Bared to the Bear: Bears of Grayslake

By Celia Kyle

Mia's looking forward to a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends, family, furballs, and veggie dogs. (For her daughter Sophia, don't ask.)  But what begins with laughs soon ends with tears… of grief? Or joy?

 

This short story is set in the GRAYSLAKE: MORE THAN MATED world and does not stand alone. It should be read after HOWL MY NAME and is a little bit of family life for those who fell in love with the Grayslake gang and aren't ready to let them go.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing
• Release date: Mar 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215607411

Celia Kyle

Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile collectible doll salesperson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Celia Kyle now writes paranormal romances for readers who: 1) Like super hunky heroes (they generally get furry) 2) Dig beautiful women (who have a few more curves than the average lady) 3) Love laughing in (and out of) bed. It goes without saying that there’s always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road bumps along the way. Today she lives in central Florida and writes full-time with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.

Book preview

1

Six years into Mia’s mating with Ty and she’d gone from a cub in her pantry to a bun in her oven. Well, a second bun. Her first biological bun was—at that moment—attempting to talk her adopted son into making a break for freedom.

They didn’t want to stick around and listen to adults talk at some stinking barbecue. Not even promises of all the pork and green beans they could eat ended the whining. (Pork for Parker and green beans for her still-vegetarian daughter Sophia.) Don’t even get Mia started about that. A vegetarian werebear? Even the Southeast Itan—the territory’s regional werebear leader—had never heard of such a thing.

A familiar scent teased her nose, one she knew better than any others, and she mentally groaned.

You gonna tell him anytime soon? The deep, rumbly voice held a teasing note and then she groaned aloud.

Dad. She even whined… and not just a little. I haven’t even taken a test.

Though, really, she didn’t need to. Mia knew her own body, and well… yeah.

Her father chuckled and laid his massive arm across her shoulders, the weight both welcome and comforting. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and breathed deep, taking in the scents of home. He wasn’t her biological father, but Thomas Baker was even better—he was the father of her heart.

Little cub, the day I don’t recognize a change in my own daughter’s scent is the day they put me in the ground.

She elbowed him. No talking about being put in the ground.

After the troubles of the last few years, Mia didn’t want to think about death and her loved ones ever again. Ever. And yes, she repeated herself, but she wanted to be sure the powers that be heard her.

Her father grunted and then laughed again, giving her shoulder a squeeze. I’m not looking to go anywhere anytime soon. I want another few grandcubs outta you two.

Mia’s gut clenched and chest tightened, suspicions and worries colliding inside her. Her inner bear chuffed and grumbled, not happy about thinking of past pregnancies and sorrows. Daddy…

He sighed and pulled away, forcing her to turn toward him until they faced each other fully. Little cub, you’re still blaming yourself, aren’t you?

Tears stung her eyes and she squeezed them shut, fighting to keep them at bay. I just… This is the fourth, and the others…

The fourth time she’d been pregnant since giving birth to Sophia. Her little five-year-old was the light—and love—of her life, but she’d always wanted Sophia to have a sister or brother. She’d—they’d—never meant for Sophia to be an only child. Nature