Bearly There (Redwater Shifters Book 1) Read online

  It suddenly stopped, along with his pacing. Turning to face her he took a deep breath, his pale green eyes fluttered shut with a groan. She almost moaned aloud at the sound, her thighs were becoming slick with her need. The pheromones were so strong when she took a breath that she knew all the men around her could scent it too. Her need took a backseat to embarrassment. Ella felt the heat covering her chest, neck, and cheeks.

  "M-m-mason?" She whispered hoarsely. Not using her voice had taken a toll on her vocal cords. Great, now not only do I look and smell bad. I sound like a man too.

  "What is it little wolf?" He looked so earnest to help her and the nickname he continued to call her, warmed her heart. Mason stepped closer to her again. If he wanted to touch her all he would have to do is stretch out his large arms.

  "I'd like to get my clothes." She paused. "Please." Was spoken quieter, only for him to hear. Surprise, then confusion floated across his face. Then to Ella's great pleasure, he took his shirt off.

  "Wear mine. It will cover everything and calm my bear." He stepped closer, not sure of what he wanted, she just ogled him. She was going to take advantage of having a handsome mate. "Lift your arms silly wolf." He chuckled. Ella said a silent oh with a head nod and lifted her arms. The flannel fabric was soft against her skin and smelled just like Mason. She sighed at the comfort of it, but wouldn't be giving up her rags for anything.

  "I still need my clothes, they mean something to me." That was all Ella was going to give him for now. As long as things went well, she would tell him about her past at some point but not now. Only after she trusted him completely. He seemed to understand even if he didn't want too.

  "Fine, but first." He paused and held up one finger. "You must tell me your name. I can't keep calling you little wolf." He hastily added. "Unless you like it, of course." Mason gave her a sheepish smile, melting her heart on the spot.

  "Ella." She paused on giving her last name, then realized how weird it would look if she didn't give it. Besides these shifters weren't wolves so they wouldn't know her previous alpha or pack. "Ella Wilson." He nodded his head, probably memorizing her name. It would make sense since she did the same with him and his two friends.

  "That's a beautiful name, Ella." She shivered at his tone of voice. Hearing her name said in the deep velvety tone wasn't something she was used to, but certainly liked it. "Lead the way to your clothing so we can head home." Mason said to her, then turned to look at the other guys. "Gene, stay with me this time. Carter, you and the others head back and tell everyone to go home. There's nothing to worry about. We'll be meeting around the gazebo at noon tomorrow." The last part was said with narrowed eyes.

  Maybe he didn't want everyone to see his new mate looking like dirt. Ella hoped it was that and was actually grateful. She didn't want to be paraded around looking how she did. Hopefully, after a nice shower and sleep, she would be up to meeting everyone. Carter started in the opposite direction of her shelter along with the other three men whose names she didn't get. Gene was smiling like the cat who caught the canary. What is he up too? A joker could always spot another one, and Gene had that look. Like he was calculating a joke in everything he saw or did.

  "Gene." He held out his massive hand, but before it could even get close to where she could reach out her hand, the menacing growl, that was actually adorable started up. Ella rolled her eyes, at least now she knew she had one very overprotective mate on her hands. Caring mate. Her wolf sat up proudly, that was a plus sign for the wolf. Truth be told it was for Ella as well.

  Mason slapped Gene's hand away and stood partly in front of her. She had to hold in a laugh at his antics, his animal was more than likely acting up. Ella's wolf and her subconscious were so closely linked that they almost always felt the same thing. So there was really no need to pay her wolf any attention. Unless they felt something different, which had happened. Thankfully her wolf's instinct had saved her life.

  "Enough with the growling, Mason." She said lightly with a closed smile. Her teeth hadn't been brushed and she had just eaten a hearty feast. He gave her that smile again. Damn. He already knows my weakness. "It's nice to meet you too, I'm Ella." She said with a nod.

