Bearly Consenting: Russet Falls Series (5 page)

Avery opened her mouth to agree, but a loud cracking sound
filled the air and suddenly Drew yelled “Look out!” before shoving her hard to
the ground.

Avery cried out in both shock and pain as she hit the dirt.

A split second later a tree fell on the exact spot where she
had just been sitting seconds ago.

“Oh my god!” she cried, jumping up. “Drew!”

She scrambled over the tree that now laid across their rock,
and with a  sigh of relief she saw Drew getting up from the ground on the other
side.

It was hard to read his face.

“Are you okay?” he nearly growled.

Avery remembered this part of Drew—whenever he became angry
he nearly shifted.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you. You save me, Drew,” she said
in a shaky voice. Drew still looked upset, and she reached out to him. “Hey,
it’s alright. Calm down,” she said softly, “I’m fine.” She paused. “Are you
alright?”

He nodded. “I’m fine.” He pulled her close to him and at
first she froze, thinking he was going to kiss her, but then she realized that
he was examining her to make sure she was okay.

Annoyed, she pulled her arm from his grasp. “Really, Drew.
I’m fine.” She took a deep breath. “You saved me.” She looked back to the tree
now covering the rock. “Thank god you acted so fast,” she said, shaking her
head in disbelief. She didn’t want to think about what could have happened if
Drew hadn’t acted so quickly.

Drew was looking around the woods as if he was expecting
someone to jump out at them.

“Come on,” he said, pulling her by the hand. “Let’s get out
of here.”

Chapter Seven

Drew didn’t bother knocking but burst through the door
instead.

“Where are you?” he called angrily, feeling the vein
throbbing in his forehead. If he didn’t control himself he would shift right
here in the living room.

“Seraphina!” he bellowed, feeling the ripple of his bear
across his body.

“What?” She asked sourly, appearing in the doorway and
crossing her arms in front of her. She looked both beautiful and evil at the
same time.

“What the hell are you playing at?” he yelled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said
innocently, “And I don’t appreciate you bursting into my house like this. It’s
a good thing that Ryker isn’t home.”

“You’re damn right it’s a good thing Ryker isn’t home,” Drew
growled, stalking up to her. She stood, unnerved, staring him square in the
eyes. “Because I don’t give a shit what he knows or doesn’t know.”

“Watch yourself,” she warned, her voice cool and icy. “If
you want to hang with the big dogs, then you need to act like one.”

“Fuck you!” he spat.

Seraphina blinked and Drew found himself flying backwards
across the room, before slamming hard into the wall and falling to the ground.

He lay on the ground, panting, trying to catch his breath
and figure out what the hell had just happened. Seraphina walked coolly towards
him, her long braid swishing as she moved.

“Don’t question me again,” she whispered, “I don’t know what
you’re accusing me of, but you need to watch yourself.”

Drew scrambled up, giving her a dirty look. He knew she was
powerful but that was the first time she had proved her physical strength. And
it only solidified what he believed she had done out by the lake.

“That tree,” he told her, his voice deadly quiet, “I know it
was you.” He stared at her, but she didn’t blink. “So, you won’t admit it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said slowly.
“But perhaps you should spend some time with Jade.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Jade!” she called, and a moment later Jade came hurrying into the room.

She was dressed in a short black skirt and a tight grey
sweater. Drew rolled his eyes; he didn’t have time for games.

“Jade, be a dear and see if Drew needs anything else. If
not, you can see him out.”

“This isn’t over,” Drew warned softly. Now that he had seen
Avery again, and knew that she lived in the same city, he wasn’t about to let
her go a second time.

“Oh, it’s over,” Seraphina assured him, “It never even
began.” And with that she stalked out of the room.

Jade waited until her mother left and then she hurried over
to Drew. “Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked softly, reaching out
to touch his arm.

“I’m fine,” Drew snapped, yanking his arm back from her
touch.

Jade shot him a nasty look. Then her entire face changed and
she smiled seductively at him. “Are you
sure
, Drew?” she asked again.

“Positive,” he said coldly, moving towards the front door.

