Nanny to the Bear (Burning Falls Shifters Book 4)

by Cynthia Wilde

  “Same with me,” Derek replied. “Having Jenny and the baby in my life has changed everything for me, for the better.”

  Jackson smirked. “And I didn’t want to be the one to say it, boss, but even Max has been a catalyst for you.”

  “You think?” Chase glowered. “How so?”

  “See, I kind of expected the two of you to square off,” Jackson continued, “to constantly be clashing. I mean, when you get two alphas together… But in some bizarre way the two of you work together really well.”

  “I think so too,” Austin said with a nod. “Eloise sees things. We don’t have to understand it all. Hell, I think half the time she doesn’t understand it herself. But if she says you’re supposed to have them, then you’d better have them.”

  “Alright,” Chase replied. “My only regret is that Matt can’t be here. He would have been an integral part of the pack.”

  Each of them nodded, in a moment of impromptu silence for their fallen friend. The wheel of Burning Falls continued to turn around them. Birds flying by, packs of teens roaming across the street, a woman with a baby carriage heading into the grocery store next door.

  “Alright,” Chase said. “It’s time to focus. I’ll take the stones back to my apartment. One of you needs to go and speak with Mr. Briggs. I want him to know they can stop looking. Maybe he’ll call off his crew without it coming to any kind of confrontation.”

  “I’ll go,” Austin said. “I’ll catch up with you after.”

  Chase nodded. They broke the circle. Chase headed back inside to collect the others and the stones. Austin headed to the grocery store which he had entered at least a thousand times in the course of his life, to speak with a man he had known since childhood. The large bright red letters shone down on him from the store front, a familiar image turned sinister by newly gained knowledge.

  The automatic door swung open, welcoming him with florescent lights and the cold breeze of air conditioning. He stepped inside, immediately greeted by a smiling cashier. He waved and smiled in return approaching the lane. “Is Mr. Briggs available to speak with?” he asked.

  “He should be in the office,” the woman replied. “Just down there next to the Customer Service desk.”

  Austin made his way towards the office. Through the large window, he spotted the owner of the store. Mr. Briggs was a portly man, with a wisp of salt and pepper hair across the top of his head. He behind the desk, seemingly unaware of the turmoil surrounding him. Austin tapped on the slightly open door.

  “Yes. Can I help you?” Mr. Briggs said with a welcoming smile.

  “Hi, I’m Austin Bradford. How do you do?” He extended his hand.

  Mr. Briggs stood halfway and shook his hand. “What can I do for you? Have a seat.”

  Austin pulled up the chair across from the desk. He leaned in slightly. “I wanted to speak with you about something. Some associates of mine have been tasked with a specific job. Unfortunately, we’ve had some push back in regards to our ability to do this job.”

  “What are you talking about?” Mr. Briggs asked, his cordial smile still pasted on his face, even though the friendliness had drained out of his eyes.

  “I think you know, Mr. Briggs,” Austin said evenly. “You’ve been aware of us for some time now. Haven’t you?”

  Mr. Briggs swallowed.

  Austin continued. “And as you’ve been aware of us, you have also been searching for the items which would allow you to best us, to remove us from the territory and claim it as your own.”

  Mr. Briggs chuckled. “Is this some kind of joke? What you’re saying does not make any sense. Territories? What are you talking about?”

  Austin shook his head. “There is no denying it. We saw you in the forest. We saw you paying the woman from the camp.” Austin leaned forward placing his hands on the edge of the desk. “The same woman who shot one of our own in Afghanistan.”

  “Afghanistan?” Mr. Briggs stuttered. “Now see here--”

  “We know you set us up. You weren’t expecting us to come back. You wanted Burning Falls for yourself, didn’t you? You wanted to find the talisman.”

  Mr. Briggs face went pale. He did not answer right away, but his eyes blazed with curiosity and fury. “What do you know about the talisman?” he whispered.

  “We know a lot,” Austin said. “We know quite a lot.” The man behind the desk began to tremble, his cheeks growing red. Austin stood up. “Tell your people to move out. There’s nothing here to find any longer.”

