Their Grouchy Bear [Milson Valley 8] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour ManLove)

by Jo Penn

  “Yeah,” Tris replied in hush tones.

  The bodyguards with them urged Tris and Eddie to go farther inside, which they happily complied with. On their way to the bar, Eddie pointed across the room.

  “There’s Jack.”

  “Who?” Tristian looked around.

  “Jack Peterson. He’s an Officer under Tripp and a member of the Starters pack. Oh shit, there’s Darcy and Dene.”

  Tris’s head spun around. That Dene guy was frigging hot. Immediately he locked in on Dene Owlington and gaped a little. The man was dancing with two others, one about six-foot, slender, and good looking in a very hot boyish way, while the other was a bit scruffy and dressed like a skateboarder. Cute.

  “This is my new hang out.” Eddie’s mismatched eyes narrowed. “I’m beginning to wonder why my mate hasn’t brought me here to spend time with his cop friends.”

  Tris snorted and waved a hand around. “You’re joking, right?”

  “What?” Eddie snapped.

  The human had anger management issues. Apparently, he was doing much better these days, but he’d always be quick to fire up. Tristian liked that about the man, but what really fascinated him was whenever Eddie got a little steamed under the collar, his eyes, one blue, the other blue with green around the pupil, glowed just a little. Urian said that was because Eddie had some wizard biology and had acquired a gift after being claimed by Tripp. They hadn’t expected that to happen as Eddie’s wizard genes were minute, but now when Eddie’s eyes glowed, that meant his gift was on and ready to go.

  Tris did a quick look around for something to distract the glowing eyed human. Eddie’s gift was blowing things up. Not people and creatures, fortunately, just inanimate objects, like lamps, bowls, bottles of alcohol, the engine on Tripp’s racing car when the big bear shifter refused to let his mate drive in a drag race the other day.

  Fortunately, one of the bodyguards had noticed and quickly suggested a drink.

  Sufficiently distracted, they made their way to the bar. Tristian scoped the place for exits, anyone dangerous, weapons, and any potential problems. That’s what he did, it was how he stayed alive and out of Renegade hands all these years.

  Of course, most of the common points he looked out for and avoided were all crammed into the club. Nearly all of the creatures here had weapons, and quite a lot looked dangerous.

  “Hello.” A tall, slender creature sidled up to Tristian and Eddie and made a blatant sweep of them. “Haven’t seen either of you here before. I’m—”

  “Dude, you are so asking for it.” The really cute scruffy skateboarder who had been dancing with Dene appeared between Eddie and Tristian.

  The guy who had been eye fucking them glared at the skateboarder. “Piss off, Peterson.”

  “Well, that’s just rude.” Eddie’s eyes began to glow again. “Who is this guy, Jack?”

  Before Tristian could intervene, Jack grinned up at the man and pointed at Eddie. “Rodney, meet Eddie Nelson, Captain Croggen’s mate.” Jack looked at Tristian. “And this is Tristian la Faye, Alpha Urian, and Prince Finn’s mate. So”—Jack slapped his hands together—“who do you want to hit on first?”

  “Fuck! Look, let’s just forget this ever happened.” Rodney quickly slipped away through the crowd.

  “Man that was fun! Hey, come join us. Grey, Kieron and some of the pack are over here at the table.”

  “I keep meaning to ask,” Eddie said as they followed Jack through the crowd, the man bouncing on the balls of his feet every step of the way. “Tripp said Darcy’s a quarter vampire. Does that mean he can’t join the vamp coven here?”

  “What? As far as I know, he can, but vamps are elitists. They’ll probably let Darcy into the coven as a member, but the older ones might snub him.”

  Tris had heard that about vampires a hundred and fifty years ago. These days though they weren’t as snobby or rigid. Some, sure, but the world was different now. Alliances were formed, there were more and more cross-species breeding, and mating and rules had changed with the times.

  “I’ve met the Durands. Tyler, Constantine, and Xavier are very nice, and Misha has a wicked sense of humor,” Eddie said.

