Bear Naked

by Dana Marie Bell

  Ryan fucked like a god, and that bite? Her cheeks flushed as she remembered how wonderful that bite had felt. Glory was looking forward to a repeat of that performance. She’d had some pretty decent sex in her life, but Ryan’s bite took it to a whole other level.

  I’ve developed a new kink, and its name is Ryan Williams.

  Just as Glory was getting ready to close her station, the bell over the door jangled. A familiar voice called out, “Ryan?”

  Glory grinned. Chloe had been coming around more often, getting out of her postage-sized apartment, much to her brother’s relief. They were all thrilled that Chloe felt well enough to try and get out more. She’d tired so easily in the early days of her healing. Hell, she still tired quicker than Glory liked. “Hi, Chloe.”

  Chloe squeed and hugged her. “Congratulations!”

  “Huh?” Glory returned the hug.

  “You’re mated. That means we’re sisters!”

  Glory shouldn’t be surprised that the Fox could scent that on her, but she was. “I didn’t know you could sense that.”

  “You smell of each other.” Chloe looked genuinely happy for her as she pulled back. “You’re good for him, you know? Most women bore him pretty quickly, but not you.” Chloe waggled her brows. “Keep him on his toes.”

  Glory eyed him sideways, almost grinning when she saw him pale. “Has a lot of girlfriends in his past, does he?”

  Chloe started to laugh. “Cheerleaders were all over him in high school. And in college? A couple of sorority sisters got into a fistfight in the student center.”

  “Chloe!” Ryan whined.

  “What? Should I tell her about all those bored housewives watching you when you were working the landscaping part of the business?” Chloe leaned in and whispered loud enough for all of them to hear. “The late-night phone calls kept waking me up. The best one was the lady plumber who kept offering to check his pipe for leaks.”

  Glory didn’t know whether to laugh or snarl, but the decision was taken out of her hands when Ryan abruptly stood and covered his sister’s mouth. “Ixnay on my ipes-pay.”

  Glory lost it. “Let me guess. You trimmed her bush?”

  Ryan turned bright red. “I did not.”

  “I think he raked her leaves.” Chloe was giggling behind her hand.

  “You suck.” Ryan took hold of his sister’s head and pushed her gently away. “Little sisters just suck.”

  Chloe was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. “P-planted his tree in her garden.”

  “I did not!” Ryan threw his hands in the air. “She was hairier than I am!”

  Glory collapsed into her station chair, laughing so hard her stomach hurt.

  Suddenly Ryan turned on his sister with a scowl. “Did you walk here alone?”

  Chloe, still laughing, nodded.

  Ryan growled. “It’s not safe to be walking alone at night.”

  Chloe stilled, then sighed. “I’m okay, big brother. I’m not nearly as fired as I used to be, and I’m using all my Foxy ways to stay safe.”

  “Foxy ways?” Glory watched the interaction between brother and sister with a smile. The love between the two was obvious, and it did her heart good to see it. She wanted that back with her own brother, that teasing camaraderie they’d had out of their father’s sight. “What does that mean?”

  “Foxes are adept at hiding themselves. We can puzzle our scent to the point where we almost smell human. Pumas, whose animal counterparts are solitary in the wild, asked for the gift of the Pride, giving them the same advantages Wolves and Lions have.”

  It was strange, the way Chloe’s speech problems seemed to come and go, but Glory was beginning to understand them a little. It seemed the more nervous Chloe was, the worse her speech became. But when she was comfortable and at ease with the people around her, the strange little quirks disappeared almost completely.

  “Lions? How many types of shifters are there?” She’d gotten some of this from Tabby, but hearing it from another perspective might help her understand it better.

  “Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wolves, Jaguars, Cheetahs… Name a predatory mammal and odds are good there either are, or were, shifters of that race.”

  “Wereorcas.”

  Chloe stopped. “Or not. I don’t think there were ever Orcas, were there?”

  Ryan shrugged. “Don’t ask me, I have no idea.”

  “Huh. So what gifts do the others have?” Glory settled on the chaise, smiling as Chloe took a seat next to her.

