Noah's Fire

by Lynn Howard

  “The gravel hurts,” he said and smiled sadly up at her. “He wasn’t going to bite you,” he repeated.

  Pops and grunts sounded behind him. Colton and Luke were Shifting back to their human forms, as well, now that the immediate threat was over.

  “I know,” Hollyn said, offering Noah a hand and trying to hoist him to his feet. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded but tears burned the backs of his eyes. Fuck. He really didn’t want to cry in front of his Clan. They’d never let him live it down.

  Turning his back on the guys, he shoved his fists against his eyes. “Fuck,” he muttered as his throat grew tight.

  So many emotions. So much fear. Too much. “Please tell me you’ll stay.” She’d already made it clear she was doing this to protect all of them, including Noah. That meant she didn’t want him to follow. As if that would ever happen. “Please,” he begged on a whisper.

  Hollyn’s hands trembled as she raised them and cupped his face. “I’ll stay,” she whispered back.

  The tears fell freely now. He couldn’t have stopped them to save his life. Relief. Immense relief poured through him and Hollyn smiled just before she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She used her thumbs to wipe away the tears that trailed down his cheek, but she was crying now, too.

  Noah laughed through the tears, wiping hers away like she was doing his. “We’re a fucking mess.”

  Hollyn chuckled, too, then wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest.

  He held her tight, maybe too tight. But she didn’t protest. And he couldn’t make himself release her. He didn’t care that his dick was flopping in the wind or that his Clan were making themselves scarce while Noah and Hollyn had their moment. All he cared about was the woman in his arms. Two weeks and she’d become the most precious and important thing in the world to him. He loved his Clan, loved his friends, but he’d run with her as far as she wanted if she’d let him. He’d spend every second of every day keeping her safe and making her happy.

  His bear rumbled contentedly in his head. Maybe he didn’t get to mark their mate, but she’d promised to stay with them. She’d told Bear she loved him, reminded him she carried her scent. They would probably have to cover her more than once a week, but she hadn’t seemed to mind. And since he got to feel the pleasure, too, he sure as hell wasn’t going to protest.

  “We’re going to be late,” Shawnee called from her front door. She didn’t sound like her usual chipper self this morning. Nope. She was pissed, and probably at Noah.

  She of all people should know how crazy their animals could go over their mates.

  “Shit,” Noah muttered. He’d destroyed the clothes he’d been wearing. “You still up for working today?” he asked. Now that she was no longer blocking him, he could feel not only the emotions she’d had over the discovery of the traffickers’ movement and Noah’s bear freaking out, but the nausea and headache of her hangover.

  “I go where you go,” she said, smiling through her tears. Noah pulled her back into his arms and buried his face in her hair.

  I go where you go. At least now he knew she wouldn’t block him and run away. She would let him be by her side, let him fight this fight with her, if that’s what it came to. She trusted him, trusted him to keep her safe. She loved him, loved his animal half.

  This woman who spent her whole life fearing Shifters was his mate, accepted his bear as her mate. This woman was more than a mate. This woman was his wife. Thick and thin and all that shit. He loved her more than he knew was physically possible. He loved her more than he ever loved anyone. His bear hummed in approval in his head as he pulled her scent deep inside of him and vowed to burn down the fucking planet to keep her out of the hands of anyone who would hurt her.

  Chapter Nine

  It had been three days since they’d gotten word that the traffickers were on the move. Of course, Hollyn was still on edge, but a certain kind of peace had overcome her after Noah’s bear burst forward. She couldn’t explain it. It was almost like she was drawing strength from her connection, or maybe she was feeling Bear’s emotions as well as Noah’s. Bear had no doubt he’d keep Hollyn safe, whereas Noah was constantly paranoid. He always made sure every window and door was locked and the curtains were pulled closed every night. He’d explained about how Shawnee’s family Pack had attempted to sneak up on Colton and Shawnee, but he rarely fell asleep right away because of his work schedule. They hadn’t planned on anyone being awake.

