As Tallan walked from the shower to her room, a smile on her face she couldn't, wouldn't hide, all she had to do was rub her sore ass to make her grin bigger, her mind start working toward her next adventure with Luke. She wanted to seize the day, utilize as much as she could of whatever time they had left. She'd already convinced herself that once he left, that was when she would deal with the 'what next.' She wouldn't mar their time now by stressing over the future. Live in the here and now, she thought.

"I really screwed up," Luke said as soon as she entered her bedroom.

He sat, naked on the bed, quite the specimen of a man, something she may never get over, never want to stop thinking of if she couldn't see him. She took yet another mental picture, hoping to memorize every curve and sinewy, muscled limb. Maybe before he left for good she'd ask if she could take a real one. Her heart sank to see the tightness of his jaw line when her gaze made it up that high.

"What happened?" she asked, coming to him, needing to touch him, to comfort him as much as she needed his comfort.

"I answered your phone. It rang, and I feared it might be something concerning Ian, so I answered it. I honestly never thought past that situation."

"Shit. Who was it?" she asked, prolonging the answer, though she already knew.

"Your mother. She demanded I tell her who I was, why I was in her daughter's apartment at this time of the morning." Luke ran his hand over his face. "The woman is terrifying. I felt like a little boy being caught with my hand in the cookie jar. I mean, I had to say you were in the shower and couldn't come to the phone."

"Did you? What else did you tell her?"

"Just my name at first, which rattled her more. She confirmed by screaming, 'you mean the fucking bear' at some point. 'What the fuck are you doing with my daughter?' I believe she continued on with. I didn't know how to respond to that. I mean whose mother talks that way?"

"Mine, though not very often. Not that that makes a difference to you right now. But, this whole Jason and Micah thing has her ready to spit nails, and well, you may have just thrown her over the edge of her anger. Shit. I'm so sorry, Luke. I meant to tell her when things calmed down, deal with the fallout and blows then. So,what happened next?"

"I said I was visiting. It was all that came to me. Then the shower thing when she asked to speak to you. She actually hung up on me after that, so at least I couldn't screw up anymore. I'm really sorry, Tallan. I only thought of the Ian situation. I should have thought further before I just reacted by snatching up the phone after only one ring."

"Nothing we can do about it now. Just give me my phone. I'm going to SOS Trina, though I shouldn't bother her on the days that should be her honeymoon, maybe she can call my mother and run interference."

"Maybe. Apologize again and again for me, will you?"

"I'm just going to text her. You are welcome to grab a shower while I do. I'll see what I have in the kitchen for breakfast after I text her."

"Okay," he said, his voice sullen, as he slid off the bed, stood to his full six foot five frame, towering over her, still naked, still sexy beyond description. Just looking at him made her want him, though she couldn't give in every time that happened or they would never get out of the house with clothes on again.

"It's okay, Luke. She was bound to find out eventually. Why delay the shit show, I guess. Please, no worries. For what you have brought into my life, yet another feud with my mother is worth it, even if I am the center of this one, instead of just sticking up for someone else."

She stood on her toes, and with his head bent toward her she managed to reach his chin with her lips. He cupped her face then, and kissed her full on the lips. Not hard, but hard enough to make her skin warm and swell, to make her heart do the same. She'd deal with that fact later. Much later. After she enjoyed the moments of watching his ass as he walked into the bathroom.

She sat down on her bed, only her towel still around her, with an exaggerated sigh. Though she hated bothering her sister, they were not technically on their honeymoon, as it had been delayed for now. Still, she stared at the phone a little longer, tapping it in her palm, bringing up Trina's icon but not actually typing out words with her waiting thumbs.

As she heard the shower start, she began to text Trina only to erase the words. She continued to sit there, so many thoughts racing through her mind, overwhelming her to the point she actually laid back on the bed, a dizziness taking her. Could have been lack of food after the workout they put in last night, but she feared it more a rush of emotions, for Luke that she couldn't bring herself to deal with yet.

A knock on the door roused her, making her sit straight up. She hadn't been down long, as the shower still ran. Only, as she got up to walk to the door, her feet moving like she had lead for bones, she heard the shower water stop. When she finally reached the door, peered through the peephole, her mother's scrunched up, flushed face greeted her.

"What the fuck? Did she jump in her car the minute she hung up the phone?" Tallan mumbled to the door.

She had to have, along with committing several traffic violations to have made it there in such record time. Tallan groaned and typed off a fast text to her sister. 'Luke. Mom. SOS' before sucking in a deep breath and opening the door. The small rush of air moved the bottom of her towel, reminding her of her state of undress, which would not have been such a big deal if her mother had not pushed past her into the apartment just in time to see Luke, towel tied around his hips, still damp from the shower, walk from the bathroom to her bedroom.