  “Lions have the ability to command other shifters, making them the rulers of the shifter world. The Leo, the one who tools us all, is always a white Lion.” Ryan watched his sister and Glory on the chaise with a strange half smile on his face. He looked utterly content that they were there. Glory bet his protective personality was purring over the fact that the two people he considered his to protect were both safely in his sight. “I haven’t met a Tiger personally, but I understand they’re fierce warriors who have a half-man, half-Tiger form.”

  Whoa. That sounded massively cool. “Like a werewolf, but in cat form?”

  “Exactly. Then there’s Cheetahs, who are super fast.”

  Glory remembered that there were Cheetahs. One of them had broken Cyn’s jaw. “Yeah. Are they all assholes?”

  Chloe choked on a laugh.

  Ryan shrugged. “No more than any other shifter species. Hyenas are very resistant to poisons and diseases, Lynxes are even better than Foxes at hiding their presence. Coyotes can tell if you’re lying to them or not, Jaguars can bite through almost anything… Man, there are a couple of other species, but I don’t know any of them personally. I’m not even sure I could find a Hyena or a Jaguar, honestly.”

  This was a lot of information to take in. “You said the Lions were the kings of the shifter world.” How cool was that? “So it really is all about Simba?”

  Chloe started laughing. “Do not ever call a Lion Simba or Nala. They fate that shit.”

  Ryan ignored them both. “The Senate rules us much like Congress or Parliament rules the humans, creating and enacting laws and watching over the shifters. They’re the ones who send out Hunters to take down rogues.” Ryan leaned forward. “When we’re around humans, we discuss Packs, Prides and the Senate as if we’re talking about a business. The Senate actually runs a legal corporation headed by the Leo, a charitable organization that’s mostly concerned with the conservation of endangered species.”

  “The foundation only accepts donations from shifters, so they don’t really fall under federal scrutiny. They keep it small, but they do a lot of good. The Wildlife Conservation Foundation is helping to repopulate the wolves in Yellowstone National Park and gives big cats born in the U.S. a safe environment to live in.” Chloe’s enthusiasm was apparent. Her face lit up as she discussed the foundation. “I’d hoped to work for them one day as a pet.” Chloe’s expression turned glum.

  Ryan ruffled his sister’s hair. “We’ll figure out a way for you to work with animals again, Chloe. Trust me on that.”

  She shrugged, but her smile was stronger. Chloe was nothing if not resilient. Glory had no doubt the family would figure out a way for Chloe to live out at least part of her dream.

  “So Barney works for the Senate and the Leo.”

  “Mostly the Senate, yeah, though I have no doubt if the Leo called on him he’d answer in a heartbeat. And so will I once I’m fully trained.”

  Glory took a good, deep breath. There was the faintest hint of that strange something she’d come to associate with shifters, and it was coming from Chloe. “What’s that smell?” She leaned closer to Chloe, sniffing near the other woman. She was the source of the odd, faint scent. “Is that what a Fox smells like?” It was so faint it was barely perceptible, and it disappeared altogether as she leaned closer to Chloe.

  Chloe looked startled. “Wow. You’re scenting things already?” She smirked at her brother. “She’s gonna be strong, Ryan.”

  “Yes, she is.” And
he couldn’t sound any prouder of that fact. His arm wrapped around her waist and tugged her off the chaise and onto his lap. “She is SG, after all.”

  “Which stands for Super Glory, of course.” She elbowed him in the stomach.

  “Of course,” he grunted.

  Chloe just shook her head at them. “You two are nauseatingly cute.” Glory stuck her tongue out at Chloe, who laughed. “Want to go grab a bite to eat? I’m carving.”

  Glory was slowly getting used to the random switches in Chloe’s words. “I think we can do that. Ryan?”

  He nodded. “We can walk you home after if you like.”

  “I like.” Chloe snapped her fingers. “Can you hold on for a sec? I want to talk to Cyn about getting another tattoo.”

  Ryan frowned. “Are you sure?”

  “Mm-hm. I even know what I want.”

  “What are you thinking of getting?”

  “An open window.” Chloe pulled a wrinkled, folded picture out of her pocket. “See, a lot of doors have closed for me.”

