by Lynn Hagen
“How?” Duane asked. The brothers were eating the leftover spaghetti Bobby Ray had cooked the night before. And they weren’t small bowls. They also had a plate of garlic bread and two tall glasses of iced tea.
“Because he’s my brother.” Noel took a seat, curling his leg under him.
Wade swallowed a mouthful of food, then snorted. “If Bobby Ray was ever dumb enough to go shootin’ at someone, they better not come blaming me. He’s responsible for his own stupidity.”
“Gee, thanks.” Bobby Ray crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out. A smile pulled at Noel’s lips.
“You’re welcome.” Wade winked and slid his plate of garlic bread toward him, but Noel shook his head. His stomach might’ve growled, but food was the last thing on his mind.
“Why do you have to use me as an example?” Bobby Ray feigned irritation. “Don’t make me take your plate from you and kick you out.”
“It’s true.” Duane twirled his fork in the pile of noodles in front of him. “Just like it wasn’t our fault our daddy was a heartless bastard. You don’t pick family, Noel. You’re stuck with whatever fate gave you, and sometimes it gives you people you want to bury in your backyard.”
“I’ve wanted to bury Bobby Ray a few times,” Wade said. “But the fucker always talks his way out of shit.”
“I can’t help it I’m a lovable guy,” Bobby Ray said with a wide, goofy grin that melted Noel’s heart.
The bantering helped ease Noel’s fears that the Rising men would blame him. He also heard the love in their voices and saw it in their eyes, too. This was a tight-knit family who would die for each other.
Too bad Noel had no idea what that felt like. He would’ve loved to have grown up in a large family with siblings who would protect him and cherish him.
Instead, he’d gotten saddled with Bart.
“Do you have any idea why he came after Bobby Ray?” Wade asked. “I mean, aside from the fact Bobby Ray choked him out?”
“I should’ve ended him,” Bobby Ray said as he made a cup of tea and carried it over to Noel. “He touched my pregnant mate. That son of a bitch should be food for the worms right now.”
Noel held up his hand, swallowing back the bile. “Please don’t talk about worms eating flesh. My stomach hasn’t settled yet.”
And in truth, as insane as Bart was getting, as abusive as he’d been toward Noel, he still loved Bart. Deep, deep down, but that love was there. He didn’t want to think about losing another family member, but what other possible outcome could there be?
If Bart kept coming after Bobby Ray, or even Noel, the bears would tear him apart. The image that popped into Noel’s head had him racing back to the bathroom.
Chapter Eight
Noel had to find a way to stop Bart before he actually killed Bobby Ray or one of the other Rising men. He was Noel’s responsibility, no matter what anyone said.
Noel waited until Bobby Ray had fallen asleep before he eased from the bed, grabbed his discarded clothes, and hurried from the room. He dressed in the living room, shoved his shoes on, and quietly opened the back door.
He didn’t plan to go far. Noel had learned his lesson. He’d tried to escape twice and he’d nearly been eaten twice. Well, maybe not the second time. Those wolves hadn’t come near him, but being surrounded by them had still been scary.
As he stood in the backyard, Noel remembered that wolf attacking him. His nerves were wound tight as he walked to the clearing. If Bart were still around, still looking for an opportunity, maybe he would see Noel and come talk to him.
It was probably the dumbest idea Noel had ever had, but he had to try. Their parents would want him to try. Or so Noel thought. Since Bart had never gone truly crazy before, Noel couldn’t be certain what his mom and dad would’ve done in this situation.
Noel started to second-guess his harebrained idea when he noticed the moon was hidden behind clouds. There was no light to guide him, which made his surroundings ten times creepier.
“Now I know Bobby Ray wouldn’t have let you wander out here by yourself.”
Noel yelped and spun at the sound of the deep voice. Trigger was behind him, bathed in shadows as he stared at Noel from the hammock.
“Don’t scare me like that!” Noel held his hand over his racing heart.
“Then tell me why you’re creeping around here in the dead of night.” Trigger sat up and pushed from the hammock. Instead of coming closer, he leaned against the closest tree.
Noel bit his lip. He didn’t want to tell Trigger because, just like his brothers had, Trigger would argue that what Bart had done wasn’t Noel’s fault. He wasn’t sure why, but Noel blurted out his reason. “Bart is my responsibility and I have to stop him before he hurts someone else.”
