Her Guardian Shifter

by Karen Whiddon

  He understood her request and wished he could have honored it. But the one thing he couldn’t do was change with a bunch of wolves. He also couldn’t reveal his true nature to JJ. No one except DeLeon and a few of his cronies knew what Eric was, and he intended for it to stay that way.

  For centuries, his kind, his people, had been vilified and avoided, all because of a rare genetic mutation. Tests were unable to reveal it, and as a result, more and more bears had stopped having children. They were too afraid of bringing a monstrosity into the world. The bears’ numbers had begun dwindling, and they tended to live in isolated communities, all of them in the North. Alaska, Canada, Russia, Norway and Sweden were the largest groupings. The farthest south Eric had heard of a settlement had been high in the Rocky Mountains.

  When he’d been growing up, his grandparents and the rest of that family had been part of a group in Norway. But when one of the elders in the church, a kind and giving man, had been falsely accused of being Berserker by a small group of his detractors, his own friends had turned on him rather than defending him. Things had gotten so bad he’d feared for his family. He’d sent them to California to live, and once they were safely away, he’d hanged himself from the tallest tree in the village square.

  The group had imploded after that, drawing up sides. Poisonous accusations, anger and eventually violence had flared. When, as if they’d known, Eric’s parents had shown up to take them away, they’d all fled to California.

  Now both his parents were truly gone. Eric and Lars had learned from a stranger that, a few years after they’d vanished from their sons’ lives, they’d died in an airplane crash, slamming into the side of a mountain during a blizzard up in Alaska. The subsequent fire had been what actually killed them. Lars had gone back to Norway after that, leaving Eric with no family and only the company of the few other bear shifters he’d met. Yolanda had been one of them.

  Living so far from others of his own kind wasn’t easy. Eric envied the easy acceptance that Pack members enjoyed. The communal hunts, the knowledge that Protectors would always be there to have your back if you needed them... The freedom to mate and procreate when you wanted, without worrying about the consequences of a deadly gene mutation appearing one day without warning...

  Eric didn’t know what he’d do if it appeared in his son. He shook off the thought, refusing even to consider such a possibility.

  Now, sitting alone in an unfamiliar bedroom in a virtual stranger’s house, he acknowledged he may have made another major mistake. He’d allowed a petite and curvy redhead to get under his skin, to come too close. No one had ever said isolation would be easy. Maybe he should seriously think about finding somewhere else to live rather than waiting for JJ’s place to be repaired.

  Chapter 14

  True to the company’s word, the moving truck pulled into Forestwood at eight o’clock the next morning. The drivers called Eric once they were inside the city limits. He agreed to meet them at his shop, glad he’d already fed and bathed little Garth. He’d decided to store everything there until the house became livable again. The excitement of finally getting his familiar belongings, not to mention his car, had him moving fast.

  After putting Garth’s coat on him, Eric shrugged into his own parka, grabbed his keys and headed out. He didn’t see either Rhonda or JJ, which was good, since he was too impatient for conversation or explanations.

  He made it to his shop in ten minutes, glad for clear roads and good weather. Once he’d parked, he carried Garth inside the small office and set his carrier down on the massive wooden desk the previous owner had left.

  Walking outside, Eric caught sight of the large moving truck rounding the corner. It was towing a trailer with the most precious cargo of all—his Camaro, still properly covered.

  After winter had gone for good, that car would be the best advertisement for his fledgling business. He’d spent four years in his spare time restoring and customizing it, using only authentic parts. The time and love he’d put into making it absolutely perfect showed. He’d even entered it in a few custom car competitions, both times winning top prize. Anyone who wanted a car or truck restored would, after seeing his Camaro, know immediately that Eric was the man they wanted for the job. He was banking on that.

  The first thing he had the movers do was unload his car. After they’d uncovered it, he inspected the exterior from front to back. Once he’d satisfied himself that the Camaro was still in perfect condition, he backed it into the first of the three bays and closed the door. The rest of his belongings would be stored in the middle bay. He’d purchased and installed security cameras, despite Rhonda shaking her head and claiming they were unnecessary. As if Forestwood had zero crime.

