by Sam Crescent
“Caleb, don’t go,” she said. He ignored her and kept heading to the noise. She could scarcely see him now as he blended into the dark shadows.
The grunting and rustling grew louder until it sounded like two snarling animals ripping each other apart. The trees shook overhead, the earth seeming to tremble. She backed up until her sandals hit the edge of the water.
Whatever was attacking Caleb would come for her next. There was nowhere she could hide. Tears welled up in her eyes as her fear grew to unbearable levels. They’d be telling stories in the diner for years about the waitress who got eaten by wolves. The diner would probably become a tourist attraction and Joe would rake in the big bucks.
The fight suddenly ceased, and the gentle lapping of the water over the stones was all she could hear for the longest time.
“Caleb?” she whispered as softly as she could. If the animal was gone, she needed to find him and see if he was still alive. Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.
Something grabbed her from the other side, and Bethany screamed loud enough to startle herself. “Hush, Bethany. It’s just me.”
“Caleb?” She whirled around and began patting him down. He had to be seriously injured. Where was the blood? Why wasn’t he staggering?
He held her in place, a firm hand to each shoulder. “I’m perfectly fine. Didn’t I tell you there was nothing to worry about? I’ll never let anyone or anything hurt you.”
“But I heard… What the hell was that?”
“Seems we have a bit of a bear problem this year, but don’t you worry about them. I’m at home in the forest.”
“You’re not afraid of bears?”
He smirked, no sign of fear on his face. “They should be afraid of me.”
Chapter Five
The second date hadn’t ended as he’d hoped. Caleb pulled his truck up in front of the diner, putting it into park, then advanced toward the door. After he’d taken Bethany home last night, he’d waited for Joe to arrive, only for the cowardly invasive fucker to not turn up. There was no way Joe wouldn’t be here now.
Last night, he’d injured the prying bastard, and he intended to finish what he started. He should have taken Bethany’s virginity, mated her, and woken up this very morning to fuck her again. His cock was rock hard and even as he needed to fight, he wanted to go get her, to take her back to his home.
He needed to mate with her. To surround himself with her scent.
His pack had kept a wide berth of space from him this morning. He’d already destroyed three doors that would need to be repaired.
The glass of the diner’s door smashed as he opened it, and he didn’t care. Caleb turned over tables that were in his way.
He smelled the blood, and as he got into the back office, there was Joe, nursing his wounds.
“You just can’t leave me the fuck alone, can you?” he asked.
Caleb wrapped his fingers around the man’s neck. “You dare to come back here after spying on my woman? You think I’d let you get away with it?”
“In case you couldn’t tell, I didn’t exactly put up a fight last night.”
He gritted his teeth, wanting nothing more than to fucking rip out his throat, but he paused.
Last night, he’d been overcome with rage when this man invaded his time with Bethany, but he hadn’t been thinking clearly. He’d struck Joe and left him to cower off so he could take care of his mate.
“Why?” Caleb asked.
“It may escape your notice, but I wasn’t actually there to ruin your time. I’m guessing from her fading scent you didn’t get as far as you wanted.” Joe coughed and Caleb went against his senses, letting go of his throat.
He took a step back. If he was too close, he’d kill him.
Joe collapsed, coughing.
He waited. “You’re telling me you were only there for what? A stroll?”
“I’m a bear and even though we don’t have to be at the mercy of the full moon, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun at your expense.” He winced. “Bears don’t exactly get the best rep and during the full moon, people always assume it’s wolves.” He leaned back and groaned. “Fuck, you got me good. Do you have poison in your claws?”
“No, that would have been a lot easier for you.” Caleb lowered himself down into a chair and glared at his enemy. “You use the full moon to travel and hide. What of your pack, or do you call it a herd?”
“A sleuth.”
“Ah, right.” He stared at Joe, the scent of his pain heavy in the air. He should be preparing for his woman tonight as he wanted to surprise her and bring her back to his home. This wasn’t exactly how he intended to spend his morning.
“Are you not going to ask?”
“What?”
“Why I was alone?” Joe asked.
He stared at the man, waiting. “Well, why were you?”
“It’s simple, I have no sleuth of my own anymore.” Joe winced.
Caleb stared at him. He remembered him mentioning an alpha. Was it all bullshit? “But aren’t bears supposed to be one big happy fucking family?”
Joe shook his head. “Not everything is as easy as it seems. I was merely running.”
“You picked my area of the woods, why?” Caleb had a feeling Joe was in hiding but he wanted to know why, and for how long.
Joe placed an antiseptic wipe on his stomach and cried out. “Fuck, I forget how much this hurts.”
His enemy didn’t say a word as he placed the Band-Aid across the wound. “You know, if this had been from any other animal, I’d have healed already. It’s just rather unlucky that bears and wolves are repulsive to each other.”
Caleb ran a hand down his face. “You were using my pack to cover your tracks.”
“A pack. You’re one big happy family. I heard how excited your men were. They wanted this mating to come about. They’re so desperate for their own matings.”
