Fearless Bond (Bears of Beauville #1)

Chapter 19

19

BARCLAY

Calvin went to the hallway to put on his shoes and jacket. I followed him out.

Having the illustrious Laurel Riley in my yard was intimidating, his security entourage notwithstanding. I should have invited him in and offered him something to drink, but he was surely one of those folks who drank oat milk with their coffee. My fridge had never seen stuff like that.

I hovered in the background as Calvin walked up to Laurel, who took off his sunglasses, and they hugged. For a moment, it all looked friendly until Laurel glared at me over Calvin’s shoulder.

“That’s him?” he asked in a low, menacing tone.

Calvin stepped out of the embrace and gestured to me. “This is Barclay, my mate.”

My chest puffed up at the sure way Calvin introduced me. I offered my hand to Laurel, who reluctantly took it while his security team bored holes in my body.

“He certainly does look like a bear.”

“Be nice,” Calvin warned.

But it became obvious Laurel hadn’t come here to be nice. He put his hands on his hips, scanning Calvin up and down. “You’re really preggo? Did you do a test?”

“Yes, I really am.”

“You don’t have to stay with him just because of that, you know. You have options.”

“I know,” Calvin said with more patience than I’d ever have. “As I told you before, I want to be with Barclay.”

Laurel gestured to me without looking. “You know nothing about this dude, Cal!”

“I know enough. He’s shown me more love and kindness in a few days than my father has in my entire life.”

I hated to see my mate upset, but I wouldn’t interrupt him. I put my arm around him instead, trying to show him I was there if he needed me. Calvin grabbed my hand where it rested on his waist and squeezed.

Laurel shot daggers at me. “Don’t get excited, bear man,” he hissed. “That’s a low bar to pass.”

Calvin let out an incredulous laugh. “Stop being mean to him.”

“What am I supposed to do? My best friend ever finally breaks up with his piece-of-shit alpha, only to get impregnated by a grizzly shifter. You’d be worried too if it were me!”

“We’re bonded, Laure. I’m really really happy with Barclay. I’m in love with him.”

“It’s been days.”

“Yes. In the shifter world, that’s enough. I know in my bones that I belong with Barclay. Can you trust me just this one time?”

He’d struck a nerve because Laurel huffed and looked at his boots. He kicked a lump of snow.

“I can’t believe you’re just going to move to the mountains for good.”

Oh. Of course, Laurel felt like he was losing a friend. I hadn’t considered that angle before.

Calvin sighed and stepped forward to put his hand on Laurel’s shoulder.

“It doesn’t change anything between you and me. You’re on tour all the time anyway. But you can come visit me here, and once things with Father are in order, I’ll come to see you…”

“You’ll have a baby in nine months, Cal.”

“Babies can travel too.”

Laurel gave Calvin a long, frowning look. Then he grimaced and threw his hands in the air. “I didn’t expect this. That’s all.”

“Nobody did. But you always say you want me to be happy.”

Shaking his head, Laurel shifted from foot to foot. It looked like he’d run out of arguments.

“You gonna invite me in, or what?” he asked me. “It’s cold out here.”

“Sure. Welcome, Mr. Riley. Come on up. Do you drink coffee?”

Before I could blab about my lack of oat milk, an engine roaring made Laurel and his team spin around. The alphas spread out, and one of them immediately stepped in front of Laurel.

Two snowmobiles burst into my yard, creating a wall between us and our guests.

The cavalry had arrived.

Monty was the first to step off his machine and stand before the main guy. Jordy stayed behind, straddling his snowmobile. The bodyguard sneaked his hand under his jacket in a telltale move. He was ready to pull out his gun.

This could go wrong really fast.

“You don’t mess with one of ours!” Monty roared, undeterred.

Wide-eyed, Calvin stared as the other two alphas from Laurel’s security team grabbed Laurel and ushered him toward the car.

“Monty, stop!” I called. “That’s not…”

Before I could finish, a third snowmobile came from behind my shed and skidded to a halt behind Monty. At the sight of the sheriff’s uniform, the security team hesitated. The leader thankfully retracted his hand.

“Which one is the ex?” Monty asked over the rumble of the engine.

