Page 57 of Mated to the Mountain Bear (Bear Protector #1)
“ This is going a bit overboard.”
Zara stands in the middle of our cabin, hands on her hips, supervising my brothers’ somewhat chaotic work around her. It’s been three weeks since the barbecue, and my protective instincts have been ramping up daily. Something my brothers find endlessly amusing.
“No, I don’t think it is.” Folding my arms across my chest, I watch Maddox install another camera with the practiced efficiency of someone who’s done this countless times.
When Zara gets that dreamy look in her eyes as she watches us work, I flex a bicep, and her cheeks pink, knowing she’s been caught staring at the arms she loves so much.
My bear preens. She can stare all she wants.
“I thought the whole point of living up here was to be away from this kind of stuff,” she says, wincing at the whine of Mason’s drill outside where he’s installing sensor lights on the porch. “Do we really need this?”
“I moved up here to get away from people. Got no problem with technology that’ll keep you safe.”
She may roll her eyes, but there’s affection in it.
These past weeks have shown me just how well she fits into this life.
The online counselling program starts next month, and she’s been meeting with families through the support group.
Chase even officially brought her on as a consultant.
My mate is building a life here, a purpose beyond just being with me.
Another truck pulls up, and Mitch climbs out with more equipment. “Got those extra sensors you wanted,” he calls, heading our way.
“Are these going to go off every time a deer walks through the trees?” Zara watches Maddox work. “We live in the forest. Surely, animals are going to trip these constantly.”
I laugh and cross to her, then pull her against me. She comes willingly, always ready for my touch now. “I’m a bear, Zara. If you haven’t already noticed, not too many prey animals come by here.”
She pauses, mouth open, processing. “Oh, my God. You’re right. I never put two and two together. All I ever see are birds.”
“And Jerry,” I add as our spoiled dog lifts his head from his bed by the fireplace, checking if he’s being summoned for treats. Where once he was a wanderer, who stopped by on his way through, he’s well and truly domesticated now.
Mitch sets down his box of sensors and really looks at Zara for the first time today. His head tilts slightly, that expression I’ve seen a thousand times when one of my brothers is trying to place something.
“You know, you look really familiar,” he says. “Have we met before the barbecue?”
Before Zara can respond, Mason’s voice drifts in from the porch. “Of course she looks familiar, you idiot. Her sister’s that actress. Been all over the news.”
Mitch’s face clears. “That must be it.” He shakes his head, looking embarrassed. “Sorry. Been a long week at the bar.”
Maddox clears his throat. “We’re almost done here. Completely secure. Nobody but you or us, with your permission, can access the feeds.”
I’ve been struggling with my bear’s increasing need to hover. Each day brings new protective urges I can barely control.
“Do this for me, baby,” I murmur against her ear. “Just humour me for a while.”
Her fingers slide under the back of my shirt, finding skin. The touch grounds me, even as it sets my nerves on fire. “I suppose I can put up with it. For a while.”
“If it’s any consolation,” Maddox says as he packs up his equipment, “Chase put one of these setups into his place too. And Natalie’s a bear. She was equally unimpressed.”
He gives her a sympathetic smile. “This isn’t about you being human. It’s about shifters being protective of their mates.”
The observation makes Zara grin. She’s been learning more about our culture through Natalie, who’s become a regular visitor. Her tales of Chase’s over the top behaviour have made Zara realise I could be worse.
“Speaking of,” I say, glancing at the clock. “Natalie should be here soon for your coffee date.”
“Tea for me,” Zara corrects. “Honestly, the smell’s been making me a little queasy lately. I must have overdosed on it when I first got here.”
I go still. My brothers, proving they’re not complete idiots, suddenly find urgent tasks that need their attention.
“We’ll just... finish up outside,” Mason says, grabbing Mitch’s arm and hauling him toward the door. Maddox is already halfway there.
“Queasy?” I ask carefully, my bear already suspecting, hoping, what my human brain is slower to catch up to.
