The next couple of hours went by without any more surprises, but the silence in the SUV was getting to Sky. Bas hadn’t said more than two words to her since he got rid of the tails. At first, she was happy to let him concentrate on driving, not knowing if someone else was going to come upon them, but now she was going a little nuts.
When he reached to change the radio station once again, she’d had enough. She was about to let him have it and get the answers she wanted when she noticed something for the first time. Grabbing his hand, she turned it palm up. Right there on his wrist was her birthmark or at least, a mirror image of it. If they were holding hands, the two marks would match up with each other. Sky had never seen another person with her birthmark.
“Where did you get this?” Sky questioned. Bas went to pull his hand away but didn’t struggle too much when Sky wouldn’t let go. “Seriously Bas, where did you get this?” Sky ran her finger over the mark. The raised surface was like hers now, and it was also about the same color. The marks could be mirror images of each other.
“Shit, Sky, I don’t know. I think something bit me back at the bar. It burned for a bit, but now it’s just a red mark.”
“Like hell it is, look at it, Bas,” Sky demanded.
Bas looked down, and Sky was right, it wasn’t just a bug bite. The mark consisted of three intertwined circles that formed a triangular shape. It was like Emma and Dalton’s mating marks, but different. Theirs were elongated while this wasn’t. But how in the hell did he have a mating mark without mating? It didn’t make any sense.
“Look, Bas, why do you have the same birthmark as I do?”
Sky was getting more animated and agitated. Bas didn’t have any answers for her, he didn’t know why that mark appeared. He had a good idea what it represented, but he had no idea how it had happened. He was trying to keep an eye on the road and their surroundings, but those marks kept drawing his attention.
Sky started rambling, “What are you? I have weird memories. One from the time I spent with my parents. They used to tell me about men like you to warn me off. Bedtime stories filled with people who changed into animals and had glowing eyes. Up until a few hours ago, I thought those memories were just weird fairy tales. Like beware of the boogie man, only mine included beware of the guys who have glowing eyes and sprouted fur or scales. Now, I’m starting to think they weren’t all that bogus after all.”
“What? Shit, Sky, you need to tell me what you’re talking about right fucking now because you’re skirting a line that can’t be uncrossed,” Bas warned.
“I don’t know about that,” Sky countered. “I think I’ve been skirting that line my entire life. This mark and everything that’s happened today, it’s all linked, isn't it? You and that man in the apartment are more than what you seem. You’re like my Dad. I remember seeing him do things as a child, unexplainable things. Both of my parents warned me to stay away from people who showed certain signs.
“What I want to know is why. Why haven’t you told me anything about what’s really going on? That man in the apartment wanted me, not Shelby. He did things in front of me I can’t explain, but I’m thinking you can explain those things, can't you, Bas? I really need some solid answers right about now. You're different, he was different, and I’m different. Why do all these people want me all of a sudden when I’ve spent my entire life being overlooked and basically ignored?
“Why am I drawn to trust you and follow you blindly when I’ve never done anything like that in my entire life? Why can I feel a connection to you? It’s like a line that’s drawn from you right into my soul. I can feel your emotions. Your frustration, uncertainty, anger,” Sky paused, “… and arousal. Why can I do those things, Sebastian, what are you doing to me?”
“Fuck, listen, there are things in play here you don’t need to know,” Bas argued. “I get that my answer sucks, and I know you’re going to fight it, but I can't say it any other way. Not knowing those things just may keep you safe.”
“Fuck that, Sebastian. This is my life, and I make my own decisions in it. I might like you, shit, even love the attention and affection you have shown to me, but I’m my own person. Don’t ever confuse my obedience as acceptance. This has been a crazy ass situation, and up until now, I’ve accepted that, but not anymore. So how about I spell it out for you a little better? I watched you when you were stomping towards Tuck and me in the bar. Your eyes took on an eerie glow. The same thing happened when that guy grabbed me out in front of the bar. You also seemed to have gotten a shaggier five o’clock shadow in those couple of minutes, only to have it disappear once you calmed down. Now I know you didn’t have time to shave, so I’ll ask you again, what are you?”
