A man in a black suit greets us when we enter. His voice is low and quite the way one expects a funeral director to be. “Mrs. Veilleux, I’m Martin Peabody.” He holds out a hand for me to shake, and when I do, it’s startlingly cool. “Right this way.”

  He leads us to a small office with plush chairs set across from a plain, dark wooden desk. We’re directed, to sit and Mr. Peabody moves behind the desk. He pinches his slacks at his thighs before he lowers himself into a chair and says, “I know this is a trying time for you, and I’ll direct you through the process as quickly as I can.”

  I say, “The elder Mrs. Veilleux will be joining us, and I would like to wait until she arrives, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course.” He sweeps his hand across the desk. “Please browse through the catalogues while you wait.”

  I pick up one for caskets and leaf through. This ritual seems ridiculous to me. I’m about to spend thousands of dollars to encase my husband’s body in a lavish box to buried in the ground. I make a note to leave a will that says I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown to the wind.

  Footsteps announce Patricia’s arrival, and I turn to the doorway to greet her. She’s dressed in black like I am, but she also has a black veil over her face. I mentally roll my eyes at the drama. It’s going to be hard to bite my tongue, but I’m determined to be gracious to Victor’s grieving mother. Harold is with her and guides her to a chair before he seats himself between us.

  I lean over Harold to speak to her. “Patricia. We haven’t begun. I wanted to wait for you.”

  She nods in an answer. I hand her the book of caskets. “Would you like to choose?”

  Patricia holds her hand up in a stop motion as if she’s dismissing me and says to Martin, “We’ll take the best you have in a mahogany with burgundy silk. The announcements should be done in Old English script, and the funeral should be early afternoon.” She turns to me and says, “The ceremony following is to be held at the Jefferson Manor. The food should be heavy, and let the alcohol flow freely. Spare no expense. My son deserves the best.”

  While I’m tempted to assert my power, there’s no need in front of Thomas and Harold, so I agree. “Thank you, Patricia. You’ve made this very easy for me, and I’m grateful.”

  She lets out a low noise of contempt. “It was necessary. I couldn’t trust you to know the proper etiquette for this.”

  “Really?” I lean over and lower my voice to mimic Victor’s alpha tone. “Whatever am I going to do when you die?”

  31

  Chapter 11

  Carly

  Brightly colored wrapping paper rustles as Annie crushes it into a large box. I don’t think I could count the number of presents that were under our Christmas tree this morning. I scan the piles of gifts beside each family member and our guests. My gaze stops when it connects with Brady’s. His hair is sticking up, and he needs a shave. He says, “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Le Roux.”

  I curl my legs up under me and wrap my hand around my coffee mug. I inhale the scent of cinnamon that tells me Annie has something delicious in the oven. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Le Roux.” Audrey lets out a squeal, and Donna hands her a squeaky toy Santa brought. Annie has gone to the kitchen to check on the breakfast that Tristan and Isabelle insisted on making, and her exclamation carries to us. “Tristan!”

  Donna looks up from the babies and winks at me. “Think he just pinched her butt?”

  I chuckle as Brady gets up to come sit next to me, and I remember first meeting Tristan at Ink It a couple days ago. It feels like it’s been months considering all that’s changed. “He says he’s her true mate.”

  Brady says, “I hope he’s right. She deserves another one.” His face clouds over, and I guess he’s thinking about his best friend Keith losing Taylor. Keith’s a regular at the Le Roux house for holidays but declined the invitation for dinner later today. I don’t blame him.

  I reach over and take Brady’s hand as I swallow the lump in my throat. I imagine Ian is having a hard time, too, since they were business partners and he was Taylor’s closest friend. “Have you talked to Ian?”

  “Yeah, he’s kicking himself for not killing Tokala when he had the chance.”

  “Oh, Brady, nobody expected that to happen. Who could have known magic would kill her?” I snuggle into the crook of his arm.

