Bear Next Door (Shifter Protection Agency Book 1) Read online

  “What is it?”

  Stella handed her the bottle carefully. It smelt like chamomile and rosehip.

  “It should bring your memories back,” Stella explained. “It’s not the most fine-tuned potion I’ve ever made, but the magic should work. Not sure how long it’ll take though.” She held the bottle to Laura’s lips and she drank. It tasted exactly how it smelled, like a garden full of flowers mixed with the sweetest tea she’d ever had. She gulped it down gratefully and when it was empty, Stella took the bottle back and laid a gentle hand between her shoulder blades. Sam’s hand rested at the small of her back and Laura had never felt so supported in her life. It was going to be okay, she may have been missing a vital part of her but she was going to get it back.

  She was going to get Sam back.

  19

  Carmen

  When the call came through to say it was done, Carmen knew it was time to move. That ridiculous little human wouldn’t pose a problem anymore, Michelle had seen to that. Now, nothing was standing in her way.

  She stalked down the halls of the laboratory, watching her new army scratch and claw at the bars of every door she passed. Soon, my darling, she thought gleefully, soon.

  Adrian was waiting for her around the next corner and he fell into step beside her with ease.

  “You’re looking very happy tonight, Miss Carmen,” he said quietly.

  “I’ve told you a thousand times to just call me Carmen, darling,” Carmen said with a smile, secretly loving the respect he always paid to her. “And I am happy, tonight’s the night, Adrian! The night we take back what is rightfully ours. Is the sleuth assembled?” Adrian nodded and she clapped her hands together with barely-contained excitement. Finally, she’d get vengeance for what those bastards did to her love. Victor would be so proud of her. Carmen preened at the thought and together, she and Adrian headed for the main meeting area.

  Her meager sleuth were gathered below her and Carmen stepped out onto the walkway to look down at them. Weak, all of them, but loyal. She made sure the door behind her stayed open, letting the screams and howls from the holding cells reverberate around the large room. Several of the shifters below her took faltering steps backward at the sound.

  “My darlings,” she called over the noise. “Tonight's the night we make history for our kind. Tonight we will storm the last obstacle standing in our way of total ownership of Mystic. The Shifter Protection Agency won’t know what hit them!” Below her, the shifters cheered. Many of them had also lost people to hunting, Carmen knew, and she wanted this for them, not because she cared about them particularly, but because she knew it was the right thing to do. Humans were filthy, disgusting creatures who needed to be put in their place and she couldn’t do it on her own. “They’ve taken everything from us! Our homes, our hunting grounds. Our loved ones, but no more! Adrian here has been an absolute sweetheart and found a way to bolster our numbers.” She beckoned Adrian forward and he took his place beside her with not even a smile. Miserable bastard. Carmen wanted to eat him up, barely stopping herself from pinching his cheeks between her fingers. That would be very unprofessional. “I know you’re worried,” she continued, starting to pace the walkway with her hands behind her back. Adrian stayed where he was, though she could feel his eyes on her as she paced. “I am too, but know that you’re not alone in this. The shifters beside you will be there every step of the way. As will I.” She almost rolled her eyes at the sappiness of it all. She didn’t give a shit about most of these whimpering excuses for shifters but she needed them to think she was on their side. If they knew they were only a means to an end, they would certainly abandon her. And with the mutated shifters still not one-hundred percent under her control, she needed as many dependable allies as possible if she was going to take her place as the rightful leader of the shifters of Mystic. “Are they ready?” she asked Adrian.

  “As ready as they’ll ever be, Carmen,” Adrian replied and Carmen let the excited grin spread across her face.

  “Everyone outside!” she barked, watching the shifters scramble out of the room. Once the room was empty she turned to Adrian. “Time to let the dogs out,” she crooned, finally giving in and pinching one of his cheeks between her thumb and forefinger. He pulled away after a few seconds and shook his head at her, affectionately, she assured herself.

