Ursa Unearthed (Scourge Survivor Series Book 2)

by JL Madore

  I nodded. "It sounds heavenly, actually, but I'll warn you, I don't like head-chopping movies or anything where things pop out at you."

  "What about chick-flicks?" He scrubbed his hand over his jaw, but it didn't hide the blotches of scarlet bursting onto his cheeks.

  "Are you saying you have some back in your room?"

  Bruin scanned the hall and I couldn't tell if he was thinking or stalling. He stretched his neck from side to side, then just when I was about to give up, he nodded. "I . . . uh, have been known to OD on fudge-crackle ice cream and get sappy."

  I forced a straight face. "You're lying."

  Thankfully, he was the one to bust loose with a grin first. "Nope. For reals."

  I gave up the fight and laughed. "Prove it. Gimme your top five."

  He leaned back and counted them off on his fingers. "In the cabinet below my wall-mounted plasma, behind the Star Trek box set, I have all my top picks. Pride and Prejudice is hands down number one. Some argue the older versions are better, but it's Kiera Knightley all the way for me. P.S. I Love You is a close second—I mean, please, getting letters of love from beyond the grave—How can you not mist up? Breakfast at Tiffanies, for sure. Then it's a toss-up between Dirty Dancing, It's Complicated and/or anything with Hugh Grant or Sandra Bullock."

  "Wow, that's quite a list. No testosterone in sight. I never would have guessed."

  He shrugged. "I can't explain it. I'll be totally myself, working out in the gym, just back from clubbing with the boys, or getting shredded in a battle, when suddenly I get hit with this overwhelming urge. It's bizarre. I used to fight it, but it's no use. Now I look at it as keeping in touch with my softer side."

  "Well, your secret is safe with me—"

  The clop-clop down the hall made me jump—a Centaur headed for the washroom. For the briefest moment, I wondered how that would work.

  "Is it a date?" Bruin asked, breaking that bizarre train of thought. "We'll forget what happened here for a few hours and spend some quiet time with a bowl of popcorn."

  "Extra butter?"

  "Anything you want."

  "Sounds good. Thank you."

  Bruin's smile fell short. "We can try to slow things down, Mika, but that's not exactly how bonding works. The sexual hunger, volatility and possessiveness between us will continue to grow until we claim each other."

  "Hasn't anyone ever chosen not to be Mated?"

  Bruin winced. "Finding your perfect other half is a gift, no matter how inconvenient you find it. If you try to remember that, I'll try to hold off my base instincts and give you space—but I warn you, your denial only makes my desire more intense."

  I swallowed. "Like what happened on the plateau in Africa?"

  Bruin pressed me gently against the wall as he reached for the push-bar of the back door. "My bear is a powerful part of me, Mika, and he wants you. All of you."

  Bruin stepped out the back door of the Hearthstone and blocked the doorway until he'd surveyed the area and drawn in a couple deep, lung-filling breaths. I ogled him as he scanned the meadow and forest beyond. The way his black t-shirt molded to his lats. How his ripped jeans cupped heavily muscled legs and thighs. My palm stung, burning for his touch.

  He canted his head and brushed back his hair.

  "Do you hear something?"

  He smiled back at me, dominance and possession glowing gold in his gaze. "Just making sure your new friends aren't hiding in a bush somewhere. S'all good."

  We stepped into the mid-day sun. Bruin held my hand as we headed to a penned play area and the sting abated. Wild grass and sun-burnt weeds brushed my shins as we tromped on.

  An old wooden jungle gym, a kiddie-pool and two sunning rocks sat behind a five-foot fibreglass fence scratched to the point of opacity. Even though the play area had seen better days, the cubs climbed, tumbled and splashed over every inch without objection. I eyed the two flat boulders basking in full sun and wondered when I had last paid tribute to the sun myself.

  Faolan bared her teeth as a cub bit her bushy ebony tail and the other cubs barrelled over to nip her paws. The quads didn't seem intimidated by the wolf's annoyance. In fact, they quite happily used both her and Aust as extensions of their climbing equipment.

  After fiddling with the latch for the gate, I let myself in to the circus ring. Before I could blink, they rushed Bruin's legs and shimmied up his worn, fitted jeans. I sidestepped the attack and joined Aust, bumping his shoulder as I settled cross-legged beside him.

