The bear within me: Chinary Clan, #1

By Lacy LeRoch

Black bear shifter, Prescott Chinary wants the perfect mate to bear his cubs. Only problem is, the day before he got his approval for a mate with the Bear Breeding Program a screaming blue bundle was left on his doorstep. After being on the waiting list with the elite breeding program for the past couple of years, this was the last thing his family needed.

Laura Hanna signed up for the BBP with one thought on her mind—money. She had a nasty past that she needed to try and move away from. Prescott was everything Laura imagined and more. Brooding, strong and dominate all the things she needed in a partner. She was sure that the two years of the contract would fly by in the blink of an eye. The only thing standing in her way was a small brat child and an over protective secretary.

Prescott knew something was wrong the minute he set eyes on his new bride. She was too perfect, too put together to have been a real match for him. Her smile was empty and weak. The way she looked at his son like he was nothing but a pest annoyed him. All he had to do was make her swell with his child. Simple, right? All he has to do is keep his attention on his new bride and not on the cute curvy brunette who’s completely out of bounds. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lacy LeRoch
• Release date: Apr 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386920885

Lacy LeRoch

Lacy is a small town country girl, who lives in the great Australian outback in Western Australia.  She lives with her husband and four children. Learning her love of reading at a very young age. Lacy has been writing down her ideas and daydreams writing them into the novels that she hopes you will enjoy reading.       

Book preview

Black bear shifter, Prescott Chinary wants the perfect mate to bear his cubs. Only problem is, the day before he got his approval for a mate with the Bear Breeding Program a screaming blue bundle was left on his doorstep. After being on the waiting list with the elite breeding program for the past couple of years, this was the last thing his family needed.

Laura Hanna signed up for the BBP with one thought on her mind—money. She had a nasty past that she needed to try and move away from. Prescott was everything Laura imagined and more. Brooding, strong and dominate all the things she needed in a partner. She was sure that the two years of the contract would fly by in the blink of an eye. The only thing standing in her way was a small brat child and an over protective secretary.

Prescott knew something was wrong the minute he set eyes on his new bride. She was too perfect, too put together to have been a real match for him. Her smile was empty and weak. The way she looked at his son like he was nothing but a pest annoyed him. All he had to do was make her swell with his child. Simple, right? All he has to do is keep his attention on his new bride and not on the cute curvy brunette who’s completely out of bounds.

For my very own Prescott.

Luke is one is all for you. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside.

The very first thank you goes to you. Without readers, there is no me, so a huge thank you. I suppose at some point I need to thank my hus-but Stephen. When I get stuck in the book and can’t find my way out of the story he manages to take care of the kids and the household. All with very minable complaining. There is a reason my male characters are hard on the outside and soft on the inside.

Cale, Luke, Oliver and Mark, you guys know I love you with all my heart. Luke, your love for shifter books brought Prescott to life. I only hope he lives up to what you expect.

Kena, thank you for being brutally honest and helping guide me the right way. Love you Sissy poo.

The team at Swish Design & Editing, you girls are amazing as always. Kay, I know I say this every book, but it needs to keep being said. Thank you so much for all you do for me. You are always there on Facebook or email when I need some guidance.

My evil minions, Carmen & Cora there is always something I need to thank you two for. But the huge one is thank you for being my friend.

Last but not least, I need to thank the girls who take time out of their busy lives to help support me. Carmen Costa—my PA and best friend. Cora, Leslie, Vickie, Vicky, Lesley, Alicia, Sarah, Karine, Vanessa, Jane, Lisa, V lieddiette E Thomas and Christina. You girls absolutely rock.

Blurb

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Connect with me Online

About the Author – Lacy Leroch

Prescott Chinary stared down at the squawking bundle on his doorstep and grimaced. When he found out which brother sired the youngen, he was going to wring his throat. This was not the way to prove the Chinary family could be trusted. They were meant to be demonstrating that they could settle down and do as they were told. This wasn’t the way to keep a low profile.

Ma, we have a problem, he bellowed over his shoulder.

Pale pink arms thrashed in the air. The baby’s cries grew more frantic with each passing second.

Fucking hell, Prescott groaned covering his ears to protect them from the high-pitched onslaught. He wasn’t going to pick the thing up. His mother could deal with the youngen when she came down.