  "Pretty name for a pretty little lady." A wink accompanied his statement, and this time, Ella did laugh. She could tell that she and Gene would be fast friends.

  "Gene, for the love of the Goddess, stop flirting with my mate or I will tear you to shreds." Ella held her breath. No one had ever called her their mate before. A tingly feeling rose in her chest, she hadn't felt that feeling since her mother was alive. That feeling of all-encompassing joy that stayed with you forever. She would never forget that moment. Ella had found her mate against all odds. Now she just had to keep him.

  Chapter Four

  After walking behind his Ella for what seemed like two minutes they were at her makeshift shelter. His eyes hadn't left the sway of her hips. He was thinking of all the different ways he could plump her up and then grip her by those hips. His cock was actually in pain it had been hard for so long. Not once since he had scented her need had his cock gone soft.

  Mason was trying to control himself but damn was it hard, no pun intended. He knew she needed to clean herself up . From the moment she had stuttered his name, he wished he could whisk her away, pamper and love her for as long as he wanted. Although he knew he couldn't do that. So Mason only had tonight before the sleuth would swoop in and try to interrogate his innocent little wolf.

  He watched her bend at the knees, thankful since she would have flashed both him and Gene. Mason would have appreciated the view but he would never allow someone else to see his mate in a compromised position. Ella dug through some leaves pulling out dirty rags. Had his mate been wearing those? Never fucking again. There was no way she had stayed warm. Even with her high shifter temperature or fur.

  "Little one." He said gently stepping closer to her. "Are you sure you need these? I'll get you plenty of new clothes." Determination glinted across her eyes and her spine straightened. She probably thought he was going to take the rags away from her. As if that would ever happen. Even if Mason should have taken them, he knew he wouldn't and neither would anyone else. If his mate wanted something she would get it. No questions asked. "Maybe we could wash them when we return?" That got him a relaxed and relieved mate. Thank Goddess I didn't fuck that up. She nodded her head meekly, clutching the clothes to her chest.

  "We're going to head northeast, do you know where you are?" He asked much more casually than he was feeling. Really he wanted to grill her for every detail in her life. Anything and everything there was to know about her, Mason wanted to know. Gene raised a red eyebrow at him, he knew what Mason was up too. Prick. He tried to send that thought with his narrowed eyes but just got a stupid cocky smirk in return.

  "I'm in Oregon, but I didn't realize I was so close to a town. Let alone other shifters." She paused and glanced between the two men. "Do you mind if I ask you what kind of shifters you are? You don't have too, that was rude of me." She rushed on at the end politely. Ella gave a small smile but it warmed Mason's heart none the less. He didn't even think before he responded.

  "Grizzly Bear." She looked stunned, but bear shifters weren't unheard of in shifter lore. However many were never seen by other shifters. The bears stayed mostly in northern North America. Preferring the colder and less populated areas. Like wolf packs, once they laid claim to a territory it was theirs for as long as they could defend it. Meaning this particular town had been in the Callahan family for over three hundred years.

  "There's a whole pack of you?" Those deep pools she had for eyes were wide with wonder.

  "We're called a sleuth, but yes. Right now including the pregnancies were at one hundred and fifty bears strong." The pride he felt for his sleuth bled through his words and he felt a smile tugging at his lips.

  "What about you little lady, you have a pack out there?" Gene piped in out of nowhere. Ella stopped walking suddenly and went rigid. Obviously, h
er pack was a sensitive issue, and Gene that big oaf, had stumbled right onto it. Mason sent a glare towards Gene, who at least had the decency to look remorseful. He mouthed a silent "sorry" to Mason. The guy really was a gentle giant with a huge heart. Mason gave him a don't worry about it wave.

  "No pack." He could tell that was the end of the discussion. For now. Mason would get the whole story out of her sometimes, he just had to be patient and wait it out. Walking in silence was actually comfortable. The sounds of the forest filled in for the lost conversation and were calming to his bear. They didn't really see eye to eye on things. Sure Mason would listen to his instincts but he always put in human logic too.

