by Robbie Cox
Bane continued his approach, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked, giving the appearance of nonchalance, even though Dimitri knew there was nothing casual about what the man intended. The snarling coyotes were proof of that.
“Well, he looks charming,” Adira said, never taking her eyes off Bane.
“He’s an ass,” Dimitri said. “And one I wish I didn’t have to encounter.”
Bane stretched his arms out once he reached a few feet from where Dimitri stood. “A nice night for a farewell party,” the man said, a fake grin on his face. “It’s always nice to send people off with a celebration.” He cocked an eyebrow at the men wielding guns. “Such a human approach to things.”
Dimitri cocked his head to the side, placing his hands on his hips, as he stared at Bane. “Are you going somewhere that we should be celebrating? If I had known, I would have been more than happy to throw a few extra hot dogs near the fire for you. Perhaps even in it.”
Bane chuckled as he gave a shake of his head. “Ah, Dimitri, always assuming you possess wit.” He returned his arms to behind his back, his hands clasped together. “No, no. I’m not leaving. You are. You’re not wanted here.” He stretched an arm out, waving at all those gathered. “None of you are wanted here. This is coyote land. There’s no place for…humans.”
“I think you’re the one telling jokes now,” Dimitri said. “There’s room for everyone here, but you. This land doesn’t belong to you. It never did. You’re just wishing to slither your way in and take over. For what purpose, I have no idea.”
Josh stepped up next to Dimitri. “Why exactly do you want this land anyway? There’s plenty of woodland south of here, good enough for you and your friends.”
Bane gestured toward Highway 192. “A major interstate to the north.” He gestured to the west. “A couple of productive towns to the west.” He then gestured to the east. “And the beaches and even more towns to the east, with plenty of woods for prowling and hunting in-between. Bull Creek is perfect for what I want. It’s just infested with vermin, that’s all.”
Dimitri arched an eyebrow at that last statement. “Vermin?” He took a deep breath. “I think it’s time for you to go. Now.”
The howl of coyotes filled the night air, angry snarls following in its wake, as if Bane’s men tried to press their leader’s point. Dimitri didn’t care. He would not be bullied. And he was not going to allow these families to be kicked out of their homes. With a deep breath, he crossed his arms and just stared at the man before him, refusing to budge. “Do you need to be escorted out of here, Bane?”
Bane grinned, his yellowish teeth adding a sinister air to his face. “What? This isn’t a party for everyone?” He nodded, chuckling under his breath. “You have until tonight to clear out, Dimitri. I suggest you make good use of your time. We will give no mercy to those who ignore this warning, humans or shifters.”
“I just got here,” Adira said, dropping her arms to her sides, palms out. “I like my cabin. It’s homey, cute little roosters on the curtains, a shag rug in the living room, even a fireplace, although I have no idea when I would ever use it.” She shrugged. “I don’t plan on leaving. I mean, I just unpacked and everything.”
Dimitri worried his feisty witch bit off more then her power could handle with Bane. The man had a vile streak when it came to hurting people.
Bane took a couple of steps closer, his grin shifting to a leer. “Well, you’re cute,” he said. “Sassy, even. Perhaps I’ll permit you to stay.”
“No one permits me to do anything,” she said, as shards of magic sparked from her fingertips. “I don’t need your permission, trust me.”
Dimitri’s panther growled and he felt the shift begin, as fur oozed from his skin. He clamped down hard before he lost control. “Leave,” Dimitri growled, his voice deep, gravelly, as he took a step toward the thicker man.
Bane laughed, deep and menacing. “Down, kitty cat. I’m just conversing with the pretty lady. I didn’t realize she was your girl. I’d be sure to take her with you when you leave if I were you.” He winked at Adira, and Dimitri took another step, ready to lash out. Bane ignored him, however, and instead glared at Adira. “I’d be careful, witch. You’re known by the company you keep, and right now, you’re slumming.” And then he just laughed harder, as he turned and walked away, his two men turning and following him, as the coyotes slithered back into the woods. None of them even bothered to check behind them, obviously not worried that Dimitri and his friends would attack. It grated on Dimitri’s nerves.
