Lure of the Bear (Aloha Shifters: Jewels of the Heart Book 3) Read online

  Lure of the Bear

  Aloha Shifters: Jewels of the Heart

  by

  Anna Lowe

  Book 3

  Lure of the Bear

  Copyright © 2017 by Anna Lowe

  [email protected]

  Editing by Lisa A. Hollett

  Proofreading by Donna Hokanson

  Cover art by Kim Killion

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental.

  Sincere thanks to Beth, Cindy, Jen, Colleen, and the amazing members of my plot wizards group for their valuable feedback and ideas.

  Other books in this series

  Aloha Shifters - Jewels of the Heart

  Lure of the Dragon (Book 1)

  Lure of the Wolf (Book 2)

  Lure of the Bear (Book 3)

  Lure of the Tiger (Book 4)

  Love of the Dragon (Book 5)

  visit www.annalowebooks.com

  Free books

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  Desert Wolf: Friend or Foe (Book 1.1 in the Twin Moon Ranch series)

  Off the Charts (the prequel to the Serendipity Adventure series)

  Perfection (the prequel to the Blue Moon Saloon series)

  Contents

  Other books in this series

  Free books

  Lure of the Bear

  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

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek: Lure of the Tiger

  Free books

  Books by Anna Lowe

  More from Anna Lowe

  AnnaLoweBooks.com

  Lure of the Bear

  Hunter Bjornvald is a shifter on a mission. There’s not much that can get his inner grizzly worked up — except a threat to the woman he’s secretly loved for years. Then, all bets are off, and he’s willing to risk everything — including the most closely guarded secret of his lonely shifter soul.

  Trust issues? Officer Dawn Meli has a few. She’s not ready to rely on any man — especially one who can turn into a raging beast. But strong, silent Hunter, with his steady voice and soulful eyes, calls to something deep in her scarred soul. So much so, that she’s dangerously tempted to let her wild side free. At the same time, she has other problems to concentrate on, what with a valuable gem, a celebrity wedding, and a tropical storm all converging on Maui at the same time. Hardly the time to give in to simmering desire — even if destiny has different ideas.

  Chapter One

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  * * *

  “No!” Hunter roared, lashing out at his attacker.

  He stared into the night, coiled for action. But there was no one, and no sound but that of his own haggard breath. Sweat trickled down his neck, and his fists clenched the sheets as he sat up in bed.

  “Shit.” He flopped back and stared at the ceiling. Another nightmare.

  He kept his eyes wide open, because that nightmare went way back to the ugliest part of his past, and he really didn’t want to revisit it any more than he already had. He’d been just a cub, but it was all clear as a bell. The taste of salt water. The sound of his own panicked cries. The force of incessant waves that pushed his mother’s body up the shore.

  His jaw clenched so tightly, the joint popped. Then he threw back the sheets and walked stiffly to the porch, avoiding his own reflection in the windowpanes. He already knew he had dark circles under his eyes, that his hair was askew and his beard badly in need of a trim. He barely cared — except he’d been brought up better than that.

  He sighed, watching the first rays of pink light peek through the swaying palms of the estate. After breakfast, he’d clean up and do his family proud, as he had for the past ten-plus years, both in private and as a soldier. But right now…

  Hunter stood quietly, willing the sun to hurry up and chase away the night. Bear shifters were normally late risers, but the sun couldn’t rise fast enough for him these days.

  A run. What he needed was a good, hard run. That would clear his head. The question was whether to do so in human or bear form.

  Bear, his inner grizzly said. Let me out.

  Hunter closed his eyes and tried to convince himself there would be no harm in that.

  No one will see, his bear said. I promise.

  Hunter scuffed the wooden slats of the porch, hating that the thought even entered his mind. But the danger of being spotted as a bear had been so firmly beaten into him as a child, a cold chill went down his spine.

  He lumbered slowly down the stairs.

  I have every right to shift. I need to shift.

  In truth, he was desperate to shift. For the past three weeks, he’d kept his bear locked in solitary confinement. But there was no denying that side of his soul, no matter how hard he tried.

  No one will see, his bear swore. We’re safe here on Koa Point.

  He gave in at last, dropping to all fours and letting his bear take over. Then he gave his thick fur a good shake, sniffed the sea breeze, and rolled.

  Stop that, you idiot, he barked at his bear.

  But it feels so good to be me again, the beast cried.

  It did feel good. The cool earth under the pads of his feet. The raw power in his limbs. The rich scents of Maui, amplified by his keen sense of smell.

  He set off, working out the stiffness in his joints. His cottage was located near the entry gate of the estate where he and his band of Special Forces brothers lived. He crossed the perfectly groomed lawn and passed the long line of garages, running faster and faster, trying to outrun his own demons.