  “You have them?” Briggs snapped. “Give them to me! You don’t know how to use them!”

  Austin stepped towards the door, turning back before stepping out of the room. He spoke evenly. “Tell your people to remove themselves from our territory, or we’ll do it for you.”

  Austin walked down the causeway, returning the wave from the cashier before he exited the store. He walked away, certain that he had just angered the rival shifters and suspecting heavily they would not be leaving the mountainside. At least, not without some motivation.

  Chapter Twenty

  The pack returned to Max’s place returning from their respective tasks. Chase and Max agreed that everyone should meet there, as it would give them a better vantage point to head up the mountain and come down the Burning Falls side. Janet felt strangely comfortable surrounded by everyone as they piled out of cars at Max’s property. She could not help but smile.

  “What are you grinning about?” Alex asked stepping up to her.

  “It’s just funny. I’ve tried for my whole adult life to become part of the shifter community. It took me walking away for what I thought was forever to find my way back.”

  Alex responded with a wistful smile of her own. “Yes, I get that.”

  Chase approached Cindy standing nearby. “Do you want to call in our secret weapon?” he said to her.

  “Do you think so?” she asked.

  “This is probably the biggest risk we’ll be taking as a collective pack. I’m willing to take any kind of back up.”

  “Alright, I’ll give them a call.” Cindy dug through her purse until she found her phone and thumbed one of the numbers. “Gather up the Sisterhood, Nan” she said. “We’ve got trouble…. Oh, really? Okay. We’ll see you soon.”

  “What’d she say?” Chase asked.

  “They’re actually already on their way. Eloise called her and tipped them off.”

  “Of course she did,” Chase smirked.

  “What’s the sisterhood?” Janet asked.

  “It’s Cindy’s grandmother’s bridge club,” Alex explained. “Don’t worry. They’re no one to take for granted.”

  “I would imagine. I make no assumptions about anything anymore.”

  “They’ve been instrumental before in some of their skirmishes. Besides, they always tell the best stories.”

  Austin’s car pulled up and he stepped out. Janet approached him, curious how the confrontation went with Mr. Briggs. He took her in his arms briefly, giving her a quick squeeze. “You okay?” he murmured.

  “Yes, of course,” she replied. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  “So what’s the plan?” Max said as everyone began to gather.

  “We all go together,” Chase said. “We’ll be able to mentally connect and communicate that way the best I think.”

  “That sounds right,” Max said. The two of them being the alphas gave them a unique partnership, especially as both wolves and bears working together for the greater good.

  Chase turned to Jackson. “Max and I will need you as the number one. You get everyone ready. We don’t have a clue what we’re walking into here. Be ready for anything.”

  “Yes sir,” Jackson said bouncing up and down and shadow boxing the air. Janet could see the gleam in his eye, almost as if he looked forward to a skirmish.

  Chase glanced her way. “Those of you who are new to this, are you up for this today?” he asked.

  Janet nodded. She smiled but felt the ser
iousness in his voice, the magnitude of what they were walking into.

  Chase did not answer, but gave her a significant glance before walking on. “We all need to be on our toes. Does everyone understand?”

  Without another word, they all walked in step towards the edge of the forest. Janet did not have to wait long to know what would happen next. First Chase began to run, stripping out of his tee shirt and revealing his muscular torso. Jackson followed, as did Max, followed by Austin and Derek. Naturally her eyes were drawn towards Austin, in her mind the handsomest of them all. His muscles rippled as they ran, shoulders flexing against his tan skin.

  Almost at the exact moment, they all changed. Falling on all fours, but still moving forward with a supernatural speed, Janet paused, allowing them to gain some distance. All five of them contorted, skin erupted into fur, bones cracked and twisted, bodies shifted. Within seconds the bears and wolf surged forward into the forest.

  “Come on,” Alex said as she took Janet by the hand, urging her to run forward after them. The women followed the trail into the tree line.

