Suddenly, Tank heard a loud rustling in some nearby bushes, too loud to be anything other than a large animal. Slowing to a stop, he released a dangerous growl, but the sound drew even closer. He twisted his body to face the threat head-on, right as something crashed through the bushes and into the clearing.
The giant grizzly bear spotted Tank immediately, dropping onto its ass and planting its front paws onto the forest floorto stop itself from careening into him. Frozen in place for a moment, it then tilted its head, looking right at Tank’s face.
No, not athim. Right above his head. He felt it then, two tiny paws pressing down on the crown of his head as his little rabbit peeked over him and at this new addition.
The bear across from him chuffed, and then the sound of bones snapping rent the air, the bear shifting into a man a few seconds later.
Jasper, naked as the day he was born, gaped at Tank. “There’s a rabbit on your head. Is that Hunny posing as Simba at Pride Rock?” He grabbed his stomach, bending over and barking out a laugh. “Look at you, Tank; just the perfect chauffeur.”
Tank’s claws dug into the ground, the temptation to smack his brother right in the face rising to the surface. He might have done it too, if the fucker wouldn’t have bled. But that might upset Hunny. Tank didn’t want her getting mad at him for injuring the damned nuisance. He also didn’t want her fawning all over the bastard, offering to patch him up.
But hereallydidn’t want another male naked in front of her, either. Tank made a low noise, telling the other male to back the fuck off. His brother ignored him.
“We should get you a little top hat, so the next time you take Hunny for a ride, you’re dressed for the part,” Jasper wheezed. “Maybe a harness, actually. Equipped with a little throne for her to sit on,” he snickered.
Tank snarled in warning, but his brother didn’t heed it, still chortling like a dipshit at Tank’s expense.
“Now, now, brother, I know I’m naked in front of your girl, but there’s no need to get testy.” Jasper smirked.
That little shit—
Tank narrowed his eyes, an idea forming.
Tank crouched down, putting his head to the ground as he had before. Taking the hint immediately, Hunny slid down his body and hopped off, giving him plenty of room to handle business.
He charged at his younger brother then, and Jasper let out a shriek of surprise, shifting back into his bear form right as Tank plowed into him. They collided in a tangle of claws and fur, rolling around on the ground like a pair of adolescents.
Fur went flying, roars echoing around the forest as they fought. Still, with each roll on the ground, they made sure to avoid their spectator. Neither bear wanted to accidentally hurt Hunny.
Soon enough, Tank had his little shithead of a brother pinned beneath him, biting down on the back of his neck as he kept Jasper’s head firmly pressed into the ground.
Jasper whined in reluctant surrender, but Tank didn’t let up, glimpsing a flash of grayish-brown movement out of the corner of his eye. Hunny hopped over, getting in Jasper’s face and making a loud chirping noise that sounded suspiciously like her own version of a laugh. Then she bopped Jasper twice on the nose with her tiny paws before tearing off through some bushes.
Clearly, the short rest had amped her battery back up.
Chuffing, Tank released his brother, backing up to let the other male rise from the dirt. With a glower, Jasper sat up on his hind legs, running his front paws over his furred belly in an attempt to straighten up his now matted fur.
Tank turned away from him, his gaze wandering to where he’d last seen Hunny. He expected her to come barreling back into the clearing at any second, but she didn’t. After a full minute had passed, he cocked his head to the side, straining his ears to listen for her.
Nothing.
Suddenly uneasy, he lifted his head and sniffed, hoping to catch her scent nearby. And then he smelled it; wolf shifter. It was fresh. Close.Tooclose.
And his little rabbit was nowhere in sight.
Snarling, Tank rushed through the bushes after Hunny, his brother hot on his heels.
Where is she?
Tank released a threatening roar into the forest, hoping to deter the interloper. Hunny would know it was him. She wouldn’t run away. She’d come to him if she were in danger. Right?
Unless she couldn’t.
Jasper echoed the sound, letting whatever fucker that had entered their territory know Tank wasn’t alone. Still, he couldn’t find Hunny, trailing after her scent until he smelled blood. His head whipped to the side, following the coppery stench as he picked up speed.
No, no, no—
There, just a few feet ahead, was a bloody lump on the ground, the same size as his little rabbit. His legs weakened, and his heart stalled in his chest as he made his way over to the wounded animal, a distressed sound pouring from his throat.