Epilogue

“This is the best day ever!” Elliott announced as he rode on the back of Levi’s bear toward the cabin he now called home.

It is the best day ever!Levi’s bear agreed.

“But you have to remember to keep this a secret,” Rosie told him.

“My lips are sealed.” Elliott threaded his fingers through the bear’s thick fur with one hand and then lifted the other to pretend to turn a lock on his mouth.

Levi chuckled and glanced at Rosie, who arched an eyebrow at him. She’d put off telling Elliott about shifters because she wasn’t sure he could keep a secret as big as this.

However, Levi had one trick up his sleeve that he was certain would mean Elliott kept the secret.

The bear turned to look at Rosie, and she gave a nod. It was time to set their plan in motion.

“You should walk from here,” Rosie told her son as the bear stopped walking.

“Do I have to?” Elliott said.

“Yes,” Rosie began. “So that no one sees us from the road.”

“Okay,” Elliott said with a heavy sigh. Then he leaned forward and put his face in the bear’s thick pelt. “Thanks for the ride. I hope to see you again soon.”

Then he held up his arms and Rosie lifted him off the bear’s back. Before his feet had touched the ground, the air around the bear shimmered and the hairs on her arms stood on end as static electricity filled the air.

“Cool!” Elliott held out his hands and giggled. “It tickles.”

Then he watched in awe as the bear faded away, to be replaced by Levi in his human form.

“How do you do that?” Elliott asked.

“It’s just the way I am,” Levi told him.

“I wish it was the way I was,” Elliott said with a wistful sigh.

Rosie ruffled her son’s hair, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Maybe someday you’ll have a special talent of your own,” she said.

“Hmmm,” Elliott said thoughtfully.

Time to act,Levi’s bear said as he spotted movement at the cabin.

“There’s someone at the cabin,” Levi hissed, nodding toward a person standing in the shadows just around the side of the cabin.

“Can you sense them with your shifter senses?” Elliott asked, leaning forward to stare at the cabin up ahead.

“I can,” Levi said as Rosie smothered a smile.

You will not get any acting awards,his bear said with a roll of his eyes.

That’s because I am not an actor,Levi said.

But he knew a man who was.

“Who is it?” Elliott asked in a loud whisper.

“I don’t know, it’s not like anything I have ever sensed before,” Levi said.

“Are we in danger?” Elliott asked.

“No,” Rosie said quickly and then caught Levi’s look of warning. She shook her head and put on a serious voice. “Not when Levi’s bear is around. He’s the strongest protector we could ask for.”

Elliott’s eyes widened as he glanced up at Levi. “Really?”

“Really,” Levi confirmed, giving Rosie a quick, reassuring glance. “Now, let’s see who’s at this cabin.”

They moved cautiously toward the shadowy figure, but as they got closer, he stepped out from the shadows and revealed himself.

“Captain Orang!” Elliott said in awe.

“Hello, fellow traveler,” Captain Orang, AKA local actor Carter Eden, said in his Space Monkey’s voice.

He sure does look the part in that costume and makeup,Levi’s bear said happily.

“Hello!” Elliott said, then dropped his voice to a whisper. “Is Sergeant Chimp here, too?”

“No, she is busy making plans for our latest attack on Stink Man’s stronghold!” Captain Orang boomed.

Now, that is what you call acting,Levi’s bear said in awe.

“Can I help?” Elliott asked excitedly.

“You can, fellow traveler,” Captain Orang said. “Your mission is to keep the secret that has been shared with you this day.”

“You mean about shifters?” Elliott asked.

“I do,” Captain Orang confirmed. “One day, they may be called on to fight our cause. Until that day, their identity must be kept secret.”

“Like Spider Man?” Elliott asked.

“Indeed,” Captain Orang boomed. “Now it is time for me to leave.” He placed his hand on Elliott’s shoulder. “I know I can trust in you, Elliott.”

“You can, Captain Orang,” Elliott replied solemnly as he gave a salute.

“Now, I have to go join Sergeant Chimp in defeating Stink Man!” With that, Captain Orang turned and strode away into the trees.

“Woah! Do you think his spaceship is out there?” Elliott asked.

“Maybe,” Rosie said.

“And that he might come back again?” Elliot asked.

“Maybe for your birthday,” Levi said.

“This is the best day ever!” Elliott announced loudly.

“I might have to agree,” Rosie said, as she slipped her hand into Levi’s. “Well played.”

“Thank you,” Levi said.

“You’re going to make a great father,” Rosie said.

“You mean I’m not already?” Levi asked, unsure if she was saying what he thought she was saying.

Rosie gave him a secret smile. “Of course you are. But how are you with babies?”

She’s pregnant!his bear roared.

She is, Levi said.

“This truly is the best day ever,” he murmured and kissed his mate on the lips.

“And this is just the start,” she reminded him.

The start of something truly magical.

I hope you enjoyed meeting the Thornberg family. Levi’s story is next. And is available for pre-order now

Too Hot to Bear

Book Three

If you want to stay in Bear Creek for a while, why not try-

Gunner

(Silverback Redemption Book 1)

A bear shifter in need of redemption. A mate in need of revenge.

Something called to Gunner. Something he could not describe. A need to go into the mountains.

He’d heeded the call even though he had no idea what he’d find. Certainly, he’d never expected to find his mate. Gunner had long stopped hoping she would walk into his life. Not that Sadie did walk into his life. She crawled, on all fours, determined to get down off the mountain and avenge the death of her friend.

But Gunner knew revenge led to ruin and death. Could he protect his mate from harm, even if that harm was self-inflicted?

They’d killed her friend and mentor.

Sadie couldn’t get the image of Professor Augustine, lying in a pool of his own blood, out of her head. No matter how dangerous it was she had to avenge his death and bring those responsible to justice.

But who could she trust?

Should she believe in the man—bear—who had found her in the mountains? Should she believe him when he calls her mate and tells her they are meant to be together forever?

It all seems impossible. Sadie had accepted she would always be alone. People confused her. They said one thing and meant another.

But when she was with Gunner, everything made sense.