Bearly Alive: A Crimson Hollow Novella

by Marissa Dobson

  Her thoughts flashed back to a conversation she’d had with Ginger on her last visit.

  There was a slight breeze in the air, warning them that winter would be there before she knew it. As much as she looked forward to their trips to Crimson Hollow every other weekend, she expected this to be their last visit before the snow came and she hated it. Once winter set in, she wasn’t sure about making the drive. It took too many hours on the road with just her and her son. Too many things could go wrong.

  “You look like you could use this.” Ginger sat down next to her on the bench and handed her a glass of wine.

  “Thanks.” Watching Billy play with some of the other children, she took a drink of the wine. “There’s something peaceful about life here.”

  “There is. It’s so unlike where I grew up, but I guess that’s why I love it here.” Ginger sipped on her wine before glancing over at her. “I know Jase asked you to stay. Why don’t you?”

  “I can’t…” She wasn’t sure why she couldn’t. Maybe she was too independent or maybe she wanted more from him. Even knowing she might not see these people for months, she couldn’t bring herself to agree to stay there.

  “I’ve never been happier than I am here. Some of that is Liam’s doing but there’s more to it than that.”

  “You have a special relationship with Liam.” Becky tried to keep the jealousy from her voice. She wanted what the two of them shared, but all she found were men not worth her time.

  “Mating is something you can’t deny. It’s in your bones and every ounce of you wants to be with that person. When I found Liam, I wanted to run, but when I saw him with Billy, I knew he wasn’t like the other lions I’d known in the past. It forced me to open myself up to him. I’ll never regret that.”

  Ginger was right; there was something between her and Jase that she couldn’t deny. An electrical pull that tugged her toward him. With each visit to Crimson Hollow, she found herself looking more and more forward to spending her time with Jase. The one time when he had been called to a neighboring tribe and hadn’t returned until she was in the car ready to leave had seemed like the loneliest visit. She’d spent time with other tribe members but the one she really wanted to be with—Jase—was nowhere to be found.

  Days later, he showed up at her doorstep, just minutes after she’d put Billy to bed. Those hours they spent together then brought them closer than all of her visits to that point. There was something different about him coming to see her and just being alone with her. No interruptions from other members or tribe business coming up. It was as if they were alone for the first time.

  That night, as she was lying in bed, her thoughts full of Jase, she realized she was falling in love with him. Excitement bubbled within her at the thought of him staying at a nearby hotel so they could spend the following day together before he had to get back to his tribe.

  That had been his first visit to her but it wasn’t his last. He was there whenever she needed him. The moment that stood out in her memories was when he showed up at the hospital after her mother passed away. He’d never explained why he’d driven there, hours from his home, and at the time she let it go because she was grateful for his presence. That night he’d gone home with her and held her until she fell asleep. He had been there through every moment of the days that followed, helping her get through the grief, and doing what he could with funeral arrangements for her. To some it was just an extra hand; to her it was something she’d always be grateful for.

  Jase hadn’t been just there for her; he had been there for Billy, too. Since Billy’s father was in prison, he had been lacking a male role model until Jase came into their lives. It wasn’t just Jase that stepped into the role, but also Liam, Noah, and the other tribe members. Everyone had become a rock for both of them. Knowing that they’d accepted her son helped to ease her mind when it came to having a relationship with Jase.

  “Relationship, is that even what this mating is?” She let out a deep sigh, wondering how she was going to handle things when Jase came back from getting her a drink.

  “It’s a closer relationship than anything you’ve ever experienced.” She turned to find Jase standing in the doorway, a glass of water in his hands and a small prescription bottle in the other. “Doctor Graham has left pain medication for you.”

  “I’m fine for now.” As he came into the room, she sat up enough to be able to take a drink. There was too much for her to think about to take any medication. Less than twenty-four hours earlier, her life had seemed normal. Her biggest problem was Billy swearing and her wondering where things were going with Jase. Now she still hadn’t had the conversation with her son about swearing; not that it seemed like that big of an issue any longer. Things with Jase seemed to be clearer yet more confusing all at once. There was something between them—this mating; she just wasn’t sure how to move forward.

  He waited for her to take a drink before setting the glass on the nightstand. “I understand that mating is new to you. Besides the connection that’s shared between us, it’s no different than what human couples have. You’ll still have a relationship; it will just be on another level, a deeper one. Mating would bring us together as husband and wife. I would be a father to Billy and hopefully, in the future, we can have another child or more. I understand if you’re concerned about Billy but he already knows I’m a shifter and doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. The time you’ve spent here has gone smoothly.”

  “Billy likes you. When we’re home, you’re all he ever talks about. He marks down the days on his calendar until we can come back here.” Her fingers played along the seam of the blanket as she realized Billy would be happy in Crimson Hollow. “Last week he had an issue at school; another kid was making fun of him for not having a dad. When I picked him up that day, he wanted to know why he couldn’t go to school here. This is where all of his friends are and he was angry at me for keeping him where he wasn’t happy.”

  “Doug is the same way. On Friday when you’re coming for a visit he sits at the picnic table where he can watch the gate and waits. During the week, he seems lost without Billy here.”

