by Kris Norris
“Please. We can smell your fear. And it’s not the first time I’ve scented it today.”
The lines deepened above her nose. “Smell my fear?”
Cullen cleared his throat. “What Lucas means is…it’s obvious by the way you’re breakin’ eye contact and shakin’ that something’s scaring you.”
She glanced at him. “Some cowboy just tried to kill me. Inside my own clinic.” She winced, again, rubbing her temple before lowering her voice. “While I’ve had to deal with men like Frank more times than I can count, that…that I didn’t anticipate. It’s been a long time since I haven’t felt safe in my own space, so I’m understandably upset. I just need a day or so to shake it off.”
“When else did you…” Cullen’s voice trailed off into a low growl before he exhaled. “Never mind. That’s not important right now. We just wanted to make sure you weren’t afraid of us.”
She sighed, looking between them. “I’m not sure how I feel about you two, but…I’m not afraid of you.” A hint of a smile teased one corner of her mouth. “Though, I do wish I was feeling well enough to knock you both on your asses.”
Cullen chuckled. “We’ll see what we can arrange once you’re healed. But for now, rest.”
The fear in her eyes returned before she looked away, again. “I think it would just be best if I went back to the clinic. I’ll make sure I nap—”
“Nap?” Cullen’s voice rose above the steady patter of rain. “You need to sleep, not sit in some chair and doze. You’re hurt.” He shook his head when she tried to interrupt him. “No more excuses. Even doctors need to take their own advice from time to time.”
Lucas skimmed his thumb along her cheek. “You told me before that you couldn’t sleep because you kept seeing his face. Is that what this is all about?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “When did I…”
“While I was carryin’ you back here.”
She groaned, leaning more fully against Cullen. “I don’t know why it’s botherin’ me so much. I’m not usually—”
“What? Human?”
“This weak.”
He brushed a few tears off her skin. “Darlin’, being cautious doesn’t make you weak. It makes you smart. You’ve already proven you can handle everything that comes your way. And need I remind you that you actually won that little challenge, despite the bruises. So, stop worryin’ and rest.”
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, holding it captive before finally releasing it. “What’s the point? The nightmare will just come back.”
“What if we lie down with you?”
Her eyes widened as she chanced a quick glance at Cullen. “But…”
Cullen smiled. “No buts. We’ll just sleep. I know it’s barely seven, but believe me, we’re all exhausted.”
She seemed to war with the decision before nodding. “This doesn’t change anything. I’m still angry with you.”
“We’ll only consider it a temporary truce. Until you’re healed.”
The tension bled from her muscles, and she moved with Lucas as he eased her up, allowing Cullen to kick off his boots and toss his jacket on the floor before positioning himself behind her. She grunted as she shifted over on the bed, her obvious pain like a punch to Lucas’ gut. He managed to hold in the snarl that rumbled through his chest, watching as she settled against Cullen, her head resting on one of his arms as his other cupped her hip. Their combined scent calmed the riotous thrash of Lucas’ heart, and he smiled as he rose to close the door then joined them, lying on his back. Hollis inched toward him, placing one small hand on his chest, each finger like a brand upon his skin.
He placed his hand over hers, giving her a squeeze. “Sleep. We’ll talk once you’re feeling better.”
She nodded, and he swore she was gone in the space of a heartbeat. He glanced over her shoulder at Cullen, but the man had his eyes closed, an easy smile shaping his lips.
Lucas closed his eyes. While he realized they were still a long way from gaining her love, having her trust them enough to stay spoke volumes. And he vowed he wouldn’t stop until they’d proven that trust wasn’t misplaced. Until she realized exactly what she was to them.
CHAPTER TEN
“No.”
