by Sarah Marsh
He’d never been to visit this pard before, so he really had no idea where to begin looking for his mate, but they spotted the large registration office for the cabin rentals and figured whoever worked there would know where to find Sybella.
“Hey, they’ve got a pretty nice set up here.” Jackson admired the log cabin style construction of the building. It was in pristine condition. Around the side, they could see an indoor pool that was connected to the building, and out front, there was a fenced off area with a children’s playground, covered deep in snow. “They seem to keep pretty busy all year around.”
Indeed, there were about twenty-five cabins tucked out up against where the woods began, all with various cars and trucks parked out front. In the field beyond those Laird could see a few trailers hooked up and see that the rest of the clearing must normally be filled with campers and trailers. There was obviously no hunting allowed here, but there were many areas for snowshoeing, sledding, cross country skiing, and as he could see from the tire tracks, a lot of folks brought up ATVs and motorbikes. This remote area would be a perfect haven for shifters of all kinds to enjoy the outdoors to full advantage.
“I’ll go see if I can get some answers.” Laird hopped out of the truck and headed into the registration office, leaving Jackson sitting to wait for him.
He was pleasantly surprised when he walked in. The office seemed to double as a small convenience and liquor store, complete with movie rentals even. He’d noticed the side streets leading into the more wooded areas with full sized houses on them, and of course, the residents would need access to some kind of store, since the closest town would be Hope, and they’d passed through it about thirty minutes before the highway exit.
There was a group of young males laughing at something on a TV behind the desk, and they all turned to look at him as he walked through the door. He guessed from their scent that five of them were wolves, but the largest one who seemed to be the one working behind the till could only have been a bear shifter—he was simply enormous.
“Hello, can I help you?” Despite his size, the young bear’s smile was welcoming.
“Yes, I’m here to see Sybella Gandry. Can you tell me where I can find her?”
The mood in the room changed abruptly, as all of their eyes narrowed on him at the mention of their Alpha’s name.
“What is your business with Alpha Gandry?” one of the wolves asked.
“My business is my own, pup.” Laird knew he was baiting these younglings. Regular teenage hormones were one thing, and shifter male hormones at this age were another thing altogether—but his cougar wouldn’t take a disrespectful tone from anyone … especially some mangy youths who were too dumb to realize they were way outgunned. “Do you know where I can find my mate or not?”
When they heard the word “mate” it received a mixed reaction. The large bear shifter immediately stood down, apparently knowing better than to get in the middle between mates. But the wolves seemed to get even more agitated at his declaration.
“You’re the reason she took off as soon as she got back. What did you do to her?” One stepped forward, his hands fisted at his sides.
“If she’s going to take a mate, it should be one of us in the pack. Not some stranger.” Another edged closer, his eyes giving away his beast’s need to come forth and fight.
“That’s not the way it works, boys.” Laird’s voice was calm, but he could tell from their stance that they were seconds away from attacking. Wolves and their tempers.
He was almost looking forward to a little stress release, but of course, he’d have to make sure to keep himself in check—it wouldn’t do to permanently maim any of his new mate’s pack. He doubted his Sybella would be very impressed with him if he did.
As the first wolf donned his fur and came flying at him, Laird could see from the corner of his eye the bear shifter talking frantically into his cell phone.
“You need to come quick. We’ve got a situation here.”
Laird resisted his cougar’s desire to shift, as that way he was less likely to do damage to his opponents. One after another, they came at him, teeth bared, trying to pin him down. But they still weren’t full grown, and it was easy enough for him to toss them away. Suddenly, two rushed him at once and while he grappled with the first one, the second managed to get his mouth on Laird’s leg and bite down. He roared out in pain and threw the wolf in his grip much harder towards the front door than he’d intended—at exactly the same time that someone opened it, and the poor kid went flying out into the snow to land in a heap with a loud yelp.
When he realized it was Gage and Jackson standing there in the open door staring at him, he pushed the last of the wolves away and looked at the lot of them lying on the ground, panting.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Gage asked, his eyebrows high in disbelief to see the Ruling Alpha fighting with a group of his young wolves.
“He said he came here to take Sybella, that she was his mate,” the bear behind the desk answered in a panic now that their pack’s second had arrived. “You know Bailey and his crush on her. Things, umm, escalated…”
The largest black wolf growled and barked in response to that from his place on the floor as if to argue.
“Boys.” Gage knelt down and sighed. “Now what has Alpha Gandry taught you about fighting? I want some answers so you’d all better shift back right this second.”
They did, and as they groaned, favoring different parts of their bodies, Laird could see the bruises he’d inflicted already surfacing.
“Well?” Gage pushed.
“To use your head before you jump into a fight?” the bear offered first.
“Exactly right, Carson, which I can see that you did since you aren’t over here on the ground with the rest of these yahoos. What else?”
“Not to engage your opponent head on until you know their strengths and weaknesses,” one of the wolves muttered as he tried to get his nose to stop bleeding.
