Fearless Bond (Bears of Beauville #1)

Chapter 4

4

BARCLAY

Fuck my life .

I had to leave. I had to run the fuck away. I dropped my clothes in the shed, shifted, and sneaked out into the forest. The cute tiny omega smelled like sex on legs. I had to cleanse my lungs and clear my head.

He was more than twenty years my junior—which wouldn’t mean all that much in bear years, but still. He was also vulnerable and looked like I’d break him if I breathed on him too hard. I had no business being attracted to the boy. And I wasn’t! Sure, he was pretty to look at, like a picture in a magazine, but I liked men with more meat on their bones. It was just his damned scent that messed with my brain. Pulling in gulps of fresh air, I tried to get rid of the rich smell lingering in my airways.

Early in the morning, the snow had stopped falling. The freezing forest glittered in the sun, and snowflakes drifted from high branches in the soft breeze. It was going to be a beautiful day.

The snow stuck to my fur, and I couldn’t resist rolling around. A chill seeped through my thick coat, refreshing, and as I shook off, sending chunks of snow flying, my mood brightened.

I barely knew why, but my paws carried me back to Red Creek and to those parts of the forest where I’d found Calvin. He could have died out here. The pristine, glittery landscape looked innocent. Come evening, the wind would get stronger, and the mountain would turn into a deathly trap again. But by then, somebody would pick Calvin up, and that would be the end of this adventure. I should be looking forward to that. I preferred having my home to myself, but Calvin was so frail and defenseless. If it weren’t for the scent, I wouldn’t even mind him staying longer. He looked like he needed a break. What if he got back to the city and his ex harassed him again?

Why oh why did I feel responsible for an omega I barely knew?

Staying hidden behind the snow-covered bushes, I ran along the highway until I reached the crossing where the narrow, winding road to Beauville began. Something tickled my instinct. A premonition? I didn’t believe in those, but I did trust my bear. Lifting my nose in the air, I sniffed. Gasoline, tires, frozen asphalt, and weak trails of the distinct city stench the vehicles carried with them. And people.

The highway wasn’t busy—only a few cars a minute rumbled by. None of them slowed down enough to even notice the frosted wooden sign with the arrow pointing to Beauville. The few tourists who visited our town during the summer were enough of a disturbance, and we didn’t want more. The bears of Beauville liked staying inconspicuous.

The hair on my back stood to attention as I kept sniffing, but nothing happened. Huh . Maybe I should go back. I’d take the shorter way through the forest, along the creek, and over the frozen marshes. I wasn’t keen to face my guest so soon, but leaving him alone for hours didn’t feel right either.

I was about to turn around when a car on the highway slowed down, blinking to the left. I didn’t recognize the license plate, and none of the locals would be as stupid as to drive a low, sleek sedan around the mountain. Something told me this wasn’t just a tourist.

The bear growled. Danger .

I took off toward town, the shortest way. How would I find out who was in the car that had my senses on the highest alert? I couldn’t barge onto the main street in fur in the middle of the day. Granted, many in Beauville were shifters, and those who were human knew about us. That didn’t mean they liked it when we prowled the streets with claws out. Strolling around naked wasn’t an option either.

The cliff above the old chapel provided a good enough view of the square. I ran up there and watched the town below. The black sedan was parked in front of the grocer. Where was the driver?

I waited, and after a minute, a tall alpha emerged from the grocery store. Long coat, polished shoes, leather gloves, no hat. He was a city man at first sight, and one could sense his entitlement for miles, even though I couldn’t distinguish his features at such a distance. He walked past the parked car and toward Jordy’s pub. He tried the door and found it locked. Jordy wouldn’t open until late in the afternoon. The stranger looked around and continued down the middle of the sidewalk like he owned the street. Next, he walked into the tourist office under the town hall.

I waited.

After a minute, the man exited the town hall building and looked from left to right. Then he crossed the street toward someone on the other side. With the school’s overhanging roof in my line of sight, I could only see the legs of the person he was talking to.

Calvin said his abusive ex might come after him. Now, a stranger in an expensive car had appeared in town and begun snooping around. It didn’t take a genius to figure this out.