Time stood still, the only sound in the apartment her mother's heavy breathing, the sound of her heart thumping in her ears, before Luke stepped back into view leaving part of him covered by the wall.

While his jaw line held tight, the muscles in his arms and chest did the same. His wide eyes showed his only signs of vulnerability.

"Tallan, I demand to know what this bear is doing in your apartment at this time of morning, half dressed," Her mother hissed out as only she could.

"Your worse case scenario,Mom, go with that," she replied, flippant but her voice barely at whisper level.

The woman only stuttered out the start of a few words, before letting out an angry sigh that Tallan matched with a frustrated one. Poor Luke said nothing, just froze, seeming in a protective mode, though hesitant to make a move.

Standing up straight, pushing her shoulders back and grabbing her towel to ensure it didn't fall off as she did so, Tallan gathered her courage, or maybe just her defensiveness, her sudden need to protect Luke.

"Mother," Tallan began, her voice rising with her mounting courage, "I will not have you saying anything negative about my relationship with Luke. I am quite aware of your feelings on cross species relations, but it happens, and you and daddy need to get out of the old days, let go of the old ways of thinking, and come to accept that this is the way it is now. Luke will not be here long. He has to go back to his base soon, so I will not have you ruining the little time I have to spend with the most amazing man I have ever met in my life. We may or may not have a future together, given his job and mine, but that is for us to decide. And, like you have done with Jason, it is only your place to decide if you want to accept it and have a relationship with me, or to not accept it and not talk to me until you do."

Looking to Luke, seeing the faint hint of a smile on his lips, she knew she'd said the right things, though no one ever stood up to her mother. Jason may have done what he wanted as far as Micah was concerned, and her and Trina may have tried to argue a bit in his favor, but mostly they said little, let their mother have her rants figuring no one could change her mind but her.

A sharp pang of guilt shot across the knot in her stomach, wishing she had done more for Jason now. The woman could be fought. Maybe they needed to stand up to her rather than voice slight truths, always timid, always tiptoeing around the woman's moods. She vowed to do more as the matriarch of the family stood there speechless after Tallan's rant.

"Put some clothes on," her mother finally spat. "Both of you. Your father is on his way, Tallan. We shall discuss this then."

Tallan walked to where Luke had disappeared into her room. Once she entered, closing the door behind her, she merely shrugged her shoulders, whispered an apology.

"In fact, I apologize for what she just said, and what I'm sure she's about to say as she gathers her thoughts, ammunition against us, with her few minutes alone out there. I know we have not even discussed the possibility of an us with you having to leave soon, but if you are willing, with her, now, I need to act like there is one, like we have a future, or she will just consider this her win. And, well, I am tired of her thinking she can run all of our lives. She has been impossible to live with since Jason announced his relationship with an eagle shifter, and maybe if someone had truly stood up to her then rather than timidly suggesting their thoughts, this could have all been avoided, or some of it. We chose to speak with our actions back then, but now, I need to try words. Something has to get through to her, make her see reason and get with the times. Are you okay with that, to take the brunt of whatever is to come from them even when we don't know ourselves what is to come of us? I know that is a ton to ask, so I understand if you say no."

"Anything you want, anything you need, Tallan, I will do. Surely this is the wrong time to confess this, but I want there to be an us. I want to work something out, find a way to be together and have a future. Today, or the next few days, whatever is to come of them, I do want there to be an us after I leave. Discussing the terms of that is for another day, but I want to know that the discussion will happen. Two dates. We have only had two evenings together, but they have been the most amazing I have ever spent with a woman. I know, already, as does my bear, that you are my mate. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that is the case, even if that includes convincing you. Your mother, well, that is just a stepping stone, really. One I am willing to stand beside you for."

Tears swam in her eyes. She didn't know what to say in response to his confession, as only the words, yes, yes, yes, came to mind. Yet, he hadn't proposed, and she hadn't had time to sit alone, to process what had happened between them, and what she was comfortable having happen between them in the future That was how she worked. She needed the time to process. So, for now, she merely nodded her gratitude as he came up to wipe away her tears, cup her face in his hands again, and then kiss her: a tender, gentle touch of their lips together which only made her tears flow more.

She pulled away from him, "Sorry. I need to get it together to face her, but thank you. I can't say thank you enough, Luke."

Luke stepped away, letting his towel drop to the floor before bending to pick up his clothes that had remained in a wrinkled pile on the floor. She groaned, more inwardly than outwardly, but she saw a sly grin slash his mouth.

"It's not the time to say 'I love you', so I shall wait. But, not much longer," he warned.