  All Hollyn knew was the Clan tended to congregate on Noah’s porch any time the two of them were home. And they came in for lunch with the wolves from Big River every single day. Except the women. They’d been staying away, keeping the babies away.

  The guilt of staying there when she knew how dangerous her presence could be was a constant for her. And since Noah could feel it, he reassured her over and over everyone wanted her there, not just him.

  “Why don’t you take a break and eat something,” Noah said.

  “Why?” she asked. The lunch rush was over and the room had cleared of all but the regulars who stayed glued to their seats until it was time to stumble out to their ride.

  “Because you’ve been working your ass off nonstop for the last three days. Go. Eat something.” Noah frowned when Hollyn crossed her arms and raised her brows to her hairline. “Why do I have to go through this with every employee. You’re allowed to take a break, Hollyn. Just because you’re mated to the owner doesn’t mean you’re married to the bar.”

  He turned her by her shoulders and swatted her on the ass to get her moving. She couldn’t help the girly giggle that burst through her lips. Not only had he become almost militant in the way he checked the house before letting her in, always scanning the area when they got in and out of the car, locking up every night, but he’d become almost insatiable in the bedroom. She wasn’t complaining.

  Bear had to cover her in his scent again the night he’d freaked out. It was like he was reassuring himself that everyone knew she was claimed. She’d never thought she was the kind of woman who would like that kind of mentality, the whole cave man thing, the whole claiming thing. But…Noah was hers, too. She’d marked him with her magic. Her flames flowed through his veins, letting anyone with the same gifts know he belonged to her.

  Hollyn veered into the kitchen and fixed herself something to eat. Without asking, she fixed an order for Shawnee, too. She didn’t even have to ask; the woman ate the same thing every day: burger with a side of sweet potato fries.

  She carried the two baskets out and jerked her head for Shawnee to join her. Ever since Bear had taken over Noah’s body, Shawnee had treated Noah differently. She wasn’t mean, per se, but she wasn’t as sweet and cheerful as she was when Hollyn first came to Blackwater. It had to stop. Now.

  Once Shawnee was situated with a glass of soda and had taken a big bite of her burger, Hollyn leaned forward on her elbows and kept her voice as soft as possible. “What’s going on with you and Noah?”

  Shawnee’s eyes jerked to Hollyn’s face and she swallowed audibly. Turning to look at their boss over her shoulder, Shawnee turned back around, a deep crease between her brows. “He shouldn’t have done that,” she said and took a huge, aggressive bite of her burger.

  It was Hollyn’s turn to frown. “Done what?” Noah hadn’t done anything to Shawnee as far as she knew.

  “Gone all furry and crap. He could’ve really hurt you, Hollyn. We’re not like that. He’s supposed to protect you. That’s what real mates do. They don’t get all crazy and let their bear—”

  Hollyn held her hand up. “He didn’t hurt me, though. And I knew he wouldn’t. Our situation is a little different. Remember the story you told me about your lioness finally coming out when your mate was in trouble?” Shawnee nodded as she slipped a fry between her lips. “Well, his bear can’t even mark his mate. And…we still don’t know if I’m at risk or not. How do you think Colton’s bear would’ve reacted if he couldn
’t mark you as his? Was he super calm when your family Pride showed up?”

  Shawnee’s eyes left Hollyn’s face and she looked around the room as if watching the memory play out in the middle of Moe’s. Slowly, her head began to wag side to side.

  “Still,” Shawnee said, looking back at Noah again. Either he couldn’t hear them or was pretending not to because he seemed oblivious to their conversation.

  When Shawnee turned back around, a little of the anger had left her eyes. After learning more about Shawnee’s past, Hollyn understood. But like she’d said, they were a unique case. Even if she’d been human Noah could’ve marked her. He would’ve risked turning her, of course, but she’d have a much better chance at survival than Hollyn.

  Hollyn finished eating before Shawnee but she hung out with her, chatting about nothing in particular. The last three days had been intense; she just wanted her life to go back to the way it was two weeks ago. Back when she was building a future with Noah, back when she was getting to know everyone, back when she thought she’d finally be free and safe.

