by Meg Ripley
By the time we’d finished the wine, it was growing late and I felt a sense of wonder overtake me. Carson was so good at teaching me new things. My time with him was always enlightening and I found it exciting—invigorating, even—to learn so much from someone I was so attracted to.
Sitting so close to him all night had been difficult. I wanted to move closer. Wanted to rest my head on his shoulder and press my arm against his. But I didn’t. I decided I would kiss him at the end of the night if he didn’t make the first move. I’d done that much with Max, so there was no reason not to do the same with Carson.
We walked to my front door, and he paused before opening it. “I am loving every minute I spend with you, River.” He took both my hands in his.
“I’m enjoying our time, too.”
“You said that you didn’t want to get into a relationship, and I respect that completely. Take whatever time you need, but know that I’ll be here whenever you’re ready. But anytime you want to hang out, I’m game. I feel like I shouldn’t be the one to initiate that, but I can’t get enough of you.” He chuckled. “I’m like a schoolboy all over again. It’s a great feeling, but I don’t want to come on too strong, either.”
I smiled, then stepped forward to bring my lips to his. He pulled me close and kissed me passionately, catching my lip between his teeth and tugged gently. When we finally broke free, he said, “Sorry. I wasn’t ready to let you go just yet.”
I advanced on him again, this time, for a little longer. I wanted to ask him to stay. I wanted him, right there and right at that moment, but I swallowed hard and ended the kiss.
He looked as infatuated as I’d felt as he walked out to his car.
12
Carson
I entered the cabin where we had our clan meetings at a walking pace, but it felt more like I’d been floating. I was as light as I could’ve been after my incredible night with River. I was so hooked, I knew I’d wait forever for her to be ready to date again; she was utterly irresistible.
Like the spiritual things we’d discussed, the feeling that drew me to her was almost animalistic. In ursine form, we had the benefit of having a bear’s natural instincts. Things like hunting were second nature. The pull I felt toward River wasn’t unlike the pull I felt toward prey when I was a bear. Except, as a bear, I was hunting to kill and eat. What I felt for River made me want to hold her close and protect her forever, and I was beginning to think I’d found my mate.
I took my usual seat, but didn’t feel the need to turn to the guys and talk. My own mind was a very pleasant place to be, so I stayed there until Cooper started the meeting. We discussed usual clan business: what events were coming up, anything relevant at the park, things going on with any of us. When he dismissed the meeting, chairs scraped loudly as we all went to the back of the cabin where a long table was set up, covered in the pans and dishes of food we’d all brought. We often had these potluck clan meetings, and it was just one of the ways that we all stayed close to each other.
I filled my plate, taking a generous scoop of the potato salad I’d made, grabbed an icy cold beer from the cooler, and returned to my seat. Max was there with Jace and Kylie and their baby.
“Hey all.”
They nodded to me with full mouths. While we all ate, there was near silence. But as we started to finish our food, conversations struck up around the room.
“What’s new with you, Carson?” Kylie asked. She sat beside Jace, holding his hand. In her other arm, she held her sleeping baby. She’d just gotten through telling us how he’d spit up on everything during one car ride and made a mess.
“Well, there is one thing…” I’d been itching to tell someone about River. The fact that Max was there to hear made the timing even better. “I’ve gone out with someone. Twice. And I’m very into her.”
“Oh really?” Kylie grinned. “Do tell.”
“She’s amazing,” I gushed. “Just sweet and funny and the most gorgeous woman you’ve ever seen.”
“Ha,” Max said. “You haven’t seen my new lady. No one’s more gorgeous than she is.”
I laughed. “I seriously doubt that. Mine’s smart and strong. She has me completely captivated.” I couldn’t help but grin.
“Oh geez,” Jace said. “Dude’s got it bad.”
“He’s not the only one,” Max added. “I’ve also been out with someone twice, and she’s completely amazing. She’s so fun. Just a free spirit, you know? She even loves action movies.”
I rolled my eyes. “You and your action movies. How can you watch those? I don’t bother with crap like that. My girl made me sushi last night.”
“Made sushi?” Kylie asked.
I nodded. “And it was good. She’s very skilled. Her brother’s best friend was a sushi chef, so she learned a lot from him.”
“Yuck,” Max said. “I’ve never liked that shit.”
“You’re missing out,” Jace remarked.
“Seriously,” I added.
“Well, we went to Sunny’s the other night and had a blast,” Max countered. “And she crushed me at not only air hockey and darts, but pool, too.”
“You took your lady to Sunny’s of all places?” I asked, incredulous.
“That’s what made it cool. We both loved it and had a blast looking at all the kitschy stuff. We found this blue French horn that looks exactly like the one from that TV show.”
“I’d rather just get outside and explore. I took her on a long hike the other day.”
“Did you bore her with all your tour-guide speeches?” Max joked.
“She was actually quite interested to learn about the history of the area. And we had several special moments during that hike. Our first kiss happened when she tripped over a root and I caught her.”
