dane. “Imagine if they’re both in labor at the same time at the clinic. Aiden and I will be able to keep one another company.”

  “I should get going because Lucy wants me to pick up some groceries,” said Liam.

  “You know I should be getting back home too,” said Ash. “Chloe’s been working extra hours with Eve’s replacement and she’s sort of anxious about Sophie’s operation next week.”

  “You let me know if we can do anything while you’re gone,” said Christopher.

  “That’s great of you to offer but Brady’s got everything covered. He’s got a private jet to fly us to Denver and a suite at the hotel next to the hospital,” said Ash.

  They said their goodbyes and Cade sensed they all wanted to leave. Things had changed so much for the shifter community. More of them were getting hitched to humans which meant babies too. Something that many shifters hadn’t been able to have but now Cole was even helping them fix that too.

  “I guess I’ll go back in there and then I’ll see you all again tomorrow,” said Cade.

  “Thanks for inviting us, years ago you know we would have loved a gathering like this,” said Liam.

  Cade accepted it. Things were changing for the shifter community, but whether he’d accept it as the new norm, well that was up for debate.

  *****

  “And what about this one?”

  Gillian stepped out of the fitting room at the store and spun around in front of her aunt so she could get the full 360 view of the dress.

  “Isn’t that the first one you tried on?”

  “Is it? I’ve lost track,” said Gillian.

  “They all look wonderful on you. You’re overthinking this. I think Cade Mallory would like you even if you showed up in a potato sack.”

  That’s what she was worried about. She knew her real test would come tomorrow at the wedding.

  She hadn’t told Aunt Louise about what she’d revealed to Hannah. She’d broken a rule, a code that they were supposed to follow, but Hannah was sweet and she knew she’d never share it with anyone else, even in their close-knit community so she’d also revealed how and why she’d selected Cade as part of her test.

  “You sure you can do it. I mean Cade Mallory of all the bear shifters you could have selected.”

  She knew exactly what she was doing. She’d done her homework. Not only was he the one she was most attracted to, he also had a reputation of being a lady’s man, getting into the panties of anyone he wanted.

  “Gillian, it’s getting late, I’m hungry so could you please pick one and let’s go.”

  Aunt Louise was getting cranky. Never a good sign.

  “I think it has to be this one because my shoes match some of the colors in the dress.”

  “Perfect, and thank goodness for that.”

  Gillian walked back into the fitting room and took one last look. She ran her hands though her hair, the ends cascading down her shoulders. She gathered it up and piled it on top of her head. Maybe she could wear it like that. Letting it fall again, she quickly unzipped the dress and stepped out of it. Her tattooed nipples and thighs suddenly on full display. The constant reminder about what was at stake.

  Damn her mother for putting her in this position. Not that she didn’t like a struggle and a challenge but over her dead body would Matilda be the witch to lead them into the future.

  Back to Top

  Chapter 16

  “You have the ring?” Ian asked him.

  “It’s here in my top pocket. Just relax,” Cade assured his brother.

  “I’m getting married today,” said
Ian.

  “We know,” said Trey, clearly trying his best to figure out how to secure his tie. Had any of them ever worn one before? Cade didn’t think so.

  “Have we ever worn suits and ties before?” asked Cade. “I mean it’s jeans and leather jackets for the Mallory brothers.”

  “Oh, don’t get me started or I’ll cry. I love Eve and can’t wait to begin our life together, but I’m also going to miss living under the same roof with the two of you. Come on group hug time,” said Ian, spreading his arms.

  “You and Eve are only moving to Whitefish. It’s not as if you’re even leaving the state. We’ll come and harass you all the time,” said Trey.

  “I’m guessing you will,” said Ian, squeezing them so hard, Cade was sure he heard his bones creaking. They’d always looked out for one another, Ian acting more as a father than oldest brother. Charlie was gone and now Ian was moving on and would no doubt be starting a family of his own very soon. Yeah, those changes were coming too fast for Cade’s liking.

  “We’re going to drop you off at the wedding venue and then we have to go pick up our dates but we’ll be back in time to stand beside you,” said Cade.

  “Have you got the ring?” asked Ian.

  “That’s the ninth time you’ve asked, and yes, it’s in my top pocket.”

  “Now, do I put it on her finger before she gives me my ring and do I saw my vows…”

  Cade slapped him on the back. “Relax or we’ll have to knock you out with a tranquiller gun.”

  *****

  Gillian paced up and down in the parking lot. Aunt Louise was turning the sign on the store door from closed to open. She opened the door and called out to her. She felt bad that her aunt wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding with Eddie because of Gillian had asked her to mind the shop for the day. However, he had offered to pick her up and take her to the reception. She’d love to see her aunt find romance. She’d once had her heartbroken when the groom to be had left her at the altar, well, according to her dad. However, Aunt Louise had never talked about it.

  “You look lovely. So glad you went with the one that shows off your cleavage. I say if you’ve got it, flaunt it.”

  Gillian looked down. Too much cleavage. Maybe she should have opted for the larger size.

  “And Gillian.”

  “Yes, Aunt Louise.”

  “Do you have birth control with you?”

  Gillian felt herself turning red as a couple walked by and looked at her as if they too were waiting for her answer. She had a recipe for the perfect potion for any woman who wanted to avoid getting pregnant but didn’t feel the need to mix a batch for herself.

  “Don’t need it,” Gillian said.

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you and if you do have sex, enjoy it, it’s the most wonderful thing that can happen.”

  “Not going to ever happen. You can all be assured of it. It’s getting to be a piece of cake,” said Gillian just as a car pulled up and out got Cade.

  “What’s never going to happen?” he asked.

  “Rain today.”

  Cade waved to Aunt Louise. “I’m going to give you and Eddie your first lesson on Monday.”

