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J ared loved the mountain. He had since he was a boy.

It was but one of the many that surrounded and protected the valley below, but it was the one he’d spent most of his life on.

Showing it to Carson and seeing it through a new set of eyes made him appreciate the beauty surrounding him even more.

He began whistling as they climbed one of the set trails, enjoying the time spent with their new companion.

Looking over his shoulder, he checked that their human was keeping up.

“We need to break off the path up ahead. I’ve got somewhere special to show you,” Jared murmured. He was about to take Carson to one of his favorite spots, one he rarely shared with anyone.

Carson glanced up before looking back down at his footing. “Are you sure we should go off the trail, considering what happened earlier?”

“No one’s going to mess with you, not after we made it known you were ours.”

“How many other bear shifters live up here?”

“They’re all over this valley and in the mountains surrounding it.

We own this mountain, as well as the land around the lake, but there are a handful who have long-term leases for spots on the opposite side that Royce’s grandfather let out to raise the cash to open the inn.

Unfortunately, some of those include assholes like the McCreary family.

Down in the valley, there’s a town. It’s completely inhabited by bear shifters. ”

“A whole town?”

“We’re about a thousand strong, give or take,” Jared replied, turning back to see the look of surprise on Carson’s face. “And we’re not the only shifters out there. Just one of the many hidden spots filled with them all over the world.”

Carson blinked a few times. “And no one knows what you are here?”

“There are humans here, too. Mates like you, of course. But no, other than our mates, no one else knows. From the outside, we look human. We keep to ourselves and together own the land for miles. The whole county.” Jared paused and turned to Carson. “We need to break off here. Follow me.”

Jared grew excited as they rustled through the pines on the half-assed trail he’d made during his many visits.

As far as he knew, the only other beings who knew of this spot were Royce and Paul, and the three of them had an agreement to keep it a secret.

If too many folks came in, it would ruin the natural beauty.

When they strode through to the clearing, he spun to face Carson. He wanted to see the look on the human’s face when he saw what he was sharing.

Carson looked around, pausing to take in the view. His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened as he stared at the sight.

“It’s beautiful,” he breathed.

Jared turned back around and stared at the small waterfall feeding into the large, crystal clear pool.

A mist came up off the water as the cooler upper mountain run-off ended up in the hot spring below, adding to the beauty.

Pines surrounded for privacy, but Jared knew you could nearly see the entire valley from one spot near the waterfall.

“Want to take a swim? It might help those bruises the McCrearys gave you earlier.”

“Isn’t the water ice cold?” Carson asked.

“Near the waterfall, it can get frigid, but along that side is a natural warm spring. Keep closer to the air pockets and you’ll stay plenty warm.” Jared unbuttoned his shirt before sitting on a rock to take off his boots. “I’m going in. I can’t pass up an opportunity while I’m up here.”

Carson appeared to fight a smile. “You just want to get me naked.”

“Oh, that, too,” he answered honestly as he kicked off his jeans. He stared at their human, willing the man to join in. He wouldn’t force. They’d pushed hard the night before and Carson needed space to make his own choices.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t offer temptation, either.

He leveled a wicked grin at Carson, giving the best come hither look.

Finally Carson sighed. He dropped his backpack and began disrobing.

With a smile on his face, Jared dropped the last of his clothing onto the pile and dashed off to jump into the pool.

The warm water greeted him, enveloping his body in soothing comfort.

As he broke the surface, he saw a naked Carson making his way over the smooth rocks at the water’s edge.

Seeing his mate bare, his cock already thickening in anticipation, made Jared’s shaft harden in response.

Not that he needed much help to get him there.

Carson toed the water and confirmed it was indeed warm. He climbed in, moaning wickedly as the water wrapped around him.

“This is amazing,” he said, his lids lowering.

“I’m glad you like it,” Jared replied, watching his mate enjoy the water. “So you want to tell me the reason you high-tailed it out of the cabin this morning?”

Carson’s face reddened some, and he looked away. “I just needed time to think, like I told you both earlier.”

“I know learning you’re the mate of two bear shifters can’t be easy. You’re handling it better than some I’ve heard of.”

One of Carson’s eyebrows shot up, and he gazed at Jared. “More like my entire world has flipped upside down. I’m amazed I haven’t gone off the deep end.” Carson sighed. “I should be, right? I should be freaking out and running away as fast as I can. I don’t understand why I’m not.”

Jared swam a bit closer. He lifted a hand and pressed his palm against Carson’s chest. The rapid beating quickened under his touch. “You sense this is right… don’t you?”

Carson met his gaze, heat pooling there.

“Right here,” Jared whispered. “You feel it here… how bound we all are.”

Carson turned away from Jared, looking out into the trees. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

“How can you not know after last night?”

