Boarlander Boss Bear (Boarlander Bears #1)(23)

“No,” Clinton murmured, “I’m not happy.”

“It’s been hard, and for a long time. Can we all agree on that?” Harrison asked.

“Yes,” Clinton and Bash answered.

“I’m lifting the ban on women in the trailer park.”

“Harrison—” Clinton interrupted.

“No, you’ll listen. Your time for talking and sabotaging is through. I’d made that rule a long time ago because some of my bears weren’t ready to treat a woman with respect, and I didn’t want to put some frail human woman at risk in my park. My crew needed time to mature. It was never a permanent rule, Clinton, and I was ready to lift it right as you came to me, begging to be a Boarlander. Because you were so opposed to women in our park, I held off on lifting the ban. Was I right to do it? Hell, I don’t know. Maybe if I’d done this sooner, I could’ve kept some of my boys. Or maybe not. I can’t change what’s been done, but I can do my best to guide what we have left to a better future. I want us happy.”

“But women in this park won’t make me happy,” Clinton said, staring out the window.

“Why? Just tell me the reason why so I can understand why you’ve pushed everyone so hard.”

“Because I’m cursed, Harrison. You think I’m doing this to hurt us? Because I hate women?” Clinton looked sick and shook his head. “I drag hell with me wherever I go. I don’t want any more women hurt because of me.”

Well, that was the realest answer he’d ever heard from Clinton.

“You ain’t cursed, and we ain’t destined to be miserable the rest of our lives, Clinton. I’m lifting the ban—”

“You’re making a mistake.”

“It’s my mistake to make!” Harrison yelled. “I let you run this crew too long, and you know what happens when a low-ranking bear runs things? The whole damned hierarchy breaks down. I put up with too much. I did it because I saw what Creed was doing with his troubled bears, and I thought you would come around if I was a good enough alpha, but you never did. You got worse. I’ve called Audrey, and she’ll be waiting at the park—”

“Dammit, Harrison—”

“I’m not done,” he barked, turning onto a sharp switchback. From here, he could see the park in the valley below. “Ladies are now allowed in the park, and Bash, I’m gonna need you to order some supplies.”

“For what, boss?”

“We’re fixing up the place because we let our home go, boys. That place is a crap-hole. I’m embarrassed to bring Mason and Kirk and Audrey there. Our crew is going through an overhaul, and part of that is improving our territory so that it’s safe and inviting for mates, and someday, God-willing, cubs. I mean, for f*ck’s sake, the Grayland Mobile Park looks pristine. And they’re Gray Backs. I want that for us. I want a fire pit, a gathering place, a grilling area, a work-out space, a damned swing-set in the back, all of it.”

“I want a door,” Bash said helpfully.

“Yeah, I don’t really know why you haven’t put a new one on. It’s been two weeks since you kicked it down.”

“Because Clinton,” Bash muttered.

“Okay, also, you two need to settle the issue of who is my Second. We need a pecking order, and it needs to stick.”

Clinton had gone quiet, arms crossed tightly over his chest like he was shutting down. “I have nowhere else to go.”

“Then don’t go anywhere. I don’t want to lose you, Clinton.”

“This is because of Audrey. She’s making you shake up a system that doesn’t need to change.”

“Look, Audrey is mine.”

“After a few days,” Clinton scoffed.

“And how fast did it take for you to know with your mates, Clinton? Huh? How long until you bonded?”

Clinton jerked a furious gaze to Harrison, then back out the window.

“I called your alpha from a few crews ago. Can’t you see it’s not fair that you got to try to build a family, but Bash and I never get that chance?”

When Clinton huffed a furious breath, the air stank of fur, but he needed to hear this. Needed to accept what was happening.

“How long?” Harrison demanded.

Clinton swallowed audibly. “It was instant.”

Harrison’s stomach clenched at the pain that had tainted Clinton’s voice.

“Holy shit,” Bash whispered.

“Audrey is my mate. I didn’t expect it, wasn’t looking for one, but my bear chose her, and I’m going to work hard to get her to choose me back. She will be a part of this if she wants to be. She makes me happy, and it’s been a long damned time. I deserve for things to go better, and I’m going to work my ass off for life to be better for the both of you. You’re all the crew I’ve got. From here on, I promise, I’m going to do my best to dig us out of this hole.”

“I’m in,” Bash said, gripping Harrison’s shoulder from behind.

“Clinton?” Harrison asked.

But Clinton only sighed the saddest sound and stared out the window at the passing evergreens. As they pulled into the back entrance of Boarland Mobile Park, Clinton said, “You’re a good alpha, Harrison.”

But Harrison hadn’t missed it. That wasn’t really a declaration of fealty.