Bearly Alive: A Crimson Hollow Novella

by Marissa Dobson

  In that moment, she accepted that she might be losing part of her humanity and she was okay with it because something better was growing within her. She wasn’t just human, at least mentally, because through Jase, she could connect with the shifter mentality. For the first time, she was seeing things clearly. Attacking shifters because they were different was like attacking someone with an accent. Things couldn’t continue like they were and if shifters had to stand up and fight back in order to make the needed changes happen, then that was what would happen.

  This also meant that she had to stand back and let Jase do what needed to be done. He wasn’t a leader that would stand on the sidelines while his people were out there risking themselves. No, her man would be on the frontlines. While that scared her more than the moments in her house when the bombs were going off, she would allow him to do what he needed to.

  “I worked technical support; maybe I can help Kaden.” Becky hadn’t realized Garret was speaking when she made her statement until everyone looked at her. “I’m sorry…I was…”

  “I’ll take you over there before I head out and we’ll see what you can do to help him.” Jase rubbed his hand along the curve of her back. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” She forced herself to give him a smile even though she was scared about what might happen in the coming hours. “I got lost in my thoughts and didn’t realize you were talking. I’m sorry, Garret.”

  “No apologizes necessary.” He rose from the table and took Sin’s hand. “I’ll get my gear and meet you back here in ten minutes.”

  As Garret and Sin headed for the door, the others took it as their cue to leave as well, leaving her alone with Jase. Part of her pleaded for her to argue with him about going. Even beg for him to stay if that’s what it took. Yet, she knew it wouldn’t help. Even though Arlene wasn’t a member of the tribe, Jase believed it was his duty to go after her. Becky remembered what she’d been like at Arlene’s age and the trouble she’d gotten herself into. She’d been wild at that age, but it all changed when she got pregnant with Billy. She’d turned her life around for her son. Now they had to give Arlene a chance to change things and they could only do that if they saved her before something happened to her.

  Jase leaned back against the bar separating the kitchen from the dining room. Looping his arms around her waist, he brought her to snuggle against the front of his body. “I know you’re worried but nothing is going to happen to me. I’m taking a team of excellent men with me. We go deal with what we need to, get Arlene, and come home. We’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me.”

  “I doubt that. I already miss you.” She placed her hand on his chest, just above his heart so she could feel the rhythmic thump. “I was thinking, since you’ll be gone, I’d like to go ahead and bring Billy home. There’s no reason for him to stay with Zoe again tonight. Maybe she could stay with him while I talk to Kaden about helping him and then, if there’s an extra laptop around, I can do whatever he needs done here.”

  “Then let’s go. We’ll do it together and after that, I’ll suit up.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.

  Twenty minutes after the team left, Jase was finally suited up for the mission. Billy was settled into his new room and Becky had a project from Kaden to work on. His family would be occupied while he was gone, which would hopefully make the time pass quicker for them. As he headed downstairs to meet with his men, he caught a glimpse of Billy playing in his room.

  “Hey, little man.” He sat his weapon bag next to the door and strolled into the room. “Your mom tells me you like the room.”

  “I sure do. I can’t wait to show Doug. Thanks.” Billy dropped the action figure he was playing with and looked up at Jase. “Mommy said you were leaving. Are you going to fight the bad man that hurt her?”

  “Yeah.” Jase squatted down in front of Billy. “I’m going to take care of it so you and Mommy are never hurt again. But while I’m gone I need you to look after her for me. Think you can do that?”

  “I didn’t do so good last time.” He dropped his gaze to his lap. “I’d been bad and she’d sent me to my room. That’s why she got hurt.”

  “Billy, look at me.” He waited until the boy did what he asked. “A bad guy is responsible for what happened, not you. You being in your room saved you from getting hurt. Though since you brought it up, I have to say I’m not impressed with your choice of language. The F word shouldn’t be something you say, especially not to your mom. Okay?”

  “I know,” he mumbled. “Is Mommy still mad at me about it? Is that why I had to stay with Zoe?”

  “She’s not mad at you and between us I think she forgot about it, so don’t bring it up. You had a sleepover with Zoe because your mom was healing. I told you about the bump on her head. Well, she needed to stay in bed for a couple of days and rest. Both of us wanted you here with us but with her resting and me looking for the bad guy, I needed someone to watch out for you. Don’t you like Zoe?”

  “Even though she’s a girl, she’s okay. She let Doug come over and we had popcorn and chocolate.”

  Jase let out a light chuckle and ruffled Billy’s blond hair. “I remember that age when girls are yucky. Trust me, son, you’ll grow out of it. Now I’ve got to go, but you watch out for your mom, okay?”

  “Okay.” Billy grabbed his action figure but before he went back to playing, he looked at Jase again. “Unlike other kids, I don’t have a daddy. Are you going to be my new dad?”

  “Would you like that?” Jase’s chest tightened. If the boy said no it would make things difficult, since Becky was his mate and he wasn’t going anywhere. He was also beginning to see Billy as his son, so the rejection would hurt on another level.

