Beck (Winter - Shifter Seasons Book 2) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Winter - Shifter Seasons

  Foreword

  Chapter One – Beck

  Chapter Two – Kassia

  Chapter Three – Beck

  Chapter Four – Kassia

  Chapter Five – Beck

  Chapter Six – Kassia

  Chapter Seven – Beck

  Chapter Eight – Kassia

  Chapter Nine – Beck

  Chapter Ten – Kassia

  Chapter Eleven – Beck

  Chapter Twelve – Kassia

  Chapter Thirteen – Beck

  Chapter Fourteen – Kassia

  Chapter Fifteen – Beck

  Chapter Sixteen – Kassia

  Chapter Seventeen – Beck

  Chapter Eighteen – Kassia

  Chapter Nineteen – Beck

  Chapter Twenty – Kassia

  Chapter Twenty-One – Beck

  Chapter Twenty-Two – Kassia

  Epilogue

  Also By Harmony Raines

  Get In Touch

  Beck

  Winter-Shifter Seasons

  Book Two

  ***

  All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

  This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

  © 2020 Harmony Raines

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  Winter-Shifter Seasons

  Hex

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book One

  Beck

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book Two

  Beck

  Winter-Shifter Seasons

  Book Two

  A silverback seasoned shifters romance

  Beck is back in town. After a year away he’s learned there is no place like home.

  He’s also learned that life is full of surprises and you should never take anything for granted.

  Then his mate walks into his life. He’s ready to settle down and work hard to build a good life in Bear Creek.

  However, fate is about to remind him that things do not always run smoothly, even when it comes to true love.

  They sweep their women off their feet and stay together forever. Wasn’t that what Aunt Betsy had said about the men in Bear Creek?

  Kassia wasn’t sure she wanted to be swept off her feet. After being betrayed by a man who swore he loved her, she needed time for her heart to heal.

  But Beck promised to mend her broken heart and keep it safe forever. Surely that was worth a second chance at love?

  However, when someone begins stalking Kassia, she must work with Beck to prevent the past ruining their future together.

  But whose past is hunting them?

  Chapter One – Beck

  “The bad boy is back in town.” Beck placed both hands on the bathroom sink and stared at himself in the mirror. “And this bad boy is getting old.” He turned his face from side to side, certain his hair had grown grayer and his wrinkles deeper since the last time he’d looked in this bathroom mirror.

  Too old for getting into trouble, his bear told him frankly. Not that we ever plan to get into trouble. But trouble had a way of finding them.

  Which is why we’ve come home, Beck replied. To live a simple life alongside the rest of our family in Bear Creek. Last night had been the best night’s sleep he’d had in months. This was where he belonged. If only he’d realized that before he left.

  It wouldn’t have changed what happened, his bear reassured him.

  It might. Beck inhaled deeply, shaking off his gloomy mood. He needed to move on with his life and throwing himself back into work might be the best way to do that.

  Work would help him forget. Hard work might even numb the pain and the guilt he couldn’t shake off. If his brother would let him have his old job back.

  Mac looked happy to see you back, his bear offered his opinion. They were both worried about how Beck’s older brother would react to Beck’s return. Which had been as sudden as his departure nearly a year ago.

  Mac’s happy because the family is reunited. Whether he’s ready to give me another chance is another thing. Beck sighed and looked down at the floor, hating the reflection that looked back at him from the mirror. He’d aged this last year. The stress of his yearlong backpacking trip had taken its toll. He’d taken off with the burning desire to figure out what he wanted from life and where he fit into the world around him.

  Instead, he’d returned home tired and weary. Now he longed to rest. He longed to make it up to his family and reestablish his relationships with the people who loved him.

  Hex has a mate, his bear reminded him in an attempt to cheer him up and turn Beck’s thoughts to their future, so he didn’t dwell on the past.

  Beck cracked a rare smile. Hex does have a mate. Damn, I’m happy for him.

  So, take it easy on Mac. Otherwise, Hex will be stuck in the middle of you two fighting instead of enjoying this precious time with his mate.

  At least he can forget about that stupid dream, no more dreaming about his mate dying. Beck straightened up and turned on the faucet. Cupping his hands, he scooped up the water and splashed it over his face. This was the first day of the rest of his life and he intended to live every day as if it were his last.

  He’d seen enough in his year away from Winter’s Sawmill to know how quickly life could be ripped away. It didn’t matter if you were good or bad, rich or poor.

  Grabbing a towel, he dried his face, inhaling the scent of the fabric softener his mom always used. Beck closed his eyes and breathed in deeply as a sob caught in his throat. He was home. And even though he’d never admit it to Mac, he never wanted to leave again.

  Instead, he wanted to set down roots, deep roots like the trees they planted after they’d cleared an area for lumber. His brother was all about rejuvenating the land, and Beck could not wait for the forests to shake off the depths of winter and for spring to erupt in all its fresh new glory.

  Spring needs the cold of winter. Seasons cannot be rushed, his bear said sagely.

