Read Online Mary and the Bear by Zena Wynn - Free Book Online

the landing above, as well as scattered throughout the living room.
    Kiesha deposited the cake in the kitchen before backtracking back to the living room where the majority of the people were gathered, and led her over to one of the couches near the fireplace. Once there, she introduced her to Carol Johnson, an extremely pregnant African-American woman who looked as though she would pop any day now.
    Mary Elizabeth's eyes traveled from Carol's swollen belly to her face. “I don't mean to be rude, but should you be here? You look like you're going to blow any second now."
    "That's exactly what I said and why I was against her coming, but what do I know? I'm just her husband and the father of her unborn child,” said the very attractive, bald male sitting by her side. Kiesha introduced him as Mark, Carol's husband and Refuge's only pharmacist. “Welcome to Refuge and to the Raven pack."
    "Thank you,” she said as she reached out to shake the hand he extended toward her.
    Rolling her eyes, Carol shifted in her seat. “Please! Don't get him started. I'm a nurse. I know what I can and can't handle. I'm sitting, aren't I? Besides, I'm the pack's beta and this is an official gathering. It's mandatory that I be here."
    Alex walked up in time to hear the last comment. “I don't want to add fuel to the fire, but you know that's not true. The health and welfare of an individual comes before any social gathering. I would have understood if you didn't come. And having said my bit, I am once more backing out of this discussion."
    Carol stuck her tongue out at him. “Coward. Be that way. Really, I'm fine,” she said to Mary Elizabeth. “Alex is my doctor. If anything happens, he's right here."
    Kiesha and Alex took Mary Elizabeth around, introducing her to the rest of the pack and the neighbors. Though primarily a pack function, close friends of Alex were also in attendance so that Alex could show off his new mate. Those that Kiesha knew, she introduced. Alex performed the rest of the introductions.
    Finally, she saw a familiar face. “This one I've already met. Hi, Shannon. I'm so glad I'm not the only newbie here. I feel like I'm wearing a sign that reads, ‘Fresh Meat, come and get it!’”
    Shannon laughed. “I know what you mean. It's been a long time since I've been sniffed and sized up the way I've been tonight."
    "Is this normal? I know Kiesha told me what to expect, but even with her warning, I didn't expect this."
    Alex answered before the women could. “You're very observant. Most people wouldn't notice. The males are sniffing to see if you're mated. Some are testing for compatibility and some just like the way you smell. By the way, you do smell nice."
    Both Kiesha and Shannon had explained about shifters highly advance sense of smell. Because of it, Mary Elizabeth did without the scented body lotion and perfume she usually wore and only used the scented body wash, which gave just a hint of fragrance. She hoped it would be much easier on the sensitive noses present.
    She stood conversing with the three of them until some of the bolder men of the pack approached the alphas to ask the ladies to dance. Giving each other a ‘what the heck’ look, Mary Elizabeth and Shannon agreed and joined the people line-dancing on the makeshift dance floor.
    This was so much fun. She wasn't a great dancer, but here it didn't matter. Fast songs. Slow songs. She danced them all, mostly due to the steady stream of partners who refused to let her sit down. Quickly heating, she took off the long-sleeved, red shrug she'd been wearing, revealing the black, leather and lace corset she wore beneath. The corset proudly lifted and displayed her generous breast while emphasizing her tiny waist. The skirt lovingly cupped her generous behind, displaying her figure to its best advantage. She wasn't a small woman, but she was an extremely curvy one. Curves she'd hid in the past were proudly displayed tonight. She couldn't help but notice that they