Page 4 of Bear Love's Hidden Destiny
He stared at me, the anger in his eyes fading into something else, something raw and heavy. His voice was barely audible when he finally spoke. He says, “Something the forest should have forgotten. But it didn’t.”
Chapter Four
Benedict
My words hung in the air, thick and heavy, like the mist clinging to the trees around us. Isabella’s eyes locked on mine, a storm of confusion and fear swirling in them, but there was something else too, something that struck deeper. Curiosity burned bright, relentless, and beneath it, a spark of attraction, a pull I couldn’t ignore. My bear was awake, clawing at my control, the mate bond roaring to life in my chest. It wasn’t just magic, not some ancient spell woven into the forest. It was instinct, raw and primal, a mix of emotion and biology that made my blood hum. Her pulse raced under my fingers, still wrapped around her wrist. She was trembling, but not from fear. Neither of us moved, the forest watching from every shadow, its silence pressing in.
“We should go back to the cabin,” I said, my voice low, rough with the effort to stay calm.
She nodded, her gaze still searching mine. We walked side by side, the journal tucked under her arm, her flashlight beam cutting through the dark. The silence between us was thick, butneither of us spoke. The trees loomed overhead, their branches knitting together, blocking the moonlight. My bear was on edge, senses sharp, catching every rustle, every shift in the air. But there was nothing, just the quiet crunch of our boots on the pine needles. I stayed close, my shoulder brushing hers, the bond pulling tighter with every step, urging me to keep her near.
Inside the cabin, the air felt different, charged, like the moment before a storm. The fire burned low, casting a soft golden glow across Isabella’s face as she turned to me. Her lips parted, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. I set the journal on the table, trying to focus, but her presence filled the room, her scent, cedar smoke and sunlight, wrapping around me. I rubbed the back of my neck, searching for something to say to break the tension. “You’re lucky you are beautiful even you are so stubborn,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
She blinked, her cheeks flushing. “Excuse me? Stubborn?”
I winced, realizing how it sounded. “I just meant you don’t give up. You know, running off into the woods like that, chasing whatever’s in that journal.”
She crossed her arms, a small smile tugging at her lips. “So you think I’m beautiful, huh? That’s what you’re leading with?”
My face heated, and I looked away, poking at the fire to hide it. “You know what I mean. You’re trouble. Beautiful trouble.”
She laughed, soft and sharp, stepping closer. “Smooth, Benedict. Real smooth. You always this charming with women you pull out of ravines?”
“Only the ones who don’t listen,” I said, turning to face her. She was close now, too close, her eyes catching the firelight. The air felt thicker, my bear stirring, urging me to move closer. I swallowed, trying to keep my head clear. “You shouldn’t have gone out there alone.”
“And you shouldn’t keep dodging my questions,” she shot back, her voice teasing but firm. “But here we are.”
I didn’t have a comeback for that. She was right, and the way she looked at me, like she could see through every wall I’d built, made it hard to think straight. I took a step closer, my hand lifting to her cheek, my thumb brushing her skin. She didn’t pull away, just leaned into the touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a second. That was all it took.
I kissed her, slow at first, testing the waters. Her lips were soft, warm, and then she kissed me back, her hands finding my chest, pressing against me. The bond flared, hot and urgent, and I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding into her dark hair, fingers tangling in the strands. She matched me, her fingers curling into my shirt, tugging me closer, her breath hitching against my mouth. I pulled her against me, my hands roaming down her back, tracing the curve of her spine. The heat between us built fast, my blood pounding as I tasted her, the faint salt of her skin, the sweetness of her lips. I lifted her, her legs wrapping around my waist, her thighs tight against my hips as I carried her to the bed, our lips never breaking apart.
Her jacket hit the floor with a soft thud, my flannel following as we fumbled with buttons and zippers. Her skin was warm under my hands, soft as I traced the curve of her shoulder, the dip of her waist. I kissed along her jaw, slow and deliberate, then down her neck, lingering where her pulse raced under my lips. She gasped, her head tilting back, and I pressed my mouth to the hollow of her throat, feeling her shiver. My hands slid under her shirt, fingers brushing the smooth skin of her stomach, and she arched into me, her breath catching. I pulled the shirt over her head, tossing it aside, and paused to look at her, the firelight dancing across her bare skin, her eyes dark with want. She reached for me, her fingers tugging at my jeans, and Ihelped her, kicking them off as her hands roamed my chest, nails grazing my skin.
I lowered her to the bed, my hands framing her face as I kissed her again, deeper, slower, savoring every second. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, and I trailed kisses down her collarbone, across the swell of her chest, my lips brushing the edge of her bra before I unhooked it, letting it fall away. She moaned, soft and low, as I kissed lower, my tongue tracing the curve of her breast, teasing until her back arched, her hands gripping my shoulders. I moved back up, capturing her mouth again, my hand sliding down her thigh, lifting her leg to hook around me. Her skin was hot against mine, every touch sending a jolt through me, the bond coiling tighter, urging me closer.
Her pants came off next, and mine, until there was nothing between us but heat and need. I pressed myself against her, feeling every curve, every shudder, my hands exploring every inch of her. When I entered her, it was slow, deliberate, watching her face, the way her lips parted, her eyes half-closed, a soft gasp escaping her. The bond hummed, electric, making every movement feel like it was pulling us together, body and soul. I moved with her, steady at first, learning the rhythm of her breathing, the way she clung to me. But the heat took over, and slow turned to something fiercer, deeper. Her nails dug into my back, her legs tightening around me as we moved faster, rougher, each thrust binding us closer. She moaned my name, her voice breaking, and I buried myself in her, the world narrowing to just us, the bond complete, like a missing piece had finally locked into place.
Afterward, we lay tangled in the quiet, her head on my chest, her breath warm against my skin. The fire crackled softly, its light flickering across the ceiling. I could feel her heartbeat, strong and steady, matching mine. She shifted, propping herselfup on one elbow, her hair falling over her shoulder. A teasing smile curved her lips. “So, park ranger, is this how you welcome all your guests?”
I grinned, running a hand through her hair. “Only the ones who fall off cliffs and sneak into forbidden forests.”
She laughed, loud and bright, swatting my chest. “Forbidden forests? Come on, Benedict, you make it sound like I wandered into a fairy tale.”
“Maybe you did,” I said, my voice softer than I meant. “You’re here, aren’t you?”
Her smile faded, her eyes turning serious. “Yeah, and I still don’t know why. That thing out there, the shimmering air, what was it? You know more than you’re saying.”
I sighed, my hand resting on her hip. “Don’t think too much about it right now. You should rest. I’ve already worn you out.”
“Worn me out?” she said, her voice rising with mock offense. “Please. I’ve trekked through jungles and climbed ruins older than this cabin. You’re not that exhausting.”
“Not that exhausting?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “I saw the way you were breathing a minute ago. Looked pretty winded to me.”
She rolled her eyes, but her grin widened. “Oh, shut up. You were just as bad, panting like you’d run a marathon.”
“Me? I was pacing myself,” I said, pulling her closer. “Didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“Overwhelm me?” She laughed again, shoving me playfully. “You’re so full of it. Next time, I’m setting the pace, and we’ll see who’s overwhelmed.”
