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

by Lynn Hagen

  Or so Dane hoped.

  “I use a fishing pole.” Clint plated the pancakes he’d made and brought them to the table. He grabbed a big bottle of syrup, too.

  “Do you go looking for honey?”

  Clint scowled. “Yeah, I like sweets.”

  “But do you go looking for honey?” Dane grabbed two pancakes and tossed them on his plate.

  “No, I don’t go looking for beehives.” He pointed to Dane’s food. “Now eat up, Cub.”

  The endearment was growing on Dane.

  “How are you able to turn into a human?” Dane shoved a forkful into his mouth, and his eyes rolled at how buttery and soft the pancakes were. Clint was one hell of a cook, and if he kept feeding Dane like this, he’d weigh three hundred pounds in no time.

  Clint took a seat and heaped five pancakes onto his plate, then poured half the bottle of syrup over them. “Not sure. There are legends, but as time goes by, those legends don’t hold so much truth anymore.”

  “But there’s got to be some truth to them,” Dane said.

  “You ask a lot of questions,” Clint said. “Try eating instead.”

  Dane polished off his pancakes, then set his fork aside. “Now can I ask questions?”

  Clint gave a long-suffering sigh. “What do you want to know now?”

  “Are all bears as grumpy as you?” Dane leaned onto one cheek. His ass really hurt. “I think I’ve been more than understanding. You could be a little happier, and not just when you’re fucking me.”

  “But I like fucking you.”

  “And I like it, too, but let’s stay on topic here.” Dane rested his chin on his hand. “Now answer my question.”

  Clint rubbed his hand over his beard. “I’m not sure about all bears, but in my family, I’m used to my brothers being around, bugging the crap out of me, but this”—Clint waved a hand between himself and Dane—“is new to me.” He rolled his fork in his hand. “I’m sorry if I’ve been grumpy to you.”

  Clint might say that his brothers bugged him, but Dane saw the love in his eyes when he spoke about them. The grumpy bear wasn’t fooling anyone. Also, his apology went a long way with Dane. “So who’s the guy who keeps coming to your door and banging on it?”

  “A man you need to stay away from.” Clint’s gray eyes turned stormy. Well, so much for Clint’s lighter mood. “He’s nothing but trouble, Cub.”

  Dane had peeked over the banister yesterday when Trouble had knocked. The guy looked like an older version of Clint. Was he Clint’s father or uncle? Why would Clint warn him away from family?

  Then again, Dane’s father was a real piece of work and Dane would never have introduced him to Clint. All he’d ever done was embarrass Dane, as if that had been his mission in life.

  “Okay, steer clear of your dad.” Dane took a guess at who the man was.

  “I mean that.” Clint hadn’t denied the guy was his father, so Dane figured he’d guessed right. Clint grabbed the dishes and set them in the sink.

  Dane got up, stretched, then slammed a hand over his mouth as he raced upstairs to the bathroom. As soon as he dropped to his knees, he emptied his pancakes into the toilet. Dane groaned as he flushed. What the hell?

  Clint hurried in, took one look at Dane on the floor, and grabbed a cloth and wet it. He wiped Dane’s mouth and helped him to his feet. “Feeling better?”

  “Feeling queasy.” Dane pressed a hand to his stomach. “I think it’s the high altitude.”

  “Your fever is gone.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?” Dane allowed Clint to lead him from the bathroom. They both stopped walking when howls erupted outside. Dane looked at him. “What was that?”

  Clint cursed. “Stay upstairs, got that?”

  Like Dane could go anywhere. “Fine, I’m just gonna lie down anyway.” As soon as Clint took off, Dane hurried to the window. He looked at the ground as Clint’s brothers scrambled toward the house.

  “Please don’t tell me those wolves can change into humans,” Dane muttered to himself. He was still trying to get used to the whole bear thing. He desperately needed baby steps to adjust, but it was as if he’d been tossed into this new world feetfirst.

  Dane’s stomach churned again and he raced back to the bathroom.

  * * * *

  Clint couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the howls. Was that dickhead alpha serious? Jesse Callahan had balls to step into their territory unannounced and howling.