“Nobody! Monty, back off!” I yelled. I would have dragged him back by his parka, but I wasn’t leaving Calvin’s side with armed strangers around. On instinct, I angled my body to shield my pregnant mate.

“Hey, that’s Laurel Riley!” Jordy exclaimed.

Monty stiffened. “What?” He craned his head to look at Laurel. “Oh my God!” His face split into a maniacal grin. “That’s him!” He turned to us, confused. “You dated Laurel Riley?”

Calvin spluttered. “Oh my God.”

“They have guns, you asshole!” I shouted. “Back the fuck off! None of these people is Calvin’s ex.”

Monty looked at me, then at the bodyguards and Laurel. He finally took a few steps back and waved at Laurel with a big smile on his scruffy face. “Such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Riley. I’m a great fan.”

My mate burst out laughing, then slapped a hand over his mouth.

Chickie had climbed off his snowmobile. His fingers, too, hovered over his gun holster. This encounter would be much easier if nobody had weapons on them.

“What’s going on?” Chickie asked.

“Hello, Hawke, sorry for the confusion,” Calvin said, his voice shaky. “Laurel is a friend of mine. He’s only visiting.”

Chickie glanced around the scene. “And these guys?” He pointed at the bodyguards.

“My security team,” Laurel said, disentangling himself from the grip of his alphas. He straightened out his jacket with a huff, and the men stepped back.

“I see,” Chickie said. “I would appreciate it if you kept your hands off your weapons, gentlemen, and didn’t linger in our town. Nobody in Beauville carries handguns aside from me. I like it that way.”

“No problem, sir.” Laurel eagerly nodded. “Guys, wait for me in the car.”

Glaring at Monty, the main alpha turned to the vehicle, and the other two followed. Monty fluttered his fingers at them and smiled sheepishly at Laurel, who gave him a tense, totally fake grin back.

When another SUV came down my driveway, I couldn’t hold back my groan. “What now?”

Luckily, it was only Hunter. He climbed out and took us all in.

“What did I miss?”

“It’s Laurel Riley,” Monty whisper-shouted, gesturing to Laurel with both hands.

Hunter scrunched up his eyebrows. “Who?”

Laurel threw his hands in the air. “How many of you are coming? It’s like Fat Bear Week here.”

Monty patted his stomach. “I could eat some salmon.”

Chuckling, Calvin hid his face in my chest, so I looped my arms around him and kissed the top of his head. Today was getting better and better.

We attempted a round of polite introductions that culminated when Hunter finally recognized Laurel and went beet red. We were about to usher everyone into the house, but a black sedan came down the driveway, tires sliding on the packed snow. It stopped a few yards behind Hunter’s SUV with one wheel trapped in the snowbank. When the driver tried to get it moving again, the wheels spun, sinking deeper. The car was stuck.

Two men got out, and Calvin tensed next to me.

These were the visitors we’d been expecting.

“Uh-oh,” Laurel muttered. “How did they find you?”

“I told them to come,” Calvin replied under his breath.

“Shit.”

The two alphas walked up, the younger one slipping on the way. He regained his balance and slowly staggered forward with his arms spread out. In the polished dress shoes he was wearing, he could face-plant anytime. It was the same man I’d seen snooping around town. Blond hair slicked back, fake tan, clean-shaven stony face. Damian.

The older man was taller, his thin body wrapped in a long woolen coat. He wore winter boots and approached us steadily, head held high. He looked friendly enough, with quick dark eyes and a civil, careful smile. That was until he opened his mouth, and a commanding, superior tone came out.

“Calvin. What on earth is going on here?”

“Hello, Father.”

Our friends reshuffled behind us, with Monty and Jordy flanking us. Calvin’s father looked from one side to the other. His expression tensed. He was afraid but hid it well.

“Who are these people?”

“You know Laurel.”

“Hello, Mr. Mason,” Laurel called brightly.

“This is Monty, Jordy, Hunter, and Sheriff Hawke Klondike. They are from Beauville.”

With his mouth pinched, Calvin’s father stared at me. I refused to let go of Calvin.

“And this is Barclay Black, my mate. Barclay, meet my father, Edvard Mason.”