  She could picture the little redheaded boy sitting there waiting until her car came through the gate and then he’d come charging toward them. During each visit, Doug and Billy were inseparable, spending the whole weekend together, so much so that one would sleep over at the other’s house. From the first day, the two boys had formed a quick friendship that only seemed to grow with time.

  “So, that’s why he’s always the first to greet us.” She let out a lighthearted laugh, sending pain sparks through her chest, until she reached up to grab her bruised ribs.

  “You okay?” He reached toward her, laying his hand over hers where she held her side.

  “Damn ribs, they’re more painful than my broken arm.”

  “I’m just glad the ribs aren’t broken. I thought they were but Doctor Graham ruled that out back at the hotel.” His thumb teased over her knuckles. “Why don’t you take the pain pill and get some rest?”

  “Not yet.” She moved her hand away from her ribs and took his hand in hers. If he was surprised by this move it didn’t show on his face; instead, he slipped his fingers between hers. “Do you know why I refused to stay when you asked me?”

  “No. If I did, I would have done whatever was necessary to change your mind.”

  “I couldn’t stay without knowing what was happening between us.” Nervous, she kept her gaze on their interlocked fingers and away from his face. “We were spending more time together but I wasn’t sure where things were going. There was this connection between us, drawing me to you, but I needed more. You were busy with the tribe and trying to take down The Saviors…I wasn’t sure where I fit into it all.”

  “I already told you. You belong by my side. We’re supposed to lead this tribe together and together we’ll be stronger.”

  “I don’t see how. If anything, as a human, I’m a weakness to you and your rule. You need some
one strong by your side.” It pained her to say the words but she needed him to consider what he was saying.

  “You’re not a weakness.” He took his hand out of hers and reached up to cup the side of her face. “You’re the woman I want by my side. You’ll keep me grounded and sane. Your humanity will make sure my bear instincts don’t rule me, making me rash. While the world is screwed up, our lives together will be filled with happiness. I let The Saviors get to you once because I was stupid, but I’ll spend the rest of my life keeping you safe. I’ll make this up to you.”

  “You have nothing to make up for. The Saviors made their own choices. They are the ones who attacked me and they will have to pay for that. Not you.” She took a deep breath and let it out again. “At first the idea of mating with you scared me. I wasn’t sure what to make of your bear. Ginger said you had a tendency to be grumpy but I don’t see that. Your bear is always there and when you’re angry I can hear the snarl in your voice. Even with all of that, I’ve never once worried you’d lose control and hurt me. What I’m trying to say is that I’ve known for weeks that I’m in love with you. It’s just the next step that seems overwhelming.”

  “Nothing has to be decided tonight. Sleep on it.” He slid his fingers down the curve of her neck before teasing along her collarbone. “We can wait as long as you like. Mating only came up now because of the air cast. It could have waited. You’ve been through enough today. I’m not demanding that you submit to me claiming you.”

  “You’d like that though, wouldn’t you?”

  “Shit, baby…” He dragged his hand through his hair. “Damn right I’d like that. I’ve wanted to make you mine since you stepped foot in Crimson Hollow. My gorgeous mate, you fill my dreams every night and hopefully soon, you’ll fill the empty spot in my bed.”

  “Umm…” A cocky grin stretched across her lips. “I believe I’ve already accomplished that.” She was in his bed but she was alone. She knew he meant them sleeping together but she couldn’t stop herself from making a smart ass comment and easing some of the tension that lingered around them. “How about we start with that and go from there? I know that your guest bedroom is empty and you’re not sleeping on the sofa. Come to bed and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow all our problems will still be there.”

  “I need to—”

  She reached out and pressed her finger to his lips. “The stress of the situation and worrying about me has left you exhausted. More than that, I want to feel your touch as I go to sleep. Maybe it’s the mating bond or whatever but when you touch me, I know everything is going to work out. I need that right now.” She needed him without all the strings, mating, and stress surrounding them.

  Chapter Five

  Waking up with his arm slung over Becky’s waist should have been a joyful moment for Jase, but his first thought wasn’t about his beautiful mate; rather, it was about the bastards who’d hurt her. He wanted revenge and his bear was eager to dig his claws into whoever was responsible. When he’d found her under the rubble, her pulse was weak from the loss of blood due to the deep gash on her thigh. Now, her color was returning and her injuries—concussion, bruised ribs, broken arm, and dislocated knee—were minimal compared to what they could have been. Even if she let him claim her, it would take time for her to get better, but the important thing was, she would heal.

  Lying there when there was work to be done wouldn’t stop The Saviors from going after one of the others on their list. He needed to go and get some work done. If luck was on their side, they might be able to save someone else from suffering the same fate as Becky or worse yet, get killed. “Sleep well, baby. I’ll be close by.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head and slipped out of bed.

  Thankful she didn’t stir, he quickly dressed and grabbed his laptop that was still sitting on the dresser where he’d set it before. Picking up his cell phone nearby, he shot Liam a text message. Need an update now. I’ll put the coffee on.

  The hour was early enough that he questioned if Liam was awake but he needed to conduct a meeting with his team before Becky woke up. He’d be briefed by Liam before meeting with the rest of the team to see what everyone had gathered throughout the night while he was busy attending to his mate.

