by Meg Ripley
My dad narrowed his eyes. “Well, you just keep your ears out.”
“Of course, Dad.”
That night, I was in my room going over the Ranger handbook when my phone buzzed.
Mason. I sighed and grinned.
Hey there. I know there’s some man code about waiting so many days before asking a lady out, but I couldn’t do it.
If you wouldn’t have told me, I never would have known, I replied. See, some secrets are better kept.
I almost giggled as I held my phone, watching the little dots showing that he was typing.
LOL. So, when can I see you? Tomorrow?
I’d love to. Where? When?
There was a bit of a pause. Hadn’t gotten that far yet. I’ll send you details tomorrow.
He sent a smiley face and I sent one back, and I fell asleep thinking of him with a grin on my face.
The next day, work seemed to go on forever. When it was finally over, I headed home, trying not to seem too obvious about my excitement. I told my family I was going out with some friends, hoping to meet some guys. Luckily, they didn’t question it much since they were twenty minutes deep into some documentary on hunting.
As soon as I got to the restaurant, I saw him. I thought he’d looked hot in his uniform, but he looked even cuter in his polo shirt and dark blue jeans. He probably looked good no matter what he wore. Then, my mind started to wonder what he’d look like if he wore nothing at all, and I had to snap back to the moment. Easy, girl; not time to go there—yet.
He gave me a warm hug and took my hand as we went inside and were seated. From the moment we sat down, he charmed me and had me laughing; god, he was just all-around amazing. I had felt like that once before, with my longtime high school boyfriend, but that had taken weeks. I was already feeling myself go crazy for Mason.
Halfway through our date, though, the cloud I’d been dancing on burst. Adam appeared across the restaurant and walked over to our table, and as he neared, I felt my smile fade. Shit. There was no way he wouldn’t know that Mason was a bear; his scent was too strong. I swallowed hard and looked at Mason fearfully. He sent back a confused expression and it only intensified when Adam paused at our table, putting his hands down and bending over toward us.
“Well, hello there,” Adam said.
“Hi, Adam.” I tried to keep my cool. I wasn’t doing anything wrong; we were just two people having a meal. I gestured to him. “This is Adam, my clan’s Alpha.”
Adam nodded, smiled at Mason, and they both looked at me expectantly.
Mason spoke up for himself. “Mason Rowe.” He stuck his hand out to Adam, who shook it hard. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” Adam replied, giving a phony smile. “I had no idea my Grace here needed entertaining tonight. Why didn’t you call me if you wanted to go out, honey?”
I had to be extremely careful. I didn’t want to upset either of them. “Uh…sorry?”
“I know you said you needed some time before we could really start dating,” Adam continued, “and it looks to me like that time has come. Good to know. We can pick up right where we left off.”
Adam looked over at Mason and smirked, then spoke to me again. “I know you must feel like you owe this jerk something, but you don’t, honey. If he gives you any trouble, just let me know and I’ll take care of it.” He leaned closer to Mason. “But I’m not expecting any trouble from no bear. And I expect all of your kind will keep your distance from mine.”
Mason narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.
“Mason is a police officer,” I pointed out. “I don’t think I’m in danger.”
“Is that so?” Adam stood up and ran his tongue over his teeth. “Well, Grace, my darling, you just keep your head up and don’t do anything wrong, and if he tries to accuse you of something, we’ll stand by you. Don’t worry about a thing.”
“Thanks, Adam. I’m not worried.”
I gave him a thin smile, and he leaned down to hug me before walking off.
I stared at Mason in shock and horror for a long moment. We’d finished our meal and had been just sitting, chatting.
“Can we go?” I whispered.
He nodded and slid out of the booth. Neither of us said a word as we walked outside and toward my car. When we stopped in front of it, I turned to him.
“I am so, so sorry about that. Adam…he’s the clan leader, like I said, but he also has a thing for me. I’ve never been interested in him, and he doesn’t like to take no for an answer.”
Mason visibly relaxed. “That’s what all that was? Jealousy?”
“Yes.” I covered my face with my hands and tried not to cry from sheer embarrassment.
“Hey, it’s okay.”
He put his arm around me and the tension melted. I leaned into him and inhaled his wild scent.
“I’m so mortified that he would act that way. My parents would be thrilled if I ended up with him, I’m sure,” I sulked.
“I have to say, this worries me a little.”
I stood up and looked at Mason. “Oh, I don’t think he’d come after you or anything like—”
“No, no.” He chuckled. “I’m worried about you, silly. I’m rather well-trained to fight and shoot, and the fact that you told him I’m an officer would mean higher charges if he came after me.” He put his hand to my cheek. “I just don’t want him coming after you and trying to pull something. Do you have a gun? Some way to protect yourself?”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t need anything like that.”
“Hang on.” He dashed over to his car and returned a moment later. “At least keep this with you. You know how to use it?”
I looked at the small black canister and saw its little red trigger. I’d never used pepper spray before, but it didn’t seem complicated. I saw where the lock was, which would prevent it from accidentally going off.
