Page 17 of Hunny and the Bear

“Hunny?” Jasper snorted. “No wonder Tank didn’t show up for his shift last night. He fucking loves hon—”

“Shut the fuck up,” Tank interrupted, smacking the back of his younger brother’s head hard.

“Ow!” Jasper hissed. “What thefuc—”

“Boys!” Tabitha scolded, turning from Hunny and batting each of their ears. For someone several inches shorter than her sons, she’d perfected her aim over the years, and his ear rang from the impact of her palm connecting solidly. “Behave yourselves!”

Abruptly, Hunny laughed, the sound delicate and pure, erasing whatever retort was on the tip of Tank’s tongue. His gaze snapped to her face, seeing a small flash of a smile before she covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. Laughing is rude. But you’re both so big and your mom is this tiny little thing. I didn’t think she’d just clobber you like that.”

Tank cleared his throat, his face heating. Luckily, his beard covered most of his embarrassment, otherwise he was sure Jasper would use it as yet another thing to rib him for, the prick. Unfortunately, his mom was staring right at him. Her lips parted in surprise and her eyes widened, almost like she’d seen a ghost. His brows furrowed in confusion at her sudden change in demeanor and she looked away abruptly.

“Well, Hunny,” Tabitha said sweetly, morphing from a street fighter back into a loving mother before Tank’s very eyes. “When you have a bunch of cubs that outgrow you before they’re teenagers, you get creative with your disciplinary methods.”

“You’re not even that short.” Jasper rolled his eyes. “I mean, five-seven isn’ttall, but it’s more than average for females these days.”

“You’re too kind,” Tabitha drawled, sending Tank another odd glance. “There’s a reason I decided to not have more cubs after you were born.”

Jasper furrowed his brow. “Because I was the perfect specimen after four failed attempts?”

“The perfect pain in the ass,” Tank grumbled.

Hunny’s lips quivered again, like she was trying to hold back another smile. It was a shame, really. He wanted to see her like that again; radiant and happy.

“I’m sorry for barging in here unannounced,” Tabitha stated, sending Tank a pointed look. “But Murphy mentioned your guest might need some clothes and a checkup.” His mother lifted her hand, and that’s when he noticed her holding a plastic bag stuffed full of clothes. Had she been holding that when she’d walloped him and Jasper? She must have been.

He hadn’t even noticed.

Hunny jumped up from the couch, reaching for the bag immediately. “Oh wow, I’d love to change into something.” She blushed, looking down at her borrowed shirt. “This probably looks like something happened between me and your son, but it didn’t.”

Tabitha blinked once. “Looks likewhathappened, dear?” she asked, a littletooinnocently.

Jasper smirked. “Like she and Tank just got done fu—”

“I’ll rip you apart if you say one more word,” Tank snapped at his brother, his fingers itching to do just that. The little shit might be a few years younger, but Tank would have no problem kicking his ass if he embarrassed Hunny.

“Now I see why your mom didn’t want more kids. You’re a bit of a shithead,” Hunny cut in suddenly. She sent Tank an amused look. “Can I watch when you beat him up?”

Tabitha looked between Tank and Hunny quickly and then giggled. “Oh, I like you, Hunny.” Ignoring her two boys, she wrapped an arm around Hunny’s waist, steering her toward the stairs. “You know, I’ve always wanted a daughter …”

Tank watched his little rabbit walk off, his gut clenching with each step she took away from him.

“Someone’s a bit riled up this morning,” Jasper teased when the women were upstairs. He laughed as Tank grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and hauled him right back outside. “Ouch!” Tank closed the door softly behind him before he shoved themale forward, smirking when his brother almost toppled down the porch steps.

Jasper righted himself just in time, whipping around to grin sheepishly at Tank.

They’d had a tumultuous relationship their entire lives, which happened a lot with bear shifter siblings. Too much testosterone in a house full of males, and they’d always played rough. It didn’t help that when Tank had lost his mate at such a young age, he’d closed himself off from everyone. Sometimes it felt like the relationships with his family had frozen at that point, never developing further. Trapped in a kind of stasis.

He knew that was his fault, but it was easier that way. Or at least, that’s what he’d told himself for the past several years.

Tank pointed at Jasper, his expression promising death. “You better behave yourself around my—” He cut himself off abruptly, snarling under his breath when he realized he’d almost called Hunny his woman. “Hunny isn’t sure if she wants to stay with the clan.”With me, he silently added. “And I won’t have you scaring her off.”

Jasper held up his hands in surrender, some of the childish humor fading from his eyes. “Alright, brother. I apologize.” He remained silent for all of two seconds before adding, “Do you always sleep on the couch? Or only when hot females are visiting?”

Tank sighed. “I’m going to kill you.”

“That’s rude, considering I covered your shift last night when you didn’t show up. You could thank me for helping,” Jasper added with a smug smile.

Tank raised a brow. “Fuck you.”

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