  Most times, Hunter wasn’t the fastest shifter living at Koa Point. Cruz, the tiger shifter, was lightning-quick over short distances. Boone, the wolf, could beat any of them over a mile. The two dragons, Silas and Kai, could soar through the sky at incredible speeds. As for Hunter — well, he could call up a pretty impressive sprint, but speed wasn’t his strength.

  And yet, three weeks ago, he’d outrun everyone to save the woman he loved. And he’d succeeded. He’d tackled the rogue wolf leaping at her just in time and mauled the beast to death. Killing never felt good, but that time, it almost did — until the moment he’d looked up and seen Dawn backing away in horror. His destined mate, rejecting him.

  He hammered along, making a big loop of the estate. Six acres didn’t make for too long a circuit, and within minutes, he was racing along the beach. He nearly turned inland again, but he forced himself to stop and absorb the view. Venus was slipping toward the horizon, and the colors of daybreak were deepening. A beautiful scene, right?

  He gritted his teeth and inched closer to the water, far enough to let the waves lick his feet. The surf was up, pounding into the reef that protected Koa Point’s strip of beach. Something bobb
ed in the shallows, and for a moment, his heart jumped to his throat.

  It’s only a piece of driftwood, he told his bear.

  A piece of driftwood that brought back the nightmares in which his mother’s coarse fur was clumped with salt water and blood.

  He shook his thick pelt. That was in Alaska, a long time ago. This is Maui, and the sun is rising, not setting.

  He forced himself to endure the gritty touch of salt water on his fur, not quite sure whether that was a punishment or therapy.

  It’s bound to be another beautiful day, his inner bear tried, but the words felt hollow. Empty — like him.

  He walked back up the beach and moved inland to the more soothing world of greens and browns, where he could walk through the foliage and relish the tickle of leaves over his spine. He sniffed as he walked, inhaling the rich earth and surrounding scents. Sweet hibiscus, exquisite honohono flowers, and sugarbush. Maybe if he walked long enough, some of the peace of the place would rub off on his soul.

  The sound of a woman’s giggle drifted through the trees, answered by the lower murmur of a man, both of them happy and serene. That had to be Nina and Boone, celebrating the new day with a kiss. Well, probably with a lot more than a kiss, if Hunter knew those two. But who could blame them? Destined mates had every right to love, to truly live.

  Hunter drew in a slow breath and pulled his teeth over his lower lip. Why did their happiness set off such an ache in his chest? He ought to be happy for Boone and Nina.

  I am happy for them, his bear insisted. I just wish…

  Hunter let out a gruff snort. A man could wish a lot of things, but he couldn’t change what he was.

  He set off on another loop of the estate, running hard.

  It’s only a matter of time before Nina and Boone have kids, you know, his bear murmured.

  Hunter scowled. He’d be thrilled for his buddy, but it would kill him to know he’d never have that joy.

  We can be uncles, he tried telling his inner beast. That will be fun, too.

  His bear growled out loud. Not the same thing. Maybe we should leave.

  According to Boone, there was a new bear clan starting up in Arizona at a funky place called the Blue Moon Saloon. Maybe he could start fresh there. That, or he could go back to his roots in Alaska. Someplace where he wouldn’t be tortured daily by the sight of his destined mate — and she wouldn’t be tortured by the sight of him, the monster she loathed.

  But just like every other time he entertained the notion, he discarded it. There was no way he could get on a plane and leave his destined mate. No way.

  He ran on and on, losing track of how many laps of the property he’d pounded over. He ran until the sun wasn’t just inching over the horizon but climbing fast. Only then, panting and soaked with sweat, did he turn back to his cottage.

  “Morning,” a voice called, making his head jerk up. Kai was sitting on Hunter’s porch, watching the brilliant colors drain out of the sky.

  Hunter grimaced. Kai was his oldest friend, but he had that I’m here to cheer you up look on his face.

  “Beautiful sunrise, huh?” Kai murmured.

  Hunter shrugged. Every sunrise was beautiful on Maui. If only the light didn’t glint off the windows of his house and catch his reflection like that. All that fur. Claws. Fangs. Weapons of destruction, at least in the eyes of most humans, including the one he cared about most.

  The voice of Georgia Mae, his foster mother, drifted through his mind. Sweetheart, you are who you are. And you’re wonderful.

  Dawn doesn’t think I’m wonderful, his bear whispered, hanging his head.

  “How you doing? Okay?” Kai asked.

  Not really, no. Hunter took a deep breath and forced himself to face the new day by shifting back to human form.

  “I’m fine,” he grumbled, cracking his knuckles.

  “Tessa’s making some oatmeal for you,” Kai said. “A new recipe she’s trying out for her cookbook.”

  Hunter looked at the sky. Tessa’s cookbook was about grilling, not breakfast, and he knew it. She was just trying to shake him out of his funk.

  Despite the fact that he’d lost his appetite weeks ago, he nodded. “That’s nice. I’ll be there soon.” What else could he do?