Prescott, what’s with all the noi… His mother’s voice died in the back of her throat. Heavens above. Is that a baby? she muttered, running over she picked the baby up. Prescott, when were you going to tell me you had a son? she asked rocking her arms back and forth slowly.

She can’t be serious.

Prescott placed his hands on his hips and glowered. Ma, that thing isn’t mine.

No? His mother raised an eyebrow, leaned forward and smelled the baby’s forehead. He sure smells like you.

To prove his mother wrong, he leaned down and drew in a deep breath inhaling the baby’s scent deep into his lungs. Oh, fucking hell. He scrubbed a hand down his face and collapsed on the ground at his mother’s feet. Shame and dishonor hit him like a wrecking ball. Of all the stupid, ridiculous things he could have done. Why had he done something this extreme?

He wrapped his arms around his knees, closed his eyes and allowed the feeling to wash over him. He was the oldest male of their clan. Prescott wasn’t meant to be making these kinds of mistakes. He should have known better, and his thoughts turned to his brothers.

Would they still follow his commands if he, himself, had broken the rules?

He had a feeling that they weren’t going to let him live this down in a hurry—if they didn’t string him up by his paws and disown him first. He was sure that once they found out, they would look down their noses at him. He would lose their respect.

Prescott, get out of your head for a minute. We will work this out. I’ll call a family meeting, his mother, Whitney, said squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.

How are we going to fix this, Ma? he scrubbed his hand over his face, You hold that thing.

Prescott Léopold Chinary, you watch your mouth. This is not a thing. This is your son. Your newborn son and my first grandchild. There’s only one thing you need to do right now.

Prescott was numb as he lifted his head and stared at his mother. What do you need from me, Ma?

You need to dig your claws in and bear up. You hear me?

There was nothing Prescott could do but nod his head in silent agreement with his mother. She was the matriarch of the family. She was the glue that kept their family together. He wasn’t going to disrespect his mother further by upsetting her any more than he already had.

Now get up off the ground. I said we would work this out, and we will.

Yes, Ma. Prescott sighed and jumped to his feet somberly.

Earlier this morning, he was holding his head high. He had received a phone call from the Shifter Watch Council informing him that the Chinary clan would finally be recognized as a registered shifter family which meant they could sign up for the breeding program. It had been three hundred years since the last Chinary was born. Prescott looked down at the young baby in his mother’s arms and sighed—make that a couple of weeks now. Prescott had been trying to get the Chinary clan recognized for the last two hundred years. It had taken a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make that happen. Now, after the humiliation of having to beg for them to look at his family, all that might have been for nothing.

Ma, they might say no if they know about him, he said softly voicing his concern. Prescott, you boys wanted to be a recognized family for this exact reason. You wanted young ones and, forgive me for sounding dull, you now have a son. You should be happy about that.

I suppose… He tilted his head and looked at the baby. Fuck, Ma, I don’t even know what to think anymore. Prescott clenched his hands into fists, spun and punched the wall with all his might.

Stop acting like a cub, Whitney snarled. She spun on her heels and stormed into the mansion.

Prescott stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and walked inside behind her as he cursed under his breath.

She walked into the kitchen and turned to face him. Here, hold your son. I need to call a meeting and get a few things for the baby.

But I don’t know what I’m—

Take the baby, she interrupted calmly as she passed him the small blue bundle. Put your arms like this… she moved his arms into place and smiled softly, … make sure you support his head. And remember, Prescott, that baby doesn’t weigh much. Don’t forget you’ve got hold of him.

What if it cries again?

I have faith in you, Prescott.

He stared down at the small baby in his arms. Tilting his head, he took in the baby’s features. He didn’t look like any of Prescott’s regular hook-ups.

Oh, and Prescott…

He lifted his head from the strange weight in his arms and looked up at his mother. Yeah?

The baby needs a name.

Ma, I can’t—

Sweetheart, he’s your son. It’s your job to name him.

Without waiting for a reply, Whitney walked out of the room and left him alone with the baby.

This isn’t going to be easy, Prescott muttered. As he walked out of the kitchen, he made a beeline for his favorite room in the house—the family room. If he had to hold the strange thing, he was going to make sure he was comfortable. Being surrounded by the things he enjoyed would only help put him at ease. He glanced around the room making sure he was alone before he sat down on the black sofa.