  Billy nodded. “Mommy likes you. She’s happier when you’re around. I like you, too. You taught me how to pitch and hit a ball. Can we play ball again soon?”

  “Once I get back.” With a weight lifted from his shoulders, Jase rose and retrieved his bag. “You be good while I’m gone.”

  “Jase,” Becky hollered from the bottom of the stairs.

  “I’m coming.” He jogged down the stairs and when he reached the bottom, he was surprised to find the living room empty. His team wasn’t waiting for him, which was unusual.

  “They thought we’d like a few minutes alone so they’re waiting outside.” She slid her hand over the curve of the banister.

  “Good.” He stepped closer so they were nearly touching. “You smell so tempting, it’s hard to leave.”

  “I want to say ‘then don’t’, but I know you have to do this.” She glanced up at him. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “You have my word.” He traced the curve of her jawbone, slowly making his way up to her ear. “I’ll make this quick and be back soon. I wouldn’t miss a day with my beautiful mate if I can help it. I love you, Becky.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Their lips met in a quick but thorough kiss before she stepped back. He hadn’t been ready for it to end; maybe he never would be. The urge to reach out and draw her back tingled within him. Their time earlier in the day had been too short. He hadn’t realized he’d have to leave so soon after claiming her, but he was thankful they’d had the time together earlier. She was his and through that connection, he’d know she was safe.

  “See you soon.” He strolled toward the door but paused before taking hold of the handle. “When your fear becomes too much, focus on the connection between us, focus on me, and you’ll know I’m safe.”

  “Really?” She sat down on the step and watched him.

  “Yes, but you’ll also have part of my bear here with you, which will leave no doubt.” He didn’t add that if he were to die, his bear would no longer be with her. The connection between them would be gone, leaving her alone once again. Though she would never truly be by herself, she had become part of the tribe when they mated and Sin would make sure Becky was welcome there. “If you need anything, Sin is right next door. The two of you are in charge
of things until I return. Don’t do anything crazy.”

  He chuckled and headed for the door. To leave proved difficult enough but a moment longer and wouldn’t be able to force himself to walk out of the house.

  Epilogue

  Becky had been without a man by her side for more years than she cared to count, but Jase’s absence felt like half of her heart was missing. Every moment he was gone seemed like an eternity and now he was on his way home. It had only been hours since they’d left but something had happened—something he wouldn’t tell her about over the phone. Even the connection between them wouldn’t give her any insight as to what was going on.

  The work Kaden had given her was done and until he came back from the security job he went to check on with Ari there was nothing for her to do. So, Becky was left sitting there, waiting for Jase to return to answer her nagging questions.

  “Mommy!” Billy came running down the stairs. “Doug’s outside. Can I go?”

  She got up to look out the window to see Doug had just stepped off his porch “Were you watching out your window for him?”

  “Uh…” Billy refused to meet her gaze. “So can I? Can I go outside?”

  “Little man, Doug’s mom said she’d send him over after lunch and you’ve been up there watching for him while you were supposed to be cleaning up the toys you left all over the floor at bedtime last night.”

  “It’s clean, I swear.” He bounced around, inpatient for her to let him out.

  “Okay, but if I go up there and find one toy not put away, I won’t let you stay over at Doug’s tonight.” It was a good threat but as much as Billy was looking forward to his sleepover, Becky was looking forward to it more. It would give her time alone with Jase and even though he had only been gone a few short hours, she needed that.

  “Everything is put away.” Billy didn’t even flinch at the possibility of not going to Doug’s for the night, so either the toys were back in the toybox or he didn’t have faith in his mother’s threat. She hoped it was the first one.

  “Go on.” The words barely left her lips when Billy pulled open the front door and took off.

  When she wrapped her fingers around the door handle, the air shifted. She didn’t need to look at the gate to know that it would be sliding open. Jase was home and she couldn’t withhold her excitement. She stepped out onto the deck and waited. It took everything she had in her not to run to the gate to meet him there, but she wanted their homecoming to be private. Seconds ticked by before the SUV came to a stop in front of the house and Jase hopped out from passenger seat and strolled toward her.

  “Hey baby, did you miss me?”

  “Every moment since you left.” As he stepped onto the deck, she wrapped her arms around his neck, careful of her arm that was still in the air cast. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Kiss me.” He didn’t give her a chance to argue as he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to hers. His tongue slipped between her lips and the hunger of the kiss burned through her, leaving her breathless.

  “Ahh.” She moaned as he lifted her off the ground; she wrapped her legs around his waist, and held on as they moved inside. His mouth never left hers until they were in the house and he kicked the door shut. “Jase…”

  “I’ve missed you.” Pressing her back against the wall, he slid his hands under her shirt. “Now I understand what others mean when they’ve said it’s hard to be away from their mates. Every minute away from you was torture.”

  “Is that why you’re back?”

  His hands stilled, no longer inching up under her shirt. “I’m back because there’s nothing we could do.”

  “What?” She unwrapped her legs from his waist and he lowered her back down to the floor.