She had to turn from him then, let a few more crocodile tears fall before she pulled herself together. She grabbed her clothes, slower than necessary, in no hurry to get back to her mom until she heard another knock on her door. Her mother would get it, so again she felt no need to rush until she heard both her father and Trina's voices. Standing at the door, pulling a t-shirt on, she eavesdropped.

"You should hear how she spoke to me," her mother fumed, her voice scratchy with anger.

"Good for her," Trina mumbled. "About time someone did. You are both being ridiculous. A panther is not tied to only dating or marrying a panther. It doesn't matter. What should matter to you both is that Jason and Tallan are happy. And, I believe them both to be. What more could you want for your children?"

"Pure grandchildren to keep the pride going strong," her father added, though his voice remained calmer, just deepened with his anger. "Jason and Micah can't even have kids of their own. Do you think they will adopt a panther? And, as for Tallan, we have no idea if this will amount to anything, but we don't want to chance a grandchild ending up a bear shifter.

"That's so ridiculous. What if the children worked with both prides regardless of what animal they were born to shift as, maybe even created some alliances rather than all these feuds, like the one that just got Jacob and the rest of them killed. And poor Sam. Everyone who met her liked her, and she wasn't even a shifter. She was a witch."

"That was business, what happened to Ian. I just don't understand Gerri. She made both of those matches, Jason and Sam, and now your sister and this bear," her mother grumbled.

Peeking out her door, Tallan could see her mother's hands balled into fists in front of her.

"Gerri's always made cross species matches. Very successfully I might add. She is smart, sassy, and can probably see the possible benefits of letting people love who they love, of creating bridges, not standing divided on something as stupid as what animal we turn into."

"And what about running as the animals, fighting as the animals? Is the animal kingdom to change how it works to appease lust?"

"It's love, Mom," Trina shot back. "Just because you don't approve doesn't make it only lust."

"Why are you speaking to me this way, Trina? You married a panther."

"I did that because I followed my heart. If he had been another animal, or even not a shifter at all, I would have still fallen in love with Lyle. I believe my brother and sister should have the same right."

"How could your sister be in love? She just met this bear!"

"It's called mating, Mom," Tallan said as she strode out of the room, sensing Luke right behind her. "Surely you remember how that works. So, if animals can mate across species doesn't that count as an instinct, doesn't that mean the animal kingdom, at least as far as shifters are concerned, should, can change? I see no harm there."

"You are talking nonsense. I'm going to give Gerri a piece of my mind for creating this crisis."

"Gerri didn't create this crisis, Mom. Only you and daddy are. Can you at least agree to that point? Everyone else disagrees with you except some of the elders of the pride who are still stuck in the old days, too. Trina is right, this can only help all the fights between shifters. I'd like to run with a bear without fighting. I find the idea exciting. We know we recognize our mates, those in our pride when we shift, so we would recognize our mates otherwise as well and not attack one another, move beyond those instincts. We know that Jason runs and Micah flies with him."

"Stop it! Just stop it!" her mother yelled.

"You will not speak to Tallan this way," Luke growled, stepping around her to come between her and her parents. "Just shut up and listen. No disrespect or anything, but Tallan is my mate. My bear has chosen. I love her, and I want her with me always. I don't want her to have to choose between her parents and her lover."

Out of the corner of her eye, Tallan saw her mother take a few steps back into her father's arms, probably the only thing stopping him from attacking Luke at this point, fists or claws. Trina stepped in the middle of them as well, as Luke turned his back on all of them to face her.

"It's not the way I wanted to tell you, Tallan, but I love you. And, I want you with me always. My bear can run with your panther. Probably not keep up, but would never hurt it is the point. We wouldn't fight in either form. You know that."

"I do, and I..."

Her mother cut her off, "Don't say it, Tallan. Do not say you love this bear!"

She shot her mother a scathing look, her eyes blazing with the fire in her that also warmed her cheeks. A glance at her father showed him to be maybe caving, as he'd said little, let her mother fight this battle today alone.

"I love him, too, whether you like it or not. And, if he would want me to, I will leave my practice in time, once I ensure my patients are with other great doctors, and go with Luke wherever he wants me to."

"I want you. Please, do whatever you have to do to come to live with me," Luke said, grabbing her by the arms, pulling her into a bear hug, brushing his mouth across her lips, her cheeks, her nose before hugging her tighter.

With that, her parents turned on a huff and stormed out of her apartment, not even closing the door behind them.

"I'll just leave you two alone and get back to my husband," Trina said, backing away to the door herself.

"Thank you, Trina," Luke said beating Tallan to it.

"Anything for my sister, and for love. I'm so happy for you both. Truly. Wait until I fill in Lyle. He's at a meeting with Ian, or he would have come had I asked him to."

