Ursus Borealis: Book One

by D. L. Lewellyn

  A large, sinewy hand came down to rest on the bar near my elbow. I bit my lip as he brushed his thumb over my skin slowly and lowered his face to my hair, inhaling deeply. He exhaled near my ear and grunted softly, sending violent shivers through me.

  He pulled back and looked at me one last time with heated eyes. I bit my lip in frustration as he resolutely closed his eyes, backed away, and left me trembling on the barstool.

  I nearly forgot the odd thing that I had just heard. Nearly.

  Gemma had returned to witness the whole thing and said to me quietly, with a knowing smirk, “Oh yeah. The man’s resolve is crumbling, big time.” Was it?

  ✽✽✽

  Trying to push thoughts of Andras and how he utterly baffled me to the back of my mind, I made myself a cup of tea and settled back into my chair thinking of my friends.

  Embracing my friendships with Kenny and Gemma had come more naturally than I expected, as I had no great experience making friends. Old Joseph and even Red were relationships I would not have formed in my past, and I was pleasantly surprised by my growing fondness for them.

  Red had even told me recently in his odd way that he liked having me around. Apparently being a fixture in the corner booth with my sketchpad and obvious interest in the goings on had been sort of a lure for his patrons.

  “It is utterly charming having your pretty self sitting in my establishment most nights sketching away. It brings a little culture to the Starlight. I like that. Are you planning on keeping it up?” Red had boomed this at me as he plopped himself across from me for a chat, something he did on occasion.

  “I am content with my little home away from home, Red. And thank you for the nice compliment.”

  A thoughtful look settled on his craggy face, “If I could presume to offer you some advice, Selena?” Nodding at him curiously he continued, “A man like Andras Johns, well, while he is a good man, his life is complicated, you know, baggage as they say.”

  The idea that Red had been keeping an eye on me made me feel both affection for him and embarrassment, as I hadn’t realized I was being observed just as I observed others. But I should not have been surprised as he did not miss anything that went on in his establishment.

  He continued, “I know it is none of my business, but I am growing fond of you. I thought you should be aware and keep your eyes open around him just in case you were thinking along those lines.”

  Then he turned red himself and blustered loudly with a little more chit chat, making his excuses to move on to the next issue needing his energetic attention.

  Shaking my head at all the places my mind had just wandered, I picked up my knitting from the basket by my chair and let all the speculation drift away, as I relaxed over the clicking of my needles.

  Chapter 7

  Selena

  It was interesting how some people felt the need to warn me about Andras and some, the need to encourage me to be patient. The most surprising of the latter was Sam Harrison.

  While the two of us had established a sort of comfortable routine as we met up at the door of the Starlight when I headed home, I never expected to have an actual conversation with the self-possessed man. He shocked me when he offered to walk me home one evening.

  “Thank you. I could use the company tonight,” I said warmly. I had returned to my table at the Starlight after sorting out my thoughts at home the last couple of days and deciding that what Andras did or did not do would no longer keep me away from my friends and the Starlight.

  Sam and I walked in silence for a bit. It was a beautiful night and walking alongside him was surprisingly comfortable. Eventually giving him the side eye having the idea he wanted to say something, I got a glimpse of that granite jaw moving as if readying himself to form words. I waited patiently.

  “Andras and I go back a long way. He’s a good man, Selena. You should be patient with him. He will do what’s right.” He had taken so long to speak that we were at my doorstep.

  Putting my hand on his arm, I found his emerald eyes within the shadows of his hood, and said, “I believe that Sam.” He nodded satisfied.

  Pleased enough that he had used my first name, I was stunned at the gift he gave me next when he swept back his hood. My eyes widened, then I broke into a huge grin as I was overtaken by the magnitude of his gesture.

  He was so beautiful, it was hard to even put it into words, even with the jagged and puckered scar that started at the corner of his eye and ran down the left side of his face and neck, where a glimpse of a tattoo of the face of a dark shadowy wolf began.