  "I don't think I properly thanked you for last night," I said.

  Bruin glanced over, propped on all fours tussling with two of the male cubs while the other two rode his back and chewed his hair. "Well, that's not what a man wants to hear his betrothed say to another man."

  I threw him a droll stare. "Aust took me into the forest to meet the wolves."

  "So . . . a moonlit stroll. Oh, please, go on." The corners of his mouth lifted.

  I kept a straight face. "Then, he took me to the kitchen and his mom, Elora, stuffed me full of the best banana chocolate chip pancakes I've ever tasted."

  "A meal and he introduced you to his parental unit. This sounds serious."

  I chuckled. "Then he showed me to my suite and we said good night."

  "Ah, the old love 'em and leave'em wanting more routine. Very effective, Aust. I've used it myself dozens of times."

  I raised a brow. "Dozens of times? Do you really want to bring up past encounters, because I have a few stories that would make you—"

  Bruin coughed and shook his head. "Absolutely not. For both our sakes and the safety of the men involved, I invoke a don't-ask-don't-tell clause in our relationship."

  He scooped up Kiara and nuzzled her face against his. She was smaller than her brothers and her paws were noticeably less clunky, but she had more sass and knew how to use it. Bruin blew a long raspberry against her belly and laughed as she flailed and squirmed, growled and spat, trying to right herself.

  Bruin set her down and laughed as she tackled one of her brothers. "As much as I love playtime, we have to head back to the house. Before we can lock ourselves away for our movie date, Lexi has Iadon doing last-minute tailoring for the big wedding. She's threatened pain of death if I bail. In fact, she's probably already tapping her designer boots wondering where the hell I am. Are you ready to roll out?"

  Um, not in a million. "Can I pass? Lexi isn't a member of my fan club and I don't want a catty scene to take away from Jade's celebration. You go. I'll meet you."

  Bruin straightened and looked into the trees. After a moment, he nodded. "Okay. I shouldn't be more than an hour. Should I meet you back here?"

  I turned to Aust. "Would you mind company for a bit?"

  "Not at all, but might I make a change in your plan? Jade and Galan are to be out of the house while the wedding arrangements are underway. I am scheduled to meet them for a gathering of wildflowers and roots. We are attempting to mix some new remedies for Lia."

  Bruin met my gaze, his vibrant turquoise stare flooded with sadness. "Galan's younger sister was kidnapped by the Scourge a few months back. They thought to use her somehow to release Castian's bat-shit sister, Rheagan from exile. We're not sure what they did to her, but she's been suffering from panic attacks and debilitating headaches ever since."

  Aust brushed himself off and put on his Ray-Ban's. "Verily, Mika is welcome to accompany me, but we would be returning to the house closer to late-afternoon."

  Bruin's clenching jaw made me smile. I could feel him fighting his bear for the control to nod his head. And after what just happened in the tavern I couldn't blame—"Be careful, 'kay?"

  My mouth fell open.

  Aust nodded. "We shall."

  One of the male cubs leapt from the rock and clung halfway up Aust's back. Latched on, he shimmied higher and gnawed on Aust's wavy golden hair. Wrapping both hands around the cub’s fuzzy chest I eased the speckled menace away.

  "Aey . . . watch the claws, neelan, they are as sha
rp tipped as their teeth."

  Bruin growled and lent a hand. The sound of the Alpha's rumble had the cub going limp and submissive. He gave him a firm pat on the nose and set him down to run off again.

  Bruin lifted me off the ground and kissed me. When he pulled back, my heart was pounding. He affected me more than he should. I tightened my fingers in his hair and pulled him closer. Vaguely, I pitied poor Aust being subjected to our PDA, but I couldn't stop myself from sliding my tongue into Bruin's mouth and practically climbing up his body.

  Bruin's low growl vibrated inside me. After another sweep of my tongue, he eased from my grasp. "I thought we were slowing things down?"

  "Slipped my mind." I closed my eyes, imagining the two of us getting good and naked. Yesterday had been primal in Africa, but at the Stanley Suites Bruin had taken his time and been very thorough. My hands traced his muscled curves, broad and strong. My skin warmed to his touch, ached—

  Bruin's nostrils flared and his eyes widened. He moaned and set me back on my feet. "I gotta go or there won't be any stopping me. Be safe, baby."

