by Jane Jamison
“Back off, Cagle. She’s mine.” Marty growled, low and mean.
He didn’t seem to hear Marty. Instead, he held her steady and kept his attention fixed on her. “Are you okay?”
She couldn’t speak. Not with the intense sensation scorching through her. Her body whipped into high gear, pounding her pulse and wetting the intimate spot between her legs. What was it about him that made her feel so…? So what? Amazing? Happy? Sexy?
“Hey, did you hear me? Are you okay?”
In answer, she nodded.
“Good. Stay with my brother, Brennan.”
He stepped away from her just as another young man took his place beside her. He was obviously the brother he’d mentioned. Both had dark hair and glittering dark eyes. Both were built the same, muscles rippling even though they couldn’t have been much older than her own sixteen years. But they held a confidence not many boys had. Not a cockiness like Marty. Instead, theirs came from deep inside them, a calm sureness showing how self-reliant they were, how comfortable they were in their own skins.
“Stay put no matter what happens.” Brennan put his back to her, taking up a position as though to guard her from an attack.
“She’s nobody’s, Marty. She’s just a kid. Leave her the hell alone.”
“Fuck you, Case.”
She craned around to watch Case ease his way around the barrels to come face to face with Marty. He had to be incredibly brave with Marty being an inch taller and a lot bigger than he was.
“No thanks. But if you’d like to go ahead and fuck yourself, then have at it.”
Marty shoved Case, but he stood his ground. “Fuck, man. What are you? Some kind of bear lover?”
“Nope.” Case planted his feet apart. “Just a guy who doesn’t want a shifter war started because you couldn’t keep it in your pants.”
As though they were a tag team, Brennan jumped into the act. “My brother’s right. So what if she’s werebear? I don’t know why she came here, but she’s not causing any problems. Or are you all afraid of one little bear?”
Little bear. If anyone else called her little bear, she’d go ballistic. Still, she knew when to keep her mouth closed. If the Cagle brothers could get her out of the mess she was in, then she’d let them call her little bear. For now.
The rumblings of the crowd grew quieter. For years, the werebears of Shatland and the werewolves of Forever had maintained an uneasy truce. No one wanted conflict, but the two kinds of shifters had never gotten along well. The young werewolves were smart enough to know that if they pushed her into doing what Marty wanted, there’d be hell to pay.
“He’s right. She’s not worth it. No damn bear is worth my time. Besides, she’s too damn skinny.”
She shot the skinny boy a look. First they’d said bears got fat and now she was too skinny. Hell, he was way skinnier than she was. Like a lot of werebear females, she had a few extra pounds on her.
“Then break it up.” Case tilted his head at Marty and crossed his arms in an unmistakable challenge. “We’ll make sure she gets out of here. That good with you, man?”
“Whatever.” Marty glared at her again, then moved away, letting the pretty blonde pull him toward the crowd.
A quick look around at the other teens showed the girls pulling the guys away. Marty may have started harassing her, but the Cagle boys had reminded everyone of the possible consequences. Before too long, the music started again and the teens went back to partying.
What had started so quickly, ended just as fast. Thanks to the Cagle brothers.
The cute werewolf turned toward her. “You’re sure you’re all right?”
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I’m Case Cagle and this is my brother Brennan. But you’re sure? You look a little wobbly.”
She was wobbly, all right. More from being in his arms than in fear of Marty and the rest. “I’m fine. Maybe a little unnerved, I guess.”
“What are you doing here anyway?” asked Brennan.
She stepped back as his tone became more insistent, then irritated. Had they saved her only to turn on her?
“Ease off, brother. Can’t you see how scared she is?”
“I’m not scared. Like I said. I’m a little shook up, is all.”
She hugged herself, needing to stop trembling. If anything, she was excited, turned on, mixed up, her mind a whirl of emotions. Something whipped between them, and she would’ve sworn it was real and alive. She swallowed, stunned as she checked the space between them, expecting to see an invisible rope linking them together.