  No…words would not do. Maybe I could draw him. He let me take in his features. The full impact of his dreamy, deep emerald eyes, high cheekbones and sensual lips nearly made me forget myself and gape at him. But I managed to keep my smile in place, my eyes sparkling at this offer of friendship.

  I noticed he wore a pendant. It was beautiful, some kind of metal engraved with shimmering wings.

  I decided I would not draw him after all. If Sam did not want to be seen, I would not be the one to give him away. “You are a good friend, Sam. Thanks for walking with me tonight.”

  His eyes crinkled in a smile, his left eye pulling the scar to it, then he put his hood back in place. He followed me in and did a sweep around my home. “This is a nice place, Selena.” Then he was gone.

  ✽✽✽

  The contrasting advice from my friends was fresh in my mind the night the incident occurred at the Starlight. It was a Saturday, and the bizarre episode also raised more questions as to who Andras Johns really was.

  It started out the same as any other Saturday night, which was a night that Andras and the guys did not frequent the bar. I had been sketching as usual in my corner. Both Gemma and Kenny were on shift.

  Gemma had just cleared my dinner plate and brought me my second beer when three men came through the door, exceptionally large men, and unfamiliar.

  Quietly, I said, “They don’t look particularly friendly. Have you ever seen them before?”

  Looking wary, Gemma said, “Never.”

  Red uncharacteristically met them at the door and told them firmly, “We are full up boys, you need to move on down the highway.”

  Gemma and I looked at each other in astonishment. I had never witnessed Red being anything less than hospitable. They ignored him however and headed to the bar.

  Red followed them looking highly agitated, but then he seemed to have another idea and headed to the kitchen, while they demanded beer from Peter, our normally cheerful bartender. Peter eyed them cautiously, and unsmilingly set out mugs in front of each. Kenny watched it all from the doorway of the kitchen.

  The biggest of the three turned to lean back against the bar on his elbow to survey the room, giving me an opportunity to get a good look at him. But I blanched as he spotted Gemma and I, his gaze lingering on us, before he continued his assessment of the room.

  Gemma said in a whisper, “Jeez,” at the same time a shiver ran down my spine. This man looked scary as hell. I don’t think I have ever made that observation about someone I had encountered personally before.

  He reminded me of the Kurgan in the Eighties movie the Highlander, with the same black rimmed eyes and irreverent smile that made him look as if he would like nothing more than to eat people.

  A shiver iced its way across my spine, and I was thinking that coming to his notice was not a good thing. I subtly pulled Gemma back into the shadows of my booth as his eyes moved elsewhere.

  He turned back to face the bar and rudely slapped his hand on the counter, saying in a deep Kurgan-like voice, “Tell Andras Johns Mulligan is here to see him.”

  Gemma and I both inhaled quietly at hearing his demand. Peter nodded to him. Kenny stiffened and looked towards the kitchen where Red had disappeared.

  Then, the Kurgan swung slowly back around and surveyed the room, once again stopping his gaze where Gemma and I ducked back in the shadows, and he said in a low rumble, “Boys, grab your mugs. I see a table
we can make ourselves comfortable at until Johns arrives.”

  Kenny, his face determined, stalked to us, saying bravely, “Sorry, this table is occupied. I’m taking my break.” And he pushed Gemma onto the bench next to me following her down and closed us in protectively.

  Undeterred, the Kurgan seated his hulking frame across from us to dominate the entire table. His dark rimmed eyes nearly black, looked coldly over a broad nose. He even had some of the Kurgan-like scars minus the safety pins holding his head on his neck. I double checked that to be sure.

  The other two charmers pulled up chairs to block us in. His deep, rough voice said, “That’s fine with me Sunny. I can still look my fill.” He leered at Gemma and me in that death eating grin, then took a deep pull from his mug, licking the foam from his lips suggestively.

  Both of us sat straighter and jutted our chins out refusing to be intimidated, while we gripped each other’s hands under the table. Not backing down, Kenny boldly kept his eye on the Kurgan.

