Bear Apparent (BBW Shifter Romance) (Stone Claw Clan Book 1) (12 page)

Somehow, she knew. But she needed confirmation. “Do what?” she croaked.

Everyone slid their attention to her, and she felt as if she’d just entered a funeral. Garrett got to his feet then said, “Can everyone give us some time?”

The bears didn’t say anything, the shuffling of their feet out the door the only thing to break the silence. At the signal of the door closing, Garrett took a deep breath, and Dahlia watched the way his perfect chest moved. His jaw ticked as if he were trying out words in his mind. She figured there was no easy way to do this.

“I have a chance at besting Lazaran now. I’m fully healed, and I…” he stepped forward, and took her hands in his, his touch hot against her fear-chilled skin. He kissed her knuckles, his expression heartbreaking. “Remember what I told you about shifter males bonding hard and fast? I knew from the moment I saw you in those woods, I was in trouble. But I ignored it. The night we first made love… I couldn’t help myself. All I could think about was making a life with you, and how I’d rather spend a few days in your arms, and lose you rather than to have never shared such times. Just knowing you helped me understand what happened with my father better. I suppose on some level, I was bitter that he gave up on life. I see now, that everything I do is a reflection of his love and teaching.”

Dahlia’s heartbeat drummed in her ears as she tried to understand what he was telling her. He seemed to have a hard time forming the words, his hands trembling in hers. She pressed a palm against his cheek, and his eyes slid up to meet her own. A smile tugged at his lips. “I bonded with you that night. I can already feel the strength coursing through my body. With the boost, I have a chance at beating him.”

She gaped, wanting to say something, but her mind drew a blank.
Bonded?
Her brows lowered, and she shook her head, wanting to refute his confession. She didn’t understand how that could happen—it was too soon. They were still getting to know each other.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s probably a shock to you. And you didn’t do anything to encourage it, it’s just the way we work. I guess I was so desperate for a woman like you… all else ceased to matter. But it’s done, and no matter what happens or what you choose, I am blessed to have been loved by you.”

She tried to work her mouth again, but nothing would come out. Okay, so the idea of him being bonded and completely enamored with her was really nice, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for that kind of commitment. She managed to throw a sentence together. “I had hoped to introduce you to my parents first… Jesus, are we married then?”

He chuckled, her humor loosening them both. “More than that. A bonded male is forever, and he will never stray, or desire any woman other than his mate. He will care for her and protect her… simply put a bonded male is slave to the one he loves. The bond is so deep, that mates often follow each other in death.”

Images of Garrett in nothing but a loincloth, on his knees flashed in her mind. She blinked at him with wide eyes, the whole bonding thing throwing her for a loop. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she took several deep breaths.

“I’m sorry. I never meant to uproot your life, nor did I intend for you to get mixed up in all this, but—”

Pressing her fingers to his lips, she silenced him. “It’s not that I don’t find the whole bonding thing incredibly romantic, but I… don’t know if I am ready for that kind of dedication. I just discovered the supernatural exists, and come to accept my attraction for you.” His eyes flared as if he liked her admitting she had the hots for him. “But, with everything going on I’m glad it happened. I want you to kick that bastard’s ass all the way to New York.”

Something turned on inside Garrett, his eyes brightening, his chest puffing out. That was the man she knew… strong, confident, and the idea that she’d had something to do with it sent flutters to her stomach. She figured learning each other would come in time, and she wanted that experience with him. Besides, she now knew where he stood and that he wanted a life with her.

He let out a big breath, and guided her to his lips. The kiss was nothing more than a cherishing peck. “I can promise you I will fight with all I have to keep you safe.”

She eyed him carefully, not liking the tone of his voice. “What are you not telling me?”

“I want to build a life with you, Dahlia. But I don’t know how much time I have left. What I am certain about is that you will not be hurt because of me. I can’t guarantee I can best Lazaran. If he kills me, as my mate that opens you up to his attack, and with an ego the size of Wyoming, he won’t miss that opportunity. The council views a mated pair as a single entity, so they won’t step in. To prevent that from happening, I’ve asked Vance to make sure you remain safe in my absence.”

Absence?
Everything started to spin. Dahlia just wanted to down a bottle of Scotch and pass out. Garrett was obviously torn, his eyes glassy and his body tense. “That doesn’t tell me anything.”