  Outside the laboratory was a cacophony of noise as the bears and the wolves got acquainted with one another. Adrian’s creations were extraordinary, a real feat of sheer power and animosity. They slavered and growled at the bears who sank low to the ground protectively, just like Carmen had taught them to. They were obedient, she gave them that.

  Carmen shifted, stretching out her limbs and shaking off her fur. God, there is no better feeling than this. She snarled, low and powerful and all of the shifters looked up at her. She smirked under their attentions and set her sights for the Shifter Protection Agency headquarters. The last obstacle between her and total control. She could taste the victory on her tongue.

  Not long now.

  20

  Sam

  Sam awoke to the feeling of Laura moving around behind him and it took a solid minute to remember where he was. Stella’s spare room was perhaps the only room in the house that wasn’t decked out like a Hot Topic store and for that he was grateful – he never wanted to wake up to find a skull staring at him across the room ever again.

  He’d started off on the floor, not wanting to make Laura any more uncomfortable than she already was but, as everyone else went to bed and the house descended into silence, Sam knew very quickly that he wasn’t likely to get to sleep any time soon. Stella’s house was cold, the floor was hard and uncomfortable and Sam’s brain wouldn’t shut the hell up.

  They still didn’t know who was responsible for the attacks, though Stella was running every test she could think of on the green mist Laura had found. If their theory about someone trying to cross-breed shifters and humans was true, that still left the question of why? They seemed completely out of control – taking people so close to town – it didn’t make any sense. And why go after Laura at all? Sure, she found something, some residue left behind at one of the crime scenes, but why would they go to such huge lengths to take her out? Surely they’d just plant someone at the hospital and tell her it was nothing?

  “Sam?” A quiet whisper drew him from his thoughts and he rolled over to face the bed. He could see Laura’s outline as she sat up and made a soft sound to show he’d heard her. “I can hear you thinking.”

  “Sorry, I’ve tried telling my brain to shut up but it won’t listen to me,” he quipped in the darkness. “You okay?” He heard her sigh and the sheets rustled as she moved down the bed toward him.

  “I can’t sleep,” she admitted, poking her head over the footboard and peering down at him. Sam reached out a hand to catch her hair as it hung down but drew it back just as quickly. They weren’t dating anymore, he couldn’t just touch her whenever he wanted to. The kiss from earlier replayed over and over in his mind. He moved his hand behind his head.

  “I don’t think I could sleep either if I’d been told everything you were today,” he replied easily. “Sorry we dropped everything on you at once. The problem with being raised by the same man is that none of us have a subtle bone in our bodies.” Laura giggled above him and his heart gave a weak twinge.

  “I like that about you, and I’d rather know…” She trailed off and Sam could see her eyes darting from the bed to his face. “The bed’s too big,” she said quietly. “I need- will you sleep with me?”

  And how could he say no to that?

  Now, as the sun rose, Sam turned slowly, trying his best not to wake Laura and brushed her hair away from her eyes as she slept. She looked so beautiful, soft and peaceful in sleep and Sam could do nothing but stare at her for what felt like hours, taking in every inch of the gorgeous human being he’d been lucky enough to meet.

  “Enjoying the view?” His eyes jerked up to her face to find her sm
iling sleepily at him. Sam blushed, ducking his head. Any other time, he’d say something back or even drag her in for a kiss but now he didn’t know what to do. None of the things they used to do were acceptable with a stranger and that was what they were. The kiss meant nothing, Sam knew that. They were both upset; Laura had just been told she was missing a whole month of her life and she was confused.

  “I can hear you thinking,” she repeated with a hint of a tease and Sam couldn’t help but laugh.

  “I never knew I thought so loudly.”

  “It’s mostly the expression,” she mused, stretching her arms above her head and shuffling closer to him. “That and you move a lot when you’re thinking.”

  “What face do I make?”

  She scrunched up her face, gazing off into the distance like she was remembering every bad thing that had ever happened to her. It was a very familiar look.

