by Jo Penn
Unless Karma was listening, then he was all for Karma.
Gods, he was so tired!
Where the hells was he? That’s right. Tris so didn’t do small country towns with meadows full of flowers and melting snow. He wanted to get lost on congested streets and shoulder butted by self-absorbed creatures who never noticed him.
Checking Google Maps to see where he was in the town, Tris became aware of a presence. He sniffed, dismissing the scent as dangerous. He knew who it was and began weaving around, backtracking and confusing the creatures who were getting better at locating Tris these days. Alpha Urian had sent some of his pack trackers and soldiers to help the private investigator. Tristian wondered over that. Part of him wondered why it had taken so long, another part stuck on the fact Finn probably hadn’t told his new mate he’d tossed aside and rejected his first mate.
Still, it was for the best. As Karma evidenced time and again, Tris was bad luck.
Tired, Tristian made sure he lost the creatures tracking him before collecting dinner at a fresh produce shop and making his way to the tiny hovel he’d scoped until ascertaining it was vacant and left alone. As long as he monitored the park rangers on patrol and stayed out of their sight, and if he couldn’t avoid them he used his gift, no one would ever know he was here. Except for the P.I. and wolf shifters following him about, of course. Anyway, he needed to ditch Milo and his cronies and disappear for good.
For a moment Tristian le Faye was struck by a heart-stopping pain. He pushed it aside and continued out of the little township and to those who waited patiently for him. All those damn followers.
They really irritated him, too.
* * * *
“What is this?”
“Lunch.”
“This is not lunch. It’s a wilted lettuce leaf, two slices of tomato and a tiny slither of steak.” Finn glanced at Uri’s plate and quirked a brow as he pointed his fork. “Oh, and what do I see here? Half a plate of macaroni and cheese and an extra-large steak. Come on, hand half over.”
“I swear, you should have been born a carnivore shifter,” Uri grumbled, but cut up the steak and gave Finn the larger piece.
“Thanks, babe.” He grinned and popped a slice into his mouth. “Yum. You’ve got to learn to make two large steaks, mate.”
Uri smirked. “I guess I’ll be making three steaks soon.”
“Nope. Tristian’s a vegetarian.” Finn laughed as Urian stared at him blankly a moment before shaking it off.
“Shit. A bear shifter who’s a vegetarian! Wait till I tell the Croggen triplets and that new bear chef.”
“He’s good. Make sure Stanley the Squirrel doesn’t drive our new pack chef off.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Finn had fun over lunch with his mate. They’d been driving most of the morning and stopped often to see the sights and veered off track a few times when they felt like it. Finn was anxious to find Tristian, but the medications had taken the edge off and made him feel better mentally and physically. Emotionally he was still strained and worried, but being with Uri like this brought him so much joy and gave him a bond of fun with his tough big Alpha mate.
He also knew Uri was frequently updated on what was happening with their mate and would go directly to Tristian if anything bad was going on.
Now they were parked by a quiet stretch of the ocean after driving a two-and-a-half-hour detour. It was cold, and they had the ocean just down the road near Martha’s Vineyard, but Finn hadn’t been here before, and Uri said he used to pop up to this spot with a group of friends when he was young. They camped, swam, and drank.
Sounded fun to Finn. Except the camping. He didn’t get sleeping under the stars in a flimsy tent. Uri called Finn a prima donna, he agreed and had a glass of champagne. When Uri dared Finn to skinny dip in the freezing cold ocean, Finn double dared Uri to streak naked down the beach and bomb dive into the water.
They agreed if Finn chickened out, he would have to camp out with Uri for the night. If Uri wimped out, he’d cook the entire trip. After ordering the wolves with them to go for a drive further up the beach, Finn and Uri stripped off, Finn groping his mate a bit before Uri growled and took off, Finn close on the wolf’s heels.
Of course, Urian won the race and dove straight in, not at all bothered by the frigid water temperature. Finn stuck a toe in and after squealing, glared at the shifter for laughing at him. Uri jokingly taunted him, and to show that Finn could suck it up like any good seer and that his kind was just as tough as shifters, he jumped in.