“Don’t change the subject. What happened?” Caleb asked. “I know bears are simple creatures but I never thought of any of them as weak. You using my pack to hide, to hunt, I have a right to know what’s going on.”
Joe finished dealing with his wound and sat back. “As you know, bears are close and we do have one alpha.” He sighed, grabbing a bottle of whiskey. “A few months ago, our leader was overrun by what I can only describe as a rogue bear. Vicious. I watched him kill my brother right in front of my eyes. He banished all men, even the mated ones. Poisoned others. Any that stood up to him died. The women, they became his. He was so strong, I don’t know how he managed to overthrow us. There were thirty men. We had our own little commune. We worked the lands, all of it.”
“And now?”
“I’ve been going through the motions all these months, playing normal, hoping that animal would move on. I don’t know what’s left, but I got word from one of the other men yesterday. We’re being hunted now, wiped out. That man’s head was delivered to me last night. I had to get away, to run. I intend to bury him today, out in the woods.” Joe kicked a box over to him, groaning as he did. “I better heal soon.”
“This diner has been around a lot longer than you.”
“It was once owned by my aunt. She was human and she left it to me. I always managed it for her. This is the only home I have left. I’ve been living in denial until last night.”
Caleb stared in the box and stepped back.
“This rogue, did he have any supporters?” Caleb asked.
“None. Like I said, he was more than a bear, twice the size of any bear I’ve ever known. He doesn’t need an army. When he turns, Caleb, we all should run.”
He needed to think. “Don’t leave town.”
“I’ve got nowhere to hide. I just want my life back. Our alpha’s gone, but I know there are others out there.”
“Who’s his beta?”
Joe cringed, a look of shame on his face. Caleb knew it was him.
“Then you come to my pack. We’ll protect you.” Even as the offer l
eft his lips, he couldn’t believe he’d give his enemy a home.
Stepping out of the room, he made his way out of the diner.
“You’re paying for my door,” Joe called out.
“I’m not paying for anything.” He went straight to his truck, climbed inside, and headed to where his pack was waiting.
Brian was there as he returned. “Where is everyone?” he asked.
“They’re out gathering wood and tending the gardens. What is it?”
“Get them. We need to talk.”
“Bethany called,” Brian said.
This made him stop. “What?”
“She wanted to talk to you, said it was urgent.”
He clenched his fist so tight, his claws began to prick his palm. There was too much shit on his mind.
“You need to go to her.”
“Trouble is coming,” he said. “Get the men.” He wanted Bethany more than anything else, but he needed to prepare them for what was going to come. He’d put them all in danger by agreeing to allow Joe to stay with them.
Once all of his men were home, he told them everything Joe had disclosed to him.
“He could be lying,” David said.
“You know we can’t trust the bears.” This came from Reese. “We shouldn’t trust anyone.”
“And if he’s not lying?” Caleb asked.
“As if a bear would admit to using us to hide. It seems so … wrong. Surely you don’t believe it,” Brian said. “It’s too easy of a cover story.”
“But it would explain why he would even risk using the wolves for protection. You guys were out there last night. I don’t know. I think there’s more to this. I’ve told him to come here.”
“That’s real stupid of you,” David said. “We shouldn’t have to take care of a fucking bear. They’re messy.”
“You’ve been close to one?” Reese asked.
“They stink. Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for all of his customers, that damn diner would stink.” David shook his head. “He’s not staying in the house.”
“You’re also going to have to keep an eye on him tonight,” Caleb said.
“And why is that? Why do we even need to get meddled in any kind of this business? I say fuck him and let him deal with his own bear problems. We’ve got our own. Like the fact we’ve still got the full moon as a little problem,” Reese said.
“Until we know for sure this isn’t some kind of fluke, we’re taking care of Joe. I don’t like it any more than you guys, but we need to do whatever we can to keep us all safe. A rogue bear coming to town and sniffing out some wolves, it’ll be too tempting for him to simply kill his bear and leave us be. We all know the risks. We’re going to have to deal with it the best way we know how. Now I’ve got other pressing matters.” He left the house, going back to his truck.
Something in the pit of his stomach told him Joe wasn’t joking around. There was something scary coming. Caleb only hoped for all of their sakes that he’d be able to handle it. This wasn’t the best time or place to start mating. Not if a war was coming.
****
Bethany sat on the boarding house steps waiting. There was a chill in the air and she checked her watch not for the first time. Brian had told her Caleb would be meeting her at the boarding house.
As she ran her fingers through her hair, her nerves started to pick up. She stood and started to pace.
Some rustling across the road drew her attention. She thought she saw a shadow and as she was about to make her way over, she suddenly stopped. Clearly, her mind was playing tricks on her because of last night.
There was nothing there at all.
The rustling started again and she frowned. What could it possibly be? Just as she was about to march right on over there, she came to a stop as Caleb’s truck appeared down the road. Finally.
