Bearing It All (Grizzly Affairs Book 1) Read online

  He smirked as she tripped again when one overly large boot fell off her delicate foot once more. Clenching her tiny fists in anger she limped over to the fallen boot and snatching it up before stomping back into the cabin. Smiling at her display, Doyle leisurely made his way down the incline that led straight down to his home.

  * ~ * ~ *

  Aria swore in disgust as she couldn’t get the laces on the borrowed boots any tighter than they already were. She wouldn’t be able to walk, much less run anywhere with these on her feet. Closing the front door behind her, she limped over to the rust colored couch that sat in front of the wide living room window. Jerking the other boot off her tiny foot, she set it aside with the other.

  Looking around, she took in her surrounding for the first time. The log cabin was built with wide spaces and a tall ceiling. No doubt it was required for the huge lummox that lived here. The only furniture besides the couch was a small oak coffee table and a recliner off to the side. All the furniture faced the multicolored stone fireplace against the far wall. Her eyes fell on the mounted twin barrel shot gun above the fire place. Mentally she made note of it as it may be needed later. Past the bedroom, the length of the living room blended into a kitchen area.

  Standing up, she crossed the room to investigate. The kitchen consisted of a simple round table set near two corner windows on the right side of the room. On the left was a wide area with a stove and fridge on either side of a double sink. Rushing to the fridge, she jerked it open and stared at the contents.

  Not bothering to wait for proper manners, she grabbed a package of lunch meat. Ripping it open, she began shoving slices of honey ham into her mouth. The taste exploded on her tongue causing her to groan in delight. It had been years since she’d had anything other than the gruel that she’d been forced to eat over the years.

  Still holding the fridge door open, she set the lunch meat back and grabbed a jug of apple juice next. Ripping the cap off, she lifted the large jug to her lips. While taking a few swallows, she didn't hear the door open until it was closed again. Jerking around, holding the jug near her chest she came face to face with the handsome man from earlier.

  He stood near the front door with his powerful arms crossed over his chest. Slowly; she sat the jug down on the sink counter. With her eyes trained on him, Aria pulled out the closest drawer near her. Reaching in, she gripped the first thing her hand came in contact with, a butter knife. Gritting her teeth at the absurd choice of a weapon, she held it pointed at him.

  Chuckling at his mate as she held a simple butter knife, Doyle slowly lowered his hands to his sides while he moved closer. Like earlier, every step he took was mirrored with a step back by her. His mate certainly was a skittish one and a hungry one from the look of it. Never had he seen a female attack a package of ham like he’d seen seconds earlier.

  She had devoured each piece like a starving man with his first meal in decades. The idea that it may be her first meal in a while concerned him greatly. Stepping closer to her, he was disappointed when she backed up further. How did he go from here? She was obviously mistrusting of him and that had to go now. Taking quick steps forward, before she was able to retreat, Doyle caught her knife wielding hand as she swung it at his throat. Gripping her hand tightly, he removed the knife before tucking it in the back pocket of his jeans.

  This time he was prepared when she struck out with her legs and other arm. Blocking each strike of her flailing limbs, he jerked her against his hard body, holding her immobile. Wrapping his arm around her middle, he lifted her still fighting figure against his side, carrying her into the living room like a football under his arm.

  Like a hell cat, she fought against his hold with kicking legs and punching fists. Turning in his grip her teeth bit down on the side of his stomach. That was a bad idea. Bears—like all shifters were know for rough sex and that usually included biting and scratching. As her small teeth bit down on his hard flesh, his bear came to full attention with a groan of desire.

  Claim mate now!

  As much as he wanted to go with his bear’s voracious impulse, even he knew that now was not the time for a loving tussle. Tossing her down on the plump couch, he watched as she bounced on her side and then scrambled into a sitting position. When she tried to flee towards the door, he reached out, gripping her shoulders and pushed her back down onto the cushion.

