Bear's Bride (Bear Heat Book 1) (BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance) Read online

  BEAR'S BRIDE

  By

  Natalie Kristen

  Copyright © 2015 Natalie Kristen

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are used fictitiously or are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual locales, events, establishments or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  About this Book

  A brave, beautiful BBW teams up with an Alpha Black Bear in this standalone bear shifter romance.

  Cora Olson loves her curves, her job and shopping. Just a normal girl rocking the single life.

  But one heroic deed and her safe, stable world explodes.

  When Cora tries to save a small child from a pack of vicious kidnappers, she ends up being bundled into the van right along with the kid. Cora fights to protect the frightened child but just how long can she hold out?

  As the CEO of the Black Bears Group, one of the biggest and baddest security companies in the city, Ethan Flint is used to getting calls for help at all hours of the day and night.

  Rescuing a human woman and a little cub from the notorious, brutal Hyland Wolves, he is amazed at the woman's resilience, tenacity and courage.

  Despite her ordeal, Cora refuses to let the wolves get away.

  Ethan faces the toughest challenge of his career as he puts everything on the line for this fearless, tough-as-nails human.

  And Cora will soon discover that being a bear's bride is just the beginning of the wildest, craziest, bestest ride of her life.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Cora Olson hummed softly to herself as she walked home. She always got off work in a good mood. Working with kids was just the best thing ever. She loved kids. She hoped to have kids of her own one day, but first she had to find the right man to have kids with. Her last few dates had been disastrous, and she wasn't in a hurry to dip her toes into the dating pool again.

  She was just going to enjoy being young and single. She was twenty-eight, curvy, healthy and she had a job she loved. She was a kindergarten teacher, and she had the most adorable and lovable bunch of students any teacher could hope for. There were some schools in the city which accepted exclusively human students, but the kindergarten she worked for accepted both human and shifter kids. That was one of the reasons she applied to be a teacher at Treehouse Kindergarten. Cora firmly believed that every child was special, and no child should be denied a place in any school just because of his or her species. That just wasn't fair, or right.

  Cora stopped at a store front and admired the dress on display. It was the loveliest shade of green and the fabric shimmered beautifully in the light. After a moment's hesitation, she decided she should just walk into the store and try her luck. She loved her curves and she loved to dress up, but there just weren't that many clothing stores in town that carried plus-size clothes.

  Cora turned to take a look at that dress again. Ah, there was no doubt about it. That pretty dress was just calling out to her. It looked gorgeous in the display window and she just knew it would look amazing on her. She simply had to have it.

  Cora walked into the little shop with a steely glint in her eye and strode out with a huge grin on her face. There was a cute, glossy paper bag in her hand. She was right. The dress had fitted her like a dream. The fabric rippled and flowed over her curves like a waterfall. She had twirled round in front of the mirror, giggling and clapping in delight. The friendly store assistant had helped snap a picture of her in that dress and she'd excitedly sent the photo to her best friend, Aubrey. Aubrey was still at work but the girl had instantly messaged back a dozen thumbs-up.

  Aubrey was her trusty accomplice, wingman, fellow foodie and all round buddy. They shared the same taste in clothes, shoes and food. Shopping trips with Aubrey were always fun, fruitful and fulfilling. Cora was sure to return home from these trips with a bountiful harvest.

  But should anyone accuse them of being shopaholics, they would vehemently deny the allegation. There was absolutely no truth in that statement. They weren't shopaholics. Uh-uh. They went shopping together only every other week. Buying something on your own between those official shopping trips didn't count.

  Smirking triumphantly, Cora crossed the road and turned into a side lane. Her street was relatively quiet at this time of the day. Most of the kids were still in school and people were still at work. As she was about to cross the street to her walk-up apartment building, she heard small running footsteps and an excited squeal.

  A child was racing out of one of the houses after a ball. The little boy bounded after the ball on all fours and his squeal became a small growl as he shifted into a furry lion cub. The ball rolled across the front yard and right out onto the sidewalk. Cora instinctively reached out to try to stop the ball from flying towards the road. The red and white ball brushed past her outstretched hands and bounced merrily down the sidewalk.

  “Stay here. Don't move,” she told the cub firmly in her kindergarten teacher voice. “I'll go get your ball back for you.”

  The lion cub nodded and stood at the edge of the curb, watching her anxiously as Cora ran after the ball.

  Cora caught up with the runaway ball at last and hoisted it up above her head with a triumphant grin.

  “I got it...” she called out and her grin faded. “Wha—!”

  With a shout, she pounded her way back towards the frightened cub, but everything was happening way too fast. She couldn't stop them in time.

  A black van had pulled up beside the curb. Two masked men spilled out of it and in a flash, they had snatched the cub off the sidewalk and thrown him into the van.

  The little lion mewed and clawed frantically, but he was no match for those two brawny, tattooed men.