  Glory clapped. “But when a door closes—”

  “Somewhere a window opens.” Chloe grinned. “I knew you’d get it.”

  “Show the pic to Heather too.” The part-timer had come in after lunch to work the evening shift. “I bet she can really make it shine.”

  Chloe nodded and, while Glory finished closing her station, chatted with Cyn and Heather about exactly what she wanted.

  “I like seeing her smile.” Ryan watched his sister with an indulgent smile. “I like even more that she’s looking at the positive again.”

  “I’m betting she’s plotting how to get Jim Woods to mate with her.” Glory didn’t understand how anyone could turn down the cute, bubbly Fox. Even with the odd quirks her injuries had given her, she rarely let herself get down. Only when she was exhausted could you tell that her mate’s absence weighed on her. The veterinarian Chloe had fallen for before she’d been attacked was playing hard to get. “She still looks tired, though.”

  Ryan nodded. “I think that’s always going to be true. She tires easily these days, and the shakes in her left hand will never go away.”

  “Any idea what she’s going to do now?”

  “I think she’s going to try and continue working in veterinary medicine, but maybe as a vet tech instead of an actual vet. I don’t know what her options are, and she’s still looking into it.”

  “You guys ready to go?” Chloe bounced over to them, but the spring in her step was muted compared to the way she’d been before she’d been beaten.

  “You want Frank’s Diner?”

  “Let me think. The best burgers in Halle, or anyplace else?” Chloe walked over to the door and threw it open. “What are you two baiting for?”

  Glory laughed and grabbed her jacket. “I think someone is hungry.”

  “No, really?” Ryan stepped out the door before either of the women, taking deep breaths. It took Glory a moment to realize that Ryan was scenting the air for the Wolf who’d attacked them. “Coast is clear.”

  “Bye, Cyn. See you tomorrow, Heather.”

  Both women waved good-bye and continued cleaning their own stations. Glory could hear them discussing Chloe’s new tattoo as the door shut behind her.

  “Chloe?”

  Ryan stiffened next to her, but it was Chloe’s gasp that had her stepping between the Fox and whoever had spoken her name.

  Chloe immediately moved past Glory, a hesitant smile on her face. “Jim.”

  Oh. So this was Dr. Jim Woods, the veterinarian Chloe had fallen in love with. He was pretty damn good looking, with his wavy blond hair and bright hazel eyes, broad shoulders and broader grin. He looked genuinely pleased to see Chloe…

  …until he saw the way she was clutching Ryan’s arm. Then his expression closed off, became cold. “It’s good to see you’re up and moving around.”

  Chloe whimpered. “It’s good to pee you too.”

  Jim frowned. “Pee?”

  Even in the dim light of the street lamp Glory could see the way Chloe’s cheeks went bright red. “I mean tee.”

  “Chloe?” Jim took a step toward her, but stopped when Ryan growled. “Wait. I know you.” The cold expression changed, warmed. “You’re Ryan Williams, right?”

  “Yup.”

  Oh shit. Glory knew that tone of voice. Ryan was pissed about something. She needed to head this off at the pass or the good doctor might find himself in chunky pieces. “Hi. I’m Glory Walsh, Ryan’s girlfriend.”

  She blinked as Ryan’s arm snaked around her waist. “Yup. Mine.”

  “Uh. Good for you?” Jim Woods winked at her, earning a small growl from Ryan. Jim checked his watch and grimaced. “Well. I need to get going. I’m meeting someone for dinner.”

  Jim either didn’t see the way Chloe’s face fell, or he chose to ignore it. “Oh.” A weak smile crossed her lips. “May I gum visit the hospital and tree the animals?”

  Jim eyed her for a moment, and Glory found herself holding her breath. She wanted him to say yes in the worst way. The hope in Chloe was almost tangible.

  Slowly, he nodded. “I think it will be all right.”

  Chloe grinned. “Tanks.”

  Again, Jim seemed startled. Didn’t he know about Chloe’s affliction? Hadn’t anyone filled the vet in on the extent of her injuries? “You’re welcome.” He looked past them and tsk’d. “But I really have to get going now. Be careful on the way home, okay?” And with a cheery wave he strode past them, calling out a woman’s name as he went.

