Page 32 of Bear Facts

Graham had the toughest stare of any Lupine he had ever met, but Shane stood still and took it.

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” Shane said.

“Neither will we,” Nell joined in. “You just keep Leo away from her.”

Graham turned to Freya with a growl. “It’s his right to know why you refused the mate-claim.”

“Bullshit,” Shane burst out. “Freya was so repulsed by this guy that she took off on her own, knowing you couldn’t stop him. The last thing she needs is to see him again.”

“Shane,” Nell said in a matter-of-fact tone. “That’s actually true. By Shifter law, the one denied the claim can ask why.”

Fuck Shifter law, Shane wanted to shout. He held on to his temper with effort. “Maybe, but does it have to be right now? We were chased down Mount Charleston by pissed-off mercenaries into a Shiftertown where Freya did not want to go. At least let her have lunch and a nap.”

Graham scowled again. “It’s whenever Leo wants it to be. His choice. I can’t do anything about that. If Freya still refuses the claim, then he leaves her alone forever. That’s also Shifter law.”

“Don’t tell him for a while then,” Shane suggested.

Brody huffed. “With Shiftertown gossip the way it is, he probably already knows.”

As though Brody’s words were prophetic, a quiet knock sounded on the kitchen door.

The sound was too genial to come from an irate wolf demanding entrance. Shane recognized Eric’s touch. He always approached Nell’s territory cautiously and with respect, which was one reason Nell conceded to his overall Shiftertown leadership. She hadn’t yet conceded to Graham’s.

Cormac, the most neutral party in this room, opened the door.

Eric stood on the doorstep, calm expression in place, as though he’d come over to borrow a cup of sugar. Leo hovered, enraged, behind him.

“Come for another ass-kicking?” Shane couldn’t stop himself from asking him.

Nell stood next to Cormac, the two forming a barrier. No one would get through that back door and into the house.

The chill of Freya’s fear rushed to Shane, but she didn’t shrink away or run—she stood resolutely, skewering Leo with a stare worthy of Graham.

“I came for my mate,” Leo snapped. He was as unkempt as he had been earlier that day. Did these Lupines ever shower?

“This morning you were complaining because Eric wouldn’t let you have the pick of females in this town,” Shane reminded him. “Eric had to tranq you to shut you up.”

“That was before I knew my own mate was in town.”

“She refused the mate-claim,” Brody broke in. “Means she’s not yours. Never was.”

“Sure, by the new rules.” Leo spat on the ground—making sure the spittle landed a long way from the doorstep, Shane noted. “By the old rules, she was mine when I claimed her.”

Eric spoke in his mild tones. “The old ways are done, my friend. The new rules prevail in this Shiftertown.”

“I claimed her under the old rules, and they stand.” Leo peered around the bears to Freya. “Come on,” he said to her.

Shane watched Freya’s fear vanish in a slap of outrage. “Is anyone going to let me speak?”

Nell turned to her, eyes holding sympathy. “You’re right, honey. This is your call, and yours alone.”

“Not here,” Leo snarled. “She comes to Graham’s territory, and we have this out.”

“No.” Freya stood firm. “Here’s the deal, Graham. I’ll talk to Leo and tell him why I refused his claim—which I still do, by the way— on one condition.”

Graham regarded her in some surprise but gave her a nod. “Let’s hear it.”

“You help me figure out exactly what happened to Rolf. He’s gone, and you’re going to do everything you can to assist me to find him.”

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