Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) (15 page)
Read Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) Online
Authors: Emma Alisyn,Danae Ashe
***
Homecoming was bittersweet. She'd been so focused for the last year on becoming a ballerina that she'd pushed home to the back of her mind and heart. Refused to think about everything she'd left behind to pursue her dream. She didn’t regret leaving, and coming home confirmed that her love of dance was genuine- but it also confirmed that the life Andrei offered wasn't for her.
So she had a problem. She loved her mate, and her place was at his side. They had a baby to think of, and her child deserved her father. Hannah didn’t know what to do. Her mother would tell her that she'd made a bed and laid down in it- with a man- so the choice was already made. But Hannah didn’t want the choice to already be made. She didn’t want to be a princess to live in the palace. She wanted to dance, and she wanted to make a simple home for her family.
Jessa's youngest boy- fourteen already- hitched the buggy and took her back home after a pleasant afternoon of baking bread and corralling the older girls into doing their lessons. They didn’t attend the high school in town, Jessa wanted her daughters to have a good, well-rounded education and made certain to provide one.
“Thank you, Daniel,” Hannah said as the teenager helped her from the buggy. She stifled a smile at the seriousness of his face. Growing into a fine young man, he took his escort duty seriously, especially since his mother had admonished him that Hannah was expecting and to avoid bumps.
“You're welcome, Hannah.”
She headed straight for the kitchen and the murmur of voices, not taking five steps before the mate bond flared to life. She froze, then half ran the rest of the way.
“Andrei!”
He looked up, expression calm, belying the maelstrom in his eyes. He put down the potato and rinsed his hands before approaching her.
“Sweetheart,” he said, kissing her cheek. Restrained, even polite. “You didn't tell me you were leaving.”
Her mother snorted, not pausing in her work. Hannah stared at him, wary. His outer calm didn't fool her for one second- she
felt
his mix of ire and worry like the snap of teeth and roar of hot Bear breath in her face as he vented his temper silently.
She folded her arms, refusing to feel guilty. And immediately felt guilty.
Andrei sighed, sliding arms around her waist and drawing her into a hug. “You'll be too big for me to get my arms around soon.”
She gasped, swiping at him. He laughed, catching her hand and pressing a kiss on the palm.
“That sort of observation will get you an apple pie made with salt, my boy,” Rebecca said. “I’m going to take these muffins to your father, Hannah. I didn't tell him I was baking chocolate chip. Men like
good
surprises.”
Hannah took over the potato peeling as her mother placed a half dozen muffins into a container and left through the back door.
“Well,” she said. “How was your flight? I didn’t expect you so soon.”
“I’m a civilized man, Hannah. But I swear you bring out the beast in me.”
She turned, eyes narrowed, met an icy blue stare. “I’m free to come and go, aren’t I?”
Andrei said nothing. He didn’t have to.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I should have discussed it with you before I left.”
“Why did you leave? Hannah, you're mate to the Heir of Casakraine. You can't just... wonder around the world at will.”
“I’m hardly wondering the world at will. I came home.”
“I’m going to fire everyone who had anything to do with you leaving the country.”
She gasped. “Don’t you dare, Andrei Sahakian! Those people have families to feed.”
He returned her glare with interest, folding his arms. “Then I'll have your promise that you'll never leave again without going through the proper security channels first.”
Hannah wanted to swear, but clamped her lips around her teeth out of respect for her mother’s home. Andrei’s eyes lightened, amusement crowding out anger.
“Go ahead, baby Bear. Growl at me if you want, but promise me.”
She gave him her back. Slapped the potato peeler onto the counter, scattering the pile of skins. “You need a good spanking.”
Hannah stiffened, neck and spine tingling from the sudden heat against her body. Hard muscle and aroused male pressed against her back and bottom, just enough to cage- but gently, so her rounded belly wasn't pushed into the counter edge.
“You can spank me, sweet,” he said in her ear, a growl deep in his chest. He shifted, erection teasing her buttocks. “And I can return the favor.” His hands left the counter, grasping her hips for a moment before rising up her body in a rough caress, cupping her full breasts. She bit her lip, leaning into him. “I can’t believe you just left me without a second thought. I must not have been fucking you properly.”
She gasped, the secret place between her thighs tingling at the crude, sensual words.
Strong, clever fingers untied her apron then paused. “Hannah, what in the hell are you wearing? There are no buttons.”
Hannah laughed. The aggrieved tone jolted her out of the start of a sexual haze. The dress was a simple, pull over style with gathers right under her breasts to allow extra room in the tummy, and a simple sash. She turned in his arms, rising an inch to take his pouting mouth in a kiss.
He pulled her flush against his body and she realized, distantly, that in another few weeks her womb would make kissing a little awkward. After a moment, he sighed, pulling away with a wry look.
“I can tell you're distracted,” he said, resigned. “Females. I bet you want to talk first.”
She took his hand, pulling him through the house and onto the porch. He sat down next to her on the swing, arm wrapped around her waist.
“We do need to talk, yes,” she said. “Andrei...”
She found she didn’t quite know how to say it. How to put her feelings into words.
“Do you think I don’t know my mate's mind?”
They fell silent a moment. Hannah closed her eyes, leaning her head against his shoulder. A light breeze brushed her cheek, rustling through the trees. She heard the distant clap of hooves as someone drove down the road leading to town.
“I’m going to abdicate,” Andrei said.
Hannah stiffened. “What?” She opened her eyes, sitting up straight. “Andrei-”
He shook his head. “It's not just you. Not just that they won't allow you to be Princess. My priorities have changed. To be Heir the country needs to be number one. But you are number one.” His hand settled on her belly. “And soon, our cub will be number one.”
“Andrei...” She hesitated, choosing her word carefully. “You have a responsibility. A duty to your family. I want a simple life as well, but I choose you. I have to accept everything that comes along with the choice, even if it means a lifestyle that isn’t exactly what I want. As long as it doesn’t go against God.”
“There are other ways I can fulfill my duty to the Sahakian’s. I don’t have to be Heir. Miahela is fit to be Queen. The Sahakian females are always far better rulers.”
She couldn’t really argue that women had better sense than men, but...
“Izobelle will have a fit.”
Andrei laughed. “I cannot wait.”
Thank you for reading. Read about Miahela’s reaction to becoming the Crown Heir in Bear Princess, coming January 2016.
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She wants him to come home and uphold the law of their people. He wants her to renounce the Council and make a family, a Den, with him.
COMING IN JANUARY 2016...
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ABOUT EMMA
Emma Alisyn writes paranormal romance because teaching high school biology wasn’t like how it is on television. Her lions, tigers, and bears will most interest readers who like their alphas strong, protective and smokin’ hot; their heroines feisty, brainy and bootilicious; and their stories with lots of chemistry, tension and plenty of tender moments. Stay up to date with new releases and get
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