  “Hey! Hey, what are you doing? Let him go! Let the cub go!” Cora yelled, aiming the ball in her hand at one of the men's head as he climbed into the van. The ball ricocheted off the side of the van and landed in a ditch.

  “Stop! Help, somebody, help...” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Stop them! They're kidnappers! Help!”

  The man was almost in the van but Cora lurched forward and grabbed a handful of his shirt.

  “You're not getting away! You let the kid go, now!” Cora shrieked. “You're not leaving with him! Help, help, somebody!”

  Cora held on desperately to the man's shirt, hoping to slow the kidnappers down and thwart their escape. Somebody had to hear her. She just had to make enough noise and delay these thugs long enough. She couldn't let them drive off with the helpless little cub.

  “Shut up, bitch,” the man hissed, twisting her hand away. “Just walk away. You didn't see anything. Mind your own business.”

  Mind her own business? A child was being kidnapped right off the street! This was her business!

  “No! Let the boy go!” she screeched, yanking at the man's mask.

  “You crazy bitch!”

  Claws sliced out of his gloves and he raised his hand to slash at Cora's face.

  “Just take the bitch,” a voice snarled from inside the van.

  The man jerked back. “But...”

  “Come on, we've got to go! Just bundle her in!”

  Cora's scream was cut off as a huge, gloved hand clamped over her mouth, and she was roughly dragged into the dark interior of the van. The door slammed behind her and she heard tires squeal a
s the van made a sharp turn and accelerated.

  Cora tried to scramble up as the van sped away, but someone held her down.

  “Don't. Move.”

  “Let go...” she spat, grimacing at the pain.

  Cora heard a tiny, frightened whimper from the lion cub. She struggled to raise her head, trying to see where he was. She clenched and unclenched her fists, realizing that she had dropped both her handbag and shopping bag in the struggle.

  “Let me up,” she said, trying to twist round.

  She heard sobs and saw that the lion cub had shifted back to his little boy form. He tried to crawl towards her but someone yanked him back.

  “Hey, don't touch him!” Cora snapped, pushing herself up forcefully.

  “I said don't move!”

  Something blunt smashed into her head. Her teeth rattled at the force of the blow. There was probably a huge dent, or crack, or big, freaking hole at the back of her skull.

  Those shitheads...

  As Cora listed to the side, she began to hear ringing in her ears. Somehow the sound made her think of Christmas bells even though the ringing wasn't musical or cheerful. She refused to think of it as her death knell.

  She wasn't sure if her eyes were still open but she saw lights, bright, flashing Christmas lights. Christmas was the best time to shop, she thought as she fell face down.

  And she didn't move.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Ethan Flint pushed away from his desk and strolled to his coffee machine. He had been in his office for two hours straight. He could never sit at his desk for more than thirty minutes at a stretch. But he was a responsible Alpha, a dutiful CEO, and he would do whatever needed to be done. For his clan, for his company.

  There were many documents waiting for his signature on his desk. If he had to shackle himself to his chair and clear all those files, he'd do it. Even though he'd rather be out of his office and working with his teams on the field.

  As the founder and CEO of the Black Bears Group, there was no need for him to be on the field at all. He could just sit in his air-conditioned office the whole day, or amuse himself with a game of golf or any other game that bosses of big, successful corporations played. Ethan had a sharp business mind, but corporate games and politics never interested him. He never wore a suit and tie to work. He preferred black jeans and a simple, comfortable shirt.

  Ethan didn't like the inevitable paperwork but he loved his work. Black Bears Group provided security and consulting services, and work was plentiful. The bear in him relished the hunt, the challenge, the excitement of the job. Paperwork was a necessary chore, something to be finished and done with as soon as possible. Ethan wanted to be out there with his team leaders. One team was doing surveillance work for a shipping tycoon, while another was conducting a sting operation tonight. He had his people down at Skyflame Casino as well, that large, grand casino in the heart of the city owned by Liam Skyworth, the billionaire dragon shifter.

  It was a busy, busy, busy night. And here he was, stuck in his office, flipping through files.

  Ethan took a sip of his espresso and stared out of his office window. The office of the Black Bears Group was housed in a nice, modern three-story building just at the corner of Metro Street. The building was a good investment. All his clan members had voted in favor of purchasing the building. As Alpha, Ethan had the power to veto any vote or proposal, but Ethan strongly believed that every werebear in the clan should be involved and invested in the future of the Black Bears clan. Every single bear in the clan had a voice, a vote, a right to decide and the right to be different.

  Ethan watched the traffic flowing down the street, and checked his watch. Almost midnight. Their office was open round the clock, and his bears worked in shifts. Clients called and walked in at all hours of the day and night. The Black Bears Group worked with the city police, and with some of the other enforcement agencies, both human and paranormal. Everyone had a part to play in making the city a safer place, and Ethan knew that every one of his Black Bears took the responsibility of protecting and defending the city very seriously.

  Ethan glanced at the open file on his desk and grimaced. He would be stuck at his desk for another hour at least. Well, he should have a walk around the office, stretch his long legs and go talk to his staff before hunkering down to complete his Herculean task. Even Hercules had more fun completing his labors.