  He kissed my forehead before jogging off toward the main house and leaving me cursing everything I'd said about taking things slow.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  After twenty minutes wrestling with the four furry fiends, my arms looked like I'd taken on a Ginsu ninja and lost—miserably. I ran my fingers over the worst of the damage as the back door of the restaurant swung open and Bree hurried out.

  Aust put down a cub, adjusted his sunglasses and rose to greet her.

  "You are officially off duty, guys. Sorry, we got hit with a late lunch rush. How are our tireless little monsters this afternoon?" she asked, scooping up Kiara.

  "Behaving like the predators they are." Aust's head cocked slightly as his nostrils flared. "Are you well, neelan?"

  Bree's expression became wistful and when Aust's eyebrow arched above the rim of his glasses, she sighed. "Damn, I forget you Highbornes can scent things almost as well as Weres. Fine. I've got a wee problem but I'll figure it out."

  "Could I be of aid?"

  "Sweet, but it isna you who needs to step up." Aust said nothing, waiting until Bree set Kiara loose on the other cubs and brushed her palms against her jeans. "Well, ye know how I go to University in the Modern Realm three nights a week? I have a lab due tonight for my bio-chem class and nobody can watch the cubs. Da insists on escorting me to class, Rhys, Bram and Caelan will be on stage and we still need to cover the door, the bar and the floor. So, I'm stuck watching the cubs. If one of my brothers in the band would—"

  "Faolan and I shall watch the cubs."

  Bree shook her head. "I can't, Aust. You've been here for hours today already. Surely you have other things ye'd rather do?"

  "It would be my honor to aid you. When shall I return?"

  She bit her bottom lip and then sighed. "Is 5:30 all right? I'll help ye feed them and then I'll have just enough time to Flash to the portal gate and make it to class."

  "I look forward to it."

  Bree bounded forward, hugged Aust and kissed his cheek. "Gods, you are the sweetest, male. I owe you. Now, get out of here for a while and at least enjoy part of yer day."

  As we made our way into the cool shelter of the trees, Aust's ears flushed all the way to their gentle Elven points. He caught me watching him and smiled. "Come, neelan. Jade and Galan will be waiting."

  He fell into an easy jog and I followed, thankful for the view. Bonded or not, no warm-blooded woman could watch Aust in motion and not become one of the Highborne groupies. He ran with the grace of a deer in the wood, but even better was how he looked in tight suede pants. I'd bet if Bree saw him like this, she'd be on him like a coyote on a hare.

  We left the main cobblestone walk and continued deeper into the forest on a well-worn path. Aust whistled a bird call and further up, his call was answered. We slowed to a walk.

  "There you are," Jade said, as we rounded a wide rock. Damn, Jade could wear a burlap sack and other women would still take a hit to their self-esteem. Even with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing a simple halter top and cargo pants she'd stop traffic. "Mika, I'm glad you're joining our little Lewis and Clark expedition. Look who else is here."

  Galan stepped out from behind a stand of trees with Grandfather, chuckling and nodding about something one of them had said. I had to stare. Grandfather stood straighter and walked steadier than he had in the past decade. "How goes the chase, Rabbit?"

  I kissed his cheek and answered as I always had. "It goes, Grandfather, fast and frenzied."

  "Merry meet, sir." Aust extended his arm and Grandfather clasped his forearm the way the Elves greeted. "Gratitude for joining us."

  "My pleasure son and please, call me Grandfather or Hawk."

  "Are we ready?" Jade bent to pick up her backpack and pitched to the side.

  Galan and Aust both moved with blurring speed. Galan caught her elbow and steadied her against his chest. Taking the backpack from her hand, he handed it to Aust. "Blossom, are you well? Thrice today your balance faltered."

  With the gentlest of touches, Jade cupped his smooth jaw. "I'm fine, probably just an ear infection or something coming on."

  "Can you heal that with your powers?" I asked.

  She shook her head. "No. My healing affinity works on injuries, unnatural traumas and complications from those two things. I'm powerless against germs, aging and disease just like everyone else. Speaking of healing . . . were you the latest lion cub chew toy?"

