A Taste of Honey (10 page)

A strange look flickered in Ronnie’s eyes. “Yes you are. We’re mated now, so you’re as much a part of the tribe as I am. We’ll make it official tonight.”

* * * * *

A false alarm. Ronnie breathed a deep sigh of relief, though leftover unease still made his spine prickle. It was too easy to get worked into a state where suspicion fueled his every thought and a steady trickle of adrenaline kept him on edge, ready to power any necessary action. When there was even the suggestion of a threat, the past made the future seem darker. Despite the events of the previous several months, danger rarely struck his corner of the Great Smoky Mountains, but past experience had taught him that when disaster bit, it bit hard and tore away chunks, leaving wounds that crippled and endured.

But not this time. Sometimes a bear really was just a bear and a stupid tourist really was just a stupid tourist. As it had turned out, the man who’d shot the bear on park land had been intoxicated.

 It was a shame that the animal had been killed, but at least it hadn’t been a shifter, or another human. And, sad as it was, the fact that the shooter had been drunk when he’d shot the bear that had wandered close to a hiking trail confirmed what Ronnie needed to know most – that the man wasn’t a shifter hunter. A shifter hunter never would’ve gone traipsing through a national park with a stomach full of bourbon, firing a gun where he was sure to be caught. And the bullets the gunman had used hadn’t been silver, either, as the ones shifter hunters favored were.

Shifter hunters were stealthier than that – usually skilled woodsmen and marksmen who knew how to get away with murder. Literally. Ronnie gripped the edge of the kitchen table until his knuckles ached, suppressing a familiar wave of anger. Mandy, Jack’s mate, had nearly been killed by shifters hunters – it was a miracle she was even still alive. He himself and Jack had been shot as well.

“Are you okay?” Violet’s sweet voice drifted through the haze of his recollections, mercifully shattering his brief reverie.

“Yeah. I guess relief hasn’t really set in yet.” His phone was still warm in his hand, heated from the fairly lengthy conversation he’d had with Hargrove, during which he’d asked every question he could think of just to make sure that the gunman really was what he seemed, that there wasn’t so much as a hint of him being anything more sinister than a dangerous drunk who’d carried and discharged a weapon illegally.

“I know what you mean,” she said. “Even though I know the shooting had nothing to do with the shifters here, a little shiver still goes down my spine every time I think about it. I mean, it hasn’t been long since Mandy was kidnapped.”

It was true. The past year had been crazy, rife with hunters and bloodshed. But everyone had made it through – the only lives that had been taken were those of the hunters who’d plagued the mountains, and that was no loss. As far as violence went, Ronnie had only experienced one worse year in the course of his entire life. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“We almost never had trouble with shifter hunters in Alaska. It’s different there – there are so many shifters that when a hunter ventures onto any pack’s territory, it’s like walking into a lion’s den. And packs form alliances and stuff to stay safe. Out here there’s a denser human population, but less shifters.”

“The recent problems we’ve had with hunters are the worst acts of violence we’ve experienced in almost twenty years. Normally it’s not this bad.”

“What happened twenty years ago?”

“My mother was killed.”

Violet’s blue eyes grew wide. “By shifter hunters?”

“I don’t think so. The bullet that killed her wasn’t silver – we think someone was hunting illegally on private property and shot her while she was in her bear form, thinking she was an animal. Of course, she returned to her human form when she died. The person who murdered her must have fled – we found her body on the side of the mountain.”

“That’s horrific. I’m so sorry.” She crossed the space between them with a couple steps and laid a hand on his forearm.

“I was a preteen then. That was what inspired me to become a ranger. I wanted to protect the tribe and the other shifters in these mountains and I thought becoming a ranger would enable me to do it to the best of my ability.”

“You were right. You were among the first to know about the incident with the bear today because of your status as a ranger.”

“Yeah. Being able to protect the tribe makes me feel as if I’m giving her life and death some purpose. I think she’d be pleased that I’ve become a ranger and war chief.”  Confidence that his mother would be proud took the edge off the old sorrow, but a familiar sense of regret made his insides feel hollow for a few bleak moments.

“Of course she would. You’ve saved lives, and not just those of your tribe members. The Half Moon Pack wouldn’t exist anymore if it wasn’t for you. Mandy told me about how you took a bullet rescuing her and Jack last spring. And then, we probably all would’ve been killed by those hunters if you and your father hadn’t helped us rescue Mandy.”

Unable to resist anymore, he reached out and wrapped his arms around Violet, pulling her close so that her body conformed to his, soft and warm against him. “It was worth it – I never would’ve met you if you hadn’t come here from Alaska to join.” Now that he knew the taste and feel of her, the thought was unbearable. His heart sped and his cock stiffened, ready to claim her again. As much as resisting the urge made him ache, he’d have to wait until later. He needed to let his tribe know that the threat had passed, and evening was quickly approaching. As much as he wanted to make love to her again, he also wanted the whole tribe – hell, the whole world – to know that they belonged to each other. By midnight, it would be official.

* * * * *

The large campfire crackling against the fading evening light made for a cozy scene, but Violet couldn’t help but feel awkward as she and Ronnie approached the blaze. The gathering was being held in a clearing between Ronnie’s cabin and his grandparents’ – the area was within walking distance of many other bear shifters’ homes on the mountain and others had driven to reach it. Around fifty bear shifters had already gathered and all of their gazes gravitated to Violet and Ronnie as they approached. If it hadn’t felt so right to walk at his side, she would’ve blushed under the scrutiny. Instead, she stood tall and reached for his hand.

“Looks like about half of the tribe is already here,” Ronnie said, closing his hand around hers and holding it tight.

