Clint [Grizzly Ridge 1] (The Lynn Hagen ManLove Collection)

by Lynn Hagen

  Grizzly Ridge 1

  Clint

  The Rising men are pure myth, or so Dane thinks. Everyone in the town of Grizzly Ridge whispers about how either the Rising men can control the wild bears that roam the mountains, or that they are the wild bears themselves.

  On his way home from work one night, a stranger nearly hits Dane on the backroad. When the guy gets out of his truck, Dane is kidnapped and taken high into the mountains.

  Clint grew up in the mountains, his bear clan hidden from humans. Out on an errand one night, Clint decides to take a shortcut and nearly runs a man over. Pissed at the guy’s carelessness, he gets out and discovers the human is his mate. His bear takes over and Clint bites him, starting the process that will enable Dane to carry his child.

  But Clint’s life is filled with dangers—and his father is the biggest danger of all.

  Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Paranormal, Shape-shifter

  Length: 27,087 words

  CLINT

  Grizzly Ridge 1

  Lynn Hagen

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  CLINT

  Copyright © 2017 by Lynn Hagen

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-400-6

  First Publication: June 2017

  Cover design by Melody Simmons

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

  legal@sirenbookstrand.com

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lynn Hagen loves writing about the somewhat flawed, but lovable. She also loves a hero who can see past all the rough edges to find the shining diamond of a beautiful heart.

  You can find her on any given day curled up with her laptop and a cup of hot java, letting the next set of characters tell their story.

  For all titles by Lynn Hagen, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/lynn-hagen

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Landmarks

  Cover

  CLINT

  Grizzly Ridge 1

  LYNN HAGEN

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  “Legend goes, the Rising family has lived on the south side of those mountains for five generations. Some say they can tame the wild bears that roam those forests. Others say they are the bears that roam those forests.”

  Dane burst out laughing as he held his order pad and pencil. “That sounds like a load of…you know. I think you need to stop smoking whatever it is you’re smoking.”

  Walt gave Dane a toothless grin, the skin around his eyes crinkling as he smiled. “Maybe, but that’s what folks say. Even my pappy wouldn’t go huntin’ in those mountains, and not too much scared him.”

  “Thanks, I needed that laugh,” Dane said. “I suppose that’s why the town is called Grizzly Ridge?”

  Walt nodded.

  Walt was so entertaining. “Riiight. Now, are you ready to order?”

  “Don’t believe me?” Walt asked. His brother, Frank, snickered on the other side of the table. Walt glared at Frank, then turned his attention back to Dane. “They say the new generation is just as fierce. Six brothers. All balls-to-the-wall crazy.”

  “How would ya know?” Frank asked. “No one has seen a Rising in town in over a generation. Yer a complete and utter fuckin’ moron, Walt. Don’t go believin’ everythin’ our pappy told ya. Don’t forget, he was a damn drunk.”

  Dane rolled his eyes as the two brothers bickered. Luckily things were slow at Billy’s Eatery. He had one other table, and the couple and their son had already been served.

  “Fellas,” he said loud enough to quiet the elderly gentlemen down. “Food?”

  “Yeah, I’ll have the chicken fried steak,” Frank said. “And Walt’ll have a lobotomy.”

  “Not all legends are hogwash,” Walt argued.

  “My favorite legend is about these rings,” Dane said, hiding his smirk. “Bunch of people got them, but only one ruled them all.”

  Frank burst out laughing, slapping the table as he guffawed. “I like Lord of the Rings, too. Galadriel was one foxy lady.”

  Walt’s gray, bushy brows furrowed. “Who?”

  “Never mind.” Frank waved his brother off. “Tried to get ya to watch the movies with me, but ya weren’t interested.”

  “Fine, don’t come cryin’ to me when one of them bears gobbles ya up.” Walt smacked the side of his fist against the worn Formica. “Give me some soup and crackers, ya know-it-all.”

  “I never claimed to know it all,” Dane argued with a smile. “I’m just saying, men who can tame wild bears or become them? That’s a tall tale to swallow.”

  Walt snickered. “Heard they have some wild parties, too. Lotta perty ladies.”

  Frank rolled his eyes. “Ya seriously need to find a date, Walt. Lack of sex has fried yer cooter brain.”

  Dane had no idea what that meant. “I’ll go put your orders in while you two argue the finer points of bearism and supernatural things.”

  Frank laughed again as Dane walked away. The Porter brothers were nothing if not entertaining. Dane loved when they came in for a meal. It was never dull with them around.

  “Hey, Billy,” Dane called at the service window. Billy was a big fella who loved to cook as much as he loved to eat. He carried his weight as if proud of the fact he had to be over three hundred pounds, but the extra pounds never slowed him down. For a big guy, Billy was always on the move. If not working, he strolled through town, shopped for fresh ingredients at the market, and attended the Saturday night dances at the local hall.

