Page 37 of Cuddles for the Bear
Why did I call them in again?Still in his bear form, Devon glared at his so-called friends. Storm had shifted back, now wearing some of Devon’s clothes after his had been ripped – shifting from human into a big-assed crocodile would do that to clothing. Devon was steadfastly ignoring the mess made with that little altercation. He couldn’t believe he’d lost control so badly and so quickly.
Devon would never intentionally hurt any of his friends – his bear wasn’t like that. But his bear’s heart hurt, and every second Wren was gone felt like an hour. Devon felt just as bad, knowing it was his fault if Wren never came back.It’s just as well my bear’s being so stubborn,Devon thought.At least my bear can’t go saying stupid shit that hurts our mate.
“You’re supposed to be the intelligent one.”
The bear sighed. He didn’t need Pax getting in on his case as well.
“Honestly, out of all you assassins, you were the one with the brains.” Pax was pointing at him. “My mate’s the sexy one, although Python’s not that bad either, but face it, in our little assassin clan, you’re the one known as the professor. You study shifter lore in your spare time. How could you upset Wren so badly?”
“You’re not being fair, precious,” Storm said, although there was no reproving in his tone. If anything, it was as if he approved of his mate’s right to kick Devon when he was down. “You don’t understand the protective urge shifters have over their mates. Remember what happened between us when we first got together?”
“You mean when you kept stealing my donuts?” Pax’s eyes flashed. “From right under my nose. As if I could forget something important like that. You tell me where it’s written assassins have the right to a side gig as petty thieves.”
“I was referring to that little matter of my family trying to capture your sweet little ass.” Storm’s smile could melt the hardest heart, but Pax was clearly immune. “I didn’t want to tell you about that either.”
“Oh, that. And look what happened when I realized you were trying to protect me without even telling me why. Shifters are so predictable. Devon’s lucky Wren doesn’t have magic, or he’d be tied to a chair as well.”
That’s what happened?Devon hadn’t heard that little snippet, but if anything, Storm’s grin widened.
“Ah, yes, happy days.” Storm winked at his mate. “But Pax, dearest, you’re forgetting Wren is a shifter, too.”
“Oh, I’m not forgetting that. In fact, that’s why I can’t believe Devon has been so stupid. I know Wren’s only known he’s a shifter for a few days, but the instincts – those protective instincts you all keep going on about – would be as strong in him as they are in that lump of fur glowering at me from the wreck of a broken bed.”
Wren’s not even here! That’s hardly protective.It seemed Storm was thinking along the same lines.
“Wren left this morning,” he said gently with an apologetic look in Devon’s direction. “Whether it was to get breakfast, have a break for five minutes, or whatever else, that doesn’t sound like any protective instincts are in play here. Admittedly, his instincts might take some time to develop given his horrific past, but…”
“Bullshit!” Pax was glaring at his mate. “You’re as thick as this bear.” He flung his arm in Devon’s direction. “You’re so busy seeing Wren as a product of his past – as if somehow being abused for life has rendered him stupid and unable to think for himself – you’re not giving him a chance to prove who he really is inside.”
Did I really do that?The bear, who had been lying down once he realized he couldn’t leave the room, sat up, his head tilted as he watched the excitable pixie.
“Ah, a sign of life from the sulky bear who couldn’t get his own way.” Pax shook his head. “Have you finally clicked? Wren. Is. Not. Broken. Granted, from what I’ve heard, he’s had a shit life, and he might struggle for a while to work out what normal behavior looks like. But then, hey. What’s normal about living in an alley, that’s not an alley at all, filled with assassins? I mean, you tell me. He fits right in.”
Storm’s phone dinged, and Storm glanced at it before saying to Pax, “Precious, did you have a point in all this? You seem to have gotten off track.”
“I don’t think I have,” Pax said firmly. “Wren isn’t broken. That’s my point. He fits in with the rest of the misfits in Assassin’s Alley perfectly. He’s a grown ass man with a really sweet heart, a wicked sense of style, and someone who’s finally got the chance to see what living life is all about.
“His animal spirit has come through, which has to be a huge confidence boost. I remember what it was like when I got my wings. But instead of celebrating any of that, Devon’s been running around hiding shit – major shit – from the man he expects will trust him. During what was probably Wren’s first ever vacation, no less. Make that make sense.”
The bear let out a whine. When it was put like that… Devon remembered the black cat who slept in the bed the night before – the animal’s disdain and disappointment, showing his back…And there was no guarantee any of the information I passed on to Cyrus did any good at all.It’s not like Devon could ask for any updates in his bear form.
“Like any other mated couple, Devon and Wren will have to work that out between themselves,” Storm said gently. “For now, Devon, you’ll be pleased to hear Wren has been found safe and well. He was having breakfast in town just like any other normal person who isn’t a captive anymore would do at this time of day.” He lifted his phone. “Python just texted to tell everyone to stand down. He and Wren are on their way here. Did you want to go out for breakfast, precious, before we head back to the Alley?”
Wren’s okay? He’s coming back?The bear felt as if he could finally take his first full breath since he’d woken up that morning. Ignoring the debate between Pax and Storm over breakfast options, the bear lay back down, keeping his focus on the door.Wren’s coming back. I have to make this right.
It would help if you let me come through so I can talk to him,his human half grumbled, although the bear knew Devon was as relieved as he was.
You’ve said enough. Wren might want to talk to us, and if he does, it would be better if you kept your mouth shut. I can make that happen for you, so yes, I’ll take your thanks with a dash of honey.
The bear didn’t get a thank you. He didn’t expect to. He just kept looking at the door, waiting for that moment when his lovely mate came back to him.
/~/~/~/~/
The hotel room was trashed. The once solid bed frame was on the floor in splinters. Pictures on the wall were either askew or face down on the floor. There were at least six large holes in the wall, some lower toward the floor, while others were higher up. The two-person dining table and chairs were in so many pieces, scattered around the room, that Wren couldn’t tell the table from the chairs.
Television – huge crack in it. Small set of drawers – completely demolished. As Wren looked around, he realized the only things that hadn’t been touched were his little pile of bags containing his new boots and clothes bought during their holiday.
“This is going to take more than a toothbrush to fix.” Wren shook his head, looking over at the bear who sat up quickly in the middle of the torn mattress. He didn’t seem to want to move off the bed, but his eyes were dark and pleading. “You were the one who gave me the lecture about shifters controlling themselves when they are out in public,” he said, moving closer.
