Bam did not look up at Everly, but he spoke to her, “Everly, come down the stairs, hon. Go over to Ms. Joanne’s. You call somebody to come for you. Do not leave there alone. You hear me?”
“Yes, Bam. I hear you.” She ran down the stairs, pausing in front of Bam, wanting, needing to say more.
Bam didn’t meet her eyes; he kept a staring contest going with Edmond, who was still standing several feet away. “Go on, now, Everly. It’s okay. Get gone,” he told her as gently as he could with his Bear so near the surface that his shoes hurt his feet from the claws that had sprung from his toes.
She nodded at him as she dropped her eyes to the ground again and hurried out of her own work shop.
Bam watched Edmond as Edmond watched Everly leave. He took advantage of Edmond’s attention on Everly to toe his shoes off. By the time Everly disappeared through the front door, and Edmond’s eyes snapped back to meet his, his shoes were completely removed and pushed slightly to the side. Bam smiled at him, threw the unconscious Fox he still held in his hands across the room, sure to impact his head with the wall, shifted, and launched himself at the two remaining Foxes. Both of whom shifted and met him halfway across the distance separating them.
His Bear was incensed. How dare they use Everly as they had, how dare they hurt her, abuse her, make her feel like she was not worthy of a male. He knew exactly every emotion Everly had experienced as she stood above them as they’d had their standoff. His Bear had felt all she felt, and his heart hurt for her. But even more than that, he was pissed. And a pissed-off Bear was dangerous. He ripped into Edmond’s Fox with a ferocity he’d never before let loose. Blood flew, an ear was ripped off, tufts of fur were flying, and still he attacked.
Chapter 2
Maverik immediately spied Bam’s truck in front of Joanne’s as he pulled his bike onto the main street of town. Didn’t surprise him, from Joanne’s you could see just about everything up and down the street. What he didn’t expect to see was Everly running quickly across the street toward Joanne’s from her own place, still in a night gown and barefoot.
He gunned the engine, got there a little quicker, but before he could turn to help Valerie off the bike, she’d hopped off, and was already running toward Everly.
“Ev! What’s wrong?! What’s happening?” Valerie called to her best friend as she ran directly at her.
Maverik was right behind her, ready to help the little female when he heard an eruption of snarls, growls, yips and howls coming from Everly’s shop. He didn’t pause at all, just changed direction, “Darlin’ take care of her, I’m going to Bam!”
Valerie didn’t answer; she knew he knew she’d handle whatever needed handling. By this time, Everly was in Valerie’s arms, head on her chest, crying. “Shh, it’s okay, Ev. What’s happening? Tell me what I can do,” Valerie begged.
Everly was too upset to talk; she just kept her death grip on Valerie and sobbed into Valerie’s shirt.
Suddenly Ms. Joanne was there, “Come on, Valerie, let’s get her inside.”
Valerie nodded her agreement, and between the two of them they managed to guide her inside Joanne’s Books and Goodies.
Valerie chose a place in the back of the shop intentionally away from the windows. It didn’t even occur to her to worry about Maverik; she knew he was a very capable, dangerous male. Whatever this was, he had this.
“Did they come back, Ev?” Valerie asked.
Everly didn’t speak, but she nodded.
Joanne came back over with a huge cup of hot chocolate, “Here you go, sweetie. It’s going to be okay. Bam’s got this, and now Maverik’s here to help. You don’t have to fight this alone anymore.”
Everly accepted the cup, but only let out another sob.
“Did he not make it in time? Did they hurt you?” Valerie asked, suddenly worried that they’d actually gotten their hands on her friend.
Everly shook her head, “No, he made it in time.”
“Then talk to me, tell me what happened,” Valerie scooted closer to her, so she could put an arm around Everly’s shoulders.
Joanne took the seat across from the table from them, “You’re safe now, sweetie. Take a deep breath, it’s okay.”
Everly shook her head, then whispered, “No, it’s not. It’ll never be okay again. Any chance I had was just ripped away from me.” She turned from staring into the cup to face Valerie, “He told him. Edmond told him everything. Now he’ll never want me.”