“Like I said, charming,” Adira said, her magic snapping from her fingers, dissipating a second later.
Dimitri glanced at her, shaking his head, as he gave a soft laugh. “Yeah, charming.” He took a deep breath, giving his head another shake, this time to shed the irritation he felt due to Bane’s visit. He then turned, offering his arm for Adira to take. “Come, I could use another beer.”
He felt her turn and join him, her arm slipping into the crook of his, as he walked back over to the coolers under the tables. “What does he want with Bull Creek?” she asked, as they walked. Josh and Alanna joined them, as Eve walked back to the bonfire.
Dimitri opened the cooler, pulling out beers and passing them around. He twisted Adira’s open first before handing it to her.
Josh glanced at his and shrugged. “I think I’d prefer something stronger, right about now,” he said before twisting the cap and taking a long pull.
Dimitri gave a short nod. “You and me, both.” He then turned to Adira. “It’s not that he wants it, really. It’s more that he just doesn’t want humans to have it. From what Sheriff Einstein told me a few days ago, they wander from area to area, looking for places such as ours where they can move in, chase the residents out, believing humans should keep to the cities while the woods and forests belong to shifters. They bully and threaten, sometimes using violence to get their way.” He glanced at her with a serious expression. “They’ve even been known to kill.”
“Yeah, it probably wasn’t a good idea for you to provoke him,” Josh said to Adira. He then glanced up at Dimitri. “His threat seemed pretty real to me.”
Dimitri nodded, catching the meaning behind his friend’s words. He turned to Adira, his brows knitted with concern. “You should stay with me until this is settled with Bane.”
He thought she appeared ready to pounce on the idea, but then her face grew pinched in anger. “I have my own cabin, thanks,” she said, her tone clipped. “I’ll be fine. I don’t need a babysitter.”
He couldn’t believe how stubborn she was being. Had she not just witnessed the man who threatened her? Noticed his size? The men who accompanied him? Saw the coyotes? Did she not hear the coyotes waiting in the woods for a fight? Her wards wouldn’t protect her from all that threatened her. “Adira, now is not the time to be pigheaded about this,” he said. “Bane means what he says. He’ll use you to get to me and Bull Creek. You don’t want to be in the middle of that. Of this.”
“Pigheaded?” She spun on him, her voice dripping with venom. “Did you just call me pigheaded?”
Josh raised his eyebrows and quickly averted his gaze from what he believed was about to happen. Dimitri didn’t blame his friend. It wasn’t the best choice of words. “That’s not what I meant. I just…”
“You just thought I was some weak female who needs a man’s big, strong arms to protect me,” she snarled. “Well, Catnip, I don’t.” She put the beer bottle to her lips and tilted it back, draining the bottle. When she finished, she shoved the empty bottle at him, pinning it to his chest until he took it. “Nor do I need your help getting home.” She turned and stormed off, her anger causing shards of bright light to sputter from her fingertips as she left.
He watched, as she thundered her way back up the dirt road to her cabin, unsure what just happened. She probably didn’t even know she leaked magic in her anger. He didn’t understand. One moment she seemed happy, standing at his side, ready to face Bane and
his coyotes, and the next she became pissed and stormed off. He felt his animal stir, aroused at both sides of the woman he watched walk away. He didn’t doubt that she could protect herself, but he wouldn’t risk finding out he was wrong.
Josh laughed beside him, his beer dangling from his fingertips. “Now that’s a sassy one,” he said. “You have your hands full with that one, Catnip.”
Dimitri nodded, knowing it was more than that. Adira Brennan was his mate. Of that, he was positive. He only hoped he hadn’t screwed up what was fated.
Five
“Well, that was pretty damn stupid,” Alanna said, as she watched Adira stalk off toward her cabin.
Dimitri held his hands out to his side, his face a mask of exasperation. “I know, right? She should know I would do anything to protect her.”
Josh turned to him, his right eyebrow arched. “You mean…”
Dimitri ran a hand through his walnut-colored hair, letting out a breath as he did. “I felt it when she arrived. Adira’s my mate.”