  “I know. But we all find ways to torture ourselves over the ones we love.” I think my husband’s words aren’t just about Ian when he glances at his mother.

  I say, “Sierra told me she spoke with Lily.” I grin, watching Everett rock on all fours as he tries to figure out how to crawl. “Lily’s going to spend time with Sierra and Annie next week before she takes the children for her week of custody.”

  Donna glances up at me, and I think it’s guilt that crosses her face before she asks, “How’s Sierra doing with that?”

  My mother-in-law has to figure out how to live with the shame of being tricked by the evil that took over Taylor and allowed the kidnapping of Sierra’s children. It was a blow to her ego no matter how much we try to convince her it could have happened to any one of us. I say, “Amazingly well. The first time is going to be difficult, but Lily is understanding, and I’m sure it will get easier.”

  “Lily surprised me,” says Brady. “She sure didn’t seem like a leader when we first met her.”

  I glance at the calmest of my children, Everett, as he manages a slow creep across the floor. “Sometimes it’s the quiet ones that exhibit the greatest strength.”

  Donna says, “It will be interesting to see who she picks to sit with her on the council.”

  I recall my first prima luncheon with Patricia and Donna’s dislike for the woman. “Well, it sure won’t be Patricia. You would have liked the way Lily spoke to her.”

  Isabelle comes in from the kitchen and plops herself down on the floor beside the babies with a sigh. “I’m no longer needed in the kitchen.” She scoops up Connell and holds him above her head to lower him while she makes a noise.

  Donna asks, “Why’s that?”

  Isabelle places my son on her lap and waggles her eyebrows. “Too many cooks in the kitchen.”

  I grin. “What do you think about Tristan and Annie?”

  “I think Tristan has found a good reason for our clan to move here.” She tilts her head at Brady and me. “Annie’s a nice match for my brother, and we’re lucky to already have the next De Rozier alpha.”

  Brady stiffens. “You do?”

  “Oh, yes. Tristan’s got triplets too. His wife left us a couple years ago.” She shrugs. “Big scandal, but it’s not my story to tell. You’ll have to pry it out of Tristan after a few glasses of wine.”

  I frown. I’m not sure what to make of Isabelle. She was quick to adapt the other day when the rescue mission went down, and I know she’s a fierce warrior. But what does she need from us to be happy? Because she seems quite willing to move here, too. A vision of Isabelle in a barely-there bikini makes me grin, imagining that summer’s going to feel unbearable to the polar bear clan, and nudity might become a thing we need to deal with.

  I get up from the couch, and my mug thumps on the coffee table. I’m still in my pajamas, so I say, “I’m going to get changed before Sierra and Ashton get here.”

  When I return to my family, Sierra and Ashton have just gotten settled. I hug them both as we exchange holiday greetings. Sierra’s boys are all asleep, and she’s moved them to the bassinets my kids have outgrown. I watch as Ashton wraps his arm around her waist and they gaze down at their babies.

  Tristan enters the room with a plate of pastries. “Breakfast will be ready in five.” The dish clatters on the table and he adds, “I brought you Annie’s bear claws while you wait.”

  Sierra taunts him, “Annie’s made you her errand boy?”

  Tristan flashes a sly smile. “Annie’s trying to resist my sex appeal. She has to take a break every now and then.” He rolls his eyes to the sky and sighs. “It’s tough being this hot.”

  Sierra and I chuckle as he returns to the kitchen, and she says, “I like that guy.”

  “Me too.” I wonder what the De Rozier twins will bring to our clan and welcome the chance to find out. The thought makes me smile to myself at how I’ve grown to love a challenge. I reach for a pastry.

  To think, less than a year ago, Sierra and I were dreaming about sexy men, bears, and a new life in Maine. With two fresh tattoos calling us, we chased adventure with a road trip that would change our lives. I sink my teeth into the bear claw and smile when the sweet flavor pleases my taste buds. And what an adventure it’s been.