Jade rushed to catch up with him. “Let me help you with the
door.” She pulled the front door open, smiling again and sticking her chest out
towards him.

“I’m not interested, Jade,” he said flatly.

She gave a small shrug. “Not interested now.”

“Not ever.” He wanted to make himself perfectly clear.

Jade didn’t seem swayed. “If you say so.”

Drew stalked out of the house and down the drive.

Fuming, he got into the car wishing he hadn’t been so naïve
and foolish when Seraphina had first approached him seven years ago.

Drew had been surprised that Seraphina, the alpha’s wife,
had wanted to see him. Perhaps Ryker, the new alpha, had him in mind for more
work within the protection services of the tribe. Drew and Avery had a plan to
be together, and Drew was hoping that he would be able to move up within the
tribe’s protection ranks. Those jobs were well respected and coveted.

Drew frowned to himself. He had been a bit disheartened
by some of the policies and procedures within the protection services, though.
His tribe was known for its cruelty, something his father had no problem with,
but it as hard for Drew to act accordingly; it felt wrong.

The alpha’s house was large, much larger than Drew’s own
house, and it was beautiful from the outside. The lawn was manicured and
landscaped—people who cared lived here.

Nervously, Drew stepped up to the stoop and rang the
doorbell. He heard footsteps from within, and then Seraphina answered.

Drew stood there in the doorway, gaping.

He had seen Seraphina from a distance, but not up close. 
She looked so young! She had long, flowing black locks that hung to the middle
of her chest, and big, round green eyes. Her eyes were so bright, that Drew
found it hard to look away.

She was dressed in worn jeans, and a simple floral shirt
that hugged her body perfectly without being too risqué. She was barefoot, and
her toenails were a bright shade of pink.

“Drew,” she said warmly, “it’s so nice to see you.
Please, come in.”

Drew gave her a little smile, and was glad he had worn
one of his nicer shirts. He stepped into the house.

“Follow me,” she said kindly, and Drew followed her down
the hall, admiring the inside of the home.

The inside was just as beautiful and well taken care of
as the outside. Seraphina led him down the hall and then into a bright, sunny
kitchen.

“Have a seat,” she motioned to the table where a plate of
chocolate chip cookies awaited. They must have been freshly baked because the
sweet aroma filled the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked
sweetly. “Milk? Lemonade? Iced tea?”

Already it was a far cry from Drew’s home.

There were never freshly baked goods.

Ever.

And Drew was never offered anything to drink.

He always had to get it himself.

“Milk, please,” he said politely, sitting down carefully
in a chair.

“Of course.” She moved lithely to the fridge, poured a
tall glass of cold milk and placed it in front of Drew. “Help yourself.” She
placed a sunny yellow dish in front of him, and handed him a cloth napkin.

“Thank you.” He reached for a cookie and set it on his
plate. He suddenly felt like a small child. Seraphina smiled and nodded
encouragingly at him, and he picked up the cookie and took a bite.

He closed his eyes as sweetness exploded over his tongue,
and he savored the gooey baked good. He took his time chewing, enjoying every
morsel and then he wiped at his mouth when he was finished.

“Good?” she asked.

“Delicious,” he concurred.

She nodded and smiled. She pulled out the chair across
from him and sat down. “Please have as many as you like,” she said motioning to
the plate. “Jade is only allowed a few.”

Drew had no idea who Jade was. Seraphina glanced towards
the door and he followed her gaze. There, hiding in the shadows, was a young
girl who looked to be about ten or eleven. She was pretty with eyes similar to
her mother’s, though not as bright. She smiled shyly at Drew, pulling her hand
nervously through her ponytail.

“Go play in your room, Jade,” Seraphina told her and the
girl scampered off.

Drew took another cookie and bit into it.

“I asked you to come over Drew because I’ve been watching
you for some time now.”

Confused, Drew put his cookie down and took a sip of his
milk. “You mean, I’m not here for something regarding the protection services?”

Seraphina waved her hand. “Oh no. Ryker doesn’t even know
that I invited you over.”

