Authors: Kenzie Cox

Tags: #paranormal romance, #girl next door, #bear shifter, #shifter romance

Cyrus (8 page)

He really was insane. Who rationalized holding someone captive?

A lunatic was the only reasonable answer.

My patience was running thin and with each word he uttered, the urge to take a swipe at him only heightened.

“Do you want me to shift? We can run together again. I know how much you like that.” The tone of his voice was hopeful.

I lifted my head and tilted it to the side, only interested in the part about running. If I could get out of the room, I’d be free. He never could keep up with me.

“Ahh, you like that idea.” He smiled at me. “But first you have to give me another chance. I can make it up to you, Claire Bear.”

At the words Claire Bear, something snapped inside me. It was a name I hated and what he’d always called me when he was being the most manipulative. Without warning, I reared up and swatted the gun out of his hand.

He let out a startled cry and retreated back behind the door, trying and failing to close it on me.

I barreled right through, snapping it off its hinges as I went after him.

“Claire, stop! You don’t want to do this,” he called over his shoulder. “Think of what the clan elders will say. If you kill—”

I leaped and caught him, taking him down with minimal effort. Placing one paw in the middle of his back, I held him down and lowered my muzzle to his neck. All it would take is one bite, and that’d be the end of him.

“Claire, please,” he begged.

I blew out a breath, letting him feel the hot air on his neck. Making sure he knew just how easy it would be for me to put him out of his misery. I was just about to clamp my teeth over his flesh, as one last warning, when the front door slammed open.

A large black bear rushed in, followed by Cole Doucet.

My heart soared. Even though it had been years since I’d seen Cyrus in his bear form, I’d know him anywhere. It was the bond. The mating bond. I felt it deep in my chest and buried in my soul. We belonged together, and nothing Vince had done had changed a thing between us.

I pressed my paw harder into Vince’s back, but lifted my head to acknowledge Cyrus and Cole.

“Looks like she has this all under control,” Cole said, smiling at me. “Well done, Claire.”

Cyrus stopped beside me, glanced down at Vince, and then lowered his head as he let out a low and sinister growl.

Vince started to tremble.

I let out a laugh that sounded more like a guffaw in my bear form.

“Jesus. He looks like he’s going to piss himself,” Cole said.

I had to agree.

Cole came to stand next to me, pulling out a dart gun. “If you move to the right, I can get him in the ass.”

“What?” Vince tried to rear up, but my heavy paw kept him in place.

“Oh forget it.” Cole shot him in the shoulder, and in the next instant, Vince went limp. “The ass would’ve been more fitting, but one does what they have to.” He grinned and put the gun away.

Cyrus leaned into me and nuzzled my neck. The gesture was soothing and intimate at the same time. All I wanted to do was curl up next to him and sleep for hours.

“I can give you some privacy if you want to shift,” Cole said.

Cyrus nodded his big bear head.

“Sure thing.” Cole dropped the duffle bag he’d been carrying. Clothes are in there. For you, too, Claire.”

Cole left, and a few moments later, Cyrus and I stood next to each other, both of us completely naked. He wrapped me in his arms, thoroughly unconcerned with the state of our dress.

“Thank God you’re all right,” he said into my ear, nearly crushing me to him.

“How did you find me?” I asked, not really caring about the answer. All that mattered was that he was there.

“Long story. But once we realized Crane had you, it was just a matter of tracking down the right property. Turns out, his mom owns this place.”

“He certainly doesn’t own anything,” I said, just to contribute to the conversation.

“You doing okay? Are you hurt?” He pulled away and inspected my body, presumably looking for bruises or other signs of abuse.

“Just sore muscles. It took a lot of strength to pry my way out of that giant cage.”

His eyes narrowed. “That bastard put you in a cage?”

I nodded. “That didn’t last long, though.”

“Piece of shit.” Cyrus walked over to his limp body and kicked him in the ribs. Twice.

I watched dispassionately. After what he’d done to me, he deserved what he got. I only hoped that after everything was said and done, he’d be out of our lives for good.