  **Read on for the first part of Tempted by the Bear.

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  Called by the Bear:

  Called by the Bear Complete Trilogy

  Called by the Bear Book 1

  Called by the Bear Book 2

  Called by the Bear Book 3

  Tempted by the Bear :

  Tempted by the Bear Complete Trilogy

  Tempted by the Book 1

  Tempted by the Book 2

  Tempted by the Book 3

  Desired by the Bear

  Desired by the Bear Complete Trilogy

  Desired by the Bear - Book 1

  Desired by the Bear - Book 2

  Desired by the Bear - Book 3

  Rocked by the Bear:

  Andre

  Adrian

  Aleck

  Aaron

  Jared

  Jax

  Winter Valley Wolves:

  As bundles -

  The Lindholms

  The Wakefields

  The Quinns

  Or Singles -

  Brindle

  Bosun

  Berch

  Ergan

  Ekton

  Esher

  Chosen

  Fated

  Destined

  I

  Tempted by the Bear Part 1

  Tempted by the Bear - Part 1

  Annie Le Roux - Tristan De Rozier’s so hot he might be the reason his glacier’s melting under his polar bear feet. But he turns mate attraction into a curse when his very presence makes my blood boil in anger. Figures he’s my true mate.

  Isabelle De Rozier – When a polar bear clan lives in fear of extinction it’s easy to make a deal with the devil and move to Maine. Tristan and I didn’t count on discovering the woman that we’ll betray is also his true mate. This changes everything. After a lifetime of Tristan taking care of me, now it’s up to me to take care of business.

  32

  Chapter 1

  Annie

  The dough lands on the floured surface with enough force that a white cloud poofs up. I attack it with my hands to knead out excess air and give the bread texture. That man! That stunningly gorgeous beast of a man named Tristan De Rozier is going to be the death of me. He’s a polar bear shifter who also happens to be my true mate. I lift the dough up, slam it down again, and give it a punch for good measure.

  “Wow, who got you so worked up?” Carly asks as she enters the kitchen.

  I glance over at my sister-in-law. Carly and her friend Sierra came to us less than a year ago to help save our clan. While she’s my brother’s true mate and a powerful alpha, she’s also become my best friend.

  “Three guesses, and the first two don’t count.”

  “I don’t understand why you don’t give in to him.” The coffee pot clatters as she removes it to pour herself a cup. “He’s so hot, he might be the reason that glacier of his is melting.”

  I snort and push a strand of hair out of my face. “Let me count the ways. One, he’s naked all the time. Do we really need to see that? Two, he taunts me as if I’m the one who’s lovesick, when I know it has to be both ways. And three--” I sigh. I want to be courted. I want wine, roses, and adoration. “He takes such pleasure in embarrassing me.” My throat tightens. “I hate it.”

  Carly’s mug thumps on the counter, and she reaches out to stop my hands with hers. “You want romance and not little boy crush?”

  I nod as I swallow down the urge to cry. “Is that so much to ask?”

  “No. It’s not. But men can be stupid when it comes to stuff like this.”

  “And if I give in, he’ll think he can always treat me this way. So until he gets a clue, expect a lot of baking to happen.”

  The back door lets out a hollow echo as someone enters the mudroom that separates the kitchen from the outdoors. Within moments, the second door opens, which means the shifter who went out for a run is probably still nude. If that weren’t enough of a clue, my body’s slight hum of sexual tension confirms it. I don’t look up as I say, “Good morning, Tristan.”

  But this man doesn’t like to be ignored, and large hands land on the counter on either side of me as he whispers against the back of my neck. “Annie, love. You really should join me some morning.”

  He’s smart enough not to press any body parts against me, but my imagination has my blasted hormones reacting anyway. Joining Tristan as a bear would mean getting naked to shift with him, and I’m sure that’s exactly what he wants. But he’s never going to get it if he doesn’t get a clue. I decide to take action. “Sorry, love, I need a little more than a boy who swings his dick around. We can talk when you become a man.”