  “Oh god, you look exactly like David,” he said with a smile. Then he realized. “You mean I do the same stupid pensive look as David?” Laura was still making the face and she nodded seriously. “Stop making that face!” He gave her a little shove and her composure broke. She grinned at him.

  “What was it like having David as a dad?”

  It was still relatively dark outside, they probably had at least a few more hours until everyone got up. Sam wriggled until he was more comfortable, head resting on one elbow.

  “Well, he took me in when I was seventeen after my parents died.”

  “How did they die?”

  “They were hunted by humans.” It wasn’t the answer she was expecting, he could tell by the way she flinched.

  “The others arrived around the same time. We grew up together. It’s…a weird way to look at it but, I don’t know… They’ve all helped me in a lot of ways.”

  “It must have been awful losing your family like that.”

  “It was but I- I’ve got a new family now, you know? And I wouldn’t change them for the world, bunch of assholes that they are.” Laura didn’t answer and when Sam turned his head to look at her, she was already gazing back, a soft smile on her face. “What? I got something on my face?” He shifted under her stare, embarrassed. She watched him for another long moment before closing the last little gap between them to press a kiss to his lips.

  Sam froze, which was apparently the wrong move because Laura gave a little whine and licked at the seam of his lips, and Sam melted against her. She felt so soft in his arms, so warm and Sam thought that if he died right here he’d die happy.

  When she pulled back, Laura looked at him like she was searching for something in his gaze.

  “I understand how I could have loved you,” she whispered, hands cradling his face in her hands.

  This isn’t fair.

  “Laura,” he breathed. “Please.”

  “And I’m angry,” she continued, face hardening but her hands still moved so gently on his face, like he’d break if she gripped too hard. “I’m so fucking angry because I should already know what this feels like.” One hand went to the nape of his neck and Sam shivered. “I already knew what it felt like to run my hands through your hair and cook for you even though the only thing I can actually make is-”

  “French toast,” Sam said, and the grin Laura gave him in return was like looking at the sun.

  “So I have already done it.”

  He nodded, turning to press a kiss to the palm of her hand because all his self-restraint was fucking gone.

  “It was delicious,” he promised. She laughed, eyes crinkling up at the edges. She let go of him and Sam had to stop himself from falling forward and crawling into her lap.

  “All those moments we must have had and I can’t remember a single one of them. How is that fair? On either of us?”

  Sam licked his lips and sighed, moving to lean back on the headboard and looking up at the ceiling.

  “It's not but…if you want…we have the chance to make them again and I’d enjoy it just as much the second time around.” He couldn’t look at her, scared she’d say no, that she’d run for the hills, curiosity satisfied.

  “Okay.” He looked over at her. She sounded so sure, so firm and Sam let out a shuddering breath. “So…the handcuffs?”

  His eyes widened and he groaned, face flushing.

  “It’s not as awful as it seemed,” he rushed. Laura raised an eyebrow at him but he could tell she was trying not to laugh. She was making fun of him. “The last time we were…intimate...” Intimate? How old am I? Seventy? “I told you I was essentially a cop and you said some very lovely things about handcuffs, so…” Once again, he found himself looking at the ceiling. He could hear Laura laughing beside him and he covered his face in his hands, willing the redness in his cheeks to fade.

  A sudden pressure on his lap made him jump and soft hands reached up to pull his hands away from his face.

  “Show me?”

  White-hot pleasure licked at Sam’s spine at the words and his hands went to her hips, keeping her pressed against him.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, voice hoarse with want. He wanted nothing more than to throw her down and make her scream his name but he wanted to be sure this was what she wanted. He could never hurt her. Laura met his eyes, fierce and determined and trailed a hand down his chest, leaving fire in her wake, until she slipped a hand under the fabric of his sleep pants. She wrapped her hand around his dick, keeping him pinned beneath her gaze and Sam arched into her with a groan.