  Most of the time his bear just huffed at him whenever he didn't listen. That was just fine with Mason if it meant he was more human than animal. A noticeable scent of blood filled the air, making it tangy. When he looked around for the source he saw little bloody footprints in front of him. In his rush of examining his tiny angel, he hadn't noticed that all this time she had been barefoot. She wasn't even carrying shoes. How long has this goddess gone without the bare necessities?

  The bear roared his displeasure at his mate bleeding and hurt. She hadn't said anything or even made a noise as if she were in pain. Damn, my little wolf is tough. Mason had an inward smile at that, she would need to be tough to handle a whole sleuth of bears.

  "Little one, you're feet are bleeding. Let me carry you." He had her scoped up and into his arms before her small yelp of surprise was fully out of her mouth. She was petite but felt just right compared to his body. "No mate of mine is walking on hurt feet. I'll take care of you from now on. Hell if I have to carry you everywhere I will." The words flew from his mouth before he could remember Gene was still with him. He would never hear the end of this from the guys if it got out. "I said all that out loud didn't I?" Mason whispered to Ella.

  "Yes, but I liked it." She said as she brought her arms up and snuggled into his neck. He let out a content growl, while his bear finally seemed to be at ease. If he could keep his adorable mate right where she was forever, he would. This is perfection. At that thought he tightened his arms around her, someone would have to pry him away from her. A light purring sound was vibrating in his neck and a smug smile overtook his face. Pleasing his mate was a damn fine thing.

  "Gene. If you even speak a word of me going soft. I'll have you on patrol twenty-four hours a day for a week straight. Am I clear?" He asked with a stern voice. "Crystal boss." Gene said with a head nod and for once he looked completely serious.

  The rest of the walk seemed to fly by. Mason was almost one hundred percent sure that Ella had fallen asleep almost immediately in his arms. His ego was sure getting a boost. This mate stuff was easier than he thought it would be, not to mention he actually wanted to do it. Now he understood where Nathan had been coming from. Mason wouldn't trade Ella for anything in the world. No matter what. He hadn't even known her for more than three hours. If that wasn't what mating was all about, then he had no idea what was.

  ****

  A soft jostling woke Ella from a peaceful sleep, something she wasn't accustomed too. Not ready to wake up, she snuggled closer to her warm pillow. She both heard and felt the growl that came from her pillow. Pillows don't growl. That snapped her from her dreamy haze. How long had she been asleep? More importantly had she drooled on her handsome bear? Oh, Goddess no. Opening her eyes slightly, she peeked at his chest. No drool. Praise the moon.

  "Go back to sleep little one. You must be exhausted." Mason's tone was gentle and comforting, making her close her eyes and almost lulling her to sleep. A thought popped into her head stopping her impending slumber.

  "Where am I sleeping?" She was glad when her tone didn't betray her nervousness. Maybe he didn't want her in his personal space with him, and she would be negated to sleeping on the couch. That would just be awkward.

  "In my bed. With me." His voice was commanding and booked no room for argument. Like she would have given one, she gave herself a mental fist pump. While her wolf yipped in happiness prancing around like crazy. "We won't do more than sleep." He grumbled like a spoiled child who wasn't going to get his way. The damn bear was so adorable and he didn't even know it.

  Ella had no problem with the sleeping arrangements. Even without knowing Mason long she wanted to be near him. She knew that in this strange and new place he would keep her safe. No matter what. Not to mention they were mates and that's what mates did, slept together in the same bed. That was nothing new to her, and in fact was surprised that he was willing to wait to finish the mating process. At least they would have time to get to know each other. However, there was something that she needed to take care of before they could head to bed.

  "I want to get cleaned up first and can put my clothes in the wash?" She asked calmly. No way was Ella going to share her mate's bed still smelling like a drowned rat. That poor mattress would be stuck like that forever and she had no plan of smelling that bad again.