He nodded, conceding the point. “Vance wanted to fight in my place, but law dictates it is the patriarchs that must contend for their territories. Plus, the grievance is against me, no matter how false it may be. If I can’t beat Lazaran, I’ve asked Vance to step up as alpha. A lower ranking member of a clan is allowed to challenge their leader for their position, especially if the leader is compromised. If Lazaran gets the better of me… Vance will kill me, securing his place as alpha—”

“No!” she snapped, trying to push him away, but he held on to her tightly.

“With Vance now patriarch, he can challenge Lazaran for our territory, and kill him without repercussion from the council,” Garrett said, barreling right through her protest. “It’s the only way.”

She hit his chest, needing him to feel the pain his words were causing her. “You can’t just tell me you bonded with me, and want to start a life with me then follow it up with a plan that involves your death!”

“I don’t want to die. But knowing you and my clan will be harmed because of me is worse than death,” he said gently, his voice a purr. “Please, don’t push me away. Not now.”

Angry and afraid, she twisted out his embrace and marched out the back door where she found the bears sitting silently on the porch, their faces masks of hopelessness. She pointed at Vance. “Tell him you won’t do it!”

The man regarded her grimly, but said nothing.

“Dahlia!” Garrett called as he chased her out the door.

“No!” she pushed his hands away.

“Please, baby,” he whimpered. She wanted to hold him close, but she was seething with anger that he would so easily give up his life.

Tears lodged in her sinuses, and she thought her head was going to explode. “We can run.”

Garrett smiled faintly, but shook his head. “They’d hunt us down. There isn’t anywhere we can go where the council wouldn’t find us. But I don’t want you to live a life of fear, always having to watch our backs. I want better for you.”

“I want you safe and alive,” she countered. He pulled her into him and this time she didn’t fight. Pressing her ears against his chest, she focused on the vital thump if his head. “You can’t do this to me.”

“It’s the way things are for us, and I regret getting you caught up in this.” His fingers went through her hair, and she tightened her arms around him. “But I must do what is best for you and the clan.”

Her dream had quickly become a nightmare. She rolled her head against his body, silently denying his plan, but she could admit to herself she didn’t understand their world. Her instinct was to reason with this ‘council’, but they weren’t bound by ordinary human laws. The realization that she was helpless frustrated her, and she pushed him away, then stamped her feet toward the drive way.

“Dahlia? Where are you going?” Garrett asked, his tone heartbreaking.

The sound of shuffling feet followed her all the way to the Cherokee. Yanking the hatch open, she dug through rope, maps and other clutter until she located her backpack. Tossing it around her shoulder, she turned to find the entire clan watching her.

“Where are you going?” Garrett asked, his desperation bleeding through. “Are you leaving me?”

She stopped in her tracks, and tossed him a very stern look, refusing to let his puppy eyes penetrate her defenses. “I’m going to need clothes for the trip.”

He gaped for a moment, then move to cut off her escape. “Dahlia, listen. I think it’s better if you were to stay as far away from there as possible—”

“No. Absolutely no,” she said, jamming her finger into his biceps. “You said being bonded to me gives you strength. So I’m damned well going to stay as close to you as possible, and that includes standing on the sidelines as you destroy that motherfucker. This is not up for debate. I’m coming.”

Garrett had the good sense to look meek, and Dahlia tipped her chin up as she moved around him. As she marched for her yard, the bears scrambled to get out of the way as if she were a raging bear—good, because she was in a volatile mood, and would hate to take it out on them. She was sure they were as torn up about this as she was. Her heart in agony, she grazed the fence post with her hip, catching her pack on a metal link. The sound of fabric ripping sent her cursing as everything spilled across the drive way. A collective gasp stilled her, and she ran her eyes over the bears, their bodies pressed against the fence as if they were afraid.

Frowning, she looked down to find some strewn clothes, a well-worn map, and—her dagger! With everything that had happened, she’d forgotten about it. The dried blood against the ivory of the dagger was striking, and she looked to Garrett for explanation, but he was slowly backing away, his eyes wide with… fear?

“Um… please explain, because I really can’t handle any more surprises right now,” Dahlia said, rubbing her temple.

Garrett’s throat shifted hard and his voice was barely more than a whisper. “Where did you get that?”

Her attention dropped down to the unassuming bone dagger. “I found it a long time ago. Why?”

Bruin dared to take a step forward. “Could it be?” he asked.

After a long minute of silence, Dahlia clapped her hands, pulling their attention to her. “Guys? Please… throw me a bone here. Why are you all cowering like elephants to a mouse?”

