Ranger Drew (Shifter Nation: Werebears Of Acadia Book 4)

by Meg Ripley

  “How do we know we can trust her? She could be contacting them right now to get them to bust her out of here or something!” Trent was immediately on the defense, but I was prepared.

  “I trust her. And she already has the laptop, so you’ll just have to deal with it.” I looked to Knox to make sure I wasn’t overstepping his authority. If he ordered me to take the laptop from her or anything like that, I would do it. But I would still try to convince him. He just nodded, though, and I felt relieved. Trent stood silently but was obviously pissed off. I could tell he wasn’t ready to trust Kathleen, but I couldn’t really blame him.

  “So how exactly are you going to do this, Kathleen?” Knox addressed her directly.

  “I’m going to hack their message board. Every organization has a secret message board where they discuss plans for the group that only a select few can sign into. It’s usually just the higher-ups that have access, but I would bet the NCPD-CID’s board is shared with every single person involved in this bear shifter execution plan. I don’t see how else they would find time to discuss it during work hours. If we find nothing there, I can always hack their emails, but I feel like emails take too long for responses. This plan would need immediate contact at any moment and an instant message board would be the best line of communication.”

  “Can you do it?” Knox asked.

  Kathleen nodded. “Getting in is going to be a piece of cake. Staying undetected is the issue. But I can do it and I’m about to. I’m going to place a reader on as well so that it will dictate their messages out loud, so we can all hear them.”

  Trent and Knox gathered around me against the cell bars as we waited to hear anything.

  “What’s taking so long?” Trent asked impatiently, but Kathleen answered before I could say something.

  “They’ve beefed up security since my last hack, but I can still get in.” Kathleen was typing away furiously, her eyes glued to the laptop screen. “Yes! Alright, I’m in.”

  Everyone stood in silence as we listened.

  “Is everything set for Monday?” A robotic voice emitted from the speakers of the laptop.

  “Is that the highest the volume can go?” I asked. It was a little hard to hear, but I could still make out the words.

  “Yeah, sorry, the speakers aren’t all that great.” I laughed inwardly, That’s why I usually listen to porn with my headphones on.

  The computerized voice continued, “Yes, everything is set. He will be paid once the job is completed.”

  “Who’s he?” I asked.

  Kathleen looked at the computer screen and shrugged. “No sign of a screen name. It’s usually that way, though.”

  “When can he have it completed by?”

  “He said 5pm…”

  “That’s it,” Kathleen proclaimed. “That’s the time the attack will happen—well, sometime a little before that.”

  She had been ready to shut down the laptop, but Knox held a hand up to her. “Let’s wait to see if they reveal who is going to do it or how it will be done.”

  “The longer we stay logged in, the longer we are at risk of being discovered. You realize that, right? We already know the general timing of when they plan to initiate the fire, so we can be prepared.” Kathleen was treading lightly; I could tell she was nervous about confronting Knox.

  “Look, I’m very grateful that you’re putting yourself at risk, Kathleen, but the timing isn’t enough. We need more information, if we can get it,” Knox responded.

  Kathleen nodded; we silently waited for any further details to be shared over the next two minutes, but nothing came through.

  “Okay, I’m closing the connection. Either something’s wrong or they’re busy, but we should be hearing correspondence if the communication lines are open.” Kathleen scrambled with the laptop and then closed it quickly. “I shut down the hack and deleted everything related to it from your computer, Drew.”

  “So, we know they’re planning on attacking us sometime before 5pm because they hope to have us eliminated by then.” Knox seemed deep in thought.

  “Well, at least that means we’ll be done with work for the day at our normal time,” Trent joked.

  Just then, someone’s phone began to ring. Trent and Knox checked their pockets, but the sound wasn’t coming from either of their devices. I knew it wasn’t mine just by the ringtone alone, but I checked anyway. It sounded like it was coming from Trent’s desk, so he padded over to it and opened one of the drawers. The sound grew louder.

  “It’s hers. It’s coming from the phone we took from her when we arrested her.”