Carson slanted his gaze at Jared. “I wonder if last night was a mistake.”

Jared felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. “A mistake? You didn’t sound like it felt like a mistake as you were screaming in pleasure.”

Carson swam away a few feet. “I can’t think when you two are this close. All I can think about is fucking. That’s why I needed some space this morning.”

Jared swam closer. “It’s our bond. The closer we are, the stronger it is. Why fight it?”

“In the matter of a day, I’ve had sex with two men for the first time, learned those men were bear shifters, and been attacked by two other bear shifters. I think I deserve an hour to clear my head. But the two of you are always near. Always. I just need to think.”

“If we hadn’t been close this morning, you’d likely be dead.”

Carson grew quiet. “Yet if you hadn’t pushed me last night, maybe I wouldn’t have needed that hike.”

The comment stung. It sounded like something Royce would say. Doubt filled his mind. “Are you telling me you being attacked is our fault?”

“It’s no one’s fault. It just happened. There’s no finger to point. I just need you two to slow down a little.”

“Slow down isn’t in my vocabulary. Not when it comes to you,” Jared said, his voice growing deeper.

Three days. They had three days to claim their mate, and Jared wasn’t pressing the brakes one bit.

He swam closer and pulled Carson into his embrace.

“You’re ours, human. Ours. And I can prove that to you. ”

Jared pressed his lips against Carson’s, ready to bask in the flavor of their mate.

He was sweet, spicy, with a hint of mint and vanilla.

Carson pushed against his chest when the kiss began, but he quickly relaxed in Jared’s arms. Their human slid his hands down and wrapped his arms about Jared’s waist, tugging him even closer.

Deepening the kiss, Jared pushed the human against the smooth rocks lining the pool.

Pinned between him and the rocks, Carson was his passionate prisoner.

Jared took advantage, pressing closer to Carson and rubbing his naked body against their human’s.

Carson was soon running his hands over Jared and tugging him closer.

Carson pulled his mouth away. “You’re not making this any easier.”

“Seems pretty easy to me,” Jared drawled, smiling down at their human. He recaptured Carson’s lips, trying to quell any more argument. The human just needed to face his desire and their bond, and when he did, then he’d be theirs.

Three days.

Carson slid his hands down and began stroking Jared’s cock.

Jared moaned against the human’s lips and followed the same train of thought.

He captured Carson’s cock in one fist and massaged the length from base to tip and back down.

The water helped buoy their actions, and the heat only fueled the need inside Jared.

“I want to be inside you,” Jared whispered against Carson’s lips. “I want to connect with you like we did last night.”

Carson shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Let’s see,” Jared said, spinning Carson to face the rocks. Jared pressed along the man’s back to make him bend and lift his ass. As gently as he could, he pressed a finger against Carson’s anus and he slid in with more ease than the night before.

Carson rose on his toes, hissing.

“Too much?”

“No,” Carson mumbled. “It’s sore, but that’s not too much.” Carson paused. “I kind of enjoy… the pain.” He lifted both of his hands to his face and scrubbed it. “What the fuck is wrong with me?”

Jared closed his eyes, trying to control his need. He stepped back, putting distance between them.

Carson spun to eye him. “Where are you going?”

Jared smiled, swimming to the edge of the pool.

He searched the smooth rocks until he found the fake.

After opening it, he pulled out the lube they’d stored there for emergencies.

He returned to Carson and pumped a bit into his palm before lifting their mate’s ass out of the water to coat the tight hole.

Carson’s back arched as he spread the lube, a moan pouring from his lips.

“Prepared, I see,” Carson mumbled.

“As any cub scout learns to be,” Jared whispered, grinning.

He fed his finger deeper and rhythmically surged in and out, making sure Carson could handle his touch. Carson soon relaxed around the impalement and began rocking his hips to meet the thrusts. When Carson moaned, Jared added another finger, stretching him wider. Once again the man hissed in pain.

“I’m okay,” Carson said before Jared could ask the question.

“Are you sure?”

“Just keep going,” Carson spat. “You can’t stop now.”

Jared chuckled lightly. “For someone who wanted space, you’re being awfully needy right now.”

Carson looked over his shoulder, his eyes darkened with lust. “You gonna keep running your mouth or are you going to fuck me?”

Heat flooded Jared’s body. His bear rose to the surface, and his eyes began to glow.

“Come on, bear. Show me what you’re made of.”

Jared let out a roar, his incisors lengthening as he felt his animal raging within. Jared claws extended a tiny bit, the tips of his fingers growing dangerous. He reeled them back in, knowing he could hurt their human if he wasn’t careful. “Don’t tempt the beast.”

“Why not?” Carson said over his shoulder. He drew off Jared’s fingers and spun to face Jared. “I want the beast.”