  Ethan opened his office door and strolled past his gatekeeper.

  “What are you doing out of your bear cave?” his secretary demanded.

  “Just going to the little boys' room, Olga.” Olga was his night secretary, a tiny fifty-something human woman.

  “Have you finished signing all those minutes and documents?” Olga asked without missing a beat, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

  “I've done most of them. Just two files to go.” Ethan held up two fingers. When Olga pushed up her glasses and narrowed her eyes at him, he amended quickly, “Okay, maybe three...or four.”

  “Hmph.”

  Ethan marveled at his secretary's ability to convey disbelief, disapproval and disdain in just that single, monosyllabic sound. His day secretary, Tabitha was a werebear who was twice Olga's size. His two secretaries were as different as night and day. Ha. Ha. Tabitha was jovial and motherly, while Olga reminded him of a stern, no-nonsense headmistress. But the two females were both capable and efficient, and he valued them equally.

  Ethan walked past the rows of cubicles, stopping to chat with some of the staff. Most, but not all, of his staff were members of the Black Bears clan. There were some humans, shifters, even a witch or two on his payroll. The Black Bears Group was an equal opportunity employer. It didn't matter what you were, how old you were, or what color your fur was. As long as you were willing and able, you got the job.

  Ethan made his way to the reception counter and helped himself to the complimentary, prettily-wrapped toffees and candies in the bowl.

  “You've got a sweet tooth, Alpha,” Paul, the receptionist, remarked with a grin.

  “Well, I must say these are the most delicious toffees I've tasted,” Ethan said. “Yum!”

  Paul beamed proudly. It was Paul who suggested putting a big bowl of candies on the reception counter. And he took the initiative to keep the bowl full at all times, often replenishing the bowl with delicious, quality candies.

  “I know, right? They are yummy, aren't they?”

  “Very. Paul, you did put in the claim for your purchases, didn't you?”

  Paul shifted his weight. “I...”

  “You bought all these candies with your own money,” Ethan said, shaking his head. “Why didn't you claim for your expenses?”

  “I'm glad to do something for the company.” Paul bowed his head and added softly, “For the clan.”

  “Paul, you are part of the Black Bears clan. Forever,” Ethan said emphatically.

  Paul kept his head bowed. “I...thank you.”

  “You've already thanked me.” Ethan put a hand on the man's slender shoulder. “This expense is on behalf of the company. The company will reimburse you.”

  Paul opened his mouth to argue, then clamped it shut at Ethan's stern stare. “Okay,” he said and gave his Alpha a small smile.

  Ethan returned the young man's smile. The young werebear had a lot of scars, physical, mental and emotional. His Black Bears had found Paul while on a mission. The young werebear had been more dead than alive when the Black Bears stumbled upon him. He had been savagely attacked and abandoned in the woods.

  After the Black Bears brought Paul back from the hospital, Ethan and his beta, Caleb, sat the young man down for a “talk”.

  Their questions were brief and straightforward. Why had he been so brutally beaten up by his old clan? What did he do? What heinous crime did he commit?

  Ethan already knew the truth. He had already sent his bears to find out Paul's background while the young werebear was recovering in hospital. Bu
t he wanted to hear it from Paul's mouth.

  In fits and starts, Paul told them his story. He hid nothing from them.

  Paul was from the Knight Bears clan. He had fallen in love with his Alpha's son, Daniel Knight. They kept their love secret but his Alpha soon found out about their relationship. Enraged, his Alpha ordered his bears to teach Paul a lesson, a lesson he would never forget. When Paul was being dragged out of his clan's territory, he'd glimpsed Daniel sitting at his father's side. There were whip marks down his arms and across his face, and his eyes were dead and empty. When Paul called his name one last time, Daniel had simply turned away, refusing to look at the man to whom he had once professed his love.

  Ethan offered Paul a place in the Black Bears clan and a job in the Black Bears Group.

  The young werebear had thanked Ethan and Caleb with tears in his eyes, and he never stopped thanking them.

  Ethan chatted idly with Paul for a few more minutes, then grabbed one last toffee to go. He was turning to head back to his office when the glass door swung wide open and a man rushed in.

  Paul surged to his feet instantly. “Good evening. How may I help you, sir?”

  The man's eyes were wild, glowing, his animal about to rip from his skin.

  Ethan took a quick breath, and the sharp scent of fear, anger and pain hit his lungs.

  The man's tumultuous emotions were so strong, they momentarily masked the scent of his beast. But Ethan managed to identify his animal.

  Lion.

  A raging werelion had just charged into their office.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Cora cracked her eyes open and croaked out a strange, strangled sound. Was that her voice? Her throat felt dry and tight, and there was something hard and cold against her face. Cora took a few ragged breaths and winced at the musky, pungent smell. She swiveled her eyes and blinked rapidly. It made no difference. Everything was still completely black.