Bearly Taken (Cub Lake Shifters #2)

Chapter 6

six

REED

The morning after Wren finally let me taste her, the three of us drove down to the clan’s land to fill out the breeding paperwork. They usually would’ve required a DNA test before a payout, but when they saw Parker’s golden eyes no one needed more proof. Wren talked him into shifting just so they covered their bases, and they signed the paper to let her know the money would be deposited over the next handful of days without batting an eye.

It wasn’t like the clan needed the money. They’d invested for so long, there was more than us or our descendants would ever need.

From there, we went to the bookstore.

I loved watching Wren there. She had dreamed of opening that place as long as I’d known her—and I was damn proud that she’d made it happen, despite the roadblock I’d unintentionally been for her.

And Parker?

The little guy was fucking perfect. I could watch him run around all day—and did—without getting tired of it.

I wanted more kids, too. More little squirts to run around with, talk to, and tease.

The only thing as good as hanging out with him was running the bookstore on and off so Wren could have some time with him. The look in her eyes when I did made me feel like I was finally doing something right with her.

As much as it killed me to leave the distance between us, I forced myself to give her space after the night she let me put my mouth on her.

She had to be the one calling the shots.

I’d lost that right when I walked away, and had to give her time to decide she wanted me in all the same ways I wanted her.

How did I want her?

Wearing my ring.

Married to me, the same way she was mated to me.

To be mine in every way.

She already was mine, of course. I’d mated her. There was no going back from that.

I wanted her, but I had to leave it in her hands.

So, I forced myself to leave the space between us that had existed since I came back into town.

A week went by without her instigating anything else. I had to bite my cheek and fight my instincts to bring it up daily, but I’d do the same for a year if she wanted me to.

She was in charge.

Another week went by. My cock hurt like hell, but I ignored it.

If Wren wanted me to ache for her, I’d ache. I owed her far more than that. I owed her everything.

At the end of the third week, I sat in the bathroom doorway with my back to her, like always. As much as I wanted to look back at her gorgeous, bare body, I cared far more about her comfort than my desire. I needed her to know that I wasn’t going anywhere, even if sex was never on the table again.

“You’re really good with Parker,” she said. Our conversations were never dull, but we didn’t typically discuss anything about us or our family unless it related to schedules. I knew she would bring it up when she was ready to talk about it.

And apparently, the day had come.

My chest burned with her compliment. “He makes it easy.”

She laughed softly. “Not always. He’s a pain a lot of the time, like any other toddler. A lovable pain, though.”

“An adorable one,” I agreed.

She was quiet for a minute before she finally asked, “Have you ever thought about having more kids? I know Parker wasn’t planned, but since you’ve been here...” A beat of silence passed. Before I could respond, she blurted, “I shouldn’t have asked that. I’m sorry. Never mind. Just?—“

“I’ve thought about having more kids every day for the past few weeks,” I admitted.

It was her turn to fall silent.

“The transition was difficult, but I loved every minute of it. Since I’ve settled in, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. And you. Particularly you naked —though I probably shouldn’t say that.”

“I’ve been thinking about you too. And I’ve wanted another baby since Parker turned one. I just knew I couldn’t afford it, and didn’t have the time they would deserve. Things are different now, though.”

“Much different. We could give it a few more months, so you’re more certain that I’m here to stay, then consider trying again.”

“I’d like that.”

My chest ached with her words.

My cock, too.

Fuck, I wanted her in every way.

In my arms every morning, as soon as I opened my eyes.

In the chair next to mine—or on my lap—during lunch.

Snuggled up against me as we watched a TV show after dinner, inevitably getting distracted by each other’s bodies until we ended up making love on the couch.

And in our bed.

In the kitchen.

In the shower.

Everywhere.

“Before we get to that, we have to figure out us ,” she said, distracting me from the montage of glorious sex scenes running through my mind.

“Us?”

“Yeah, us. As in, our relationship. We need to set boundaries and figure out what we’re comfortable with.”

“I’m comfortable with your body against mine,” I said, without turning around to look at her. I still wouldn’t do that until she told me I could. “Very comfortable.”

She laughed. “That’s not what we’re talking about.”

“What kind of boundaries are you hoping for?”

“The kind of boundaries that tell me where we stand and remove my paranoia about using my vibrator when I’m horny.”

My cock jerked. “How often are you horny?”

“We’re not talking about that, either.”

“We could be, though.”

“Reed,” she warned.

I sighed. “Alright.”

“We need to come to an agreement about masturbation. I should be able to get myself off whenever I want to, without worrying that you’ll break into my room.”

My amusement—and cock—shriveled up at that. “You’re worried about that?”

She hesitated.

Fuck.

I wasn’t sure whether to be more hurt, frustrated, or pissed at myself. I’d been fighting like hell not to make a move on the woman— my woman—and she still thought I was being too pushy.

How was I supposed to hold back any more than I already did?

“I’ve never violated your privacy or your body before, Wren, and I’m not going to. I was a bastard before, but I never have and never would’ve stooped to that. I thought you knew that.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she protested.

“You want us to be friends? That’s fine. We’ll be friends. Use your vibrator all you want. I’ll pretend not to hear it,” I said. “What other boundaries do you want?”

“Reed…” She turned off the shower.