Bas had two choices, he could lie, or he could tell Sky the truth. She already had more information than was safe for either of them, and it looked like she wasn’t going to back down. Shit, Bas couldn’t even begin to explain all that was going on between them or otherwise. He was still wondering if she was his mate or if he was just broken. If he was, then there was no need to not tell her about his bear or Shifters in general.
She wasn’t one of Franklin’s babies, so did that meant she couldn’t be a true mate, right? Shit, the questions just kept coming, and fuck, what about the mark? How could they have been fate blessed when all they had shared was a couple of hugs and one fucking intense kiss? This was uncharted territory, and his little sprite was getting pissed because of his lack of information. Shit, join the damn club.
If they were mates, it was supposed to be one of the best experiences of their lives. Had he found the one woman he was meant to be with for the rest of his life? After all, all the signs were present, and she was feeling them too. But it was torture because it could all be a trick his mind and bear were playing on him. Not to mention, their connection was foreign and didn’t follow the script.
“I’ll concede that I’m different,” Bas admitted. “I’m not going to go into details here or now, but I’ll give you that much. I’m going to go out on a limb here and ask you to trust me again. We need to be safe before I can give you any answers. Right now, we’re far from safe. Your questions will be answered, but those answers will have to wait. Can you give me that much?”
“I don’t like it, Bas, but I’ll give you that much. You need to think about this really hard and long because I’m not going to wait much longer. You have information I need. That man in the apartment turned into a snake right before my eyes. It wasn’t an illusion, and it wasn’t my imagination. There isn’t any changing that. As for the other stuff, you want to keep your secrets and deny what’s going on between us, that’s on you. However, I will get my answers!”
Shit, Sky had just said the words that couldn’t be undone. She saw the man, Dean Summerfield, Shift, and that meant that her life had irrevocably changed. She would never again be allowed outside of NAC or the clans. Shit, he wondered if any of it really mattered because all the signs were saying her path with Shifters had been set a long time ago. Her words confirmed what they all had been worried about. The Association was after Sky.
“Sorry honey, just bear with me a little longer. We need to stop for gas, and I need to have all my wits about me. The conversation you want is going to be intense, and right now, I need to keep my focus on keeping you safe. I’ll tell you this, I’m feeling the same stuff you are. I just don’t know what or why we’re both feeling this way. I’m broken, Sky. You don’t need to get it or understand it, but these feelings we both have need to go away. I’m no good for you.”
Sky curled in on herself and looked out the window. Bas wasn’t giving her anything. He wasn’t going to either. It made her mad, and his little comment about their feelings needing to go away caused more than a little disappointment. If he honestly felt that way, then why did he kiss her, hold her, and tell her that he felt the same way? Why was he constantly contradicting himself? His actions and words were so different.
Sky was grateful when Bas stopped for gas. She really needed
to pee, and she also needed a little distance from him to clear her head. They’d just made it to Illinois. She didn’t know where they were headed, but had figured out a while back it was definitely north. Bas made her wait for him to fuel up the SUV before guiding her into the gas station toward the restrooms. She was already doing the pee-pee dance, which seemed to amuse the sadistic man.
“Babe, if you had to go that bad, you should have told me.”
Fuck, how dare he smile? She wasn’t talking to him right now, and she didn’t plan on talking to him anytime soon unless he was willing to give her the answers she needed.
When they got into the gas station, he tried to divert her to the pop and coffee stations. Sky wasn’t having any of it. Laughing, he said he was just joking and finally got her to her destination. Good thing too! Otherwise, she would have needed new pants.
Bas was ever the gentleman, waiting for her by the door. Yeah, she knew he was keeping her safe, but she thought he would do this even if she wasn't in danger. Sky was still having a bit of a problem with reality versus fantasy. She wanted him, and those feelings were only getting stronger. Even in her current pissed off state, she couldn’t shake the lustful feelings she held for this man.