  Chloe let off a strange half yip, half bark before covering her mouth with her bad hand. “Sorry.”

  “I swear I’m going to bite that fucker. Maybe if he feels the mating urge he’ll finally get off his ass and come claim you.” Ryan grimaced. “And I really don’t want to think of my baby sister getting claimed, but I’m tired of seeing you miserable.”

  “It’s my salt.” Chloe looked ready to cry. “I didn’t realize cow my relationship with Gabe hooked until it was already too rate.”

  From what Glory had seen in that brief second before Jim’s expression had closed off, Jim had been jealous as hell at the sight of Chloe leaning on another man. “Maybe you should explain it to him?”

  “I lied once, but he didn’t want to ear it.” Chloe began walking, her pace slow. She took a deep breath, obviously trying to get her emotions back under control. When she spoke again, she chose to do so slowly, sounding out each word. “He honestly thought Gabe and I were baiting, and then Gabe got together with Sarah and I was attacked while Jim was out of town.”

  “He didn’t come back, not even once, to check on her.”

  She could hear the anger in Ryan’s voice. “Maybe he couldn’t.” Glory shrugged when the siblings both looked at her. “If it was work related, he might not have been able to get away.”

  “Hmph.” Ryan was less than impressed.

  “I understand, mostly. He doesn’t feel the mating wool the way I do.”

  “Which is why I want to bite his ass.” Ryan held up his hands in a pleading gesture. “Just one little bite? I promise to only maul him slightly.”

  Chloe laughed. “No.”

  “But—”

  “No, Ryan. Let me figure out a way to get out of my own mess.”

  “I agree.” Glory patted Ryan’s arm, hoping to soothe her savage beast. “Remember how you felt when that Wolf bit me?”

  Ryan snarled, then huffed out a defeated breath. “Fine. Okay. I get it. I won’t bite his ass.” He shot his sister a look that Glory was glad the Fox couldn’t see. She was willing to bet her favorite piercing needle that Dr. Jim Woods was going to meet an angry Bear in the very near future. She was sure of it when he muttered under his breath, “Yet.”

  Chapter Twelve

  It had been three days since the attacks on Ryan and Glory. Three days during which they’d heard nothing, not even from Barney. Ryan was slowly going out of his mind even as he quietly moved Glory into his apartment. Thank
fuck Bunny understood, because his cousin had been instrumental in getting Glory’s things packed and over to Ryan’s.

  Tabby still hadn’t noticed that her old apartment key was missing. Once she did, she’d spill the beans to Glory and there’d be hell to pay.

  But for now, Ryan was simply enjoying the fact that within the next week or two his mate would be a permanent part of his home, whether she knew it or not. Now all he had to do was find her father, find her stalker, make sure her brother and sister were on the up-and-up and get his ass trained as a Hunter before he did something irrevocably stupid, like get himself or his mate dead.

  Too bad the man who’d come all the way to Halle to do just that had fucking disappeared on him. Not even Gabe could find the other Hunter, and Sarah, the Pride Omega, seemed blind to his presence.

  So it was with some surprise that Ryan woke to the sound of voices in his living room. One held the sweet tones of his mate, making him smile as he stretched.

  It didn’t take him long to figure out who the other voice belonged to.

  “Shit.” Ryan rolled onto his back and dragged his hand over his face. “Why does he come over here so god-damn early?” He rolled out of bed to his feet, ready to confront the man who kept barging into his home.

  “Hey, Ryan.” Barney poked his head into Ryan and Glory’s bedroom and waved. “Your mate’s making me breakfast.”

  Ryan snarled.

  Barney merely grinned. “She’s cute, like a Polly Pocket. I’m thinking of tucking her in my jacket and carrying her home.”

  “Shouldn’t you be saying that about your own mate?”

  “Pfft. I put her in my pocket and she’ll bite my balls off.” Barney winked. “But your mate is making me bacon. Can I keep her?”

  Ryan slammed the bathroom door shut, ignoring Barney’s bark of laughter. Glory hadn’t made him breakfast yet. She usually made him pick up breakfast sandwiches from Frank’s. So why was she making it for the pain in the ass Hunter?