  Dane truly loved his personality and the fact he was a great boss to work for.

  “Whatcha got, kid?” Billy took his ticket and looked it over. “Coming right up.”

  “So,” Dane said as he rested his arms on the chrome window frame, settling his chin on his hands. “Heard you and Delilah hit it off this weekend.”

  Billy’s blush was adorable. “See, I told you. Live in this town long enough and you become just as big a gossiper as everyone else.”

  Dane puffed out a breath. “Not like there’s anything exciting to do around here besides poke your nose in other people’s business.”

  Billy chuckled. “At least you’re not talking about those Rising men like everyone else seems fixated on doing.”

  “I’ve been here two months, Billy. I’m still getting the lowdown on them, although most of wh
at I hear is bullshit. I’m starting to believe they don’t even exist.”

  “Not bullshit,” Walt hollered at him. “They exist!”

  “Better watch it.” Billy winked at Dane. “Some townsfolk are sensitive to being called a liar.”

  Although the logical part of his brain said the stories were full of bologna, the romantic part of Dane’s brain that also loved fantasy wished the rumors were true.

  Mrs. Hatchet—the lady who ran the hair salon—said the Rising men could change into bears, and that they mated for life. Talk about sweeping a guy off his feet. It might not be wise, but Dane swooned at the mere sight of a bad boy. He’d never dated one, but having a one-off would be fantastic.

  Or so Dane thought. Since he’d never gone down that road, he couldn’t be sure. He rolled his eyes. Now he was starting to believe in the unbelievable. “I’m gonna take my break after I serve Walt and Frank their lunch.”

  “Go ahead,” Billy said. “We’re slow anyway. Why don’t you run down to the market and grab me some fresh green onions? I forgot to get them this morning.”

  “Will do.” Dane hung out at the window until the Porter brothers’ plates were set on his tray. After handing them off to the elderly men, Dane headed out the door. He stared toward the mountains, wondering if the Rising men truly existed, and if they did, could they really change into bears?

  He chuckled to himself. “You’re the one who’s a complete and utter moron if you believe those preposterous stories.”

  * * * *

  It was well after dark before Dane finally left work. The days were getting shorter now that late fall was upon them. He wasn’t looking forward to the long trek home, either. Dane didn’t own a car, and Billy usually gave him a ride, but his boss had gotten a call from Delilah and had hurried out of the restaurant before Dane had a chance to ask.

  He didn’t blame his boss. If Dane had a sweetie to go to, he would’ve hauled ass, too.

  He pulled his jacket tighter around himself as he walked the long and deserted back road. Those damn stories about the bears made him examine every shadow, listen to every suspicious sound. Thanks, Walt!

  That would teach Dane to drink the Kool-Aid. Not that he believed any of the stories, but out here alone, in the dark, with a mile to go before he reached his run-down rental, his imagination got the better of him.

  “Stop being such a pussy,” Dane scolded himself. “You survived a fucked-up childhood and two years with a crappy partner. You can handle walking home by yourself.”

  Dane was a city boy who had been looking for a major change in his life. Moving to the country had definitely taken him as far from the city as he could possibly get. But he liked Grizzly Ridge’s slow pace. He even liked how close-knit this community was. What he didn’t like was not owning a damn car.

  After Dane had returned from the market, Billy’s had become busy. He hadn’t been able to sit for six straight hours, and all Dane wanted to do was go home and soak his poor feet. It had also rained for the better part of the afternoon, making the night air chilly.

  His gut did a flip when headlights washed over him. Behind him, a large truck headed his way. Dane moved closer to the grass so he wouldn’t get run over.

  When the ginormous truck passed him, the tire hit a large puddle of water, soaking Dane from head to toe. He groaned as he shivered from the cold soaking into his bones.

  The truck’s taillights lit up as it came to a stop. Now that Dane was behind the truck, he saw large searchlights mounted on top of the cab, and a bear decal encompassing the entire back window. The tires were raised higher than those of a normal truck, and a thick net stretched across the back, where the tailgate should be.

  Dane slowed, unsure if he should keep walking. He had no clue who owned the truck, and with it being so dark out, wasn’t sure if passing by it would be safe.

  “You’ve seen one too many horror movies,” he chided himself.

  The truck door opened and a guy the size of a quarterback stepped out. He had to be close to six and a half feet tall. He slammed the driver’s door closed and headed toward Dane.

  Don’t panic!

  Too late. Dane walked backward, unsure if he should run, or if the guy was friendly enough not to make him disappear on this back road.

  “I could’ve fucking run you over,” the stranger bellowed. “Why in the hell are you out here walking in the dark?”

  Dane’s fear vanished, replaced by anger. The prick was blaming the splashing on him! “There’s no one out here,” he argued. “You could’ve driven in the middle of the road. It’s not illegal to walk, you know.”

