Zena Wynn - Mary and the Bear

Alex was in Alpha mode. “And how did she, as you put it, ‘accidentally’ find out that she was mated to Hugh?"

"Well ... she came into the store and Shannon was there. I asked her if she was wearing new perfume because she smelled different but Shannon recognized Hugh's scent. Mary Elizabeth mentioned that she and Hugh were seeing each other and well, you know how it is. One thing lead to another and before it was all over, it came out that Mary Elizabeth and Hugh had done the whole bonding thing only she didn't know about it and when she found out about it she freaked.” Kiesha dragged in a huge breath of air. She'd gotten all of that out without stopping to breathe, wanting this over and done with.

Hugh closed his eyes and looked a little hopeless. “Do you know where she went?"

Seeing the anguish on his face, Kiesha felt her heart melt. This man really loved her friend. She was sure he had a good reason for keeping what he was a secret. “No, I'm sorry Hugh. She's supposed to be going around to the neighboring towns to check out the area thrift stores, seeing which items really sell so we know how to stock our store. I made her promise to call each night and check in or I told her I would send you after her. For what it's worth, I think she really does love you. She just needs time to get her head straight and think things through. She would never have allowed you this close to her if she didn't care."

Hugh's shoulders dropped in defeat. “Promise me you'll call as soon as you hear from her."

"I will, Hugh. I'm sure she won't be gone long,” Kiesha tried to reassure him as he walked out the door.

Once Hugh was gone, Alex turned to her with a look on his face she didn't like. “I see we need to have a little talk about staying out of other people's business.” He locked the door and started up the steps toward her.

Kiesha turned and ran, knowing he'd catch her but doing it any way. Alex would never hurt her, but the man had a way of getting his point across that left a deep impression, one to be avoided at all cost. She'd barely made it to the door of their room when she felt him behind her. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Let me give you a refresher course on how we do not interfere in the lives of mates and see if I can make it stick this time."

He did and it was a lesson she wouldn't soon be forgetting.

Charles went through his mental checklist to make sure he had everything he needed for his trip. A one-way plane ticket to Knoxville was in his pocket. The confirmation paperwork for the cargo van he rented was in his briefcase. Being familiar with small towns, he knew the quickest way to be noticed would be to be seen driving around town in an unfamiliar luxury car. He didn't want to chance drawing any attention to himself while he was there.

Also in his briefcase was a bottle of quick dissolve tranquilizers, just in case his fiancé proved a bit reluctant. He'd humored her minor rebellion thus far, but his patience was coming to an end. Yes, he'd made a mistake in marrying The Whore and his true love was entitled to her pound of flesh—a woman scorned and all that bull—but enough was enough. It was time to end this foolishness and bring her home where she belonged.

Neither one of them were getting any younger. They needed to get to work producing his heirs as soon as possible. He had to have someone to leave his empire to, and it would be one of his own. He'd make sure Mary Elizabeth was properly taken care of, as well. He'd already made provisions for her future financial security in his will, as any good husband would.

She'd discover that he was an excellent provider. He'd already settled a generous monthly allowance on her that would began next month, so she could give up that ridiculous job of hers. As if he'd allow any wife of his to work, especially after what happened the last time.. No, she could spend her time taking care of him and the children. If that wasn't enough to keep her busy, there were always charitable organizations. They always needed dedicated workers. Not only would it give her a chance to use the business skills she'd acquired in college, it would make him look good as well.

He'd found a boutique with a good reputation and had them create a wardrobe just for his love. Although they'd done an excellent job in clothing The Whore, he'd chosen not to use the same retailer that The Whore used when she was alive. He didn't think his fiancé would appreciate any more comparisons being made with that of her sister. A few of the items he'd ordered had already been delivered; the rest should arrive shortly. When Mary Elizabeth came home, she'd discover a closet full of clothes waiting just for her.

They'd be leaving that clunker she called a truck behind in North Carolina. She'd have her choice of vehicles and if there was nothing she wanted to drive already parked in the six-bay garage, then he'd just take her out and buy her the vehicle of her choice. He could easily purchase it under his business name and use it as a tax write-off.

It shouldn't take more than a couple of days to retrieve his bride. He already had the minister booked and the marriage announcements ready to go. He figured something private but tasteful would be appropriate this time around since he was still a grieving widower. His business associates would understand his hasty remarriage. After all, he was marrying his wife's sister, keeping it in the family as they say. He already knew her background was impeccable and the practice was common among his set.

He informed his staff that he would be bringing his fiancé back with him and to have everything prepared. Everything that he could think of that needed doing was done. Oh yes, his insurance policy. His bride could, on occasion, be extremely stubborn. Going to the safe, he pulled out his secret weapon, something no southern gentleman worth his salt would be without. He doubted he would need it. He was sure she would see the error of her ways once they'd had a chance to talk face-to-face. If not, well there nothing like a nine millimeter to help push matters along.

Opening the safe, he pulled out the gun case and ammunition. He wasn't worried about security at the airport. His case would be checked in with his luggage and as long as he had all the appropriate documentation, there should be no problem. If not, well, that's why he had money. What good was it if it couldn't be used to occasionally pave the way?

The first day, sheer panic kept her moving. She ran from everything, but mostly she ran from herself, and from Hugh. Not, surprisingly enough, from what he was. She had no problems with his being a shifter. It was his feelings for her that scared her.

She had no experience with love. She knew how to give it, but she had no practice in receiving it. In her experience, love came with strings. It was only given when you did something to earn it. She'd done nothing to earn Hugh's love. He gave and she received. That was the basis of their relationship. The only thing she gave to him was her body, and she didn't see how that counted for anything because he always made sure she received more pleasure than she ever gave.

It puzzled her and she couldn't trust what she didn't understand. She didn't realize that love wasn't supposed to make sense, that it wasn't logical. It astounded her that Hugh could really love her. After all, no one else in her life did.

The next day, the panic receded and she could think clearly, but she wasn't ready to return home. Going home meant facing Hugh, and she wasn't quite ready. She still wasn't sure how she felt about everything. It was difficult for her to comprehend that what she thought of as an affair was something more, something permanent. Just the idea of it made her head hurt.