  “Look here,” Lisa said pointing out the tracks left by the shifters. She stepped out in front leading the way. “I can track them,” she said. “They’re ahead of us, but it won’t be difficult to follow.”

  As they moved deeper into the forest, and further up the mountainside, Janet realized all of a sudden, they were not alone. Just outside the line of fauna, she sensed flickering movements of animals running alongside their group.

  “Don’t worry,” Alex said. “I’m pretty sure that’s Cindy’s grandma and her crew.”

  “Of course,” Janet replied. “Speaking of… Where is Cindy?”

  Alex, Lisa, Jenny, and Janet glanced around searching for their friend. Cindy was nowhere to be seen. “Wait,” Janet realized. “How many wolves ran into the forest earlier?”

  “Well, there was Max of course,” Lisa said. “Were any of his pack there before?”

  “Not this time,” Janet said. “I don’t think so. I could swear I saw two wolves.”

  “Two wolves?” Alex asked. “Cindy… ?”

  Lisa nodded. “I think so. She’s certainly not here.”

  A shuffle in the foliage prompted them to continue forward. The wolves of Burning Falls urged them onward up the mountain. Janet had never felt more alive.

  * * * *

  Austin and the others surged forward, aiming for the three line and the outcropping of rocks overlooking the encampment. The freedom of running in a pack felt exhilarating, more than almost anything else. Almost.

  They arrived at the rocks, the field of meadow stretched out below them, dotted with tents of various sizes. Through animal eyes, Austin saw the people scurrying around, gathering up equipment and supplies with a newfound urgency.

  Yep, someone tipped them off, Chase said through their mental connection. Excellent. It looks like your chat with Briggs paid off.

  Hopefully, they’ll just leave without further incident, Austin responded.

  Hey guys? This time Jackson entered the conversation. Where’s Max?

  They all turned to look behind them where Max had followed them. Austin spotted Derek and Jackson, but Max had vanished.

  He’s there, Chase said as Max trotted over the nearby horizon. Moments later another wolf appeared, a young female whom Austin did not immediately recognize.

  Chase tossed his head and sniffed the air, pawing at the ground clearly agitated. The new wolf responded with a toss of her head, shaking her grayish brown fur. Austin looked on in confusion.

  Cindy, Chase said. That’s Cindy.

  How can that be? Austin replied.

  We knew it was coming. We’ve got other things to worry about right now.

  They collectively turned their attention back on the encampment. The woman they had seen before barked orders to the others who scurried about breaking down tents and piling equipment into piles. Austin spotted the girl from the film school, if that was even true. She stood close to the woman and appeared to be taking notes on a clipboard. They both moved around the field in tandem, pointing and giving directions.

  Is that it? Is it that easy? Austin mentally asked, directing the question towards Chase and Max.

  Not sure yet, Max replied. I think we should make our move. Let them know our power. When the others arrive, we’ll coordinate.

  Austin sensed that Chase did not wholly agree, but he dissented hesitantly. Within a few minutes, the woman appeared over the edge of the ridge. They seemed slightly winded, but eager to be part of it. Around their legs circled another pack of wolves, six of them, gray muzzled, but wiry and strong. The bridge club, Austin figured.

  “Okay, boys,” Alex said. “We’ve got your backs.”

  Chase and Max exchanged a glance with each other. Chase tossed his head, giving the cue for them to overrun the camp. Cause as much chaos as possible, but keep control. No one lose yourself out there. Austin, Derek, and Jackson nodded their understanding. They charge.

  Austin cannot help but revel in the response to their presence. People screamed and shouted, running out of the way knocking over stands and equipment. Austin caught a glimpse of Derek, pushing his way through the crowd. Through their shared mental connection, Austin could sense Derek’s anger, pointed and jagged. Specific.

  Uh, oh. In the midst of the mayhem, Austin tried to blast the image towards Chase. He’s heading for her! Someone has to stop him!