They loaded up on snacks and drinks, only to have to drop them and run when a guy hiding next to the door grabbed her when she walked out. He must not have seen Bas following because if he had, the guy had a screw loose. All it took was a couple of well-placed hits, and the bad guy was down for the count.
“Shit, babe, let’s go,” Bas said. “I don’t have time to question the bastard. It looks like he has friends.”
That’s when she noticed the three guys headed their way. Bas mumbled some things to them she didn’t hear, but by the looks on their faces, the men weren’t willing to push Bas. There was no helping her into the SUV and buckling her up this time. Everything was done with an urgency to get the hell out of Dodge. When Bas got in the car, he gunned it.
“Okay, babe, we have a couple of seconds before the fuckers come after us. I want to you to get down on the floorboards and make yourself as small as possible.”
Sky was worried. These men weren’t like the snake man or Bas. Their eyes didn’t glow, and they were all kind of on the average size. They looked like the hood-rats Sky often came across in Chicago. She didn’t like that she was being hidden, but Bas was right out there for anyone to see.
“But what about you?” Sky questioned.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to get us out of here. Just need to do some of my fancy driving, but babe, no matter what you hear, just stay down, okay?”
Sky was scared, but her mind was reeling. What was with all the “babe” shit all of sudden? She could feel the acceleration of the SUV. As she watched Bas from her place on the floor, she noticed the tension building in his body. He was spending equal time looking out the rearview mirror and straight ahead. When Sky felt the jarring of another car hitting them, she almost jumped up onto the seat.
She stopped that action really quick when she heard the sound of gunfire. Fuck, these people were trying to run them off the road and shoot them. Neither was good. Sky felt the first tire blow. The SUV swerved, but Bas righted it quickly. When the other one blew, Bas screamed at her.
“Okay, babe, I’m going to head toward the tree line. I’m so sorry, I didn’t want you to find out this way, but you have to promise me you aren’t going to freak out on me. Once the car stops, get out and wait for me, babe. I’m going to Shift. My bear will be able to get us out of here faster than my human side.
“As soon as you see him, I want you to jump on my back and hold on tight. Don’t sit up, plaster that little body of yours right down to my fur, okay? Yep, no time for deer in the headlights now.”
“But what the fuck, Bear?” Sky nearly screamed the word out.
“Yeah, babe, I promise I’ll explain later, but we need to get the hell out of here. Grab the duffle Link packed and put it on like a backpack. This is going to be quick. Please, Sky, just trust me and do what I say. Hopefully, we’ll make it out of this alive.”
Looked like she was going to get at least one of her questions answered after all. Sebastian Frost was a Bear. What had she gotten herself into? Sky did what she was told, and yep, a huge bear lumbered around the SUV, waiting for her. So, what else could Sky do but climb on? Shots were firing all around her while she rode a bear through the woods. Hours later or more like fifteen minutes, Sky and the bear lost their pursuers. It was so dark, she doubted any of them had seen her transportation out of there. Their wild shots kind of proved that point. After they had gone a few more miles, Sky started processing all she’d learned. She’d asked for this, it was real, but her mind was still telling her gorgeous men didn’t turn into huge bears, and creepy guys didn't turn into snakes. It just wasn't possible, even though she knew better, and Sky knew she was somehow connected to them all.
Chapter 17
Bas, or the bear, stopped by a stream, and Sky stumbled off his wide back. Falling back, shecrab-walked away from the beast. It was too dark to see the transformation, but in the next second, Bas was standing over her.
“Babe, please don’t be scared. This is part of the stuff I wanted to explain to you once you were safe. It just didn't work out that way.”
“What? That you can turn into a bear like out of some science fiction movie!” Sky started to hyperventilate. She wasn’t really scared, more flabbergasted. Bas, the man she had this incredible connection to, could turn into a bear. Was she drugged? She pinched herself again.