"Is everything okay there?" Tallan asked. "Are we needed?"

"No. Doesn't sound like it. It isn't going to be an all out war. Ian wants calculated attacks, many of them, in fact, both animal and in business. He's being oddly calm and smart about this for just losing his best friend. He's almost doing the revenge first and grief later thing too well. But, then again, who am I to judge how someone takes such a loss. The guilt he feels for poor Sam has to be beyond what any of us can imagine. He may not have loved her, but everyone could tell they were cultivating a deep friendship while they were together.

Whatever Gerri had planned for them both in the end, we know it wasn't this. She is devastated, not even working right now. A first. She's been staying with Samantha's mom I hear. Anyway, that was a long-winded way of saying no, you are not needed right now. Doesn't sound like Ian is going to involve everyone. Just a select few."

"Okay. Just call if you need us then," Luke said.

"I will have Lyle call you but I think it is safe to go back to your base now."

"I think I will take advantage of my extended leave for now," Luke countered. "Your sister and I need to discuss what is happening between us rather than yelling it at people. I am going to spend the next few days hopefully convincing Tallan to come with me, helping her to work out what needs to be worked out to make that happen."

"No convincing needed," Tallan said. "I'm following my heart on this one, for the first time ever."

He scooped her up then, off her feet, pulling her into him in a crushing embrace that had she not been a panther would have flattened her.

"Okay," Trina said backing up to the door again. "I'm really out of here now."

"I love you, Trina," Tallan said.

"I love you too, sis. Always and Forever."

With that, Trina walked out and closed the door behind her.

"I love you too, Luke," Tallan offered once her sister was gone, though she knew with her hearing she could still hear them even in the hallway.

"I love you, Tallan. As your sister said, 'always and forever.' You are my mate, and I feel blessed to have found you."

"I want you. I need you right now inside of me," she said, finding strength in allowing herself to be vulnerable.

"As you wish," he said, carrying her back to the bedroom, making her feel small, slight in his arms.

Every woman wanted a man who could stand as a contrast. On one hand, he could be a soft, cuddly teddy bear that couldn't say no to the woman who owned his heart. Then, on the other, he could be a grizzly bear who she knew would defend her, and who could snap her like a twig if he wanted though the thought would never cross his mind.

Once in the bedroom, Luke laid her out gently across the bed. The look in his dark eyes brought that sting, that threat of tears, happy ones this time. He removed her clothes with a gentle haste, and she found herself naked in a minute, lounging there watching him remove his own with more of a fever.

Once the last shred fell to the floor, he climbed over her, mounting his prey, and she liked being that for him. Wet already, just from being undressed by him, she moved his erection to that waiting, wanting space between her legs. He entered her the same way he'd undressed her, with a compassionate and considerate urgency. With his first deep thrust, she let out a cry, a roar, from deep within as she expanded around him, her climax already building within, her legs becoming shaky and weak.

Her contractions mounted, knotting in her stomach as he moved inside her, stretching her further. She moaned as his fingers dug into her hips, his hands lifting her up to meet each deep plunge. He rocked his hips, stroking her pleasure higher. She keened as he passed over the same spot again and again, causing her insides to clamp around him as she reached the edge.

Luke thrust hard into her, pain and pleasure erupting simultaneously, stealing her breath and carrying her away to ride in ecstasy. She screamed as he forced her through one orgasm after another, pistoning in and out faster and faster, bringing her to completion long after she was sure she couldn't take anymore.

She bared her neck to him, submitting to him forever as she felt the edges of each of his teeth as they grazed her willing flesh.

He grunted, stilled, pulled himself up to claim her lips with a quick brush of his lips over hers as he throbbed into her core. As the last of his seed coated her insides, he roared out matching her call with his own and then he bit his mark into her neck. He thanked her by kissing over the minimal sting, and in that moment she felt he'd fully claimed her as his.

Breathing heavily, he pulled his still hard shaft from between her thighs, rolling to the side and scooping her into his side to cradle her pressed tightly against his chest.

Tallan snuggled into the crook of his neck, gazing adoringly up at him, eyelids heavy, panting heavily.

Luke laid beside her, holding her tight, his breathing slowing as it moved hot over her shoulder, her neck, the spot he'd just claimed that now united the pair forever.

"You know you are mine now. There is no going back. I could never let you go, let you be with another. I hope you are good with that. You never got that time to think."

"With every inch of my being, I am," she reassured him, touching his cheek.

"Good. We have plans to make then."

"I'm all ears, bear boy."

His laugh soothed anything left still unraveled in her as her panther rested within, purred, content, sated and mated.

 

 

THE END