  “We should have a girl’s day,” Hollyn announced. She wasn’t sure it would happen or if any of the guys would let any of their mates out of their sights, but they could always have it right there at Moe’s. Dance to the music, drink a little, and just enjoy their time together.

  “Yes! Definitely,” Shawnee said, pulling her phone from her back pocket to text all the girls.

  Hollyn still didn’t have a phone. And that was fine with her. She was always with Noah, anyway, so she could use his phone if she needed to contact someone. Besides, the only people she really cared to talk to were the same people he’d brought into her life.

  “Nova’s in,” Shawnee announced, then smiled when her phone dinged a few more times. “They’re all in.”

  “Who’s in what?” Noah asked as he neared the table. He bent and pressed a kiss to Hollyn’s forehead. That was something else she’d noticed; his need to touch her had grown, too.

  “Girl’s night,” Hollyn said, turning a wide grin on Noah as she prepared for his argument. She didn’t have to wait long.

  “Have it here,” he said as a muscle ticked in his jaw.

  “That’s what I was thinking,” Hollyn said.

  “But we’re here every day,” Shawnee whined. “Can’t we have one night without all you stinky boys?”

  “No matter where you go there will be stinky boys. And I’m not comfortable with Hollyn out there alone. Not without knowing where the pricks are.”

  “She wouldn’t be alone,” Shawnee said. “My lioness is strong. So is Nova’s wolf. And Cujo would never let anything happen to her.”

  Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. “How about we contact Colton and the rest of the guys and see what they think,” Noah said and smirked when Shawnee crossed her arms and stuck out her bottom lip.

  “I’ll block off the section in the back. It’ll be your little private party,” Noah said.

  Hollyn didn’t really care if they had privacy or not. Really, she just wanted to be with her friends, and she wanted to make sure they still cared about her. The rational part of her brain assured her they did, indeed, still care, but were trying to keep the cubs safe. The more women who stayed home while the men were at work, the safer the baby girls were. But the irrational part of her was scared she’d once again be alone and without a family.

  She’d always have Noah, though. She’d promised him she wouldn’t leave, that she’d stay with him no matter what.

  “Who’s going to wait the tables?” Shawnee asked. If they had a little party, Noah would be working the bar by himself.

  “I ran this place on my own for years before you two came along. I’ll be fine,” Noah’s eyes dropped to Hollyn. Something flashed through them, something she couldn’t identify, but she felt a rush of anger go through her before it faded. Surely, Noah wasn’t angry that she wanted some alone time with her female friends.

  Noah bent at the waist and sipped at her lips once, twice, before straightening and heading back behind the bar. He began to restock the coolers for the dinner rush, his gaze finding her occasionally in the mirror hanging over the selection of liquor as if he were reassuring himself Hollyn was still there and safe. And he was probably comforting his bear at the same time.

  “Guess we should get back to work,” Hollyn said, bending her back over the chair to stretch. It’d taken a while for her body to get used to the constant work again, but damn it felt good. She’d missed it. She’d missed the modicum of independence.

  “Yep,” Shawnee said, slowly pushing from her seat.

  The bar would fill with the dinner crowd soon. They needed to get the tables cleaned up, the condiments filled, and prep the kitchen.

  And then, in a blink of an eye, another day was gone. It seemed the older Hollyn got, the faster her days passed. She could remember as a young teenager thinking eighteen was so far away. Then twenty-one. Now, in a few years, she’d hit forty. Time sure did fly. It felt like the first half of her life had been wasted, like she’d just survived, just existed before Noah and the bear Clan. Before Aron and the panthers. Before she’d learned she could trust someone else. Before she’d learned she could trust a Shifter. Before she’d learned she could love a Shifter.

  Just like every night the past three nights, the three bears of Blackwater waited for Noah, Hollyn, and Shawnee to get off work. And, just like the past three nights, the four guys went out first, letting Hollyn and Shawnee follow them out when they were positive there was no one waiting for them.

