Forbidden Bear (Bear Creek Biker Bears #1)(23)

That was usually when her claws came out; however, Mia knew a cat’s claws were more dangerous. Her advantage in a fight had always been her speed; she was faster, lighter on her feet than any other wolf. But the cougars would beat her; all sinewy and lithe, she could never match them on the ground.

“Here we go,” Ion said, standing up and heading to where Will was waiting.

“Shall we go too?” Mia asked.

“Yes, not that there will be trouble. Marv is a great guy.”

“Might not be when he sees a wolf with you. Maybe I should stay out of the way.”

“Mia,” he said, touching her cheek. “You are with me, one of us now. It will be fine.” But still she trembled. Not in fear; well, not fear of getting hurt, but fear of not being able to handle herself properly. Making a fool of herself. Next to these cool bears, she felt like Traff, all idiotic and stupid.

Joel stood, pulling her to him and kissing her fiercely. All her fears left her; she couldn’t make a fool of herself in front of him, he wouldn’t let her. “Thank you,” she said.

“Stay by my side. It’ll be fine.”

She hoped he was right, and now was the time she would find out, because one man came down in a beat-up old car, while around them six cougars materialised from out of the trees.

“Marv, you didn’t have to send a welcoming committee.”

The man stopped the car and got out. “Not for your benefit. There have been raids around the outskirts of the valley. Wolves.”

Mia pressed herself tighter into Joel’s toned body. She shouldn’t have come.

“Wolves, this far out?” Will asked.

“Yes. This deal means a lot to my people Will. I can’t risk the cash being stolen.”

“Understood. Then why not let us accompany you back to town? I hate to see you in trouble, Marv.”

“Thank you, Will. The bears have always been good to us. But this deal is not open knowledge. If you all roll into town, then people will know something is up, and that is how word spreads.” Marv turned back to the car and reached inside, pulling out a small package.

“All in there?” Will asked.

“Yes, doesn’t look like much, but they are a new prototype. My son brought them with him when he visited last.”

“How’s he doing?” Ion asked.

“Good, Ion, only a pity he had to leave town to make some money.” Marv and Will made the exchange and then Marv moved back to the car.

Just as he got in, one of the cougars snarled, and the bears immediately took on a fighting stance. The cougar in question changed, standing before them with a grimace on his face.

“You brought a wolf here?”

“She’s with us, Riley.” Joel stepped forward to put himself between Mia and the cougar, who, once human, was all buff and toned; he would be hard to beat. Still, she squared her shoulders and made ready to fight.

“If they trust her, Riley, you let her be,” Marv said.

“No one trusts a wolf.” Riley did as Marv asked, though, and took a step back.

“She’s Joel’s mate. You can trust her,” Ethan said.

“If the wolves come, we will know who told about this deal.”

“She didn’t know where we were going. There is no leak from our side; we came straight here from Wolf Valley. She spoke to no one.”

“Let it go, Riley. The wolves who attacked us were not from Wolf Valley. They range from the north. No idea where they are based. If you hear anything, let me know.” Then as an afterthought, Marv turned to Mia and said, “My guess is they are making themselves strong before they make a move on your town. Having no alpha leaves you weak.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Mia replied. “But I’ve left that behind. My place is with Joel now.”

With a grunt, Marv got back into his car and reversed it, turning it to point up towards Cougar Ridge once more. The cougars flanked it through the trees, Riley snarling at her one more time before he shimmered and was gone, a ghost in the darkness.

“That went well,” Ethan said. “Do you think they are right, about these wolves from the north?”

“If they are, we will have to be vigilant. We are too close to Wolf Valley for things to implode any more than they already have.” Will face showed his concern. “I think we should tell those living in remote corners to be on their guard. And patrols at night might not be a bad idea.”


“You believe there is a real threat?” Mia asked, thinking of her mom and Kurt moving to the mountains.

“This isn’t the first I’ve heard of trouble, Mia.” Then Will smiled. “But then I hear a lot of things that don’t come true. So let’s be on our guard, but don’t let it spoil your happiness.”

“Yes, I bet you have a wedding to arrange,” Ethan said.

“Wedding?” Mia asked.

“You mean he hasn’t proposed?” Kris asked.

“Not had the chance,” Joel said bashfully, looking at Mia with an apology written all over his face.

“There’s no rush,” she said, feeling the first twinges of wedding-day jitters in her belly. “No rush at all.”

They mounted their bikes and headed back down the road, after they were sure that the cougars had enough time to get safely back to town. Despite Will’s assurances, Mia still held onto her fear about a wolf attack. Marv was right; Wolf Valley was a prime target for a take-over by a rogue pack.