My Bear to Keep (Cypress Valley Shifters #2)

1. Sydney

G ravel crunches under the tires as I pull up to the quaint one-story log cabin. An expansive cedar porch covers most of the front. Bright red blooms trail over the sides of hanging planters. Amethyst clematis vines up the lattice at the base of the porch.

Looks like Wren finally found her green thumb. Butterflies explode in my belly at the mere thought of my big sister. Lips tipping into a smile, I swing the door open and step out of the car.

Slamming the door shut with my hip, I raise a hand to shield my eyes from the sun.

“Sydney!” my big sister, Wren, squeals. My head snaps toward the sound, my eyes light up with the sight of her bounding toward me from the far side of the cabin.

A massive man with cropped brown hair trails behind her, still in the process of tugging a t-shirt down his heavily muscled body. His lips pull up in a smug smile, a short beard coating his square jaw. I can only assume that’s Kiernan .

Dropping my hand, I spread my arms wide and run to my sister. I let out a squeal of my own as I collide with her, strangling her in a bear hug.

“Wrennie!” A laugh bursts from my mouth when she wraps her arms around me, swinging me in a circle. Wren is two years older than me and about five inches taller. I’ve always been the runt of the family.

“How was your drive?” she asks, setting me back on my feet, pulling back to inspect me.

I take a second to really let my eyes roam over my older sister, whom I haven’t seen in nearly six months.

For the first time in a long time, she looks happy : her skin is glowing, cheeks flushed, a smattering of freckles dust her nose, and messy chestnut brown waves spill down over her shoulders. The sunlight dances in her eyes, making them sparkle like I’ve never seen before.

Giving her a small smile, I link my arm through hers. “It was good. Long, but good. I think my butt is permanently numb. You couldn’t have found your soulmate a little closer to the city?”

Her giggle fills the warm summer air as her eyes flit to Kiernan, the longing between them apparent in her gaze.

Her mate.

Six months ago, my sister went on a hike of self-healing on the Cypress Valley Trail and found her soulmate. Well, fated mate. Kiernan is a grizzly bear shifter who literally rescued her while she was lost in the woods.

Being human, I’ve known shifters existed, but never met one in person… until now .

Wren hasn’t looked back since being swept off her feet by her mate. This is the first time I’ve seen her in six months. Yes, we text or video call on a daily basis, but it’s not the same. And right now, I need my big sister.

Wren leads me toward the porch steps, where the man I’ve heard countless stories about waits, leaning casually against a wooden pillar. Once we’re in front of him, Wren breaks our linked arms and laces her fingers with his.

“This is Kiernan,” my sister announces, beaming up at him with hearts in her eyes.

They really are a beautiful couple. Her pale skin and blue eyes magnified by his rugged, tan skin and warm-brown eyes. He stares down at her with so much adoration and love. From what Wren tells me, he literally worships her. Having spoken to Kiernan on a few occasions, I know he’s a good guy and only wants the best for my big sister. He’s alright in my book.

“Hi, Kiernan. It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” I joke, rocking up onto my toes. I have to tip my head back just to meet his gaze. Fuck, why is everyone so much taller than me?

“Sydney. This is much better than me creeping into the back of Wren’s video calls,” he says in response, a warm smile gracing his face. “I’ve heard only good things about you.”

A sarcastic laugh slips out of my mouth. “I’m sure,” I sass. “Never been in trouble in my life.”

Wren rolls her eyes before asking, “Where’s your luggage, Syd?”

Grabbing my keys, I unlock the trunk with the button on the remote. Kiernan grabs out the two large, threadbare suitcases. They’re stuffed to the brim, almost all of my belongings inside .

“Umm, Syd. Why did you pack so much for only a week-long visit?” Wren turns toward me, worry brimming in her eyes.

I clear my throat and clutch my hands in front of me.

“About that...” I trail off, not sure how to explain that I’m jobless and stressed and miss my big sister. “So, the diner had a health inspection last week and failed. The state shut them down. My boss said it’s going to be a month before everything is fixed and another inspection is done. I thought I could stay with you for a while?” The pitch of my voice rises and I stare at Wren with the biggest puppy eyes I can muster.

When no one speaks, I ramble on. “I know you guys are in the honeymoon phase and everything, but I miss you, Wren. Things aren’t exactly great at the diner and I could use a change of scenery to figure out where my life is going. I thought maybe I’d luck out, like you, and inspiration would strike me in Cypress Valley.”

Slender arms wrap around me, pulling me against a warm, soft body. Wren’s floral scent surrounds me.

“Of course you can stay. I thought you liked working at the diner.”

Pulling back from Wren’s hug, I shrug, not wanting to get into the details right now. “It’s not all bad.” My voice wobbles slightly.

“We’ll figure it out,” she reassures, one hand squeezing my shoulder. “Let’s get you settled and we can catch up.”

