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Bear stood over an unmarked grave and stared at the grass. Ten years had passed since he was last in this spot, but Bear remembered it like yesterday. There was no evidence there was a body buried in the lonely spot.
“I won, fucker,” Bear muttered. His mind drifted back to the day he caught the fucker who’d tortured Ellie. Bear had demanded to be left alone with the asshole after all of Hellfire had taken their shots. Chance had refused to leave but just sat and watched as Bear punished the asshole repeatedly. Bear had kicked, beat and sliced the bastard who’d taken Ellie. He’d used claws to shred the traitor’s skin from his body in long slices. And Bear had revelled in the screams he’d caused.
“Hear me, asshole, I won. You took Ellie but made me a stronger man. A man still standing. A man with rage and strength to avenge his woman. I’ll sleep sweet and go on to have babies, something you’ll never experience. I’ll live my life while you rot.” Bear paused and ran a hand over his face.
“If you could see the woman I’ve claimed, you’d choke on jealousy. Thalia’s stunning and been through her own ordeal. But Thalia survived, and I’ll break my back making sure she survives. Thalia reminds me of Ellie, sweet and sour mixed up in a sassy package. You took my sister, but you didn’t get me, didn’t get my life, and I bet you fuckin’ hate that. Ellie lives on in Hellfire’s memories; she’s immortal now. You, you’re nothing but rotting flesh in an unknown grave with no one to fuckin’ mourn you.
Ellie has a beautiful monument to her life; she’s remembered and loved to this day. What do you have? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Worm food and a forgotten asshole. You may have thought that you’d live on in Hellfire’s memories, but you don’t. Hellfire doesn’t think of you. Just my beautiful Ellie. I won’t come again. I just wanted you to know everything I have and will have. Wanted to ensure that you, asshole, hear the beautiful life I got planned and will live.” Bear fell silent and, in a final action, spat on the grave and walked away. Bear’s bike waited, and so did his woman.
Thalia was weak for now, but she had an innate strength that would get her through the coming surgeries and the emotional upheaval. Thalia didn’t realise it, but she was surrounded by love, and everyone would support her recovery. And Bear looked forward to life with his uneasy woman. The girl put her foot in her mouth more times than not, but Bear was getting used to her ways. Bear couldn’t wait until they fought again. He loved seeing Thalia riled with passion.
Bear had been hurt by Thalia’s actions in the hotel room, but he could understand now what had happened. Although Damon’s betrayal didn’t seem much, it had been devastating for Thalia. Thalia’s grandmother explained Thalia had similar reactions when experiencing emotional upheaval, and Bear accepted the explanations. Maylene said she thought it stemmed from the rejection of Thalia’s parents. Bear silently agreed. Kelly had related several stories, which had made Bear chuckle. Some of his brothers might harbour doubts, but not Bear. He could see Thalia’s heart, and he was going to make sure Thalia shone again.
Several hours later, Bear glowed in Thalia’s joy and light as she dashed from room to room in the house he’d bought to surprise her. Kelly had bought one opposite, so Thalia wouldn’t be without her best friend. The house boasted six bedrooms, with the possibility of turning the attic into three more. It had three full baths and two half baths, and plenty of other rooms. Outside, the gardens were landscaped, and a swimming pool was hidden away. There was a large patio with an area for grilling and a small waterfall running into a pond. As Thalia squealed her way through the rooms, Bear grinned. This was going to be a fucking beautiful life.
???
I lay in a hospital bed four weeks later, my gaze firmly latched onto Bear, who was pacing. His brow was furrowed, and he’d run his hands through his hair. Outside were Kelly and Callie, who’d accompanied Grandmother and me to Switzerland to see the surgeon. He’d removed most of the scars and my mangled breast, and I was scheduled for reconstruction in a few months. The pain would take months to heal. Bear was unhappy, as he hadn’t understood how long it would take.
“Don’t you want me to have the operation, Bear?” I asked. Bear stopped pacing.
“Thal, whatever you desire, I’m happy with. I just didn’t know you’d be black and blue again,” Bear frowned.
“But the bruising’s not too bad,” I said, glancing at my bandaged chest. Bear scowled, and I shut up. Obviously, this was weighing on him.
“Don’t like it,” Bear muttered, sounding like a sulky boy. The rest of the surgery had gone well, the jagged scars were gone, and I’d hope for the future.
“And it’s okay not to like it,” I said soothingly.
“Are you in pain?” Bear asked.
“Somewhat, but the pain relief is wonderful,” I smiled. Bear scowled again, and I sighed. “Come and sit.”
“No, I might hurt you,” Bear said, beginning his pacing again. Sighing, I patted the bed next to me.
“Sit down!” I demanded, and Bear glared but stomped over. He’d been a hit with the nurses, most of whom were still drooling over my man. And the way Bear doted on me melted their hearts. Bear sat on the bed with a pout, and I hid my smile. I honestly wasn’t in much pain because of the morphine I was on.
“Did Grandmother tell you what Callie wants to do?” I asked, and Bear looked adorably confused at the change of subject.
“No?” Bear asked. I grinned, and Bear took on a concerned look.
“Callie wants to write about paranormal stuff,” I said, and Bear blinked.
“What the fuck?” he exclaimed.
“Believe it or not, Callie wants to be a paranormal investigator and travel the country and possibly the world exploring haunted sites,” I said. Bear stared in disbelief.
“Seriously?” Bear asked.
“Yup. Callie wants to put a team together, film it on a podcast, write a blog and articles about the investigations. She’s excited,” I said.
“Callie knows ghosts ain’t real?” Bear said.
“Callie wants to explore the paranormal, and we’re going to support her,” I retorted.
“Yes, baby,” Bear said and poked his tongue out at me. I giggled, and Bear smiled.
“I think she’s mental, but if Callie’s happy doing so, she has the money to explore her desires. Who knows, Callie may be the one to catch a ghost on camera. She’s excited about everything, and surprisingly enough, Grandmother is supporting her.”
