Captive of Bears: A Reverse Harem Romance: Paranormal Reverse Harem Tales, #3

By Bree Starling

They're hot, rugged, and fiercely loyal, but these three bears are no fairy tale. 

I was born a princess, and that's all most people see. But I'm not content to sit around and wait for a prince. I'm going to make my mark on my family's business empire, starting with the construction of my own luxury ski resort.

But it turns out the mountain land I own is already occupied by a family of bear shifters. And they're not about to go quietly.

I fly out to their territory to try to negotiate, but it's no use. The Alpha, Carter, is stubborn: they're not going anywhere. His brother Gabriel is sweet but firm. And Jude, the rebellious second-in-command?

He just slapped a pair of magical handcuffs on me, and he won't let me go until I surrender my claim to the land. 

But if they think I'm going to give up that easily, these bears are in for a rude awakening.

Author's Note: Although Captive of Bears takes place after the events of Consort of Dragons, it is a complete standalone reverse harem romance and can be enjoyed on its own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bree Starling
• Release date: Jul 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393333234

Book preview

1

Anja

Lord Gyraxion sent another proposal.

My brother Andrios’ tone was so casual I was sure I had misheard him. A business proposal? I asked hopefully.

No. A marriage proposal.

I see, I said. How many is that now? Three?

I believe this is number four if you include the one at the party.

How could I forget? I sighed. That had certainly been a memorable evening. A dragon who was old enough to be my father and who I had spoken to for a grand total of about five minutes in my entire life had summoned a string quartet, dropped to his knee in the middle of a crowded ballroom, and offered me a diamond ring the size of a small skating rink. It might have been more impressive if he knew my name.

Andrios snickered. I’d forgotten that part. What did he call you? Anna?

Yes. I rolled my eyes at the memory. What did he say this time?

My brother hesitated, then reached into his leather briefcase and pulled out a roll of parchment. Here. Maybe he thought you would appreciate his old-fashioned taste.

I took the scroll and turned it over to examine the wax seal, an extravagant capital G. It looks like I’ve been accepted to a wizard high school. How exciting.

Andrios had been in the middle of a sip of coffee and nearly spat it out. You know how the old dragons can be. They like to pretend we’re still in Ye Olden Times.

I unrolled the parchment and frowned. Hold on. This isn’t even addressed to me. It’s addressed to you.

My brother made a face. Apparently I’m in charge of you.

Why am I not surprised? I skimmed the letter, torn between laughter and disgust. Oh, how nice. He’s offering to relieve you of the burden of caring for me and, I quote, allowing me to keep up the charade of having a job.

Ah yes, that charade, Andrios said, his sarcastic tone showing exactly what he thought of Lord Gyraxion. It’s becoming quite elaborate, what with you running the whole resort, helping me manage our family’s business and keeping up with shifter diplomatic relationships at the same time. Too bad it’s only a charade. He rolled his eyes. What an idiot.

I kept reading. Hah. He says even though I’m getting old, and I quote again, ‘her cold unwomanly attitude has driven away all other suitors’ he’s willing to take me anyway.

Andrios’ face darkened and he reached for the letter. Here. You don’t need to read that trash. Trust me, this is the last you’ll hear from him. I’ll handle it.

I let him take the scroll back and he stuffed it back in his briefcase like he didn’t want to touch it for one more second. Ever since Father ruled against his Clan in that territory dispute back in the 1800s he’s been insufferable. His whole family is the same way. I appreciate a good healthy sense of greed as much as the next dragon, but they all take it to obnoxious levels.

I took a sip of my latte, trying to keep my face in a neutral expression, but despite Lord Gyraxion’s idiocy, the letter bugged me way more than I wanted. Maybe because I had heard other people say things like that so many times before. And the more I heard them, the more I secretly wondered if they were true.

I should have known better than to try to hide my feelings from my twin, though, because Andrios reached across the table and took my hand. Hey. Don’t let that old dinosaur get to you. You are a brilliant businesswoman and I would never be able to do all this without you.

I smiled at him. I appreciate that. And you, for believing in me.

Well, I’d be as dumb as Gyraxion if I didn’t. He gently squeezed my hand, then glanced down at his laptop. Shall we move on to business proposals?

I like those much better. I scanned my own screen. Oh, I have an update on the ski resort.