Let’s get a look at you then, he whispered laying the baby down next to him. The baby hiccupped and opened his mouth with a soft cry. No, come on, none of that, he cooed running his large hand over the side of the baby’s face. If I have to name you, I need to see if you are a boy or girl. Ma thinks you’re a boy, but blue could be used for either sex.

With shaking hands, Prescott pulled back the soft fleece blanket. Whoever wrapped this baby needed a medal. The only thing he saw was the little one’s face and two small arms that had come loose from thrusting. Well, that doesn’t give me any clue either. Prescott screwed his nose up at the yellow one-piece suit that covered the baby. I’m going to have to check your diaper, aren’t I? he groaned.

The baby cried softly making Prescott laugh. I know little one. I know. I didn’t want to have to do that either. I promise I’ll be quick. Prescott unclipped the press buttons of the suit and gently took the baby’s legs out. Tilting his head, he pulled the diaper to the side and smiled. Holy crap… yep… there’s no way you’re not a little man.

He put the baby’s clothes back into place and gently lifted the baby onto his thighs. If the baby’s scent didn’t give him away, one would only have to take one look at him and Prescott together, the resemblance would be confirmation. They both shared brown hair and the same small button nose.

Okay, so it’s true. You’re going to have to bear with me, little man. I’m new to this. He scrubbed a hand over his beard and tilted his head to the side deep in thought.

His mother wanted him to give the baby a name. How did one go about naming a child? Was there like a rule or something? Prescott groaned and shook his head. It would make his mother very happy if he named the baby. The least he could do was give him a name before his mother came back. Chris… no, that sucks. Prescott narrowed his eyes. Ace, no you don’t look like an Ace. Pursing his lips together, he put one hand on the baby’s stomach and used his free hand to move the pillows around on the sofa next to him.

Sorry, little man, this isn’t as easy as I thought it would be, he muttered as he reached over and placed the baby boy softly down beside him. He made sure to place pillows around his body like a make-shift bed. It shocked him just how much he was starting to care for the little thing. Reaching over, he picked up the remote from the table and started clicking through the stations on the TV. "Looks like it’s Naked and Afraid. Good thing they blank out all the good bits—I wouldn’t want you to see that yet. Prescott shook his head and muttered under his breath, Shit, the bond comes on so fast."

Prescott wanted to be a father for the longest time. Now that reality had set in, he was scared out of his mind. The thought of being a dad was amazing but having had it thrown in your face without a chance to get used to it was enough for panic to set in. What if he wasn’t good at being a father?

The announcer introduced the contestants, and Prescott smiled. Cole… mmm… I like that name. He glanced down at the baby and ran his finger gently down his small nose. Welcome to the Chinary clan, Cole. Cole cooed and started to fuss. Yeah, I can’t have that kind of noise again.

He picked Cole up and gently pressed him close to his chest. Prescott glanced down at Cole and shook his head. He couldn’t have the buttons of his flannel digging into the soft flesh of his son’s face. Prescott leaned Cole back slightly and undid the first three buttons of his shirt exposing his bare chest. Feeling more at ease, he rested Cole back to his chest and settled in to watch Naked and Afraid.

Holy shit. Ma wasn’t kidding, one of his brothers, Locklan, called out as he walked in the family room.

Prescott glanced over his shoulder and shrugged. I didn’t believe it to start with, but once the shock wore off I could smell my scent on his skin.

"Pres, I didn’t think you would be the first one. I mean, fuck… Locklan pointed his index finger and ran it up and down Prescott’s body smiling, … you aren’t exactly like, you know?"

No, I don’t know, he snapped.

You’re as rough as guts, brother. Forget the fact you’re a bear shifter for a minute. If a human took one look at you, they’d think you’re a damn caveman. Locklan laughed. Pres, girls only come to you if they want it rough and dirty.

Yeah, I’ll give you that. He laughed as the sound vibrated in his chest startling his son. But going by the fact I have little Cole here, I would say there are some women who happen to love the whole roar caveman thing.

Prescott didn’t want to admit to his younger, better-looking brother that the chances were Cole was conceived when Prescott was on the mainland fixing the clan’s paperwork and pleading their case to the heads of the Shifter Council

Locklan’s bright blue gaze saw too much as he ran his eyes over Cole who was currently sleeping on Prescott’s chest. Why didn’t Ma just take the youngen?

