Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

M aeve hid in her greenhouse for the week, not even going into the shoppe. She knew she was being the coward that Saul accused her of, but she didn’t care. She needed to protect her heart and let the potion wear off. Cornelius Digby was correct about love potions. They rarely worked as anything more than inspiring attraction. That always wore off after time and distance. She needed to give her and Saul that time and distance to let the affects to wear off. In the meantime, she was exploring antidotes for love potions and calling the Duprees asking about the love potion, hoping they would eventually share the ingredients, but no luck.

By the weekend, she had exhausted all of her resources and was tired from not sleeping at night and thinking of Saul constantly. She was dozing on the couch in her greenhouse when someone flung open the door and stormed in, followed by her great-aunt Geillis, who was yelling at him to stop.

“Maeve? Maeve, are you here? We need you.”

She roused herself from her light sleep to blink blearily at Saul, who loomed over her, his hair sticking out all over the place and a panicked look on his face. “I need your help. Please. Come with me. It’s Brady.”

She thought of the adorable bear cub son of Saul’s sister and her mate, with his impish ways, and her blood ran cold. “What’s happened, Saul?”

“I need your help. Something is wrong with Brady. He’s throwing up, has the chills. We don’t know what’s wrong. The healer isn’t sure what’s going on. Please?”

She wasn’t a healer. She’d never attended the bedside of anyone. She made potions and handed them out in the shoppe for minor illnesses. This was outside her purview. If the healer couldn’t help, how could she? But this was Saul and his nephew. She couldn’t say no. She nodded and took his hand. He didn’t even wait.

He swept her up and carried her to his truck and raced to a house over the hill from his own. His parents were on the porch, worry etched on their faces. Sacha and Blaize were inside, at Brady’s bedside. The bear cub was pale and sweaty and smelled sickly of vomit and something sweet. It was peculiar and prodded something in her mind, but she couldn’t quite remember what. She leaned over him and checked his pupils and his pulse.

Brady opened his eyes a little. “Hi, Brady. Remember me? I’m your uncle’s friend, Maeve. Can you tell me when you started feeling sick?”

“It’s a stomach virus,” the healer stated definitively from the doorway, his long white robes indicating his status.

Saul glared at him. “Nothing you’ve done has helped. Maybe let Maeve try.”

“She makes potions for sale at a tiny little shoppe. She’s not a healer. She couldn’t even get hired by a reputable shoppe,” the healer sneered. Saul growled, and the healer paled, stepping back. “Fine. But she could kill your cub.”

“What is that sweet scent? What did you give him?”

“I don’t have to answer to you. If you’re so smart, you figure it out.” The healer folded his arms in front of him and gave her a condescending look.

She launched herself across the room and grabbed him by the throat, pinning the taller man to the wall. “You’ll tell me what you gave Brady and you’ll me right now, or I’ll let the bears in this room rip you to shreds.”

The healer glowered at her but belatedly heard the growls of the three bears surrounding her, directed at him. He paled and recited the herbs and concoctions, nothing unusual for a stomach virus. Something she would have given the boy, too, if she had been called earlier. But none of that would have created a sweet smell, with almost a hint of decay under it. Something pricked her mind from her mother’s journal. She just couldn’t grab a hold of it. Given that he was a young cub and mischievous, she had an idea.

“Brady, were you playing in the woods this week? Did you eat something that you shouldn’t?”

Sacha made a low cry, and her mate tucked her close. Brady nodded weakly. “There were berries. By the creek. So pretty. I thought they were blueberries, but they didn’t taste like them. But they were good.”

Her heart chilled. She glanced at Saul. “On it. We’ll get a sample.”

He tore out of the room, followed by Blaize. It wasn’t long before they returned with a sample of berries and dirt littering their shirts. Saul wordlessly handed her the berries, and she gasped. “Klosinth. Not blueberries. You need to tear out all the bushes immediately. These are deadly, especially to shifters.”

Sacha cried out again and collapsed against Blaize, who gathered her close, rubbing his hands up and down her back to soothe her.