I could hear the creek bubbling in the distance in the subsequent silence.

“Your… mate?”

“Yes. Barclay and I are together.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Mason.” It wasn’t a complete lie. I was glad he was here. Hopefully, after today, Calvin could have some peace.

Damian, who had finally made it into my yard, looked shocked, mouth hanging open. Edvard Mason’s expression didn’t change one bit. His gaze flashed to mine for only a split second, then refocused on his son. He had an impressive poker face.

“Come to the car, Calvin,” he finally said. “We are leaving now.”

Monty scoffed next to me. “That toy car’s not going anywhere,” he muttered.

“I’m not coming with you,” Calvin said. “That’s what I wanted to tell you. I’m moving to Beauville. I’ll live with Barclay from now on.”

Sneering angrily, Damian moved forward, but Mr. Mason stopped him with an outstretched arm. He glanced at me.

“Calvin probably didn’t tell you this, but he’s mentally ill. He’s not equipped to make important decisions. He needs to return to the city where we can take care of him.”

My chest heated up with rage. “He’s your…”

Calvin squeezed my arm. “I got this.”

I looked down at him, and he gave me a small smile. His eyes glittered, and he was pale, but he seemed calm as ever.

“I’m fine, Barclay,” he told me quietly. “Let me deal with this.”

I let out a heavy breath. “Okay.”

He seemed to brace himself, then exhaled slowly.

“My anxiety doesn’t make me incompetent, Dad, which you well know. The only reason I wanted to see you was to tell you in person that I’m moving here for good. Beauville is my home now. I think I will be much happier here. I wanted you to meet Barclay so you’d know I was safe.”

“A town crawling with bear shifters is not safe. But I’m not wasting more time arguing about this. You have no choice in this matter. I decide what’s best for you.”

Chickie cleared his throat. “Mr. Mason, Calvin here is an adult.”

Edvard Mason’s lips curved into a pleasant smile as he looked at Chickie. “Sheriff Klondike, was it? Good that you’re here. See, my son is unstable, and I’m his legal guardian.”

“Then you must have documents confirming that.”

His smile widened. “I don’t have them with me.”

“Dad,” Calvin said loudly. “Lying to law enforcement is not a good idea.”

I could feel him shivering, but his tone spoke more of anger than fear. I ran my hand up and down his back. I was so damned proud of him. I wanted nothing more than to hoist him into my arms and carry him away from here, but he’d asked me to let him deal with his father alone, so I stood my ground and held my mouth shut.

“Mr. Mason, let me…” Damian began, but Mason gave him a withering glare.

“Shut up,” he spat before facing Calvin again. His nostrils flared. “Come. Now . Or I swear you’re not getting a single dime from me. Everything you think you own, I’ll take it away like this.” He snapped his fingers.

Calvin didn’t seem affected by the threat. “Those things don’t mean as much to me as you think they do. I didn’t want it to come this far, but you’re not listening to me, and you’re giving me no choice. We can say goodbye now, and you’ll leave knowing I’m healthy and happy.” He paused. “Or I’ll ask Sheriff Klondike to escort you out of town and put a restraining order on Damian and you.”

“Do you think I’ll leave you in the middle of nowhere with complete strangers, knowing you’re unwell? You’re out of your mind!”

Edvard Mason got red in the face as his voice rose. But Calvin spoke louder, interrupting him.

“I’m very well. I’ve never been better. In fact, as soon as I was far enough away from Damian and you, I wasn’t anxious anymore. But you don’t care about my well-being. You only want to control me. It suited you when I was feeling like shit, when I was at my weakest, because you could make me do whatever you wanted. Not anymore, Dad. I’m done. I’m finished with Damian, and I’m done with your bullshit. I’ll be making my own decisions from now on, including where I live, with whom, and about the healthcare I need.”

I could tell from his father’s shocked face that Calvin had never spoken like that to him before.

“You are coming with me!” he roared.

“No,” Calvin replied. “And by the way, I’m pregnant with Barclay’s baby. Good luck digging your car out of the snow.”

With that, Calvin slipped from under my arm and marched toward the house. I hurried after him.