Now what do I say? “Are you glad you are now?”
He shrugged, “I don’t know. She might not even be found, so it might not be worth it, you know?”
“Right.”
“I keep a picture of her and my mom and dad on my dresser, and sometimes I wish I didn’t.”
He set the album aside and looked at me. “I wanted to talk to you, so I’m glad you came down.”
My heart sped up. “What about?”
“I have to be honest with you about something.”
“All right. I think the lasagna is almost done though.”
He gave his slight smile, “It has a little bit. I’ve made these things enough to know.”
I shrugged, my hopes dashed to get out of the conversation. “All right, if you want to eat burned lasagna, that’s fine.”
He chuckled, then grabbed my hand. “Veronica, I need to admit something to you.”
“Okay.”
“When I met you, I was wandering through the forest transformed.”
“Like, you were a bear?”
“Yes. I smelled you, and… this feels awkward to say… my mating urges kicked in.”
“What?”
“I’m the alpha bear shifter, and I have mating urges as well, just like the wolves. When I saw you, I could tell you were vulnerable, and you had to be a virgin if they were chasing you. I felt my animal instincts kick in, so I transformed back into a human before you saw me.”
“Um… okay.” That’s kind of scary.
“When I started talking to you, I realized how beautiful you are. I… completely closed off because I felt just like them. You’re the first woman I’ve ever had those wild feelings for, and it felt wrong.”
“So, you’ve been stoic and cold because you felt more instinctual when you met me?”
“Exactly.”
“Okay.” I don’t know how to respond to that.
“I felt like I was betraying Marilyn by acting the way the wolves did. So, I tried to avoid you, I tried to fight my urges but….” A beeping noise came from the kitchen, interrupting him. He followed the noise. “Lasagna is served, if you want it.”
I chuckled, “Good change of pace, Christian.”
He laughed, “I wanted to break the ice a little from that very serious conversation.”
“I admit, I don’t really know what to say,” I smiled, watching him cut the lasagna. “I’ve never had an attractive man say such nice things to me before.”
“I can’t imagine why,” he shrugged. “You’re not only beautiful, but you are a strong woman. You don’t take any crap. I find that very attractive.”
“Who are you, and where did you take the real Christian?”
“I’m trying to be more open with you.”
“You’re doing a pretty good job. You learned how to make coffee, you made lasagna by hand, and you said I’m…. You said very nice things about me.”
He slid a plate forward to me. I smiled at him, looking into those beautiful dark eyes of his. Before I could thank him, he stepped forward, wrapped one arm around me to bring me close, and kissed me. His lips felt as soft and warm as I had imagined. His other hand held my chin, curving it up toward him. I threw my arms around him, both of us bringing each other closer.
His tongue parted my lips as we closed all space between us. We started to kiss harder, our tongues darting, weaving, and dancing in each other’s mouths. He pushed me against the island, his hand now trailing lower down my back to my hip under the pajama bottoms. His lips traced down my neck, leaving a trail of fire behind it.
I felt heat at the spot in my back he’d been holding before his hand moved downward. His fingers touched my inner thigh, sending tingles through my whole body, but my back still felt hot. Burning even.
“The lasagna!” I screamed. “It’s burning me!”
“Oh no!” he pulled me away, then checked my back where I’d been touching the hot casserole dish. “I didn’t really think about that.”
“I didn’t either,” I replied, turning toward him and grabbing his shirt. “Wrapped up in the moment, I guess.”
“Let’s move somewhere safer,” he responded, closing the space between us and giving a sexy smirk.
Before he could kiss me again, a pounding, urgent knock came at the door. We gave each other a look, then he rushed to the door. He took a moment, trying to shake out the excitement in his pants.
“This better be important,” he grumbled before opening the door.
A few of the men from his tribe rushed in carrying another, bloody wounded man with them. The energy in the room switched from a passionate red light to a flashing siren.
VIII.
“They attacked us,” one with red hair said as they rushed to the couch.
Christian quickly grabbed a stained sheet from a closet near the door and rushed to the couch.
“Ben and Jake are dead,” the other with blonde hair added. “We got here to help Rick, but I think he might be a goner.”
“Do you have any medical supplies?” I asked Christian.
“In the bathroom upstairs,” he answered as he swiftly moved to the couch with the men.
I ran up the stairs and searched for some kind of first aid kit. Under the sink, I found a pretty thorough box of supplies and ran back down. Christian had torn his shirt as a kind of tourniquet for the wound, but it didn’t seem to be working.
“Where is Jimmy?” Christian snapped.
The blonde man looked to the redhead. The redhead gave a sad shrug and said, “The last time I saw him, it wasn’t looking good.”
I pushed Christian aside and started to treat the wounds. “My mom wanted to be a nurse before she had us. She liked to practice on us and teach us things.”
He gave me a smile, while the others gave grim nods.
“What happened?” Christian asked.
“We actually saw Marilyn and followed her,” the blonde answered. “What we found was a whole stronghold of them. They weren’t about to give anything up.”
“It was awful,” the redhead shook his head. “We came straight here. We didn’t know what else to do.”
