Page 140 of Choose the Bears

“What the hell…?” I muttered.

“Everyone wanted to come and visit when you were in hospital,” Kyle explained. I’d had to stay overnight with a suspected concussion. “So we made them wait until you got home.”

“I made them wait,” Asher said from the driver’s seat. “You organised a bloody party.”

“And it's not just our people that have decided to attend.”

Luc’s eyes slid sideways and mine followed. A massive contingent of the media begin to rush forward, microphones and cameras waving.

“Change of plans,” Asher growled, turning the key in the ignition. “We’re parking underneath the complex.”

“No.” Everyone looked back at me when I spoke. “No. They can’t touch me, not when I’m with you,” I told them. “And we’re not hiding. We can’t anymore.”

Asher’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel, his knuckles going white. I’m pretty sure he was regretting the hell out of his decision to out shifter kind. If he didn’t at the time, some terse conversations in the hospital corridors with members of the bear community definitely made clear the damage he’d done.

“Right.” His focus shifted to the other guys. “Let's get Imogen, get everyone, inside straight away. Don’t stop to chat. No statements made to the press.”

“Why would we do that?” Lucas drawled. “You made a pretty definitive one.”

Kyle snorted, trying to stifle a smile, and that had me grinning. Lucas’ lips became a thin line, every muscle twitching with the effort of trying to stay serious, so I leaned forward and kissed him. His lips softened instantly, kissing me back gently but sweetly.

“OK, don’t do what I did,” Asher growled, and at that, we all moved.

As he turned the car off, Lucas opened his door and then scooped me up in his arms and started hustling me towards the door. Ursula saw what was happening and moved, trying to step between us and the press, throwing her arms wide, but they weren’t going to be dissuaded. A bun fight of sorts broke out as each journalist tried to get closer, but when they threatened to overwhelm Asher’s sister, Kyle strode forward.

“Get back!” he roared. “This is private property and you’re trespassing!”

I’m not sure who had legal jurisdiction over the footpath, but people stopped in their tracks. Cameras rose and shutters whirred as photo after photo was taken of my mate as he stoodthere. They didn’t take one step closer, though, some primitive instinct kicking in.

Human beings have always been scared of the dark. Maybe we now knew why.

“Inside, everyone, now,” Asher barked as Lucas carried me forward, my arm unable to loosen its death grip on his neck until we were all safely inside. He slapped his hand down on the button that had the shutter rattling down the minute every last member of the welcoming committee was in the foyer.

“Well, that was exciting.” Gail came forward, looking a little flustered. “How are you, darling?” Her razor sharp eyes took in the bruise on my forehead. “That is still looking nasty.”

Fern, Lucas’ mother, stared at it as well, making me feel just a little self-conscious.

“Did you need an ice pack?” she asked, but before I could answer, I was hit with more questions. “Did they give you any pain relief?”

I sucked in a breath to answer, but Lucas got there first.

“They did and I’m going to take Imogen to my room so she can take her pills.” His voice was firm, which had me staring up at him in admiration. “Maybe round up this insanity and take them into whichever room you set the party up in.”

“Who said anything about a party?” Gail asked, all innocence, but he just stared her down. “Fine, it's in the dining room. There’s food, drinks, some fun things for the kids?—”

“Excellent,” Lucas replied. “We’ll see you in there.”

“You’re being very take-chargeright now,” I said, now I was sitting on the edge of Lucas’ desk. He was patting his pockets, looking for the medication I was sent home with. “It’s kinda hot.”

“Kinda…?” He shot me a speculative look full of heat, then shook his head as if to dislodge those thoughts. “I was going for manly and protective.”

“Very manly. Very protective,” I repeated dutifully.

“And very forgetful.” Kyle appeared in the doorway and slapped the small packet of medication at his chest before he turned to me. “So I’m a complete idiot.”

“No.”

“Yes, I am. I let the mums know when we’d arrive, thinking they’d do something nice on your return, but bear mates don’t do anything by halves. If there’s a petting zoo and a chocolate fountain in the dining room, I won’t be surprised,” Kyle sighed.

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