  “I’m sure,” she said. “Please, Sam. Please kiss me,” He carded shaking fingers through her hair and surged forward to kiss her. God, he’d missed this, the feel of her in his arms, gasping and moaning into his mouth. Sam felt completely blissed out, happy to sit here and kiss her for the rest of his life. But Laura was arching impatiently in his lap, hand still moving up and down his cock. She ran her fingertips over the head and Sam bucked, pulling back.

  “Fuck, Laura. I’ll give you anything you want.” He eased her off of his lap, flipping them quickly to press her back against the bed. He gazed down, eyes roving over her beneath him. Laura tilted her head, eyes lidded and stretched herself out, her back curving deliciously. “Spread out like a goddamn feast,” he growled, leaning down to mouth at her neck, remembering how much she’d loved it before.

  She gasped sharply and bared her neck, giving him better access.

  “Oh god, it’s like you know every weak spot.” He drew back, licking his lips and grinning down at her.

  “That’s because I do, darling. I know exactly what to do,” he played with the buttons on her pajama shirt, undoing them slowly. “Exactly what to say to drive you crazy.” The last button undone, Sam once again leaned down and eagerly licked over her nipple, savoring the little groan it elicited. “And I am gonna use them all, gonna make you feel so good, baby.” This is as good as her first time, he thought giddily, I am not going to waste this.

  His hands moved to her hips, fingers skimming along the skin just under the waistband of her pants. She bucked into the sensation, pressing Sam’s dick into the warmth of her open legs.

  “Fuck,” she whispered.

  “Missed this. Missed you.”

  Suddenly, all he could think of was skin on skin; he needed to feel her. Sam reached for his shirt, ripping it off and over his head. He did the same with his pants and leaned down to press kisses across her collar bones.

  “Please,” she said breathlessly. Sam looked up at her through his tousled hair.

  “What do you want, baby?” I’d give her the world if I could. “Want your alpha to fuck you, huh?”

  “Oh yes,” she cried. “Yes, yes please, Sam. Please.” He flipped them again, lying back and looking up at her straddling his thighs. She was panting, lips kiss-swollen and red. He ran a hand up her body, over her breasts and pulled her down to kiss him again.

  “Then take your time, baby, use me to get yourself off.” He let her go, settling his hands back on her hips. “This is about you.” He wanted her to
feel good, wanted to watch her as she used him to make herself feel good. He was rock hard, dick pressing into the soft skin of her ass. “Can you do that, baby?” Laura nodded, lip caught between her teeth.

  “Yes. Yes, Sam, fuck.” She traced a line down his chest with her tongue, nipping at his hip bones. Her back was arched, giving him the perfect view of her ass.

  “You’re fucking gorgeous, so pretty and all mine.”

  He watched as she reached behind her, guiding the head of his cock inside her pussy and sinking down immediately. Sam howled, it felt too good. He wasn’t going to last long.

  Laura immediately started moving, rocking her hips, hands planted on his chest to keep herself steady.

  “Next time we should use those handcuffs,” she panted. “I could tie you down just like this and ride you so hard you’ll be begging me to cum. Would you call me alpha if I asked?”

  The thought struck him like lightning: tied down and unable to move as Laura fucked herself on him for a long time.

  “Fuck,” he said, hips stuttering as Laura increased her pace. “Yes. Want that so bad.”

  “We seem to have the same kinks, huh?” she teased, leaning down to lick into his mouth. “Sam… I’m gonna cum- feel so good.” Sam stroked one hand through her hair, wrapping the long strands around his hand and pulling slightly.

  “Then cum,” he said and Laura went still, clenching around him as she came. The tight grip of her around him coupled with the blissed-out look on her face as she rode out her orgasm was enough to send Sam toppling over the edge after her and they lay together for a long moment to catch their breaths.

  When they finally stumbled into the kitchen for breakfast, only Stella was still there, flitting back and forth between the table and the sink as she finished gathering the dirty plates.