  Once the men had finished unloading, Eric thanked them. He stood outside, holding Garth, and watched as the big truck lumbered away. He then closed all the doors and went back in. He planned to spend the rest of the day going through his things and taking out whatever he could use to make Garth’s life—and his—easier.

  * * *

  The day of the community hunt, JJ half hoped Eric would ask her to come help him sift through more of his boxes. She would have agreed immediately, even though she had a meeting with a contractor at ten, and hoped to pin the man down on an actual date the repair of her house could start. But Eric didn’t. In the kitchen, pouring herself another cup of coffee, she managed to smile at Rhonda as if nothing was wrong.

  “Are you and Eric still having problems?” Her neighbor asked.

  JJ shrugged. “I’m not sure. Why?”

  “Because there’s something I need to tell you.” Rhonda looked around, as if afraid someone would hear her. “He’s wanted, JJ.” Her loud whisper came out both shocked and worried.

  JJ crossed her arms. “Wanted for what? Where are you getting your information?”

  “I have a friend who’s a Pack Protector. Eric’s ex-wife and best friend were both murdered under suspicious circumstances.”

  “What?” JJ couldn’t help it; she gasped. “When? Where?”

  “In California. I’m not sure when. But recently, like, within the last ten days.”

  Some of the tension drained from JJ’s shoulders. “Well, Eric hasn’t left. At all. If something happened in California, it couldn’t have been him. He’s been here longer than that.”

  Grimacing, Rhonda shrugged. “I could have the timeline wrong. Maybe it was before he got here. All I know is when I was in the city the night your house caught on fire, I met my friend for dinner. We were talking about fugitives and I asked him if the Protectors had their own top ten most wanted list. They do. He showed me on his phone. I saw all of their faces and their crimes. I recognized Eric immediately.”

  JJ swallowed. “Did you say anything to your friend?”

  Rhonda gave her a calculating look. “No. Not yet. I don’t know about you, but I confess, I’m intrigued. I like my men dangerous. It’s so sexy.”

  Sexy? “That’s crazy!” JJ gasped, the words bursting from her before she had time to reconsider.

  Narrow-eyed, Rhonda pursed her lips. “Do you think so?” Her silky voice carried a thread of anger. “Or are you just saying that because you want him for yourself?”

  For a heartbeat JJ couldn’t find any words. When she finally spoke, she took a deep breath first. “Rhonda, stop. Neither of us knows much about Eric, but I think we at least owe him a chance to explain himself. I, for one, don’t find murderers or criminals sexy. Or appealing. Yet I’ve been around Eric for a good while. You’ve seen how great he is with that baby. I can’t believe he could have done what you claim he has.”

  “They claim, not I.” Rhonda shook her head. “And has it ever occurred to you he might have offed the kid’s mother so he could get custody?”

  Now JJ felt naive. And gullible. Yet even with that, she couldn’t help but feel Rhonda’
s friend had the wrong information. “If they’re Pack Protectors, you’d think they’d have been able to locate him. I mean, he hasn’t tried to hide himself. He even registered his new business under his name. I know, because I saw the paperwork.”

  “I don’t know.” Seemingly unconcerned, Rhonda shrugged. “I guess just keep your eyes open. As for me...” She flashed a sly smile. “If I get a chance to get close to him, I’m taking it. So I might need you to make yourself scarce. Or better yet, take care of the baby while I take care of Eric.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Eric asked, walking into the room. JJ jumped, feeling her face heat. Rhonda just continued to smile, letting her gaze travel leisurely over Eric’s body, as if she could undress him with her eyes.

  “Why, you, of course,” she purred. “I was hoping JJ would babysit little Garth tonight so I could take you out to dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant.”

  His quick—and alarmed—glance at JJ was almost comical. “JJ and I already have plans.” His eyes begged her not to contradict him.