She lifted her gaze to first Case’s, then Brennan’s, and would’ve sworn she saw the same confusion in their eyes that was overwhelming her. Whatever she was feeling, they were feeling, too.
Holy crap.
Case lifted an eyebrow, his look intense and questioning, making her glance away. “That’s bullshit. If you weren’t scared, then you’re just plain stupid. And you don’t look stupid to me.”
“Okay, so maybe I was a little scared.” Should she ask them about the strange sensations? If she did and she was wrong, that they hadn’t actually felt anything, would they think she was crazy? And if they hadn’t felt anything, she’d embarrass herself. “But I’m okay now.”
She wanted them to touch her. To hold her as she’d seen boys hold other girls. And yet, suddenly she wanted so much more. Exactly what that more was, she wasn’t sure, but the yearning, the outright craving was strange and powerful.
Was it because they’d saved her? Was she attracted to them because they were so much like the heroes she loved in the movies? Maybe, but that wouldn’t account for the storm of energy, of lust-filled need, coursing through her.
She didn’t understand what was happening or what she should do. “Like I said. I’m okay now. You can go back to the party.”
And back to the girls you were with.
The thought of them with other girls, werewolf females who would love to kiss them and more, churned her stomach.
“Naw, you’re fine with us.” Brennan took her by the wrist and pulled her along with him, away from the bonfire.
The sizzle she’d felt at Case’s touch hit her again, stronger than before. What the hell was happening to her?
“But coming here wasn’t the brightest move. Why would you even risk it? Don’t werebears have their own parties?”
Once they were shielded under the dark shadows of a large oak tree, she felt relieved enough to breathe. Maybe she had been more afraid than she’d realized.
“Not really. At least not with kids my age. Most werebear parties are thrown by older guys.”
She didn’t mention the real reason she didn’t go to any of those parties. The werebears around her age knew her father and knew how he’d react if he found out she’d gone to a party with boys. They had no desire to cross Gaither Monroe. Her father’s temper was legendary.
“So you were hard up enough to risk going to a werewolf party?” Case motioned for her to fall into step with him. Brennan did the same.
“My friend—damn it. I almost forgot about Jasmine. I can’t leave her alone.”
Brennan pulled a leaf off a nearby bush, then started tearing it into strips. “Is this Jasmine a black girl? A human? She’s the only one I didn’t recognize.”
“Yes. So you saw her?” She swiveled around to go back toward the party, but Case’s hard grip on her arm kept her moving beside him.
“Yeah, we saw her. Right before she took off with Ralph Hoall.”
“She left with someone?” First chance she got, she’d lay into Jasmine for ditching her. It wasn’t the first time her friend had left her stranded for a boy, but it would damn well be the last time.
“Yeah. Ralph and she looked pretty tight.” Brennan gave her a searching look. “I guess she left you high and dry, huh?”
“It’s okay.” Like hell it is.
If they didn’t stop giving each other the
kind of looks that meant they felt sorry for her, she’d sock them in the nose and show them she could take care of herself. Calming down, she reminded herself that it wasn’t their fault that Jasmine had ditched her.
“Why would she leave you?” asked Case.
She kept walking with them sandwiching her between them. As far as she could tell, they weren’t leading her away from the bonfire as much as they were circling it. Yet staying far enough away to keep the others from paying much attention to her.
“Jasmine does take off sometimes. Is Ralph a werewolf?”
“Sure. Everyone here except you and your friend are werewolves.”
She glanced at Case. He was handsome with a strong jaw and a slightly crooked nose. He was at least ten inches taller than her five-foot-five-inches and had amazing muscled arms. The black T-shirt he wore stretched across his broad chest.
His brother was just as good-looking. Although they were similar in size and coloring, Brennan walked with a slight swagger. Plus, he tended to smile a lot more than Case did.
“It kind of figures,” she muttered.
