Page 66 of Bear Creek Father's Day
Zak was breathing hard by this time; his brain slowly short-circuiting under Orrin’s multi-pronged assault. Fortunately, he’d already prepared an answer.
“Wherever you want them, love, except for my face and neck.”
Orrin growled his pleasure at the thought of marking his beautiful mate, but not where others could see. That leftintriguing possibilities to consider while Zak moaned beneath him. Pheromones filled the air as their passion rose, and Orrin kissed his way down Zak’s body until he swallowed the man’s cock. Zak started to thrash, even as Orrin’s bear urged him to get on with the claiming. There was no going back now, and Orrin slipped off the bed, pulled Zak to the edge of the mattress, and eased the dildo out.
His cock immediately replaced it, sliding in to the hilt with no resistance, and Orrin began a punishing pace. Moans and snarly growls combined in a lusty concert as Orrin lay claim to his mate—pounding away until almost reaching climax. In the blink of an eye, short black claws replaced the fingernails on his right hand, and Orrin called out ‘MINE!’ as he raked them down Zak’s left glute and upper thigh. The man cried out in pain and pleasure as Orrin filled his passage with fragrant seed, staking a claim from the inside, as well as out.
The mating bond formed even before Orrin’s orgasm was finished—a tangible connection linking him to Zak until death. Yet what happened next was totally unexpected. The bond somehow anchored itself to Zak as well, though the connection wasn’t as strong. It startled both of them, eyes wide with surprise, delight, and wonder.
Driven by his ursine nature to keep going, Orrin tossed a clean towel on the mattress to absorb the blood, and resumed thrusting without withdrawing from Zak’s body. Hot on the heels of the first orgasm, each man came again, and then a third time before Orrin detected Zak’s discomfort and pulled out to tend to his mate. His MATE! It wasn’t just a theoretical term or a mystical idea any longer, but something real and tangible. The information had arrived via their link first, followed by hissenses. Orrin didn’t know what else it might do, but they could test it later. Right now, his mate needed some TLC.
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Zak lay on his stomach so Orrin could bandage the burning, bloodied stripes on his ass and upper leg. The marks hurt more than he’d expected, especially now that they’d paused their lovemaking. As Orrin applied antibiotic ointment, Zak asked about their new connection.
“What happened? I thought the bond was one-sided and I wouldn’t feel anything.”
Orrin sent his mate a wave of affection before speaking, and Zak gasped in surprise.
“You sensed that, didn’t you?”
Zak managed an amused grunt.
“Yeah, I did. I love you, too,mate. I’m just wondering how it could be possible.”
Orrin continued the first aid as they conversed.
“Your genetic mix must have allowed some level of the bond, though I don’t think it’s as strong as what I’m feeling. Maybe it will change over time, but it will be interesting to see what we can do. Most shifter couples can detect emotions, locate their mates from a distance, or even send simple messages to one another. It’s all non-verbal, and nobody understands how it works. The downside is that secrets are hard to keep.”
Orrin finished placing the large white bandages protecting Zak’s mating marks, though the brief pressure made him wince.
“Sorry, my love. I know it hurts, but it will be so beautiful when it heals.”
Amused and curious, Zak rolled over on his right side and Orrin lay down to face him.
“You picked an odd place to mark me, my love. Any particular reason?”
Orrin growled in response.
“My bear didn’t have a preference, but I don’t want anyone seeing your marks except me.You’re mine!”
Zak kissed him deeply; fingers threaded through Orrin’s thick, luxurious hair.
“Yes, yours. As it should be. I’m proud to wear your marks.”
Purring with satisfaction, Orrin pulled Zak on top of him. The man soon fell asleep, and he drew the covers over them where they were. The mating drive would reassert itself soon enough, and he’d have no choice but to take his mate as many times as he could handle. Until then, they rested.
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Meanwhile, at the Pocono Ridge Resort
It had been eons since Andrew and Melody shared a restaurant meal with little ones. The children had been here once before with several other families, and spent the meal telling them about it. First-rate food and service made supper even more enjoyable, and the dessert was both rich and satisfying.
Afterward, they wandered through the retail shops, stopped at theDeliciousstorefront for chocolates, and then returned to their room in the shifter wing. As parents of a quasi-shifterwhose needs were different from theirs, the Halls were uniquely qualified to see that Rayn had a good time. The small bathroom in their combination suite didn’t have a tub, so the kids got to experience their first shower—guided by either Grandma or Grandpa. The jammies went on next, followed by brushed teeth, before they gathered in the main room for story time.
Both kids were tuckered out and ready for bed by the time the story ended. The suite had two sleeping areas—one with human beds and one without. They chose the room designed for bears, but made a sleeping pad with blankets for Rayn. The others shifted and formed a rough circle with her in the middle. The little ones were given several good licks before the pleasant rumbling of three bears lulled them to sleep.
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