  The stranger came closer and Dane’s breath was sucked right out of his lungs. The man was indeed close to six and a half feet tall, with the prettiest gray eyes and hair as dark as midnight. He had a beard and mustache that made him look roguish, wild.

  He also wore the meanest expression Dane had ever seen. Not even his asshole father could’ve pulled that look off so well. Lord knew he’d tried all of Dane’s life.

  The stranger raked his gaze over Dane. “Now you’re soaked to the bone. Get in so I can give you a lift wherever you’re going. Don’t need you dying of pneumonia and blaming that shit on me.”

  “Wow, are you always such a prick?” Dane wasn’t stupid enough to get into the man’s truck. He might like this town and its residents, but crazy didn’t discriminate.

  His jaw clenched as he glared at Dane. “Fine, but if you die, don’t you dare—” He cocked his head to the side as his eyes narrowed. The guy leaned toward Dane and sniffed.

  “I know I smell,” Dane said irritably. “You would, too, if you worked all day and then got splashed with muddy water. There’s no telling what was in that puddle.”

  A low, rumbling growl vibrated the man’s chest. “Get in my fucking truck.”

  Dane reached into the pocket of his jacket and curled his fingers around his pepper spray. “No.”

  “Fine. We’ll do this the hard way.” The stranger grabbed Dane around the waist and threw him over his shoulder.

  “Put me down!” Dane shouted as he kicked and fought to get free. He pulled his pepper spray from his pocket, but it fell to the ground and rolled into the tall grass.

  “Stop wiggling,” the man said. “You’re gonna hurt yourself.”

  “I’m gonna hurt you if you don’t let me go.” Dane pounded on the guy’s back, but it was like punching a brick wall. He jackknifed, hoping the move would take the stranger by surprise and he’d drop Dane, but his hold became tighter.

  “This is kidnapping!” Dane kept slapping at the stranger’s back to no avail. “I’ll have you arrested!”

  “Hate to disappoint you, but the law doesn’t go into the mountains.” He dumped Dane into the passenger’s seat.

  The mountains? Nooo! He couldn’t be a Rising. Those stories were just myths. This man did not change into a bear.

  So why does he have a decal of a bear on his truck?

  Because he lives in Grizzly Ridge.

  Oh God. Dane was having a conversation with himself. He reached for the door handle, but the stranger got into the driver’s side and pulled him back. “No use running, cub. The deal is done. You smell like my mate, and nothing on earth is gonna stop me from taking what’s mine.” The stranger pulled his truck back onto the road. “So just sit still and stop trying to escape.”

  Dane nearly pissed himself as his heart thumped wildly. “Say what?” he screeched. “I’m not yours, you caveman. Let me out of here now!”

  “Name’s Clint, not Caveman.” Clint turned onto an access road, and the truck climbed higher and higher. Dane looked out his window to see the back road disappearing. Clint turned the heater on, and hot hair blasted Dane.

  “Look,” Dane said, hoping to reason with Clint, “I’m not sure what you think I smell like, but I can assure you, I’m not your mate. I’m just a waiter who was trying to get home.”

  “Now you’re mine.” Clint followed the winding
road, keeping his gaze straight ahead. The dashboard lights illuminated his features, making him look a hundred times scarier.

  When the road evened out, Dane tried for the handle again. He’d gotten the door opened and was ready to jump when Clint slammed on the brakes, making Dane whack his head against the doorframe.

  “Damn it, cub,” Clint growled. “Now look what you made me do.”

  Dane yelped when Clint pulled him back. He turned Dane’s head from side to side, examining him. “Let me go.” Dane tried to snatch his head away, but Clint’s grip was firm.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Fuck you, you madman.” Dane threw a punch, but it landed on Clint’s shoulder. The strike didn’t faze Clint, but pain shot through Dane’s knuckles.

  “Are. You. Hurt?” Clint’s eyes narrowed.

  “No.” Dane glowered at him as he finally yanked his head free. “Don’t touch me, you crazy bastard.”

  The side of Clint’s mouth curled into a wicked smile. “You’ll be begging for my touch in a few hours.”

  What did that mean?

  Dane screamed when the loony fuck jerked him close and bit him on his shoulder. The move had caught Dane by surprise, but…it hadn’t hurt. In fact, Dane’s cock had hardened so fast that he nearly came.

  “Get off me!” Dane slugged the side of Clint’s head.

  Clint released Dane and pulled back. “It’s the way of my kind,” he said, sounding almost apologetic. “My bear took over, and”—he shook his head—“couldn’t stop him.”

  Bear? Dane eased back, staring into Clint’s gray eyes. “You’re as batshit crazy as Walt.”

  Clint growled. “Who the fuck is Walt?”

  The passenger door was still open. Dane leaped from his seat and ran so fast his knees nearly hit his chest. He had no clue where he was going, but away from Clint sounded fantastic.