“Indeed, and since none of you were smart enough to realize that not only is this male an Alpha, but our Ruling Alpha, you need to have a reminder of your lessons. If you can’t learn to sense someone with more power than yourselves, you won’t live very long—especially when you grow and leave our pard to make your way in another pack. I think ten rounds each on the gauntlet will jog your memory.”
Both Laird and Jackson’s eyebrows rose at the groans and moans that came from the wolves in response.
“How many rounds do you think Alpha Gandry would give you if she were here?” Gage asked, his arms folded in front of him. All the whining and grumbling immediately stopped. “That’s what I thought. Out you go. Carson, you will count for them.”
Four of the wolves slowly got to their feet and walked out, but the fifth seemed to have more trouble … until the huge bear walked over and scooped him up off the floor, threw him over his shoulder and joined his pack mates outside.
“Well, that was interesting. How long did you stand outside before you opened the door?” Laird dusted off his jeans and smoothed out his shirt.
“Only a few minutes,” Gage replied with a shrug and a grin. “I figured it was a teachable moment. Those wolf young have damned stubborn streaks when their tempers get up, unlike our cats, or even the bears. They need a more—visceral type of education.”
“So I see.” Laird looked out the window to see them all walking through the snow out towards the woods. “What is this ‘gauntlet’ you talked about?”
“Kind of like a boot-camp obstacle course, Sybella uses it for discipline and to use up some of that excess energy the kids have at that age.”
“It’s a good idea.” Jackson looked as curious as Laird was about the concept, thinking a similar set up could help a lot of the packs that needed help with rambunctious teenagers. “I didn’t realize that your pard was mixed. Has it always been that way in this territory?”
“No, back when Bella’s father was Alpha, we had about twenty families of
cougars and a few linx. There have always been several bear families around, but they kept mostly to themselves. It was Bella’s idea when she took over to convince the bears to join, that it would make us all safer and stronger, and when we had a small wolfpack come through looking for a new home they were so impressed that they asked to stay. It’s been a learning curve for a lot of us, but all in all, we’re stronger together than apart.”
“I can see that.” Laird looked at the other man. “I’m impressed, Gage.”
“Well, your mate is rather impressive you know.”
Chapter Six
Laird could hear the challenge in the other man’s voice with that statement, but he didn’t sense any jealousy or malice coming from him, so he didn’t think that Gage had wanted Sybella for himself—but he was protective just the same as any second would be.
“What exactly are your intentions towards Sybella?” Gage continued.
“My intentions?” Laird raised one eyebrow as if daring the other male to continue, and was a little mollified when Gage broke the eye contact first.
“I’m just looking out for her, Alpha. You have to know that she’s fought her entire life to get to where she is now. Bella is an incredible leader, and she won’t willingly leave us behind.”
“Why would you think I’d expect her to?” Laird was genuinely surprised at Gage’s implication, but if this was what Sybella herself expected from a mate, then he had to think it was no surprise that she’d fled him in the spectacular and aggressive way that she had. He needed to find her and talk to her about this.
“Rest assured, Gage, I don’t intend to take Sybella’s pard away from her,” he answered. “She is my mate, and I want her to be happy.”
The relief on the other male’s face was obvious, so it was clear how much she meant to all of these people.
“Thank the Goddess for that.” Gage smiled. “In that case, your next hurdle is going to be getting her to stand still long enough for you to explain that to her. She’s gone to her cabin up the mountain. It's where she goes when she needs to clear her head. The only way up is on foot, but I can show you the path you’ll need to take.”
They followed Gage down the snowy road until they came to a small shed. Inside it was well kept, with a cabinet and what looked like a large pet door out the back, facing the woods.
“You can shift in here. She would have taken the path directly to the left. It’s about a two-hour hike. Do you need me to go with you? It’s been snowing, so her tracks will be covered by now.”
Laird took a deep breath as he shed his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. The sweet scent of his mate filled his lungs, and his cat wanted nothing more but to be let loose so he could hunt her down.
“No, I will find her.” He quickly shed the rest of his clothes before shifting and leaving out the back door, into the woods beyond. The cold air only made Sybella’s scent stand out more for him, so he followed its trail, his wide, padded feet easily plowing through the few inches of new snow.
It truly was a beautiful area. The white powder had covered everything anew, making the forest look clean and fresh. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d simply gone for a run through the woods to let his other half roam. There was always so much to do, and his job seemed never ending these days. What he wouldn’t give to be stalking through these woods with his mate by his side, their beasts bonding in the most elemental way. No human emotions like doubt, or confusion. The mating bond would be all they needed to know, that the Goddess had intended them to complete each other's souls—and what the Goddess had brought together, let no man tear asunder.
