Bear Seeking Bride: Thorn (Bear Canyon Brides Book 6) (BBW Paranormal Bear-Shifter Menage Romance) by Ruby Shae Page B

original positions, and Gavin saw the evening light reflect off of Ava’s ring. The three dots of color shone on the ceiling, and he smiled and closed his eyes.
    This time sleep came quickly.

Chapter Six
     
    Ava finished drying her hands and admired her reflection in the bathroom mirror of the fancy hotel where the Literacy Gala was being held.
    Earlier in the week, she’d gone shopping with Bree and the girls and they’d helped her pick a dress for the evening. The dark blue, semi-formal, satin cocktail dress accentuated all of her curves. It was sleeveless with a square neckline and two inch wide straps, a form fitting top, and a skirt that flared out slightly with the help of a tulle petticoat. A black satin belt completed the classic look.
    She wore a modern style black satin shoe with a two inch heel, and her late mother’s diamond solitaire necklace and earrings. Her wild curls looked only slightly under control, but she didn’t care. Her men liked wild, and they’d reminded her of it every day since they’d officially marked her and claimed her as their own.
    The cut of the dress left nothing to the imagination when it came to her marks, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She was proud of her men, and of their triad, and she didn’t care who knew. The ring on her finger shone in the mirror, and she smiled. The emeralds were a constant reminder of her men and their love.
    It had been a little over a week since their mating, and she couldn’t believe how drastically her life had changed. Gavin and Hawk had worked the morning after their mating, and she’d checked out of the hotel and moved her first few things into their home. The weekend had involved several trips to the city as they packed up her apartment, and her old life.
    Not surprising, the men didn’t mind the stairs at all.
    They’d easily found a perfect rhythm as she, Gavin and Hawk permanently occupied the master bedroom. Hawk had kept his office upstairs, and they’d deemed the empty room next to Gavin’s office a guest room. The two empty rooms on the top floor would be for their cubs, when they had them.
    The guys supported her idea of opening an honor library, but she wasn’t rushing into anything. Right now she only wanted to spend time with her men. 
    She turned to leave when the door to the stall behind her opened and Claire walked out. The bookstore had never earned enough money to purchase plates at the benefit, and she doubted it was doing any better since she’d left.
    She hid her surprise and smiled.
    “Hello, Claire.”
    “You look ridiculous with those marks on your neck,” Claire said.
    “Funny, I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”
    Her sister had always been a bitch, but Ava was of sick of not sticking up for herself.
    “Whatever,” Claire said. She washed her hands and reapplied her lipstick. “You might think you’re something special, coming here with two dates, but those men will never stay with you. In fact, as soon as they get a good look at me, I’ll prove how easy it is to steal them away. Just like I did with David.”
    “They are nothing like David,” Ava said smiling, “but go ahead and give it your best shot.”
    “I plan on it.”
    Claire flipped her hair and walked out of the restroom.
    Ava rolled her eyes, double checked the mirror and excited the room. She wasn’t worried about Claire approaching the guys. She was confident in their bond, and in herself.
    Everyone had gathered for appetizers in the bar before the dining room opened, and on her way down the hall, David blocked her path.
    “Ava, you have to come with me. I need your help,” he said, reaching for her arm.
    She stepped to the side and he collided with air.
    “I’m not going anywhere with you,” Ava said. “What are you and Claire doing here anyway?”
    “I’m trying to secure a backer for an expansion, but Claire made a bad first impression,” he said. “If you don’t help me, we’ll lose the