  Downstairs, he placed his laptop down on the table. Even though it was in his dining room off the kitchen, he couldn’t consider it a dining table. This was where he met with the rest of the leaders of the tribe—Sin, Garret, and their trusted guards, Liam, Noah, Brett, and Roger. Sometimes, Ari and Kaden joined them to iron out the security aspects of things, since they handled that business for the tribe. This space was more for handling tribe matters than for eating. He pressed the brew button on the coffee pot that was ready for him and wondered if that would change now that Becky and Billy were in his life.

  Numerous times during the week, everyone would gather together. There were enough picnic tables for everyone, as well as a large outdoor kitchen that some of the wives used to prepare the food for everybody. Barbeques could be fired up and since Garret had joined them, he’d taken over as barbeque king. He managed the grill like no one ever had and everything came off tasting delicious. On other nights though, he suspected that with Becky and Billy in his life, he’d be expected to have family meals just like Sin, Garret, and Zoe managed, as much as her schedule would allow. No longer could he just grab a quick bite in the middle of handling things. He’d have a family and he wasn’t about to neglect them. He had waited his whole life for them and now that he had them, he’d find a way to balance tribe business with his instant family.

  Standing in the kitchen at the back of the house, he could hear the key turn in the lock as Liam let himself in. He turned back to the coffee pot and paused it so he could pour two mugs for them. “Back here.”

  “How’s Becky?” Liam strolled into the kitchen looking as if he hadn’t slept.

  “Resting. Worried about Billy. Stressed about the attack on her and her son.” He could go on but that seemed to cover it. Instead, he focused on stirring the honey that he’d added to his mug, into his coffee.

  “Billy’s good; we had a chat last night before Zoe put him to bed. As a shifter, that boy would have been an Alpha. He’s strong willed and determined to make the bad man pay for his sins. His words.” Liam leaned against the counter and shook his head. “Sin offered him the guest room but when he didn’t seem happy about that, Zoe said he could stay in her room. They used a blowup mattress and fell asleep while watching movies. But before he’d go in there he made me check the room for the bad man.”

  “Did you explain…” He wanted to say that the bad man couldn’t get to them, but as safe as the tribe’s land was, there was always a chance they could be attacked. No matter how much he wanted to, he wouldn’t make promises to Billy that he couldn’t keep.

  “I told him we were safe here. That with all the shifters around we’d smell any bad men before they got to him.”

  “Creamer is in the fridge.” Jase handed Liam a mug of coffee. “Then join me at the table.”

  “Black…strong and black is what I need this morning. It’s been a long night.” Liam followed Jase, bringing his laptop with him. As he sat it down, he pulled it open, bringing it out of sleep mode. “The night brought good and bad news.”

  “Right about now I’d take the good news but something tells me that after I hear the bad I’ll need something positive, so give me the bad first.” Needing the caffeine, Jase brought the mug of steaming hot coffee to his lips and took a long sip. The heat burned his tongue but it barely fazed him.

  “I know you want to go after The Saviors for those who blew up Becky’s house, but the two responsible have already been apprehended by the police.”

  “What?” Jase roared. “Who gave the cops the information?”

  “It wasn’t…”

  “Jase?” Becky called out to him from the upstairs bedroom. “What’s going on?”

  He sat his coffee aside and went to the bottom of the steps. “It
’s okay, baby. I didn’t mean to wake you. Are you okay? Do you need a pain pill?”

  “No.” Her voice held a touch of pain. “I’m fine. I just…are you sure everything’s okay?”

  “I swear, baby. Liam’s here, I need a few more minutes with him but I’ll be up shortly and I’ll fill you in. Holler if you need anything.” Cursing himself for being so loud that he’d disturbed her rest, he gripped the banister until he was concerned the wood would splinter.

  “Jase.” Liam calling his name brought him back to the moment. “It wasn’t us. The neighbors called two weeks ago. While Becky was visiting us, someone was lurking around her house. I guess they were scouting out the place because they’re the ones that returned yesterday. Minutes before the house exploded, the neighbor saw the guys leaving. She didn’t think much of it, figured they were visiting Becky, but when the police questioned her, she mentioned it. Turns out the market at the corner caught them on camera as they walked back to their getaway car. She identified them.”

  “Fuck!” Jase walked back to the table and took a long drink from his coffee as he tried to figure out their next move.

  “The police served a warrant before we could have done anything. The house they lived at was a front. They rented it a month ago but neither of them had much there, at least not personal possessions. Bombs, tracking devices, an arsenal of guns, grenades, and pretty much anything else you could think of. They were ready for war and the targets were us.” Liam clicked a button on the computer, bringing up images of the supplies that were found. “Immediately after the police arrived at their place, they announced they were doing the work of The Saviors. They were saving humanity from shifters and even if they were arrested, there would be more death. It didn’t take the police officers long to get a full confession from these assholes.”

  “Have the other targets been alerted?”

  “All except Dave Eckhart. He had left for work before we could get in touch with him but he never arrived. There’s no sign of him. His brother Derek, the pack’s Beta, has people out searching for him.”