Valerie knew immediately what Everly referred to. For years her friend had been abused by the male members of her skulk. Most of the female Foxes didn’t mind; it was just how they operated. It was normal, and if you weren’t wanted by the members of your own skulk, it was an insult. As soon as Everly came of age, Edmond had taken her, viciously. Made sure that the other members of their skulk had witnessed it. His father had been Alpha at the time, and Edmond had made it clear that she was his, to be used at his discretion as he pleased, by himself and his friends. He’d been especially vicious because he’d tried to forge a bond with her since they were kids, to make her his female, and she’d refused him time and again. Her parents had died when she was a child, most likely not an accident. And she’d been left to depend on the skulk for her survival. Somewhere along the way, watching how they operated, she’d gotten it in her head that she wanted the One that she was intended for and no other. She wanted better. Their skulk, unfortunately, was secluded, backwoods, and they followed their own set of rules. From the time she first refused him in front of his friends, she’d had no chance. He’d made it his life’s goal to exert his dominance over her any chance he got. Since her parents weren’t there, there was no one to stand up for her. The Alpha wasn’t much better than his son, and routinely took the younger girls just turned women of the skulk to his own bed. So she did what she had to do to survive. And she survived. Until she was lucky enough to meet Valerie one day in town when she’d been sent on an errand. Valerie had been in high school still and was sitting having lunch one Saturday in the diner, when the pretty little redhead had paused to look into the windows. Valerie didn’t have many friends, so she waved at the new girl. She’d seen her around town from time-to-time, but knew that she didn’t live in town, nor did she go to school with them. The little redhead had halfheartedly waved back and turned to go. But Valerie couldn’t let her go - she jumped up from her seat and followed her out the door. She’d talked her into coming back into the diner and sharing lunch with her, Valerie’s treat. They’d met every chance they could after that and had become fast friends. Everly had eventually trusted Valerie with what was happening to her, and shortly thereafter, Valerie had come into her own as her Lioness. She’d taken it upon herself to let Edmond know that if he tried anything when she was around, her Lioness would have him for lunch. And Vince had backed her up. So for the last few years, Everly had had somewhat of a reprieve. She’d moved to town, started her own business and even started taking self-defense classes at the women’s center in town. Vince had taught her to shoot, too, and as soon as she could save a little money, she planned to take some classes and get her conceal and carry permit, so she could buy and carry her own gun. They didn’t abuse her like they used to; she could fight now, at least if it was only one of them. Once in a while Edmond and his cousins would come to try to harass her, but for the most part, they left her alone. Until recently, that is. Recently, they’d come together in a group. She couldn’t fight all of them.
“I’m sorry, Everly. I never thought that they’d come after you if I moved to Maverik’s. I’m so sorry,” Valerie told her.
“It’s not your fault. They’ve been coming for several months; I just usually manage to dodge them if it’s more than one of them. Most of the time they just damage my shop or my work,” Everly answered.
Valerie stiffened, “Most of the time?”
Everly nodded, shrinking into her self, “Sometimes they catch me there, and if he’s got backup, I just try to remember that I’m lucky to
be breathing when they leave,” she whispered.
Valerie’s heart lurched; she was sick to her stomach, knowing what her friend had been silently enduring, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You have a wonderful life to live now; you’ve waited so long. You don’t need to be spending your time worried about protecting me. I’m a big girl now - I can do it.”
“Really? Does this look like you can do it?” Valerie asked loudly, waving her hand at Everly sitting there in her nightgown, still trembling.
Everly didn’t answer, just stared at her cup.
“What did you mean that any chance you had is gone now?” Valerie asked.
“Just that, it’s gone,” Everly answered.
Valerie said nothing, so Everly eventually lifted her eyes to Valerie’s. Valerie raised one eyebrow at her in question.
Everly sighed, then said, “Edmond told Bam everything. That he claimed me as soon as I reached puberty. That he took me every time he wanted me,” she sobbed, “that he shared me. Made me do things. Terrible things.”
