Abandoned and Unseen (Branded Packs #2)(26)

Cole did not like this bear. He didn’t like his attitude, and he sure as hell didn’t like the way the guy eye-f*cked Anya. The bastard didn’t even have the grace to do it subtly. No, he f*cking raked his gaze down her body, appreciation apparent.

Cole moved closer to Anya, putting his hand on her lower back. She turned to him, her brows raised. She knew what was going on, but didn’t do anything about it.

Tucker snorted but didn’t stop looking at Anya.

Cole wanted to scream mine and mark her as his. Only it sure as hell wasn’t the time for that.

“I’m looking for my children,” Anya said. She took two steps toward the bear, leaving Cole behind.

Cole did not like that. He wanted to reach for her but held himself back, not wanting to make any sudden movements in front of this stranger.

“You let them wander too far from you, momma bear?”

Before Cole could break the bastard’s neck, Anya was in Tucker’s face. Cole growled and moved behind her, his hand on her hip.

“The SAU stole my babies from their beds while they slept. They’ve never been outside the compound except to move from one den to another. We tracked them down to this general area. If you’ve seen them, or heard anything that indicates they could be near, I need to know,” she pleaded, and Cole wanted to tear up the world for her.

Tucker studied her face. “I’m sorry the SAU kidnapped your kids, but you need to go. It’s not safe for anyone here.”

Cole frowned at the man. He was hiding something, and Cole knew it. This bear had more secrets than just his identity within the human population. What would an Unseen want with this territory? Why was he so adamant that Cole and Anya leave?

“Please. I know you know something. I can see it in your eyes.” Anya put her hand on Tucker’s chest, and Cole growled. She moved it back slowly, but not before a lick of heat entered Tucker’s eyes.

Cole had had enough. He pulled Anya to his side and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Tell us what you know. This isn’t about dicking around with each other; this is about two scared bear cubs. Help us.”

Tucker remained silent for so long, Cole was afraid the big bastard was just going to walk away and leave them stranded. Fuck, he’d go and follow the bear if he had to. There was no way he’d let the polar leave without giving them information.

“Please,” Anya whispered.

Tucker cursed. “Fine. But the information I tell you can’t be used until after dark. You hear me? It’s not safe for you to be out in the daylight. Blending in is one thing, but it’s hard as f*ck to blend in on this side of the tracks.”

Cole opened his mouth to respond, but Tucker held up his hand.

“You don’t know the area. This is my home. You f*ck up and get caught by the SAU? They’re going to come after my family. There’s young here. You screw up and they die. You get me?”

“Where are they?” Anya asked, her voice calm. Too calm. Fuck, what was she planning?

Tucker raised a brow at her. “Hold yourself, momma bear. You rush out of here for what could be just a shot at finding them, rather than actually finding them, and you’ll die.”

Cole’s arm shot out, his hand wrapping around the bear’s neck before he could blink. “Threaten her again and you’ll be more than just Unseen. You get me?”

Tucker didn’t look the least bit worried about Cole’s claws digging into his skin. In fact, the f*cker looked relaxed.

“I’m not going to be the one to kill her. The SAU will. Stop thinking with your dick and think with your brain.”

“Fuck you.”

“Both of you, stop it,” Anya snapped. “Where the f*ck are my sons?”

“You have a mouth on you,” Tucker murmured. “I like it.”

Cole squeezed, a trail of blood running down this thumb. “Keep going. I dare you.”

“You kill me, you don’t get the information.”

“Tucker,” Anya pleaded.

Cole didn’t like the *’s name on her lips. Tucker slowly reached into his pocket, and Cole kept his gaze on the man for any sudden movements.

“I’m going to write down an address and a set of directions. There’ve been some suspicious activities going on around this one building. I think it might be the one you’re looking for.”

“Suspicious?” Cole asked.

“Just what I said. Odd people going in and out and sneaking around. It’s not that uncommon around here, but we’ve been sensing shifters we haven’t before.”

Anya put her hand on Cole’s back, her nails digging into his skin. He slowly let go of Tucker, wanting to touch Anya. If he didn’t, he wasn’t sure what his cat would do. He put his arm around her waist again and watched the polar write down a few notes then hand the piece of paper over to Anya.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re not going to come with us?” Cole asked. “If you’re so worried about the other shifters, then why won’t you come? Help us find the kids and kick this bastard’s ass.”

Tucker shook his head. “I have plans of my own.” He nodded at both of them. “Good luck.” With those cryptic comments, the guy walked away, leaving a nervous as hell Anya in Cole’s arms.