Page 10 of Cuddles for the Bear
“Bear?” The legs turned, and suddenly a face appeared. “It’s really you?”
“It’s me and babe, you need to come in now, or you’ll fall, and we’ll never have the chance to finish our conversation.” Devon wanted to grab Wren so badly, but his bear held him back this time. Wren was tired – one wrong move, and he’d fall. But the moment one of Wren’s legs was coming back through the hole in the glass, Devon was there, holding his waist and encouraging him to safety.
From the street below, Devon could hear Michael’s yells. “He’s saved. Oh, my goodness, he’s safe. Praise be. Thank the Lord.”
Really?Devon looked down at the man in his arms. “We have to get out of here. Michael will be back up here in a few minutes.”
Wren’s eyes widened, and he whispered, “I thought you were going to kill him.”
“I’ll come back and do it later,” Devon promised. “If I don’t, one of my friends will. But we have to go.”
After a moment, Wren nodded. Devon swept him off his feet and quickly left the apartment.Hopefully, there’s a back way out of here.Devon was winging it, but even as he worried, he and his bear rejoiced. They had their mate in their arms. Now they just had to keep him safe.
Chapter Eight
He came! Bear actually came for me!Wren’s mind was full of half-formed questions – how did Bear find him? Why did he come? Yes, Wren had asked him to, but… His mind shut down. He was out of the apartment he’d seen as a prison for so long. He was in the arms of a man who, for some reason, Wren trusted.He smells good.He had no idea what was going to happen next, but he just kept his eyes closed, his cheek resting against Bear’s jacket. He could hear the man’s heart beating.This is nice.
Bear didn’t go far. They were at the bottom of the stairwell, but he didn’t go outside. Instead Bear was taking them to the back of the building.Probably a good idea.Wren didn’t know. His body was tugging him into sleep even as Bear was spiriting him away.
Wren was jostled, but Bear was still holding him tight. “Cyrus,” he said urgently, “Is Python with you?” Wren wondered if he should open his eyes. Did Bear bring his friends with him? Wren thought he should care, but Bear was warm, and Wren could barely think at all.
“I need a lift out of here,” Bear seemed a bit upset, although Wren didn’t get the impression it was with him. “My little warrior, as you called him, has just been talked off a four-story-high ledge. I need out of here now.”
The mysterious Cyrus, or Python, must’ve said something, because Bear snarled. “Python can have the job. He eats them. Yes, damn it, you heard me correctly. That’s why the agency never found the bodies. He specifically asks for shifters, and then he fucking eats them. I have less than two minutes left. Tell Python to get his pants on and get us out of here.”
“It sounds like you’re the one who’s getting your pants in a knot.” Another voice joined the conversation, only this one, Wren couldhear. The voice was deep and didn’t sound unhappy, but Wren nestled into Bear’s chest and scrunched his eyes tight.
“Did you say eat them?”
“Yes, damn it.” Bear’s voice was low as well. “Apartment four. He’ll be there in about five minutes. But Wren and I need to get back to the Alley, now.”
“Ooh, both of you?” The voice sounded amused. “Does that mean your online warrior is…”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Please, Python, no jokes. There’s so much Wren doesn’t know, if you get my drift, and I’m on my last nerve here.”
“Fuck I’m not surprised. All right, I’ll drop you and the warrior off, grab Cyrus, and we’ll come back and finish this job. We’ll have a night away in your hotel room, so we can bring back your stuff and return the rental. Sound good?”
“Perfect. Time, Python. Time. We’re running out of it.”
“You need to stop stressing. Hang on.”
Wren felt the air move. It was such a weird sensation. It wasn’t a breeze or the rush of air on a person’s face when they were running. But the noise from outside the apartments dropped away, and suddenly the only thing Wren could hear was Bear’s breathing and his own.
“Er…” Wren wasn’t sure if he even wanted to open his eyes. “Did someone shut the door? Are we in a closet?” He gripped Bear’s jacket lapel. “At least I’m in here with you.”
“We’re at my house, Wren.” Bear’s arms seemed to tighten around him, although it didn’t hurt. “Do you know anything about the paranormal world?”
“Should I?” Wren let out a long breath. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin our first-ever meeting, but I just can’t keep my eyes open.Could I possibly get a glass of water and perhaps a cushion if you have one? I’m happy to sleep on the floor.”
“I don’t think I can let you go right now, Wren. I’m trying not to be creepy. I’ll get your water, and there’s food here if you’re hungry, but I don’t think I can put you down. You gave me a big scare tonight.”
“Aww, Bear.” Wren felt tears seep from under his eyelids. “I scared me, too. No sleep…constant cleaning with those horrid, horrid, toothbrushes…” The tears were falling faster. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just couldn’t see anything outside those apartment walls.”
“It’s okay.” Bear’s voice sounded shaky. “We can go outside now if you want. I have a lovely rocking chair on the porch that will fit us both if you stay close.”
“You’ll have to carry me.” Wren tried to laugh and sniffed instead. He quickly swiped over his damp cheeks with his hand. “Standing on that ledge and not falling took the last of my energy. I don’t think my legs work anymore.”
“That’s not a hardship.” Wren felt the movement and heard Bear’s shoes on a carpet,no, a rug,wooden floors, and then the click of a door as it opened. The freshness of the night air hit Wren all at once, and he shivered.