But fuck the water was freezing! He was sure his testicles were now permanently the size of squished prunes! Worth it though. The damn wolf thought he’d win the challenge. Huh! As if Finn would give up so quickly. Foolish wolf.
Even though seers detested the cold, Finn was more than happy to sacrifice on this occasion. And it was fun to play in the water with his mate. They’d had a lot of bed play over the months, not much light-hearted fun. They tussled, chased, swam and splashed, and the pure fun brought them closer. Afterward, they got fish from a shop down the road, and Finn dug a pit and made a fire. He had grown up on an island, he knew all about beach parties and impromptu cookouts. He may prefer hotels to camping, but he loved a good beach frolic and made the best barbecue fish around. Despite what his second eldest brother said. The guy had the tastebuds of a sea slug.
After eating, they sat curled up together on the beach, just the two of them, open and honest in each other’s arms. This is where Finn always wanted to be. Close to his mate, emotionally, mentally and physically. Yet he yearned for his other mate, the grouchy little sun bear with the big blueberry colored eyes, a grumpy attitude, and the softest heart imaginable.
Also, the tightest little ass Finn had ever had the pleasure of tapping.
“I want you to try and not go into this mateship with Tristian having preconceived ideas. It’s difficult, I realize that, but this is important.” He could feel the tension in his mate through his back that was pressed to Uri’s chest. “I stuffed up, okay—”
“Mates don’t walk out.”
“Well, yeah, they do. Sure, he could have hung around, and that would have been the best thing to do, but I probably made it sound like I wasn’t interested, ever, in bonding.” Finn leaned back and turned, so his lips kissed Uri’s cheek. “Come on, babe, be the big tough accepting Alpha and drop the preconceived notions.”
Uri snorted a laugh. “Laying it on thick, angel.”
“Whatever it takes, babe.” Finn yawned.
“You know, it might not be too late to have a witch or wizard, or a fae for that matter, remove the pull between you and this bear shifter—”
“Oh, my Lords above! You did not just say that!” Finn exclaimed as he slapped his mate’s muscular leg. “You need to stop that shit right now.”
“Fine,” Uri huffed.
Finn rolled his eyes at his mate’s antics. Urian didn’t know it yet, but when he met Tristian, his negative attitude was going to suddenly change to one of caring and attentiveness. Finn was going to enjoy teasing and stirring his mate for the next twenty odd years, possibly longer.
They made their way back to the motorhome after extinguishing the fire and enjoying some fun outdoor sex. Finn was one hundred percent sure Uri, his big hunky wolf, wasn’t yet ready to let go of the preconceived idea Tristian was in the wrong, and had done wrong by his mate. Nothing was black and white. And on top of that, Urian had only just found out there was another mate, of course he was going to need time to get used to the idea.
They caught up with the soldiers farther down the road and found a spot to stop for the night. Finn just adored the motorhome with its tricked-out extras, and he especially loved the drinks fridge fully stocked with his favorite beverage. Champagne.
The beds were more than comfortable, too. While Uri didn’t mind ‘roughing it,’ as he termed it, the Alpha was enjoying the motorhome just as much as Finn, and was spending a lot of time checking out all the buttons, fi
ddling with the satellite television and constantly looking in cupboards and beneath seats.
After a few drinks with the soldiers, they went to their home on wheels and settled in for the night. Unfortunately, visions plagued Finn throughout the dark hours. Grotesque flashes of death and betrayal, separation, and distrust. He saw his brother Jude in some sunlit place far away, and his brother Bastion creeping closer and leaving trails of deceit behind him.
But what worried him the most and kept him on edge was the visions of Tristian being hunted and captured, and Uri and Finn not getting there in time.
After sleeping less than three hours, Finn was up and pacing early, Uri listening calmly while he related yet again the details of his visions. It didn’t matter he’d already told his mate after each one. Finn was too wound up to even consider that. All he cared about was getting to his snarly little sun bear before the visions came true.