Bruin glanced at Garrett, then turned to her. “It is a relic of our past. Only a handful still exist. I had not seen one for many years, not since—”

“I lost the Stone Claw inheritance in the woods the night my father finally died,” Garrett cut in then slid his melting eyes to her. Carefully, he inched around the dagger, and pulled her into his arms as if he needed protection. “We call it
Sigmaht
, an old word for weapon. Because we fight by tooth and claw, that word was used specifically to describe this particular instrument. It is said the sky-people were afraid we would dominate humanity when they left, so they fashioned weapons, and gave them to the greatest of the human tribal leaders to defend themselves against shifters.”

“Rumor is the
Sigmaht
are carved from the rib bones of the sky-people,” Bruin said.

Dahlia looked at the dagger and for the first time, she feared its existence. “Why are you so afraid of it?”

“We are very sturdy, but the
Sigmaht
is capable of doing great damage from a small cut,” Garrett said. “Is this the weapon you used on Lazaran?”

“Yeah. Poked him right in the ass,” she said proudly. “This is perfect! You can use it to kill Lazaran.”

“No. It is forbidden for a shifter to wield it against another shifter,” Garrett said then turned to her. His fingers brushed across her cheek, and his smile turned tender. “But this thing has just guaranteed your life.”

She threw him a questioning look. The turned toward the weapon, and cautiously wrapped his hand around it. With the hem of his shirt, he cleaned the blood from it then offered it to her. Hesitantly, she accepted it, and ran her thumb along the ancient runes carved along the handle—it was weird touching the bone of a god-like being.

That hopelessness eased just a bit, and he smiled as he held her close, his thumb grazing her bottom lip. “I need you to have faith in me. Knowing you support me will give me more strength than any mating-bond.”

She took his hand in his and concentrated on the warmth of his skin. She wanted to knock him out, and drive him as far away from here as possible, but she came to understand if she was going to love him, then she had to love who he was and accept his ways.
Love?
Jesus, yeah she did, and that made this whole thing hurt all the worse.

"Okay,” she said, her voice thin. “But I’m not leaving your side.”

Chapter Thirteen

The gentle rocking motion of the car loosened Garrett’s body, but he’d been unable to sleep. He figured, he’d have plenty of time to rest when he was dead. Right now, he wanted to look at Dahlia. Resting his head atop hers, he pulled the scent of shampoo deep into his lungs, and watched in fascination at the way her hair curled around his finger. Her deep, even breathing let him know she been asleep for a while now, and he was glad she managed to find some peace. He knew she was in pain, and he hated he was the direct cause of her suffering, but he didn’t know what else to do.

I will die a happy man knowing she will live safe and secure.
His mind had swirled for hours, mulling over how she had come across the dagger, and if it were the same one he had lost all those years ago. But with her being in possession of the
Sigmaht
, her life was guaranteed. The Council would not allow a
Sigmaht-bearer
to be harmed.

He tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer, the warmth of her body soaking deep into him, and chasing away the chill of his impending death. He glanced at the passenger side, Vance silent and still as he looked out the window. Garrett knew the male was troubled, but he would keep his oath to see the plan through. As Bruin steered Dahlia’s Cherokee toward their destination, his chocolate eyes flashed in the rearview mirror. The fact was, no one was happy about any of this, but Garrett couldn’t see any other way.

Dahlia stirred in his arms. He watched as her lashes fluttered open, her brows pulling down for a moment as if she were confused about where she was. A weak smile arched over her lips. “Hey. Haven’t you slept at all?”

He shook his head, and brought his hand up to stroke the smooth skin of her cheek. “Too restless to relax.”

She took a deep breath, and dipped her palm under his shirt and spanned the muscles of his torso with a gentle caress. He closed his eyes against the sensation, terrified it might be the last time he ever felt her hands on his body. It wasn’t fair. He finally found his mate, the single female he’d ever love, and he was about to be forcefully separated from her. He could safely say he knew how his father had felt now—that despair, and hopelessness, and the need to do something, anything to keep the one he loved with him. It was a miracle his father had managed to live another year after Mom’s death.

Garrett pressed a kiss on her forehead and concentrated on the sound of her vital heartbeat and the scent of her natural perfume in his nose.
I can do this.
He had to. For his clan, he was willing to die. But for Dahlia, he would fight to his last breath.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t, but I do. It’s crazy and reckless and wild, but I do.”

Her words injected confidence into his system, and his animal rose to the forefront, claws and fangs ready to shred and rip. “What I feel for you goes beyond words. I promise I will do whatever it takes to stay alive.”

She nodded against his chest, and her body shuddered as if she were holding back the tears.

“We’re here,” Bruin announced in a cracked voice.

