“I’m telling you, Jan,” The woman continued as she looked over a box of large multi-colored tomatoes, “I think, well, I think something has got to give.” She looked around furtively, as did the younger woman, Jan. they were both well aware of what happened when people spoke ill of their tribe leader. It seemed his gang of bullies grew bigger and bigger every day, somehow attracting the worst sort of shifter to the clan lands and an uneasiness that had been festering under the surface for years had begun to rise to the surface in noxious bubbles.
“Kara, you shouldn’t say those things. Not out loud, not here when anyone could hear us!” Jan looked around, her amber eyes reflecting the nerves underneath. “You know what happened to the Calloway boy.” Kara barely held back a shiver. Ben Calloway had been barely twenty years old, just coming into his own as a shifter. A kind boy, usually soft spoken, had been found more and more often speaking out about their leader and his misuse of the tribe, his misuse of the power of his position. Ben accused Harris of trying to set himself up as some kind of king and the next day, Ben had disappeared. And he wasn’t the only bear to go mysteriously missing after saying something untoward towards their leader.
But the thing that worried Kara the most, and after almost seventy years on this earth even she admitted that nothing much did, was the fact that Harris had never denied it. She had been their that day, when Ben had confronted Harris right outside the lodge. No, what kept her up at nights was the look in the tribe leader’s eyes when Ben had said the word ‘king’.
There had been a prideful glow there, and a hint of something else that she couldn’t quite put her name on, but it had sent a shiver running down her spine that day, and it sent one running down her spine on this day despite the warm sun shining down on them. Because in that look, she had seen the truth, even if she’d tried to deny it since. It was that look that had told her that Harris really did see himself as a king.
She shook her head. The idea itself was blasphemy, and pure bullshit besides. Bears didn’t have kings. They had equals, and they had tribe leaders. Someone deserving of their mutual respect, but Harris had squandered any chance at that.
“What is it, Kara? What has got to give?” Jan asked the words softly after she had been quiet for too long.
“What?” Kara looked at the younger woman. A cousin on her brother’s side, and a sweet girl, if somewhat naïve. Of course to Kara, most bears these days seemed far too naïve for their own good.
“Well, Harris, of course.” She finally said, picking up some berries. “Harris has got to give. There is so much pressure in the tribe, it’s just begging to implode. I can feel it,” She tapped on her chest with age worn fingers, “Here. Right here. There is change in the air. And that change is going to spell bad news for our tribe leader. I have no doubt of that.”
Jan looked around nervously, fear skittering through her at the words from the elder. She looked up at Kara, not saying anything else even though a thousand questions tripped through her head. The older woman had lived through more than one shift of power, and had seen it all before, but even she seemed nervous. And if the unflappable elder was nervous, then she should be downright terrified.
A prickle started on the back of her neck and all the tiny hairs on her body tried to stand on end. Quickly she looked around the stalls of the market but all she saw was the tribe members going about their business, smiling, laughing and talking.
She didn’t see the hard, yellow eyes from across the lot, never leaving her as they continued to walk. The eyes narrowed and if she would have seen them, she would have known what true terror feels like. Because there was madness shining boldly in those eyes. Madness, and death.
Harris turned away sharply, barely holding back the growl that threatened to erupt from his chest. People tripped over themselves to get out of his way as he stalked back the way he had come, but he didn’t even see them. All he could hear was that damned elder’s words ringing in his ears like endless bells. Harris has got to give... There is change in the air. And that change is going to spell bad news for our tribe leader.
Over and over, he heard it. Harris has got to give. Harris has got to give. Slowly, it morphed as it replayed like the children’s game, telephone. With ever repetition it changed until it became Harris has got to go. Harris has got to go.
He barely made it to the tree line before he gave into the rage boiling over inside him and let out a growl that sent a flock of wild birds shooting into the sky. Animals fled before him, and even the slight breeze seemed to still, waiting to see what he would do next.
