by Ruby Shae
Ethan played his hand well, careful to not give the club, or Tristian, a bad reputation. He’d downplayed the reason for his trip, and then asked a lot of questions while touring the facility. An hour later, he prepared to make the long drive back home with a signed contract beneficial to both parties nestled in his briefcase.
Though the man had denied his reservations about doing business with the club, Ethan didn’t hold it against him. Clients often reacted different in person than they did on the phone, so the meeting didn’t seem that unusual.
Until it did.
A few hours, and a couple cups of coffee later, Ethan realized Tristian had duped him. He didn’t know the reason why, but if he had to guess, he would say it had something to do with Tegan.
Fuck!
Instead of stopping for lunch, and a chance to run and stretch his legs, he elected for a drive-through meal, and only stopped once to use the restroom and fill up the gas tank. Unfortunately, he’d hit a major traffic jam, and only managed to shave thirty minutes off the entire trip.
As he maneuvered his vehicle around the pavement in front of the main house, he noticed Tegan's SUV was gone, and a sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.
Something was wrong.
He put the vehicle in park, got out and stretched, and then casually headed toward the stairs of his alpha’s home.
Graham was sitting on his own porch, two houses over, and Ethan didn't miss the way the man stood and leaned against the railing as if to get a better view.
Shit!
Ethan put his foot on the first stair, and Tristian stepped out onto the porch, stopping his ascension.
“How was your trip?” Tristian asked, deadpan.
The feral smile on his alpha’s face confirmed his suspicions. Tristian had sent him away on purpose, and Tegan was gone.
“Long and unnecessary,” Ethan gritted back through his own ugly smile. “But you know that already, don’t you? Where's Tegan?”
“Gone,” Tristian said.
“Gone where?”
“What do you care?” Tristian asked. “She's gone and that's all that matters.”
“I need to know where she is,” Ethan said.
“Why?” Tristian bellowed. He started down the stairs, his voice booming louder on each step. “So you can pick on her some more? Belittle her? Call her a whore?”
On his left, Graham had already stepped off his porch and moved toward them; and Aiden and Zach both approached from his right. The men circled him, but kept their distance, and watched how the scene would play out.
By the time Tristian stopped firing off questions, he stood within arm’s reach.
“No,” Ethan sighed. “Of course not. I…”
He scanned the group, carefully studying the faces of the other men. Admitting his failure to everyone was difficult, but he took a deep breath and said the words loud and clear.
“I love her,” Ethan said. “She’s my mate.”
If he hadn't been staring directly at Tristian, or didn’t know him so well, he would've missed the moment of surprise on the man's face, but he’d seen it. There was a reason Tristian was their alpha, though, and no one else witnessed his initial shock. The man might have suspected his intent, and possibly even known the truth, but he hadn’t expected such an honest, candid admission.
The other three men let out a collective gasp, but no one moved or dared to say anything. Their allegiance was to Tristian, and deep down, Ethan wondered if any of them believed him.
“Your mate?” Tristian roared an evil laugh. “What do you mean she's your mate? I've known you nearly my whole life—you’ve known Tegan since she was born—and suddenly she’s your mate? And you never told me? Your best friend? Your alpha?” The man forced another laugh. “Your mate, my ass! What the fuck are you trying to pull Ethan?”
He tried not to react to the insult. He knew his friend was hurt and angry.
“I’m not pulling anything,” Ethan said. “Why would I lie? Especially about this?”
“You tell me,” Tristian roared. “Why are you admitting this now? All of a sudden? You had to know before, at least for the last six years, and you obviously didn’t want her, so why now?”
“I have always wanted her,” Ethan growled, trying to remain calm. “But when—”
“Right,” Tristian laughed, cutting him off. “If you love her so much, then why did you reject her? Is it her inability to shift? Is she too fat for you? Too tall? Not pretty enough?”
“No, of course not,” Ethan said. “It’s none of those things, I—”
“You know how hard it was for her in college,” Tristian said, his voice suddenly low and lethal. “How hard it has been for her here, hell, how hard it’s been for her everywhere, never truly fitting in. She’s been an outcast since our parents died, long before we found out she couldn’t shift, and yet you say you’re her mate? Someone who could have possibly helped her? Fuck you! You don’t deserve her.”
“You’re right,” Ethan said, “but she's mine. She always has been, and I’m not living one more day without telling her how I feel.”
“Wanna bet?” Tristian asked, his voice deadly.
Shit!
Tristian had always been quiet and calm before the storm.
He knew exactly how the man operated, and yet when his best friend rushed him, he didn’t have time to brace for the attack.
Tristian’s fist swung out and connected with his cheek so hard a crack echoed in his ear, and pain shot in all directions from the impact. His vision blurred, but he was better prepared when Tristian’s other hook hit him in the ribs.
The power behind the second punch sent him stumbling backward, but he remained on his feet and readied himself for another attack.
He would defend himself against Tristian’s blows, but he wouldn’t fight back unless it was absolutely necessary.
“You guys stay out of it,” Tristian ordered, advancing again. “This is between him and me.”
“Tristian,” Ethan said, retreating backwards. “I don’t want to fight you.”