  “Tyler and Con are cool, but I’ve only met them a couple of times.” Jack stopped, spun and faced them. He held up both hands, one higher than the other. “This is the Durand’s. This is me, way down here on the lowest rung. How I even know you is a miracle in itself. It’s just because I tripped into the lift that day you were visiting Captain Croggen at the Precinct, and the Captain was kind enough to pick me up and introduce me. Actually”—he cocked his head very dog like—“I’m below the lowest rung.”

  “No, you’re not. Tripp said you’ve got training next week at Quantico and he knows you’ll ace it,” Eddie said confidently. “So what about Dene? Does he have a pack? Or should I say flock?”

  “Yeah, it’s flock, but no, he doesn’t. Dene was a Rogue for years before he joined the force. His congregation kicked his parents out because his father mated with a human. They were a very segregated flock, wouldn’t mingle with others. So, Tristian, what’s with the dozen creatures following you?”

  “Get out of here.” A tall, solid wolf shifter appeared beside them and growled at the creatures hurrying after Tristian. They scattered quickly.

  “Hi, Sargeant Kieron!” Jack bounced a little. “Have you met Tristian? The Alpha’s mate?”

  “No. This way.”

  Tristian wanted to dance. The music was loud and pulsing through the club, calling to him. He’d rarely had the opportunity to hit the dance floor, too busy hiding. Now though, because of Urian and Finn, the Starters pack and Alliance, Tris might just get the life he thought he would never have.

  “I’m gonna dance.”

  Without waiting for a response, Tris weaved his way to the dance floor and found a spot. He started with a little wiggle, growled at a creature that winked at him and tried to press against him, then swiveled his hips. There were many things he had missed out on during his life. Urian and Finn were right when they said he was doing all the things he hadn’t been able to, having the childhood he’d never had. But it wasn’t about bucking authority or reliving his younger years, more about experiences he wanted to have now.

  And Tris wanted to have a hell of a lot of experiences.

  Jack and Eddie joined him along with Darcy Beals, a junior detective, Dene and a few others. Darcy’s dancing was almost sensual while Jack jumped about like a rocker on speed. Eddie was smooth and had all the moves, and Dene soon showed he may just be the most flexible creature in existence. It wasn’t long before the dance floor was crowded and the band was yelling out a popular song. A young wizard was up on stage playing the guitar like it had been born in his hands, and another wizard was singing with a fae. The wizard on the guitar cocked a finger at Dene, and the next moment, the part shifter was up on stage and pulling off some pretty awesome moves. Later Tris found out Dene was a gymnast and free runner.

  On his way to the bar later for water, Tris slapped a hand reaching for his ass, turning to bare his canines at the creature. And came face to face with Prince Jude Visióne.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “What a fucking waste of time.” Urian tossed the folder onto his desk, not caring that it slid across the high gloss surface and landed on the ground on the opposite side, papers scattering across the floor.

  “This is why we don’t share an office.” Finn stretched his neck muscles, scowling.

  “I want my own office,” Drax grumbled, ignoring the papers on the floor. “Seems to me the wolves got stiffed. Every one of those felines and vamps has their own office, whereas you and I share one. Tripp’s been crammed into the old janitor room, and Finn has a brand spanking new office three times the size of this.”

  “Of course I do, Drax.” Finn inspected his fingernails. “I’m a seer. I’m rare and powerful and a Prince. The High Council and Alliance were foaming at the mouth to get me here. I also have my very own s
erviced car, a car space, a lifetime membership to the exclusive The Mineral Spa and a vast expense account.”

  Uri gaped at his mate. “What the fuck!”

  “See, I told you we were stiffed,” Drax growled. “My mate has a huge office with all the perks, too. How did you get all that shit, Finn?”

  Finn chuckled. “I negotiated. They wanted me on board, they played ball.”

  Damn, he had a smart mate. Uri was half hard and really pissed off with his cramped office.

  “I’m going to talk to—hell, who do I talk to?”

  “Babe, you’re on the freaking board. Just choose a different office. And I’d advise using it more and not sharing with Drax.”

  Urian was going to get right on to that. Wolves weren’t materialistic by nature and were big on conservation, but being cramped into this office was one of the reasons he never used it. Now that Finn would be here more, he’d have to make a few demands of his own.