“Yes. Thank you.” I tucked the spray into my purse.
“The only thing I’m sorry about is that he interrupted our night,” Mason said.
“Then I guess I’ll have to make it up to you next time.” I gave him a coy smile and he pulled me in close.
He pressed his lips to mine. They were soft and warm, and kissing him was the best thing I’d experienced in years, it seemed. I didn’t want to stop. But I was vaguely aware that we were in a parking lot and that Adam wasn’t far. Finally—regrettably—I had to step back and break the kiss.
“Thank you so much for a wonderful night,” I said.
“Thank you for tonight. And for all the nights to come.” He winked and opened my car door for me, and as I drove home, I replayed his kiss over and over in my mind.
5
Mason
I woke up early the next morning for a clan run. It wasn’t something we’d always done, but over the years, it seemed more and more necessary as the clan grew and our responsibilities increased. It had become like a weekly meeting, but rather than sit around in some room, we got out and stretched our legs, tearing through the park like the pack of bears we were.
Here! I announced with my mind when I’d shifted in.
I was greeted back as everyone else checked in and we all ran to our meeting point. Once everyone was there, Owen began.
Hey all. Thanks for coming. On the agenda for today is the clan picnic. We all ready?
No one objected, so he turned and took off running, with Ezra directly behind him, then me.
I think we’re settled on the date, Owen continued, but what do we want for entertainment, food, all that?
Beer, Ezra said.
Duh, Hailey added.
I’m good with those things, but I’d also like to add a guest, I mentioned.
Who? Conner demanded.
I know who, Ezra said in a singsong sort of voice.
Wait a minute! Hailey sounded offended. Are you seeing someone? And I didn’t know about it?
We’ve only been out once, but I think this could be it. As I thought of her, my chest warmed and I sighe
d in delight.
Oh, wow, Conner said. Gettin’ serious, bud.
They could all sense my feelings as I thought about her.
Tell us everything! Hailey was paying close attention to every thought and feeling that came from me.
I sighed once again. She’s perfect. We have so much in common. She even works with Owen and Ezra at the park. She’s funny and amazing. And stunning.
That’s so great, Hailey said. I hope she stays awesome. You’ve been out with some…interesting women.
I laughed. That’s a nice way of putting it. I’d been in some bad relationships over the last few years. They either went crazy on me or cheated on me; I certainly hadn’t been the luckiest in finding love thus far. But that was about to change.
Tell them the rest, Owen added.
She likes me back? I offered. I didn’t know what he meant.
And… Owen said.
Uh? She’s a great kisser, but I didn’t think you’d want to know that.
Owen sighed. Dude, she’s also a croc.
I felt silence and shock emanating from each member. Well, except Ezra, who already knew that detail about Grace.
I tried to play it off like it wasn’t a big deal. Yeah, she is, and she’s dedicated to making the park great for all animals, just like we are.
Wait, why is there a croc working in the park in the first place? Conner asked.
I felt my defenses rise. Wow, prejudiced much? Are we not allowing other species to have jobs now?
Okay, okay, Owen interrupted. Let’s not get into a thing about it. I just thought everyone should know ahead of time so they won’t be surprised when you show up with a croc at the next event.
I’m not showing up with a croc, I said, my mental voice getting snippy. I’m showing up with my…girlfriend? Whatever she is, I’m showing up with a date. A person who I’m very much into. That should be all that matters.
You’re right, man, Ezra said. Most of us haven’t even met her, but I can say that so far, Grace has been great to work with. She’s really nice.
That’s her name? Grace? Hailey asked.
It felt like she was looking for something to say; something that didn’t come off as prejudiced or judgmental, but she was having a hard time with it.
That’s her name. Grace Osborn.
There was a long silence.
Then Hailey added, I can’t wait to meet her. But the excitement she’d had about a minute before was lost and her words sounded forced.
I just don’t get it, Conner said. With all the issues we’ve had with the crocs, how could you do this?
I tried to remember that Conner had even more of a jaded position against the crocs than any of us. His brother and sister-in-law had been murdered by crocs and he’d been part of the search and rescue team that had pulled their bodies from the water.
She didn’t have any part in what happened to your family, I reminded him.
Conner, we’ll discuss this at a more appropriate time, Owen said. For now, we’re not going to hold anything against her that she hasn’t done.
I just don’t see how this will work out, Conner said.
And I don’t see why it matters one bit, I snapped. She hasn’t done anything wrong. She hasn’t done a thing to you.
Noah spoke up then. He’d been quietly listening this whole time. You’ve only been out with her once?
So far.
Okay. Then you’re not too attached.
What does that mean? I asked.
If there’s an issue, it shouldn’t be a big deal for you to move on, he explained.
There already is an issue, Conner added.
Well, thank you all for being so supportive and understanding, I snapped.
This is why I just said we’re not doing this, Owen demanded. If there’s a problem, we’ll figure out how to handle it as a clan.