  Kai stood and motioned to the driveway. “By the way, we reworked the plan for today. Boone is going to drop me off at the airport to sign for the new helicopter, and he can pick you up at the resort on the way back.”

  Hunter blinked a few times, trying to recall what that was all about.

  “The Rolls, remember?” Kai prompted.

  Oh, right. That. Hunter was supposed to deliver the Rolls Royce — one of the estate owner’s many fancy cars — from Koa Point to the exclusive Kapa’akea resort, where it was being leased for a celebrity wedding of some kind.

  “Don’t make such a face,” Kai said, borrowing a line from Georgia Mae. “You need to get out a little.”

  “I need to be left alone,” Hunter growled.

  “And you need to talk to Dawn,” Kai added as if Hunter hadn’t just spoken.

  He scoffed. “Sure. Maybe even invite her out to dinner with me in bear form.”

  “Dinner. Great idea.” Kai nodded. “In human form. You get cleaned up, show her what a great guy you are…”

  Hunter stomped past Kai and into the house.

  “Come on, Hunter. You’ve known her since you were fourteen.”

  As if he didn’t know that. Hunter remembered the very day, the very hour he’d first met Dawn Meli, fifteen years ago. He’d known she was his destined mate from the start, but she sure hadn’t. Besides, she had been the gorgeous, homecoming queen type, and he had been the gangly new kid in town. Hell, he still felt like the gangly new kid in town, at least around her.

  “Hunter, she knows you. She likes you. The fact that she didn’t turn us in after that mess with Kramer and his mercenaries proves it.”

  Hunter turned on the shower, trying to drown Kai out. That Dawn hadn’t exposed their shifter secret after that fight probably had more to do with the fact that the policewoman was still reeling from the experience. And as for her liking him…

  She does like us, his bear whispered. Remember how she looked at us?

  Hunter remembered all the occasions time had stopped when their eyes met, when something in his heart fluttered and his pulse skipped. Dawn’s cheeks had always flushed, and the way her eyes lit up on seeing him had given him hope that maybe, just maybe…

  He scrubbed his face, trying to forget, because the memory of her horrified expression was fresher.

  “You guys are made for each other, Hunter. Her last name even means honey.”

  Hunter frowned. Meli did mean honey in Hawaiian. He used to believe it was a sign, but now, it just seemed like another cruel twist of fate.

  “If that’s not destiny, I don’t know what is.” Kai persisted, calling over the noise of the shower. “Damn it, Hunter. You can’t deny yourself your destined mate. I tried with Tessa, but it was impossible.”

  Hunter closed his eyes and let the steam of the shower lock the world away. What was impossible was the notion of Dawn ever accepting him, and he knew it.

  Chapter Two

  Driving to town was easy enough, especially once Hunter drove past the spot where Dawn — Officer Meli — usually parked her squad car. The fact that she wasn’t there was cause for both relief and concern. Relief in not having to face her, and concern because Dawn rarely broke her routine.

  She’s a lot like a bear that way, his inner beast murmured.

  It was only a short drive to the Kapa’akea resort, and Hunter spent most of it wondering where Dawn might be, what she was doing, and whether she was thinking of him. All that instead of him listening in satisfaction as the Rolls purred along. It was only the appreciative whistle of the guard at the resort gate that pulled him back to the business at hand.

  “Sweet car,” the portly man said, making a full lap around the Rolls.

  Hun
ter tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and growled under his breath. The guy better not touch the wax job he’d spend most of the previous day on, or—

  He caught himself there. Or what? What would he do? Turn into a bear and scare the guy out of his wits?

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter and ground his teeth until the guard stepped away to check a clipboard.

  “Let me guess,” a second guard said. “It’s been leased for the Vanderpelt wedding.”

  Hunter nodded curtly.

  “Man, those people are pulling out all the stops,” the first guard said, raising the gate. “You know where to go?”

  Hunter nodded as he drove through. Yeah, he knew his way around the exclusive resort, having worked a few jobs there as private security. But man, he’d never seen the place bustle with quite so much activity. A huge tent was being erected on one end of the polo field, and an outdoor seating area was slowly taking shape. A photographer was setting up lights by the gazebo, and the air buzzed with the sound of a chainsaw as a man sculpted a huge block of ice. Hunter shook his head. The Kapa’akea resort hosted several spare-no-expense weddings each year, but this appeared to be the event of the century.

  An eager valet bounded up to the Rolls Royce as Hunter approached the main building. “I’ll be happy to take it from here.”

  Hunter waved the guy off. That valet barely looked nineteen — and not the kind of nineteen Hunter had once been with a year of military service under his belt. Nope. Only three people drove that car: Hunter, the car’s owner — a man he’d never seen, and the appropriately gray-haired chauffeur hired by the resort for big-money gigs.

  “Second to last garage from the end, right?” he asked.

  The kid looked crestfallen, so Hunter sighed and nodded to the passenger seat. “Want a ride?”