Everyone stirred, and Dahlia dug her fingers into his skin. As the unassuming barn came into view, Garrett seriously considered making a run for it, not because he was afraid of dying but because he wanted to deny the inevitable. The headlights of the SUV caught the forms of several shifters standing around the entrance, their big bodies and tight expressions exaggerated by the illumination. The Council had chosen a neutral location, one that was on neither clan’s territory, and was remote enough not to draw curious human eyes.

The car came to a stop, and the engine cut off. Dahlia’s heartbeat accelerated, and Garrett scented the salt of her tears. He held her tight as they slipped out of the vehicle, her body molded to his. He wished he could ease her. Bruin and the polar twins put their bodies in front of Garrett’s while Marcus and Jake retrieved Vance’s chair.

“Garrett,” Dahlia croaked.

“It’s okay,” Garrett said, doing his best to reassure her. “It’s going to be okay.”

When everyone was ready, Garrett took a step forward, and the males in front of the barn stood to the side.
They
They looked at him blankly as if they didn’t want to be here. Garrett supposed most of the bears in Lazaran’s clan hadn’t much of a choice. But that didn’t make them any less dangerous.

The inside of the barn was bright with illumination, and shifters of all kinds stood around chatting quietly. It wasn’t uncommon for a dispute to be witnessed by many clans and Garrett recognized members of clans in the area—bear, wolf, cats and even hawks had shown up. A growl caught their attention and Garrett spotted Lazaran standing amongst his clan. His face was twisted by macabre enjoyment, his fangs gnashing. He grinned at Garrett and when his eyes dropped to Dahlia, he lifted his lip up in a snarl.

Garrett held her close while Bruin flanked her vulnerable side in a gesture of protection. She held her own though, her gaze piercing Lazaran—Garrett couldn’t have been more proud.
That’s my female.

“There is some paperwork we need to take care of before the party gets started,” a voice rang out.

The hum of whispers cut off, and Lazaran stepped to the side to reveal a male relaxing against a haystack, a piece of straw sticking out from between his teeth. His cropped black hair was a mess as if he’d just rolled out of bed, and his eerie shark-like eyes did a once over on them. He tapped
a booted foot on the floor, the buckles chiming as if he didn’t want to be here either. A single ring set with a black stone glittered on his finger.

Forcing a lump down his throat, Garrett turned to Dahlia and explained, “This is a representative of our counsel.”

The chimera rose to his seven-foot height, his long leather coat creaking as he moved. He cracked his neck side to side then said, “Nex, if you want to stay on my good side.” He craned his neck to the side to regard it white-haired male holding a clipboard. “Enter into the records that Lazaran Scythe Fang’s accusations concerning human interference is null in void… Or some shit like that.”

Lazaran clearly didn’t like that, his attention shooting to the chimera.

Nex seemed nonplussed, and motioned to Garrett and Dahlia. “The defendant is clearly bonded with the human female. Next complaint.”

The shifter holding the clipboard spoke up as he ran the feather of a quill pen along his chin. “Complainant claims Garrett Stone Claw broke the treaty established by his father, Denton Stone Claw, where Garrett Stone Claw attacked and murdered without justification, a member of the Scythe Fang clan.”

“And what is the defendant’s response?” Nex inquired.

Garrett took a step forward, and spoke clearly but calmly. “Lazaran Scythe Fang’s claims are false. The Stone Claw clan has no treaty with the Scythe Fangs.”

“But there existed one between the Thunder Paws. Since the Thunder Paw clan was absorbed by mine, the treaty should stand, considering the male Garrett Stone Claw murdered was descended from Thunder Paw lineage.” Lazaran grounded out, his smile growing with every word.

Garrett stared him down. “If anyone has been murdered, it is by Lazaran Scythe Claw’s hand, and not mine. This liar invaded my territory, and now seeks to bend the law because his pride was hurt.”

The male growled, his eyes on fire.

The chimera was silent for a long moment, his attention sliding between Garrett and Lazaran. Pursing his lips, he asked, “The complainant is clearly allowed to challenge for territory. In times like these, things can become… Confusing. Whether or not a member of the Scythe Fang clan was murdered, or the complaint is skewing the truth, we arrive at the same conclusion. Lazaran Scythe Fang has challenged Garrett Stone Claw to a dual to settle their differences. Garrett Stone Claw, do you wish to challenge Lazaran Scythe Fang to regain your territory?”

“Yes,” Garrett said, his voice booming.

“Then it is settled. There will be a duel, subject to the normal rules of a territorial dispute.” Next turned to take a seat on the haystack.

