Tara gave him a look but then just laughed. Well, they were all bigger than her by quite a bit. “Black Bastard?” she asked.
“He’s a black bear shifter that we allowed to have a cabin on the outskirts of our territory named Sebastian Black. He kind of got the nickname Black Bastard, since he can be really mean when he’s riled. You’ll know him if you ever see him shifted since he’s huge compared to a normal black bear found in this area. Actually, coming with me to see where he lives is probably a good idea. You don’t want to stumble into his territory accidentally, he won’t be hospitable. But I’ll introduce you to him and it’ll be fine. He and I get along.”
Then he looked down at her bare feet. “Do you have hiking boots? We’ll be hiking through somewhat rough terrain out there.”
Tara smiled and nodded, she’d borrowed a pair from Addie after the lecture from Riley while she waited for the ones she’d bought on-line to arrive. “Sounds like an adventure. Just let me go put them on and leave a note for Riley in case he wakes up. I’ll only be a minute.”
In less than five minutes Tara was pulling herself up into Jacobs raised pick-up. She set her gun on the seat next to her, not wanting it to dig into her back if she kept it tucked in her jeans.
Jacob eyed it. “Do you know how to shoot that thing, little sis?”
She grinned. “I’ll let you balance an apple on your head to test my accuracy if you’d like big brother.”
He laughed, “I think I’ll pass, but I’ll watch you shoot one off Zack’s head if you’re in the mood.”
They drove through town and Jacob honked his horn and waved to a few people as they headed to their destination. When he spotted Constance Tully walking toward the diner he slowed to almost a complete stop and let out a sigh as he watched her.
Tara looked at his face and grinned. “You have a thing for your brother’s girlfriend.”
He shrugged before turning his attention back to the road and picking up speed again. “Conner doesn’t deserve her. Hell, half the time I don’t think he even likes her.”
“But you do?” Tara asked.
He grimaced and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. When she looks at me, all she sees is Conner’s brother. I may as well be invisible.”
Tara patted his hand in sympathy but let the subject go. He took a left past the town center and headed up a dirt road similarly narrow to the one Tara lived on. They went by a few houses tucked in the trees. He pointed out his parents’ house and a few of the elders’ houses before he pulled onto what looked more like a path and parked the truck. “We walk from here.” He said.
They entered the tree line and walked for about a quarter of a mile through the woods when they came to a narrow stream that Jacob helped her cross. “This is the best place to cross. It gets wider down there,” Jacob pointed. “And the current can get strong in some places after the winter with the run off, but there are some big boulders that have created some nice deep pools that are great for swimming in the summer; excellent fishing down there too if you’re ever in the mood for trout.” He looked down at her as they walked. “Do you fish?”
Tara shook her head. “I went out on a deep sea fishing boat once, but I got really sea sick. Not a good time. I spent almost the entire day at the rail wishing for death.”
“I’ll take you fishing here one of these days; nothing like catching your own dinner.”
They walked on about another mile before Tara noticed the small cabin in a clearing. “That’s Sebastian’s place.” He said, and took a sniff. “Can you smell that, sis? That’s the scent of a bear shifter.”
Tara breathed in through her nose but could only smell the pine trees and a hint of wood smoke. She shook her head. “I can’t smell it.”
Jacob nodded. “I’ll have to bring you back out here after you transition so you can learn the scent.” They continued to walk closer and Jacob sighed. “I don’t think he’s home or he’d be out here asking what we wanted.”
When they got to the wooden fence Jacob called out. “Sebastian? Are you home? I came to introduce you to my sister.”
He waited a moment then shrugged. “He must be off hunting or raiding the berry patches. The man loves those things.” Jacob grinned. “Come on, we’ll check out the cabin for the females and try here again before we leave.”
