by Unknown
She couldn’t see his eyes but she knew that, underneath his shades, they would be flecked with glowing gold. His full lips were turned up in a sexy smile and had her heart pounding in her chest.
With every muscle in her body shaking, Nina put her car into park, hit the button on the garage door opener, and got out. On legs that wobbled like Jell-O, she walked toward him.
“What are you doing here, Alex?” Her voice carried a hint of hopefulness.
“I came back to get what’s mine,” Alex responded, removing his sunglasses and tucking them into his pocket.
Of course! Nina suddenly felt very silly. “No problem,” she said, blushing with embarrassment. “I’ll get your shirt and you can be on your way.”
She moved past him to go into the house and he grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. “My shirt?” he asked.
She nodded. “I washed it for you and even managed to get all the blood out of it.”
“My shirt?” he repeated. “That’s what you think I came back for?”
Nina shrugged. “That’s the only thing you left here.”
“Not the only thing,” he said, yanking her toward him. She tumbled against his body as his lips found hers, his mouth consuming her, clouding her thoughts, thrilling her body. He wrapped his arms around her ample waist, pulling her close as she kissed him back, longing trumping logic, desire erasing her doubt.
Well, almost.
She stiffened in his arms and reluctantly ended their kiss by pushing away from him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, a genuine look of confusion crossing his face.
“You’re kidding, right?” Nina scoffed. “Did you really expect to just show up here, looking sexy as hell, and pick up where we left off?”
Alex shrugged. “I suppose I did.”
His arrogant confidence was irritating, infuriating…and captivating. Nina threw up her hands in frustration. “Ohhh!” She stomped past him and went into the house.
Alex followed, closing the garage door behind him. Once inside, he said, “I want you, you want me. I don’t see the problem here.”
“The problem here is that you’re a liar, Alex. I can’t be with someone who isn’t honest with me.”
Nina watched as his eyes glowed gold and his nostrils flared. “I wrote in my note that everything I told you was the truth,” he said, his voice tinged with anger and…pain? “Why don’t you believe me?”
News of the fire, which had turned into an arson investigation as the week progressed, flashed through Nina’s mind, but she pushed it aside. She would give Alex one more chance to come clean. “Tell me how you ended up crashed in my driveway.”
~~~
Alex growled. He supposed it was time to tell Nina more of the truth. “I found your home by following the scent of your bear blood.”
He watched as Nina’s face went from irritated to surprised, and then to amused.
“I have bear blood? Riiiiight.” She nodded slowly, and he wasn’t sure if she was going to laugh, cry, or scream for help. “That explains a lot. And all this time I thought I was just a big-boned girl. Turns out I’m part bear.”
“I think it would be best if you sit down,” Alex said, coming toward her as she backed away.
“I’d rather stand, thanks,” she responded, her eyes darting around as if she were a cornered animal looking for an escape.
Alex gave her the space she seemed to need and watched as she relaxed just a bit. “I know it’s hard to believe, but somewhere in your lineage, one of your human ancestors mated with a were-bear. It was a long time ago, maybe even hundreds of years. But a touch of bear blood has survived through the generations and still runs through your veins.”
Nina laughed, sounding more hysterical than amused. “Does a touch of bear blood run through your veins, too?”
“More than a touch. I’m a half-breed bear shifter.”
“Of course you are,” she laughed without humor. “So, do you morph into a bear every time there’s a full moon or something?”
“That’s a myth, and usually associated with werewolves. All full-blood and half-breed were-animals can shift at will, including wolves, cougars, foxes, panthers…and bears, of course.”
“Oh, I see. And were-animals are the kind of big game your ‘hunters’ go after?”
Alex nodded in agreement even though he could tell she was just mocking him. “There’s a group of underground humans that fight to eradicate shifters of all kinds. We call them the Hunters. When they discover a group of shifters, they systematically murder the entire clan, the entire family.”
“Are they like the white supremacists or KKK?”
“That’s one way to look at them. Except they’re a secret society hunting breeds that most people don’t even know exist. Breeds that most people don’t want to believe exist.”
She crossed her arms across her body, hugging her curves. “Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that you are a ‘were-bear’ and your family or ‘clan’ was killed by these ‘hunters’. Why not save yourself by running away from here? Why show up on my doorstep?”
Alex moved stealthily toward her, as if he were stalking prey that he didn’t want to spook. “Because you’re my mate, Nina. You’re in danger, and there’s no way I’m leaving town without you.”
“There we go again with that mate business,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. She looked directly at him, holding his gaze with angry, tear-filled eyes. “Show me.”
“I came back to get you. Doesn’t that show you enough?” He touched her shoulder and she jerked away.
“You say that were-bears can shift at will. Show me how you shift into a bear,” she challenged.
Alex resisted taking the bait. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re already upset. Seeing my bear will only upset you further.”
Nina had inched toward the front door. Reaching blindly behind her back, she unlocked the deadbolt and turned the knob, swinging the door open. “Get. Out. Now.”
“We should both go. The Guardian told me that time is running out.”
“No, Alex, you need to go. It’s Friday night and I have a date with someone who isn’t you. Get out, get on your motorcycle, and forget you ever met me.”