He lashed out at the nearest thing to him, the trunk of an old tree that had probably stood there for at least a hundred years before it had the misfortune to find itself in Harris’ warpath.
His claws shot from his fingertips, tearing through bark as if it was soft flesh. He tore and tore until he was bleeding and sweat was pouring from his forehead, and still he didn’t stop. An ominous crack echoed through the surrounding forest a second before the tree toppled, crashing through several other trees until it finally landed with a loud thud.
Harris stood their, panting for air and soaked with his own sweat and anger. Even the destruction he’d caused wasn’t enough. His claws ached for blood and he imagined sinking his teeth into that stupid elder bear. He smiled as he thought it, and then the image morphed and his grin widened even more. If anyone had seen that expression, they would have turned and run away without a second thought because there was no doubt that it belonged to the face of a mad man.
As the delicious image still shimmered like steam in his brain, he dug out his cell phone and quickly hit the speed dial button.
“Yes?”
“Theo, is that any way to greet your future king?” Harris said the words through gritted teeth. Theo coughed slightly before finally answering.
“Of course not…sire.” Harris didn’t hear the murder simmering under Theo’s words. He could only hear what he wanted to hear. “What can I do for you?”
“I need to know how things are going? With our little…problem.”
“I need more time, Harris.” The tribe leader took a deep breath, picking up a nearby log as thick as a man’s forearm and snapped between his fingers as rage flooded him once again.
“We don’t have time, damn it!” He shouted through he other end before regaining his composure, looking at the shards of wood in his grasp as if he couldn’t remember how they had gotten there. “Listen, just hurry, alright? The tribe is getting…restless.”
“I know. I’m working as quickly as I can but it’s hard to get her alone. Adrien hasn’t left his side since your bitch of a daughter tipped them off.” Harris snarled at Theo’s words.
“Watch yourself, cub. My bitch of a daughter will soon be your princess, and heir to the throne. You will pay her the respect she deserves.”
“Yes, of course, I…apologize,” Theo bit out the words, “I can perhaps work a little faster, but it will cost.”
Harris sighed. He knew what sort of cost Theo was speaking of, and he knew if would be another hellish week of trying to cover up yet another victim. “Just do it, Theo. Whatever the cost. Just get it done.”
Chapter 3
Adrien grimaced as he looked over at the mirror behind the bar and caught himself grinning like a fool, again. It was probably the fifth time that night alone and the shift had barely started. He cast a sideways glance at Morgan who was chatting up a customer and could feel the dopey expression slide back onto his face despite his best attempts to stop it. He just couldn’t help it. He was happy. But even more, he was in love. And everything was finally going great.
More and more he had shared his other world with Morgan and instead of running away in fear, she had embraced him with all the awe and wonder that he felt at the magic that coursed through him. She had finally forgiven him for keeping his secrets from her, and had even started working at the bar again. Most importantly, they had spent nearly every night for the past weeks
together, and somehow each time seemed even better than the last. If things kept going the way they were, he was pretty sure she would kill him. And he couldn’t say he would be all that disappointed. There sure as hell were worse ways to go.
It even seemed like Harris’ brat Sera had gotten the hint, well, more than a hint really. It had been like a battering ram over the head but some people didn’t understand subtlety. Adrien didn’t care as long as she continued to leave him and Morgan in peace.
He still felt a moment of unease at her parting words that night outside his place, but he easily shrugged it off. Bitter words from a rejected woman, he was sure. Probably nothing to worry about.
Adrien watched Morgan as she talked with ease to the table of customers, taking their orders and laughing at a joke. She looked over at him, as if she could feel the weight of his gaze and he just knew he had that dumb ass grin back on his face but he shrugged, realizing that he didn’t care when Morgan smiled back at him. Because what he saw in her smile took his breath away.
The rest of the shift passed slowly for Adrien and he waited impatiently as the last customer finally payed and then left.