They had walked about another quarter mile through the trees chatting about the berries that grew in the area and Lucy’s pies when the breeze shifted and she saw Jacob stiffen and then growl. His eyes and teeth shifted and he looked frightening to Tara. He turned in a slow circle sniffing and snarled “Feline” before pushing Tara behind him. “Stay behind me, Tara,” he growled “it’s close.”
She reached behind her to pull the gun out of her pants when she felt something impact the ground behind her, and something hard touched the back of her head. A hand snagged her gun out of her pants and then she heard “You better stay really still, Dog, or I’m going to splatter this little lady’s brains all over the back of your shirt.” Her gun held in a man’s hand came past her shoulder and aimed at Jacob.
She felt a nose press against her neck and she couldn’t swallow the whimper that rose up in her throat. “Well aren’t you an odd one.” He said, his hot breath hitting her cheek. “You smell human but also wolf. How is it you haven’t changed yet, girl?”
Jacob growled prompting the feline shifter to say “Uh, uh, uh, none of that now if you two want to get out of this alive. I was just curious, but no matter. I don’t really care. I just want my women back, and judging by how similar you two look, I’m guessing you’re siblings. It must be my lucky day, siblings for siblings. It’ll be an easy trade, it’s not like they’re your own kind. The stupid cunts never even realized I was following them. I saw them jump that train and wasn’t able to catch them, but I managed to jump on another. When I finally caught up, I lost their scent for a bit, but I got it back. Fear lingers and I could smell it all over that bear shifter’s place. I couldn’t imagine they’d be that stupid to approach a bear, but then I also smelled wolf. Imagine my surprise to find out they took shelter with dogs. Now, I apologize for being rude, but…“ Tara watched him flip her gun in his hand so the butt side was up and bring it down on the back of Jacob’s head.
She screamed as he landed face first on the ground and the man put his arm around her and pulled her back against his chest. “Shh, now honey, I can’t have him attacking me while I tie him up. Now, do I need to put you out too or are you going to be a good little girl?”
“Fuck you!” Tara spat.
She felt him shake his head and sigh. “Stupid bitch.” He growled before he pulled away and pain exploded in the back of her head.
Riley heard loud pounding and came instantly awake. He looked for Tara but saw a piece of paper on her pillow a second before he heard the front door being kicked in and Vahl bellow Tara’s name.
He grabbed the note, jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs. Vahl looked frantic. “What happened? What?” Riley demanded.
“Tell me Tara’s here, Coop!”
Riley shook his head, “I just woke up, but she left a note, I haven’t even read it yet.”
Vahl looked over his shoulder as they both read Tara’s words:
Riley,
You looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to wake you. I’m going with Jacob to check out a cabin for Dad. Don’t worry; my gun is coming with me.
Sweet dreams and I’ll see you later,
Tara
Vahl threw back his head and howled.
“Jesus, Vahl, what the hell is going on?” Riley snarled.
Vahl was panting, his voice lowered to a rough growl and his eyes and teeth had shifted in fury. “A call came in on the radio that some cat bastard had two red head siblings and he wanted to trade them for his two women and if we wanted to avoid a war we’d turn them over peacefully to get our people back. If that pussy has hurt my children –“
“Calm.” Riley growled, though he felt
anything but. “Let’s load up the felines and get Jacob and Tara back.”
Chapter Seventeen
Tara came awake slowly. Her vision was slightly blurry and the pain in her head was horrible. She felt like she was going to vomit. She tried to move but couldn’t and realized she was tied to a tree. She turned her head to find Jacob but only locked gazes with their attacker. The man was probably in his mid-thirties, blonde with green eyes and deeply tanned. He was wearing a white button down shirt that was heavily stained around the collar and where he’d rolled up the cuffs. The fabric showed several snags and pulls, and even a small tear at the shoulder. His khaki pants were also marred with several grass stains and what looked like grease stains as well as snags and his dark brown loafers were scuffed and dirty. Despite the dishabille he looked like a career man, not a killer.
“About time you woke up, little lady. I didn’t hit you that hard.” He said, biting into an apple with straight white teeth.