  The bears and wolves had been at odds for a while now, no thanks to Clarence. His father kept trouble stirred up, which made living on the mountains difficult when it came to the other shifters. Clint’s argument with Jesse was just another dispute in a long line of disputes.

  He stepped onto his porch, not wanting to go too far from Dane. His instincts were to protect his territory, but his priorities had shifted. Dane was the most important person to him now.

  Bobby Ray and Duane stood on his porch, as if they’d rushed over to defend Clint’s home. Clint’s admiration for them only deepened. Walker and Trigger came from around the side of Clint’s house, and Wade hurried from the woods, still looking beat to hell.

  “The bastard is full of himself,” Bobby Ray growled. “Don’t understand why he’d come here without invitation.”

  Duane glanced over his shoulder and looked Clint up and down. “What the hell are you doing out here?”

  Clint’s head swiveled as he scanned the area. He scented the air but didn’t smell wolves. They could be downwind, though. “Checking things out.”

  “Clarence,” Bobby Ray said. “Not saying I see him, but do you really want to take the chance that our loving father won’t try to break into your house while you hunt those wolves down?”

  Clint growled at him. “I wasn’t going anywhere. Just seeing if that dumb son of a bitch is close.”

  “Who?” Walker asked. “Clarence or Jesse?”

  “Both.” Clint turned to Walker. “Handle those wolves.”

  Bobby Ray held out his arms. “What am I, chopped liver?”

  “All of you,” Clint barked. Staying behind pissed him off, but Bobby Ray was right. Clarence, or one of those wolves, could break into Clint’s house. Of course, Clint would have to kill anyone insane enough to go near Dane, but why take the chance?

  “Last time I checked, this clan belonged to me,” Clarence said as he appeared from the woods. “Who the hell are you to bark orders?”

  With Dane inside and out of danger, Clint’s bear snarled, ready to attack. Clint narrowed his eyes. “I’m the eldest,” he reminded his father. “You weren’t here, which means I make the calls.”

  His brothers stood at Clint’s sides, but Clint knew they were waiting to see what unfolded and who they should listen to. A divided clan was never a good thing. That was the quickest way to get killed.

  “Just can’t wait to replace me, can you, boy?”

  The word boy struck a nerve. It was Clarence’s way of stripping any authority Clint had. Or so Clarence thought. Clint wasn’t backing down now.

  “Go,” he said to his brothers.

  “Don’t you dare move a fuckin’ muscle,” Clarence warned.

  “There’re wolves close by,” Clint gave the needless reminder. “You gonna have a pissing contest with me, or let them defend our territory?”

  “We don’t even know if they’re close.” Clarence spit on the ground. “What if my boys run off and the wolves enter our camp?”

  Clint didn’t miss the quick looks his father gave to his house. Clarence was chomping at the bit to catch a glimpse of Dane. That would never happen. Clint crossed his arms and leaned against his doorframe. “Fine, let them get close. You’re just inviting them to try and take what’s ours.”

  “You wanna settle this right here and now?” Clarence asked. “I have no problem reminding you who runs this show, you little shit.”

  Clint glared at him. “Don’t tempt me, old man.”

  His brothers looked between Clint and
Clarence before they backed away, as if giving Clint room in case he decided to take their father up on his offer. Clint pushed away from the door and walked to the edge of his porch. “Men, go see if the wolves are close.”

  “And I said stay!” Clarence shoved Wade. “Move and I’ll teach you another lesson.”

  Clint had had it. As Clarence raised his hand to strike Wade, Clint grabbed his wrist and pulled it back. “Touch him and we will see who’ll run this clan.”

  His brothers took off and Clarence snatched his arm away. “Your time’s coming, boy. Watch your back, Clinton Gerald Rising.”

  Clarence stomped off and Clint blew out a frustrated breath.

  The door opened and Dane peeked out. “Are you okay?”

  Dane’s concern touched him. “Go back inside, Cub. I’ll be there in a second.”

  Clint was pissed and needed to cool off before going anywhere near his mate. He stayed on the porch, watching, listening. Another howl erupted and Clint scented the air but still didn’t smell any hint of wolf.