  “Sit down.” he growled out as he slowly took his hands off her shoulders and took a seat on the coffee table across from her. When her muscles gathered to spring off the couch and away from the towering mountain in front of her, a dangerous growl surfaced from his chest as Doyle glared down at her. This was a sound that was more animal than man, causing a shiver of fear to sink in her stomach.

  Easing back against the cushions, Aria stared back at the stone cold eyes that were locked on hers. The glimmer of humor from this morning was gone from his eyes. Only an unyielding and steady stare greeted her.

  “You can’t keep me here against my will.” She reasoned.

  “The hell I can’t.” with a dark look, he stood up to pace back and forth in front of her. “And don’t even think about using your mind tricks on me again.” he warned, pointing an accusing finger at her.

  Aria shook her head is confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “When you made me want to leave the cabin and get far away from you. You controlled my mind!” He growled out with a bruised pride. Never had a female posed such a threat to him. What if she controlled him to the point that he was unable to claim her? No! He wouldn’t allow it! She was his and it was best if she accepted it now. For a moment, as she looked up at him; her blue eyes glowed for a moment before she blinked them. Once she opened them again, they were devoid of any sign that she was anything but human. Could she not even be aware of it?

  “Look buster; if I could control your mind, I would’ve told you to never come back or have you fall in love with a tree, or….something!” She hissed out while waving her hand around in frustration “Since you’re here; you can see I did no such thing.”

  The urge to run was causing Aria’s skin to crawl. Malca’s hunters wouldn’t have given up easily and this cabin was probably not too far from where this weirdo had found her. Every second she wasted arguing with him was time she could be outdistancing them. She looked up at Doyle with a pleading look, “Could you please point me in the direction of town. I need to get as far away from here as possible. It’s not safe for me.”

  * ~ * ~ *

  Upon returning to the cabin, Doyle had no idea what he had planned on saying to the elusive female that was raiding his fridge. He had every intention of calmly talking to his mate. Of easing her into explaining about his bear and about the pair of them being destined mates, but the second she saw him she’d instantly went to defend herself as though he were a stranger.

  You are a stranger. His bear supplied. He needed to tread carefully with this female or she would run from him.

  She already is…the lazy statement had him clenching his hands into fists.

  Stay out of this! You are just making things worse! His thoughts snapped at his bear.

  She’s my mate too! You’re the one making them worse. Stop scaring her! His bear growled back.

  Aren't you the one who wanted me to hurry and bite her just seconds earlier? He asked in confusion. When did his bear become the sensible one?

  I changed my mind. I’m on her side now. Without another word his bear shut him out with a hard indifference.

  Looking down at his mate’s face caused his chest tighten. She looked so forlorn, so lost. She looked up at him with a look of desperation and he was finding denying his mate in the future would be very hard. Dark shadows were present deep in her baby blue eyes. He wanted to see those eyes bright with joy and happiness, not fear and foreboding. If only she would give him something to chase those shadows away, he would feel of some use to his mate.

  Releasing a tired sigh, he lowered himself down beside her. He c
ouldn’t help but feeling disappointed when she tried to scoot even further away from him. His bear was torn between growling in anger and moaning in pain at his mate’s distance. How could she not feel the undeniable need he was feeling for her? The need to touch and to hold her near was as undeniable as breathing.

  “I know we are still new to each other, but understand this; I will protect you with everything I am. Talk to me, are you running from someone?” When she looked away with no forthcoming answer, he gently clasped her cold hand in his massive one before locking his eyes on her fearful ones. “Whatever you’re running from, I need you to know that you are safe here with me.” He whispered, with a kind voice. “Besides, where’d you go if I showed you the way? We are miles from town. It’s too cold and you would never survive the hike to town on foot. Plus; something tells me you don’t know anyone around here. Stay here for the time being, until you get on your feet.” He urged, silently praying he would have time to woo his mate in the process.