Drew nodded, feeling somewhat deflated. What in the world
could Seraphina want from him? His hopes of some important request of him faded
quickly.

“Now, what I have in mind is much better than something
Ryker could offer you,” she said quietly.

Drew highly doubted that, but he waited politely for her
to finish.

“You’re smart,” Seraphina said, “Too smart for a silly
little job in this clan. The only problem is that you don’t have the support
behind you.”

Drew picked up his cookie again and started chewing. He
had to admit that he was intrigued.

“As I said, I’ve been watching you. And I’ve seen what
you can do—how your brain works. And I have a bit of a business on the side,
something that I keep very private, and I’m looking for someone not unlike
yourself who could help me with things.”

“What kind of business?” he asked immediately.

“I’ll get to that,” she smiled. “Your family doesn’t have
much money, do they?” she asked directly.

Self-consciously, Drew pulled at his shirt.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Seraphina said, “There’s
nothing wrong with the way you look,” she gave him a strange smile, was it
seductive? “In fact, I would say it’s safe to call you handsome.”

Drew shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“How would you like to be wealthy?” she asked, changing
the subject, her eyes shining brightly. “To be able to have anything money
could buy? To never worry about what you could afford. To have the best
clothing, eat at the best restaurants, live in a home that only others could
dream about? Does that appeal to you?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said quickly.

She shuddered slightly. “Oh, Drew, I am much too young to
be called ma’am, you just call me Seraphina, agreed?”

“Yes. Of course.” He felt slightly embarrassed.

She swept her hand in front of the two of them, as if she
were painting a picture. “Imagine success, wealth, respect. Having it
all
.
I can do that for you. I can help you have it all.”

“How?”

“By helping me. As I said, I have a bit of business and I
need someone that I can trust. And that person will be rewarded more greatly
than they could ever imagine.” She held her hand up. “Of course don’t get me
wrong. Success does not come without hard work, and hard work is what to be
expected of you.” She paused. “And I need a fast learner, and from what I’ve
seen, you seem to be just the kind of person that I’m looking for.”

Drew was flattered.

Extremely flattered.

Yet, it all seemed a little too good to be true.

“What’s the catch?” he asked warily.

Seraphina gave him a wide smile, though it didn’t quite
reach her eyes. “Smart boy,” she sang. “You’re right. There is always a catch.”
She paused again, somewhat dramatically this time. “The catch is that you have
to do as I say.” She raised her eyebrows. “Seems simple enough, yes?”

Drew hesitated. “I suppose so.”

She motioned for him to take another cookie and he did.

They were just so damn good.

He bit into the moist cookie and chewed as he considered
her proposition. Imagine what he and Avery could have if Drew accepted what
Seraphina was offering. And she was right, he was a quick study. He could
learn, and he certainly had the drive to better himself. He would be willing to
put in the hours if it would mean more for him and Avery.

He imagined the type of ring he would be able to buy
Avery, and the type of home they would share. Avery was not the kind of girl
who wanted to stay home and take care of the house, but at least she would have
the option. She could pursue her own desires and dreams without having to worry
about income.

Drew smiled to himself—he could give Avery everything she
could ever dream to have—at least that’s how Seraphina had made it sound.

“And—and if I do this—I will have all those things you
mentioned?” he asked. “Wealth? Success? A nice home? If I work hard, and do as
you say? Learn your business?”

“Yes, all of those things,” she promised. “And more.”

Drew sat there, thinking it over.

“And the only catch is that I have to do as you ask?”

“Yes.”

It seemed an easy choice. He didn’t even need to think
about it.

“Okay.” He agreed. “I’ll do it.”

“Really?” she asked happily. “You don’t want some time to
go home and think it over?”

He thought about going directly to Avery’s house to share
the good news. She was only a few months from graduating and this would be
perfect.

“No, I don’t need any time to think it over. I’m sure.”

She clapped her hands together and jumped up from the
table. “Wonderful!” she exclaimed. “Then all I need you to do is to sign a
small piece of paper for me.” She hurried over to one of the drawers and began
rifling through it.