Cullen jolted awake, grunting when Hollis elbowed him in the ribs as she twitched beside him. Her rapid breathing sounded loud in the still room as she mumbled in her sleep, most of the other words undecipherable. He reached for her, gently easing her back against his chest. She continued to groan for a few more moments before sighing. Her muscles relaxed, her body molding against his. He brushed back her hair from her face, careful to avoid the patchwork of bruises on her skin. The purple color glared at him, openly mocking his failure as her mate to protect her.
“You didn’t fail her.”
Cullen looked across Hollis’ shoulder, his gaze clashing with Lucas’. “You reading my thoughts?”
Lucas chuckled quietly. “Can’t help it if you’re yellin’ them inside my head. Besides, we both knew the connection would only get stronger.”
“After we’ve completed the bond. Not while I’m lyin’ here, still having to deny it. And I did fail her. She never should have been put in the position she was. If I hadn’t stopped you, we both would have been in that clinic.” He sighed. “My other half hates not knowing what she faced. What haunts her dreams.”
“You can ask her once she wakes up.”
“As if she’ll confide in me. In us. Despite the fact she’s here, it’d be foolish to assume it’s due to anything other than desperation on her part. You heard her. This doesn’t change anything.”
“That’s because we haven’t explained anything, yet.”
“I’m not sure grovelin’ at her feet will repair what we’ve done.”
Lucas sighed. “The truth might.”
“You know, if you boys are going to talk about me, you might want to wait until I leave.”
Cullen inhaled, looking down. Brilliant blue eyes stared up at him, an amused smile tilting one side of her mouth. He lifted his hand, softly tracing her right cheek before tucking some of her hair behind her ear.
He swallowed around the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. “Christ, you’re beautiful.”
Her eyes widened, a light blush slowly coloring her skin. She glanced between him and Lucas then focused on him, again. “And what truth are you two talking about?”
Cullen sighed. Though he agreed with Lucas—that they’d never gain her love without risking theirs—somehow simply saying, “Oh, nothing much, sweetheart, we’re just bear shifters,” didn’t sound like a viable plan. Not when her body still touched his, her heartbeat echoing inside his head.
He mustered a smile, skimming his fingers along her arm. “It’s…complicated.”
The skin over her nose creased. “Then, use a few more words to explain it. I’m fairly certain I’ll be able to follow along.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He looked desperately at Lucas, silently asking his mate to help him out.
Lucas snorted. “Like I know what to say.” He pushed himself up then gained his feet, pacing away a bit before turning around. “What Cullen means is…we’re not sure how you’re going to react.”
“React to what?” Hollis followed Lucas off the bed, swaying a bit before catching her balance on the headboard. She steadied herself, making her way over to the wall then leaning against it. Uncertainty flashed in her eyes as she shifted her gaze between them.
“Enough dancin’ around the truth. There’s been something off about you two since I met you. And it’s more than the way you seem to communicate without talking. Or your odd behavior.” She drew herself up, still teetering a bit on her feet. “First, you dismiss me. Then, you act as if you’re afraid to leave me alone. You put on this show for the crew, but when one of you needs my attention, you say I’m incapable of helping you.”
“We don’t think you’re incapable. That’s not what Cullen meant, as we’v
e tried to explain.”
“You haven’t explained anything.”
“And you haven’t been in the mood to listen. You’ve been avoiding us at every turn.”
“Fair enough. But I’m here, now, and you’re both still talking in riddles and sullen glances at each other. Hell, you act as if me simply being near you hurts you, somehow.” She released a weary breath, pushing her hair back from her face. “I thought…”
Cullen waited for her to finish, but she simply stood there, lips twitching, gaze wary. He allowed his bear a bit more freedom, searching for any hint of what she might be thinking when images of them entwined on the bed flickered in his head. He glanced at Lucas, noting the man’s wide eyes before focusing on Hollis, again, though he wasn’t sure what surprised him more. That the thoughts had been hers, or that he’d picked up on them without completing the bond.
He scrambled off the bed, closing the distance between them. He didn’t miss the tremble in her fingers as he took one of her hands in his. “You thought what, sweetheart?”