“Oh wow,” Kylie said. “That’s too much. We’re going to have to meet this amazing woman. Both of them.”
“I hope you will,” I answered. “Soon.”
13
Max
If Carson was going to bring his new lady around, then I was certainly going to show River off. I don’t care what he thinks, there’s no way anyone is hotter than her.
“I’ll just have to bring my girl and we’ll have to compare,” I quipped.
“I’m sure they’re both beautiful,” Kylie said. “Not everything has to be a competition, Max.”
“Sure it does. Especially with Carson.”
“That’s only because you constantly insist on trying to outdo me,” Carson pointed out.
“I get so sick of you always bragging. Someone has to put you in your place,” I said.
“It’s not bragging if I just happen to have interesting things to share. Too bad more interesting things don’t happen for you.”
“What’s happening between us is very interesting. Wait until you meet her. She’s an eagle shifter in Todd’s clan.”
“Really?” Carson narrowed his eyes. “So is mine.”
Jace laughed and said to Kylie, “Watch them be dating the same woman.”
Kylie elbowed her mate and whispered back, “That would not be funny at all with these two! Are you kidding me?” She shook her head.
But the idea was there now and I couldn’t shake it. What if Jace was right? What if Carson had somehow moved in and taken River from me? No. That would be insane. How could something like that happen? There’s no way she’d do that to me. I just texted her today, and she was just as flirty as ever. But still, I had to make sure. Carson looked uncertain as well.
“Okay,” I said. “On the count of three, say her name.”
Carson rolled his eyes. “Do we have to play these childish games?”
“Just do it,” I snapped.
Jace counted, “One. Two. Three.”
In unison, Carson and I both blurted, “River Malone.”
There was a silence. Shock. Then Jace started laughing again. Kylie looked horrified. Carson looked…well, actually, he looked quite pleased with himself, the dick that he was.
“Why would I joke about something like that?” he snapped.
“You can’t ever let me win. Is that it?” I leaned over, getting loud in his face.
“I have no need to beat you, Max,” he said coolly. “You’re the one who insists on making everything a competition between us.”
“Not her. Anyone else. But not River.” I shoved the chair in front of me, more pissed off than I cared to admit.
“You think I’m happy about this?” Carson nearly shouted now. “I’m not going to share a woman with you.”
“Well, I didn’t plan on sharing her, either.”
“You have no idea what you’re getting in the way of,” Carson continued. “What River and I have is something real. I’ve never felt anything like I feel for her.”
“And what do you think I feel for her? She’s the most perfect woman for me. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and I just… I can’t lose her. Not to you. Not to her stupid ex. Not to anyone.”
Carson stood up and leaned over me. “If you think I’m just going to give her up, you’re fucking crazy. She’s my mate; I can feel it.”
I got to my feet and yelled back, “What? She’s my mate! I guess we have a problem, don’t we?”
“Whoa, whoa.” Cooper, our Alpha, jumped over two chairs and positioned himself between us. “What’s the problem, guys?”
I was too fuming hot to speak civilly.
Luckily, Kylie spoke up for us. “They just realized they’re dating the same woman.”
Cooper sighed and dropped his head. “How in the world,” he muttered. “I can’t believe that you two, of all people, got into a situation like this. Figure this out, now. You can’t fight every time you’re within a few feet of each other.”
“As soon as he backs off, everything will be fine,” I assured him.
“You’re forgetting there’s someone else involved here,” Carson pointed out.
Someone else? Was there a third man? Or did he mean Levi?
“Who?” I asked.
“Hello? River? She might have something to say about it.”
“Well, so far, it seems like her choice is both of us.”
“Maybe she’s just trying to decide between us.”
“Perfect. Then the best shifter will win. Which is me.”
Carson shook his head. “What makes you think you’re right for her? You wouldn’t know what to do with her. You won’t treat her right, and you’ll just end things when you get bored. Don’t put her through that.”
“I would never do that to her,” I countered. “She’s different. That’s what you don’t understand. We have this crazy deep connection. Like our souls are crying out for each other.”
I expected him to laugh at me. Tell me I was being cheesy or whatever fancy word he’d use to insult me. Instead, he narrowed his eyes as if inspecting me.
“What do you know about a soul connection?” he said. “You’re a heartless jerk.”
“Me?” How was everything always my fault? “I didn’t know you were seeing her, too, man!”
“Okay, okay,” Cooper said. “This isn’t going to get resolved right here and now. What I need is for you to agree not to make this fight physical. Do I have both of your words that it won’t?”
“Yes,” Carson replied. “But if he attacks me, I will defend myself.”
“Same,” I said.
“Defense is acceptable if it’s the only option,” Cooper said.
“Fine.” I turned on my heel and shoved the door open. It slammed hard behind me as I stormed to my car.
I couldn't believe what was happening. Could Carson really have been dating River, too? No. It must have just been a bad dream. At any moment, I would wake and it would all be over. It had to be because if Carson really was dating River at the same time I was, then it was already over.