“I don’t give a fuck what the hell you want,” Tristian snarled.
The alpha rushed him again, and Ethan dodged the first blow, but the second connected to the already battered spot on his face. A second hit landed on his bruised ribs, knocking the wind out of him. Tristian pulled back his elbow to pound his face again, and Ethan held his hands up in surrender.
“I love her, Tristian,” Ethan said, gasping for air. “I know I fucked up, and you may not ever understand my reasons, but there’s no agenda here. I honestly love her.”
“And what if she doesn’t want you?” Tristian sneered. “Then what?”
“Then I’ll leave her alone, or I’ll leave period,” Ethan said. “Whatever she wants.”
Tristian’s chest heaved, and anger still radiated from his body, but he eventually lowered his fists and nodded. Ethan sucked in a ragged gulp of air, thankful it was over. He’d forgotten how dangerous Tristian was in a fist fight.
He waited for Tristian to reveal Tegan’s location, but the man wordlessly turned away from him and faced the other three members of their clan.
“Nobody tells him where she is,” Tristian barked, “and that includes you, Graham.”
Tristian stomped up the wooded steps to the main house, and slammed the door behind him. The other three men rushed to help Ethan, but he shooed them all away.
“I’m fine,” he said, cradling his ribs. “It could have been much worse.”
A tiny smile played at the untouched side of his face when he remembered Tegan uttering those exact words to Tristian just two days before. If Tristian had wanted to hurt him—really hurt him—he would have. Several times. The man had gone easy on him, and Ethan knew it.
They would be okay.
He might not find out Tegan’s location for a few more hours, but he and his best friend would be fine.
***
Tegan glanced in the rearview m
irror, and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Fear raced down her spine, and she forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. She turned down the radio, and looked in the mirror again.
The black SUV had stayed far enough back that she couldn’t get a good look at the driver, but it had been following her for hours—since almost the beginning of her trip.
She first noticed the vehicle after she stopped at the rest area right outside of Blackbeary Creek, and though she’d stopped two more times, once for gas, and another to eat, the SUV had continually remained behind her.
At first she thought her brother had paid someone to follow her, but Tristian wouldn't hire someone so indiscreet. There was a reason she hadn't found out about Zach and Aiden until her second year at school.
Could the SUV trailing her just be a coincidence? Maybe, but she didn’t want to find out. The fact that it was the only car traveling in her direction for the entire trip so far set off alarm bells, and she didn’t want to risk her safety by continuing to the cabin.
The sign reading Maple Bear Falls indicated she had one more mile before the turn off, and she changed lanes, giving up her original destination. Going home was always an option, but she refused to do that; especially on the first day. If she did, Tristian might not ever let her leave again.
If she wanted her independence, she had to handle this situation on her own, and she had friends in Maple Bear Falls. Technically, the Locke brothers were Tristian and Ethan’s friends, but they knew her, and she knew they would help if needed.
She’d already been driving for nearly four hours, and had only two hours until she reached her destination. Maple Bear Falls was two hours in the opposite direction, but she didn’t care. She’d gladly make the long drive again…as soon as her fears were put to rest.
She took the off-ramp, and loosened her hold on the steering wheel when she didn’t see the SUV follow her detour. Ten minutes later, she tightened her grip again. The vehicle suddenly appeared several miles back after a big rig exited the highway.
It still could be a coincidence.
Even though she repeated the words over and over, she couldn't make herself believe them. She glanced at her dashboard, noted the gas gauge read just over a quarter tank, and hoped she didn’t have to stop again before she made it to the Locke Hotel.
Jasper, Marshall, Russell, and Calvin Locke, were grizzly bear shifters living in Maple Bear Falls, and Tristian and Ethan had gone to school with Russell. After her parent’s died, Tristian had taken her and the clan to vacation at the elite Locke Hotel more than once, and she knew the owners would remember her.
Forty-five minutes later, the black SUV exited the highway, and she rolled her eyes and slammed her hand down on the steering wheel. The fear holding her body tense was replaced by anger when she realized how scared she’d been over something so stupid. People drove highways every day, and often went in the same direction. It didn’t mean anyone was after her.
Oh my god! I’m so stupid!
She’d delayed her trip, and gone several hours out of her way, for what? Nothing except fear.
Damn it!
If she told Tristian, he would insist that she come home, and she couldn't do that. Even though she’d probably overreacted, part of living alone was taking care of herself, and she’d done the right thing. Sure, she’d been scared, but her little detour proved she was ready to be on her own.
She also needed to remember what Tristian and Ethan had taught her. She might not like using her skills, but she did know how to fight, and take down an attacker long enough to get help. She wasn’t completely vulnerable, even if the guys made her feel that way sometimes.
By the time she reached the Locke Hotel, she’d convinced herself that she’d been needlessly silly, and then cursed when the gas light came on as she entered the driveway.
The hotel had very few visitor spots in the front, and none were vacant, so she pulled her car into the roundabout, grabbed her backpack, and handed the valet the keys. Hopefully, there were enough fumes left for him to park, but she didn’t worry about it. The man would get it parked somehow, and she’d worry about the rest later.