“Where’s Jacob?” She asked, licking her lips and trying to swallow down the bile that kept rising.
“Is that his name?” He shrugged. “He’s still out cold but he’s right behind you tied to the other side of the tree.”
He took another couple of bites of his apple and then tossed the core away before wiping his hands on his pants. “I found your brother’s truck and borrowed his radio to let your people know where they can make the trade. It shouldn’t be long now.”
Tara didn’t respond, concentrating on trying to hear Jacob to make sure he still breathed.
The feline’s nose twitched. “God, the stench of dog is so strong it’s fucking with my nose! I can’t smell anything but.”
Tara couldn’t help but be a little pleased and smiled coldly. “If it bothers you that much then just go back to wherever you came from.”
“Bitch.” He snarled. “I’ll be more than happy to get the hell out of here when I have my women back.”
Suddenly the feline stiffened, stood, and then shifted into what Tara assumed was some type of mountain lion, his clothes tearing along the seams as he leapt toward the bushes.
Tara screamed to warn whoever was trying to sneak up on them but was amazed when she saw a huge black bear stand to his full height and swat the large cat like a pesky insect. The cat’s body arced limply in the air before it collided with a tree and he collapsed to the ground unmoving.
The bear lumbered forward, and Tara swallowed hoping this was Sebastian Black. “A-are you Mr. Black?” She stuttered out. The bear nodded and let out a few bellows and grunts before using his massive claws to cut through the ropes holding her and Jacob to the tree.
Tara immediately scrambled to her brother’s side despite the dizziness that threatened to drop her. He was still unconscious but he was breathing and his heartbeat was strong. She ran her fingers along the back of his head and found a good sized lump, but at least the skin hadn’t broken.
She watched as the bear lumbered over to the cat, picked him up by his back feet like he weighed no more than a doll and just slung him over his shoulder. Then he approached Jacob, slid a furry arm under her brother’s shoulder and down his back to heft him up so that Jacob’s head rest on the bear’s other shoulder. Tara was glad to see he was much gentler with her brother. His head turned to catch Tara’s eye, he let out another bellow and moved his head like he wanted her to walk, so she fell into step beside him keeping a hand on the bear’s fur covered arm to help steady her.
Sebastian’s cabin was just coming into view when Tara spotted a group – some shifted, some not – surrounding two blonde women. Those that weren’t shifted were heavily armed and they included Riley, her father, her brothers Conner and Zack, and her grandfather. She immediately felt the tears come, but kept them in check.
When the two groups met in the middle, Riley took her in his arms while the bear gently delivered Jacob into Vahl’s arms. He simply dropped the feline male to the ground. He let out another loud bellow, dropped down to all fours and then started lumbering toward his cabin.
“Are you alright, sweetheart? Did that bastard hurt you?” He asked, growling.
“He hit us both in the head. I saw him hit Jacob with the butt of my gun; I assume he did the same to me.” She said putting her hand up to touch the back of her head and winced. “I think I may have a concussion and poor Jacob hasn’t woken up yet.”
Riley nodded and then scooped her up in his arms before looking at Vahl. “We need to get them to town and checked out. Conner, grab that cat bastard. Zack and L.J. escort the ladies back to The Cedars and the rest of you stay behind and do a sweep of this area. Make sure you check on Sebastian and see if he needs anything. Tell him I’m going to bring him a couple of Lucy’s pies in gratitude and tell him he’s welcome at the barbecue tomorrow if he feels like being sociable.”
With that, Riley took off at a fast walk for the road back to town. Tara had to stop him at one point so that she could throw up and Riley held her and rubbed her back until she was finished. He growled. “If that shifter lives, I’m going to rip his head off.”
“Get in line.” Her father snarled.
