Page 56 of Mated to the Mountain Bear (Bear Protector #1)

BEN

I t’s been three weeks since Zara chose to stay. Three weeks of waking to her warmth, and her laughter filling spaces I didn’t know were empty, replacing the silence that I thought I loved.

Jerry looks entirely too pleased with himself now that he has someone to spoil him morning, noon, and night. Some days, I still can’t believe she’s here, that she picked this life. Picked me.

Today’s different. Today, my family is descending on our mountain sanctuary like a swarm of well-meaning but slightly brutish bears, and I’m not feeling too thrilled about it.

But while Zara’s doing well, I know she still misses her sister desperately, so I’ll do anything to put a smile on her face.

“That’s a lot of beards and plaid.” Zara muses, peering through the kitchen window at my brothers, who’ve gathered around the fire pit I rarely use. She’s wearing one of my shirts over her jeans, and her hair’s pulled back in a messy bun that makes my fingers itch to take it down.

The cabin already smells different with her here. Coffee brews constantly, something’s always baking in the oven, and we have fresh flowers from her walks with Jerry. It smells like her, and I love it.

“It’s too many beards, and too many muscles in such a small place, that’s what that is. And testosterone.” Detective Harris’s hushed voice, or Lisa, as she’s insisting I call her now, cuts through my thoughts as she joins Zara at the window.

“No such thing,” Zara argues but I agree whole-heartedly with Lisa. There are far too many people on my land. I spent years making sure they knew regular visits weren’t welcome, but they’ve all come to hang out with my mate, and now, my fortress of solitude feels more like a train station.

It doesn’t seem to matter how many glares I give them, they keep coming back.

Though I’m still not sure how Zara convinced the buttoned-up detective to drive all the way up here for a barbecue, but Lisa said she was going to be close by, anyway.

Somehow, I doubt that. This isn’t somewhere you really pass by on the way to anywhere, but she has been checking in regularly since everything went down. I’d say she wants to confirm that Zara’s okay with her own eyes.

“I’ll admit, Mrs. Lennox sure knew how to produce beautiful men, even if they’re arrogant as hell.”

Zara chuckles, the sound making my chest tighten in the best way.

“My sister would have loved this.” Her voice softens as a shadow passes over her features. “She’d be right out there, giving them all the third degree about their intentions with her little sister. Or trying to convince them to become actors and leave this PI nonsense behind.”

I move behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and rest my chin on her shoulder. Through our bond, I feel the bittersweet ache of missing Amber mixing with contentment at being surrounded by family she never expected to have.

“They like to pretend they’re all big, bad and independent,” Zara continues, leaning back into me. “But since I moved in, we can’t get rid of them.”

I scowl. I’ve tried, but it’s like they’ve decided this is their new home, maybe because their childhood one sucked so much.

Lisa turns with a horrified expression. “And what? You’re mommy now to a bunch of overgrown, hairy toddlers?”

“Ew, no.” Zara grins, tilting her head to look at me. “I think Natalie was right when she warned me they’d be up here constantly. They love having another woman around to impress.”

She gets it. Understands what her presence here means to my brothers, who’ve been alone too long and were convinced that no one would choose this isolation.

But she did. Maybe others will too.

I press a kiss to her neck, right over my mark, and feel her shiver.

“Ben, stop distracting me. I need to...” She gestures vaguely at the bowl of salad on the counter that I know won’t get touched. My brothers are here for meat and beer, not rabbit food, but I don’t ruin her buzz by telling her that.

“Speaking of Natalie,” Lisa says, glancing outside, “is she coming today?”

Natalie’s a deputy in a nearby town. They’ve met professionally, and I have a feeling they’re going to get on well outside of work, too.

“Later,” Zara answers. “She and Chase had something this morning, but they’ll be here for dinner.”

“Speaking of plans,” Lisa continues, leaning against the counter with that detective look that means she’s about to dig for information. “What are you planning to do now? " I can’t imagine you sitting still for long.”

Zara stiffens slightly in my arms. It’s a question she’s been dancing around, figuring out who she is now that she’s not Amber’s assistant anymore and not travelling and living that busy lifestyle.

“Actually,” she says slowly, “I joined an online support group. For families with missing loved ones. It’s been good. Great, actually.”

I tighten my arms around her, offering silent support as Lisa’s expression shifts to understanding. Jerry trots over and presses his muzzle into her hand, looking for pets and giving her affection when he feels her emotions becoming overwhelming.

“That’s good, Zara. Really good.”

Zara hesitates, choosing her words carefully. She still talks about Amber in the present tense, while also acknowledging that the likelihood of finding her alive at this stage is virtually nil.

“It helps to talk to people who get it. Who understand not knowing.” She takes a shaky breath.

“I’m actually thinking about going back to school to do something that could help.

Counselling, maybe. There are so many people stuck in that limbo, and traditional therapy doesn’t always help when your loved one just.. . vanishes. Nobody can understand…”

Pride swells in my chest. My mate, taking her pain and finding a way to help others. “Whatever you want to do, we’ll make it work.”

“Online programs?” Lisa asks, clearly thinking about the practicalities of Zara living up here, but I’ll drive her up and down every day if I have to.

