your stupid pink ribbon."
Yes, she was. Because no matter what skin she wore, Shila was his. Koll would hold on to her for all the winters to come.
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Epilogue
Koll stood alone, looking at the high mountains in the distance. Well, not quite alone. Greyfell, now fully healed and grateful for the long trek, was gamboling about behind him. It was late, but the full moon bathed the landscape in icy silver.
He'd come here for a woman. When he turned to face homeward, she snuck up on him despite his alertness. Had she been any other frost bear, she could have killed him in that instant, but he never had to fear this one. With a brilliant flash, she changed into the most breathtaking woman he'd ever met. She was a big woman, not dainty in the least, and she fit him perfectly.
"Hello, wife.” Koll pulled her close and wrapped a blanket around her, though it was warmer now and she never noticed the cold.
Shila brushed her lips against his and nuzzled him. “My mate."
"Did you have a good roam?"
"Oh yes.” Her smile was as white as her hair. “It felt good to stretch."
They'd both spent so much time as loners they understood when to give each other freedom and space. Of course they'd already known they were well-suited before they'd gotten married. Koll respected her natural instincts, and she respected his. Lately, though, his protective urges required special care.
Sliding his hand down between them, he rested his palm on the small swell of her lower belly. “You didn't overdo it, did you?"
She nipped his chin. “I told you already. This was my last change until our baby is born. I'm strong, and I'd sense any health problems."
So she'd told him, but he couldn't stop worrying. It was a good thing they weren't having twins or triplets. If their child turned out anything like his mother, Koll would have his hands full. He'd have to hone his skills with the first one before they added to their family. Of course, at the rate he and Shila were going, she'd be pregnant again next spring. Koll couldn't keep his hands off her incredible body, not that she was any more restrained.
"Want to go to the tavern?” she asked.
The question distracted him from his lascivious thoughts. He should have known she'd ask that. Although she liked the privacy of their house, Shila enjoyed talking to their neighbors. That wasn't why she frequented the tavern, though. He wasn't sure whether it was her bear half or the woman who took such savage pleasure in the tavern's new rug—the new bearskin rug.
While Tartok had changed to a man before his death, Cikuq had remained a frost bear. The villagers had made a trophy of him where they could all enjoy it. Every time they went into the tavern, Shila made sure to wipe her feet on what was left of him.
"Such a mean streak."
She rubbed her nose against his. “Bears aren't known for their sweet dispositions. Especially pregnant bears. I don't forgive anyone who hurts my mate."
Koll grunted. Her protectiveness pleased him, but that's not what he wanted from her right now. He knew a sure way to improve her mood.
With a quick jerk, he pulled the blanket from her shoulders and tossed it to the ground. She was once more exposed to the open air.
"I'd rather keep you all to myself,” he said with a growl.
Unashamed by her nudity, she stared back at him without flinching. “Then strip. I'll have to inspect you before I agree."
Koll didn't say a word. He just tore his clothes off at record speed. Then he set about showing her he was the perfect mate for her, for this season and all the rest of their lives.
The End
[Back to Table of Contents]
About the Author:
Allie Ritch spends her time wandering around in her own little world in the Southeastern United States. She has an active imagination and loves fantastical elements, including those found in sci-fi, paranormal, and fantasy works. Allie enjoys entertaining others through storytelling and has fun spicing things up
Yes, she was. Because no matter what skin she wore, Shila was his. Koll would hold on to her for all the winters to come.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Epilogue
Koll stood alone, looking at the high mountains in the distance. Well, not quite alone. Greyfell, now fully healed and grateful for the long trek, was gamboling about behind him. It was late, but the full moon bathed the landscape in icy silver.
He'd come here for a woman. When he turned to face homeward, she snuck up on him despite his alertness. Had she been any other frost bear, she could have killed him in that instant, but he never had to fear this one. With a brilliant flash, she changed into the most breathtaking woman he'd ever met. She was a big woman, not dainty in the least, and she fit him perfectly.
"Hello, wife.” Koll pulled her close and wrapped a blanket around her, though it was warmer now and she never noticed the cold.
Shila brushed her lips against his and nuzzled him. “My mate."
"Did you have a good roam?"
"Oh yes.” Her smile was as white as her hair. “It felt good to stretch."
They'd both spent so much time as loners they understood when to give each other freedom and space. Of course they'd already known they were well-suited before they'd gotten married. Koll respected her natural instincts, and she respected his. Lately, though, his protective urges required special care.
Sliding his hand down between them, he rested his palm on the small swell of her lower belly. “You didn't overdo it, did you?"
She nipped his chin. “I told you already. This was my last change until our baby is born. I'm strong, and I'd sense any health problems."
So she'd told him, but he couldn't stop worrying. It was a good thing they weren't having twins or triplets. If their child turned out anything like his mother, Koll would have his hands full. He'd have to hone his skills with the first one before they added to their family. Of course, at the rate he and Shila were going, she'd be pregnant again next spring. Koll couldn't keep his hands off her incredible body, not that she was any more restrained.
"Want to go to the tavern?” she asked.
The question distracted him from his lascivious thoughts. He should have known she'd ask that. Although she liked the privacy of their house, Shila enjoyed talking to their neighbors. That wasn't why she frequented the tavern, though. He wasn't sure whether it was her bear half or the woman who took such savage pleasure in the tavern's new rug—the new bearskin rug.
While Tartok had changed to a man before his death, Cikuq had remained a frost bear. The villagers had made a trophy of him where they could all enjoy it. Every time they went into the tavern, Shila made sure to wipe her feet on what was left of him.
"Such a mean streak."
She rubbed her nose against his. “Bears aren't known for their sweet dispositions. Especially pregnant bears. I don't forgive anyone who hurts my mate."
Koll grunted. Her protectiveness pleased him, but that's not what he wanted from her right now. He knew a sure way to improve her mood.
With a quick jerk, he pulled the blanket from her shoulders and tossed it to the ground. She was once more exposed to the open air.
"I'd rather keep you all to myself,” he said with a growl.
Unashamed by her nudity, she stared back at him without flinching. “Then strip. I'll have to inspect you before I agree."
Koll didn't say a word. He just tore his clothes off at record speed. Then he set about showing her he was the perfect mate for her, for this season and all the rest of their lives.
The End
[Back to Table of Contents]
About the Author:
Allie Ritch spends her time wandering around in her own little world in the Southeastern United States. She has an active imagination and loves fantastical elements, including those found in sci-fi, paranormal, and fantasy works. Allie enjoys entertaining others through storytelling and has fun spicing things up
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