Finn’s Conviction

By Kayla Gabriel

Smoldering, sexy Finn Beran has always been in someone's shadow. With five outspoken, swaggering brothers, soft-spoken, level-headed Finn has often been left in the dust. When his brother Wyatt calls and asks him for a favor, he knows better... but he does it anyway. Soon he's standing at mating altar, saying the words that will forever bind him to a pretty mystery brunette.

Nora Craig is between a rock and a hard place. Her father gives her a simple mandate: take Finn as a mate or suffer. She's shoved into the arms of a handsome stranger and sent off into the sunset, leaving her on unsteady ground. Her first few hours with Finn and his family prove enlightening, and Nora realizes that her situation might be much worse than she realized.

Miscommunication and mysteries abound, with Wyatt, Noah, and Charlotte all making appearances to stir up drama. When all the cards are down, will Finn and Nora be able to leave their false convictions behind and start fresh?

This erotic BBW werebear romance is all about wild passion, emotional connection, and second chances. 18+ for sensuous sexual acts, filthy language, and some very adult situations.

This is a standalone romance that features beloved characters from previous Red Lodge Bears titles. There is no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after!

• Language: English
• Publisher: KSA Publishing Consultants, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 10, 2020

Book preview

1

Finn Beran shoved a hand through his already-disheveled mahogany hair, running it up from the close-cropped back and sides to ruffle the longer strands at the top. He looked over at his brother Noah, feeling that uncanny identical twin mirror magic. He was looking at himself, if his hair were a little shaggier, his clothes a little more preppy, his face clean-shaven.

Until six months ago, Finn had been nearly the same, a clean-shaven guy in dress slacks and a button up. Your average middle school teacher, right down to the finest details. Now, though, he’d started making some big life changes. His job and home were the first things to change, and then his style. He’d let a little stubble grow on his chin and cheeks, just enough to still look well-groomed. He’d left business dress behind,

His twin brother Noah shot him a look, a mere raise of a brow really, but Finn instantly knew Noah’s precise thought. Noah’s bright turquoise eyes glinting with humor.

Playing with that faux hawk of yours again, Finny? Noah seemed to say. If they were alone, Noah wouldn’t have kept his teasing restrained to a mere pointed look. Lucky for Finn, they were jammed into a table at Finn’s favorite craft beer pub. The music was loud, the lights dim, the servers good-looking with bad attitudes. A typical Portland bar, and one Finn frequented regularly, not just when he had visitors in town, as was the case today.

Five visitors to be precise, though the fifth party had yet to show. His current company included his brothers Noah and Cameron, with their mates Charlotte and Alex. As for beautiful blonde Charlotte, Finn knew her intimately; as intimately as one could, since he and Noah had shared a night in her bed, a wild and drunken threesome that Finn wouldn’t soon forget. Though he should, since it made Finn feel awkward around Charlotte, who was probably one of the nicest people in the world. She seemed to have genuine affection for him, to see him as a person apart from Noah, the more charismatic and outgoing twin.

Finn appreciated Charlotte’s doting consideration more than he could, or would, ever put into words. He also appreciated the mating bond between Charlotte and Noah, and would never consider crossing any lines with either of them now that they were truly mated. Once, Finn had thought he might pursue Charlotte… but that time had passed, and in all honesty he was glad for it. Charlotte made Noah happy, and that in itself was an incredible feat.

Finn, are you even listening? Cameron yelled, nudging his elbow into Finn’s ribs.

Finn shook off his thoughts and turned his attention back to the group.

What’s up? he asked, giving everyone a lopsided grin.

Alex was asking about your farm, Cam said.

Cam said you’re growing stuff to make beer? Alex said. Finn eyed the stunning redhead, favoring her with a full smile. He leaned in, raising his voice to be heard over the pulsing rock music.

Heirloom hops. We have so many breweries in Oregon and Washington, and a lot of the microbreweries want specific types of hops for their recipes. There aren’t a lot of farms that will grow varietals based on customer demand, so it’s a good business to be in right now.

So you just up and quit your teaching job and moved here? Alex asked, seeming interested.

He bought a big tract of land, complete with a rambling farmhouse, Charlotte informed Alex. I’m not sure how the house hasn’t fallen down around him, but Finn seems pretty content.

Alex nodded, looking thoughtful.

That’s a huge life change, she said. Her tone implied that she was curious about why Finn had made such a radical decision, but she was too polite to say so.