Ah yes, your baby. Andrios smiled wryly.

I grinned at him. This baby has taken way longer than nine months. Years, if I counted the planning and the plotting. Our family owned a remote stretch of land up in the mountains that had gone untouched for centuries. But the success of Dragon’s Cove island resort made me think there was a market for a similar luxury ski resort. I could picture it so vividly: ice bars, steaming hot tubs in the falling snow, pristine slopes. And of course, all the sexy amenities guests at the island had come to expect from our brand. It would be my own project start to finish, and a personal triumph for me, a slap in the face to all the sexist Gyraxions of the world. That is, if I could ever get it off the ground.

So what’s the scoop? I was sure you’d be starting construction by now.

Well, I sent out a human survey team last week. Or tried to.

Andrios frowned. Tried to?

They reported that they had gotten out to the land and started work, only to be run off by bears. Multiple bears, working together. Strangest thing, they said. One of them fell, hurt his leg pretty bad. I paid for treatment and all of their trouble, of course, but they’re refusing to go back. And word must have spread because no other teams will take the gig.

You think it’s shifters? Andrios asked.

Definitely.

They attacked humans? My brother frowned. I’ll send out a few of the guards to remind them of their manners.

Thank you, but no, that won’t be necessary. This is my project and I’m already taking care of it.

Anja, he began. I knew that tone. It was the worried-big-brother-tone. I held up a hand to stop him.

I won’t do anything risky, I said. But it means a lot to me to handle this on my own. I’ll ask for help if I need it.

He nodded, but I could still see a hint of doubt in his golden eyes. Promise?

Promise.

What are you going to do? he asked.

I had a messenger leave a note for them to expect me tomorrow, I said. I’m going to go talk to them myself. I know bears can be a little… rough around the edges, but I’m sure they’ll listen to reason.

He frowned. Why not invite them here?

Easier for me to travel to them. Besides, I’ve only been there in summer. I want to check how the place looks in early spring.

Who else is going?

Just me, I said, waiting for another lecture. I could tell he wanted to, but to Andrios’ credit he just nodded.

Ok. Just make sure you leave information on where you’ll be in case anything goes wrong.

I appreciated his concern, but I thought it was a little silly. I’m a big girl, I reminded him. Fourteen feet from wing to wing, remember? I think I can handle a few teddy bears.

You’re the strongest person I know, Andrios said. But bears can be surprisingly tricky.

I can fly, I can breathe fire, and I’m three times their size shifted. They’d have to be as dumb as Lord Gyraxion to try anything, I said dismissively. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it. Now, tell me more about the airline company merger.

And although he never lost that worried look, Andrios let me change the subject. We went back to coordinating all of the various facets of our family’s vast financial empire. Business as usual.

Our meeting went late and left us both tired, so I ordered dinner to be delivered from the kitchen. We ate on my balcony and watched the sun sink into the ocean. With everyone else gone, it was quiet now on this half of the island. Have you heard from Sarah and the guys? he asked, like he had heard my thoughts.

I smiled. After realizing what I had known all along, that they were perfect for each other, my friends had made it official and become mates. Now, at my insistence, they were off on an extended honeymoon. Last I heard they were in Amsterdam, I said. But I didn’t expect them to check in. I imagine they’re busy.

Andrios chuckled. I think so. That Sarah is a brave woman.

She’s good for them. And they’re good for her. I must have sounded more wistful than I intended because Andrios glanced over at me.

And what about you, Anja?

What about me?

He gave me a look, and I sighed. I guess it was time for our half-yearly review on my single status. I couldn’t handle one mate, let alone three. I’m way too busy with my charade of working, remember?

I’d hoped the joke would distract him, but Andrios still looked thoughtful. You never think about it though?

I do, and I told you it wouldn’t work. What man wants a mate who’s gone all the time? And when they’re not gone, they’re busy?

You would need someone who is as independent as you are, he said thoughtfully. A guy who’s secure enough that he doesn’t need reassurance all the time. Who likes that you’re such a business badass.

Is that all? Well, if you find this magical guy please send him my way, I said, trying not to sound sarcastic.

Andrios must have sensed my irritation, because he grinned. Of course, there’s always the trophy husband option. That new cabana waiter you hired seems pretty cute.