His touch inspired warmth that traveled up Violet’s arm and heated her entire body. It was easy to remember how he’d used his hands on her only hours before, caressing and stroking as they’d made love on top of the colorful quilt that covered his bed. Her body was still glowing with the aftereffects – the surrender of her virginity had left her a little sore, but mostly, incredibly satisfied. The knowledge of their new bond was like a tiny sun lighting her up from the inside and its heat boosted her confidence as she faced a significant contingent of the Roaring Water Tribe for the first time.

“Nice to see you again, Violet.”

Violet whirled, buoyed by the sound of a familiar voice in the crowd of strangers. “Emmaline.” She smiled at Ronnie’s grandmother, who she’d met at Mandy’s baby shower and seen again at the recent wedding. “How are you?”

“Just fine. How are
you
, dear?” Her eyes, every bit as dark as her grandson’s, gleamed and crinkled pleasantly at the corners as she met Violet’s gaze.

A little heat rushed into Violet’s cheeks – maybe she wasn’t past blushing after all. Emmaline knew that she and Ronnie were mates; Ronnie had told his grandfather over the phone when he’d called to relate the news on the shooting. “I’ve never been better,” she said with sincerity.

Ronnie’s grandfather, Charles, appeared at his mate’s shoulder. “Ronnie. Violet.” He was kind like Emmaline and flashed a smile in Violet and Ronnie’s direction. “We’ll hold the ceremony just after nightfall.”

Violet’s stomach flip-flopped as Ronnie nodded. Ronnie had explained the ceremony that would signify their bond to the rest of the tribe and make it official in the eyes of the council and other members. It was simple enough, but it was also intimate. The thought of going through the rites in front of the entire tribe made her pulse quicken.

“Ronnie.”

Violet recognized Will’s voice before she saw him approaching; it was deep, remarkably like his son’s.

“Dad.” Father and son exchanged broad smiles – a rarity for Ronnie, if not his father.

“Congratulations,” Will said, settling a hand on Ronnie’s shoulder. It was easy for him to do – he was as huge as his son. In fact, they were remarkably similar in every respect except for those of age and hairstyle. Will’s dark locks were streaked with ribbons of iron grey and he wore them long, gathered back into a sleek tail.

“Thanks.” Ronnie let go of Violet’s hand and wrapped an arm around her waist instead, pulling her close against his side. “How’s it feel to know you’ll have a daughter before the night’s over?”

“Wonderful.” Will reached out and took one of Violet’s hands, bowing down to brush it with his lips. “I know the ceremony hasn’t taken place yet, but welcome to the family.”

“Thank you.” Violet’s blush deepened as Will released her hand. Family? She’d hardly had time to think past Ronnie and their brand new bond. But Will was right – she was inheriting a whole new family as well. Up until a few weeks ago, she never would’ve imagined herself having any ties to a tribe of bear shifters. But here she was. From what she knew of Ronnie’s grandparents and father, she couldn’t have chosen better. It would be nice to have someone besides her sister and the rest of her packmates to feel close to.

“Wait until you meet Ted,” Will said. “You’ll love him too.”

“What time will he be here?” Ronnie had mentioned to her earlier that his younger brother Ted would be returning from college that night. He’d recently graduated from an out of state university and then completed an internship in the same area – the gathering was, in part, a celebration of his graduation and return.

“He just called,” Will said. “He should arrive in about two hours. I offered to pick him up from the airport but one of his friends had already volunteered. If they can stay out of trouble on the way home they should arrive around nightfall – just in time for the ceremony.” He grinned.

Violet subdued the wave of nerves that flared inside her by breathing deeply, inhaling Ronnie’s scent and letting it wash doubt from her mind. For him – with him – she could do anything. “I can’t wait to meet him. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a brother.” If Ted was anything like the rest of his relatives, they’d get along just fine.

After conversation with Ronnie’s family, Violet was able to face the stares of the rest of the tribe with more confidence.

More members filtered in, until there were at least a hundred bear shifters present – men, women and children of all ages gathered from the surrounding mountains, all part of the tribe that was more loosely-knit than a wolf pack, but still close. A wolf pack felt a lot like a family – the bear tribe seemed more like a small community. All of the Roaring Water members were obviously familiar with each other but their homes were more widely spread than the Half Moon Pack’s and in addition to the peace and war chiefs, they were led by a council of elders.

It wasn’t what Violet was used to, but the larger numbers reminded her of Alaska and the arrangement seemed to work out well. People seemed genuinely happy as they spoke, sitting around the campfire and digging drinks out of ice-filled coolers that several families had brought.

 Some kids sat close to the flames and passed around a bag of marshmallows that they roasted on sticks collected from the nearby forest’s floor. A little girl shrieked with amusement as her marshmallow burst into flame and a boy that might have been her older brother leapt up and started blowing on it, his face turning red as he did his best to put out the flame. When Violet managed to think past her nervousness, it wasn’t difficult to imagine someday feeling at home around the fire with the many bear shifters.

When a breeze rushed through the clearing, sending a few sparks dancing beyond the edges of the fire pit, it carried a host of familiar scents. Within moments a group of individuals who looked and smelled differently than the rest rounded the side of the cabin.

“You guys made it!” Violet beamed as the Half Moon Pack emerged into the clearing. Every last one of her packmates had come, including Jack and Mandy, the alpha couple, as well as April, Noah, Daniel and Clarissa. Violet loved them but at times it had been hard being the only single wolf in a pack full of happy, mated couples. As she and Ronnie walked to meet the other Half Moon wolves, she felt more at home among them than ever – no more being the odd wolf out. And Ronnie and Jack were already close friends, so it wasn’t as if the pack had anything new to grow accustomed to. Not really.

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” April said, grinning as she held Noah’s hand.

The rest of the pack members murmured their agreement.

“I can’t wait for the ceremony to start,” April continued. “I’ve never seen one like it before. What happens, exactly?”