“I can dig that.”
Noel was shocked that Trigger agreed with him.
“I felt the same way when Clarence started dropping bodies,” Trigger said. “Jesse wanted my father brought to him for punishment, but my brothers and I felt it was our responsibility to take care of Clarence ourselves.”
“Then you see why I have to track Bart down.” Noel felt relieved that Trigger wouldn’t try to stop him. Then again, a part of Noel wished he would, because going into the woods alone made Noel want to pee his pants.
“I’m picking up what you’re putting down, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let your run off,” Trigger said. “If anyone deserves happiness, it’s Bobby Ray and Wade. Sorry, Noel, but I can’t let you go running off. Bobby Ray would be devastated, and I would be a worthless brother for not stopping you.”
“But you just said—”
“Do you have any feelings for Bobby Ray?” Trigger asked.
Noel wasn’t sure what he felt. He definitely had a deep connection to his mate, but then again, from what he’d gathered, that had something to do with the bite Bobby Ray had given him. “If I didn’t feel anything for Bobby Ray, I wouldn’t be out here trying to hunt Bart down.”
And risking my life to do it.
“He doesn’t need you to be his hero. He needs you to be safe and happy.” Trigger moved out of the shadows. Damn, he was handsome as hell. He and Bobby Ray looked somewhat alike—more so than the other brothers—but Bobby Ray was hotter, in Noel’s opinion. Hands down, Noel had gotten the best-looking Rising.
“I’m not trying to play hero,” Noel argued. “I thought you and I were on the same page.”
“But not the same book.” Trigger took a seat on a lawn chair. The plastic strained under his weight. “You’re not a fighter like I am. If you can tell me you can handle yourself in the woods, that you can take down a mountain lion or fight a pack of wolf shifters, I’ll let you go.”
That bastard actually smirked, but what he’d said sent chills down Noel’s spine. He couldn’t defend himself against wild animals or shifters. The Taser in his backpack would only piss off whatever attacked him.
Noel took a seat next to Trigger. “Then what should I do? I can’t let Bart take another shot at Bobby Ray, or any of you for that matter.”
“Aw, that’s sweet that you want to defend us.”
Noel scowled. “Jerk.”
Trigger chuckled. “That I am, but all you need to do is stay safe and let us handle the rest.” He sighed. “I know it hurts to think of your brother being killed, but you know as well as I do that we can’t let him live.”
Noel sank farther down in his chair. “He wasn’t the nicest brother to me, but lately, he’s gotten worse. You’re right, it does hurt thinking about him dying, but…am I a bad man to wish for his madness to end?”
Noel hadn’t known he’d felt that way until he’d spoken the words. Guilt ate him alive, but it was true. Bart had tried to kill Bobby Ray, and for that alone Noel wanted revenge.
“I don’t think you’re a bad man,” Trigger said. “You just have to trust that we bears will take care of you. It’s not so bad living on the mountain. It’s a different way of life, but I think it’s better than living amon
g humans.”
“Hello.” Noel waved a hand at himself. “Human here.”
“Since you make Bobby Ray happy, and you’re carrying my niece of nephew, I’ll overlook that flaw.”
Noel would’ve become upset at Trigger’s statement, but the gleam of humor in his eyes had Noel smiling. “And I’ll overlook the fact that you’re not.”
“Deal.” Trigger stood. “Now get home before Bobby Ray discovers you’re gone and goes on the hunt.”
They both turned when they heard a low, menacing growl. Noel looked up at Trigger. “Too late.”
* * * *
Trigger hadn’t minded talking with Noel. It had broken up his boredom while he kept an eye on their land, but damn, Bobby Ray looked downright feral. “Now wait a fucking minute, Bobby Ray. We weren’t doing anything but talking.”
Noel’s light green eyes widened. “What does he think we were doing?”
If Bobby Ray actually thought Trigger had tried to put the moves on his mate, Trigger was about to beat the shit out of Bobby Ray’s stupid ass. “He better not be thinking we were fooling around.”
Bobby Ray opened his mouth, tilted his head, and roared.