“I don’t know how to be any more friendly than I already am. Do I need to stop helping you at the register, or let you go to the bookstore alone? Or?—“

The words died in my throat when my mate sat down on my lap, dripping wet.

I couldn’t stop my hands from finding the curve of her waist, and swore in response to the automatic touch. “I’m not trying to?—“

She put her hands on my face, effectively silencing me again. “I didn’t mean it the way it came out. You’ve never made me uncomfortable, and I trust you with my body. But Reed…” she bit her lip, pausing a moment before she freed it and said, “I’m horny every day. I want you every morning, and every night. I think about you so much, I can barely function.”

“Then why didn’t you use the vibrator?” I’d promised her that I would listen for it, and find her if she did.

“Because I’m scared,” she whispered. “With you here, I have more to lose than ever, and I’m fucking terrified of what will happen to me if I lose you.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Beautiful.” I slid my hand up her back, relishing the feel of her slick skin against my palm. “I love you. I won’t leave you again.”

“Bears aren’t supposed to stay.”

“Then fuck bears. I’ll be human.”

Her lips curved upward, just slightly. “You couldn’t pass for a human if you tried.”

I couldn’t hide my grin.

She was right.

“I don’t know how to convince myself that you won’t leave,” Wren admitted. “I’m not sure it’s even possible at this point. Even if you stay for a year, or two, or three, who’s to say you won’t suddenly long for the road and slip away again?”

“Some of the older bears have moved in with their mates for the first time.” I ran my hand over her back again, and she blinked.

“Who?”

I listed off a few names. “Hudson told me about it a few days ago. He said they all got together and realized they were miserable forcing themselves to stay away. So they went back to them, and apologized. Most of them are married now. They’ve been hiding it for years, but none of them have left. None of them have even wanted to leave. And they were all miserable when they did leave, years earlier.”

Wren’s forehead furrowed. “Your mom and dad aren’t together.”

“My dad is a piece of shit,” I said bluntly. “If my mom tried to get back with him, I’d rip his fucking throat out.”

“She actually told me something similar to that when I asked her if she ever missed him.”

“There are cruel assholes in every group of people. Don’t hold it against all of the bears.”

“I don’t.” She leaned closer, and I nearly groaned at the feel of her breasts against my chest.

Why had I put on a shirt?

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she said, “It’s still going to take me a long time to believe that you’re here to stay.”

I fought the urge to clench my jaw. “I know.”

“You didn’t even text me once while we were apart.”

“If I texted you, I was going to come after you.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious, Beautiful. You can ask Hudson. He listened to me go on and on about how much I wanted you for years.”

She studied me for a moment before saying, “Alright, where’s your phone?”

I lifted us up long enough to slip it out of my pocket and give it to her. My hand tried to force its way to those perfect little breasts, but I set it back on her waist quickly.

She found Hudson’s number and called him without hesitation. He answered halfway through the third ring.

“Hey, Reed.”

“It’s Wren, actually,” my mate said. “I have a quick question for you.”

“Alright, go for it.”

“Did Reed ever mention me when he was away from Cub Lake?”

Hudson snorted. “The bastard moped around constantly until we riled him up enough to get your name out of him. The moping never ended. We thought he just wanted you—if we’d known he mated you, we would’ve pushed him back to Cub Lake sooner. Hell, we tried to push him back to you even without knowing you were mated.”

“Thanks, Hudson. Have a goodnight.”

“You too. Tell Reed he’d better treat you right.”

“He does.”

Her words made me feel like a fucking hero.

She hung up, and set my phone down on the floor next to us. “It sounds like you were thinking about me.”

“Always.”

“I thought about you all the time too. I was mad—but mostly hurt.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve come back much sooner.”

“And I should’ve told you. We both messed up, but you’re here now. We’re together. And you’re not leaving.”

“The only way you’re getting rid of me is if you kill me.”

She smacked me lightly on the arm. “That’s not funny. You know I would never hurt you.”

“Except through rejection.”

She swatted me again. “I didn’t reject you.”

“I dared you to use your vibrator to give me a reason to come back in here and have my way with you. You never did.”

“I’m trying to have boundaries, remember?” She moved a little on my lap, lining the ridge of my cock up right where she wanted me. I throbbed, and the scent of her desire flooded the room.

“Why do we need them?” I asked.

“I don’t know anymore,” she breathed. “Fear?”

“Fuck fear.”

“You’re better at that than I am.”

“I can teach you.” I ran my hand over her back again, itching to bury it in her hair so I could pull her face to mine and capture her mouth.

I hadn’t kissed her nearly enough to make up for the missed time.

“Prove it.”

I didn’t wait for another push, digging my fingers in her hair as I kissed her slowly.

There was no rush.

No need to hurry.

I would be content sitting there with her on my lap, kissing me, all night.

She rocked against my erection, making me growl.

“Wren…” I warned, pulling away for just a moment.

“We’re fucking fear, remember? And without the fear, I want you so badly it hurts.”

“If I have you on my cock again, there won’t be any going back. I won’t be able to force myself to sleep in a separate bedroom, or pretend I don’t need you the way I do.”

“Good. Because if I have you inside me, I won’t want you to go back. I’ll get addicted to you again, like I always?—”

I cut her off with my mouth on hers again, ramping up the kiss.

She was offering me the chance to take her. To claim her. To make her mine again.

And I sure as hell wasn’t going to miss it.