I wasn’t ready to let things go so soon. You guys go ahead and judge all you want. If you want me to leave the clan over this, then that’s what I’ll do.
I ran the opposite direction, away from all of them for a few feet, then shifted back. I was far from home, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to listen to their bullshit anymore. I didn’t want to think badly of Grace, and I didn’t want anyone else to, either. Especially since she’d been nothing but a complete sweetheart. I would hate for her family to judge me simply for being a bear.
As I walked back, being careful to stay in the shadows since I was naked, I considered that there was a good chance her family might have a problem with me. Maybe we’d have to run away somewhere to have peace if we wanted to be together.
It was a long walk back, and by the time I got home, I had texts waiting for me.
Owen: Hey man, sorry. I’ll talk to Conner. He still holds a lot of resentment toward the crocs.
Duh. Obviously, he wouldn’t get over someone killing his brother and sister-in-law, but that didn’t mean Grace was somehow responsible just because she happened to be the same species as their murderer.
And Conner had sent a text, too: This is already causing problems in the clan. You’re better off just ending things now before you do something really stupid, like fall for her.
I decided to ignore them both and talk to the one person I actually wanted to hear from.
Hey there, beautiful. How’s your morning going?
It didn’t take long to get a response from Grace that made me smile.
Better now, she responded, along with a smiley face.
I sat on my couch with my phone in my hand and a smile on my face, and let my clan and their drama fall away.
6
Grace
I set down my phone after finishing my chat with Mason. My heart was beating out of my chest; we had another date for that night and I could hardly wait.
I hopped downstairs to get something to eat and my mom was there in the kitchen, cooking eggs.
“That smells amazing!” I gushed.
She turned to look at me suspiciously. “You’re in an awfully good mood this morning.”
I shrugged. “Just happy, I guess.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Any reason in particular?”
“I’m not allowed to just be happy? Thanks, Mom.”
“Of course you’re allowed, I just don’t see why you are all of a sudden.”
“Life is going well. I have a great job doing something good for the clan. What is there not to be happy about?”
“I know why you’re so happy.”
My heart jumped and I spun at the sound of Adam’s voice as he stepped into the kitchen. Was he going to say something? I glared at him.
“Why is that?” I demanded.
“Because you’re working hard for your clan, to get to know the bears and see what they’re up to. It’s a big sacrifice. And I see you taking your task very seriously.” He raised his eyebrow slightly in a challenge.
“Right,” I said. “I was just telling my mom that I was enjoying my job and knowing I was helping the clan.”
“And I know you’ll be a big asset.” He smiled at me widely, and I noticed a hint of warning in it.
“I sure hope so.” I gave him a flat smile and turned back to my mom to serve myself some eggs.
He didn’t say anything about me being out with a bear, but the whole encounter had me shaken up so much that by the time he left, I went back to my room to text Mason.
Hey, so, given what happened the other night with Adam showing up, could we go somewhere tonight that’s maybe less public or a little out of the area?
I hated to have to even ask him, but I didn’t want to be paranoid the whole time, either. I wanted to fully enjoy every second I spent with him.
I have the perfect place in mind, he responded.
I sighed in relief. I didn’t want him to think I was somehow ashamed to be seen with him; it had nothing to do with that. I’d love to tell the world about him, but the bear and croc rivalry worried me.
Later that evening, after
I met Mason and we got into his car, he drove for a long time before pulling into a park.
“I thought maybe a quiet picnic in a distant park would be best,” he said as he lifted a basket from his trunk.
“This is perfect. Thank you for understanding.” I wrapped him in a tight hug and kissed him.
We set up the picnic together, spreading out blankets and pulling food items out of the basket. He’d brought buttery rolls, chicken salad with fresh herbs and a bottle of Merlot. He poured the wine into a pair of plastic glasses and handed one to me, then held his up to toast.
“To us,” he said.
I tapped my cup to his. “To us.”
“I had an idea,” he said as we started to eat. “There was that incident with your clan leader. My clan isn’t too thrilled about things, either, and I was thinking that maybe there’s a way we can kind of smooth things over with both your clan and mine.”
“How?” He hadn’t told me before that his clan was unhappy about us, too. It tightened my stomach.
“We’re having a clan picnic, which we often do. I was hoping to bring you along so everyone can meet you. Then they’ll understand why I can’t keep away from you.”
He twisted his fingers through mine, and I thrilled at his closeness, but his suggestion made me nervous.
“And maybe you can take me to meet your family and clan, too,” he continued. “That way, we can be sure no one will have a problem with us being together; they can just let us be happy.”
I pulled my hand free from his. “I don’t think that would work. I mean, my clan definitely won’t be okay with it. My leader already isn’t. He made it clear today that he expects me to use you to get information about the upcoming attack, and if your clan already has a problem, too, then I think…I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”
“Wait a minute. He wants you to use me to get information on what attack?”
“There’s a rumor going around. It’s part of the reason I got this job at the park: to get information and make sure everything was good between the clans.”