  “Can I come out now?” Dane asked when he cracked the door open again. “I really hate not knowing what’s going on, and it’s kinda creepy in here by myself.”

  Clint saw now that Dane would be a handful. He wanted to go inside with his mate, but he didn’t want anyone sneaking up on him and catching him unawares. “Stand by the door,” he said. “No farther.”

  Looking a bit green, Dane moved outside but kept close to the door. Clint knew why the mating heat was gone. He also knew why Dane had gotten sick.

  His mate was pregnant.

  “Care to tell me what’s going on?” Dane pressed his hand against his stomach, and Clint’s gaze dropped to his mate’s belly. He moved closer, shielding Dane with his body just in case anyone decided to target him.

  Dane stared up at him and emotions he’d never experienced blossomed in Clint’s chest. “Do you need anything, Cub?”

  “No.” Dane gave him a weak smile. “I’m feeling a bit better.”

  Clint brushed his fingers over Dane’s delicate jaw. He’d never met a man with such soft skin. He wanted to take Dane back upstairs and spend the rest of the day cuddling with him and enjoying every inch of his body. “I don’t like you being out here. You could become a target.”

  “You still haven’t told me what’s going on. Were those wild wolves, or wolves who can change into humans?”

  Clint didn’t think his mate was ready for the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie to Dane. “Shifters. We live far enough apart and they have their own territory, but boundaries get crossed, men get pissy, and each of our men tends to challenge their rivals to show who’s bigger and badder.”

  “A pissing contest.”

  “More or less, but it’s also about taking over territories.” Clint turned and scanned the area again. He knew exactly why Jesse had entered their territory. When Clint had gone to the alpha for his father’s medication, Jesse had said some nasty things about Clarence. Although Clint harbored ill feelings toward his father, he’d defended Clarence and said some pretty nasty things himself about Jesse.

  And now Jesse was there for retribution. Clint was so sick of the politics. He just wanted peace between them, but as long as Clarence ran their clan, they would never have that.

  The whole situation was thirty-one flavors of fucked-up.

  “Do things ever get violent?” Dane moved closer and snuggled against Clint. This was…nice. Clint curled an arm around him, relishing the feel of his mate in his arms.

  “I wish I could say no, but things have been known to get bloody.” Clint detested the idea of his child growing up in that kind of life. He wanted his son or daughter to know their clan’s ways, but also to have a happy upbringing.

  Unlike the upbringing Clint had lived through. Somehow, some way, he would soothe things between the bears and wolves. His child would know peace between the shifters, even if achieving that goal killed Clint.

  Chapter Five

  Bobby Ray stuck close to Wade. He was seven kinds of pissed that Clarence had once again taken his anger out on one of them. He knew how Wade felt. Too many times Bobby Ray had felt the lash of their father’s wrath. Too many times he’d lain somewhere licking his wounds. He wished to God Clint would kill the bastard already.

  Not only was Clint’s mate not safe with Clarence around, but none of their mates would be. If any of them were lucky enough to find them like Clint had found his.

  “I don’t get it.” Wade looked around as they walked. “We heard the howls, but I don’t see hide nor hair of a wolf. Don’t smell one, either.”

  Bobby Ray hadn’t detected a wolf, and they should’ve by now. They’d combed enough woods to have at least picked up a hint of a trail. Something wasn’t right. “I don’t get it, either.”

  A half hour into their search, another howl had sounded, but when Bobby Ray and Wade had raced in that direction, they found nothing. It was as if the wolves were ghosts, which was bullshit.

  “Someone is fucking with us,” Wade said. He stopped, rotating his arm. It looked as if their father had taken a chunk out of it. Bobby Ray clenched his jaw. It was no use asking Wade if he was all right. Wade would only downplay his injuries and shove at him for asking.

  They didn’t talk about what Clarence did to them. They just dealt with the fallout and kept moving forward, but Bobby Ray was sick of pretending life was fine. He knew why Wade hadn’t shifted to heal, too.

  Clarence had forbidden it. What he wouldn’t give to drive a blade through his father’s black heart.