“Why? Does she have a thing for guys named Ralph?”
She laughed at Brennan’s joke. “No. She has a thing for shape-shifters. It doesn’t matter what kind. Werewolf or werebear, she’s hunting for someone who will bite her and change her.”
“Seriously?” Case gaped at her as though she’d lost her mind.
“Seriously. I keep telling her it’s not so great being a shifter.” She couldn’t hold back how she really felt. “Although it is. I mean, who can blame her? Being human isn’t terrific. Especially in Shatland. Humans, especially girls, are weak. And they can’t heal like we can. Or run fast. Or hunt. Or do anything cool.”
“Yeah, but at least they don’t have to worry about getting shot.” Brennan paused, then added, “At least, not much anyway.”
She’d never thought about getting shot much. Werebears didn’t shift into their animal forms often. They didn’t want to take the chance of an outsider, a human, seeing them. She wasn’t sure how often werewolves shifted.
And yet she’d heard stories, tales of how both werebears and werewolves had ended up on the wrong end of a barrel. A chill slid over her.
“Can I ask you guys a question?”
Case did his usual shrug. He was quieter than Brennan. She didn’t mind. She liked the strong silent type. Although Brennan’s easy humor was fun.
“Sure, little bear.”
She whirled on Brennan. “Don’t call me that. I hate it.”
He put up his hands in defense. “Okay, okay. I get it. Keep your claws in your paws, girl.”
She calmed down. He obviously hadn’t meant it as an insult the way Marty had. “Can werewolves shift all the time? Or only during the full moon?”
“You’re fucking kidding, right?”
She glared at Case, hating how he was making her feel stupid. “No. I’m not. I know most werebears know this stuff, but I don’t. My dad hates talking about werewolves and the kids I know don’t tell me stuff in case he finds out. So? When do you shift?”
“Any time we feel like it.” Case snorted. “And not just during a full moon. You werebears can shift any time you want, right? Why would you think we’d be any different?”
“It was just a question. Don’t go shitting a brick.”
Brennan laughed, then grabbed her and spun her around. “We won’t if you won’t. Haven’t you heard? It’s bears who shit in the woods. Not werewolves.”
She couldn’t be mad at Brennan. He was a jokester, and she loved a guy who could make her laugh. Her laughter, however, died away as soon as he pulled her against him.
Suddenly, she found it hard to breathe. Not just because her breasts were pressing against his solid chest. Not just because he’d put his mouth close to hers. Neither of those things could be the reason. If so, it’d mean she was turned on by a werewolf.
And yet, hadn’t that already happened?
Where she’d found it difficult to breathe a moment earlier, she now had to drag in even deeper, harder-won breaths as Case came up behind her to trap her body between them.
“Easy, Nicole. We’re not going to hurt you.”
Then what were they going to do? She sidestepped, scooching away from them. “Do you think Jasmine will come back before the party’s over?”
“I don’t think so. Ralph kind of has a reputation.”
There it is again. One of those looks they share.
“You don’t think he’ll hurt her, do you?”
“Naw.” Brennan picked up a stone and hurled it into a bush, sending a small rabbit scurrying away. “He’s not a bad guy.”
“Just a horny one.”
“A horny one, Case?” Unlike her, Jasmine wasn’t a virgin, but that didn’t mean she wanted to have sex with every guy she met. “Oh, damn. I’d better find her before anything happens.”
“Slow down. If she doesn’t want to do anything, then Ralph won’t bother her. All she has to do is say no. Like I said. He’s not a bad guy. He’ll make sure she gets home safe and sound.”
“You mean he’s nothing like that Marty guy?”
Case turned to watch the partiers as they danced around the bonfire. “Marty’s okay, too. He just can’t stand werebears.”
“And what about you guys? Can you stand werebears?”
Both brothers tilted their heads at her, confusion washing over their faces. They were so intense, amber bits glowing in their eyes, making her almost afraid of them.