  “Really?” Rhonda’s disappointed pout seemed calculating. “Then how about tomorrow night?”

  JJ barely kept from rolling her eyes. While she still liked Rhonda, and could understand her wanting Eric, her comments about criminals and murderers being sexy seemed creepy.

  And no matter what Rhonda thought, no way was Eric either of those.

  “I don’t think so,” he finally said, his voice kind. “I’m not really interested in dating anyone right now.”

  “Even JJ?” Rhonda asked, her hands on her hips and her color high. “Because it seems to me you and my friend there have been dating quite a bit.”

  “We’re friends,” JJ interjected, before Eric could comment. She actually felt sorry for Rhonda. While she didn’t understand why Eric wasn’t interested in a petite, curvy blonde, she was glad he wasn’t.

  “Yes, friends,” Eric echoed.

  “With benefits?” The bluntness of her neighbor’s question shocked JJ. Again, her face heated. Just once she wished she didn’t turn red every time she got embarrassed.

  If he noticed, Eric gave no sign. “That’s out of line, Rhonda. I think you owe JJ an apology.”

  She lifted her chin but said nothing.

  Hurt, JJ lowered her head. She’d known all along that Rhonda had been interested in Eric, but hadn’t thought they’d become enemies over it.

  “Actually—” Rhonda finally spoke, giving JJ hope that this could all be smoothed over “—I think you’re the one who owes JJ an apology. You didn’t inform her she’d be harboring a criminal when she let you rent half her house.”

  Then, while both Eric and JJ gaped at her, she continued. “As a matter of fact, my suggestion is that you turn yourself in before she gets hurt.”

  It took a moment before Eric could speak. “Are you threatening me, Rhonda?”

  Rhonda’s perfectly shaped brows rose. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”

  “Because that sounds like a threat.” He crossed his arms. “I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but I’m not a criminal and I’m not wanted for anything.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. I’m in constant communication with Pack Protectors. Believe me, if I were wanted for a crime, they’d know exactly where to find me.” With that, he stalked from the room.

  Rhonda remained silent for a few more seconds. “I don’t know what to think,” she said.

  “Maybe you just looked at whatever you saw wrong. It sounds like the Pack Protectors are protecting him rather than hunting him.”

  “Maybe so. Either way, there he goes again.” Rhonda jerked her head toward the window. Outside, Eric was buckling Garth into his infant seat. Briefly, JJ debated hurrying outside to talk to him, but then didn’t move. Maybe they needed a little time and space before they could resume their friendship.

  Friends. As if that was all she wanted. Deep down, she knew she longed for more, and she’d never been one to lie to herself. Clearly, since that would never happen, she needed to put it out of her mind. Right now, she wasn’t even sure if their new friendship would survive.

  Shortly before ten, she told Rhonda she’d be right back, and went next door to her own house to meet the contractor her insurance agent had recommended. Since he’d be dealing directly with the insurance company, he took a look around and promised to submit a quote to them. Once they’d agreed, he promised to start immediately. She considered that a win.

  After that meeting, she went back to Rhonda’s house. Needing something else to occupy herself until the hunt, she cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom. Then she ended up back in the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards until she found enough ingredients to make a cake.

  Rhonda wandered in as she was stirring the batter. “Sorry,” JJ said. “I can’t sit still. I’m a bundle of nerves.”

  “Why?”

  “The group hunt tonight. I’m so stressed, I’m almost at the point of chickening out and changing my mind about going.”

  “Humph,” Rhonda snorted. “If you want to fit in around here, you need to get to know people. That sounds like a good way to do it.”

  Pouring the batter into the cake pan, JJ nodded. “I know. That’s why I’m telling myself that no matter what, I have to make my way to the woods tonight. Are you going? Maybe we could ride together.”

  To JJ’s surprise, Rhonda shook her head. “I’m not. I’ve got way too much to do,” she said vaguely, by way of explanation.