“Alpha, sorry to interrupt.” A soldier stood at the door, cautious but serious.
Finn just knew it was bad news. His stomach dropped, and he very nearly hurled then and there. Finn wasn’t sure he could go on if Tristian were actually gone. No, he would go on because he had Urian, but he’d never be the same again.
“Not the time, Murray.”
“I have important news from Enforcer Drax, sir.”
Finn waved the man into the motorhome. “It’s about Tristian, isn’t it?”
He just knew it was. This was it, he had messed up so bad and now completely lost his mate!
Urian snagged Finn’s hand, and with a sharp pull, Finn tumbled onto his wolf’s lap. He didn’t protest, too worried, too scared, and the comfort offered he needed right now.
“Yes, Alpha mate.” Murray nodded. “There are confirmed reports of a large group moving closer to where Tristian La Faye is holed up with his group in the woods near that little town. On the last count, La Faye’s group was estimated to be approximately twenty-two members. The team moving closer are a mix of creatures, fully armed, and have about forty. They’re moving with stealth.”
“Right. Drax says what?” Urian asked seriously.
“Well trained. A few members identified as Renegades. We don’t have enough people up there to hold them off. Enforcer Drax is arriving in a few minutes via portal and has sent soldiers ahead to protect the bear and his group.”
“Let me know when Drax gets here.” Uri waved Murray off. Once the soldier was out of the motorhome, steady gray eyes fixed on Finn. “This is it, angel. Honeymoon’s over. No matter what happens, I love you.”
Finn turned on his mate’s lap and kissed Urian deeply. “You’re a great leader, Urian Starters. Compassionate, tough, hard-working and kind. You’ve got foresight and a big heart. You’re also sexy as sin and amazing in bed, but what I love about you most is your eyes.” He smiled at Uri’s surprised look. “I’m a seer. I can see straight through your gray babies into your soul, and it’s full of light and the joy of life that it could light an entire continent. Your soul, you, are amazing. Thanks, babe, for all of this.”
“I want you safe and happy. You know how I feel about you, right?”
“Always. And don’t worry, I’ll only tease and rib you for twenty or so years.”
“What for?” Urian exclaimed.
Laughing, Finn jumped off his mate’s lap. “The sudden change around in attitude you’re going to have toward Tristian, of course. Now come on, we’ve got a mate to trap.” Finn had a brilliant idea. “We could set a bear trap!”
Urian winced. “Word of advice, gorgeous. Don’t ever tell your bear you said that. Bears really don’t have a sense of humor over shit like that.”
“Well, truth be told, our bear hasn’t got a sense of humor at all.”
“That’s fucking awesome. I’m looking forward to catching up with him and sharing a beer.”
Laughing at his mate’s sarcasm, Finn climbed out of the motorhome after Urian as Enforcer Drax Charmers arrived via a fae portal with a dozen Alliance soldiers armed with more deadly weapons than Finn could count.
Thank the stars above!
“Let’s go catch us some grouchy bear!”
“Yeah, we’ve talked about you thinking before speaking, baby. Now might be a good time to try it.” Uri smiled, shaking his head. Finn just smiled. “Okay, people, let’s keep this simple. Angel, how do you feel about distracting the bear shifter?”
“Love the idea! I’m a fantastic distraction.” Finn grinned. “Our bear can’t resist me…though he gives a good impression he can, what with the snarling and grumping, and not speaking to me for six months.”
Uri studied Finn with those knowing eyes that always saw more than the man ever said. Finn gave a small smile and shrugged. It is what it is.
“Okay, this is what we do.”
Finn loved watching his mate take charge. He already lusted after his mate, but watching Uri strategize, plan and order had Finn panting like he was a wolf in heat. Urian often came across as easy going, which was unheard of for an Alpha, and somewhat lenient with his pack. The truth was, he gave just enough rope for those stupid enough to take him on, then swiped them down with a large paw and a nasty growl. A wolf in a man’s body, and the man was pretty fucking hot and lethal himself. He didn’t need to shift to wolf to take someone out.