“If we hated werebears, we wouldn’t have helped you.”
She was relieved to hear Case say so. “Good. You had me worried for a second.”
“Then I guess you’re okay with werewolves, right?” Brennan grinned. “Otherwise, why would you come to our party?”
“I think hating anyone for what they are is stupid. I don’t hate werewolves or humans or even vampires. Why hate an entire group of people? We’re all the same in one way or another.”
Case’s mouth curved up at the sides just enough for her to know he agreed. Brennan was nodding enthusiastically.
“Yeah, right? I don’t get how shifters ever started hating each other.” He picked up the pace as they returned to their original positions. “It’s dumb.”
“Really dumb.”
Happy that they agreed, she started getting excited. Jasmine didn’t like to talk about shifter relations because it reminded her that she wasn’t one of them. To have someone agree with her was like finding a new friend. The one time she’d tried discussing it with her parents, her father had shut down the conversation and told her never to talk about it again. “I don’t even know why we’re supposed to hate each other. Do you?”
“Nope.” Case stopped, then pulled a leaf off a bush and tore it up. “Something happened a long time ago. I think it’s been so long now no one even remembers. But they still keep hating each other.”
“Which makes it even dumber.”
“Try telling that to those guys.” Brennan pointed to the crowd. “Most of them believe the way their parents believe. They don’t even stop to ask why.”
They stood together, her caught between them, and watched as the crowd got even rowdier and louder. She felt small compared to them and, as she looked at their faces, she saw the flicker of the bonfire lighting up their features.
Why couldn’t a werebear like a werewolf? Had anyone ever tried? Could werebears and werewolves have children? Or was it going against nature?
The words were out of her mouth before she knew they were coming. “Well, you’re werewolves and I like you.” A blush rushed into her face, heating her cheeks. Why had she blurted out such an embarrassing confession? “I mean, you’ve got to be okay since you saved me, right?”
She steeled herself, ready to hear their derisive laughter. When none came, she dared to meet first Brennan’s, then Case’s eyes.
“We like you, too, little bear,” offered Brennan.
She was
just about to haul off and playfully slap him when a low growl had her whirling around. Her heart caught in her throat at the sight of her father striding through the trees. His scowl was darker than any she’d ever seen before.
“Dad, what are you—”
“Quiet, girl.”
She closed her mouth. His eyes blazed with amber. A dusting of fur slid along his face. His bear was pushing at the surface of his control, demanding to be set free, struggling to get loose and tear into the two young werewolves.
She could sense Case’s and Brennan’s inner wolves jumping to life. A snarl lifted Case’s mouth while Brennan tucked his chin, amber flaring in his eyes, his wolf ready to fight.
“Back away from my daughter, dogs.”
“We’re no fucking dogs.” Case let out a low snarl.
Brennan grabbed his brother’s arm. “Shut up, man. There’s no reason to make this any worse than it already is.” He leaned in to whisper in Case’s ear, but it was loud enough for her to hear. “Calm down or you’ll make it harder for her. Back up.”
The Cagle brothers stepped away. She wished she could go along with them. Not only was she well past her curfew time, her father had found her at a werewolf party. Worse, he’d found her talking to two male werewolves. She was sure she’d never see another free day until she turned twenty-one.
“I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing, Nicole, but you must’ve lost your damn mind. Hanging out at a werewolf party with two of the mangy mutts? What the hell are you thinking?”
She suddenly realized the music had stopped. The other teens edged closer, their eyes filling with amber. Were they going to attack her father?
“Dad, I’m sorry. Let’s go home, okay?” She tugged on his arm, trying to bring him along with her. “I’m sorry. Please, I want to go home.”
“If you touched my girl, you fucking hounds, you’re going to wish you were dead.”
Case took a step forward, along with Marty and a few of the others. Brennan came to his brother’s side. Not to stand with him, but to keep the crowd from getting any closer.