  "Good idea. No offense, because even like this you are the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on. I can't even begin to imagine how wonderful you'll look cleaned up." Ella lifted her teary eyes to gaze at Mason's handsome face. Her bear was already starting to own her heart. He might have been a grizzly, but in her mind, he was a teddy bear. When he saw her teary eyes he stopped dead in his tracks looking worried. Silly mate probably thinks I'm sad again. Before he could say anything she raised her hand and softly caressed his jaw.

  "Thank you. Why the Goddess gave me you, I don't know, but I'll thank her every day for the rest of our lives." He leaned his face into her hand and closed his eyes. At first, Ella was worried she had said the wrong thing. If she had been too forward with what she had began to feel for him. However, he released a sigh that sounded both happy and relieved.

  "You don't have to thank me for telling you the truth Ella." He tightened his arms around her and began to walk forward once again. This time, instead of laying her head down she looked around the house they were in. House wasn't really the right word. It was more like a cabin. With both the walls and the floors made from wood.

  They must have just come in the front door, also wooden with a small circular window, because Mason's boots were laying haphazardly just behind them. Not on the shoe bench with all of his other ones. The entryway opened up into what could be called a living room but was a little bare. It didn't look like anyone lived there, she only knew it was his because his scent was embedded into every surface. A brand new dark leather couch sat in the middle of the room with a glass topped coffee table in front of it. Matching the couch was a recliner chair. The main focal point was a brick fireplace and the flat screen TV mounted on the wall above it.

  One hallway connected the rest of the cabin together. On the left-hand side, an open archway was in the middle. She caught a glimpse of a stainless steel refrigerator indicating that it was the kitchen. Straight across the hall, Mason opened the door to show his massive bedroom. A giant picture window was on one wall giving way to an amazing view of the forest.

  A king-sized bed fitted with gray and blue flannel bedding was on the opposite wall, meaning the sun would wake her up in the morning. Ella wasn't going to complain, she would be inside, warm and with her delicious mate. A wooden dresser sat right under the window. One door stood open at the other end of the room showing a closet full of flannels, jeans, and t-shirts. The other door was closed but she assumed it was the bathroom.

  All in all, Ella could see herself living in this room, heck the whole cabin. Maybe she could liven the place up a bit. Mason cleared his throat, making her look up at him. He was assessing her with intense eyes. What the hell was he looking for? He wants to know what you think of his personal space. Don't keep him waiting, dummy. Sometimes she was really naive about things.

  "I love your home. It could use some throw pillows, but otherwise, I like what I've seen of it." She gave him a slight smile and got a brilliant one in return.

  "Thanks, I'm gla
d you like it because you'll be living here." Mason nodded his head like she had already agreed to live there when he hadn't even asked.

  "Aren't you going to ask me to move in?" Ella was feeling sassy. It would be better if he learned she wouldn't just roll over and do everything he said.

  "No. You're my mate and you'll live with me. Sleep in our bed every night." His tone dropped low and made her insides quiver. Okay, if he told her to do anything in that specific voice she would do it. Including roll over and let him have his way with her. Stop being a little hussy. She ordered her wolf who had done just that but she couldn't stop her psychical reaction to him. He noticed.

  The growl that melted her, vibrated around the room and through her body. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was quickly becoming dry. He set her down gently, held her by the upper arms and took a step back. After a deep breath that she didn't think helped anything, he tilted his head toward the closed door.

  "The bathroom is through there, everything you need should be in there. I called ahead and got my buddies mate to bring over girly shit for you. I'll bring you a clean shirt for the night. My shirt." He said all with a low growl in his voice. Ella nodded her head meekly but made sure to tell him an important detail.

  "Make sure you don't surprise me if you walk in. After being in the wild, I don't do well with being snuck up on. Even on accident." She said seriously. Attack first and ask questions later was her motto out there and it had served her well.

  Chapter Five