  Finn, who had been leaning against one of the old guest chairs stiffened, his aqua eyes narrowing.

  “Finn? What is it? A vision?” Finn stumbled. Uri rushed over and caught his mate, holding him steady. “Babe?”

  “Our lives have converged.” Finn straightened, clinging to Uri, his panic filling the air. “They’re here, both of them. My vision is about to come true, Uri. My brothers and I are going to die.”

  “Stop it,” Drax snarled sharply. “You’re stronger than that, Finn. Hell, I’ve seen you bring creatures to their knees just with a brief look. So don’t get sucked into what may be. Do what you do best. Plot.”

  Uri lifted his mate’s chin, his smile full of sharp teeth. “It’s time Bastion went home to Daddy Dearest, mate.”

  Finn smiled weakly, but there was a fire in his aqua eyes. “Thanks, babe, thanks, Drax. The thought of fighting kin…”

  But Finn straightened, and Uri knew his mate wouldn’t hide from what needed to be done. This was a fight they couldn’t loose, not when Bastion intended to kill Finn and Jude. There was no room for hesitation, or all of them could be in serious trouble.

  “Drax, I don’t want anyone to know about this. We’re going to keep it quiet, no lookie loos.” Urian was in fight mode. “Babe, we’re going to have to draw your brothers out. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you and Jude. You’re going to get in that service car and drive out of here.” Uri stopped and looked at the door. He’d scented his other mate. “Tristian.”

  A moment later, Tristian walked in with a dozen soldiers flanking him and Eddie, and one of Finn’s brothers beside them.

  “Jude!” Finn exclaimed, rushing to his triplet and throwing his arms around the man. Then, Finn being Finn, let out a dramatic growl and shoved Jude away. “What the hell, Jude! You take off, don’t call, and worry everyone sick! Do you know how many resources, how much time has been put into finding you—”

  “I never asked anyone to do that.” Jude’s bottom lip jutted out in a sulky pout. Uri had to admit, Jude could pout better than Finn.

  “You should have approached leaving Hell Island like an adult, not a teenage tearaway,” Finn shouted, arms flapping about.

  And then the argument began, the brothers going back and forth for a few minutes before Urian growled low and mean. Both shut the hell up and looked at him, Jude alarmed, Finn startled.

  “No fighting, we don’t have time,” Urian ordered.

  “Fine.” Finn sulked, crossing his arms over his chest and gave Jude a petulant look. “Airhead.”

  “Drama queen,” Jude retorted.

  Uri ignored the pair, or he’d be distracted by how similar his mate looked to Jude, only a few differences that he could see. One was that Jude’s eyes were violet and Finn’s aqua. Jude had fuller lips and Finn wider shoulders with more muscle mass. Finn kept his blond hair stylish and silky while Jude’s was covered in streaks of purple with a few orange ends, and was down to his shoulders. While their faces were very nearly identical except for eye color and their lips, Finn’s was more defined with smooth cheeks and a stubborn chin. Jude looked softer.

  Turning from them, he ordered the guards from the room just as Tripp arrived. He must have scented his mate from his janitor-sized office down the hall. Uri closed the door.

  “We’re going to do this nice and easy. Most important is keeping Finn and Jude safe. Tripp, I want you to take Eddie home and make sure the pack is secured.” Uri turned to Drax. “You need to take up position by Langlon’s Ridge. I want no one around. Tristian”—Urian glanced at his new mate—“you’re going home with Tripp and Eddie—”

  “Nope.”

  “Now really isn’t the time for bucking my authority, mate,” Uri warned.

  Tris shrugged, unconcerned. When he spoke, everyone stilled, eyes glazing over. “You’re all gonna do what I say now. Ignore everything Urian just said.”

  Uri fought the compulsion. It was hard, real damn hard, his little bear had been training the last week and had become more focused and stronger with his gift. Mating had given extra strength, and training had taught Tristian to make the gift direct and instant. But fortunately, Uri was an Alpha. He imagined the order in his mind, gripped it in his fists, and snapped it in two.

  And pounced on Tristian, noting Drax and Tripp shaking off the effects, Finn struggling, too, and Jude and Eddie completely under.

