Page 85 of Bear Facts

Not tricky, her wolf told her. Love.

Freya couldn’t banish the voice, but hope gave her both strength and more fear. Joy was wonderful, but heartbreak could hover close behind.

She pushed those thoughts aside as she and Shane dressed again after a last, lingering kiss. By tacit agreement they headed home, hand in hand. Shane’s very large bed awaited them there, and more moonlight.

Shane took his time walking with Freya back to civilization, or at least to the cluster of houses they called home. She snuggled into his side, and he kept his arm firmly around her.

They didn’t speak. They didn’t need to. Afterglow and mate bond conveyed everything between them.

Brody exited from the back door of Shane’s house as they approached. “There you are, bro.” He took in Shane and Freya entwined, and a grin spread across his face. “Now, what were you two doing out there?”

Shane’s mood couldn’t be broken by his nosy little brother. “None of your business,” he said with good humor.

“It will be my business when there’s cubs running around. Uncle Brody will always be babysitting, won’t he?” He sounded delighted at the prospect.

“Jumping the gun a little,” Shane said but anticipation flickered inside him. Freya, cubs, a home full of laughter. Exactly what he needed.

“Come on.” Instead of heading into the house, Brody started off toward Eric’s. “They’re waiting.”

Freya paused in surprise. “Why?” she asked. “What’s up?”

“Althea, the mercenary lady, came to visit,” Brody said. “She’s got news. Eric wants you and Freya to hear it.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Althea Webster, cool in a black business suit with her sleek hair in place, high-heeled boots on her feet, sat in an armchair in Eric’s living room. Two bodyguards stood behind her. One was human, the other was the Feline, Ewan.

Ewan bared his teeth in what was meant to be a smile when Freya walked in with Shane behind Brody. Freya ignored him, but Shane moved to block Ewan’s view of her.

Freya still thrummed from what she and Shane had done against that wall, when he’d broken through her barriers so thoroughly she could never raise them again. He’d offered her both freedom and the wild happiness of being with him, and Freya knew she was succumbing not only to him but her own desires.

Her wolf made a satisfied growl, the Lupine within her smug.

To Freya’s surprise, Keira sat at the table in the dining area of the room, flanked by Rae, Cassidy, and Iona. She was obviously nervous but wore a determined look, as though telling herself not to flee.

Matt and Kyle played a game with square blocks on the floor near Keira’s feet. While many human children their age were already immersed in online gaming, Matt and Kyle seemed to find the wooden blocks endlessly fascinating.

Cassidy’s mate, Diego, and his brother, Xav, leaned watchfully on either side of the kitchen doorway. Freya saw the bulge of a taser in Xav’s belt. Zander was also there, sharing a sofa with Eric, the two of them competing for who could appear to be the most relaxed.

Neal Ingram had parked himself in a corner of the dining room, as though watching over Keira and the cubs. Freya noted that Keira carefully did not look at him.

Nell, Cormac, and Brody filled the rest of the space, but remained standing, as did Shane and Freya.

Graham was not there, and Eric offered no explanation for his absence.

Althea gave Freya a severe once-over, disapproval in her eyes. For what? Freya wondered. Letting Shane spirit her away from their meeting? Or for obviously just finishing making wild love to him?

“Nice to see you again, Ms. Webster,” Shane said. He gave Ewan a hard stare then ignored him.

Ewan emitted a low growl, which cut off when Althea raised her fingers ever so slightly.

Eric crossed his booted feet at the ankles. “She’s come a long way because her news is important. I’ll let her tell us all.”

Althea clearly was used to being the one in charge of a meeting, but she remained cool as she began.

“I had a visit from your friend Dylan the other night, as you know. I told him then that a rival had defeated my men in a battle, but I didn’t know who directed it. Yesterday, there was another battle between two private armies, though mine wasn’t involved. One of the groups was wiped out. The entire army, I mean. Soldiers ripped to shreds.”

The room went quiet. Eric was the only one without shock on his face, as he’d already heard the story, but rage flickered his eyes.

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