Bear Naked (Halle Shifters) (18 page)

He nodded. “We can walk you home after if you like.”

“I like.” Chloe snapped her fingers. “Can you hold on for a sec? I want to talk to Cyn about getting another tattoo.”

Ryan frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Mm-hm. I even know what I want.”

“What are you thinking of getting?”

“An open window.” Chloe pulled a wrinkled, folded picture out of her pocket. “See, a lot of doors have closed for me.”

Glory clapped. “But when a door closes—”

“Somewhere a window opens.” Chloe grinned. “I knew you’d get it.”

“Show the pic to Heather too.” The part-timer had come in after lunch to work the evening shift. “I bet she can really make it shine.”

Chloe nodded and, while Glory finished closing her station, chatted with Cyn and Heather about exactly what she wanted.

“I like seeing her smile.” Ryan watched his sister with an indulgent smile. “I like even more that she’s looking at the positive again.”

“I’m betting she’s plotting how to get Jim Woods to mate with her.” Glory didn’t understand how anyone could turn down the cute, bubbly Fox. Even with the odd quirks her injuries had given her, she rarely let herself get down. Only when she was exhausted could you tell that her mate’s absence weighed on her. The veterinarian Chloe had fallen for before she’d been attacked was playing hard to get. “She still looks tired, though.”

Ryan nodded. “I think that’s always going to be true. She tires easily these days, and the shakes in her left hand will never go away.”

“Any idea what she’s going to do now?”

“I think she’s going to try and continue working in veterinary medicine, but maybe as a vet tech instead of an actual vet. I don’t know what her options are, and she’s still looking into it.”

“You guys ready to go?” Chloe bounced over to them, but the spring in her step was muted compared to the way she’d been before she’d been beaten.

“You want Frank’s Diner?”

“Let me think. The best burgers in Halle, or anyplace else?” Chloe walked over to the door and threw it open. “What are you two baiting for?”

Glory laughed and grabbed her jacket. “I think someone is hungry.”

“No, really?” Ryan stepped out the door before either of the women, taking deep breaths. It took Glory a moment to realize that Ryan was scenting the air for the Wolf who’d attacked them. “Coast is clear.”

“Bye, Cyn. See you tomorrow, Heather.”

Both women waved good-bye and continued cleaning their own stations. Glory could hear them discussing Chloe’s new tattoo as the door shut behind her.

“Chloe?”

Ryan stiffened next to her, but it was Chloe’s gasp that had her stepping between the Fox and whoever had spoken her name.

Chloe immediately moved past Glory, a hesitant smile on her face. “Jim.”

Oh. So this was Dr. Jim Woods, the veterinarian Chloe had fallen in love with. He was pretty damn good looking, with his wavy blond hair and bright hazel eyes, broad shoulders and broader grin. He looked genuinely pleased to see Chloe…

…until he saw the way she was clutching Ryan’s arm. Then his expression closed off, became cold. “It’s good to see you’re up and moving around.”

Chloe whimpered. “It’s good to pee you too.”

Jim frowned. “Pee?”

Even in the dim light of the street lamp Glory could see the way Chloe’s cheeks went bright red. “I mean tee.”

“Chloe?” Jim took a step toward her, but stopped when Ryan growled. “Wait. I know you.” The cold expression changed, warmed. “You’re Ryan Williams, right?”

“Yup.”

Oh shit. Glory knew that tone of voice. Ryan was pissed about something. She needed to head this off at the pass or the good doctor might find himself in chunky pieces. “Hi. I’m Glory Walsh, Ryan’s girlfriend.”

She blinked as Ryan’s arm snaked around her waist. “Yup. Mine.”

“Uh. Good for you?” Jim Woods winked at her, earning a small growl from Ryan. Jim checked his watch and grimaced. “Well. I need to get going. I’m meeting someone for dinner.”

Jim either didn’t see the way Chloe’s face fell, or he chose to ignore it. “Oh.” A weak smile crossed her lips. “May I gum visit the hospital and tree the animals?”

Jim eyed her for a moment, and Glory found herself holding her breath. She wanted him to say yes in the worst way. The hope in Chloe was almost tangible.