Trigger was stunned when Noel stomped over to Bobby Ray and popped him on his head. Seriously? Had Noel lost his damn mind? Bear shifters were a helluva lot larger than wild bears. Seeing Noel’s short figure next to the bear made Trigger move forward, ready to kick Bobby Ray’s ass if he turned that anger on his mate.
He didn’t think Bobby Ray would do something like that, but there was no telling after the years of abuse Bobby Ray had suffered through. Most people didn’t think when they were pissed off. Trigger couldn’t take the chance Bobby Ray might accidently hurt Noel.
But instead of getting angry that Noel had hit him, Bobby Ray dropped to the ground, grunting. Trigger stopped moving.
“If you think I was out here to fool around with any of your brothers, I’m gonna neuter you,” Noel threatened.
Bobby Ray grunted again.
“Zip it, mister,” Noel snapped. “Now take me home so I can kick your ass.”
Bobby Ray got up and turned. Noel followed, leaving Trigger standing there with his jaw hanging. Then he grinned. Apparently, Noel wasn’t as shy and timid as he’d made everyone think.
Trigger liked Noel’s fire. He was gonna tease the shit out of Bobby Ray the next time he saw him.
* * * *
Bobby Ray couldn’t believe that Noel had popped him. Even weirder, he was turned on when Noel hadn’t been afraid of his angry bear. When Bobby Ray had woken to find Noel gone, he’d been ready to tear the mountains apart. When he’d found his mate relaxed with Trigger and spilling his guts, well, Bobby Ray hadn’t been happy.
Noel should’ve been talking to him about what he felt, not Trigger. Jealousy had made Bobby Ray roar, ready to kick Trigger’s ass.
“Why couldn’t you wake me if you needed to talk?” Bobby Ray asked after he’d shifted and they’d entered the house.
“I didn’t need to talk,” Noel argued as they stood in the kitchen. “I took my dumb ass out there with the intention of finding Bart. Trigger spotted me and talked me out of it.”
Bobby Ray clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to yell at Noel. Did his mate have a death wish? Was he that naïve? “If Bart is that hell-bent on revenge, and he’s hit you before, do you think you could’ve talked any sense into him?”
“I had to try.” Noel crossed his arms over his chest.
“You had to—” His mate was out to give Bobby Ray a heart attack. Images of Bart shooting Noel looped in his mind. The more he imagined it, the angrier Bobby Ray became. “Now you listen to me, brat. If you—”
“If I what?” Noel scowled.
“Agh!” Bobby Ray paced away from him. “You’re gonna drive me up the walls.” He was half tempted to tie Noel to his bed.
“Why do you care so much?” Noel snapped. “Because you knocked me up?”
“Because I love you!” Bobby Ray’s brows shot up. Noel’s did as well. That hadn’t been the way Bobby Ray had planned on telling him. Good going, asshole.
“We haven’t been together long enough for you to love me.” Noel might’ve spoken his doubts, but there was hope in his light green eyes. Bobby Ray’s anger vanished. Damn it. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Noel had Bobby Ray wrapped around his finger.
He couldn’t even stay mad at the guy.
“How can I not love your feisty, crazy ass?” Bobby Ray asked. He pressed his hand over his heart. “But if you risk your safety one more time, I swear I’ll lock you in this house and have my brothers stand guard. You really are gonna give me a heart attack. Stop making me have to hunt you down.”
Noel ticked the reasons off on his fingers. “The first time wasn’t my fault. I found myself in an insane world that shouldn’t exist. The second time, I panicked when I realized I really was pregnant. You can’t blame me for that. What guy wouldn’t panic? The third time, I was trying to stop my brother from killing you or your brothers.”
“I hear reasons, but none of them are good enough to put yourself in danger, Noel.” Bobby Ray wasn’t budging on this. He had to get it through Noel’s thick skull that running off could get him killed. Bobby Ray had finally found happiness, and he’d be damned if he allowed his mate to take that away from him.
Noel chewed his lower lip and twisted his hands in front of him as a fine blush surfaced. Bobby Ray growled. That look made his cock hard. “What is it?”
Noel waved his hands around. “I love you, too. I hadn’t realized my affection for you had gone that deep until Trigger asked me if I cared about you. I was too scared to admit it even to myself. I thought it was too soon to have those feelings.”