Alanna turned to him, her brows furrowed over her noseline. He dropped his arms to his side and took a step back. “Are you serious?” she asked, her hands on her hips. “She should know? Why the hell would she know that? She’s not a shifter, you dolt; she’s a witch.”
Josh lifted his beer to his lips and took a sip, ignoring the imploring look Dimitri gave him, as if to say, leave me out of it.
Dimitri turned back to Alanna, still unsure he understood. “But she’s been around shifters. She lived in Blue Creek for the last ten years. I called Barbara Wolfe and verified that Barbara sent her to help us. She told me Adira even hung around a wolf named Jensen for the past few months. Surely she knows about mates? She has to know I would never allow anything to hurt her.”
Alanna laughed, as she shook her head. “Just because that critter inside of you told you Adira is your mate, doesn’t mean Adira knows it. Have you even talked to her? Asked her about it at all?” When he just stared at her dumbfounded, she sighed. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. Men. You’re all a bunch of idiots.”
Dimitri turned his gaze back to the path that Adira just stormed down. He should have talked to her, he knew, but when was there time really? Hell, she hadn’t even been in Bull Creek twenty-four hours. The mating call hit him so hard and fast, followed by the appearance of Bane, that Dimitri hadn’t even had time to process what it all meant. He just knew he needed her, needed her in his arms, his bed, his life, needed her safe, away from Bane and his coyotes. Did Barbara Wolfe know this would happen when she sent Adira to him? Probably. The matriarch of the Wolfe pack possessed a habit of matchmaking. “Great,” Dimitri said with a sigh.
Alanna walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll go talk to her,” she said. “You stay here with Josh and see if you can keep this party from going sour.”
He gave one short nod. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” She squeezed his shoulder before walking off after Adira. “Catnip,” she teased, as she wiggled her fingers over her shoulder at him.
He watched her leave, yearning to rush ahead and fix his own mess. His animal agreed, urging him to do just that, but Dimitri tamped the desire down until his panther relaxed. Josh stepped up beside Dimitri, a beer held out for him. “Thanks,” he said, as he took the proffered beer. “I really screwed that up, huh?”
“Well, you helped me look good in Alanna’s eyes, so, yeah, you screwed up.”
Dimitri rolled his eyes. “Gee, thanks.”
“Hey, I needed help. I appreciate it.” Josh winked at him, and then both men chuckled before sipping their beers.
Pulling the sweating bottle from his mouth, licking his lips as he did, Dimitri took a deep breath. “I never knew how hard this was, finding your mate, dealing with the intensity. I just assumed she’d feel the same thing.”
Josh shrugged. “She’s not a shifter. She’s a witch, yes, but a human witch. She’ll think and feel like a human.”
Dimitri shot his friend a dark look, taking Josh’s words as an insult to his woman.
Josh held up his hand. “No offense intended,” he said. “I just mean, she doesn’t, and probably won’t, feel things as intensely as you do. You’re going to have to be patient with her. As is your panther.”
Dimitri didn’t think he could be that patient. At least, Bane would prove to be a distraction for a while. “What are we going to do about the coyotes?” he asked, trying to change the subject and get his mind off Adira. “He was pretty brazen coming here tonight.” He glanced around as families started stabbing marshmallows with sticks and putting them near the fire. Others shoved hot dogs on their sticks, ready to get on with the festive night. Eve turned the music back on, and even cranked up the volume, as drinks were made and laughter filled the small area. “These people came here to hide from the world, to escape some dark past they don’t even want to talk about yet. I promised to protect them.”
Shuffling was heard among the branches on the other side of the fire. Both men turned and watched as another man, dark hair and thick arms, walked around the blaze, seeking them out. Once he spotted them, he picked up his pace until he stood in front of Dimitri. “Ezra, what’s wrong?” Dimitri asked.
The tall man shook his head. “Nothing,” he answered. “The area was full of coyotes, watching as Bane entered and faced off with you, but as soon as their leader left, so did they. They knew we were there, but didn’t try to pick a fight with any of us, which surprised me. They seemed ready, though.” He shrugged. “If you ask me, I think Bane was here trying to instigate something. To be honest, it’s probably a good thing for everyone gathered here that Adira distracted the man. Otherwise, I’m not sure what would have happened.”
