Page 81 of Trusting Her Bear

“I like to prolong the pleasure.”

“He’s cocky as fuck,” Lucas says.

“When should we start to play?” I ask.

“Soon….”

“How about now?” I ask but receive no response. “Fuck, I hope that was enough for Bash.”

“The shifters you killed,” Las starts. “They were all bad?”

“Yes,” I confirm. “We did our research. They were all out of control in some way; most were killers. They killed humans or their families, or they raped and tortured. We made sure they were alone when we took them out. We didn’t want unsuspecting family members in the house or in the direct area. If they did have family, they didn’t know what they were doing to the innocent.” I slip my phone into my pocket. He’s done communication for now.

“We also had to kill shifters who were out of their mind. They went too long in this world with no family or mate. Mostly vampires,” Micah says.

“Jesus, that’s depressing,” Lucas says.

“Yes, it was.” I rub my forehead. “Imagine looking into the eyes of a shifter or vampire of your world and taking off their head. Their only crime is succumbing to loneliness and desperation to feel anything. They turn to wreaking havoc on the human world.”

“Shit,” Logan whispers.

“He’s done playing for now. We wait for Bash.” I walk back to the wood piled over the grass, Heath following me. I’m surprised that the rest of them join us.

“Let us help,” Las says.

I nod.

My priority is to make my mate comfortable and safe.

Then I’ll play a game.

Chapter Seventeen

Stephanie

Ididn’t fight it when Breeane shoved me in the bathroom and put earbuds in my ears, insisting I take a bath. She had control of the music. I wondered why my mate thought it was a good time to chop wood, but Breeane kept me away from the windows, and I was too tired to wonder long. Maybe it was his way of blowing off steam.

I have to admit it is nice to drown everything else out and just let the lyrics flow through me. Since I was in here, I took the opportunity to shave. I may be a bear, but I hate having hairy legs.

The embarrassment from my reaction in the apartment has started to fade. I have to give myself grace. No one except the shifters who were with me can relate to what I went through. I have always prided myself on my strength, and showing any weakness seemed like I was lacking in some way. After I was taken, weakness was all I felt. No one understood. Quinn does. He was stuck in his own kind of prison. He has been nothing but understanding. I want him desperately. The bond is growing fast, even though we haven’t marked each other yet. I couldn’t walk away from him, and I know he won’t leave. We are at the mercy of someone who is taking pleasure out of fucking up Quinn’s life. I don’t blame him.

I couldn’t imagine having to do the things he has done. He feels such shame when he has nothing to be ashamed of.

The music cuts off suddenly.

I sit up, gripping the edges of the tub.

“Little Cub,” Quinn says through the door.

“Yeah.” I stand up and get out.

“Are you done?”

“Yes, I’ll be out in a minute.” I take the earbuds out and put them on the sink. I grab the towel Breeane set out, dropping it once in my rush to dry. Reaching for Quinn’s shirt I brought in with me, I drop it over my head. I wring as much water from my hair as possible and then brush my teeth.

Even though it’s only been a couple of hours since I saw him, I’m excited. Swinging the door open, I freeze.

“The lions took Breeane home. I sent everyone else away. Kade is back. He joined Cash and are still patrolling the area,” he says. I turn my head to him, dazed. “I want you to get some sleep.”

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