  Austin ran towards Derek, swiping aside tent poles and knocking down people as he did. He made his way to Derek as quick as possible. Just as Austin suspected, Derek had found her, the woman from the rooftop in Afghanistan. Derek towered over her, pulled up on his back feet. She scooted back, cowering against the trunk of a giant tree trunk.

  Derek stop! Austin pleaded.

  She killed Matt, he replied. Because of her, I see him falling to the ground a hundred times a night in my sleep.

  If it hadn’t been her, it would have been someone else. Come on, back off, Derek. Briggs is the one we want.

  Derek tossed his head, pulling his lips back and snarling. Behind him, the others had loaded as much as possible into backpacks, making their way down the path and abandoning the rest.

  Austin reached out again, connecting his mind with Derek’s. Come on, man. Let’s go back. We can handle this another time.

  Unfortunately, when bears created a mental connection, the current flowed both ways. Before he knew it, Derek’s anger seeped into Austin’s mind. Not just the thoughts but the emotions as well. The blinding rage overcame him, pressing him onto his psyche and forcing upon him the desire for vengeance percolating in Derek’s mind.

  “Austin!” Janet’s voice cut through the fog. He turned toward the sound. She stood with Jenny at her side and Lisa on the other. “Austin,” she called. “Everyone is gone. We’ve won.”

  “Come on, Derek,” Jenny called. “Let’s go home.”

  The sound of her voice calmed Derek. Austin could feel the anger and pain recede. The two of them both clasped onto the sound of the women’s voices, backing up, but keeping their eyes on the woman still trembling against the tree. Once she realized their retreat, she scrambled to her feet, sprinting down the mountain path and vanishing from sight.

  Chase stepped out from behind the rock, fully human, fully unclothed. “Okay, everyone. Let’s go. We did what we came here to do. Let’s wrap this up.”

  They all returned back to Max’s place. After handing out sweatpants and tee shirts, Max began to lay out food for everyone, deli meats, sliced cheeses, a variety of fresh vegetables, and huge loaves of fresh french bread sliced in half.

  Everyone made their way inside, still in mild shock from the events of the day. Cindy and her grandmother hung back on the porch. Most likely they had much to talk about. Alex stepped away to call Eloise and let her know they were all okay.

  Austin slipped his clothes on, reaching for a bottle of water. Janet approached him, placing her hand on his arm. “What
happened back there?” she murmured.

  “I’m not sure,” he replied glancing over to Derek on the other side of the kitchen. “That woman, we knew her from back in Afghanistan. She, um… because of her we lost someone from our unit. Derek had witnessed the whole thing. It’s been hard for him to get over it.”

  Janet glanced toward Derek, now having a quiet moment with Jenny. “You could have killed her,” she said quietly. Austin only nodded. He could not bring himself to respond.

  “I’m glad you didn’t,” Janet said wrapping her arms around his waist. She leaned her head against his chest, and he felt a surge of happiness.

  “Me too, Janet. Me too.”

  “So what happens now?” she asked.

  “What happens now is we eat,” Austin said gesturing towards the spread laid out on the table. “Shifting and causing chaos really takes it out of a man.”

  Janet giggled and joined the others. The mood felt relaxed and jovial now that they were all within the safety of Max’s house. Laughter and conversation flowed freely into the evening as everyone’s nerves settled.

  “Do you think they’re gone for good?” Jenny asked. Everyone turned their gaze toward Chase waiting for an answer.

  He shrugged. “We can hope. But they know we have the talismans. That should be enough to keep them at bay. They no longer have a reason to make a play for the territory.”

  “What about the energy vortex?” Janet asked.

  Max answered them. “According to the ancient texts of the Kon-Mar, the vortex is perfunctory.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jackson smirked.

  “It means, that the vortex is activated by the talisman, and the talisman are powered by the vortex.”

  “I don’t understand,” Alex said with a shrug turning her attention back to her food.

  “That’s just it,” Max replied. “I don’t think we’re meant to understand it. All we can do is try to be the best versions of ourselves, one day at a time, making the best choices we know how to make, moving forward, being better, every day.” He lifted his glass.