  “We need to head back.” Wade looked toward the sky. “We’ve been out here for hours. I want to check on Clint.”

  “Don’t let him hear you say that.” Bobby Ray grinned.

  Wade scowled. “He’s got a mate now. His home needs protecting. I’d bet dollars to donuts he’s gotten that human pregnant already.”

  The thought of becoming an uncle, of having little ones running around excited Bobby Ray. He loved kids—loved their laughter, the way they tried to talk like grown folks, the silly games they played. Then his thoughts turned dark. There would be none of that if Clarence was around. Bobby Ray remembered his own childhood and he wanted his father dead in the worst sort of way.

  Too bad he didn’t have the strength to best Clarence. If he had, he would’ve done it by now.

  “Then we should get moving,” he said.

  On their way back to Clint’s, they ran into Walker and Duane. Bobby Ray frowned. “Where’s Trigger?”

  “He went off on his own,” Walker said. “He should be heading back soon.”

  As they trekked back to Clint’s cabin, Bobby Ray prayed Clarence didn’t show his face. With the way he felt right now as he looked at Wade, he just might cut the old man’s throat in his sleep, and those kinds of thoughts disturbed Bobby Ray to his core.

  * * * *

  “I told you I’m fine.” Dane threw in a fake cough for good measure. “I’ll let you know when I’m feeling better.” He wasn’t sure how long he could tell his boss that he was sick before Billy became concerned enough to go to Dane’s house to check on him. Clint had asked Dane not to tell anyone where he was, and Dane had agreed, but the excuse would only last for so long.

  “Call me when you’re feeling better,” Billy said before he hung up.

  Dane set his phone aside. “I think he’s starting to become suspicious. He’s been calling for two days. I think I might need to make an appearance before he either goes to my house or sends the cops there.”

  Clint finished building the fire in the fireplace. The heat felt wonderful as Dane sat by it, holding his palms toward the flames. He couldn’t believe how chilly the weather had gotten. Then again, it was fall. Clint had a potbelly stove that heated the house nicely, but there was nothing like a fire in the fireplace to make him feel warm and cozy.

  “We’ve stayed away from the humans for a reason.” Clint sat beside him and pulled Dane into the space between his
legs. “They’re savages.”

  Dane looked over his shoulder and frowned. “I’m not a savage.”

  “You’re a rare human.”

  “Why do you think humans are savages?” Over the past week, Dane had begun to realize just how jaded Clint’s views of humanity were.

  “They used to hunt us,” Clint explained. “Damn near killed our kind off.”

  “Really?” Dane turned in Clint’s arms. “That’s horrible, but not all humans are like that. Most of the people I met in Grizzly Ridge were real nice.”

  Clint grunted. “Says a human about humans. My father told us the stories, the same stories his father had told him.”

  “But has any of that happened in your lifetime?” Dane furrowed his brows. “Just how old are you?”

  “Thirty-two, and no, none of my kind has been killed by humans that I know of since I’ve been alive.”

  Dane snickered. “I’m dating an older man.”

  Clint scowled. He did that a lot. “I’m not that old.”

  “I just turned twenty-one two months ago.” He settled back into Clint’s arm, ready to take a nap when someone knocked at the door. Clint stiffened before he eased Dane aside and got up.

  “Stay put.”

  Dane saluted him. “Aye-aye, Captain.”

  With a light growl, Clint walked away. Dane stood and hurried toward the door just as Clint opened it. His brothers stood on the porch. Dane was tired of being hidden away. If he was going to be with Clint, he wanted to meet the man’s family.

  Maybe not the dad, though.

  “Didn’t see a thing,” one of them said. “It’s like they weren’t even out there.”

  “But the howls,” Clint said.

  “Yeah, I know,” another said. Damn, were all the Rising men drop-dead gorgeous? If Clint hadn’t already laid claim to Dane, he would’ve launched himself at any one of them, maybe even all them. Dane wasn’t picky. Not when it came to good-looking men.

  “Hi.” He gave a small wave when the brother with dark blond hair and gray-green eyes looked his way.

  Clint narrowed his eyes at Dane. “You don’t listen very well.”