She waited for him to pull up. Bethany smiled and tucked some loose hair behind her ear. It was good to see him. All last night she’d dreamed about him. The full moon. Sex. She’d woken with this aching need, something she’d never experienced.
Caleb climbed out of the truck and she noticed him tense. She offered him a smile, one he didn’t return, and she wondered what was the matter. He didn’t look happy to see her, which didn’t exactly help her nerves.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Get in the truck.”
“Caleb?”
“Do it,” he said, growling.
She jumped. Rather than tell him to go and drop dead, she climbed into the truck, hating herself for conforming. Why was she jumping in the truck? She wasn’t his kid and right now, she didn’t need to follow his orders. She stayed put in her seat even as he ran toward the wood’s edge.
So much time passed.
She didn’t know what to expect, then Caleb reappeared. He ran to the truck, putting it into reverse without a backward glance.
“Caleb, what’s going on?”
“Just a couple of bears. Nothing to concern yourself with.”
“I don’t like this. I think I should go back to the boarding house.”
“You wanted to see my place and I didn’t exactly leave it at a good place last night, did I?”
“I had a good time.”
She’d been the one to bring their date to a close. After the bear attack and him not seeming to have a scratch on him, she’d been a little nervous. Now, her hands shook and her body ached. She fought with her own needs to throw herself into his arms, to beg him to take her. Rubbing at her chest, she tried to calm herself, but being close to him, he smelled amazing.
Why did he smell so amazing?
“Me too.” He reached over taking her hand.
The moment he touched her, she felt heat envelop her. The pleasure rushed through every part of her body, overwhelming her.
“Fuck,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” she said, moaning. “Caleb?”
“I’ve never heard of this happening before.”
She felt the truck jolt forward. Pressing her thighs together, she tried to alleviate the ache, but that only served to make her want him more. This wasn’t what she wanted. Closing her eyes, she tried to count to ten, to remember her life. To feel anything but the consuming need that had struck her.
“It’s okay, Bethany.”
Even his voice sent a wave of pleasure washing over her. The deep timber irresistible. She arched her back, wishing for his hand to touch her.
The journey suddenly came to a stop.
Opening her eyes, she released a moan, seeing the men she’d served with Caleb a few days ago.
“What’s going on?” one of them asked.
“Do you smell that?”
“She’s in heat?”
“How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, but keep Joe far away from me,” he said.
“Why Joe?” she asked.
“I’ve got you,” Caleb said.
“You should read books. You have a really nice voice. I like it when you talk to me. Everything is so much better.” She cried out as he jolted her with each step he took. They were inside his home. She didn’t get to see much of it. All she wanted was his touch. “Caleb, what’s happening to me?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“I dreamed of you all night long. I kept hoping you’d come to me. You make me feel safe. I never want to stop being with you.” She mewled as he lowered her to the bed. Spreading her thighs, she reached up. “Please.”
He shook his head. “No, I can’t do this to you. Not tonight.”
“Why am I like this?” she asked.
“Because you’re mine, but I don’t understand why you’re feeling this way.” He suddenly pushed her cardigan out of the way. “Did I hurt you last night?”
“Caleb?” She touched her waist. Last night, when he’d grabbed her, she’d felt a sting. It was only as she was getting changed she realized he’d damaged her clothing and there had been a
cut with dried blood on her waist. It was such a small cut she’d forgotten all about it. He opened her dress by tearing it open. She glanced down to see most of her body was exposed to his gaze.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. He touched where there had been a cut and she cried out.
“Please.”
He climbed off the bed.
“Caleb, what’s happening to me? I’m hot all over.”
She stared at him. Saw him swallow. There was pain in his eyes. “I … not when you’re like this.”
“I don’t know what this is. Do I have rabies? I don’t know what this means.” She cried out, begging for more, but she didn’t know exactly what it was.
“You deserve so much more.” He leaned down and kissed her stomach.
She gasped, arching up. “Yes, yes.” She would gladly beg for him to put out the fire currently consuming her body. So long as he didn’t stop.
He moved up toward her breasts but he did stop. “No!”
She whimpered. “Please!” She had lost count of the number of times she’d said that one word. And she didn’t care. “I beg you. Please.”
He stepped off the bed and she sat up. Her body shook with need. “I have never felt like this with anyone.”
“And you won’t ever feel like this with anyone else. I’m so sorry.”
“Why do you keep saying that? What did you do to me?”
Within seconds, he had her face in his hands and he was kissing her. It wasn’t a sweet kiss, or their first date locking of lips. This was a possession unlike anything she’d ever experienced and she didn’t want him to stop. He devoured her until she lost all sense.
“Do you have any idea how much I want to fuck you right now?” Caleb asked.
“Then do it. I’m yours, Caleb. Just do what you want with me.” She was a virgin, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop begging. This wasn’t her. She knew deep down to her soul that something wasn’t right. But she’d wanted Caleb from the first day she’d met him.
Caleb pressed his body against her, and for the first time in minutes, she could think. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she tried to rub her body against him.
“I need you, Caleb. I need you to take me, to have me, to fuck me.”