“What’s going on with you?” She asked as she cleared the last of the tables, wiping them down as she carried the glasses over to the sink to be washed.
“What? Going on? I don’t know what you mean?” He said as innocently as he could, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from spilling his surprise he had arranged for her.
“Yes you do,” She said, sending him another sidelong look, “You haven’t been able to stand still all night. Bouncing around, fidgeting. I have never once seen you fidget before, Adrien Black. Not once in all of the years that I’ve known you.”
He just grinned and shrugged it off because he knew if he opened his mouth again it would all come tumbling out and then he would ruin the surprise. And he desperately wanted to do something special for her, something to show her just how much her understanding meant to him.
Finally, they finished cleaning down the bar and Adrien closed out in record time before reaching out to turn down the lights. He held out his hand and hers was in it in an instant, sending a wave of warmth shooting through him. That she had learned to trust him again, after everything that had happened, after everything she now knew about him. That was the greatest miracle by far.
He pulled her close suddenly and he savored her gasp as her body pressed all the way against his own, reveling in the softness of her. He inhaled deeply at the curve of her neck, savoring her unique scent of spice and woman, and trailed feather light kisses up and up until he passed over her jaw and finally reached her mouth.
She sighed again, and he swallowed it as his lips angled over hers, devouring her as hunger speared through him, driving him quickly from embers to full blown conflagration in a matter of seconds. He drew the kiss out until the ache became almost too much, but he didn’t want to tempt himself too much, otherwise he’d never get to show her his surprise.
“What do you say we go back to your place.” He asked softly.
“Um, my place sounds good,” She said, her voice breathless and horse with desire, “But your place is a hell of a lot closer.” Morgan leaned in to kiss him again and ever particle in his body protested as he pulled back, demanding that he kiss her, demanding that he take every sweet pleasure that she offered.
“But, uh, my place is a total wreck. Let’s, um, let’s go to your place. Come on. I’ll drive.” Adrien forced himself to move forward and Morgan had no choice but to follow as his hand still grasped hers. Quickly, he threw the bolt on the door and basically ran to his jeep.
He opened the passenger door for Morgan and he really did run this time as he circled to the driver’s side. The key was in the ignition and the car started in seconds flat and within moments he was peeling out of the parking lot and on to the road towards Morgan’s apartment.
Adrien almost shrieked when he felt her hand on his thigh, and thought he might have gone a little cross eyed as her fingers danced up higher and higher until they were almost touching that part of him that was steel hard for her. Quickly, he grabbed her hand, pulling it lower to safer territory that wouldn’t end with them in a ditch.
“Maybe you should wait just a minute. For our safety, you know.” He cast her a look of mock admonition from under furrowed brows. Although he was very serious about the prospect of her touch making him run off the road. She was very distracting.
Morgan chuckled then, low and husky and it shivered across his skin like burning hot coal. It hit him then. He realized that it didn’t matter. She didn’t have to be touching him to effect him so, just being around her was enough to do that. He gritted his teeth, tightening his grasp on the steering wheel and thanked god that her apartment was only another few minutes away.
He pulled into the driveway of her apartment building, slamming on the brakes with more force than was strictly necessary and barely waited to stop the car before he was out, rushing around to open Morgan’s door and help her down from the jeep.
He had her in arms, sliding her down his body inch by delicious inch until her feet touched finally touched the ground. Adrien felt a wave of masculine pride as he felt her trembling knees weaken for a moment and he didn’t let go of his support. He found he couldn’t. Adrien didn’t think there was anything in the world just then that could make him let go of his mate, and the look she was giving him from under the fringe of dark lashes just heightened the possessive feeling shooting through him.
With a growl, his mouth was on hers, licking and nipping at her plump lower lip like it was the most succulent of fruit and he was sure he had never tasted anything sweeter.