  “Do not—”

  “Before you get shitty at me—”

  “Hey! Don’t entrance me!” Finn yelled.

  Tris sighed heavily. “Look, I did that to make a point. I can help bring Bastion in without anyone getting hurt.”

  Uri glared at his mate. “You’ve still got a long way to go with communicating, baby bear. Next time, talk, don’t entrance us. Now, whether you can help or not, you’re not going. My full concentration will be on keeping Finn and Jude safe—”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake!” Tristian shrugged Urian off, stepping back. “Are you for real? So that’s it? You’re the alpha and what you say goes? Well not with me. Finn is my mate, too. I get to protect him, that’s my right. While I may not rip creatures’ throats out, I can hold my own, so don’t think for a minute I need locking up and protecting.”

  Uri held onto his temper, barely. He did grab Tristian’s arm and march the man out of the room and down the hall to a spare office, throwing the door open so hard it swung back and hit the wall, bouncing forward again. Once inside, he let Tris go and closed the door after Finn, who Uri knew would follow because the seer liked to be involved in absolutely everything—oh shit.

  And that was the whole point. Uri growled, slamming the door and shattering two windows.

  “So much for privacy now,” Finn snarked.

  “Don’t even try to tell me what to do!” Tristian yelled, wicked long claws sliding out.

  “Just stop.” Uri held up a finger and took a deep breath. “I get it. My first instinct is to protect my mates, keeping them as far from danger as I can.” Uri lowered his hand and head. “Fuck this! You have a right to defend Finn, as well, but you need to do it in a way that doesn’t place him, Jude, yourself, or me in danger, Tristian. You don’t fight without your gift, and though it’s good, is it going to work on Bastion? He might be able to withstand it because he’s looney, or he could shake it off quickly, as Finn did.”

  Tristian slumped. “Oh, you make a reasonable point.”

  “You can protect me from afar, baby.” Finn smothered Tristian in kisses. “It’s hard on our wolf. He just wants to rush in, growl and tear anyone apart who hurts us. The point is though, he has the capabilities to do that. While you can entrance a roomful of people, you won’t shoot them, only knock them out while they’re under your control. That’s cool, I respect that. So let’s work together. Uri’s right, Jude and I need to draw Bastion out to an isolated spot. Can Tris hide there with you, babe?”

  “Yeah.” Uri ran a frustrated hand through his hair, glaring at both his mates. “Can I even trust either of you to do what I say? Or is it pointless an
d we should just take the chance this will all work out?”

  Harsh, but the point needed to be made. In dangerous situations Finn usually stuck to the plan, he was smart and knew his abilities and limitations, and trusted Urian to keep them safe. Right now with the introduction of Tristian, they were both wild cards.

  “I’m good at hiding.” Tristian looked up at Urian, nibbling his bottom lip. “I can fight, you know, and will if I need to. I’m an okay shot, too. But I’ll stay back and just use my gift if your plan takes a dive.”

  “Fine,” Uri snapped and turned to Finn. “You and Jude will go to Langlon Ridge. Use that triplet connection to draw Bastion to you. Don’t engage him, don’t let Jude get between you and Bastion. I will be there out of sight. There won’t be a moment he can do anything to hurt you and your other brother.”

  “I trust you completely, my wolf.” Finn stepped up and pressed a kiss to Uri’s jaw. “Bastion will be erratic and come at you with visions. I know you can easily deflect them with your gift. Just keep him alive.” Finn smiled. “And let me get a punch in.”

  Sliding a hand over his golden mate’s hair, Uri breathed in Finn’s fine scent. “Don’t get dramatic and stay safe. Let’s get this done.”

  They moved out quickly and quietly, Finn staying close to his brother, and Drax walking on the other side. Despite what just happened with Tristian, and still being angry, Urian reached back and took his mate’s hand. There were going to be times when they didn’t see eye to eye or understand each other’s motives, but that didn’t mean he’d give the man the cold shoulder, and Uri would do all he could to bring them back in tune. Tristian was used to doing everything himself, and avoiding conflict, yet he wanted to protect their seer and hadn’t once threatened, or tried, to walk away from Uri and Finn since they’d mated.