  A deep rumble came from the direction of the kitchen, “What brings you to town Mulligan?” At the sound of that voice, my level of apprehension went down a notch. Andras.

  The hulk across from us blinked, the only indication that he had heard Andras. He did not take his eyes off us however and answered with his back still to him, “Connor sent me. He says you can get me in to see the lion.”

  Andras said, “Dare? What is stopping you from seeing him?”

  A sneer appeared now, “He’s not letting anyone in his club who’s not Pack. He owes me money. I’m on my way there and stopped to make this request of you, his neighbor. To keep the peace like. Otherwise, things could get ugly in California.”

  Then he rose to face Andras who by now had been joined by Sam, Colin and the redheaded brothers, the five of them looking utterly formidable, and I had to cover my mouth to keep the sound of a gasp from escaping at the sight of them. Kenny and Gemma each looked as surprised as me.

  Andras, of course, radiated authority. A menacing snarl sounded from under Sam’s hood, and he stood legs braced apart, bare tattooed forearms flexing powerful muscles as they crossed over his chest.

  Colin somehow looked even taller, his head nearly brushing the low ceiling. Watching the brothers flank the three others was like watching wild beasts pacing and I could almost see tails swishing and wondered at that image.

  Mulligan’s two men stood when Mulligan did, and the three of them stepped towards the five in a face-off. Andras said, “Let’s discuss this outside. No need to disrupt the Starlight more tonight.”

  But Mulligan did not budge. I wondered what Andras would do if these three, obviously itching to make trouble, refused to cooperate.

  Mulligan nodded to one of his friends who roughly hauled Kenny out of the bench by his shirt collar. Gemma stood and shouted “Hey!” At the same time, I stood and shouted, “Leave him alone!”

  The other man moved so fast I had a hard time believing how I was suddenly being grasped by rough hands, then Gemma and I were being shoved at Mulligan who wrapped us each under a huge arm. This close, it was confirmed for me that everything about this man screamed barely civilized, even his smell was wild.

  The only sign Andras gave that he was affected was a brief flicker in his already feral looking gaze.

  But Mulligan spotted it and said, “Ah. I see. So, which one of these beauties means something to you, Johns?” He squeezed us closer trying to get more of a reaction.

  Andras said in a deadly calm voice, “You came here for my assistance to keep the peace. Your words. If you want my assistance, you will let the three of them go now, and meet me outside.”

  Mulligan growled, “I will change those terms slightly, Johns, if you don’t mind, just to ensure that me and my boys leave here with our heads intact.”

  My eyes widened. What did that mean? He continued, “I will meet you outside, but the girls go with us.” And he handed us back to his man.

  The one who still had a hold of Kenny shoved him away at a nod from Mulligan. Kenny caught himself and straightened taking a defensive posture, looking pissed, relaxed surfer dude persona nowhere to be found.

  Mulligan motioned us ahead of him and followed us out the door. Sam and the brothers went out the back, while Andras, Colin, and Kenny followed us to the parking lot.

  We were led over to a mammoth four-door truck. Mulligan faced Andras while Gemma and I were being held well behind him. Sam and the brothers were now circling behind us and moving in while Andras and Colin closed in from the front. Kenny moved in from the side.

  “I realize intervening with Dare is off the table now, so I think I will just take these girls with us for insurance. We have plenty of room for company in old Maxine here don’t we boys,” and he patted his truck. “You can have them back when we make it successfully into the club with or without your help. Sound like a plan?”

  Andras and Colin moved closer, their bodies tense and ready to spring, eyes flashing with something I had never seen in a man’s eyes before, and Mulligan nodded to his man who then started pulling me and Gemma towards the back door of the truck.

  I yelled “Gemma, Run!” Then I moved faster than I think I had ever moved before, twisting out of the man’s grasp, ramming my elbow into his solar plexus, slamming the heel of my hand to his nose, then kicking him hard in the nuts.