  “Like what?” Though she knew she probably shouldn’t, JJ pressed the point. When Rhonda wasn’t at work, she did little other than watch TV and drift around the house.

  “Fine. If you must know, quite honestly, I’ve never liked those things. Too much random togetherness.”

  JJ shrugged, not wanting to admit she’d never experienced it. She might end up feeling the same as Rhonda, but wouldn’t know until she tried it. Or so she told herself.

  When her phone rang, she answered, even though she didn’t recognize the number. It was her soon-to-be new boss, Gracie Cordell.

  “Are you going tonight?” Gracie asked. JJ replied in the affirmative, though she was a little nervous.

  Gracie chuckled. “It’ll be fine. I tell you what—how about I meet you there? I’ll watch for you. That way, at least you’ll know someone. And then, when you start work at the bookstore on Monday, at least we’ll have that shared experience between us. What do you say?”

  Grateful, JJ thanked her. They agreed on a place to meet, and ended the call. Rhonda, who’d stayed in the kitchen, unabashedly listening to JJ’s side of the conversation, shook her head and left the room.

  JJ went back to making her cake. She was relieved by Gracie’s friendliness, though she couldn’t help but wish Eric was going. Which went to show how deluded she could be. He could no more change his species than she could.

  What she hated more than that was the way Eric had been acting. He’d been remote and distant ever since telling her he wasn’t Pack. He’d taken to spending a lot of time at his shop, and while she knew there was work to be done to get it ready, he didn’t ask her to accompany him or even to watch Garth.

  It hurt more than she wanted to think about. So she didn’t. While her cake baked, she got busy making something else.

  While Gracie had said the group was gathering at dusk at a spot deep inside the forest, she’d instructed JJ to meet her at the entrance to one of the hiking trails. Luckily, the weather had held. Even though cloudy and gray, the sky didn’t even shed a single snow flurry. The temperatures hovered slightly above freezing. JJ dressed in layers, choosing each item of clothing by how easily it could be shed. The idea of stripping and changing in front of total strangers unnerved her, but she figured it would be pretty easy to find a bush or thicke
t to hide in for a few minutes.

  The thought of hunting in a pack—a genuine pack of wolves—excited her.

  Her enthusiasm warring with nerves, JJ arrived early. Since she’d never hiked a day in her life, she settled for pacing the parking lot. Relief flooded her when another car pulled up. The green four-door sedan parked next to JJ’s car and Gracie waved from inside.

  “Are you ready for the best hunt of your life?” she said in greeting as she exited her vehicle.

  “Sure,” JJ answered, aware she sounded anything but. “Listen, I’m wondering...for first-timers, is there a private area we can go to when it’s time to strip off our clothes and shift?”

  Gracie grinned. “You sound like you’ve never done this before. Don’t worry, it’ll be just like any other group hunt you’ve done, just with a bunch of different people.”

  Though she debated internally, JJ finally told her new boss the truth. “Actually, I’ve never done a group hunt.”

  “Never?”

  “Nope. I’ve lived in the city among humans for most of my life.”

  Gracie shook her head. “Where did you go to change?”

  “Central Park. I snuck out, usually in the middle of the night. Sometimes I could hear other shifters, but I never actually met up with one.”

  “You’ll be fine.” Patting her shoulder, Gracie pointed to where a small group of people had begun to gather near a huge oak tree. “Those are the organizers. Let me introduce you around.”

  Inwardly balking, JJ nodded and let her new boss lead her over. Two of the men swept their gazes over JJ appreciatively and openly, making her want to cross her arms in front of her in self-defense. Of course, soon everyone would let go of all human inhibitions, strip off their clothing and change into their wolf form. Then none of this would matter in the slightest.

  At least not until the time came to shift back to human.

  Maybe this had been one awful, huge mistake.

  As the crowd of people grew, Gracie stayed by JJ’s side. Finally, a tall man with a shock of gray hair blew a whistle. “It’s time. Everyone move into the woods. We’re going for the herd of deer that’s been spotted on the other side of the ridge.”