“Wait. You have a date?”
Nina nodded. “And now I have less than an hour to get ready.” She pointed toward the front steps. “Please. Leave.”
Quick as lightning, Alex crushed her against the door, grabbing her hands and pinning them above her head, trapping her between the wood and his hardness. He leaned into her, making sure that she felt his entire length against her belly, and smiled when her eyes registered surprise.
Wedging his knee between her thighs, he rubbed against her mound, stroking the need that he knew was there. She gasped softly and his sexy smile widened when her pupils dilated. With her breasts flattened against his chest, he could feel her heart beating wildly. But it was her scent that was almost his undoing. He could smell her fear…and her desire. The conflicting emotions oozed from her pores like honey from the hive. Warm, sticky, and so very sweet.
Even though she was ordering him out of her house and out of her life, she still wanted him. If he took her now, her body would respond to his touch, although her mind would still reject him once her passions were sated. For some bears, that would be enough. But not for Alex.
Strategic retreat.
“I will leave, for now, because there’s something I need to do,” he growled, inches from her lips. “But we have unfinished business, Nina. You are my mate and one way or another, I intend to claim you before the night is through. I’ll be back later, after I bid farewell to my clan, so you had better cut your date short.”
“And if I don’t?”
Was she daring him? “If you don’t, you’ll find out what happens when another man threatens a bear’s property.”
With that, he released her and stormed out the door. Tossing his chaps aside, he pulled on his helmet, t
hrew his leg over his bike, and started the engine. With a squeal of rubber on pavement, he tore out of her driveway and raced down the street.
Chapter 14
When Alex left, Nina felt like a crushing weight was pressing against her chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe. She was so conflicted!
Alex’s stories sounded crazy, yet he truly seemed to believe them. He honestly thought he was a were-bear and she was his mate. Oh, how easy life would be if both of those things were true. She could agree to be his mate, they could have sex, he could…what did he say? Oh yeah, mark her skin. Then they could run away from the hunters and live happily ever after, even if she didn’t get a ring, a wedding, and an “I love you”.
Nina slapped herself in the head. Now she was the one making up crazy scenarios! She truly cared for Alex and was strongly drawn to him for some unknown reason; one touch from him was all it took for her sensibilities to vanish. But she couldn’t allow herself to get pulled into fantasies.
Danny!
The thought of her date popped into her mind. There’s no way I can go out with him tonight. She kicked herself for not getting his number from Liz. She would have to call Liz to call off the date and answer 20 questions in the process.
She went outside to grab her purse, which she had left in the front seat of her car. She saw Alex’s leather chaps in the driveway and stomped on them like a bratty five-year-old. “Damn you, Alex Andreas,” she stomped. “I was looking forward to my date tonight and you ruined it!” Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Her tantrum made her feel only slightly better.
Back inside, she pulled her cell phone out of her purse and pressed the speed dial for Liz’s number.
Liz answered on the first ring. “Hi, Nina. Are you ready for Danny?”
“About that,” Nina said. “Something’s come up and I need to cancel. I don’t have Danny’s number and was hoping you could give him a call for me.”
“Something or someone?” Liz asked.
“If you must know, it was someone. Alex showed up.”
“He did? Hang on, I’m coming over. Be there in ten minutes!” Liz hung up before Nina had a chance to protest. She arrived six minutes later.
“What did you do, run every red light between your place and mine?” Nina asked, opening the door.
“Something like that,” Liz responded. “Hey, are those motorcycle chaps I saw in your driveway?”
Nina nodded. “Yep. Alex rides.”
The look on Liz’s face turned grave. “You never told me much about him, Nina. Are you hiding something about him?”
Nina flopped down on the couch and Liz sat beside her, holding her hand. “I think he’s a little unhinged. Mentally.”
“What would make you think such a thing?”
Nina hesitated. “Promise you won’t laugh?”
Liz nodded. “Promise.”
“He thinks he’s a…bear.”
Liz put her fingers over her mouth to hide her smile. “A bear. As in ‘RAWR, I’m big and burly and strong’? Or, you know, as in he’s an animal that does his business in the woods?”
“LIZ!” Nina dropped her head into her hands, mortified that her friend would even say such a thing.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. And I know I promised not to laugh, but I can’t help that either. If this guy, Alex, tried to make you think he’s a bear, he must be mental.”
“That’s what I thought, too. But then he had this long, drawn out, detailed story about how his clan of were-bears were killed by hunters and I was his fated mate and now we’re both in danger.”
“I think he’s the danger – to himself and you. Where is he now?”
“He said something about saying good-bye to his family.”
“Look, Nina, if he comes around again, you need to call 911. Speaking of calling, I never did call Danny to break your date. I kind of got sidetracked. Mind if I use your room for a bit of privacy so I can let him down gently?”
“No problem,” Nina responded. “You know the way.” She shouldn’t have told Liz about the whole bear mate thing. Not because Liz couldn’t be trusted, but because she had a big mouth and would probably throw this back in Nina’s face for the rest of her life.
