Page 79 of Hunny and the Bear

Hunny smiled, only a brief hint of her previous stress still lining the corners of her mouth. “Thank you. I’m a bit nervous to meet the rest of Henry’s family, but I’m excited too.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. Phillip will love you, just like I do.” Tabitha announced firmly. She pointed a threatening finger at Tank. “And if this grumpy old bear gives you any trouble, you just let me know, dear.”

Laughing, Hunny assured her she would, and that one simple statement, combined with the sweet sound of his mate’s laughter, vanquished the last of Tank’s fears.

Tabitha waved them both toward the closed office door. “You should get out of here before ourguestsarrive.” She hissed out the words, referring to the Moon Rose pack. “They’re late, and it’s made Murphy’s mood foul, but I’m sure they’ll show up at the most inopportune time.” Tank pulled open the door for his mate, following her out into the lobby as his mother continued, “And again, if you have even the slightest concern regarding the health of your kits, call me right away—”

“Kits?” a grating, masculine voice interrupted from across the room. Tank’s head jerked up right as he scented the obnoxious odor of several wolf shifters permeating the air. With his free hand, he grabbed Hunny, pulling her protectively behind him.

Jason stepped forward, Ben and Angela following closely behind him. “You’re pregnant with multiple pups, Hunny?”

Thirty Two

If Hunny hadn’t been on the verge of vomiting after all the chaos of this morning, she definitely was now as the putrid stench of wolf filled her lungs. She’d only glimpsed Jason for a second—two at most—before Tank tugged her behind him, his menacing growl filling the clinic’s lobby.

She’d never wanted to see Jason again, let alone on the heels of such a harrowing experience for her and Tank. She was completely on edge and still feeling shaky; the last thing she needed was this.

God, why did they have to run into him? Couldn’t she just catch a break once in her damned life?! She knew Jason would come here this morning to collect Natasha’s body, but she’d also thought he’d stop at the main portion of the den house and speak with Murphy first. Wasn’t he meant to be escorted anyway?Not just waltz in like he owned the place.

“Answer me, Hunny,” Jason demanded, a harsh bite to his voice accompanied by a wave of dominance that had her flinching, her throat itching with the need to obey. It had been solong since another shifter had used their power over her to force her obedience that she’d forgotten just how oppressive it was.

Tank had never tried to use her submissive nature against her or to coerce her into something she didn’t want. He’d only ever exerted his dominance to help her, to act as a shield or to protect her and hold her up in times of need, such as this morning. Even Murphy hadn’t wielded his dominance over her when he’d demanded she answer him about Nessa the other day. He’d been considerate even while irritated.

But Jason hadn’t even batted an eye to overthrow her will. “You’re having multiple pups?” he demanded again.

She opened her mouth as he compelled her to answer. Her knees weakened as Jason’s dominance oozed over her like quicksand, threatening to take her under. She always preached that being a submissive didn’t make her weak, but right now, it was hard to feel otherwise. Now, she felt like a puppet dangling from a string, awaiting its master’s call.

“Back the fuck off,” Tank snarled, his hold on Hunny’s wrist tightening. She focused on the feel of his skin touching hers, breathing hard through her nose as she tried to resist Jason’s Alpha compulsion. “And that little dominance display you’re emitting? End it now, or I’ll rip you apart and make sure you meet your mate sooner than later.”

Jason ignored him, adding more waves of dominance to his power. Hunny whimpered, but right before her knees buckled, Tank’s own dominance swelled around them, so powerful it was almost unbearable. It wrapped around her, growing and growing. Suddenly, the pressure from Jason popped like a balloon, and Hunny sucked in a deep breath of air, sagging into Tank’s back in relief.

“I … Forgive me, it’s been a rough few days,” Jason stated angrily, and that was when she risked a peek over Tank’s shoulder.

Hunny blinked in surprise when her eyes truly took in Jason for the first time since he’d rejected her. His short, light brown hair was a mess, like he’d run his hands through it a thousand times over the last day. His vivid blue eyes were hollow. Even his clothing was a wrinkled mess, and his skin was pale, dark circles under his eyes giving away how hard he’d taken the separation from Natasha, even if emotionally he hadn’t.

Part of her had been worried that seeing him again, even though she didn’t love him or want him back, would cause some old emotion to well up inside her. Some echo of the mating bond wanting to be formed. Instead, all she felt was pity, and a healthy dose of fury that he’d tried to control her.

Dead mate or not, who the hell did Jason think he was?

“I don’t give a fuck what kind of day you’ve had.” Another fierce growl followed Tank’s words. “If you, Ben, or that female you’re with, tryanythinglike that with my mate again, it’s over for you all.”

Hunny felt more than heard another presence beside her, turning her head just in time to spot Tabitha standing stiffly on Tank’s left side, sending a menacing look at the wolf trio as she silently backed up her son.

“Is that what happened to my sister?” the other male shifter asked angrily, drawing Hunny’s attention. He looked about as good as Jason did, if not worse, with a slim nose and high cheekbones that matched Natasha’s. “You rip her apart?”

The she-wolf looked between the group of them, swallowing thickly. “I-I don’t think this is the time for this discussion, Ben. We promised Murphy we’d behave—”

“You can collect your friend,” Tabitha interrupted firmly, her tone brooking no argument. “But you’ll do so when Murphy arrives and not a moment sooner. You weren’t even supposed to be here without him and another bear escorting you.”

Jason scoffed, sending Tabitha the same cold look he’d given Hunny the night he rejected her. Like she was a fly that needed swatting. “I don’t take orders from anyone.”

Tank stiffened, and then he released his grip on Hunny’s wrist, squaring his shoulders. Every muscle coiled with tension, and he moved towards the wolves with deadly intent. Jason unleashed his own furious growl, pushing past Ben and moving right toward her mate with a dangerous, maniacal glint in his eyes that terrified her.

He looked like he wanted Tank to attack him.

All of Tank’s warnings about the Moon Rose pack came rushing back to the forefront of her mind, and the very thought of her mate brawling with Jason caused a shiver of dread to race down her spine. “Henry, don’t—”

Suddenly, the door to the clinic burst open, and Murphy’s scent spilled into the lobby a second before the male did. Marcus and Dante followed closely behind him, each male radiating a dark energy that screamed to not fuck with them.

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