  “What does the caller ID say?” Kathleen asked suspiciously.

  “Unknown.”

  “It’s Hanson. Eric Hanson. He’s the head of the NCPD-CID and the one who forced me to do this job. He’s probably calling to find out how you guys responded to the ultimatum.”

  “He probably already knows we’re not standing down and that’s why he’s setting up the plan for the fire,” I said, shaking my head.

  Trent gave Kathleen the phone, which had started to ring a second time.

  “Answer it,” he said.

  “I don’t know, guys; this is weird. We just hacked them and now he’s calling me?” Kathleen seemed very nervous.

  “If you don’t answer, who knows what they will think. They could come here searching for you tonight and set this place ablaze in the meantime,” Trent argued.

  Knox and I nodded; he was right. The best thing for her to do was answer the phone.

  “Hello?” Kathleen spoke shakily. “Yes, I did…They have chosen to stay and fight, but I am trying to convince them…Understood…”

  She gulped and pressed the screen to end the call.

  “What happened?” I asked, rushing over to the bars. “What did he say?”

  “He asked about your decision, and after I told him I was trying to convince you all otherwise, he said I had until Sunday morning to get you on board, or he will proceed with the plan.”

  “Whatever, it’s not like we’re changing our minds, anyway,” Trent snickered.

  “It’s going to be okay, Kathleen; you did everything you could possibly do for us. My plan will work, and our clan and the park will be fine,” I assured her, but it just didn’t feel like enough. I turned to Trent. “Can we get her out of here now?”

  Trent looked at Knox, who was silent for a moment, but finally nodded. When Trent unlocked the cell, I rushed in to hold Kathleen, who had started to cry, but she pushed me off.

  “Listen, I want to help. Let me help you prepare the park for the fire; it’s the least I can do.” There was determination in her eyes, and if she hadn’t been crying, I might have found myself turned on.

  “Well, there is no time to lose. Everyone go home and get your rest,” Knox advised. “Tomorrow, the execution of the plan resumes.”

  Everyone nodded, and Knox and Trent headed out of the office.

  I turned to Kathleen, “Do you want me to take you to the hotel?”

  “Can I stay with you?” Her eyes were pleading, but she looked away quickly. “You know, since I’m going to come help out tomorrow. You live right here, so it just makes sense…”

  I gave her a quick squeeze and helped her to her feet. “Of course, you can stay with me.”

  ****

  The next few days were a blur.

  The sand bags were set. The trenches had been dug. The water tanks and hoses were mounted and put into place. Everyone in the clan was aware of their assigned areas. One hundred people were needed to execute this plan, and it was a good thing that there were at least that many members in the clan.

  It was Saturday night, and I was driving home after setting up the hoses. The following day would be the last day I had before everyone assumed their positions and the fire was supposed to strike. I had spent the entire day driving around Acadia, making sure everyone had completed their jobs and that each area was prepared. Thankfully, everyone had finished their tasks a day ear
ly, so I was able to double-check our work for good measure.

  I felt confident and prepared. My plan was fool-proof; I couldn’t foresee any possible failures. Kathleen was still worried, but I kept reassuring her.

  “Everything will be fine. Maybe you just need something to take your mind off it, huh?” I snickered, pulling into my driveway. She had been staying at my cabin all week to help with the setup, but we hadn’t really had much energy for sex. Lifting sand bags and digging trenches made for a hard day’s work, and by the time we had gotten home each day, we had passed out almost immediately upon reaching the bedroom.

  Well, I had different plans that night.

  “What I need is a shower.” Kathleen rolled her eyes at me, but I caught a playful smile spreading across her lips.

  “What for? So I can get you all hot and sweaty again?” I asked, leaning toward the passenger seat, cupping her face. She parted her lips as I drew closer and I lightly kissed them, suckling her bottom lip. She kissed me back eagerly and, to my surprise, grabbed the firm bulge forming at the front of my pants.

  “Race you to the door…” She whispered with a grin. Next thing I knew, we were both running full force toward the steps.