She shook her head, her hair bouncing wildly about her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it matters.” He took a fortifying breath. “You matter. More than you know.”
She frowned, glancing at Lucas before slipping her hand free. She moved over, as if needing the distance, before huffing. “I swear, sometimes, I wonder if you’re both speakin’ another language, and that’s why I always feel so damn lost around you two. If I matter so much, then why did you shut me out when Lucas got hurt? Why mock the one thing you know defines me?”
Cullen cursed the tears that gathered in her eyes, glistening in the wavering light. He looked at Lucas, reading the man’s thoughts without trying. Fear prickled the edge of Cullen’s consciousness, but he knew it was time.
“You’re right. We did shut you out, but not for the reason you’re thinkin’.” He waved at Lucas. “You might as well show her. I have a feeling nothing short of cold, hard proof will convince her.”
“Show me what? And why would you need to convince me of something?”
“Just…do us a favor and don’t run out of here screamin’.”
She furrowed her brow, looking utterly lost. “Okay.”
Lucas glanced at the door, as if he was considering barricading it, before sighing. He moved over to Hollis. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Do what? I don’t know what you boys are talking about, only that I’m not supposed to scream.” She glanced at Cullen. “I don’t make a habit of screamin’, if you must know.”
God, Cullen hoped that wasn’t true. There was nothing his bear wanted more than to hear his name rattle the walls as she orgasmed against his mouth or around his cock. Hell, he wanted to hear Lucas’ voice do the same.
Lucas glanced at him. “Might be best if you concentrate on something else for right now.”
“See?” Hollis crossed her arms over her chest. “Why does it always feel as if I’m missin’ half the conversation?”
“Because you are.” Lucas shushed her. “One piece at a time. You wanted to know why I didn’t let you treat me.”
The wariness returned to her eyes, and there was no mistaking the defensive line of her back. “You two said I couldn’t help you.”
“Cullen said that because he knew you’d never believe the truth.”
She shifted on her feet, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “Which is?”
Lucas glanced at Cullen one last time before fisting the hem of his shirt. He focused on Hollis then yanked his shirt over his head, revealing sun-kissed skin over firm muscles. The mix of planes and angles created shadowed pockets across his torso, a scattering of hair covering his chest.
Cullen’s shaft jerked at the sight, and it took all the restraint he had not to step forward—run his fingers across his mate’s flesh. He wanted to feel the strength coiled in Lucas’ muscles. Taste the man’s skin as he traced his tongue across every band. Leave his mark on Lucas’ shoulder. Instead, he fisted his hands at his side as he waited for Hollis’ reaction.
Hollis swallowed with effort, her lips twitching until her gaze landed on his shoulder. Disbelief shaped her features, and she lifted her hand, skimming her fingers across the patch of skin where the spike had torn through Lucas’ flesh. A nervous silence stretched between them as she glanced at Cullen then back to Lucas. Confusion marred her brow, her sharp inhale breaking the oppressive quiet.
She shook her head, still running her fingers over his shoulder. “This can’t be. There isn’t a mark on your skin.”
Lucas sighed and placed his hand over hers, holding it tight to his flesh. “I know—”
“How is it healed?” She looked between them, color rising on her cheekbones. “I know what I saw. Your shirt was soaked with blood. Several of the men told me they thought you got hit with a spike. Christ, you looked as if you were about to pass out from the blood loss. My damn heart stopped when Cullen helped you walk away. I honestly wasn’t sure I’d ever see you, again.”
Lucas held firm when she tried to yank her hand away. “Hollis.”
“No.” She took a stumbling step back when she finally managed to pull free. “You should have a gaping hole in your shoulder. Even if it wasn’t as bad as I suspected… There’s not even a scar. A hint that you were ever injured. How…”
Lucas moved forward, his hands palms up. “I promise we’ll explain everything. But now, you know why we couldn’t let you treat me. It had nothing to do with our faith in you. There was simply nothing left for you to treat. All you would have seen was a jagged line. And the middle of the damn street wasn’t the place for this conversation.”