Bobby Ray chuckled. His heart felt lighter as he hauled Noel into his arms. “Sugar, it ain’t too soon and you’ve just made me even happier.” He brushed his lips over Noel’s cheek. “And yes, I love you as well because you’re carrying my cub. But don’t you ever think that’s the only reason. Got that?”
“Got it.” Noel saluted.
“You really are a brat.”
Noel lowered his head, and Bobby Ray wondered at his mate’s change of mood. The scent of his sadness filled Bobby Ray’s lungs.
“To be truthful, for a long time I had no idea who I was. Like all young adults, I felt lost, as if I was floating through life trying to find myself. I was crushed by my parents’ death, struggling with Bart’s increasing abuse, then when I went off to college, I was so desperate to be accepted that I threw myself at any guy who paid me the slightest attention.” He looked up at Bobby Ray. “I have no clue who I am.”
“You can spread your wings with me, Sugar.” Bobby Ray pressed a kiss to his temple.
Noel’s grin lit Bobby Ray’s heart. “I’d like that.”
“One thing’s for sure, you ain’t afraid to put a bear in his place.” Bobby Ray released him. “Come with me.”
He took Noel’s hand and led him outside. Bobby Ray was still naked from his shift as he climbed into the hammock. It was close to dawn and Noel looked exhausted, but Bobby Ray needed to be inside his mate.
“We’re sleeping out here?” Noel glanced around.
“Get those damn clothes off and climb on top of me.” Bobby Ray wiggled his brows.
Noel blushed as he stripped. He stood there under the dim light of the moon, looking so gorgeous and shy that Bobby Ray wanted to eat him up. He patted his flat stomach. “Get up here, darlin’.”
Bobby Ray kept one foot on the ground to steady the hammock as Noel climbed on, then he pulled his leg up and helped Noel get comfortable. “Lean forward,” he instructed.
Noel pressed his palms into Bobby Ray’s chest. With their faces that close, Bobby Ray saw flecks of black in Noel’s beautiful green eyes. His mate gave him a bratty smile before he nibbled at Bobby Ray’s jaw.
“I can see you’re gonna be a handful.” Bobby Ray lined the head of his cock against Noel’s hole, all
owing his natural lubricant to ease the tight ring of muscles. “Am I gonna have to equip you with a GPS locator?”
Noel laughed. The sound was light and rang out in the backyard. “Just try it.”
Bobby Ray worked his cock inside Noel’s ass and groaned as he gripped his mate’s hips. Shit, now this was a perfect night. Having his mate’s snug ass grip Bobby Ray’s cock was pure heaven.
The hammock slowly rocked as Noel bounced on Bobby Ray’s cock. He looked like a fallen angel sitting atop Bobby Ray. The moon’s glow silhouetted Noel, and Bobby Ray wasn’t sure his heart could contain how much he loved his mate.
They made slow love as the hammock swayed, and when Bobby Ray finally came, the sun had begun to rise. With Noel fast asleep, Bobby Ray tucked an arm behind his head and silently thanked fate for the little gift draped over him.
Chapter Nine
Bobby Ray hurried to the clearing when he heard Clint and Walker arguing with someone. What in the hell was going on now? Had they found the nomad, or had they finally captured Bart?
But it was neither. As Bobby Ray joined his brothers, he was stunned to find Lazarus Russo there. The alpha of the snow leopards rarely made an appearance in bear territory. Judging by the hard looks on everyone’s faces, this wasn’t a social visit.
Lazarus’s dark blue eyes blazed with anger as he curled his upper lip. “It was bad enough that your father caused chaos. Now I have to deal with a human tramping through the woods with a hunting rifle?” His voice was filled with disgust. “This time I’ll deal with you directly, Clint. Find that human, or Jesse’s pack will be the least of your concerns.”
“What’s going on?” Bobby Ray asked as he stepped up beside Walker.
In a low voice, Walker said, “Apparently Bart saw a snow leopard and took a shot at him. It was Lazarus’s second-in-command, Riley.”
Bobby Ray wanted to find Bart and beat him to a bloody pulp before he ended the human’s life. Riley was not only Lazarus’s right-hand man, he was also Lazarus’s baby brother. The rest of the leap were cousins, or some shit. Bobby Ray really didn’t know or care.