Saul grimly nodded. “Already done. We’ll burn them later and make sure there aren’t any more.”

Maeve, Saul, and the healer went into the kitchen. The healer studied the berries, his brow furrowed. “I’m not familiar with these.”

“I’m not surprised. Most shifter communities are ruthless in eradicating them from the area. They’re sweet but deadly. Typical antidotes won’t work with them.”

The healer shook his head, still looking a bit stunned. “I don’t have an antidote for this, not directly. But we could try…”

Maeve shook her head. “Devil’s Thimbleberry. It’s a general antidote for shifters. A tea from that should work. I have some in my greenhouse.”

“Do we have time?” the healer asked, concern in his voice.

“We’ll have to hope we do,” Maeve replied grimly.

Saul drove her back to her house, breaking all kinds of speed records, neither of them speaking. She headed right to the greenhouse and picked the berries, grateful that they had bloomed so quickly. She simmered the berries in hot water, then mashed them to extract as much of the juice as possible. She strained the resulting liquid to get rid of seeds, which were bitter and could induce vomiting. Brady didn’t need that anymore. Saul watched her actions without getting in the way.

“Will you have enough time?”

“It should steep for a few days, but we can’t wait. I have to hope that it will work, newly steeped, especially since Brady is so small. I don’t think he can wait.” She looked at him. “Let’s go.”

It had only been a few hours, but Brady was paler and his breathing more shallow. He didn’t respond when she tried to wake him. The juice wasn’t hot, so she spooned it into his mouth, encouraging him to swallow, even while unconscious. Eventually, the first cup was gone.

“Now we wait.”

Maeve and Saul sat on one side, while Sacha and Blaize clung to each other on the other side. At one point, Maeve reached over to take Saul’s hand and he gripped it gratefully. Several hours passed and Brady’s breathing seemed to get better. And his color slowly improved. Then he opened his eyes.

“Mama?”

A sob burst out of Sacha, and she hugged him. Maeve felt tears rolling down her face, and she inched her way out of the room to give the family privacy. Before she could leave, Sacha turned to her.

“Thank you for saving my son. I owe you, Maeve.”

Maeve nodded and slipped outside. Saul’s parents were in the living room and jumped to their feet when Maeve exited the room. She nodded tiredly at them. “He woke up.”

“He’ll be okay?”

“We’ll keep an eye on him, but I believe he is on the mend.”

Saul’s parents hugged and cried. She started for the door when Saul’s father stopped her. “Maeve, I told my son that I had concerns about you being right for him as a mate for an alpha. I was wrong. You took charge and knew what to do. You kept everyone calm and were confident. Our clan owes you. Thank you, Maeve.”

Her face burned, and she didn’t know what to say. “You’re welcome, Mr. Grimsbane.”

She slipped outside to the cool evening, a welcome change to the warm interior. After a moment, though, it was cold, and she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Now, how was she going to get home?

A jacket was placed around her shoulders, and she was pulled into Saul’s warm body. “Thank you for coming, Maeve. We owe you so much for saving Brady. We didn’t know he ate anything poisonous. He never told us about that berry. Who knows how many other cubs would have eaten it?”

She smiled, trying not to think about how right it felt to be in his arms. “I’m glad I could help. The Klosinth berry looks so much like a blueberry and has a sweet taste but a hint of decay. Shifters in particular like it because it almost tastes like sweet meat. They don’t taste the bad part of it.”

He swore. “We’ll burn it. All we can find. And seek out any more to ensure it’s all gone.”

“Good.” She leaned into him, involuntarily enjoying his warmth, the scent of his skin, trying not to think about being without him.

“Maeve, walk with me, please.”

She wanted to protest, but he sounded broken, like he needed her. So she nodded and let him lead her off the porch and into the meadow under the moonlight. After several minutes, they finally stopped.