Valerie wrapped Everly in her arms, rocking her back and forth, shushing her, “It’s okay. Bam’s not like that. He’s not the kind of male to hold it against a female because she’s been abused and hurt. He’s not the kind of male to hold her past against any female regardless of what it was comprised of. All he cares about is how good your heart is. How genuine you are. Whatever got you to who you are today doesn’t matter; it’s the person you are now.”
Everly shook her head vigorously, “No, you don’t understand! He didn’t want me before! Now he certainly won’t want me. If anything it’s worse than before, and he wasn’t happy about me then!”
“Then why was he here? How did he know you needed him?” Joanne asked her gently.
“I don’t know. But he was just suddenly there, and he sent me here. He said to call someone and not to leave here alone. When I was almost here, I heard the snarling and fighting start.” She realized then that he was still there, at her place, fighting her fight. She swiped her eyes dry and stood quickly, trying to get around Valerie.
“I need to go, move, let me out!” Everly demanded.
“Where are you going?” Valerie asked.
“I left him there; he’s fighting for me, and I just left him there! I need to go help!” she exclaimed.
“No, honey, you don’t. Maverik’s there. They’ve got this. Sit, stay here. Do what he asked you to do,” Valerie said, as she tried to tug on Everly’s arm and get her to sit again.
<> <> <> <> <>
Bam was in a battle frenzy, in his element, Defending ours! His Bear roared proudly in his mind as he tossed the other Fox over his back with his huge head. His Bear grinned as he heard the umpf and slap of flesh on cement as the Fox landed on the floor. He turned his head just in time to see Edmond lifting a rod of steel to slash at him with. He nimbly sidestepped it, and with one swipe of his huge paw sent the Alpha Fox flying back several feet. Bastards couldn’t even fight fair; they’d shifted back to human just as soon as they got the chance.
As soon as he hit the ground, Edmond sprung to his feet and headed back at him, and at the same time he felt a sting and impact across his shoulders as the other one slammed an oxygen tank into him from behind. Bam stumbled with the unexpected impact and turned to face the wily little Fox. As he focused on the Fox behind him, he didn’t see Edmond reach for the blow torch and fire it up. Just as he heard the snick, snick, whoosh of the torch and realized that he might actually be in trouble here, the door burst open, and a huge silver Wolf came bounding into the room, looking more like a puppy excited to be playing than a beast headed into battle. He was actually bouncing up and down and had a big ass grin on his face. But when the Wolf saw what the Alpha Fox had in his hands, all playfulness stopped. He became a force of nature. He hurled himself at the Alpha, snarling, growling, salivating. Which freed Bam to go after the Fox that had just hit him with the oxygen tank.
Bam gripped the Fox by the leg, shaking his huge head back and forth as though trying to separate it from the rest of the body. The Fox screamed and wrapped himself around Bam’s head to try to ensure that his body went in the same direction as his leg. He hugged Bam’s head so tight that Bam couldn’t shake him loose. Maverik, in the meantime, had slammed into the Alpha so hard that he’d caused him to lose his hold on the blow torch, and it clattered to the floor. Maverik immediately locked his jaws on the Alpha’s side, just below his rib cage, and emitted a long, deep, drawn-out growl. The Alpha froze, knowing he was a moment from death. Bam had made his way over to the wall and slammed his head against it, effectively freeing his clinging opponent. The male fell to the ground moaning and writhing in pain. Bam turned toward Maverik, who watched him intently, waiting for the indication he so desperately wanted. End him, end this piece of shit.
But Bam knew they’d cause trouble for Kaid if they took out the Fox Alpha. He tried to send these thoughts to Maverik, but Maverik wanted to end this worthless bastard so badly he wasn’t paying attention, so Bam shifted so he could speak, “Maverik, Kaid’s gonna get in lots of trouble if we kill their Alpha.”
Maverik’s Wolf bit a little harder, causing the Alpha to whine like a little bitch, which pleased Maverik intensely.
“You better let me go! You’re gonna have the whole Fox nation down on you! Let me go!” he shouted.
Bam looked at Maverik and shrugged. Maverik bit a little bit harder for good measure and then let go, stepping back before he shifted.
