Her Protector Read online

  Of course, I may change my mind on that after childbirth. I hold my stomach as I lower into my seat at the table. I’m having twins in March and I can’t wait. Ryan lets out a moan of pleasure over his first bite of dessert, and I take my spoon to break through the crusty top layer to scoop out a bite too.

  Sweet creamy flavor hits my tongue, and I let out a small noise of my own. Ryan winks at me. “Have a I told you lately how much I love your singing voice?”

  I laugh. “Really?” I glance down at my large stomach. “Your father is insatiable. Expect brothers and sisters.”

  Ryan chuckles and gives me a sexy smirk. “Someone else in this house is as well.”

  My cheeks flush with desire, because I do want him as often as he wants me, and I’m not shy about asking for it. I dig in to my crème brûlée for another bite, and I think about Christmas last year. I remember the animals at the shelter and wonder how Erin is doing. She and Jake got engaged and moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to family at the beginning of the year.

  My band found themselves a new singer when I decided to quit. I realized that while I still love to sing, my desire to be famous wasn’t based on wanting to be a star. I wanted to be loved. But like the shelter animals I used to work with, I’ve found my forever home. Now I give singing lessons to the children of the clan, and I couldn’t be happier combining two of my favorite things.

  My thoughts get darker when Fred comes to mind. Well, more to the trouble he got me in. Ryan was right when he said we’d find that Fred and Brad were into more than it appeared. My testimony helped bring down a large drug ring, and my cooperation granted me immunity.

  Taking down drug lords did set me up as a target for revenge, but I never worry about it. Not only am I a werebear who can fend for herself in bear form, but I married one who will always keep me safe.

  “What are you thinking about over there?” Ryan asks.

  I lick the remnants of my dessert off my spoon and set it down then reach my hand out to my mate. “I was remembering last year and the night I found my protector.”

  Ryan looks down at the emerald ring on my finger and rubs it with his thumb. “And I found a woman who will always have my heart.”

  “You’ve got mine too.” I get up from the table to go sit in his lap. I take his hands to place them on my stomach. “But the best Christmas gift of all is that you gave me a family, Ryan. Thank you.” I lean down to kiss my husband and my true mate. We do have little fights now and then, but I know we’ll get through it all, because with each tiff, I believe our relationship grows stronger. I let myself sink into our kiss and listen as the song of our hearts rings like the music of silver bells on a sleigh. I pull back and smile with tears in my eyes. “Merry Christmas, Ryan.”

  “Merry Christmas to you too, Chrissy.” He pulls me down for another kiss and whispers on my lips, “I love you.”

  I love you, too.

  More from V. Vaughn

  Check out V.’s world of shifters:

  Called by the Bear

  Tempted by the Bear

  Desired by the Bear

  Rocked by the Bear

  Bewitched by the Bear

  Loved by the Bear

  Winter Valley Wolves

  Smokey Falls Wolves

  Heartland Shifters

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  V. writes Vampires and Aliens too!

  Called by the Vampire

  Greenville Alien Mail Order Brides

  * * *

  Witches of Night Meadow

  Sisters, Love and Magic

  * * *

  You can see all her published books at www.violetvaughn.com

  About the Author

  V. Vaughn lives on an island in Maine and spends as much time outdoors with her two Portuguese Water dogs as she can. She may have seen a bear or two….

  www.violetvaughn.com