“Is the leader there?” Christian asked gravely.
“We think so,” the redhead answered.
“I have to go then. I can’t let you guys do this on your own.”
“What about her?”
“I’m going too,” I answered as I finished wrapping up the wound.
“Someone needs to stay with him,” Christian answered. “I don’t want you to go out there if something happens to me. Arlo, you stay here with her.”
The blonde nodded.
I stood, “I can help the wounded. Let me come and help.”
“No, I won’t have you harmed. Arlo will keep you safe.”
“But Christian.”
“I will not argue. We have to go now.”
With that, he and the redhead flew out the door. Arlo locked the door behind them and slid down the door with a weary, sad exhale. He put his face in his hands and sat there frozen for a long moment. He didn’t cry, but he looked exhausted and overwhelmed. Perhaps he wasn’t the best choice to protect me.
“Do you want some lasagna?” I queried. “We just made it. Still hot.”
He looked up, but didn’t move. “That’s okay. I don’t feel like eating right now.”
“Are you sure?”
“I just saw a few of my friends ripped apart. I think I’m good.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll put it away then.” I truly would like to eat some of that lasagna, but it felt untoward with the situation. Especially with a man possibly dying on the couch. I think I wrapped him up all right, but I really only know the basics.
Still, I snuck a few bites as Arlo placed his head back in his hands again. Okay, maybe more than a few. After a few minutes, he looked up again, seeming a bit calmer.
“You really are very pretty,” he said. “I thought Christian might have just been exaggerating.”
I couldn’t
help but blush. “Did he say I’m pretty?”
He nodded, “He talked about you a lot. We almost got tired of it.”
“I didn’t even know he was talking to you all.”
“We had meetings in the evenings. That’s usually the best time for us. I think you were doing something else or he’d just do a conference call.”
“Oh, I see. I didn’t think he thought so highly of me.”
“It is weird. He usually doesn’t think highly of anyone,” he shrugged. “He’s a hard nut to crack.”
I took a deep breath of air and smiled, “That is very nice of him. Was he um… close with his sister?”
“Very close. That’s how we knew it was her. We all grew up together. It really was a big blow when she disappeared.”
“I can only imagine.”
“I think his mom was looking for a reason to leave, and that was the last straw. It’s not easy to be the alpha’s wife.”
“So Christian’s family has always been the alphas?”
“Yes. They have a strong bloodline.”
“Do you think the other girls are still alive?”
“I don’t know. Anything can happen. To be honest, I never thought I’d see Marilyn again, so I have a lot of hope.”
I nodded, thinking of Beth and hoping she too is alive out there somewhere. “Do you mind if I go upstairs and make a call?”
“Not at all. You’re welcome to do whatever you like.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
I went up the stairs to call Stevie. Arlo kept his position on the floor in front of the day and seemed relieved to be left alone for at least a little while. I’m not sure what I should say to my old friend, but I should tell him the truth. My heart beat fast as the phone rang. Maybe he’s at work. Maybe I could leave a message.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Stevie, it’s Veronica.”
“Veronica! I’ve been trying to call your cell phone, and it’s been off. I was really worried!”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m actually more than fine.”
“You said you’d call, and you didn’t. That’s worrisome.”
“I know. I’m sorry; I kind of forgot.”
“Well, you were also with that strange Christian guy. Who is he, anyway?”
“I’m staying with him for a few weeks. He’s actually quite kind and lovely.” I remembered the way it felt to kiss him and almost let myself get carried away. “Anyway, I really need to talk to you about something. About Beth.”
“Okay.”
“I think you’re right. I think she was taken.”
“I’m so glad you believe me! Everyone thinks I’m crazy.”
“That may be true, but that’s not the point. I think I know who took her.”
“Who? I’ll kill him.”
“Do you remember the stories of werewolves in the woods?”
“Sure. The tourists love those. I got a lot of tips for telling those stories.”
“Well, you’re not going to believe me, but they’re real. I saw them.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe you.”
“When I was walking home from work, they attacked me. They abduct virgins so that they can… forcibly impregnate them.”
“And you think they took Beth?”
“Yes.” The line went silent. “Are you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m just… I’m trying to… process what you just said. Do you…” he paused, “do you think she’s still alive?”
“I honestly don’t know. I think it could be possible, but I don’t know.”
“Do you know where they could’ve taken her?”
“Christian and his tribe think they may have found the place. That’s why I’m calling.”
“‘His tribe’?”
A tribe of bear shifters may be going too far. “Yeah, they’ve been fighting the werewolves and trying to protect women from them.”
“I can’t be mad at that.”
Bounding footsteps pounded up the stairs, and my door opened. Arlo stared at me wild-eyed, “I need you.”
“I have to go, okay? I’ll call you back,” I said, raising an eyebrow at Arlo.
“Is everything all right?” Stevie replied.
“It’s fine. I’ll call you later.” I hung up without saying goodbye. “What is it?
“They’re here,” he answered urgently.
“Who?”
“The wolves. They’re here.”
I stood, “Oh no! What do we do? Should we um… get some garlic?”
“They’re not vampires. They don’t care about garlic,” he snapped. “I have to hide you and Rick.”