Saul took a deep breath. “Maeve, this week has been hell without you. My bear knows you’re his mate and I want you, too. I know what you said about feeling like you can’t handle the bears or being strong enough for the clan, but you handled that healer perfectly well. I’m convinced you’ll handle the clan just fine. And, if you don’t want to be alpha mate, well, I don’t need to be the alpha either. Blaize can take over. I just want you. You’re the other half of my soul. You bring me peace, happiness, and soothe my bear. I need you, Maeve. I love you.”

Tears were pricking her eyes at his words, and she faced him. “Saul, you were right. I was running away again, hiding because it was easier. I blamed the potion, the clan, anything I could, so I could protect myself. But you had already stolen my heart, as had your clan. It’s going to take me some time, but I want to try. You’re worth it. I love you and I love your clan.”

He crushed her to him, lifting her off the ground to pull her fully to him. He kissed her, claiming her fully with his kiss. Maeve's heart raced as he pulled her closer, their lips locked in a passionate frenzy. His strong arms enveloped her, sending shivers of desire through her body. She surrendered to his touch, feeling the heat between them intensifying with each passing second.

Their breaths mingled in the air as they finally broke apart, their eyes locking in a heated gaze. Maeve could feel the hunger in his stare, matching her own desire.

"I've never wanted anyone like this before," she whispered, her hands exploring his muscular chest. “You give me strength, make me stronger.”

He groaned softly, his fingers tracing down her spine. “I can't resist you, Maeve. You're like a drug to me, addicting and intoxicating. Be mine. Forever.”

She smiled and kissed him again. “I’m yours. Now and forever.”

Saul led her to his house and quickly stripped her down, wrapping her in a soft faux fur blanket and settling her in front of the roaring fire. He brewed some tea and added a liberal dose of honey to sweeten it, and some whiskey to warm her up from the inside. He handed her the cup and settled behind her, pulling her between his legs against his chest.

She leaned back with a sigh, resting her head against his chest. “I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you. It seems odd that I should have missed you. I barely knew you. Yet, being without you this week has left a large void in my life, like all the magic had gone out of it.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and tightened his arms around her. “I felt the same. My bear was crankier than usual, and that’s saying something. Most of the clan was ready to exile me, and my sister wanted to ban me from the bakery. I think it’s safe to say you’re more popular with the clan than with me now.”

“At least more than that healer.”

He heard the laughter in her voice, and he groaned. “Don’t even joke about that.” After a moment, when they both were sipping their tea, though his was more liberally laced with honey and whiskey than tea, he asked, “Why aren’t you a healer? You seem well suited to that profession.”

She sighed. “My father refused to let me study healing. He said Whispers don’t work a trade. We study the secrets of the universe.”

He snorted. “How does he feel about you working in the Dupree’s shoppe?”

“He doesn’t know about that. We needed the money, and they were the only place that would carry my potions. He still doesn’t know.”

Anger burned inside of Saul. Her father was not improving on him, the more he knew about him. How could he leave the support of the family to Maeve yet not letting her have the means to do it? “Would you like to be a healer?”

Her breath caught, then evened out. “Maybe. I never really thought about it. Yeah, maybe I would. I would like to study potions and plants more. I’d love to understand them better, like Cornelius Digby, honestly, and how to use them to heal people.”

He hugged her closer. “Then you should do it. Don’t let anyone hold you back, Maeve. Follow your dreams.”

She set her cup down on the table and turned in his arms, looping her arms over his neck. “Maybe my dreams are right in front of me.”

He let his bear show in his eyes. “Do you want to be my mate, Maeve?”

“I do, Saul. I thought I would think this is all so quick, but it feels right. I want to be yours and I want you to be mine. Make me your mate, Saul.”

He put his cup down and cupped her ass, lifting her and getting to his feet at the same time. She squealed and hugged him close, as if afraid he would drop her. “I’ve got you, mate. I won’t let you fall.”

She pulled back for a moment and looked into his eyes. “I know you won’t, Saul. I trust you.”

He strode down the hallway to his bedroom and lightly tossed her on the bed. He kicked off his shoes and stripped off his shirt and jeans. Maeve lay on the bed, the blanket opened around her, her body stretched out on his bed, completely naked.

