Page 40 of Bear the Burden

“Who the hell are you two?” Morton demanded.

“Bears.” Seth curled his lip.

Hyett turned his head. “Demon, I believe you’re holding someone who belongs to me.”

Wesley didn’t care that Hyett had just claimed ownership over him. Because it was true. His mate owned him completely.

“What are you men talking about?” Morton demanded. “Bears and demons? Get out of my house!”

Seth raised the gun and aimed it at Hyett.

“No!” Wesley grabbed the demon’s arm, yanking on it to stop the guy from shooting his mate.

The gun went off. Wesley screamed and spun to see if Hyett had been shot, while his ears rang from the deafening sound. His eyes widened in shock when he saw his mate transforming into a massive brown bear.

Holy shit. It was the most terrifying, yet most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. But mostly terrifying.

Morton crumpled, crashing into the coffee table on his way down. At first, Wesley thought he’d passed out from seeing Hyett shift. But then he noticed the hole between Morton’s eyes. Wesley spun around, wishing to god he hadn’t seen it.

“Do you have any idea what you just made me do?” Seth shouted. “You dumb fucking human!”

Quinton and Ryker appeared behind Wesley and Seth. Quinton quickly grabbed the gun, disarming the demon.

The gigantic bear charged forward. Swear to god, Wesley wanted to scream and jump out of the way. Okay, it was no longer beautiful. Wesley was sticking with terrifying, because that was how it looked having a massive bear racing toward him.

Seth erupted into fire.

Now Wesley really was screaming, but Killian appeared at his side and yanked Wesley away, slinging him toward the front door.

The bear attacked, not seeming to care the demon was on fire.

Wesley stood rooted to the spot as he smelled singed fur, unable to move or look away, transported back to the night his father had set their home ablaze. He could recall the horrifying pain when his leg caught fire. His father’s agonizing screams for help. How Wesley had shoved and shoved at the freeloader, trying to push him away.

The demon’s fiery attack came to an abrupt halt as a tall stranger with black flowing hair and eyes the color of gravestones purposefully walked into the room. He was taller than Quinton, and as he grabbed Seth by the throat, he lifted him off his feet and away from the bear’s sharp claws and teeth.

“I knew I would find you, Durzi,” he snarled. “Snakes always slither out of hiding.”

Hyett shifted into his human form, gloriously naked. “That’s my kill, demon!”

The hypnotic hold of the fire loosened its grip on Wesley, allowing him to finally process Hyett’s words. Another demon?

“What is your grievance, bear?”

“Who are you?” Quinton asked calmly, but there was tension in his muscles, like he was ready to battle.

This was Wesley’s family now, and he would throw down with them.

Even if he got his butt kicked.

“I am Whichello,” the demon replied. “Durzi will pay for his betrayal. So, I will ask you again, what is your grievance, bear?”

“He attacked my mate, threatened to kill him, then kidnapped him,” Hyett ground out. “Unless he’s done something to your mate, my grievance takes precedence over yours.”

Whichello turned his head and looked directly at Wesley, and he never wanted the demon’s attention on him ever again. It chilled him to his bones.

The demon’s jaw clenched. “If one more goddamn person takes a kill from me…” he griped as he released Seth, or Durzi, or whoever he was.

Killian moved to stand at Wesley’s side and smiled reassuringly at him. “Do me a favor and look away.”

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