Chapter 15
The Guardian’s locket was blowing up! She had received half a dozen alerts in the last hour, including a broadcast message that was sent to all of the Guardians, and she wasn’t sure which one to act on first.
Alpha and Mate argument. In need of mediation at home of Mate.
Broadcast Alert: Council of Paranormal Creatures security breach identified. Be alert for attacks by rogue Guardian.
Alpha at village. Danger.
Hunters gathering for final kill. Time is running out to accomplish assignment.
Mate at home. Danger.
If Alex was at the village and Nina was at home, it was probably too late to mediate their argument. So the Guardian mentally crossed that off her list. The broadcast message was more of an FYI thing, so she dismissed that as well. That left Alex and Nina in danger in two separate locations and the Hunters gathering forces to off them both.
The Guardian decided to grab Nina first and stash her in a safe house before finding Alex and sending him to claim her. In the meantime, she would do her best to throw a wrench in the Hunters’ plans.
~~~
Liz was still upstairs talking to her brother when Nina heard a knock on the door. Was Alex back already? She opened the door to a surprise visitor.
“Hannah! What are you doing here?”
“I need you to come with me, Nina. You’re not safe here.” The bubbly, impeccably groomed blonde was gone and in her place was a disheveled, almost-frantic waif.
Nina stepped outside and closed the door. She didn’t want Liz to come snooping into the conversation. “This really isn’t a good time for me, Hannah. Maybe we could go to lunch on Monday and talk about whatever’s bothering you.”
“This can’t wait until Monday,” Hannah said, grabbing Nina’s arm and tugging. Nina didn’t even budge an inch. “Nina, you have to trust me. I need to get you away from here. I need to get you somewhere safe.”
Nina planted her feet even firmer on the ground. “Why should I trust you after you stole my job promotion and my boyfriend?”
Hannah stopped tugging. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I did those things to help you. If you were still with Bruce, would you have ended up meeting Alex? And if you had a recruiting career rather than a low-level admin job, would you be willing to walk away from it without a second thought?”
Nina’s head was spinning. How could Hannah know about her and Alex or that he wanted her to go away with him?
Trust no one.
She pulled her arm away from the petite blonde, who continued to ramble. “Seriously, Nina, I can’t believe you wanted to marry that guy. Bruce has got to be the worst lover I’ve ever had. Plus, he’s so boring. I have no idea how that guy ever landed a job in sales because he has absolutely no talent for schmoozing. Pretending to be his fiancé has been painful, to say the least.”
Nina though Hannah was making some very valid points, but didn’t say so. “Who are you?” she demanded.
“Whether you believe me or not, Nina, I’m a friend.”
She took a chance by baiting Hannah with a dangerous question. “Are you a bear shifter, too?”
Hannah didn’t even flinch. “No, I’m a Guardian. My job is to help ensure that paranormal beings, like shifters, are protected.”
Nina laughed, but not with amusement. Alex had mentioned something about guardians, but she couldn’t remember quite what it was. “Guardian as in ‘Angel’?”
“Not exactly,” Hannah responded, “but if it helps you trust me, let’s go with that.”
“I’m not a shifter or any other type of ‘paranormal being’, so why are you interested in me?”
Hannah looked exasperated. “I have an assignment to do, okay? If I fail, you and Alex probably die, and
it won’t be pretty for me either. Every minute we stand here arguing is another minute I don’t have to get to him in time.”
Nina almost believed her. “Do you know where Alex is?”
Hannah nodded. “He’s at the site where his village used to be. The Hunters are coming, Nina.”
Nina sighed in resignation. “Let me grab my purse and keys. I’m driving.”
“That’s good,” Hannah said, “because I don’t have a car. My mode of transportation is a little more direct.”
Nina threw a confused glance over her shoulder at Hannah’s comment before shaking her head and grabbing her purse from the house. Liz would probably wonder where she disappeared to, but she would explain later.
Once the two women were in the car, Hannah started barking directions. “Head toward the freeway. I need you to get on Interstate 405 heading east.”
When Nina took the Interstate 5 North onramp, Hannah grabbed her arm, making the car swerve dangerously close to the other lane. Thankfully, they didn’t hit another vehicle.
“Where are you going?” Hannah shrieked.
“To Alex’s village.” Nina had watched every newscast about the fire and had read every article, including the one that had pointed out the exact location of the blaze. She had too many unanswered questions to blindly follow Hannah’s directives.
It was possible that her coworker wanted to lure her to some remote location and do away with her permanently. Besides, if Alex was in trouble, she wanted to help. If he got the mental health care that he clearly needed, maybe they would have a chance to be a real couple someday.
Chapter 16
Alex rode to his clan’s village, partly because he had nowhere else to go and partly because he wanted to pay his final respects to his family before heading to Colorado. If he was able to return to the Pacific Northwest one day and rebuild his clan, he wouldn’t be able to homestead on this piece of land. His clan owned other property near the coast that would be a good place for a new beginning.
The village proper had been roped off as a crime scene. The investigators were long gone, as were the reporters who had previously set up camp to feed the 24-hour news frenzy. He hid his bike in the forest and walked toward the village, wading through the rubble, hoping to feel the energetic presence of those who had lived there. But all he felt was stillness.