A Bear Temptation

| Chapter Seventeen |

Katze knew she was dreaming but still the world around her felt so real. She could smell the grass, touch the rough bark of the trees and walk in whatever direction she wanted, she had complete control.

Serena appeared in the distance her curly blond hair blowing in the light breeze. It all made sense now, she may be dreaming but Serena had invaded her mind. A witch could enter your subconscious in sleep.

"You made a bad decision Katze." Serena sang.

"Go away." Katze plead closing her eyes and trying to wake herself up.

"I'm not going anywhere."

When she opened her eyes Serena was right in front of her, she jumped stepping back.

"What do you want?"

Katze looked into those dark grey eyes, they were void of anything, it was like looking into something that was hollow.

"I want you all dead and soon enough you will be." She mused.

"Then why invade my mind? Surely you have better things to do?"

"Every action has a purpose. Every great leader moves the chest pieces just right." Serena walked around the trees her long black dress trailing behind her.

"And we are the chess pieces?"

"Of course. The panthers were going to fight Wolffs Clan, it was inevitable with you being Zekes mate. The prophecy said the panthers would rise and lead us all, I wouldn’t let that happen. I am the only leader but I couldn't outright kill them not when I need as many Clan's on my side as possible. I couldn't have other Clans revolting because I killed the panthers so I let Wolff and the others take care of that for me." She sounded so smug.

"What about asking me to kill Wolff? That makes no sense."

"Of course it does. You are a panther, if you killed Wolff the others would have come for you and your Clan. Whatever route was taken, this fight would have happened."

"You are a monster." Katze seethed.

"Yes. I am." She agreed.

"You won't win this time Serena, you don't have loyalty, only fear and when people see others standing against you that fear fades. Times are changing and you won't survive that change." Katze affirmed hoping her words were the truth. 

"Fear is a powerful weapon, you obviously don't realise how powerful it is. I rule in fear because it keeps us all safe." 

"Nobody is safe around you."

Serena didn't respond, a cold smirk took her face. There was an aura around her, one of power and it sent a cold chill up her spine. The truth was, this war was coming and soon enough it would be known who would come out on top but Katze knew she was standing at the right side. Serena came before her again, her face the perfect picture of seriousness. 

"What do you think would happen if I gave Zeke a choice? What do you think that choice would be if it was between the safety of his people and sacrificing you?" The words were said calmly, almost like Serena was telling her the weather for next week. 

Silence stretched between then, it was thick and nauseating and as much as she didn't want to give Serena the satisfaction those words hit home. She loved Zeke, she trusted him completely but what choice would anyone make in those circumstances. If you could save the majority over the death of one then for a lot of people that would be a sacrifice worth taking. 

"Ah, there is that fear we were talking of." Serena laughed and just like that she was gone. 

Katze woke up in a panic clutching her chest as she dragged the air into her lungs. She hated that woman, every fibre of her being despised her. 

"Hey, you're ok." Zeke coaxed coming and sitting beside her on the bed. 

It was dark and as she looked into those chocolate eyes she smiled. It felt like she had come home, in her heart she felt whole again. There was nothing in this earth better than looking into the eyes of the person you loved and seeing that same love in return. 

"I love you." She whispered. 

"I love you too." Zeke replied without a second of hesitation. 

 "How is Maxton?" He was still with him when she had gone to sleep. 

"His bleeding has slowed, it's going to be a rough night but he should make it. I don't know how he will deal with losing half his arm." Zeke looked away with a sigh as if him knowing Maxton was going to be ok had taken a weight off his shoulders. . 

"He will deal with it, he is alive and that is all that matters. He's strong, he'll adapt." He only nodded in response. "Is Calla ok?"

"She's sleeping in Wolff's cabin. If she changes again, he can force her back with an Alpha command. I know you wanted her with you tonight after everything but she needs to be in the right place in case she changes again." 

"I know." She agreed. 

"I just want this all to be over. Wolff said he has thirty Clans on board so far but a lot are reluctant to join." He mused. 

"Let's not worry about that tonight. Let's concentrate on the good stuff, you have your bear back." A smile lit her face, she was so happy for him. 

"I have you back Katze, that's all that matters to me." 

Something in the air changed between them, like a small simmering fire building to a smouldering heat. Biting her lip she could feel the heart beat quicken in her chest. Zeke took those strong hands, placing them both on her cheeks. 

"Having you back, having you by my side is so much more important than having the bear."

Her heart swelled. Zeke leaned forward kissing her lips lightly, the kiss a welcomed reunion. It wasn't long before their tongues were battling, the heat rising until she felt like her skin was a million degrees. 

There was something about the moment, something beautiful. It was their souls connecting, their lives entwinning in a bond that was so natural. It was their fate to be in this moment, to be together. 

Leaning back Zeke pulled the t-shirt from her skin seeing her bare chest. Pushing her back on the bed he kissed her again, taking the breath from her lips. She had never felt a love like this. 

"Why are you crying?" Zeke whispered wiping her tears. 

"Because you are everything I have ever wanted and more." She smiled. 

He stole a kiss again, trailing his lips down her sensitive neck, she shuddered at the contact. Further he went kissing down her breasts and stomach. Everything in the world melted away but him, he was the only thing that mattered. 

He pulled her trousers and pants off a rumble from the animal emitting from his chest. She smiled hearing the bear and so did he. 

"You're never leaving me again." He stated in a command. 

"Never." She agreed knowing it was the truth. 

In a second he was inside her a satisfied purr leaving their animals. She had never felt something so beautifully perfect. Together they moved, their bodies lost. She had never known pleasure like this, never felt a feeling so satisfying. 

"You are mine." Zeke stated. 

She couldn't respond, she was lost in him. He kissed her again, hard. His skin felt like silk on hers, his body moving with such force inside her. He moved back and forth, kissing her body, dragging moan after satisfied moan from her lips. 

The c****x was building and she craved it, she needed it. She needed him to have it. His pace quickened, their need building. 

She was on fire. 

It hit her with a crash, the moan leaving her lips embarrassingly loud. She rode the waves of her o****m as he rode his, them both silent in a moment so perfect she was desperate not to ruin it. 

Leaning down he kissed her lips, a light peck telling her he was just as in love with her as she was with him. Zeke came down on the bed beside her, pulling her to his side so her head was lying on his chest as he hugged her tightly to him. 

Nobody spoke, they didn't need to. They both lay on the bed catching their breaths knowing that for now they had each other. There was something so pure about the silence, something so naturally calming. 

Zeke had saved her, not just in the fact that he had killed her Clan to keep her but in the fact that she was stronger when she was with him. By his side she wasn't an object, she was a person and for the first time in her life she realised that she was so much more than what she was lead to believe. 

With him she was a woman, one who now had choices to be who she desired. That thought alone was liberating.