Page 31 of My Forever Bear

“Mmm… I don’t think I’m the one with the problem this morning, Kier.” I point to his obvious erection tenting the sheet. I let out a giggle as he rolls on top of me, effectively pinning me in place.

His cock settles against my core and I’m instantly wet for him. No one has ever had this effect on me.

Molten whiskey eyes stare down at me, his forearms braced on either side of my head. He leans his face into the side of my neck. Dragging in a large inhale, “Lilac,” he breathes on a sigh. “You smell so sweet, my beautiful mate.”

Gripping his stubble coated cheeks in my hands, I pull his lips to mine for a slow, lazy kiss.

“Thank you for last night,” I whisper before nipping his bottom lip with my teeth, making him groan.

“You’re always safe with me, sweet girl, emotionally and physically. I’m not like your weasel ex. I don’t want to change you to fit me, I want you to grow into your best self by my side.”

“I want that, too, Kiernan,” I rasp, the backs of my eyes prickling with unshed tears. I want so badly to say those three little words to him, but I hold them in… for just a little while longer.

An obnoxious buzzing interrupts our tender moment. Kiernan groans in frustration, reaching over to the nightstand for his phone, before settling back against the pillows.

“Hey, man,” he greets, scrubbing a hand down his face.

I take the opportunity to tease my mate a little, tip-toeing my fingers down the thick ladder of abs towards the massive bulge under the sheet. Humming, I pluck the edge of the sheet between my thumb and forefinger.

“Whoa, Tyler, slow down. What happened?” Kiernan’s voice is rough, coated in worry. He grips my wrist in his warm hand, halting my exploration. Sitting up, I clutch the sheet to my naked chest. Kiernan’s brows are pinched in worry, jaw clenched tight.Uh-oh.

“Okay, we’ll be there in a few minutes. Call Reese. We’ll figure this out.” He ends the call and tosses his phone on the bed between us. He blows out a breath and scrubs his hands over his cropped hair.

“What’s going on? Is Tyler okay? Kier?”

“Someone burned down all the crops. They smashed the greenhouse windows. Everything is ruined.” His voice comes out in a strangled whisper.

“Is everyone okay? Who would do something like this?” An invisible thread wraps around my heart, tightening at the thought of someone hurting my friends.

“Everyone is fine. Breathe, Lilac. I told Tyler we’d be there as soon as possible, but maybe you should stay here. I don’t know if it will be safe.” Looking into his dark eyes, they swim with worry.

Placing a hand on his cheek, I stroke my thumb under his eye. “I know you’ll always protect me. Plus, we’re in this together, okay? Let me help in any way I can.”

Not quite ready to separate, he nuzzles into my hand, placing a chaste kiss on the palm. “We’re in this together,” he confirms. “Come on, let’s go help Tyler.”

“Oh my god!” Tears well in my eyes at the sight before me. All of Tyler’s hard work and dedication literally went up in smoke. The plot of land behind the greenhouse is torched. Blackened corn stalks litter the ash covered soil. The back windows of the greenhouse are shattered, either from the heat of the fire or smashed on purpose.

“Who would do this?” I say the words out loud, but I’m not sure anyone hears me. Reese, Tyler, and Kiernan have been uncharacteristically quiet since we arrived.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Tyler murmurs as he kicks away the burned remains of a pumpkin.

“Does the pack have any enemies?” All eyes swing to Reese at my question.

“Not that I’m aware of. We keep to ourselves, only interacting with the folks in Oak Ridge,” Reese says, crossing his big arms over his chest.

“And they all love us,” Tyler mumbles.

“Tyler, man, I’m so sorry,” Kiernan says as he steps up behind Tyler, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder as everyone falls quiet.

Kiernan tips his head back, sucking in a lungful of air. “It smells like gasoline. We should get out into the woods as soon as possible in case the attacker left anything behind.”

“Agreed. Let’s get moving. We’ll find whoever did this and make them pay,” Reese says with a quick nod.

Nausea churns in my stomach. I can’t help but worry that I'm somehow responsible for this. Kiernan and the others had lived here in peace until I showed up. First my car, now this…

Sensing my unease, Kiernan approaches me slowly, brows pulled together in concern.

“You alright, Lilac?” he asks quietly.

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