  The guy managed to stay upright, but was surprised enough he let Gemma go, and I was able to break away, which allowed Sam and one of the brothers to haul us to safety, while the other brother had the sidekick who had been lurching towards me threateningly, in an arm twist and down on his knees.

  Andras let out a roar that shocked the hell out of me and was in Mulligan’s face in the blink of an eye. Colin had the one who was desperately trying not to clutch at his groin, down on his knees, arm twisted up behind his back near breaking point.

  Mulligan put his hands up and backed slowly to his truck, still with his death-eating grin, “I think I know which one it is now, Johns.”

  Andras snarled, “You know what will happen if you show up anywhere in my territory or come near any of my pack again, Mulligan. Next time I won’t worry about witnesses.”

  At a nod from Andras, Mulligan’s guys were released, and the three got into the truck, my victim throwing his head back against the seat to stop his nose bleed, glaring at me, as Mulligan peeled out of the parking lot and headed down the highway.

  I stood in the aftermath, Sam’s protective arm still around my shoulders, adrenaline still pumping, and Gemma and I looked at each other, stunned at how dramatically our peaceful night at the Starlight had changed.

  When I turned to Andras, he was watching me intently and I saw so many emotions flicker over his face. Sam stepped away as Andras stalked over to me and grabbed me by the arms, pulling me to him roughly, then full on kissed me, his tongue assaulting me like he wanted to reach down into my soul.

  He pulled back leaving me gasping up at him in astonishment. “You are fucking incredible. Tell me you will have dinner with me here tomorrow night.”

  A giddy grin took over my face, “I will have dinner with you here tomorrow night, Andras Johns.”

  He stared at me a moment longer, his eyes still full of feeling, then he and the guys hopped on their Harley’s and left Gemma, Kenny, and I in the parking lot staring at their departing forms in amazement and burning with curiosity.

  ✽✽✽

  Sitting at my booth with whiskeys, courtesy of the house, Gemma said, “This was definitely an evening for the record books at the Starlight.”

  Kenny joined us after finishing up in the kitchen bringing with him his own whiskey. He grinned at me, and said, “Remind me never to get on your bad side. I had no idea you could move like that. That was so totally awesome.”

  I said quietly, “Thank you for being there for us, Kenny.” Gemma and I each took one of his hands as we sat quietly for a moment absorbing all that had just happened.

  I said, “What do you th
ink that was all about? Definitely some kind of turf thing. And what was with all the animal noises and talk about territory and packs? Sheesh.”

  Gemma snorted, “I know, huh. Freaked me out.”

  Kenny agreed and said, “I wonder what would have happened if there weren’t any ‘witnesses.’ I’m pretty sure we were the witnesses, and if we weren’t there, I’m pretty sure things would have gone totally epic in the parking lot.”

  Gemma grinned, no longer able to contain herself, “You have a date with Andras Johns, girlfriend.”

  I blushed and agreed with Gemma’s earlier assessment, “A night for the record books.”

  Then, we speculated some more and came up with increasingly wild theories about the showdown at the Starlight as we relaxed over our whiskeys.

  Chapter 8

  Selena

  When my eyes opened to face the glorious sun streaming through my bedroom window, the first thing I did was stretch like a contented cat after a nap. Once I was awake enough, I remembered the reason for my excellent night of sleep. That kiss.

  After taking care of my morning needs, I dressed in my joggers and a t-shirt, and made my way to my kitchen to make a pot of coffee and eat some cereal. While leaning over my counter sipping the delicious hot brew, I flipped through my sketchbook.

  Looking back at me were faces that were becoming more familiar, Andras’s especially, of course. But even his friends were taking on more personality for me. More elements were revealing themselves with Red, Kenny and Gemma as well.

  Even so, looking at my drawings with fresh eyes this morning, I realized they could stand a few more touches to illustrate the sum of these people. After seeing them in action last night, these drawings no longer did them justice.

  My heart gave a little jolt as I realized what it was that I was feeling. I was becoming part of a community.