  I extended my arms and nodded when she asked to heal them. Two minutes later, I marveled at my perfect skin. "Thanks, Jade. And thanks for speaking to Bruin last night and bringing him home."

  "My pleasure."

  The men tromped off ahead of us, Galan with his bow strung and his quiver slung, Aust with Faolan bounding by his side and Grandfather plodding along with a walking stick in hand.

  "I think they're giving us space for girl-talk." Jade chuckled. "How was Bruin this morning?"

  I thought about the lilacs and how good his arms felt around me when I woke up. He'd been so hurt to think his bear had taken advantage of me. Then I'd twisted the knife by insulting him and his motivations. "This morning wasn't our best event, but we patched things up a bit."

  "I'm glad." Jade stepped off the path and chopped the heads from a tall purple plant with silver leaves. She sealed the cuttings in a plastic container and pocketed her pruners. "I wish I could convince you this bonding is a wonderful thing."

  I moaned. "Please don't. I don't think I can stand any more enthusiasm about me being the new Were Queen."

  "Getting a lot of congratulations, are you?"

  I frowned. "It's like it's a fait accompli. I'm Bruin's other half, his Queen. What I want has nothing to do with it."

  Jade set the pace up the path, which turned out to be only slightly faster than standing still. I picked up a stick and tore off strips of bark.

  "What do you want?"

  I shrugged. "I know what I don't want—I don't want to be a brood mare popping out a bunch of cubs, no matter how important it is to Were-Bear survival. I don't want to give up my work or stop exposing the scum of my world when they hurt wildlife. I don't want a man who thinks he controls my future just because we slept together. And I really can't stomach the idea of being put up on a shelf for safekeeping because he's worried I might get hurt."

  "Worried?" Jade's voice rang of incredulity. "Worried doesn't begin to cover it. Bruin and his bear are out of their mind." She saw I was about to say something and pulled us to a stop. "Has he spoken with you about the slaughter of his sleuth?"

  I tossed the stick into a patch of bracken. "He said everyone was killed when the Scourge raided their den and a raiding party was waiting for him and wanted his father's signet ring."

  "And?"

  "And what?"

  Jade crossed her arms over her chest. "There's more to it, and if you knew the whole story, you'd understand him better."
>
  "Then enlighten me."

  She pursed her lips. "It's not my story to tell. Talk to Bruin."

  "That's one of our problems. Either he doesn't trust me or he's protecting me, but whichever it is, I'm in the dark here. I don't understand any of this."

  I lifted my gaze and scanned the trees a full 360 degrees. The tingle raising the hair on my arms wasn't danger, but I'd felt it outside the Hearthstone too.

  "Jade. I know I'm not your favorite person and Lexi wants to slit my throat, but I really do care for him. We're not a perfect couple, but there are moments when I think we could be great together. We're just strangers that want different things. I want a productive, independent life and Bruin wants a woman who will follow his lead and smile while doing it. I can't live under someone's control like that."

  "It's not about control."

  I snorted. "Please, he's so Alpha it's ridiculous. He's the poster boy for testosterone."

  "True. It's still not control." Jade pointed to the men just ahead and stepped away before I could argue.

  I joined them at a railing overlooking the valley beyond Haven. Grandfather swept his hand out toward the horizon and smiled. "Rabbit, is the view not breathtaking?"

  I leaned against his side and wrapped my arm around his waist. "It is."

  After another hour and a half of weaving through the mountainside vegetation, Galan and I had learned a shitload about healing plants and remedies. Jade, Aust and Grandfather each held a mass of knowledge, but together they were a frickin’ nature-pedia. Hopefully they could help Galan's sister with her headaches.

  A phone call for Jade invaded our commune with nature. "One of the Academy's second-year students was injured in a wizardry class. I have to Flash back to the castle."

  Galan grabbed both the backpacks and slid beside her.

  "May I venture back with you two as well?" Grandfather asked. "It has been a wonderful afternoon, but I could use a rest."

  My heart raced, but he looked good. A little tired, but good.

  Galan held out his hand. "Apologies, Hawk. Have we neglected your needs?"

  Grandfather waved away the concern and blew me a kiss on the wind. "Not at all, after an hour's rest I will be as spry as a lamb. Rabbit, shall I see you at dinner?"