Dimitri nodded as he turned his gaze to the woods around them. “She’s a spunky witch for sure.” He then turned his attention back to Ezra. “Go ahead and call in the others. I doubt Bane will make another appearance tonight. No sense in anyone missing the fun.”
Ezra nodded, but before he could turn away to call the others, they heard the rumbling of a vehicle coming down the dirt road. Was I wrong? Dimitri felt his panther tense within him, ready to pounce, as they waited for whoever approached.
Sheriff Einstein’s car finally came into view and everyone relaxed. Dimitri sent Ezra to bring the others in, as Josh and he turned to greet the sheriff. The older man parked, and then slid out of his car, walking over to where the party was most active. He waved at several people as they called out greetings, knowing most who lived in Bull Creek. Chet Einstein lived in Holopaw, the next township over, but kept a rapport with most of the people in the surrounding towns and communities. He had even watched many grow up into adulthood, and helped with a couple of births. But more than being well known, he was also well liked by most who knew him.
“Hey, Sheriff, what brings you by tonight?” Dimitri said, as he approached the heavyset man.
“The bar in Holopaw was empty, so I grew concerned Bane and his crew were stirring up trouble,” the sheriff answered, as he hooked his thumbs onto his belt. “To be honest, I’m surprised he’s not here.”
“He was,” Josh said. “But Adira scared him off. Or amused him so much that he changed his mind about causing trouble. He just gave us a warning, instead.”
“Apparently, he’s giving us one night to get out of here,” Dimitri added.
The sheriff laughed. “Well, wasn’t that right neighborly of him.”
The rustling of leaves and snapping of branches under heavy feet was heard around the perimeter, bushes being shoved out of the way, causing the men to turn as those who stood guard came into the clearing to join the festivities. Bane made his threat and left, so everyone assumed the danger was over for the evening.
“Can I offer you a hot dog or soda?” Dimitri asked the sheriff. “You’re here. Might as well enjoy some of the fun.”
“I won’t even tell on you if you have a beer with us,” Josh said, that mischievous glint in his eyes.
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The sheriff chuckled, as he shook his head. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll take a rain check on the beer, but a hot dog sounds like a great nighttime snack.”
Josh laughed as he patted the man on the back. “I’ll find someone to get you hooked up.” He walked away, leaving the sheriff and Dimitri alone to talk.
“So, what happened?” the sheriff asked, as soon as Josh left.
Dimitri gave the man the rundown on Bane’s visit, telling him how Adira amused the leader of the coyote pack enough to get him to leave the festivities without stirring up more trouble than his arrival did. “He just left us with threats, but I highly doubt that’s the end of it.”
Chet cocked an eyebrow at him. “Bane took notice of your lady friend? Dimitri, that may be a bad thing. Have you thought about the chance that Bane will go after her for standing up to him? He’s the type to do it, just to make a point and send a message to anyone else who might want to follow her lead. He’s a bully. That’s how they operate. Intimidation. Instilling fear into people.”
Dimitri didn’t bother telling the sheriff that Adira was more than his friend; she was his mate. Chet didn’t understand all the nuances of shifter life yet, even working with Lainie. No sense in giving him a crash course now. “To be honest, I did think of that, and you’re right. He seemed taken with her. Found it amusing she would mouth off at him. What is it with sassy women?”
Chet chuckled. “Men take it as an exciting challenge. We like to think there’s a lady out there that doesn’t need us, even though she does. We like strength, not some timid doormat of a female. Sassy means strength.” He shrugged. “Who wants to babysit all the time?”
Dimitri nodded. It was true. He liked the fire in Adira, the way she stood up to Bane, even how she stood up to him, but it could also bring unwanted attention. He’d have to stand guard at her place, just in case Bane sent someone to take care of the mouthy witch. She wouldn’t like it, but then again, who said she needed to know. “The coyotes need to go,” Dimitri said, as he stared at the mixture of humans and shifters having fun around the bonfire. “There’s too much at stake here.”