“Let me help. Let me do something.”
He sighed, staring at me for a moment. “Okay, but Christian is going to kill me if he finds out. I know his dad used to keep a gun with silver bullets for his mom, so let’s find that. Make sure you aim for their hearts.”
I nodded gravely. He led me to Marilyn’s old room and rushed in. Her room looked very much like that of a teenage girl’s, with band posters on the wall and purple accents everywhere. It felt wrong being in there. It was like coming upon a tomb that had been left untouched for centuries, but just now had been stumbled upon for sanctuary.
“Where is the gun?” I asked, staying at the door. “I don’t think we should be in here.”
“We shouldn’t, but we have to do what we have to do,” he answered, climbing on a computer desk with old homework still stacked on the side. He moved aside a wood slat in the ceiling and searched around. “I think I just touched a dead rat.”
“Wash your hands. You’ll get the plague.”
“Blah blah,” he answered. “Ah, here we go.” He reached up and pulled out a steel box, then held it out for me to grab. I didn’t move from the door. “Can you take this please?”
“I don’t think we should be in here, Arlo.”
“You just said that, and I just said we shouldn’t. Now take the box,” he growled. I shuffled forward and took it, then shuffled back out. “Can you help me down?”
“No,” I responded, putting the box on the ground and opening it. A large caliber revolver sat inside with a number of silver bullets. “Oh holy Jesus.”
“I think I might have broken something getting down,” Arlo said behind me. “Do you know how to use one of those?”
No. “My dad used to take me hunting.” But we mostly just went out into the woods where he’d drink beer and yell at squirrels. “My brother was better at shooting than I.”
“That makes me feel really secure and great. Maybe I should just hide you like my initial plan.”
A terrible crashing came from downstairs along with a momentous, terrifying howl. He grabbed the gun, loaded it, and then handed it to me with a thoughtful look. I took it with a deep breath. My hand trembled.
“Just think of your brother, okay?” he gave slight smile. “When you see a werewolf, shoot for the heart.”
He gave me a nod and patted me on the shoulder before running downstairs. I held the gun in my hand and pointed it. I can do this. I can kill some werewolves. I’m a strong, independent woman who’s in love with a man who changes into a bear. I can do this.
Wait, did I just say I’m in love with Christian?
Another horrifying howl came from outside. Time to get to action. I swallowed my fear and raced down the stairs as Arlo had. My patient hadn’t moved from the couch. I checked his pulse (still alive) and made my way outside with the gun cocked. A violent ruckus could be heard just nearby in the woods, alerting me to where the fight must be going on.
A bear and wolf fought viciously, each of them tearing at each other which fearsome claws and teeth. I raised the gun and tried to pinpoint on the wolf. What would Kevin do here? He was a good shot. He taught me some things. Oh God, if my brother was here, he would shoot all of the werewolves, and we would be saved. I miss my brother.
I thought of him again and aimed for the heart. Somehow, I f
elt him there with me, and Dad there yelling at the squirrels. I prepared myself for the worst and shot. A yelp echoed through the air, and the wolf fell to the ground. The bear gave me a shocked, but appreciative look. I gave him a thumbs up, which made him shake his head and take off into the woods.
Now, should I follow him or just hold court here? Can I hold my own in the dark woods?
Suddenly, a wolf darted out of the trees toward me. I screamed and shot the gun. The wolf yelped and dropped.
“Two out of two!” I yelled to myself in celebration.
A wolf leapt out of the woods and knocked me down, the gun flying out of my hands and firing as it hit the ground. Another yelp came from somewhere. I would count that three for three if I weren’t face down on the ground about to be ravaged by a werewolf. The wolf flipped me over with his teeth, then started to drag me towards the woods.
“Ghosts of Dad and Kevin, please help me!” I called out into the dark night. “Or someone living! Someone help me!”
I kicked and scratched as the wolf drug me across the ground. It all felt very déjà vu, but this time, it all felt much more dangerous. The sound of more howling came closer as the animal kept pulling me.
Great.
IX.
“Someone please help me!” I screamed another time, my voice bouncing through the trees. “Arlo! Where did you go?!”
The werewolf stopped and snarled as if to say, “Can you please stop screaming?”
“Don’t growl at me, Wolf. You’re abducting me.”
He growled again, seemingly offended. I grabbed a rock as he kept growling.
“You don’t like that, huh? You kidnapping animal.”
He kept growling, his teeth bared. Truthfully, I’m terrified that I’m going to be mauled instead of forcibly impregnated, but I need to do something. I don’t want to be taken away by them.
“Are you the hot-headed wolf?” I stood. “You don’t like when people make fun of you?”
He came closer to me, lunging at me like an angry dog. The more I try to seem brave and not worried for my face being ripped off, the more I realize the possibility of my face being ripped off. I wish Christian hadn’t gone so he could protect me. I wish I hadn’t dropped the gun. I see so many of my regrets reflected in this werewolf’s eyes.
Romance: Stranded With The Alpha Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (Werebear, BBW, Bear Shifter Romance) (Sweet Shifters Book 1) Page 5