Bam stomped toward Edmond, “She’s mine. You touch her, you speak to her, you even pretend you want to scare her again, I’ll kill you. My Alpha will stand behind me. You’ve been warned. Stay away from Everly. Period.”
Maverik’s mouth dropped open, “Damn, dude!”
Bam didn’t spare Maverik a glance - he kept glaring at Edmond where he stood, holding his side, dripping blood all over Everly’s floor.
Edmond turned his mud brown eyes to Bam, “She ain’t yours!” he tried to shout, failing since it seemed that Maverik had done some serious damage. He gasped, panting, gathering his breath again, “She’s been mine since she became a woman. Claimed her when she was 14. Mine! And you can’t change it!”
Bam stalked the last few steps to him, ‘til they were nose-to-nose, or would have been had Edmond been any taller than 5’6”. Bam was trembling he was so angry; he looked down his nose at him. “You fuck!” he rumbled in a barely human voice, his face had begun to elongate again, “You worthless, stupid fuck!”
Maverik raised his eyebrows, surprised as he watched it all unfolding. He’d never seen his best friend like this; he was fucking audacious!
“You stupid fucking idiot!” Bam continued, “I don’t give a fuck what you did. Don’t care what you forced on her. Don’t. Fucking. Care.” Then, he lifted one huge hand and used one pointed, claw tipped finger to poke Edmond in the chest hard enough to make him stumble back, “She’s mine now. Every fucking centimeter of skin is mine. Every fucking hair on her body. Every fucking thought in her head… MINE!” Bam roared. “You fucking touch her, you die. I don’t care who you think you are, what you think you’re entitled to, it changes now. Right fucking now!” he roared. “This is your only chance, take it or die. I don’t fucking care which you choose!” And with that he threw his head back and roared again.
Maverik got all excited, “Can we do it? Huh, huh? We gonna kill him, Bam? Can we, can we?” Maverik was doing his best imitation of Bam when Bam was excited, bouncing back and forth from one foot to the other.
Edmond looked back and forth between the feral Bear facing him down and the obviously insane Wolf that was having way too much fun, and decided it was better to live to fight another day.
“Fine, you keep the bitch, she’s used up anyway! Good luck with the lying bitch! She ain’t loyal to anybody! You’ll see, you’ll thank me for trying to warn you.”
Bam snarled again, and Edmond moved fast, “Glen, grab Eustace, let’s go. Ain’t no bi
tch worth all this shit!”
The Foxes gathered up their unconscious compatriot and left quickly.
As soon they left the workshop, Bam hurried to the front door to be sure that they didn’t go to Joanne’s, where he’d sent Everly.
Maverik said from behind him, “Damn, dude! I didn’t know you had it in ya! I’m impressed, you are one bad S.O.B., my friend! Guess all it took was you finding your Ever and her to be threatened!”
Mav clapped him on the back, “I’m happy for you, my brother! She’s beautiful, not as beautiful as my Valerie, but, you know, not every male can be as lucky as me.”
Bam didn’t answer him, didn’t meet his eyes; he just walked over to where he’d seen some shop rags and started trying to clean the blood off the floor.
“Bam, man, why don’t you go see about your Mate? Don’t worry about that cleanin’ crap. We can get that later. Your Mate needs you more than that floor does.”
Bam kept rubbing the floor with the shop rag. Maverik, being Maverik, decided, nope, not gonna let him ignore the issue. He stepped forward and placed his foot right in the middle of the shop rag that Bam was trying to mop the blood up with. Bam immediately looked up at him, “Move your foot.”
“Tell me why you’re cleaning instead of holding your Mate.”
Bam snatched the shop rag from under Maverik’s foot and started cleaning again.
Mav stepped on it again.
Bam snarled and looked up at him.
Mav grinned at him, “I can do this all day long, my brother. Your move, talk or swish the damn rag so I can step on it again.”
Bam’s lips tightened into a thin line as he glared up at Maverik; then, finally he stood, threw the shop rag at Maverik, who caught it, and Bam headed for the front door.
“Good, go see to your Mate,” Maverik chuckled.
“She’s not my Mate. We’re not golden. I’m not enough,” Bam said angrily as he stalked out of the building.
Bam's Ever Page 2