Morgan moaned into his mouth and the sound made him realize just how imperative it was that they get inside. Because if they didn’t, he was going to lift up that too tempting skirt of hers and take her right there on the hood of his jeep.
“Morgan, we have to get inside. Now!” Adrien barely got the words out in between the voracious kisses, but she must have heard the urgency in his voice, or maybe she just felt the same intense need spearing through her own body because a second later she had her keys out and was dragging him this time as she headed towards the front door.
She dropped the keys from trembling fingers when she tried to unlock the door and he thought he might die then and there he needed her so bad. Out of time, out of patience, and completely out of rational thought he grabbed the handle of the door and tapping into his supernatural strength, pulled at the door until he heard the tell tale crack of the lock giving way.
Morgan stared at him wide eyed before releasing a startled laugh and he only had time to grin back at her before her mouth was one more eating at his, hungry, starving for more, for everything he could give her. And just that moment, it was quite a lot.
With another growl, he scooped her up into his arms and charged into the building and up the stairs to her apartment. Again, he didn’t waste anytime before ramming his shoulder into the door and it gave with barely a whimper. Morgan didn’t seem to notice as she was too busy kissing a trail of fire down the side of his throat, thoroughly distracting him.
“I- I’ll replace it,” He said, his voice rough as he tried to hold in another groan. She was pushing him to his limits.
“Replace what?” She said, barely stopping in her torment of him as her talented mouth moved across his collar bone making him grit his teeth against the pleasure pain as she gently nipped at his shoulder.
“The lock. I’ll, uh, I’ll replace the lock.” He said the words, at least he tried to but instead a howl escaped him as her mouth continued to tease him. She was torturing him, he was sure.
“Oh, okay.” He wasn’t even sure she had heard, and he didn’t really care as he put her down before shutting the door and securing it with the only means left, a sliding chain lock that hadn’t been on when he’d busted the deadbolt. Adrien turned around, more than ready for Morgan to fall on him again only to find her staring a
t the corner of her living room with tears in her eyes.
He had been so wrapped up in her that he had completely forgotten about his surprise! With a jolt, he tried to get his body under control and it was more of a fight than he would have thought but as she turned to him, he knew he needed to go slow.
“It’s a surprise, for you,” He said, his voice still rough with unmet desire. She rushed over to the large package, tearing off the bow before turning back to him with the sweetest of smiles spreading over her beautiful face. He knew he’d never seen anything more gorgeous.
“Adrien, you did this? For me?” He just nodded his head, his throat to choked with emotion to speak. Morgan ran her hand over the deep mahogany of the easel, carved with beautiful scrollwork and silhouettes of bears wading through a forest. He’d had it made for her months ago, when they had still been at the cabin, but had never had the opportunity to give it to her until now. He mentally thanked Grant for staging the surprise for him and made a reminder to buy him that beer after all.
“Well, do you like it?” He said, suddenly nervous, and she turned to him walking close with an expression so serious that he had to swallow as his nerves spiked.
Morgan stared up at him with every piece of her heart shining in her mesmerizing gemstone eyes. “Adrien, I love it. I- I love you.”
Chapter 4
Her words ricocheted through him sending a scalding hot wave of desire chasing after them. He had never heard anything sweeter than what she had just said. Adrien wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as tightly against him as he could with the barrier of their clothes still in the way. A barrier he meant to soon rectify.
“Say it again,” He whispered the words low and rough against her ear and he could feel every tremble that shivered through her body, savoring the feel of her melting in his arms like hot honey. “Say it again, Morgan.”
“I love you,” She looked up at him then and he knew he was lost, forever and ever his heart would belong to this woman. It no longer belonged to him, hadn’t for some time, but the knowledge of it crashed around him and to know that she felt the same made him want to howl in furious joy.
BAD BOY ROMANCE: DIESEL: Contemporary Bad Boy Biker MC Romance (Box Set) (New Adult Sports Romance Short Stories Boxset) Page 69