Slowly, he nodded. “I think it will be all right.”

Chloe grinned. “Tanks.”

Again, Jim seemed startled. Didn’t he know about Chloe’s affliction? Hadn’t anyone filled the vet in on the extent of her injuries? “You’re welcome.” He looked past them and tsk’d. “But I really have to get going now. Be careful on the way home, okay?” And with a cheery wave he strode past them, calling out a woman’s name as he went.

Chloe let off a strange half yip, half bark before covering her mouth with her bad hand. “Sorry.”

“I swear I’m going to bite that fucker. Maybe if he feels the mating urge he’ll finally get off his ass and come claim you.” Ryan grimaced. “And I really don’t want to think of my baby sister getting claimed, but I’m tired of seeing you miserable.”

“It’s my salt.” Chloe looked ready to cry. “I didn’t realize cow my relationship with Gabe hooked until it was already too rate.”

From what Glory had seen in that brief second before Jim’s expression had closed off, Jim had been jealous as hell at the sight of Chloe leaning on another man. “Maybe you should explain it to him?”

“I lied once, but he didn’t want to ear it.” Chloe began walking, her pace slow. She took a deep breath, obviously trying to get her emotions back under control. When she spoke again, she chose to do so slowly, sounding out each word. “He honestly thought Gabe and I were baiting, and then Gabe got together with Sarah and I was attacked while Jim was out of town.”

“He didn’t come back, not even once, to check on her.”

She could hear the anger in Ryan’s voice. “Maybe he couldn’t.” Glory shrugged when the siblings both looked at her. “If it was work related, he might not have been able to get away.”

“Hmph.” Ryan was less than impressed.

“I understand, mostly. He doesn’t feel the mating wool the way I do.”

“Which is why I want to bite his ass.” Ryan held up his hands in a pleading gesture. “Just one little bite? I promise to only maul him slightly.”

Chloe laughed. “No.”

“But—”

“No, Ryan. Let me figure out a way to get out of my own mess.”

“I agree.” Glory patted Ryan’s arm, hoping to soothe her savage beast. “Remember how you felt when that Wolf bit me?”

Ryan snarled, then huffed out a defeated breath. “Fine. Okay. I get it. I won’t bite his ass.” He shot his sister a look that Glory was glad the Fox couldn’t see. She was willing to bet her favorite piercing needle that Dr. Jim Woods was going to meet an angry Bear in the very near future. She was sure of it when he muttered under his breath, “Yet.”

Chapter Twelve

It had been three days since the attacks on Ryan and Glory. Three days during which they’d heard nothing, not even from Barney. Ryan was slowly going out of his mind even as he quietly moved Glory into his apartment. Thank fuck Bunny understood, because his cousin had been instrumental in getting Glory’s things packed and over to Ryan’s.

Tabby still hadn’t noticed that her old apartment key was missing. Once she did, she’d spill the beans to Glory and there’d be hell to pay.

But for now, Ryan was simply enjoying the fact that within the next week or two his mate would be a permanent part of his home, whether she knew it or not. Now all he had to do was find her father, find her stalker, make sure her brother and sister were on the up-and-up and get his ass trained as a Hunter before he did something irrevocably stupid, like get himself or his mate dead.

Too bad the man who’d come all the way to Halle to do just that had fucking disappeared on him. Not even Gabe could find the other Hunter, and Sarah, the Pride Omega, seemed blind to his presence.

So it was with some surprise that Ryan woke to the sound of voices in his living room. One held the sweet tones of his mate, making him smile as he stretched.

It didn’t take him long to figure out who the other voice belonged to.

“Shit.” Ryan rolled onto his back and dragged his hand over his face. “Why does he come over here so god-damn early?” He rolled out of bed to his feet, ready to confront the man who kept barging into his home.

“Hey, Ryan.” Barney poked his head into Ryan and Glory’s bedroom and waved. “Your mate’s making me breakfast.”

Ryan snarled.

Barney merely grinned. “She’s cute, like a Polly Pocket. I’m thinking of tucking her in my jacket and carrying her home.”

