Until You: Malsum Pass Series, #2

By Kimberly Forrest

The last time she saw him, he was the sweetest bear…

 

Susan Fuller has been in love with Sebastian since she was a kid. Ten years ago, he left town because of something she'd done and she longs to make it right. When war breaks out between the feline and bear shifters in her hometown, and Susan is sent away for her protection, she jumps on the opportunity to travel east to Malsum Pass – Sebastian's last known location.

 

The last time he saw her, she was a pesky teen…

After being betrayed by those closest to him, Sebastian Black has made his home with the wolf pack of Malsum Pass. Thanks to his surly nature, the townspeople avoid him and he prefers it that way. His greatest wish is to be left alone, so when Susan, a pest from his past shows up on his doorstep, Sebastian is less than thrilled. But the pest has grown into a beauty and the more time he spends with her, the more he wants to keep her.

 

Can her love mend this wounded bear and bring him home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberly Forrest
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223655695

Book preview

Until You

Malsum Pass Series Book 2

Kimberly Forrest

The last time she saw him, he was the sweetest bear…

Susan Fuller has been in love with Sebastian since she was a kid. Ten years ago, he left town because of something she’d done and she longs to make it right. When war breaks out between the feline and bear shifters in her hometown, and Susan is sent away for her protection, she jumps on the opportunity to travel east to Malsum Pass – Sebastian’s last known location.

The last time he saw her, she was a pesky teen…

After being betrayed by those closest to him, Sebastian Black has made his home with the wolf pack of Malsum Pass. Thanks to his surly nature, the townspeople avoid him and he prefers it that way. His greatest wish is to be left alone, so when Susan, a pest from his past shows up on his doorstep, Sebastian is less than thrilled. But the pest has grown into a beauty and the more time he spends with her, the more he wants to keep her.

Can her love mend this wounded bear and bring him home?

Books in This Series

Malsum Pass

Until You

For Her

Meant To Be

Whole-Hearted

Small Moments

Soul Deep

Christmas in Malsum Pass

Fifty, Furred, and Fabulous!

Until YouSelected, Compiled & Edited by: Kimberly Forrest 2017

Copyright © February 2017 by Kimberly Forrest

This book is a work of fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Cover design by R.L. Ortiz using images licensed through Deposit Photos

" Until You" is dedicated to my life-long best friend Susan Morel. It may have taken longer than you would have liked to find your happily ever after, but you certainly did it right!! No one deserves it more. Love you, girl!

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

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

About The Author

Also by Kimberly Forrest

Chapter One

Susan Fuller tapped her fingernails against the armrest of her seat as she looked out the window. She still couldn’t believe she was voluntarily heading into wolf territory. Worse, she was flying into wolf territory. She hated flying. Right now, her bear was curled up inside of her like a big wimpy fluffball instead of the fearsome predator it was. She should have taken an aisle seat so she wouldn’t be able to see how far above the ground she was… how far she could fall. Ugh. She had asked the elderly woman who finally sat next to her if she wanted to look out the window, but the woman had just smiled and said, Well, aren’t you a dear? But the aisle is just fine for me. Then, in a whisper, while delivering a pat on Susan’s hand, added, At my age, it’s best if I can get to the restroom quickly.

Thankfully, she was on her last flight of the day. She had flown from Mariposa to O’Hare in Chicago where she’d had to run what felt like a mile in her high-heeled boots to reach her gate in time to board her next flight to JFK. Now she was on this tiny business class jet on her way to Vermont. She swallowed a groan as she remembered that once she landed she’d still have to drive a good hour and a half to reach her final destination – Malsum Pass.

The plane vibrated violently and she gripped the armrest hard trying not to imagine the plane blowing up in a fiery ball of doom and destruction. These smaller planes were the worst as far as she was concerned.

Are you all right, dear?

Susan tried to calm her breathing which was leaving her mouth in gasping pants and offered the poor woman next to her a weak smile. God, she was a mess. Prying her stiff fingers loose from the poor, abused armrest, she leaned her head back and sighed.

Close your eyes, ignore the view, and think of something else. Something else inevitably led to Sebastian Black.

Who she was going to be seeing again very soon, possibly even by the end of the day, and just the thought had her stomach clenching in anticipation – or maybe fear – she wasn’t quite sure which. There was so much she needed to tell him. Ten years worth.

She had been eight years old when she first met him and decided she would marry him. At sixteen, he’d been tall and lanky, with silky black hair that tended to curl into ringlets if he let it get too long, and eyes so dark brown they looked black. He had smiled at her and everything had suddenly seemed brighter. She had fallen head over heels in love at first sight. Unfortunately for her, Sebastian had fallen head over heels for Susan’s sixteen-year-old sister, Mary Beth.

At first, Sebastian had tolerated the way Susan had insisted on constantly tagging along, treating her with fond amusement, but by the time he’d left Mariposa, she wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d hated her. Susan’s resentment of his relationship with her sister had grown into something ugly. She’d constantly spied on them and tattled to her parents whenever they’d snuck off. She’d been a complete brat, and even now, just thinking about it, her cheeks heated with shame.