I smirked. That new cabana waiter is named Seth and he’s currently dating Richard, the head chef.

Well, here’s to Richard and Seth, my brother said, lifting his glass in a toast. May they find every happiness.

We clinked glasses, and I was unable to keep from laughing. I’ll drink to that. But seriously, don’t worry about me. I’m happy with my life. I have you, I have my friends, I have my work, and soon I’ll have my very own resort. What more could I want?

Andrios stayed later than usual, so I was ready for bed by the time he finally flew off into the night sky. I slipped into my nightgown and tried to relax, but my brain wasn’t having any of it. I kept replaying our conversation, and the more I thought of it the more irritated I got.

Why was it such a bad thing for me not to have a mate? Andrios didn’t have one and nobody hassled him, as far as I knew. And although I knew he loved me and just wanted me to be happy, it annoyed me that he thought a mate was a part of the equation. Why couldn’t I be happy all on my own? I didn’t need anyone else.

Oh, sometimes I thought it might be nice to have someone to be close to. I had a whole stack of romance novels hidden behind the business and marketing books on my shelves. They were a lovely escape from the pressures of everyday life, but they were only stories, not instruction manuals. From what I’d observed over the course of my long life, love seemed like a risky business deal: sometimes it worked out amazingly for a few brave investors, but most people ended up getting a lackluster return. Or worse: losing everything. And I was not about to gamble everything I’d worked so hard on for a risky investment.

Speaking of investments, I had to get some sleep. I had to take on some bears tomorrow, but I was ready for whatever they could dish up.

2

Carter

Alpha! Alpha!

The panicked voice had me leaping to my feet and running out of the workshop on pure instinct. It took me half a second to remember that I was the one they were calling.

Everett, Bonnie and Buck’s seven-year-old cub, came running into the clearing as fast as his little legs would take him. When he saw me, he turned and made a beeline right for me. Alpha! You have to see this!

He skidded to a stop in front of me, chest heaving. I scanned him quickly. No sign of trauma. No blood. All limbs whole and in the right place.

Easy, kiddo, I said, crouching down so that I could look him in the eye. Take a few deep breaths and tell me what’s going on.

He obeyed, but the panic in his eyes made me impatient to know what was up. At last, he caught his breath. I was out exploring near the far western border, he began. And I found this, stuck to a tree. And when I read it I thought I should bring it to you right away. He held up a piece of paper, wrinkled and grubby from being clenched in his fist.

I smoothed it out on my knee, wondering what had scared him so bad. But as I read, I felt a wave of cold anger sweeping over me.

---

Notice to occupants:

---

Pursuant to human and shifter laws, you are in violation of both by occupying territory that does not belong to you and antagonizing work crews in the area. You will be required to vacate the territory as soon as possible or risk consequences up to and including fines, lawsuits, and forcible relocation. A representative will be dispatched in three days at the location of this letter to answer any questions you might have and make this transition as smooth as possible. Your cooperation is required and appreciated.

---

Instead of a signature, the bottom of the paper was marked with an elaborate crest done in gold ink. The image was a crowned dragon wreathed in flames, and I recognized it immediately as the sigil of the royal dragon family. The Golden Clan. Arguably the most powerful shifters in the world.

Fuck.

Everett watched me anxiously as I read. The little picture is a dragon, he said, sounding worried. I’m scared of dragons. I didn’t know all the words, but they aren’t going to take away our home, are they, Alpha?

Take our home? I made myself smile at him and reached out to ruffle his hair. Don’t be silly. This is our place, no matter what some dumb piece of paper says. You think I’m going to let a bunch of old lizards scare us off?

He giggled, looking relieved. No, I guess not.

Thank you for bringing this to me. I’ll take care of it. Now you go run on home so your momma doesn’t worry. Oh, and Everett?

Yeah, Alpha?

Do me a favor. Don’t go mentioning this to anyone else until I say so, ok?

Ok!

As he scampered off, I stood up and read the letter again, scowling at the words. Antagonizing work crews? What the hell were they talking about?

Then it hit me. A few weeks back, some of my bears who lived at the edges of the territory had come to me talking about humans in the forest. I’d figured at first they were just idiot

Reviews for Captive of Bears

[Dakota Creppel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's a quick, good read. Likeable characters and a great finish to the trilogy.