Page 38 of Cuddles for the Bear
“Blend in. Don’t draw attention to yourself. How in heaven’s name are you going to explain all this? Somehow, and correct me if I’m wrong, but you wrecking a hotel room is likely to draw more attention than me going out in Flint’s rainbow sneakers.” He pointed down at his shoes. “Nobody said a word about them while I was out.”
The big bear hung his head, although Wren noticed he was still watching Wren closely.
“It was partially my fault,” Storm admitted, hopping off the small counter that was miraculously still upright and tucking Pax under his arm. “I might have made one teeny joke about you possibly wearing a tracker or something similar, meaning you could’ve been abducted again, and things went downhill from there.”
Wren’s mouth dropped open in shock. “How could you say something like that? That’s akin to…to…” He racked his brain trying to think of the worst thing he could think of. “That would be like telling Pax the bakery had run out of donuts. You wouldn’t say something like that as a joke.”
“If he tried to do something like that, I’d hang him by his ball sack from the ceiling,” Pax said fiercely. “No one should ever joke about donuts.”
“And no one should joke about a fated mate being abducted either,” Wren said just as firmly. “Unless there’s proof it actually happened – and even then, it wouldn’t be a joke. Honestly, your assassin humor needs some work.”
The bear whined and as everyone seemed to be standing around, apparently unsure of what happened next, Wren decided it was up to him to make another decision. Turning to Python, he asked, “Can you call Cyrus for me, please?”
“Sure.” Python pulled out his phone from impossibly tight pants and clicked his screen. “Hey, babe, yes. Everything’s fine. Wren wanted to talk to you for a minute.” He handed the phone over.
Inhaling, Wren put the phone to his ear. He’d never used one before. “Cyrus?”
“Oh, Wren, I’m so glad you’re all right. Everyone was super worried when we got Devon’s call this morning.”
“I’m fine. I just decided to go out for breakfast.” Glancing over at Bear, he added, “I appreciate everyone coming out to find me. I’m really grateful you’ve all made me feel so welcome. That is more special than any of you could know. However, from this moment on, if the agency, or anyone else, wants to know anything about my past, present, or future, could you please speak to me about it?
“You put my bear in an impossible position, and while I understand it’s him that works for the agency, and not me, and you and he have been friends a lot longer than you’ve known me, I’d feel so much better if I knew the men in the Alley all realized I was an adult and capable of making my own decisions about what might upset me or not.” Then, wondering if he was being too harsh, he finished with, “Do you think that’s fair?”
“Yes, Wren, I do think that’s fair, and I’m sorry for my part in any issues caused. That wasn’t intentional.” Cyrus’s voice was deep and calm, and yet it was as if Wren could feel its warmth over the phone. “Typically, agency matters are usually only discussed with the assassins affected, but as this is now the second mating that has gone through similar issues, the others and I need to appreciate our mates are gifted to us because they are perfect for us in every way.”
“I did tell him every mating is allowed one mistake, babe.” Of course, Python would be listening in.
“Don’t remind me.” Cyrus laughed. “You guys get your asses back here. I’m getting lonely, and I’m sure Wren and Devon need some time alone. And Wren, I am sorry. In the future, I will speak to you directly about any communications that concern you.”
“Thank you.” Wren wasn’t sure how to disconnect the call, so he handed it back to Python, who smooched into the phone and then tapped the screen, before stuffing it into his pocket again.
“You heard the boss, guys.” Python grinned. “I’ll just fix this little mess.” He clicked his fingers, and the room looked just as it did when Devon and Wren checked in. “A little mating present for you two. As for Storm and Pax, the first one back to the bakery gets the pick of the donuts.” He disappeared.
“You rotter.” Pax slapped his hand on Storm’s chest. “You have to tell me where you got that lovely cardigan, Wren. Yes, I did peek. See you soon.” He and Storm disappeared in a shimmer.
“That was one way of clearing the room,” Wren said, suddenly feeling shy. His chameleon was pushing him, and Wren realized he really wanted a hug. Sprinting across the room, he bounced on the bed, wrapping his arms around the bear, who was still sitting up on a now-fixed bed. “I’m sorry, Bear. I never wanted to upset you, but I think we need to talk, don’t you? Seriously talk. Would you listen to what I have to say?”
Wren was going to take the bear’s moan and the way his head was pressing against his own as a yes.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Relief. Hands down, the most amazing feeling in the world. Devon hadn’t felt so relieved in forever. Sure, he’d felt a bit relieved when he almost got killed by a rogue wolf in the past year – the one who’d stopped him from messaging Wren for three days. He survived, the wolf did not, hence the relief.
He’d felt something akin to relief when the assassins had moved from the original alley to Cyrus’s land. Living with so much more freedom and the ability and privacy to shift at will was the ideal situation for any shifter.
There had been other times when he was grateful for getting through a hairy situation. Working as an assassin was never going to be an easy life. But having Wren’s body against his, his scent filling the bear’s nose, was the most incredible feeling Devon had ever had.
It was so tempting for Devon to push the shift – to be human so that his arms could wrap around Wren’s body. But he already knew his bear wasn’t going to allow that, not until Wren had a chance to say his piece.
Wren’s snuggling into his furry chest helped. But then Wren said, “When you first bit me, we could talk in our minds, couldn’t we. Can you talk to me like that when you’re in your fur?” He tilted his head as if he were listening for Devon to do just that.
I can do that if you haven’t blocked the connection.
“There you are.” Wren smiled. “I missed you in my head.”
The bear whined, and Devon tried to explain.I thought you’d blocked our link somehow.
“I don’t know how to do things like that. Are you sure it wasn’t you trying to hide things from me?” Wren wasn’t being mean, hegenuinely wanted to know. And now Devon was thinking about it, that was a huge possibility.