Zara bites her lip, a gesture I’ve learned means she’s nervous about something. “Just certain smells. I thought maybe I was coming down with something because I’ve been so tired.”
I’m across the room before she can finish, face buried in her neck, and pulling her against me to breathe her in. There, underneath her normal scent, is the faintest change. So subtle, I might have missed it if I wasn’t looking for it.
“And now, you don’t think it’s that?” I prompt, even though I already know.
She looks up at me, excitement and uncertainty warring in her expression. “Ben, do you think...?”
Instead of answering with words, I drop to my knees in front of her and press my face against her stomach. My bear rumbles with satisfaction as I breathe in the truth.
New life. Our cub. Growing inside my mate.
“Ben?” Her fingers thread through my hair, gentle and questioning.
“You’re pregnant.” Overcome with emotion, I press a kiss to her belly through her shirt. “Our cub. You’re carrying our cub.”
A laugh that’s half sob follows her sharp intake of breath. “Really? You can tell?”
I stand and cup her face in my hands. “Your scent is changing. It’s subtle, but it’s there. How long have you been feeling sick?”
One hand remains on her stomach, needing to stay connected, as if I might feel the tiniest spark of magic happening inside her.
“About a week. I didn’t want to say anything in case I was wrong. I mean, it’s so early…” Tears sparkle in her eyes, but she’s smiling, radiant with joy. “We’re having a baby?”
“We’re having a baby,” I confirm, then claim her mouth in a kiss that’s equal parts tender and possessive.
When we finally break apart, she’s laughing. “Natalie’s going to be insufferable. She called it.” Then with a sad smile. “I always assumed Amber would be a mom first.”
“She’d be so happy for you.” There’s not much else I can say. She misses Amber, every day. And she always will.
“Our cubs will grow up running wild on the mountain,” I whisper, picturing it as clear as day in my mind. “It’s going to be heaven for them.”
“Learning to swim in the creek,” Zara adds, already seeing the same future I am. “Jerry herding them around.”
I kiss her again, every word painting an image of the future I can’t wait to see.
“Building forts in the woods.” I rest my forehead against hers. “Driving us mad with how dirty they get.”
A car engine outside announces Natalie’s arrival.
“Can I tell her?” She asks, practically bouncing with excitement. Zara quickly wipes her cheeks, but she’s glowing too much to hide anything.
“She’s going to know the second she gets close,” I say as Natalie walks through the door without knocking, takes one look at Zara, and squeals.
“I knew it! Chase owes me fifty bucks.” She pulls Zara into a hug. “How far along? Have you been sick? Oh, we need to get you vitamins. And books. So many books.”
I leave them to their excited planning and step out onto the porch to breathe in the mountain air. Everything’s changing. The security system is set up, protecting what matters most.
My brothers are loading up their trucks, giving me knowing grins.
“Congratulations,” Maddox says simply.
“More cubs for the clan,” Mason adds. “Poor kids don’t stand a chance with all of us as uncles.”
In the distance, I notice a thin line of smoke rising from the old logging area. Something to keep an eye on, but not today. Today is about my family.
Jerry joins me on the porch, leaning against my leg in quiet support.
“We’re having a cub,” I tell him, still marvelling that it could be true.
He huffs, tail wagging once, then settles beside me to keep watch.
Inside, Zara’s explaining the counselling program, and Natalie’s offering advice about managing work and cubs.
This is what I never knew I wanted. Not just a mate, but a life. A future. A family that extends beyond just us to include all these complicated, wonderful people who’ve become ours.
“Ben,” Zara calls. “Come, tell your sister to relax about the nursery plans. She thinks we should knock out the back wall.”
I have opinions. Many. But as I head back inside to join my mate, I realise I don’t care about walls or nurseries or any of it. As long as Zara’s here, as long as our cub is safe, the rest is just details.
We’ll figure it out together. Just like everything else.
Read the rest of Bodhi’s story in Fated to the Alpha Bear