  “That wasn’t fair; you had a head start because you thought of it. And you were kissing me! I was still in kissing mode. I needed at least ten seconds to switch to running mode,” I teased, catching my breath on the porch. She had beat me to the door, no surprise, but I had the key, so she had to wait for me to unlock the door. She just stood there grinning, hardly out of breath, bouncing up and down.

  “Come on, slowpoke! Open the door!” she implored, and I chuckled. She seemed awfully excited and I wondered why. As I opened the door, she rushed inside, running up the stairs. I heard the shower start and laughed to myself.

  “Beat you!” she yelled down to me and I heard the bathroom door close.

  “I thought the race was only to the door!”

  Cheater.

  I thought about going in to join her, but I decided that I’d rather have a moment to relax and gather the strength I’d be needing in a few minutes; my body was exhausted. I walked over to the living room and plopped down on the couch, sinking into its softness—which was more than welcomed after the labor-intensive week I’d had.

  I closed my eyes and let my thoughts drift. I was so happy that everything had fallen into place the way I had hoped. I only wished we had more of an idea about how the fire would start so I could better plan for it, but no matter what, I was certain my strategy would work, and Acadia would be saved. I was sure of it.

  I felt delicate hands glide over my shoulders, massaging me as I slumped in gratification.

  “Mmmm…That was a quick shower,” I murmured through my daze. Her hands were deliberate in their motions as they worked through my muscles, kneading out my tension. I sighed and fought to keep my eyes open. Her heavenly hands left my shoulders and I groaned.

  I opened one eye to see her walking around the couch and she straddled me, completely naked.

  “Well, what do we have here? What did I do to deserve this treat?” My eyes widened as I drank in her gorgeous curves. Her hourglass figure was perfect to me and her ginger hair was slightly damp, cascading down her chest and back, hiding her nipples from my view.

  “You lost, which means I won. Which also means I get whatever I want for winning.” Kathleen smirked and ran her hands up and down the tired muscles of my arms.

  “I don’t remember agreeing to that,” I teased with my eyebrow raised. It was a little hard to concentrate with her light touches brushing my skin and her naked warm body on my lap.

  “Losers don’t have a choice,” she said, leaning in to kiss me. Her lips were soft and wet, just like the rest of her body, which I wrapped my arms around. Her bottom was slightly lifted, and I took advantage by cupping her cheeks and squeezing, making her moan against my lips. I pulled away slightly, just enough for our lips to separate, and we were both panting.

  “Let me go shower first. I’ve been sweating all day and I probably smell terrible.”

  “And you’re covered in dirt,” she giggled.

  “Exactly. You got a chance to get cleaned up, so let me do the same. I’ll only be a couple of minutes,” I assured her.

  “Nope. I’m not going to let you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I think it’s…kind of hot. I’ve been watching you all week. Your muscles rippling every time you picked up the shovel or a sand bag, you wiping the sweat from your forehead with that rag…I watched it all, and it got me so wet…I’m getting turned on just thinking about it.”

  And I could tell. One sniff of the air and my bear was ravenous. He could smell her arousal, and I could read her face. She wanted me, badly.

  “Maybe you should feel for yourself.” She took one of my hands and brought it to her folds, and that was all it took for my rod to fully engorge. It strained against my jeans once again as my fingers explored her dripping cave. She was most definitely ready, a moaning mess in my arms.

  My two thick fingers slipped inside her easily, and I growled as her walls tightened around them. Throwing her head back, she began to grind against my hand, and I wrapped my free arm around her waist and pushed against her, ramming my fingers into her. I enjoyed how she held onto me, digging her nails into my shoulders as we found a steady, hard rhythm.

  My cock was becoming increasing uncomfortable as it tried to force its way out of my jeans, and I couldn’t hold out any longer, releasing it from its prison, allowing it to bounce out at full attention. In one fell swoop, I slipped my fingers out and slid my length inside Kathleen, plunging straight in. She gripped me tightly and moaned with her lips right against my ear, the sound rippling through me, making my hair stand on end. She had the sexiest moans I had ever heard in my life.