Laird followed Sybella’s scent trail until he finally came upon a clearing that led to a river. He could hear the roar of a distant waterfall, and when he reached the edge of the woods, he could see her. Her magnificent auburn locks and pale creamy skin translated into the most beautiful cougar he’d ever seen. She was the same deep browny red in her animal form, but the pale fur of her underbelly made the most stunning contrast. He kept to the edge of the trees as not to give away his location and startle her. She lay on the edge of a huge, flat rock that peered over the falling water. Laird watched her for a long time, her paws pushing rock after rock over the edge, only to watch it fall into the rapids below. He could feel her melancholy and his beast longed to comfort her—but he knew she would only flee from him once again.
No, he needed a plan on how to deal with his pretty little mate until he could convince her that they could be happy together.
Almost an hour after he’d found her, she finally stood and shook out her chilled fur before bounding off into the forest opposite his location. He followed her trail once again, staying far enough back that she couldn’t hear his pursuit until he arrived at the cabin that Gage had told him about. Laird watched her shift into her gorgeous skin and unlock the door while she hopped around on cold feet before the door finally closed behind her.
When he heard the rushing water of what must be the shower, he stalked closer until he was able to peer into the living room window. It was a small cabin, with a tiny kitchen and a cozy fireplace against the wall. Minutes later she came out of the bathroom door, steam billowing out around her. She padded out to the kitchen, just a towel wrapped around her, and grabbed a pot off the stove. Laird tried to stifle a growl when she reached up into the top cabinet for a can and her towel rose, giving him a lovely view of her perfect ass.
He sat out in the snow, just watching her as she prepared her meal and ate it still standing at the counter. She looked sad, and he wondered what she was thinking. Was she missing him the same way he’d been missing her?
When she finally was done, she walked to the bedroom and draped her towel over the bed post. Then she surprised him by shifting back into her fur before she curled up on the bed and closed her eyes. He waited until he was certain she slept before he crept towards the door. A lock would be no problem—but not waking up a sleeping cat as he broke into the cabin? Now, that might be a challenge.
Chapter Seven
She woke to hands caressing her naked skin, firm, long strokes along her legs and thighs. She knew it was his touch, for her cat wanted to reach up to meet his hand and relish in the pleasure of it.
Disloyal feline. Bella had decided to sleep in her cat’s form to make certain that her enhanced hearing would warn her of any guests. How in the hell had she slept through Laird breaking into the cabin? She’d been having the best dream, reliving the one night they’d spent together, so it wasn’t really a surprise that she’d shifted back to her human skin in her sleep, but for her cat to not alert her once those phantom touches had become real was insanity. She was pissed at her animal half. Bella could feel the smugness of the damned cougar in her mind, happy as a clam because their mate was here. But she wasn’t going to go down without a fight … even if her cat had abandoned her. She tried to shift her position to move away from his touch—and her arms wouldn’t budge.
Motherfucker. How dare he tie me down!
“How in the hell did you do this without waking me up?” Her eyes raged as she took in the rugged beauty of the male before her. He was just as naked as she was, and her traitorous body warmed at the sight of all that glorious golden skin.
“Because I own you.” His raspy voice sent shivers down her skin as he leaned forward to whisper in her ear before he trailed his tongue along her neck. “Every inch of your luscious body is mine to command, and your cougar knows it. She doesn’t want to fight me, so why do you fight so hard, Sybella?”
She didn’t have to feign the fury in her eyes at his question, but he just pulled back and shook his head as if she’d disappointed him.
“Always so quick to think the worst of me, aren’t you, little cat?” His hands continued to move along her legs, and as her blood heated beyond her control, she could feel her desire rise as well. “Your claim on me is just as strong as mine is on you. This mating is true. Can you not trust in that, even if you don’t trust in me?”
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Her defenses all but crumbled at his resigned tone. There was no denying the bond between them, but she had responsibilities.
“It’s not that I don’t want you, Laird,” she sighed. “You know that I do. But I’ve fought my entire life to get to this point. These are my people to take care of, and I won’t have any male think that they can mate me and take over my pard. I’m sorry, but they trusted me to take care of them, and I will, until I take my last breath.”
She waited for his outrage at her denial, but instead was surprised when he gently brought his hand to her cheek and caressed it.
“Why does it have to be one or the other for you? My fierce, brave, little cat. I have no intention of taking over your job as Alpha to this pard. From what I can see here, you do a fine job of taking care of these people, and that’s not easy with a mixed pack. Not to mention the fact that I have more than a full-time job on my plate as the Ruling Alpha for this province—as a matter of fact, I could probably use your help with a few things if you have the time.”
“You—you mean you don’t want to take me away from here if we mate?”
“First of all—there’s no if. We are mated, Sybella. Secondly, there’s no reason to. This is your home,” he answered matter-of-factly. “I can do my job from here just as effectively. It’s quite lovely here, and I think I will enjoy making this place my home as well.”
Could it be possible that he was offering her everything she didn’t think she could have? Her body relaxed under him slowly, as she looked closely at his face. Bella’s instincts were telling her that she could trust Laird. Her cat was now irritated that she hadn’t already pounced and marked their mate … so maybe it was time to take a leap of faith and let him into her heart?
Laird’s eyes heated, and a low rumble left his chest, sending a tidal wave of goosebumps down her body.