His name is Cole, Prescott snapped with more bite than he had intended.

Locklan raised his hands in the air in surrender and chuckled. I see.

Fuck up.

Pres, there’s nothing wrong with bonding with your young. Locklan laughed harder seeing the mortification on Prescott’s face.

It’s strange, you know?

Not really, brother, but I guess as a new uncle I’m going to find out. Locklan shrugged his shoulders, tucked his hands into his jean pockets, and walked over to the sofa.

You’re not mad? Prescott asked.

Why would I be mad? I’m an uncle. Can I hold him?

Prescott couldn’t believe how easily Locklan had taken the news. He was nonchalant about the whole thing. That one question put him more at ease than he had expected, but there was still the little matter that this was his son, and no harm would ever come to him.

Don’t hurt my son, Lock, or I’ll hurt you, he said sternly as he passed Cole over when Locklan took a seat next to him on the sofa. What if they cancel our chance at being recognized because of my actions?

When Ma called me home and explained it all, she said she would take care of it. You know as well as I do if Ma says she’ll do something, you can bet your bear balls she will make it happen, Locklan reassured him. He ran his fingers through the thick mass of Cole’s hair and crooned, He’s a good looking little thing, isn’t he?

Damn right he is. Prescott beamed. He wasn’t going to argue with that.

I can’t believe he was left on the porch. Why would a mother do that?

I don’t know, Lock. I would like to think she knew we were home before she dumped him. Shrugging, Prescott looked down at his son and growled, She’s selfish and not fit to be a mother.

Maybe she didn’t have a choice, Locklan responded softly.

She could have knocked on the door or called when she found out she was pregnant, anything really. Prescott was angry. He couldn’t think what kind of woman could do that to a baby. He thought of his own mother, and the anger grew. His mother would never have done something like that. She would have found a way to raise the baby. Ma raised us on her own, Prescott spat.

That was different and you know it. Locklan turned to look at Prescott and frowned. You don’t know who this little one’s mother is, do you?

No, and I don’t think I want to know. Chances are she might have been my handler when I was on the mainland. Prescott smirked. She could be a waitress or the lawyer. Oh, and there was that shop assistant.

Fuck man, and they call me a player. Locklan chuckled.

"I was away for three months. I was surrounded by beautiful women who threw themselves at me. I’m strong, but I’m not that strong." He laughed.

Going by the look on his brother’s face, he had managed to shock him. Good, Prescott loved to keep his brothers on their toes.

Whitney’s head hurt. She massaged her fingers into her temples and took a deep breath. She had been pacing around the small room for close to thirty minutes. Her feet ached, her head pounded, and she felt like she was going to be sick.

Prescott was relying on her to work this all out. Whatever she decided to do, she needed to work fast before the Bear Breeding Program or BBP found out about the young child born out of contract. She thought of the surprise they had this morning and smiled. She could start by making sure the baby had the basics. Whitney just didn’t like the way she would have to get those things. Bile rose in her throat as she looked over at the phone sitting on the desk her son, Duke, had carved for her. Her hands shook violently as she picked it up and dialed the one person she knew she could get help from.

Whitney, Dillion answered smoothly.

Just the sound of his voice made her want to run over to the trash bin and empty the contents of her stomach. No matter how many times she had made this call, it never got any easier. She closed her eyes and waited for him to get the gloating over and done with quickly. If there was one thing she knew about Dillion, it was that he loved the sound of his own voice. Her silence was all the opening he needed to start talking.

Imagine my surprise when your number showed on my caller ID… and during the day, no less. This is quite scandalous, my dear.

Oh, it felt so good to be reminded that Whitney was nothing but a bootie call at his beck and call. Not!

Dillion, I need your help, Whitney whispered, as she lowered herself into the chair. She could picture Dillion sitting in his million-dollar home smiling like a loon.

You have my attention, his voice lowered and became rough. Are you finally coming to me on your own? His breathing became heavy and uneven.

No, I need your help, she spat feeling somewhat annoyed.

I do like the sound of that, he panted.

She heard the telltale sound of a zipper being pulled down. She knew him well enough to know he would be sitting there with his cock in his hand pumping it violently as he thought about all the things he would demand from her in payment for his services.

This was for my

Reviews for The bear within me

[Sonja Hansen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm so in love with the bear within me .
Thank you lacy leroch