I follow Wren into their cabin. Kiernan brings up the rear with my suitcases in tow. He barely breaks a sweat, when it took me two trips and all the strength I could muster to get them from my apartment to my car last night .

Taking a seat on the couch, I untie my worn white Converse and slip them from my feet. Wiggling my toes, the long, plush fibers of the rug soothe the ache in my sore feet, pulling a satisfied sigh from my lips.

A masculine throat clearing draws my attention. Lifting my gaze, I find Kiernan’s eyes locked on me, one side of his mouth tipped in a small smile.

“We might have to figure out an alternative sleeping arrangement, since you’ll be here for a month.” He rubs a hand over the back of his neck, cheeks pinking slightly. “I know I wouldn’t want to sleep on a couch for a whole month.”

Running a hand through my long, white-blonde hair, I pull it over one shoulder.

“Sure, I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” I say softly, eyes tipping down to focus on my bare thighs. Maybe I’ll just go back to the city. I don’t want to be in their way.

My eyes flick back up when the chair across from me creaks under Kiernan’s body weight. He lowers his big body slowly, like the chair might break with any sudden movements. Deep whiskey-brown eyes turn serious as he speaks his next words.

“Sydney, you’re not an inconvenience. You’re my mate’s little sister. You’re important to Wren, so you’re important to me. Do you understand?” His voice is harsh and serious, but filled with affection.

I nod, blinking rapidly to keep the tears away. We’ve just met and already, he’s welcoming me into his family.

“We’ll figure it out. You’re always welcome here, as long as you need.” He reaches over, squeezing my hand with his huge, callused fingers .

“Thank you, Kiernan. That means a lot to me.”

His lips split open in a grin, revealing straight white teeth. “Good. We’ll have lots of fun while you’re here.” He winks and I can’t help the laugh that slips out.

“You’re good for her, ya know?” I tell him.

“She’s good for me, too,” he admits, eyes sparkling as they trail Wren as she enters the living room. She’s holding a small rectangular package wrapped in bright purple paper. Rainbows dance on the walls as sunlight reflects off the silver ribbon tied on top.

“I can’t believe I missed your birthday this year,” Wren whines, plopping onto the couch cushion next to me. Her bare thigh warms the skin of mine where her floral dress has ridden up.

“Yup, the big two-three,” I say dryly. “Spent it working a double at the diner.”

“I’m sorry, Syd. I should have been there. It’s not every day my baby sister turns twenty-three.” Wren sniffles, pulling me into a tight hug, rocking us side to side.

I glance over her shoulder and Kiernan smiles warmly at us. His eyes meet mine, and I tip one corner of my mouth up in return.

“Alright, Wren, you’re suffocating the poor woman,” Kiernan teases.

Ending the embrace, Wren mutters a quick “sorry” before placing the purple wrapped present in my lap.

“My friend, Tyler, helped me find this. You’ll love him. He’s a shameless flirt and so naughty,” she says, voice laced with laughter, eyes twinkling with mischief .

A low growl rumbles through the air. My head whips toward Kiernan, brows rising on my forehead.

“Stop it, Kier. You know we’re just friends,” Wren scolds with an exasperated sigh.

“Sorry, Lilac. Can’t help it.”

“What was that ?” I ask.

“Mates get a little… possessive. Don’t worry about it. Open your present.” Wren smoothly changes the subject, bouncing in her seat next to me. She clasps her hands in her lap, waiting impatiently. My sister has always loved giving me presents.

Turning the package over in my hands, I grasp the purple paper and tear it away. My mouth drops open at what’s under the paper. A freaking first edition hardback of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

I scream, flinging myself at my sister.

“You didn’t!” I squeal through tears of joy. “Where did you find this?”

“Tyler, the friend I mentioned before, has some book connections. He’s a bit of a collector. I know it’s your favorite book and your copy got lost when you left home, so…” she trails off with a shrug.

“Thank you, Wren.” I wrap her in a gentler side hug this time, clutching the book in my free hand.

“Anything for you, sis. Happy birthday.” She wipes away the tears under my eyes with a cool finger, one corner of her mouth tipping up.

“Sorry to cut the party short,” Kiernan interrupts. “But I have to meet Reese. Happy birthday, Syd.”

His rough hand squeezes my knee. A timid show of affection .

“Thanks,” I mutter, fingers too busy tracing the embossed letters on the front cover to give him my full attention. With a chuckle, he releases my knee and stands.

Wren hops up from her spot next to me, trailing behind Kiernan, like a lost puppy, to the front door. One meaty hand grabs her by the ass, using his grip to pull her close. His lips descend on hers in a heated kiss. Their tongues tangle, a moan slipping from Wren’s throat when Kiernan squeezes her ass cheek in his big hand.

My cheeks heat at the blatant display of affection. A touch of jealousy flaring in my veins. I want that . Someone to worship me and love me unconditionally.

Not wanting to encroach on their intimacy, I pick up my new book and head to the kitchen.