Taking the shortest way home, I crossed the street at the edge of town, just by the carved sign that said Welcome to Beauville . I was about to run past the B&B and straight through the forest—if Monty had out-of-town guests who got spooked by a large bear, tough. I didn’t care.

“Hey, Barclay!” Monty stood on the driveway to the B&B, leaning on a shovel. Dressed in a puffy red parka, he blocked the entire road with the sheer bulk of his body. “What the hell are you doing downtown in fur?”

I snorted out a breath, letting him know I wasn’t in the mood for his chatter. He stepped aside to let me pass but followed me.

“C’mon, what are you up to?”

Actually, I should talk to him, but not like this.

I threw my head to the side, nodding in the direction of the town square.

“Is this about that black car? Do you know who that is? He drove like a grandpa. I mean, the road wasn’t properly plowed yet, but he’s not from the mountains, that’s for sure.”

Ignoring him, I stomped down the driveway. I’d need to explain later.

Monty sped up by my side. “You’re acting weird, Barclay. Shift and talk.”

Sure. I’ll just hang around buck-ass naked in the snow and chat with you. That wouldn’t be weird at all.

Scrunching up my nose, I glared at him.

“Always such a grump. Loosen up.”

Then the fucker reached out and scratched my ear. I roared at him, teeth bared and spittle flying.

Of course, Monty just laughed. “Man, you’re touchy. People might think you’re an actual grizzly bear.”

With one last growl, I took off past the B&B’s garage and into the forest.

“Nice talking to you!” Monty called after me, chuckling.

I ran back home and shifted in the shed. Then I dragged my clothes on and dialed Hunter. He must have been between patients because he picked up immediately.

“What now?” he barked.

“Hi, Hunter. Um. The omega I found yesterday.”

“How is he?” Hunter’s voice brightened.

“He’s great. He’s fine. Listen. Did you tell anyone about him?”

“No. Why?”

“There’s someone downtown, an alpha from the city. Looks like a posh, entitled jackass. He arrived in a black sedan. I think he might be looking for Calvin.”

My cousin sighed. “What did you get yourself into, Barclay?”

“It has nothing to do with me. But Calvin says his ex was abusive. He kicked him out of the car yesterday.”

“Who kicked out whom?”

“The ex. Pay attention! Calvin’s ex got angry at Calvin, dropped him by the roadside before the crossing to Beauville, and drove off. That’s why the boy almost froze to death. Now, said ex might be the man sniffing around right outside your office. But Calvin doesn’t want to be found.”

“Well, hell. Wait a second.” I heard a rustling. “I can see the car from my window. It’s parked on the main square, but there’s nobody around.”

“Yeah. I saw the guy by the tourist office and the grocer. He might be waiting until Jordy opens.”

Hunter blew out a breath. “Fuck. Jordy.”

“What?”

“I told Jordy. At the pub yesterday. I told him you weren’t coming to poker night because you’d found a frozen human in the forest and were nursing him back to health. Monty was there too. We might have exchanged a few jokes about you. Sorry.”

“Jordy won’t tell anyone anything, especially not a city slicker with an attitude. And I’ll message Monty to keep his mouth shut as well.”

“The pub was half full. Someone else might have overheard.”

Through the open shed door, I gazed at the pristine, snowy road leading to my house. “I should prepare for a visitor then.”

“Not sure, but it’s possible. Should I call Chickie?”

“Nah. I’ll call the sheriff myself, but I think I need to talk to Calvin first.”

“Okay. I’ll let you know if I overhear something.”

“Thanks.”

I ended the call and shot Monty a short message.

Me: If that guy from the city asks around, you know nothing.

Monty: Who is he? And what do I know I’m not supposed to know?

Me: I’ll explain later.

Monty: You’re no fun.

Well, nobody said I was.

With the phone in my pocket, I walked into the yard and took a few deep breaths. In my human form, my sense of smell was weaker but sensitive enough for me to smell Calvin in my home. Even the faint waft made me hyperaware of my dick, thankfully soft in my pants. For now.

I’d better prepare for the onslaught and keep myself in check. The boy would run for the hills if he knew how he affected me.