“I have some demands,” Garrett spoke up, glancing at Bruin.

The chimera plopped his ass in the straw and sighed, then waved his hand in the air.

“No matter the results of the duel, I request my clan not be held responsible for my actions, and will be allowed to leave unharmed.”

Lazaran spoke up. “Granted. I have no use for these invalids.”

Garrett looked to Vance, and the male nodded. The Kodiak had always been underestimated due to his disability and the plan depended on Lazaran dismissing him as a non-threat. Returning his attention to Nex, Garrett took a step forward, pulling Dahlia with him. “I ask that my mate, Dahlia Ann Pinski, be spared and allowed to live her life in the event of my death, unharmed.”

The councilman looked to Lazaran. “The Council sees no problem with this, but it is Lazaran Scythe Fang’s decision.”

“Mates share the same fate,” he said, clearly enjoying the possibility of killing Dahlia.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Garrett looked to Dahlia and nodded. She bit her lip then withdrew the dagger from her pocket, and held it up for everyone to see. Gasps filtered through the crowd and some even took a step back. Lazaran seemed shocked by its existence, and his hand cradled his thigh as if he remembered what it felt like to have the
Sigmaht
pierce him.

Nex didn’t balk, or attempt to put distance between him and the weapon. His brows did go up, however. “I did hear rumors that a
Sigmaht
resided in the possession of the Stone Claws. Please enter into the record its existence and location for the council’s books. In light of this discovery, the bearer, Dahlia Ann Pinski, mate of Garrett Stone Claw, will not be harmed, and granted full protection. Let it be known if the council’s will is broken, the offender shall suffer immensely.”

Lazaran had the intelligence to step away from the councilman, and looked down in submission, but he clearly wasn’t happy about being restricted from killing Dahlia.

“If that is all and let us begin. Does anyone have any other demands?”

Heads bounced around in speculation, and Garrett looked between his bears, their expressions troubled but they nodded their approval. He dropped his eyes to Dahlia, and focused on all that golden hair and kind, deep eyes that looked at him with love. He could see her mind working, wanting to drive him far away from here, but he couldn’t run from this. His saving grace was she would be protected by the council itself. Lazaran might be a motherfucker, but he wouldn’t risk their wrath. He tipped her chin up, and pressed his lips against his, tasting tears and love. Stepping away from her was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

Bruin nodded and gathered Dahlia into his arms. Garrett looked to Vance, who was sitting deathly still in his chair, his expression grim. “Thank you.”

The bear nodded.

Turning his attention to Lazaran, he cleared his mind of everything but his opponent. He needed to focus on Lazaran, on the instinct and the protective desire inside. Lazaran pumped his chest, his massive bulk stretching, and his eyes glowed with an evil Garrett had never seen—this man deserved to die. And Garrett wanted to be the one to kill him. How many lives had been destroyed because of his lust for death, and how many would be spared if Garrett succeeded?

****

Dahlia fell into Bruin’s warmth and strength. She wasn’t sure she could stand on her own. She looked to the councilman, silently pleading for him to step up and stop this barbaric game, but he watched on with disinterest, that straw vibrating between his lips. As Garrett stepped into the center of the area, Dahlia’s muscles tensed in preparation to defend him with her dagger. During the drive, she had tried to find a loophole in their laws, considering using the dagger against Lazaran. Bruin had explained that despite her being human, she was mated to a shifter, and considered a part of the ‘singular unit’, therefore unable to use the dagger against another shifter.

“Have faith in him,” Bruin said tightening his grip around her. “I do. When his father’s clan dismantled, I followed Garrett because I believed he was the man his father was.”

She shook her head but didn’t move. Bruin was right— she needed to believe Garrett would be victorious. If she doubted him, he would doubt himself.
Be strong,
she told herself. As the men took their positions, Garrett glanced back at her, a smile on his lips. His eyes were filled with so much love, she thought she’d burn up.

She put all her strength into smiling back. “Kick his ass, baby.”

Her words had the effect desired, his expression brightening into male confidence. His eyes lightened to that glowing orange as if the animal had awaked to the challenge. He turned his back to her, and flexed his body, his muscles bulging.
That’s my bear,
she thought.

Dahlia watched as a woman with heavily mascaraed eyes helped Lazaran out of his shirt, her cold gaze flicking to Dahlia as if she were going to enjoy watching Lazaran destroyed another.
There’s someone out there for everyone,
Dahlia mused to herself. Still, she didn’t appreciate the bitch gloating over another’s death so casually. Dahlia was tempted to march right up to her, and smack that smile off her face.