Malsum Pass didn’t have a doctor but they had a paramedic named Tim that doubled as the chief of their volunteer fire department. He checked out both Tara and Jacob who had finally woke during the drive into town, and even though he felt both did indeed have concussions, he’d feel better if both of them were taken by ambulance and looked over at the emergency room in the next town.
Now Tara sat in a room in the E.R. with Riley, L.J., and Addie while Jacob was a few rooms over with Vahl, Sherry, and his brothers. The emergency room doctor had examined her, confirmed the paramedic’s diagnosis and told her she would need to rest, no strenuous exercise or activities and if possible someone should stay with her to keep an eye on her. She was waiting now for her release paperwork and the prescription for the analgesic the doctor was writing for her.
She looked at Riley and sighed. “I kind of messed up our dinner plans.” She said apologetically.
Riley smiled. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart, this just gives me the chance to demonstrate my mad cooking skills.”
She heard her grandfather snort and Addie chuckle.
“I hope this won’t spoil the barbecue.” Tara said.
Addie waved her hand dismissing Tara’s worry. “As guest of honor all you really needed to do was be there anyway. We’ll put you in a chair in the shade and let everyone wait on you.” She said with a smile.
Her father poked his head in the door. “How are you doing, honey?”
Tara smiled. “A concussion just like we thought. I’m just waiting for my release papers. How’s Jacob?”
“The same as you, it would seem all my children have hard heads.” He said with a smile. Tara was relieved, she had been so scared for him when he was unconscious for so long.
When they finally got Tara home, Addie bustled around the house to make sure Tara had plenty of food and could get to things easy. Her grandfather rolled his eyes at Tara. “She has to feel like she’s being useful sweetheart, just let her go to it.”
Addie called out from the kitchen. “I see you made a nice big mac and cheese, Tara. Is that for tomorrow?”
“It is Addie” Tara said from the couch.
“How about I whip us all up some dinner?” Addie called out and Riley looked like he was about to say something when L.J. jumped in.
“Now, Addie, honey, you know Coop said he was going to let Tara test out his cooking skills. Let’s leave these two kids to it and I’ll take you down to the diner for some of Lucy’s pie.”
Addie’s head popped through the doorway with a look of shock on her face. “But what if Tara needs something?”
Riley smiled, “Don’t worry, Addie, I’ll stay with her and wait on her hand and foot. She won’t have to lift a finger.”
Addie wagged a finger at Riley. “Humph. You heard what the doctor said, Riley Cooper. She’s not to be doing anything strenuous,” a
nd then she stressed harder “anything.”
Tara wanted to cover her burning cheeks. It was so obvious what Addie was saying.
Her grandfather chuckled. “Come on, my dear, let’s get some pie.” He said, ushering Addie out the door.
“As long as that’s not what he’s thinking. I may be old but I’m not dumb, Lawrence Mason.”
As soon as the door closed, Tara burst out laughing. “Oh my God! I’m mortified right now!”
Riley laughed too, “Obviously I’m a dastardly villain set on ravishing you.” He said twisting a pretend moustache “Muahahaha”
Then he crouched down next to her and rubbed her leg, “Seriously though, sweetheart, how are you feeling?”
“My head hurts. The headache part is manageable with the pain pills they gave me, but I keep forgetting about the lump on the back of my head and I lean back and ouchie. Otherwise, I think I’m doing pretty well now that I’m no longer scared. Between that guy that attacked us and then seeing that bear. I was really hoping it was Sebastian Black – Jacob told me about him earlier – rather than an actual hungry bear that thought Jake and I were trussed up for his dinner.” She shuddered.
“I’m going to kiss that big man’s feet, let me tell you. I was so scared that cat would hurt you or even kill you, Tara.” He turned his head away, unable to look at her right then. When he turned back, he had his emotions, whatever they had been, under control. “Are you hungry?”
She smiled despite being disappointed that he didn’t elaborate further. Just because you’ve fallen in love doesn’t mean he’s going to start spouting romantic poetry with promises of undying love. Get a grip girl. “I could eat.”
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