The Locke Hotel was a beautiful, woodland resort that offered guests the comfort of a high-end five-star hotel, with all the amenities of a cabin in the woods. The the upscale building was crafted from concrete and wood, and the interior was decorated in several shades of green with brown accents. The inside was just as beautiful and inviting as the surrounding trees, and she'd always found it ironic that the four brothers had emerald green eyes.
Guests had their choice of rooms with an authentic rustic appeal, or rooms with a traditional interior as seen in most hotels. There were styles to fit everyone’s comfort level, and both couples and families visited to enjoy the amenities.
The huge building seemed like a regular hotel in the front, with a traditional concrete entrance and presence, but the back was crafted from wood, and opened into a woodland retreat. The end of the property bordered a protected national park, and many guests enjoyed the brush with nature combined with the freedom and ease of nearby civilization.
Tegan walked through the sliding glass door, and made her way to the concierge desk.
“Hi, can help you?” the girl behind the counter asked.
She was slim, pretty, and about Tegan’s age, but she didn’t look friendly.
“Yes,” Tegan said. “Is Mr. Locke in?”
“Which Mr. Locke?” The girl sighed, rolling her eyes.
Yep, definitely not friendly.
“Mr. Russell Locke,” Tegan replied.
“I'm sorry but—”
“That will be all Tiffany,” a deep voice from behind Tegan said. “You may go home now.”
“But my shift doesn't—”
“Marcy in human resources will take care of you on your way out,” the voice said.
Tiffany stomped away from the desk, and Tegan turned and smiled up at Jasper Locke, the oldest Locke brother.
He was ten years her senior, with blonde hair and emerald green eyes, and he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever met. The first time she and her brother had visited the Locke Hotel, she'd been enthralled by Jasper, and the fascination had never dissipated.
Still, in her mind, he could never measure up to Ethan.
“Tegan Ryan,” Jasper said, his voice automatically forcing her to relax as he guided her away from the counter. “This is a surprise. Is your brother with you?”
“Is she fired?” she whispered, shocked that he would fire someone who’d treated her poorly.
“She's been spoken to before,” Jasper said, as if reading her mind. “We like to be fair, but we don't stand for any rude behavior toward our guests. Especially our friends.”
“Oh God,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
“What? Why?” Jasper laughed. “You didn’t do anything, and even though she's been trouble, she'll still get a nice severance check. Trust me, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to let someone go, and it won’t be the last. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay,” Tegan said, admiring him once again.
“Good, now tell me about your visit,” he said. “To what do we owe this surprise honor?”
Tegan thought about how much she should tell the older bear.
It was rude to show up without a reservation, and she didn’t want him to tell Tristian about her fears, but she wanted his help. She’d come to him because she trusted him to help her, and he would, but it would be easier if he knew the truth.
She decided to trust him.
“Tristian's not with me,” she said. “I'm actually in the middle of moving to Ravenwood.”
“You're moving away from home?” Jasper asked, openly surprised.
“Yes,” she said. “As you know, I'm not like my brother, and I decided it was time for me to learn to take care of myself.”
He nodded, and if she shocked him again, he didn't show it.
“I feel sort of
silly now,” she said, “but a car had been tailing me, or seemed to be, for several hours. I didn't want to go straight to the cabin, so I decided to stop here in case I needed some help.”
“Good idea,” Jasper nodded. “What happened to the car?”
“It took an exit about an hour back and I haven’t seen it since,” she said sheepishly. “I feel so stupid.”
“There's no reason to feel stupid,” Jasper said. “You did the right thing. Let's get you into a room, and then I’ll add some extra security for tonight and tomorrow—or for however long you decide to stay—just in case.”
“Thank you Jasper,” she said. “Oh can I…”
Damn.
She didn’t want to admit her refusal to stop for gas, but she wouldn’t get very far if she didn’t tell him.
“Anything for you, Tegan,” Jasper said, honestly. “You and your brother are like family.”
His sincerity made it easier to admit her faults.
“The gas light on the SUV came on when I pulled into the parking lot.”
“Does the valet have your keys, or are you parked in one of the visitor spaces?”
“I gave him my keys,” she said.
“Good. I'll get someone to bring up your bags, and we’ll get the car filled up before it’s returned to you.”
Jasper walked her back to the counter, exchanged a few words with the remaining clerk, and left her in the woman’s capable hands. The woman was fast, friendly, and knowledgeable, and Tegan didn’t think it was because she was a friend of the owners. In fact, the vast difference between the two women was hard to ignore, and she immediately understood why Jasper had let the other one go.
A few minutes later, she stood in the elevator on the way to one of the traditional rooms. Once she reached her floor, she slid her key in the slot, and and gasped when she opened the door.
Jasper had given her one of the suites, and it was amazing.
She kicked off her shoes, allowed her toes to sink into the thick plush carpet, and then took a quick tour, ending in the kitchen. She pulled a bottle of water out of the fully stocked refrigerator, and sat on the couch as the cool liquid soothed her dry throat. When the bottle was empty, she put her feet up on the coffee table, leaned back, and closed her eyes.