  “Pat and Polo Gutternburg were no longer any use so The Saviors killed them. They were the reason we were going and with them dead, our job is done.” He stepped back from her. “The financial evidence that was gathered has been sent to the authorities. Karri and Arlene’s parents have been arrested, along with other members of the community.”

  “Arlene…did you find her?”

  He shook his head. “Roger and Brett are still searching for her. But with the community torn apart, they are no longer a danger to her. Karri’s beside herself with worry but we have no idea where she is. I left two of my men near her hometown in case she makes it that far. They have to lie low because if anyone finds out they’re a shifter there will be trouble. It’s the best we can do for now.”

  “I should go talk to Karri.” She had just started to get to know the young woman but she felt like she had to do something.

  “Later. Noah’s with her and her mate will be able to help her more than we can right now.” He moved farther into the house and shook his head. “I told Billy I was going to take care of the bad man that hurt you two but I didn’t. The Saviors are still a threat. You’re still in danger.”

  “All of us are.” She stepped up behind him and placed a hand on his back. “I never expected this to be over with one move. This is a war and I’m afraid there are many more battles to come.”

  “Jase…” Ari banged on the door. “It’s important, open up!”

  “It’s open!” Becky hollered, not stepping away from Jase.

  The door swung open and Ari rushed in. Kaden followed closely behind with his laptop opened. “It’s happening.”

  “What?” Jase turned to them and as he did so he slipped his arm around her waist, pressing her along his side. “What’s happening? What are you talking about?”

  “The Saviors.” Kaden put the laptop down on the coffee table. “Before Pat and Polo were killed, Pat dropped a package off at his sister’s. By the time, she opened it, he was already dead. With no reason to protect her brothers any longer, she took everything that was in the envelope to the police. All the evidence they needed to take down The Saviors was in that envelope. Pat knew he was a dead man walking and he wasn’t going to go down alone. Polo had got him into this mess and if he was going to die, he wanted to make sure everything went down with him.”

  “It’s all over the news. Hundreds of people all over the country have been arrested.” Ari dropped down on the sofa. “It’s over.”

  “We don’t know that for certain,” Jase reasoned.

  “Between Brett, Kaden, and me reaching out to our contacts, we do. Believe it or not, the law enforcement agencies across the country worked together, sending out teams to make the arrests before word could spread through The Saviors’ ranks. Most of the key players are already behind bars; a few minor ones are still out there but the authorities are sure they’ll catch them before long.” Ari let out a deep breath. “This is huge.”

  “You said most of the key players. What about the others?” Becky asked.

  “There’s a standoff in California with four members. They have hostages. Law enforcement are not sure if the hostages are part of The Saviors or not, but they’re working on a peaceful surrender.”

  “There’s also another one that is believed to be in New York,” Kaden added. “When they went to his hotel room, he was gone.”

  “Maybe it really is over.” Jase slid his hand up her back. “But until we know for certain, we don’t let our guard down. The few that are left out there might regroup.”

  “Let’s hope not.” Ari shook his head. “This should be something we celebrate. Even if they’re not out of the game completely, they’re knocked down. We’re winning the battles and in the end, we’ll win the war. We’ll take them down, each and every one of them.”

  “I hope for all of our sakes it’s over.” Becky sighed.

  She leaned into Jase’s embrace, yearning to feel a little relief but none would come. It might have been different if Arlene had been found but with her still out there alone, Becky was uneasy. The Saviors might be on the verge of going down but there were still nut jobs out there that could pick up where they left off. Only time would tell how things would go. For the moment,
she would embrace the news and hope for a better future for all of them.

  Preview: Saved by a Lion

  Angry Arlene Mallory left the safety of the Crimson Hollow Tribe in search of revenge. Her family and friends put a bounty on her head because of her so-called betrayal. Screw them—she couldn’t stand by while they supported The Saviors and their determination to wipe out shifters. Her quest for revenge, however, isn’t going as planned.

  For more than a year, Roger has been working his way up in the Crimson Hollow Tribe to become a trusted member of the team. His first big assignment is to find Arlene before she gets hurt. As a human with known ties to shifters she is in danger, so he needs to act fast. Failure has never been an option for him; not after all his hard work and dedication to his job.

  Arlene wants the same love that her sister has with her mate, but when the opportunity presents itself, can she accept it? Can she put the images of him murdering someone with his bare hands out of her mind and accept him as the man who saved her from Hell?

  Chapter One

  Pain exploded through Arlene Mallory as her captor’s steel-toe boot slammed into her ribs for the third time. Unable to hold back the moan, she let it out. Every inch of her body hurt and blood caked her skin, but she wasn’t going to give in to his demands.

  “Just make the call and tell them you’re in danger. They’ll come for you and after we kill them, I’ll let you go.” His anger was marked with another kick, this time to her lower abdomen, and the throbbing pain sent waves of nausea through her. “If you continue to deny me, you’ll experience true agony until you’re begging to make that call. I’ll give you time to think about it and when I get back, be ready or else.”