Not many redeeming qualities to recommend her back then, but that hadn’t even been the worst of it. Things had come to a head when Sebastian was twenty-three and Susan, a mere starry-eyed fifteen. He’d asked Mary Beth to marry him and her sister had accepted. Susan’s dream of Sebastian realizing that she was the woman for him and him dumping Mary Beth had crumbled. So in a childish fit of pique, she’d lashed out. She’d sent Sebastian photos of her sister cheating on him with his older brother.

Susan winced at the memory. Yes, her sister had cheated, and yes, Sebastian had the right to know, but she’d done it out of spite rather than for the right reasons. He’d been so hurt. The look on his face the last time she’d seen him… And Susan had been the one to put it there. Not that he knew that since she’d sent the pictures anonymously, but that didn’t make her feel any less guilty. She should have confronted her sister privately. That would have been the right thing to do. Instead, she’d thrown it in Sebastian’s face, and hurt him in the worst way. He’d been so devastated, he’d left town, taking Susan’s heart with him.

The pilot’s voice broke into her thoughts as it came over the speaker to announce that they would be landing soon. Susan took a deep breath. She’d be glad to have her feet back on the ground.

Just over an hour later she’d collected her suitcase, finished the paperwork for the rental car, and with keys in hand was ready to start the last leg of her journey until the sliding glass doors opened and an icy wind blasted her straight in the face. Satan’s blue balls it was freaking cold! She had assumed it would be colder than what she was used to but this was like Arctic chill. Her short leather jacket which was just fine for late November in Mariposa wasn’t going to cut it for Vermont. With teeth chattering and tears starting to form in her eyes from the wind, she hustled to the rental and quickly stowed her luggage in the trunk. She needed to get this baby started and get the heat cranked.

Luckily, she spotted a strip mall not far from the airport and she hurried in. Another hour later and she had a thick winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves – all in her favorite shade of pink – and a pair of pink fleece-lined suede boots. She smiled to herself. Pink was a great color on her with her dark brown hair and blue eyes. Now she would look pretty when Sebastian saw her and still be warm.

When she got to the cashier she flinched slightly when she heard the total. Looking good while not freezing to death was more expensive than she had anticipated.

Wearing her new purchases, she went back to the car and set up her GPS on her phone to guide her. She found a relatively good radio station that she hoped would stay with her through the trip, and pulled the rental out into traffic, bopping in her seat to the tunes. Roughly forty-five minutes later, however, she was wishing she’d opted for the four-wheel drive SUV. Snow was falling hard and fast making it hard to see, but worse, her windshield wipers were starting to freeze up decreasing her visibility even further. Susan slowed to practically a crawl as she passed not one but three vehicles off the road. Her stomach started to tighten and her mouth went dry.

She sighed with relief as she saw the bright, flashing orange lights of a plow truck ahead. My hero, she breathed. If luck was with her, she’d be able to follow that big vehicle all the way to Malsum Pass.

The mountain road had her crawling safely over the top with no problem, but the downward slope on the other side was a nightmare. Susan was practically sobbing hysterically as her vehicle continued to pick up speed despite her best efforts to slow down. Every time she’d hit the brakes, she’d start to slide. When she saw the sign for the sharp turn ahead she went into full panic mode. No way was she going to be able to make that turn. She sent up a quick prayer, gripped the steering wheel hard, and hit the brakes. She felt the vehicle swerve, the ass end came around and while she tried to steer out of it, the car wouldn’t respond. A three-hundred-sixty-degree spin across the road with Susan screaming the entire time, and the car finally lurched to a stop with a jarring thud.

She’d landed in a ditch. Susan exhaled loudly, her heart beating fast and hard in her chest. Better a ditch than wrapped around a tree – or worse, another car. The only problem now was, she was well and truly stuck. Luckily for her, the driver of the plow truck she’d been following must have seen what had happened and was even now pulling up alongside her.

A middle-aged woman hustled out of the vehicle and Susan rolled down her window.

Are you injured?

I’m fine, thank you, she replied breathlessly. And thank you so much for stopping. I don’t think I’ll be able to drive out of this.

The woman nodded. I already called it in. Malsum Pass is sending out a tow truck. She motioned with her head to a road that was barely visible with the snow cover but had a wooden sign on the side marking the turnoff. They should be along shortly. Are you okay if I get back to my run?

Susan smiled and nodded. I’ll be fine. Thank you again, so much!

It didn’t take long at all before a big black flatbed arrived with lights flashing. She had to get out of the warm car, which sucked, especially when she made a fool of herself, stumbling and flailing about in what had to be one of the most graceless exits ever performed. But the tow truck driver was quick and efficient, and in no time, her car was out of the ditch and secured on the back of his rig.

Wolf, she realized when the driver hopped up in the cab with her. She should’ve expected that being this close to pack territory.

So where can I tow this for you? Do you have a garage in mind? he asked as he made some notes on his clipboard.