Finn’s biggest challenge now is going to be actually finding a Berserker girl to date. There’s not a lot of options out here, Noah said. Finn shot him a quelling look, but it was too late. Alex perked up and jumped on that bit of information.

Portland is a pretty big city. Aren’t there a lot of werebears out here? she asked.

Not really, Finn said with a shrug. A lot of them are like me, belonging to clans from other areas. California and Washington, mainly. And then there’s the Eugene clan…

Fucking nuts, all of them, Cameron chimed in. Every time I’ve dealt with them, it’s been a struggle to get through the most basic things. They’re super old-school, with a serious shortage of females. And they’re in debt up to their eyeballs, if their relationship with the Beran clan is any indication.

I haven’t really dealt with them much. Too busy getting the farm off the ground, Finn said, noncommittal.

I don’t mean to be rude, but aren’t you kind of… running out of time? On the mate thing, I mean? How long do you have left before the Alphas’ decree takes effect? Alex asked. Finn shot her a narrowed glance. She wasn’t just intelligent, she was perceptive. And blunt, it seemed.

I’ve got five months, he grunted. In any event, I think we should be talking about you two. You’re the brand new couple. Or should I say trio?

Alex blushed and grinned.

I guess I deserve that, she said, raising her glass of soda water with lime in a mock salute.

We are indeed parents to be, Cam said. The look that passed between Alex and Cam was equal parts sultry and sweet, so intense that it almost made Finn uncomfortable. Would he ever find a mate that would look at him that way?

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, making him jump. He looked up to find Wyatt peering down at him, a shit-eating grin on his face. Apparently the fifth of Finn’s visitors had deigned to make an appearance.

There’s my favorite brother, Wyatt drawled, intentionally ignoring everyone else at the table.

Funny, I was definitely not thinking the same about you, Finn said, rolling his eyes. Wyatt was all drama, smoke and mirrors and bullshit. A compliment from him was good cause to be wary. Let’s get you a chair.

Finn rose to grab a chair from a neighboring table, but Cameron stopped him.

No need. We’re heading out, Cameron said. The stony glance Cam shot at Wyatt was unmistakable, and Alex’s expression bordered on downright hateful. With reason, of course; Cameron had filled Finn in on all the trouble Wyatt had caused for them, almost breaking up their mateship before it had truly begun.

Aw, shit. You guys are still mad about that? It’s water under the bridge, Wyatt said, collapsing into Alex’s chair even as he spoke. His flippant attitude set Finn’s teeth on edge, and he didn’t even have a dog in the fight.

The newest member of the Beran clan is hungry, Alex said, rubbing her stomach. She was starting to show a little, Finn now noticed. Alex glanced at Cameron, taking in his irate posture, and grabbed his arm. Good night, everyone.

As soon as their backs were turned, Charlotte and Noah followed suit. Wyatt gave Noah some grief about it, but Finn read the amorous look on Charlotte’s face and begrudged his twin exactly nothing. If Charlotte, or any woman really, was looking at Finn like that, with that potent mix of love and lust, he’d already be out the door. Possibly with the girl slung over his shoulder, caveman style.

The thought made him smile. Finn knew he was one of the more mild-mannered Beran men, but that stopped at the bedroom door. Not that any of his brothers needed to know that, of course. When he’d spent the night with Noah and Charlotte, Finn had purposely taken a back seat, innately sensing his twin’s need to control the situation.

Hey, fuckface. How bout you quit daydreaming and drink this whiskey? Wyatt said, sliding across the wooden table.

How bout you quit being such a jerk off? It’s just you and me now, no ladies to impress. Or offend, in your case, Finn retorted.

Wyatt gave Finn a smirk, but he didn’t argue the point. Whatever his point was. It was always hard to tell with Wyatt.

What should we toast to? Wyatt asked, changing the topic.

Uhhhh. Being the last two single Beran men? Finn asked wryly.

Ah! More appropriate than you could possibly know, Wyatt said, raising his shot glass and tapping it against Finn’s. They both shot the whiskey in a swift movement, slamming the glasses to the table. Finn winced at the alcohol’s fiery glide down his throat.

Jesus. What’d you do, get the cheapest stuff they had at the bar? Finn accused his brother. Wyatt just shrugged.

"I told the cute lady bartender to give me whatever she thought was appropriate. Now that I think about it, I think I might