“Shit, babe, quit hurting yourself,” Bas said. “Yes, this is all real. I am a Shifter, and if my suspicions are right, you also have Shifter DNA.”
“Nope, sorry Bas, all human here. I can’t turn into anything, just a little grouchy if I don’t get my chocolate fix during my time of the month, but definitely no fur or fangs. I don’t even have claws.” She splayed her hands out in front of her. “Look, just little nubs.” Working on bikes all the time definitely didn’t help a girl’s manicure. Not that Sky had ever had one.
“Babe,” Bas had the nerve to laugh, “I said you have Shifter DNA, not that you could Shift, big difference. But I’ll make sure to have lots of chocolate on hand during your time of the month.”
“This isn’t funny, Bas. You turned into a bear, and I rode that bear like a freakin horse. How is that possible? How is any of this possible? Did you know that snake guy, are there more of you out there? Shit, am I like the dumbest broad in history, and you’re after me just like that other guy? What the hell! I knew you were different, but this is pretty fucking beyond different, don’t you think?
“Fuck, what are your plans for me? That other guy said some weird crap about training. Are you taking me to your lair as a virgin sacrifice to your other werebear friends? How could I be so stupid? I followed you. That’s it, isn’t it? You drew me in with all your muscles and pretty face, now you’re going to turn me over to your clan or cult. Bas, I don’t want to be a bear. It's fine for you, but I already have enough stuff going on right now. Shit, on an average day my mind is so cluttered, it makes daily life a challenge. I don’t want to join your werebear cult. No way, I won’t drink the Kool-Aid and I sure as heck won’t let anyone bite me. Sorry, not happening, not this girl. You’re just going to have to find someone else.”
Even as she said it, she knew it would kill her to let Bas go. He had become so important to her so quickly, it was even scarier than becoming a bear. Sky whisper screamed as she crab-walked further away from him talking out loud to herself.
“Oh, Mother Fudgers, that’s why I obey you, isn’t it? You put some kind of werebear spell on me, didn’t you?” she accused. It took Sky a couple of seconds to notice Bas was laughing so hard, he was bent over. When he looked up at her, he had actual tears in his eyes.
“Babe, please, you have to stop with the werebear cults and werebear spells. Where do you come up with this stuff? I am a Shifter, honey. No one bit me, and t
he government didn’t do weird science experiments on me. I was born this way, just like your Dad.
“I don’t have any magical skills. Well, I guess I do if you count the transformation, and of course my amazing abilities in the sack,” Bas said with a grin and a wink. “But I can’t influence you in any magical way. Shit, I haven’t even had Kool-Aid since I was a kid. I do like to bite a little, though, and if you ask really nicely, I might just show you how much, so you’ll like it too,” he joked. “But even if I do that, babe, you will never turn into a bear. You have to be born this way.”
Sky wasn’t thinking straight. In the last twenty-four hours, she’d been grabbed by three different men, watched her cousin die, and had a man turn into a snake right in front of her eyes, not to mention all that Bas had done. Additionally, she’d been chased down a highway, dodged bullets, well, Bas did that, but still. Then to top it all off, she rode a bear through the fucking forest. Oh, but wait, there was still more because all of it linked back to her dead parents. Yeah, Sky wasn’t having a good day.
So not fair, and to top it all off, the asshole was laughing at her. If she stepped away from the shock of everything that had happened, she might see the humor, but she highly doubted it. This situation was insane. Fuck, maybe she was crazy. Maybe none of this was real, and she was just having a really funky dream. But she knew better. Unfortunately for her, she was one hundred percent present and accounted for in this mess she called life.
She knew from the start there was something different about Bas. Did it matter if he wasn’t going to turn her into a bear? Not as far as she was concerned, it just made him more unique. Before she could tell him what she was thinking, Bas said something that shocked the shit out of her.
NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team Page 96