“What conversation could ever explain that?” She pointed at his shoulder. “That shouldn’t be possible.”
Lucas glanced at him, cringing a bit despite Cullen’s nod. “Have you ever heard of the term shape shifter?”
She frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Shape shifter. Do you know what it means?”
She rolled her shoulders, looking between them, again. “If I remember correctly, some native tribes believe a person can alter their form between a human and an animal. Something to do with it being their spiritual guide. So?”
“I know this is going to sound crazy, but it’s true. Shifters are real.”
To her credit, she didn’t react more than a slight twitch of her mouth at his statement. “Shifters are…real?”
“Very much so.”
The muscle in her temple jumped. She took several deep breaths, visibly relaxing her posture. “Okay. Let’s say, for a moment, I believe you. What has that got to do with you healing from a potentially fatal wound in the span of a few hours?”
Cullen stepped forward. “One of the benefits of being a shifter is accelerated healing. Changing into our animal form speeds up our recovery.”
She blinked a few times then arched a brow. “You said that as if you’re one of these shifters.”
Cullen looked at Lucas, then back to her.
Hollis frowned. “Cullen?”
“That’s why Lucas had to leave. A wound that severe… It was only a matter of time before his animal forced him to change. And mine needed to make sure he was safe before I could see to the rest of the crew.”
“Your animals…”
Cullen nodded, watching as she stood there, staring at them. He glanced at Lucas, but his mate didn’t seem to know what to do, either. Minutes ticked by before Cullen finally lost his patience. “Hollis? Aren’t you going to say something?”
She dampened her lips, opening and closing her mouth a few times before focusing on Lucas’ shoulder, again. “I…”
“You what?”
She huffed, leaning against the wall. “I’m not sure what you want me to say. Obviously, something unusual is going on, but… You can’t honestly expect me to believe that you two are…shifters.”
“We said we’d tell you the truth. We didn’t say you’d like it or believe us.�
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She frowned. “You’re serious? You’re standin’ here telling me you two can change your form. That you both become animals.”
“Bears, to be specific.”
“Bears?” She shook her head, drawing herself up. “You know, you could simply tell me you don’t believe in my skill as a doctor. You don’t have to make up this elaborate lie to spare my feelings. You aren’t the first men to question my ability, even if, for some reason, your lack of faith in me hurts more than usual.”
“We’re not lyin’. And we have complete faith in you. But you said it yourself. There’s been something off about us from the start. All that odd behavior…”
Her expression sobered as she stared at each of them as if seeing them for the first time. “All those times I thought I saw your eyes flash red—that wasn’t just a trick of the light?”
“That was our other halves pushing at our control.” Cullen sighed. “There are certain situations that set us off. Makes it hard to hold that part of us back.”
“So, the growlin’, the way you seem to scent the air? All the weird things you’ve said, like saying you could smell my fear?”
Lucas moved in closer. “All part of our animal side. Just because we aren’t currently wearing fur doesn’t mean we still aren’t part grizzly.”
Her mouth gaped open before she snorted, pushing her way past them. She paced over to the bed then spun. “This is crazy. I…”
Cullen sighed. Somehow, he’d always known it would come down to physically proving it to her. He nudged Lucas. “Might as well show the lady that, too, partner. We both know nothing short of changing is going to sway her.”
Lucas growled, his canines already poking beneath his lip. “You know shifting increases the need.”
“And you can take that all out on me. I told you before. I’m done fightin’ this. Regardless of what Hollis’ answer is.”
“My answer to what? What need?” Her eyes widened. “You two are a couple, aren’t you?”
“It’s not quite that simple.” Cullen held up his hand. “Just…hold off until after Lucas shows you. And remember. You promised not to run out of here screamin’.”