  Beck sighed and swallowed down his emotions. It was time to go downstairs and face his family. Face their questions and their recriminations. Time to hide the part of him that had been ripped wide open and exposed to pain and loss.

  He was not the same man that left Winter’s Sawmill almost a year ago. However, he wasn’t ready to share the new Beck with them. Not yet. He wasn’t ready to expose his soft underbelly, not even to his mom, the person he loved most in all the world. The woman who understood him better than anyone ever could.

  Except for our mate, Beck’s bear replied. When we meet her, she will understand us.

  If we meet her, Beck replied. Just because Hex has found his mate, it doesn’t mean we will.

  I live in hope, his bear replied.

  Beck smiled to himself. His bear was a continued source of strength, courage, and hope.

  I’m a little ray of sunshine, his bear joked as he tried to pull Beck out of his melancholy mood.

  Now you’re just being silly, Beck replied.

  Maybe silly is what we need. Maybe it’s time we let go of the blackness and step back into t
he light. His bear sighed. Or the snow. Don’t you remember when we used to play in the snow with Hex and Mac? When we used to laugh until our bellies hurt?

  I remember. But laughing didn’t come naturally to Beck anymore. It was as if those carefree days his bear recalled belonged to someone else.

  Leaving the bathroom, he quickly dressed and went downstairs, preparing himself for the questions the family would ask. Questions he didn’t know how to answer.

  “Morning,” Hex said brightly as Beck entered the kitchen. He was standing over a pan of eggs. “Coffee is fresh in the pot.”

  “Thanks.” Beck looked around. “Where’s Mom?”

  “She’s gone into town with Martha for some groceries. I think they plan on visiting Bear Creek Brides, too.” Hex’s bright expression faltered.

  “Is everything okay?” Beck asked his brother as he poured himself a cup of coffee and refilled Hex’s cup. “I thought meeting your mate would make everything look like sunshine.”

  “It does.” Hex turned off the stove and grabbed three plates. Mac would be joining them. “Martha is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I could not be happier.” He took a deep breath. The but was coming. “It’s a lot of pressure.”

  “Making her happy?” Beck asked.

  “No.” Hex shook his head quickly. “She’s happy. We’re very happy. But she’s leaving a high-powered job in the city to come here and live with me.”

  “And you don’t think you’re worth it?” Beck asked as he fetched knives and forks and set them down on the table.

  Hex paused, pan in hand as he dished up the eggs onto the plates. His forehead creased as he contemplated Beck’s words. “No, I’m worth it.” He grinned. “That sounds conceited.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Beck assured him. “Because you are worth it. And you and Martha are fated mates, so fate thinks you are worth it, too.” Hex finding his mate might just restore his faith in fated mates.

  Even after what happened? his bear asked.

  Even after what happened, Beck replied. Fate moves in mysterious ways.

  “I hadn’t really thought about it like that,” Hex admitted as he went back to preparing breakfast.

  “I’m happy for you,” Beck admitted. “She seems really nice.”

  “She’s more than nice.” Hex had a dreamy, faraway look in his eye. “She’s amazing.”

  Beck smiled at his brother. “I never thought I’d see the day when my nerdy little brother went all gooey-eyed over a girl.”

  “I’m not and never have been a nerd,” Hex insisted. “And I might be littler in age, but I think I have broader shoulders than you now. Since you’re so old.”

  Beck burst out laughing. He’d missed Hex more than he realized. “Once I get back to chopping down trees, I’ll soon get those muscles back.” He picked up a fork and dug into the eggs Hex set down in front of him. It was good to be home.

  “So does that mean you are back to stay?” Hex asked as he pulled out a chair across the table from his brother and sat down.

  “If Mac will have me.” Beck looked up. He sensed his brother approaching.

  “Of course, he’ll have you back.” Hex dropped his voice to a low whisper. “He never wanted you to leave.”

  Beck nodded and took a sip of his coffee as the kitchen door opened and the eldest Winter brother hurried into the kitchen and shut the door against the cold. “Morning.”

  “Morning. Oh, those eggs smell good.” Mac grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at the table, taking the chair next to Hex.

  They are not ganging up on you, his bear assured him as Beck’s two brothers looked at each other. Hex gave a subtle nod toward Mac, who frowned in response. Hex rolled his eyes at his brother and turned his attention to Beck.

  “So, what’s the plan for today?” Hex asked, subverting an impending awkward silence.

  “I got a call from Brad. The sheriff has reports of a tree down in town. It’s blocking the road, so we need to get over there as soon as we’ve eaten.” Mac looked up at Beck with uncertainty in his eyes. “Do you feel like going along with Joey to take care of it?”

  “Sure.” Beck nodded. “So, Joey’s still around, is he? I would have put money on him moving on.”

  “He likes it here,” Hex replied. “He works hard, gets the job done.” Hex finished his breakfast and leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee as he studied Mac. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I thought we’d start working on processing the timber we brought down from Cougar Ridge. I plan to send Duane into the forest to take a look at how things are shaping up now that the thaw has started.” Mac finished his eggs and glanced up at Beck. “Amy is expecting the latest member of their brood, so I want to keep Duane close to home.”