  Tristan chuckles at me as my bold words bounce off his rock-hard body. He and his twin, Isabelle, have been houseguests for more than two weeks, and I’ve lost my patience. My face is flushed with shame, and my stomach churns, because I hate to lose my cool.

  Carly’s voice is dangerously close to her alpha tone when she says, “I wouldn’t laugh if I were you. Annie doesn’t get mad, but when she does, you better find a way to suck up quickly or you’ll be eating garbage scraps.”

  Tristan has enough brain cells to remain quiet as he leaves, and I let out a big breath when Carly’s hand lands on my shoulder. She turns me around for an embrace and says, “I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this. Those stupid guiding spirits are supposed to be smart and give us what we need. Who the hell thought you should get a big oaf of a polar bear?”

  “He is a big oaf, isn’t he?”

  “Not only that, but did you know his obsession with sweet potatoes is making his fur orange?”

  “No!” My body shakes with an uncontrollable giggle.

  “Yes, but don’t tell him.”

  I squeeze Carly’s arm. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You’ll never have to know.” She kisses my cheek and grabs her coffee cup to leave. “Can we have sweet potato fries for dinner tonight?”

  “What a lovely idea.”

  I place the bread dough in a pan and set it on the fridge to rise.

  The cutting board thunks down in the sink to be rinsed. But the aroma that floats to my nose tells me my blueberry muffins are done, and I abandon the dishes to remove them from the oven. I smile to myself when I use Sierra’s trick of extending my claws and pulling out the muffin tin instead of using a potholder. It’s funny how the brand-new werebears have taught this lifelong one a thing or two about our world.

  The low rumble of my mother’s car sounds in my super-sensitive ears, and I glance at the clock to discover she’s early for our weekly business breakfast. I know why. She’s anxious about the De Rozier clan assimilating into ours. While there are only twenty-five of them left, the two we’re acquainted with are rather large forces that could disrupt our peaceful clan.

  As if my thoughts call her, Isabelle, Tristan’s twin, enters the kitchen. Her step is sluggish, and the cabinet clicks when I open it for ibuprofen before I greet her. I glance at her red-rimmed eyes and nearly-white hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun that probably caused pain to create. I ask, “Anyone I need to usher out before people get here?”

  She shakes her head and winces at the motion. She holds out her hand, and I place two round tablets in her palm, and her voice is raspy when she says, “You really are an angel.”

  “Do you need a protein shake?”

  “Yes, please. I promise I’ll help you cook once it starts to work.” Isabelle falls into a chair, and it creaks under her weight. She’s the largest woman I’ve ever met. But that doesn’t detract from her beauty. With her pale coloring, Nordic features, and sex appeal that rivals Sierra’s, men want to climb her like she’s Mount Everest. I expect if they get the chance, they’re breathless when they hit the peak.

  “No need. Carly should be down soon to help.” Since my mother will want to talk out her issues about the De Roziers, I need Isabelle to leave us alone.

  The whine of my blender is loud as my mother enters the kitchen. When it stops, I turn to greet her. “Good morning, Mom.” Thick liquid pours into a glass, and I hand it to Isabelle.

  Isabelle stands. “I’m going to go to my room until it’s time for the meeting.”

  I watch as she shuffles out. Mom says, “Someone’s enjoying civilization. I hear she’s sampling the local delicacies too.”

  I frown, because I think Isabelle’s party-girl attitude is masking something. “Don’t you wonder why?”

  “I do. While I’d like to welcome the De Rozier clan with open arms, I think it’s wise to remember Polar Bear are known as the fiercest of our kind for a reason.”

  I try to imagine Tristan as a vicious bear. While the cocky attitude fits, his playful nature doesn’t. But if he’s the alpha and leading his clan to safety, he can’t be all fun and games. Huh. I guess Isabelle isn’t the only one hiding something.