“Shouldn’t you be saying that about your own mate?”

“Pfft. I put her in my pocket and she’ll bite my balls off.” Barney winked. “But
your
mate is making me bacon. Can I keep her?”

Ryan slammed the bathroom door shut, ignoring Barney’s bark of laughter. Glory hadn’t made
him
breakfast yet. She usually made him pick up breakfast sandwiches from Frank’s. So why was she making it for the pain in the ass Hunter?

When he was finally dressed and ready to face Barney he headed into his tiny kitchen, stopping short at the sight of Barney and Glory chatting and laughing together with ease. “So you’re okay with it?”

Glory grinned and handed Barney a plate of bacon and eggs. “Sounds good to me.”

“Excellent.” Barney moaned happily as he bit into the bacon. “This is good. Marry me?”

Glory blushed and turned back to the stove.

She
blushed
.

Ryan wondered if his mate would like a new bearskin rug.

“Good morning, Ryan.”

It mollified him a little when his mate walked over and kissed him on the chin. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Ignoring the asshole sitting at his dinette set eating his food, Ryan claimed Glory’s lips in a kiss that heated his blood and hardened his cock. He wanted to take her back to the bedroom and mark her again, prove to the world that this incredible woman was his.

“Knock it off, I’m trying to eat over here.”

Ryan snarled. “What the fuck do you want, Barney?”

“To train you.” Barney waggled his brows as he stuffed his face with some toast. “It’s time.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Glory, the dazed expression she’d had just a second before fading away, went back into the kitchen. “How do you want your eggs, Ryan?”

“Over easy?”

“Got it.” She broke four eggs into the pan and began making his breakfast.

“What does the training entail?” Ryan settled at the dinette table and tried not to watch the way Glory danced around the kitchen. It was hard to keep his attention away from his beautiful mate.

He needed to look into buying a house in Halle. He could afford it. Hell, maybe Glory had something in mind. They could even pick something between where Tabby and Bunny had moved to and where Julian and Cyn lived if it made her feel more comfortable. He wanted his family close by, but her connection to Cyn was so close she’d probably be more comfortable living near the Kodiak.
 

Anything his mate wanted was fine by him. He would find a way to make it happen, even if he had to borrow money from his parents to get it done.

Glory could use some happy in her life, and Ryan was just the Bear to deliver it.

“Normally, I’d be taking you to different terrains, teaching you how to track and capture, or kill, each type of shifter.” Barney’s voice drifted over Ryan, but he barely paid attention. He was too busy watching his mate’s ass as she bent over to pull the butter and bread from the fridge. “But since you refuse to leave Halle, and the Senate has declared these to be special circumstances—”

“What?” Ryan whipped around to stare at Barney in shock, his mate’s backside forgotten. “What kind of special circumstances? Is this because I won’t leave my mate?”

“It has nothing to do with you, Ryan, and everything to do with Julian and your sister.” Barney grinned. “Did you think we didn’t know about Chloe?”

Shit. He needed to head the man off. “Leave my sister alone.”

Barney calmly ate another bite of toast.

“Barney.” If he had to, there’d be one less Hunter in the world. Chloe was never going to be hurt again, not if Ryan had any say in it. His sister had been through enough.

“Look. I’m not the one who calls the shots.” Barney shot Glory a glance. “If I had my way, your ass would be in Montana right now, and unmated, for the next six months.” He shrugged, ignoring the spoon Glory dropped on the floor. “But it’s not. I’m here to train you, yes, but I’m also here to observe Julian and Chloe.” Barney smiled, and for the first time Ryan understood the man really was a Hunter. The look was grim, vicious, and Ryan almost shivered at the menace in it. “And I’m not happy that you tried to hide the fact that your sister is a white Fox from me.”

“What would you do if it was your sister, Barney? Hmm? She nearly
died
.” Ryan still had nightmares about the time when none of them thought she’d wake up. “She’s linked to Julian because he had to do something to wake her up, something on so deep a level they’re telepathically bonded now. She has trouble speaking and her hands don’t work right, and she’s had to give up every single damn dream she’s ever had. What would you do if it was your sister?”