  “Can’t wait. Can’t wait to hear all about the thing that’s never going to happen too,” she said, before going back inside the store.

  “Didn’t understand a word of that but I guess that’s part of the fun of being around both of you. As you can see, I have a car for our date. I know no lady likes to turn up at a wedding with helmet hair. And you look beautiful by the way. Your carriage awaits.”

  He held open the door and she slid into the passenger seat. She wondered if he’d rented the car which actually made her feel bad that he’d had to spend money because of her pickiness about not riding on a bike.

  “In case, you’re wondering, this is a friend’s car,” he said, as he slipped in beside her.

  She wondered if all beings of the paranormal could read one another’s minds. Gillian hoped not, because right now she was thinking how handsome he looked. First time she’d seen him dressed so formally with a suit, shirt and tie.

  He tugged on the collar of his shirt as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road.

  “Hate shirts,” he announced. “Dislike ties even more. One of the reasons I decided to make a living where wearing this sort of thing isn’t required.”

  “And you picked well because you managed to sell Aunt Louise a bike. A…”

  She was about to say 140-year old witch but stopped herself just in time.

  “A what?” asked Cade, momentarily taking his eyes off the road to look at her.

  “A woman who less than a week ago didn’t like motorbikes.”

  “I knew once she got one between her legs she’d be won over. You should do the same thing, get something powerful and wild between your legs just so you can experience what it feels like.”

  She sensed the sexual innuendo and decided to play along.

  “You mean I’ll want to own a motorbike.”

  “I’m not saying you’ll buy one but you’ll always want to ride one after that first try.”

  Gillian bit her lip and needed to change the topic because she felt her panties getting slightly damp and the last thing she needed was a wet patch on the back of her dress when she got out of the car.

  She opened up her bag. “I’ve got a wedding gift for your brother and his new wife. I wasn’t sure what they’d like but I have a $100 gift certificate for my store and that way they can get what they want, candles maybe.”

  “That’s sweet of you and you really didn’t have to but I know Eve will love getting more candles for their new house. I haven’t seen it yet but when they come back off their honeymoon maybe you’d like to take a ride out there with me…perhaps even on a motorbike.”

  “You really don’t give up do you?”

  “Nope, never, just accept it.”

  She might have to. And the sound of a honeymoon, pure delight, being with someone you loved, being away from the problems of the world. Making love and holding hands.

  A tear slid down her face before she’d realized she’d begun to cry. Gillian wiped it away before Cade noticed.

  “Are they going anywhere fun on their honeymoon?” she asked.

  “Jackson Hole, Wyoming because neither of them has been to Yellowstone Park. They have the honeymoon suite in one of the top resorts there. Hot tub, beautiful view, massages every day.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “I have to say it does.”

  He turned into what looked like an orchard.

  “You stopping to pick some fruit?”

  “This is where the wedding and reception’s at. I thought being outdoors might be risky but they’re confident it’s not going to rain until tomorrow.”

  He grinned at her.

  “At least I won’t have to walk home in a downpour,” she said.

  “You behave yourself young lady or you might have to. I require you to dance with me all night or you can find your own way home. And yes, I’m going to break down and dance. Always vowed I never would.”

  Dancing, she hadn’t done that in forever. Maybe she’d picked the wrong shoes again. Cade held the door open for her and then extended his hand.

  “The ground is still soft from the rain so be careful. In fact, why don’t you hold my arm.”

  She didn’t want to seem rude so she slipped her arm through his, knowing by their first three steps that had been a mistake. The powerful muscles in his forearm rubbed against her skin even through his suit jacket. He glanced at her, a little grin beginning to form on his lips. She was about to pay him a compliment, but before she knew it, he’d slipped and was on the ground.

  “You okay,” she asked him.

  “Mud’s slicker than ice,” he said. “At least, I didn’t fall completely flat on my ass. And thank you for not laughing.”

  “Are you saying you would have laughed at me?”

  “Well, may
be, just a little.” He winked at her, stood and then offered his elbow to her again.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to take my arm,” Gillian asked him.

  “You know I have a weakness for women with a sense of humor.”

  “Have you started on next month’s book for the club?” she asked him, knowing she needed to change the topic quickly.

  “Not had time yet. Maybe we can read together. I mean you said you enjoy reading before you go to bed.”

  Now things were getting heated so she was glad that they’d reached the entrance that said, welcome to the wedding of Ian and Eve.

  “I’ll get you seated and then I have to go find Ian and Trey ready for the ceremony.”

  Seats had already begun to fill up and Cade waved and said his hellos as he took her down to the last three rows.

  “Isn’t this for family?” she asked.

  “You’re my plus one so that makes you family.”

  “But won’t anyone else be here?”

  “Nope, we lost our parents and were raised by a man who died recently, and Eve’s family and friends are seated over there.”

  He pointed to the opposite side of the aisle before he brushed off a chair for her.

  She couldn’t ruin the day but felt she stuck out like a sore thumb when she sat with no one beside her.

  “I’ll meet up with you again after the ceremony,” Cade told her.

  She was just about to say maybe it was better she moved seats but he was gone before she could get even the first word out.

  Someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around.

  “Hi, I’m Brady Walsh and this is my wife Jenna,” said a man in a very expensive looking suit.

  “Nice to meet you, you too, Jenna,” said Gillian extending her hand.

  “Gillian, it’s lovely to finally meet you,” said a woman standing by her chair. “I’m Ava and my husband Nick is co-owner of Downward Facing Wolf with Maisie. She told us all about you.”

  “Yes, she did mention you.”

  “We’d love to have you and Cade come by and have dinner with us one night.”

  Gillian didn’t know what to say. Did everyone think they were dating or a couple perhaps?