  I grabbed her hips and started slamming her down onto my throbbing shaft. She gripped the couch behind me as the sound of our bodies colliding together and the screams of my length reaching deep inside her echoed throughout the room. I could feel her moving with me, even though I controlled her hips. Her moans were getting louder, and a tingling sensation rose from deep within my core, reaching my head, my fingertips and my toes. It shot straight to my body, searching for release.

  “Oh god, Drew!” Kathleen screamed my name in the sexiest way possible, her legs trembling on my lap, and I lost it. My seed erupted into her as her velvety walls tightened around me, milking my seed and stretching my orgasm until she finally slumped against me, her slight shivers still vibrating through her. My head fell back against the couch and hers nestled into my neck as we both tried to calm our heavy breathing. When I had finally caught my breath, Kathleen’s had become even and steady.

  “Kathleen?”

  She didn’t reply, and her breathing stayed the same.

  She fell asleep, I chuckled to myself and tried my best to slide out of her without waking her. She groaned and whimpered as I pulled myself from her body, quickly placing my member back in my jeans and then wrapping her arms around my neck; I decided to bring her upstairs and place her in my bed while I went to shower.

  When I started carrying her up the stairs, I heard her whisper something.

  “Do you think…I’ll ever get to meet…your bear?”

  “Only when you’re ready.” I smiled.

  Once I had set her down to sleep and felt the water running down my skin, serious thoughts about Kathleen flooded my head.

  If we survive these next two days, I need to convince her to stay with me a while longer…

  Chapter 8 – Kathleen

  I can’t believe I fell asleep on him! Leave it to me… At least Drew had been nice about it.

  Drew was driving Knox’s Jeep around the park, checking to make sure that everything was set for everyone to take action the following day. His crew was stationed at their positions because Knox wanted to initiate a drill once Drew had finished checking on all the areas. I had told Drew th
at I would walk around, following the sand bags, making sure I was within safe parameters. He had tried to get someone to come along with me, but I assured him I would be fine.

  Besides, the attack is tomorrow, not today. I followed the sand bags through the trees, checking to make sure that there were no breaks in the wall. I passed many members of the clan stationed at their areas who waved to greet me, and I smiled in return.

  The NCPD-CID had been utterly wrong about these people. They were by no means monsters; in fact, they were friendlier than most of the people I had ever met. They welcomed me with open arms, even after I betrayed their trust. Knox had spread the news I had gathered and mentioned how I’d decided to help them fight against the government. I wasn’t sure if it was the Alpha authority or the majority effect, but everyone had gone back to being pleasant with me, as if nothing happened.

  I mean, I wasn’t complaining; it just seemed weird. Kind of cultish, but I didn’t want my impression to warp my idea of bear shifters, especially after it was so warped to begin with. I hadn’t seen a single bear since I’d set foot in Acadia, and other than the initial anger of the clan when I’d delivered the government’s message, everyone had been so amicable.

  And Acadia was beautiful. I had never seen such gorgeous scenery. Before I visited, I had assumed Acadia was mostly made up of woodlands, but I had been pleasantly surprised by its varied landscape. The more I thought about Acadia, the more I realized there was so much more I wanted to experience. I wanted to climb all of its mountains; to lay on the rocky shore, breathing in the crisp, salty air. If trees were damaged during this operation, I wanted to help plant new ones. But more importantly, I wanted to watch them grow.

  I wanted to stay.

  And, if everything worked out between Drew and I, I’d love to ask to stay with him, at least long enough for me to rack up enough hacking income so I could lock down my own place, anyway.

  I haven’t even talked with Drew about how he feels about my hacking. Of course, he didn’t say anything about it when I was doing it to help him and his clan, but what if he has an issue with it because it’s illegal? I mean, I’m not even sure if I still want to do that anyway; it’s not like I’m looking forward to dodging the law for the foreseeable future or getting arrested again.