Is there a garage in Malsum Pass? That’s where I was heading when this happened.

He looked surprised. Really? He sniffed and grimaced. I think my nose is frozen, he remarked with a chuckle before adding, but yes, there is.

Frozen nose? A good excuse, but Susan wasn’t fooled. He’d been trying to scent her and her perfume was playing havoc with his nose.

I’ll tow this to my shop then and have a look at it for you.

When she nodded her approval he tacked on, Were you planning on staying at The Cedars?

She had no idea what The Cedars was but assumed from the context it was a motel or something. Actually, I’m not sure yet where I’m staying. I’m here to see an old friend. Sebastian Black. Do you know him?

Susan held her breath. This town was Sebastian’s last known location but there was no guarantee that he hadn’t since moved on. If that were the case, she had no idea what her next move would be.

The driver shot her a look of almost horrified surprise before he blurted, Seriously?

She frowned. Er, yes. He and I go way back.

The man suddenly looked nervous. Odd. He licked his lips. How about I drop you off at the diner and you can have Lucy see if she can reach him on the radio. There aren’t any roads leading out to Black Bas- ah, Mister Black’s place.

Her confusion grew. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the guy was afraid of Sebastian. What utter nonsense. She may not be one of Sebastian’s favorite people considering what a brat she’d once been, but the man she knew was sweet and kind to everyone, quick to smile and quicker to laugh. This man’s fear made no sense. Unless it was a fear of bears in general. If that was the case, she was glad she’d overdone it with the perfume to mask her scent.

Even more so when the driver – who’d since introduced himself as Mike – ushered her into the diner and loudly announced, This here is Susan Fuller and she’s a friend of Sebastian Black. Think you can raise him on the radio, Lucy?

All conversation came to a stop. Talk about being thrust into the spotlight. Everyone was staring at her, most with their mouths open, and varying degrees of both shock and curiosity on their faces. There were quite a few sniffs, followed by a few sneezes, but at least she wasn’t hearing any growls. Wolves were pack hunters and the last thing she wanted was for them to see her as a threat, or worse, prey. She stiffened her spine.

A waitress with dark hair pulled up into a bun, motioned for Susan to take a seat at the counter and she gratefully plunked down on the stool with a sigh. What a day.

The waitress whose nametag proclaimed her to be the aforementioned Lucy looked Susan up and down and sniffed before wrinkling her nose slightly and smiling. That’s some pretty perfume you’re wearing, honey. Can I get you some coffee before I try the radio?

Oh, yes, please. She certainly needed it. This day had already been exhausting and it wasn’t even close to over. Susan stripped off her gloves. Sebastian doesn’t have a phone?

Lucy grabbed a mug and placed it on the counter before grabbing the coffee pot. He doesn’t like to be bothered, though he does keep a radio for emergencies, she remarked as she poured. Most times, if someone needs to talk to him they just hike out to his place. He’s usually there in the early mornings or after sundown. Anytime in between is unlikely. He’s an avid outdoorsman. The woman shot her a curious look before she smiled sweetly. But you probably already know all that what with you being friends and all.

Susan didn’t answer, focusing on her steaming mug of coffee instead. She couldn’t seem to stop herself from squirming in her seat. Calling herself a friend might be an exaggeration considering their history, but these people didn’t need to know that.

The waitress gave Susan one more inquisitive look and headed toward the kitchen – most likely where the radio was kept.

Susan felt someone approach and she stiffened as a man sat down on her left. She kept a smile pasted on her face as she turned warily. He was young, probably around her own age, and had longish red hair, a shaggy red beard, and smiling brown eyes. Eyes that immediately put her at ease. He was quite handsome, with a nice smile despite most of it being obscured by facial hair. Holding out his hand, he introduced himself as Jacob Pierce.

How long have you known Sebastian? he asked with a smile instead of the shock and awe she’d seen from others thus far. It made her feel a bit better.

I’ve known Seb since I was eight.

His nose twitched, thanks to her perfume, and she almost apologized. Are you and he friends?

He grinned and Susan had the sudden thought that the man was absolutely adorable.

I don’t know if anyone here could say they’re friends with Black. He’s pretty reclusive, doesn’t really let people in.

Susan stirred her coffee and frowned. How odd. Sebastian had always been so outgoing. Everybody loved him.

Lucy returned and was shaking her head. Sorry, honey, but Black’s not answering.

I can take you out there if you don’t mind a bit of a hike in the snow, Jacob offered. I can’t guarantee we’ll find him, but we can leave him a note if you want, let him know you’re in town.

Susan smiled and nodded. Thank you! I’d like that.

A thrill of both anticipation and fear shot through her. Finally, after ten long years, she’d be seeing Sebastian again.

Chapter Two

Jacob helped her retrieve her bags from her rental at the garage and brought them over to The Cedars, the local bed and breakfast. That done, she rode with him to the outskirts of town where he pulled off at a narrow snow-covered path lined with trees. He lives just over a mile out from here, Jacob told her. "But