I couldn’t compete with him. I’d lost to him in everything from foot races to dart games to plenty of women in the past. For someone as amazing as River, I had no chance. Of course she’d pick Carson.
When I got home that night, I went straight to the punching bag in my basement. I pounded and pounded until the anger lessened. I thought about texting her or calling her. But right then, I was so angry that I couldn’t talk to her. I’d just end up yelling, and that surely wouldn’t help my case at all.
Hadn’t she had fun with me, though? She’d said so. She’d said she wanted to see me again. Had I missed something? There had been that mention of not having any strings, but that was before our first date. I thought things had changed since then. She sure had no problem kissing me or asking me out. If she didn’t want a relationship, then what did she want? To sleep around? To use me? That didn’t seem like her. Then again, dating both of us at the same time didn’t seem like her either, but apparently, it was.
I punched buttons on my microwave, jabbing at them like they’d personally offended me. When my dinner was hot, I sat with it in the living room. I still had far too much negative energy coursing through my veins.
I refused to believe that just when I found the most perfect woman, she was also seeing Carson. He really did have to beat me at everything, didn’t he?
When I’d finished eating, I knew there was only one thing left to do. A nice long run in my bear form would help me calm down and figure this out.
14
Levi
I drove to her house, seething. First, I catch her making out with that lowlife bear shifter, then, come to find out, she was dating another one of the fleabags. I wasn’t going to stand for this shit any longer. I’d have to show her once and for all that I was all she needed. I’d make sure of it. My plan was a good one; I knew it’d work like magic.
I parked just in front of her house at almost 2 a.m. She was fast asleep; her dark windows confirmed it. Getting out of my car, I closed the door softly. In my pocket, I had the copy of her car key that I’d ordered long ago.
I laughed to myself. She’d been so happy that I was the sort of boyfriend who would surprise her and take her car to get the oil changed. Little did she know that going to the dealership allowed me access to order a key of my own. I hadn’t known when it would be useful, but the time had come.
I unlocked the driver’s side door and pulled the hood lever. With the hood up, I took my screwdriver and struck its sharp end hard into her radiator, leaving a nice-sized hole. Perfect.
I lowered the hood and latched it very carefully to make as little sound as possible.
My work there was done. Now I’d wait, and when the time was right, I’d swoop in and save the day. We’ll get back together and live happily ever after, just like it should have been from the beginning. Before those two asshole bears got involved. I refuse to lose her to them.
That was my pledge to maintain our eternal connection. I will reunite with my lost love. Then, all will be well again.
15
River
On my day off, I needed to head into town to pick up a few things. The closest grocery store was in Gustavus, and that was a forty-five minute drive. I only made this trip every other week because of its distance, so I went through my house, making as thorough a list as possible. When I had my list and my purse, I made my way out to my car. I set the radio to a station playing cheerful music to match my mood and headed off. I wasn’t too far from home, maybe about 15 minutes, when my car suddenly decided it wasn’t happy.
The temperature gauge had shot straight up to hot and moved into the red zone. Smoke poured out of the hood, so I quickly pulled over and shut off the engine. How in the world had my car overheated? I thought back and knew I’d had my oil changed just last month.
I watched the smoke billow from the front end, but I couldn’t lift the hood while it was so hot. I looked around and noticed the mile marker of the highway. Mile 89.4. I pictured the park in my mind and figured I was closest to the bear Ranger station.
I smile c
rept across my face as I dialed its number, hoping Max or Carson would answer. I hadn’t talked to either of them yet that day.
The call picked up and Carson’s voice greeted me on the other end. “Ranger Station 327, Glacier Bay National Park, this is Carson.”
“Well, aren’t I the lucky one? Sort of.”
“River?”
“It’s me.” I blew out a sigh. “I’m actually calling in for a rescue. Of myself.”
“A rescue? What happened? What’s wrong? Where are you?”
The concern made me smile even wider. “I’m at mile 89.4 on the highway, heading toward town. My car just overheated and smoke is pouring out. I need a tow truck and a ride.”
“I’ll call for the truck,” Carson said, “and I’ll be right over to get you. Mile 89.4?”
“Yup. Just past the bridge.”
“I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
A moment later, I heard my radio crackle as Carson sent out the alert. Even though he was coming himself, he still needed to call it in.
I knew it’d be a while before the tow truck could reach me. I gathered the things I would need from my car, like my work radio and badge, and sat in the car to wait.
Carson must’ve driven incredibly fast because he reached me in half the time it should have taken him. When he got out of his car, he hurried over to me, but seemed a little standoffish for some reason. Maybe it was just me.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I pulled right over and shut it off. I don’t know why it overheated.”
He placed his hand on the hood. “I think it’s cool enough to check now.”
I reached down to pull the hood lever, and when he raised it, I heard him mumble. “What the hell?”
I joined him in looking under the hood and saw what he was questioning. In the middle of my radiator was a decent-sized hole. “How in the world could that have happened?”