  Aria was stunned. This handsome stranger seemed sincere, but then she’s sure Malca must have at some point as well. But he did have a point. She would be getting nowhere without some form of help. Maybe accepting his protection temporary wouldn’t be so bad. Before she could answer him, a deep rumble echoed from her starving stomach.

  Chuckling, he stood from the couch. His mate looked up at him hesitantly with her face flushed with embarrassment. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. You like ham and eggs?”

  “Anything edible sounds great at this point.” She admitted with a small smile as she too; rose to her feet. Chuckling at her small response, Doyle wrapped an arm about her shoulder and began pulling her towards the kitchen. She instantly felt the need to resist his touch, but she was so hungry the thought of food won over her pride.

  “Let’s get some food in you then. I can’t have my mate wasting away on me.”

  Aria let a small smile form on her lips, while choosing to ignore the “mate” comment. She didn't understand his fascination with claiming her as though she were a shiny new toy. But it oddly stirred a deep, clawing ache inside of her. A heavy ache that no matter how much she tried; she could not find a name for it. Her eyes traveled down the flexing muscles of his back as he began pulling items out of the fridge.

  Taking a seat by the kitchen window, she felt comfort in the sound of Doyle humming as he stood at the stove. The mouth watering smell of ham and eggs made her stomach clench painfully with impatience. It felt strange to be out of the labs. Her eyes stared vacantly over the white blanketed scenery through the frosted glass. A deep fear that any moment she would see Malca’s hunters coming toward the cabin shook her to her core. Was there anywhere she could run where Malca wouldn’t eventually find her?

  “Breakfast of champions,” Doyle said, placing two plates at the small table. Staring at her plate in amazement, Aria struggled not to drop her jaw as she took in Doyle’s plate. He had piled at least twenty eggs and ten slices of cooked ham on her plate and it was double that on his own. How was this sexy caveman not a fat cow by now?

  Seeing Aria’s stunned expression, Doyle placed his fork down after shoving a large stack of ham into his gullet. “Is something wrong?” he asked curiously.

  Slowly shaking her head, Aria slowly picked up her fork and began taking small bites off her mountain of food, all the while keeping her head down. Though the food was perfect, it sat in her stomach like rocks.

  As he slowly chewing his food, Aria caught his eyes flicker over the black shock bracelets that she had been absently rubbing. Dropping her rubbing hand from her wrist, she shoved the sleeves of her sweater over the intolerable ornaments, hiding them from sight. She couldn’t wait to be rid of the awful things.

  Needing to change the subject she opened her mouth to ask him why he made so much food, but she froze as her gaze wandered over his shoulder. Frozen with fear she watched as the front door slowly opened. One after the other, two towering figures entered.

  They had found her.

  4

  Blood pounded in her ears as she searched franticly for any escape routes. The only way out of the small kitchen was through the window or past the two intruders. There was nowhere for her to run. Malca’s hunters had found her and she had put an innocent in their path as well. Though she didn't know Doyle that well and as extreme has he seemed, she didn't want him to get a bullet in his head because of her. As her heart galloped in her chest, she forced her fear paralyzed legs to move.

  Leaping out of her chair, she made a mad dash for the door, praying she would be able to rush pass them. Or the very least throw herself between them and Doyle. Just as the two leviathans turned at the sound of her scraping chair, Doyle stood from his chair. In her rush to escape she collided with him as he stood, her momentum knocked them both to the ground causing her to land on Doyle’s back as he fell face first into the hard wood floor.

  This was it. They were going to die and all because of what a ridiculous klutz she was. How humiliating. Squeezing her eyes closed she waited for the pain or death that she was sure would follow, but was surprised when instead a sound of booming laughter occurred instead. Quickly raising her head after Doyle did as well, Aria was surprised with the sight before her.

  Two smirking faces stared down at her with merriment. Neither of them were Malca’s hunters from last night. One was an older man with dark hair mixed with silver wavy strands cut short. His thin lips where framed with colorless stubble dusted over his strong jaw. The other was nearly the same carbon copy of Doyle with the exception of his hair being a dark black and cut close to his scalp. Both of them were built similar to Doyle’s indestructible form.