  The second Hollyn stepped through the door, the sensation of an oncoming storm rolled over her skin again, just like it had a week ago. Static electricity made the hair on her arms stand on end and sent a shiver down her spine. But, just like that night, there wasn’t a single cloud in the Autumn evening sky. Maybe it was the cool air that made her shiver. But that didn’t explain the electric shock feeling, didn’t explain her hair standing up as if she’d rubbed a balloon on her arm.

  “What’s wrong?” Noah asked when he noticed she wasn’t moving toward the vehicle. His eyes flashed to amber immediately and he looked around, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air for a threat.

  She looked around, sent her magic further than her eyes and ears could detect, seeking the source of the sensation clinging to her like a cloak. Nothing. She couldn’t feel anyone nearby, couldn’t find the source. “Nothing. I don’t know.”

  “You look scared,” Shawnee said, narrowing her eyes at Hollyn.

  The other three Clan brothers moved to stand closer to her, ready to block anyone from getting to her.

  “Seriously. It’s nothing. I just thought I felt…something.”

  “Can your magic warn you if someone’s in the area?” Carter asked.

  “Only within a certain distance. If it can’t reach it, then I won’t feel it.” She only had about a five yard radius to which her magic could roam. After that, she was blind.

  Luke moved away from Hollyn, his head tilted back, his nostrils flaring the way Noah’s did. His eyes were glowing now, too, ready for battle with an unseen enemy. His boots crunched in the gravel, the sound so loud in the quiet night. There were no cars driving past, no other businesses open this late. It was just them.

  “It’s nothing. Sorry. Didn’t mean to freak everyone out,” Hollyn said, trying to sound as calm as possible, but there was something about that sensation, something familiar. She just couldn’t put her finger on it, couldn’t pluck the memory from her brain.

  “Can you describe it? What did you feel?” Carter asked.

  Hollyn looked up at Noah. His teeth were clenched so tight Hollyn wondered if he’d have any molars left by the time all this was over. With a shrug, she turned back to Carter. “Like that feeling you get during a lightning storm. I don’t know if you guys can feel it as strongly as I can, but whenever a storm is close by, it feels like a big cloud of static electricity around me.” She rubbed her arm as she spoke, pres
sing the hair back down.

  “Do you still feel it?” Shawnee asked.

  Yeah. She did. But since she couldn’t find anything and they didn’t detect anyone, there was no reason to rile up the whole Clan.

  “Nah. It was nothing. Probably just a chill from the wind.”

  “Wind doesn’t make the hair on your arms stand up,” Luke said, his eyes glued to where she tried to smooth the hair back into place.

  Hollyn dropped her hand and shook her head. “Let’s just go home. I’m tired.”

  Noah studied her face a few seconds before nodding. He took her hand in his and led her to the truck. Colton and Shawnee rode home with them while Carter and Luke followed close behind. Seriously. They were so close Hollyn couldn’t see Luke’s headlight in the side mirror. She just hoped Noah didn’t have to stop short for a deer, because Luke was going to end up smashing into their bumper.

  ****

  Hollyn could pretend she was fine all she wanted, but Noah had a direct link to the fear burning a path through her veins. He could feel her racing heart, feel the adrenaline coursing through her system. She might not know what had caused the sensation, but she was scared of it.

  Once everyone was in their own cabins, Noah turned to Hollyn. “Tell me,” he said, biting back the growl of his bear. He hated how little control he had over his bear since Hollyn had come into his life.

  “What?” she asked, toeing her shoes off at the entrance. Ever since that first day when Hollyn and Shawnee had straightened up his cabin, he’d made a conscious effort to keep it that way. Including removing his shoes at the doorway. It was something Hollyn did every time and the habit wore off on him.

  Noah followed Hollyn down the hall to the bathroom. She pulled off her clothes and turned a sly smile on him. He knew exactly what she was doing; she was trying to distract him from his questions. She knew he’d felt her terror, her nerves back at Moe’s.