A Mate For The Bear: BBW Paranormal Alpha Shifter Romance (Bear Brides Book 4) by Natalie Kristen Page A

unstoppable. They terrorized the whole family.”
    The women chuckled. “All
right. Everything's ready. Shall we get the food on the buffet
table?”
    “Where's the birthday
boy?” someone asked.
    Joyce checked her watch. “He
should be here any minute now. Tony's gone to get him.”

    *

    “Why did you end the
meeting?” Dalton grumbled in the car. “We haven't
hammered out the details of the deal yet.”
    “We can discuss the
details later. These guys have been supplying us with quality
decking for years,” Tony said, keeping his eyes on the road and
on his watch.
    Dalton nodded. “Yeah,
I know we can trust them. But...why do you keep looking at your
watch?” Dalton narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his younger
brother. “And why are you driving like a maniac?”
    “We're late.”
    “Late? For what?”
Dalton asked as Tony screeched to a halt in front of his house.
    Tony didn't reply, just
hustled him towards the house.
    “For this.” Tony
grinned as he threw the door wide open.
    “Surprise! Happy
birthday, Dalton!”
    Dalton's jaw dropped as he
stared at his family and clan members all crowded in his living room.
A loud banner hung from the stairs, wishing him a very, beary happy
birthday.
    His cousins came up to him
and slapped him resoundingly on the back. “Happy birthday,
Beta!” his clan hooted as they released streamers and balloons.
    A broad grin split Dalton's
face. “Thank you! My God, what a surprise! I never suspected
a thing. You guys are good!”
    Everyone laughed delightedly
and started talking at once.
    “Your mate planned the
whole thing.”
    “She roped us all in!”
    “It took months, but
we're good at keeping secrets, aren't we?”
    Dalton's heart swelled with
pride and love when he saw his beautiful mate coming towards him.
Her swollen belly pressed up against him when she leaned in to kiss
him.
    “Happy birthday, DJ,”
she whispered, her eyes shining.
    Dalton swept her into his
arms and kissed her. “I love you, JD.” He put his hand
on her round belly and felt his son give a swift kick against his
palm to express his displeasure at being left out. “Both of
you,” he added with a chuckle.
    As everyone trooped towards
the buffet table, Dalton hugged Joyce to him and whispered, “Thank
you, darling. This is a wonderful surprise!”
    She smiled as he bent down to
talk to her belly. “It's Daddy's birthday today, son. Now let
me give you a big wet kiss.” Joyce giggled as Dalton kissed
her belly noisily.
    Cole and Abby came up to them
with plates of food. “Have you decided on a name?” Abby
asked.
    “Yes,” Dalton and
Joyce answered together. They shared a private look and smiled.
    Tony, who was hovering behind
them, pushed forward and prompted, “What? Come on. Tell me my
nephew's name.”
    Joyce blushed a little as she
said, “We decided that our son would have our initials. JD and
DJ.”
    “Oh, your profile names
on that dating site! That's so awesome!” Abby gushed.
    “So what's his name?”
    “Jon Dallas Jameson,”
Joyce announced proudly.
    “That is so cool!”
    “I love it!”
    “Me too!”
    Dalton's grin grew impossibly
wider as he looked around. This was one hell of a party.
    The whole house was filled
with the glorious smell of food, and voices and laughter filled every
corner of his home. Dalton could hear the cubs' high-pitched squeals
and laughter as they played and chased each other around the house.
His clan members were up to their pranks as usual, and riotous
laughter and bellows could be heard.
    Dalton put his plate down and
looked around for his mate. He suddenly realized that Joyce wasn't
at his side. She had slipped off while he was laughing and joking
with Cole, Brad and Tony.
    “Has anyone seen...”
he began.
    The lights dimmed suddenly,
and Joyce walked out of the kitchen with an enormous cake. The light
from the blazing candles threw a golden glow around her, and Dalton
literally forgot to breathe.
    She never failed to take