  “Falling for the ladies again, Bro?” The younger one said with a deep rumbling chuckle as he pointed at her.

  “He gets that from me, I suppose.” The older one grunted out with a smirk. “I remember tripping all over myself to get to your mother.”

  “You two need to learn how to knock.” Doyle murmured as he pushed up on his arms, until he was unable to sit up any further. Turning to look over his shoulder Doyle’s eyes connected with her startled ones. “Could you let me up, little rabbit?”

  Surprised that she hadn’t moved sooner, she scurried off his back and onto her bare feet. Rising to her full height she backed up as Doyle’s family began to stare at her like she was an apparition. She let out a squeak of surprise when a strong arm coiled around her waist, jerking her forward.

  Smiling coyly down at her, Doyle brought her hesitant form closer to his father and brother. “I’d like you to meet my father; Colin and this ugly excuse for a man is my younger brother; Robert.” As she nodded respectfully at both of them with a friendly smile, Doyle indicated to her as he continued. “This is my mate.” He said with an air of pride.

  Turning partially, she glared up at Doyle with heavy irritation. “Stop calling me that! I have a name; you know.” She hissed out.

  Shock burst through Doyle at her hissed out words. Of course she had a name! Why hadn’t he ever asked? Was the name of his mate so unimportant that he didn't care to find out? He could practically hear his mother and sister’s scolding words that they would surely spout.

  “Doyle? Did you really forget to ask for her name?” His father asked with surprised chuckle.

  Ignoring his father, Doyle ran a hand through his dark hair as he looked down at her stern face with apprehension. “Why didn't you tell me your name before?” He asked accusingly.

  “So it’s my fault for not telling you something that you should have asked to begin with? I didn't think it was important. If you weren’t asking I wasn’t going to tell.”

  Folding his thick arms over his bare chest, Doyle stared down at her with exasperation. “What is your name?”

  “Aria,” She supplied softly, her eyes flickered back and forth between all the towering males in the room. Had she stumbled onto a tribe of giants? With their massive heights, they made her feel very meager. With their size these g
uys made Malca’s terrifying guards look like dwarfs next to them.

  “Well; it is nice to meet you, Aria.” Robert’s teasing voice rang with genuine affection.

  Striding forward, the younger man stopped right in front of her. Without faltering he enfolded Aria in a tight bear hug, lifting her off her feet. With her arms pinned to her sides, she could only dangle in his firm embrace. Her surprised eyes sought Doyle’s beside her, his tense expression offered little reassurance. As a familiar rumbling sound erupted from Doyle’s heaving chest, Robert quickly deposited her back on her feet so abruptly that she staggered into Doyle. His arm immediately struck out, wrapping around her waist as she steadied herself.

  “What’s for breakfast, Bro?” Robert asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Walking around her, he entered the kitchen and proceeded to pick up Doyle’s plate and eat what was left of his breakfast.

  Ignoring his brother, Doyle turned his attention to his father, whom was shaking his head at his youngest son’s one track mind. “What are you guys doing up here?” he asked, oblivious to Aria as she struggled to remove his constricting arm from her waist.

  “Why don’t you let go of your mate for a second and let’s step outside?” Colin asked gruffly, smiling down at Aria.

  Seeing the look of indecision on Doyle’s face, Aria finally freed herself from his hold. “Go on.” She said, waving her hands dismissively in their direction.

  “I’ll look after her, Bro.” Robert offered, standing with a now empty plate in hand as he strode to the stove for seconds.

  She couldn’t help feeling outraged as they spoke about her as if she’d burn the place down if not watched every second. Did they think she was a child? Crossing her arms over her chest, she fixed her look of anger on each of the chauvinist men before her. “I don’t need a babysitter.” She argued, marching to the couch with her head held high.