“Some. Or I could drive down a couple of days a week. Ben’s already offered to go with me if I need him to.” She turns in my arms, smiling up at me. “Even though cities make him break out in hives.”

But she knows that I’d do anything for her; she can feel it through the bond.

A loud crash from outside breaks the moment. Through the window, I see Mason and Maddox wrestling over what looks like the last cold beer, both of them laughing as they roll in the dirt. Jerry darts outside, eager to join the fray, dancing around them, barking.

When Maddox gets Mason in a headlock, I curse.

“I better get out there before they destroy my yard,” I say, reluctantly releasing Zara.

As I head for the door, I hear Lisa ask quietly, “Any news on the case?”

She’s moved on to other cases, newer investigations, but Zara still has a liaison, and they’re still working hard to uncover new leads.

“Nothing concrete,” Zara responds, her voice steady despite the topic. “But I’m not giving up hope. The support group helps with that, too. Seeing people reunited after years... it happens.”

Outside, the sun is perfect. Not too hot, with a breeze carrying the scent of the forest with it. My brothers have completely taken over the space, treating it like their own.

A year ago, that would have sent me into a rage. Now, watching Zara emerge with Lisa, and seeing how my brothers immediately straighten up and attempt to look civilised, I feel nothing but contentment.

“Zara,” Beau calls out, abandoning his argument with Mason to greet her properly. “Thanks for having us. Ben must be getting soft in his old age, letting us invade like this.”

“Soft?” I growl, but there’s no heat in it.

“Practically domesticated,” Mason chimes in, grinning. “Next thing you know, he’ll be hosting book clubs and yoga retreats.”

“Don’t give her ideas,” I mutter.

Zara just laughs, hip-checking me as she passes, but I catch her around the waist and drag her back to me as she giggles and squirms.

“Actually, Zara,” Beau’s tone shifts to something more serious.

“Chase wanted me to mention something. We’ve been getting more clients lately who need.

.. Well, they need someone to talk to who isn’t a grumpy bear or an ex-military type who communicates in grunts.

Ben mentioned you’re thinking of doing some counselling…

this could be a good way of seeing if it’s a good fit. ”

Zara pauses in setting out plates. “What kind of clients?”

“Families dealing with threats, witnesses in protection, people whose lives have been turned upside down.” He glances at me, then back to her. “Chase was wondering if you might be interested in being the friendly face of our operation.”

I watch Zara process this, see the spark of interest in her eyes. Purpose. Direction. Something that’s hers but keeps her connected to this new world she’s part of.

“I’m not qualified,” she says carefully.

“Yet,” I say, with absolute confidence that she will be. It sounds perfect once she’s out of any danger.

Chase might get a two for one deal. Zara can do the talking while I work security. We’ll figure out the details if it’s something she wants to do.

“Doesn’t matter. Sometimes, people just need someone who gets it. Someone who’s been through hell and came out the other side.” Beau shrugs. “Think about it. No pressure.”

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of food, laughter, and stories.

Jerry holds court by the grill, graciously accepting offerings from my brothers, who’ve learned the way to Zara’s heart is through her spoiled dog.

Lisa fits in surprisingly well, trading barbs with Beau in a way that makes Zara and I exchange knowing looks.

As the sun sinks lower, casting golden light through the trees, I stand apart for a moment, just watching.

Zara’s in the middle of an animated conversation with Lisa and Beau about her support group, hands moving as she talks. The sadness is still there when she mentions Amber, might always be there, but now, it’s wrapped in purpose and hope.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Maddox says, appearing at my elbow with two beers. “Ben Lennox, hosting a family barbecue.”

I take the offered beer. “Things change.”

“Yeah, they do.” He nods toward Zara. “She’s good for you. Good for all of us, really. Gives the rest of us hope.”

I can see it. They’re all wondering.

“Well, there’s plenty of room for everyone up here.”

By the time people start making their excuses to leave, sensing the day winding down, Mitch has seamlessly joined the group. Just another brother welcomed into our home after all the years I kept them at bay.

I notice Beau pulling Zara aside again. They talk quietly for a moment, and I see her nod, smiling. When she returns to my side, there’s a new light in her eyes.

“Chase wants to meet next week,” she says. “To talk about the consulting thing.”

“And?” I already know her answer, just by the way her eyes have lit up.

“And I think I want to do it. Help people where I can while I’m getting my qualifications. It feels... right.”

I pull her to my side. “Then that’s what you’ll do.”

Later, after everyone’s gone and we’re cleaning up in comfortable domesticity, Zara pauses in wrapping leftovers.

“Thank you,” she says quietly, “for today. For letting them all invade your space.”

“Our space,” I correct, moving behind her and circling my arms around her waist. “And they’re your family now, too.”

She leans back into me, and I breathe her in, still marvelling that she’s here, that she chose this life. My bear settles, content in a way I never thought possible.

“I love our life,” she whispers, and through our bond, I feel the truth of it. The grief for Amber is still there, might always be there, but it’s part of a larger tapestry now. One that includes hope, purpose, and family.

“Just wait,” I murmur against her ear, giving it a sharp nip in a promise of what’s to come.

Her laughter fills our kitchen, and I know that’s a sound I’ll never tire of.

My mate.