  Beck nodded. “Understandable. I’ll go over and visit them later. Catch up on how they’re doing.” He nodded. “Another kid on the way, they sure have been blessed.”

  “They have.” Mac glanced sideways at Hex. “Maybe there’ll be the pitter-patter of little Winter feet one day soon?”

  Hex’s cheeks flushed red and he smiled broadly. “Working on it.”

  “The next generation of Winters, that would be something special,” Beck agreed.

  “Yeah,” Hex said dreamily. “It would. Although, I’d rather be settled in a house of our own before that happens.” He glanced at Mac. “No offense, but we really want a place of our own. Living between Martha’s mom’s place in Cougar Ridge and here is not ideal.”

  “I have been thinking about that.” Mac stood up and sauntered to the sink. Placing his cup on the drainer, he turned around to face his two younger brothers. “I thought we should all go into the forest and select a couple of spots for you both.”

  “You’re trying to get rid of me already?” Beck asked, and then wished he hadn’t as Mac’s expression clouded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I thought it would be good if you both had your own space,” Mac kept his voice even. “I figured Hex could choose a location and we can help him build a place first and then we could do the same for you. It would be your choice to move into it or stay here.”

  “Thanks, Mac.” Hex hugged his brother and patted him on the back. “I appreciate it.”

  “Call it a wedding gift,” Mac said gruffly as he wrapped his arms around Hex. “You deserve it, you both do. I could not have built the business up without your help and support.”

  “You took the risks,” Beck insisted. It seemed Beck wasn’t the only one who had changed over the last year. His brother seemed softer somehow. Maybe it was the knowledge that there would be a new generation of Winter children in the coming years. Someone to carry the family name, even if it wasn’t Mac himself, who had always dreamed of having a mate and a family.

  A dream that had eluded him so far.

  “I’d like to do this for you both,” Mac said humbly. “And I know Mom would feel happier knowing you have homes of your own. She worries about us all, even now.”

  “And I worry about Mom.” Beck looked at his brothers. “I do, just because I left for a while, it doesn’t mean that I forgot about you all or stopped caring. I just needed time away.”

  “And are you back for good?” Mac asked directly.

  Beck raised his head and inhaled deeply, trying to compose his thoughts. “I plan to be back for good.”

  “But plans change?” Mac asked.

  “Plans do change.” Hex placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Look at me. If Martha had wanted to pursue her successful career, I’d have moved to be with her. That was out of my control. No matter what plans I’d made, I’d have changed them. For her.”

  Beck stood up. “It’s time I got some work done.” He took his plates to the sink where Hex was running the hot water and adding dish soap while Mac grabbed the dishtowel. “I have no plans to go anywhere right now. I aim to set down roots. I’m done with traveling. That doesn’t mean I regret going.”

  But i
n so many ways, that was a lie.

  Chapter Two – Kassia

  “Don’t you worry. I’ll take care of everything, Aunt Betsy.” Kassia put a reassuring hand on Betsy’s shoulder. It was also a restraining hand since Betsy would not follow the doctor’s orders and stay in bed to rest her sprained ankle.

  “I expect Kassia to tell me if you don’t follow my advice for the next couple of days. You can walk on it to the bathroom but don’t tackle the stairs in case you fall down them.” Dr. Bradford wagged his finger at Kassia’s aunt, who scowled in response. The doctor chuckled as he headed for the door. “I don’t envy you, Kassia.”

  “I don’t envy me either,” Kassia replied with a sideways glance at her aunt.

  “Well, that’s nice, talk about me as if I’m not here,” Betsy folded her arms across her chest and huffed.

  “We’re only joking,” Kassia said soothingly. “Dr. Bradford and I were just checking if you were feeling like your normal self.”

  A smile played across the doctor’s lips, but he kept his manner totally professional. “And I am satisfied that you are. Which is why you’re here and not in the hospital. You had a nasty fall, Betsy.”

  “Don’t I know it.” Betsy put her hand to her head and ran the tips of her fingers over the egg-shaped bump barely hidden by her hairline. “I should have been more careful.”

  “Accidents happen, Auntie,” Kassia replied. “It could have been worse.”

  “It’s hard to see how that is possible,” Betsy huffed and spread her hands over the bedcovers.

  “You could have broken it then you would be in plaster for weeks.” Dr. Bradford took one last look at Betsy. “I’ll try to pop in tomorrow on the way home from the hospital.”

  “You don’t have to go to so much trouble,” Kassia told him as she followed him out of the room.

  “It’s no trouble,” he assured her. “Betsy really needs someone to check on it tomorrow. If the swelling comes out anymore, I just want to check that it’s okay. I’d ask you to come to the hospital, but the roads are still bad, and the hospital isn’t back to normal after the snowstorm. There are still plenty of doctors and nurses who can’t make it in because of the ice and snow on the roads.”