Her skin gleamed under the moon's seductive glow, a tantalizing sight that left Saul dizzy with desire. He couldn't resist the magnetic pull towards her any longer, his hands aching to explore every curve of her body. As he gave in to temptation and joined her on the soft grass, their eyes locked in a smoldering gaze filled with unspoken lust. The air crackled with electricity, thick and heavy with intense longing.

Saul's hand caressed Maeve's cheek, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. She eagerly pressed against him, breathless with anticipation. And when their lips finally met, passion burned between them. Saul’s tongue traced her lips, tasting the honey and whiskey from the tea. She opened under his touch, her tongue tangling with his, teasing him, stroking him.

He hovered above her, her legs parting eagerly to make room for him between her thighs. His cock pressed against her slick folds, but he resisted the urge to claim her fully. He trailed hot kisses down her neck and across her collarbone, marking her as his own. Her gasps and moans only fueled his desire.

Maeve's heart raced beneath his lips as he continued to trail down her body, igniting every inch of her with his hands and mouth. She cried out in pleasure as he found all the right spots, driving her wild with need.

Saul's fingers danced teasingly over her skin, sending shivers of anticipation through her body. When he finally took one of her sensitive nipples between his teeth and tugged gently, she almost couldn't take it anymore. Her hips lifted off the ground, seeking more from him. He slipped his fingers between them, seeking that slick spot between her thighs. She gasped, her hips almost bucking him off of her. She arched her back, crying out.

Saul slipped a finger inside her wet heat, exploring her depths, discovering the small spot inside of her that made her go wild. She tightened around his finger, sucking him inside. Saul obliged, adding a second finger, and then a third. Maeve's body shook with pure ecstasy as he plunged in and out of her, hitting that magical spot deep within her core.

“Please,” Maeve begged, her voice barely a whisper. “Please, Saul. Please, take me now.”

Saul settled his cock against her entrance and slowly pushed inside, never taking his eyes off of her. She let her head fall back as filled her completely. Saul began thrusting, slowly and deliberately, allowing them both to savor the moment. Every stroke sent ripples of pleasure throughout Maeve's body, each one building in intensity.

“Saul!” Maeve cried out, her body tensing as she reached the pinnacle of her pleasure. He responded by thrusting harder and faster, determined to send her over the edge. Her cries grew louder, and her hips bucked with each powerful surge, meeting his every move.

As they moved closer to their peak, Saul felt them connect on a deeper level, his bear bonding with Maeve in a way that went beyond physical pleasure. He knew this was the moment, the time for the mating bond.

He paused, even as it almost killed him.

He cupped her cheek and forced her to look at him, to focus on him, despite her eyes glazed with passion. “Maeve. Do you want to be my mate, always and forever? This cannot be undone.”

“Saul, you’re talking too much. Finish it and move, dammit, or else.”

He grinned and resumed his thrusts. He bent to the spot between her shoulder and neck and licked it a few times, grazing his teeth over the spot. Maeve shuddered, her body convulsing around him. She let out one last, agonized cry, her body shuddering as she climaxed. Saul gritted his teeth, feeling her muscles contract around him, and it was all he could do not to explode. He bit deep into the muscle, marking her as his own. She screamed, her body clenching hard around him, throwing him over the edge as he came, filling her completely.

As their bodies continued to tremble together, Saul felt the mating bond snap into place. He withdrew his teeth and licked the spot clean of blood and infused the area with his healing properties.

He kissed her deeply, his heart swelling with love and desire. He pulled out of her slowly, his cock still throbbing with pleasure, and rolled to his side, holding her close.

Maeve gazed up at him, her eyes dazed with love and lust. “I can feel you, Saul. Inside of me.”

Saul smiled, his heart swelling with love. “Not anymore, Maeve.”

She slapped him lightly. “Jerk.”

He kissed her. “I am yours, mate. You’ll never get rid of me now.”