And Finn loved this plan! He adored being involved in most things and knowing that Urian had his back, and trusted Finn to be able to take care of himself if the situation took a bad turn, made him love, and lust, after his mate even more.
Finn wasn’t naive enough to believe Uri wouldn’t worry himself to distraction that Finn was in amongst the action, possibly going to be caught up in a fight with Renegades, but Uri had tested Finn himself, and Finn was pleased to say, impressed with just how accomplished a fighter Finn was.
Though today was different. Today they needed to stop the Renegades from getting Tristian, and Finn would need to keep his mate safe while the others fought the Renegades. This wasn’t going to be easy. Finn doubted his first mate would agree to come with them, Tristian could be a contrary little thing at times and had this whole moral code going on that meant he couldn’t be swayed by charm. He thought he had to protect his followers and find them somewhere safe to live, and he had an attitude over alphas. He didn’t like them.
Finn kept that little detail to himself when he’d been telling Urian about Tristian the last few days. Uri was struggling to accept having another mate without Finn blabbing their other mate didn’t like alphas and would challenge Uri often. Compared to Tristian, Finn was actually the reasonable mate. He grinned over that. Okay, he was far from reasonable over some things. He was dramatic and fun and loved to stir others up. But he didn’t have authority issues.
“Right, let’s do this.” Urian drew Finn close. “Stick to the plan. Don’t improvise, don’t get testy and—”
“I know what I’m doing, don’t stress.” Finn winked. “Trust me, I know how to distract the irritable little bear.”
Chapter Five
Arriving at the cyber café as arranged, Finn immediately spotted Milo, the investigator he’d hired six months ago to find Tristian, the annoyingly stubborn creature. Milo didn’t waste time. They climbed into the man’s car that was parked illegally around the corner and drove out of town with Finn quizzing along the way and keeping an eye out for the teams following.
In case Tristian, his followers or the Renegades were watching, they were making this look like Finn had broken away from Urian and the soldiers to meet with Milo. Finn was a distraction and well covered. The soldiers knew how to blend with the environment around them and would stay close. The Renegades would probably stay back to see what was happening. They may want to grab Finn, who in the fight against the Alliance and councils would be a big asset, but they were really after Tristian. They wouldn’t give up a sacred bear without a massive fight, not even to go for an Alpha mate and prince of seers. So while the Renegades were probably scrambling to come up with a plan to grab
both Finn and Tristian, the pack and Alliance soldiers were surrounding them. Fae were on standby to collect Finn and Tristian if either were in immediate danger.
Half an hour later, Finn was sure his nails would never recover as he’d bitten them to the quick. Plans, no matter how good, and how much backup there was, could go wrong. He was worried about Tristian and worried over the reception he’d receive. Finn doubted Tristian would be happy to see him, which was disappointing but realistic after the way they parted. But the sooner Tristian realized they were both at fault, the easier this would be for all of them. And whether Tristian wanted to or not, he had to go to Milson Valley with Finn and Urian, regardless of them being mates. There were warrants out for Tristian’s capture and a decree from the Alliance and High Councils to keep the sacred bear secure and protected.
Sure, Tristian wouldn’t have his rights taken away, but the High Council wasn’t to be messed with when it came to Renegades who would use anyone to get the advantage. Thousands of innocents could be at stake just because of one stroppy bear shifter.
Hell, that wasn’t Tristian’s fault either. He couldn’t help being the sacred bear, that’s just who he was. He did have to be sensible though. All these years, Tristian had done a good job of keeping a low profile, no one had known about him but his ex-sleuth, who wouldn’t tell anyone either, as they wanted the bear and didn’t want others getting to him first. But as the Renegades grew in number, this meant they were everywhere, leaving fewer places for Tristian to hide. If the Renegades grabbed Tristian, they would twist him to their beliefs. If they couldn’t, they’d use something to make Tristian do what they wanted. Whether they used potions, magic, physical pain or threatened someone else, they’d bend Tristian to do what they wanted.
