Page 26 of Bear Facts

Cormac headed for the front door and out, a cold draft blowing through the living room before he was gone.

“This is our territory,” Shane explained as Freya took another swallow of coffee. “Mine, my mom’s, Brody’s, and Cormac’s. Even though Graham’s arrogant and alpha, he knows better than to annoy a bunch of cranky bears.”

Freya at last looked up from her coffee. “I hope you’re right,” she said in a hushed voice.

She must be imagining Graham on the doorstep, backed by his mangy Lupines, demanding Shane and Nell turn Freya over to him. Graham might have tried something like that when he’d first arrived in this Shiftertown, but he’d learned that it was in his best interest to keep the peace.

“Graham can’t enforce pack law if Eric and my mom say no,” Shane continued. “The fact that you’re in Graham’s pack doesn’t mean he wields absolute power over you. Maybe in the old days, but things are different now.”

Freya didn’t agree, that was clear. If she’d left before Shifter Bureau had locked Graham’s Lupines into their Shiftertown, she’d have no idea what Shifters had been forced to concede in order to survive. Even Graham had figured out that the old ways didn’t work anymore.

Also, Eric wasn’t a dickhead and would never give a scared female over to Graham against her will. Neither would Nell.

And even if they’d wanted to, Shane wouldn’t let them.

There was a bright flash and a rush of air outside the front door, the wind chimes jangling. Freya jerked her head up. Next came silence, followed by a polite knock.

“Come on in, Reid,” Shane called.

The door opened a crack, and Stuart Reid peered in, his unnerving dark eyes like windows to a starless night. “They’re going. You two all right?”

“Yep,” Shane told him. “We’re good.”

Reid, a tall, lean man with wiry strength, entered the house. His dark hair was mussed, his rangy form hugged by jeans and a windbreaker against the January breeze.

Freya went rigid, her nostrils flaring as she caught Reid’s scent.

“Not Fae,” Reid said immediately, in the tone of someone weary of explaining himself. “Dokk alfar. Long story.”

Reid hated Fae more than Shifters did. They’d destroyed his home and family and banished him for centuries. He’d finally managed to get back to Faerie recently and, with the help of Peigi, had kicked some Fae ass, which he’d enjoyed.

“The mercenaries are gone,” Reid told Shane. “Eric explained to them that your friend here was off limits, and that they weren’t welcome in Shiftertown. They didn’t argue. Just drove off.” He sounded surprised.

“Their leader probably decided dealing with all of us wasn’t worth the trouble,” Shane said. “She seemed like a smart ice queen.”

“I’m sorry, Shane,” Freya said with sincerity. “I didn’t mean to bring this to your doorstep.” Some fire returned to her eyes. “Of course, if you hadn’t followed me and then half-kidnapped me, they wouldn’t know where you live now.”

“Like hell I was letting them take you,” Shane returned. “I got a bad feeling about them, and you did too.”

“Yes.” Freya’s jaw tightened. “But I have a worse feeling now. You brought me to a Shiftertown.”

Reid listened with interest. “I can see you two have a lot to discuss. Shane’s right, though,” he said to Freya. “Shiftertowns are safe places in which to hide from humans. Ironic, but true. Do you want Peigi to come over?” He directed the question to Shane.

“Peigi,” Freya repeated. “Shane said she was another bear.”

“She is,” Reid answered. “And now my mate. She can assure you this is the best place to be, if you still have doubt.”

“Oh, I have a lot of doubts,” Freya stated with a nod of her head.

“Maybe later,” Shane said to Reid. “She needs to meet my family first.”

Reid gave him one of his fleeting smiles. “I get it. I’ll leave you to it, then.” He turned for the door.

“The conventional way,” Shane said quickly.

Reid rarely laughed, but he chuckled now and walked out the door, closing it before he stepped off the porch and walked away. Shane heard his dry laughter recede along with his footsteps.

“He can teleport,” Shane said once he was gone. “Really creepy when you first see it.”

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