“Here.” Cyrus handed me a pile of clothes. “Cole probably already has the clan enforcers on their way. It’d be better if we’re dressed when they get here.”

I smiled at him. Shifters rarely got worked up about nudity. It was just a part of life. “Feeling a little possessive are you?”

“After finding out some other bear abducted you? Hell yes. Now cover up. I don’t want anyone else getting any stupid ideas.”

I chuckled and stepped into the oversized sweats and T-shirt.

“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t have time to pick up any of your things.”

“Don’t worry about it.” If it bothered me I could always go back into the other room and find my own clothes. But if I never saw that cell again, it would be too soon.

He wrapped his arm around me. “Let’s go outside and wait.”

I snuggled into him and felt a sudden peace settle over me. As long as I was with him, I knew I could get through anything.

Chapter 12
Cyrus

I
t had been two weeks since Claire’s kidnapping. One week ago, the clan disciplinary committee banished Vince from our clan and sentenced him to twenty-five years in the state shifter penitentiary. It was the place they sent shifters who failed at rehabilitation.

No one was sad to see him go. Not even Mathew Daniels, Melinda’s fiancé.

According to Mathew, he’d let Vince and one of his logging buddies borrow his car, and they’d been the ones to tamper with the security of the house. His story seemed plausible, but I still didn’t trust the guy. He wasn’t as squeaky clean as he appeared to be. But since Melinda was no longer my problem, I’d let it go. Meanwhile, Vince had maintained all along that the break in was a prank, even though we all knew it was to keep me busy while he went after Claire.

The clan elders had issued an official apology to Claire for not consulting her about being matched with Crane. She’d accepted but had asked them to stop the arranged matches. Her request had fallen on deaf ears, but they did agree to let her make her own match.

Not that they had a choice.

Anyone with eyes could see that Claire and I were already mated.

It just wasn’t official yet.

“Ready?” she asked as she floated into the room wearing a floor-length red dress. Her hair was up in a loose bun, curls spilling out around her glowing face.

I clasped my hand in hers, pulling her closer. “You’re gorgeous.” I peeked down her dress, admiring her ample cleavage. “The things I want to do to you right now...”

She laughed. “Nope. We’re going to this enchanted ball. It’s part of our getting-back-to-normal plan.”

“There is nothing normal about going to the Bearly Enchanted Ball in Basin Bayou,” I said, making a face.

“Hush. We’re going. End of story.” She tugged on my hand, leading me toward the door.

I followed along like an obedient cub. After the last few weeks together, I’d learned it was impossible for me to deny her anything. If it was a dance she wanted, then so be it.

Thirty minutes later, we were walking into the dance hall, and I spotted Chase at a table in the back, talking intently with Katrina.

“I didn’t know they were coming,” Claire said.

“Neither did I.” I led her over to their table. “Good evening.”

Chase glanced up, appearing startled. “What are you doing here?”

“I was just about to ask you the same.” I raised one eyebrow and glanced at Katrina. She averted her eyes and focused on the dance floor.

“Just a bit of business.” Chase stood. “I needed to ask one of the elders about a security issue. Nothing pressing.”

“No? Couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” If it wasn’t pressing, what was he doing at the dance dressed in a suit?

“It could have,” he said. “But the hall was on my way. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to stop for a few minutes.” He gave Claire a nod. “You look nice.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. “So do you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a suit.”

His face turned red as he flushed. Jesus. He wasn’t here for the elders at all. I studied Katrina and noted the way he hadn’t looked at her once since we’d arrived. He was here for her.

“Anyway. I should get going and let you two...well, do whatever you do at clan dances.”

Claire laughed. “Dance. You should try it sometime. What do you say, Katrina? Do you dance?”

She gave Chase her full attention as she said, “Sure.”

But he was either too dense or too stupid to notice, because he shoved his hands in his pockets and took a step back. “Well, don’t let me stop the fun. Claire.” He nodded at her then turned to Katrina. Only he didn’t say anything for a moment while the two of them just looked at each other.

Finally Katrina broke the silence. “Have a good evening, Chase.”

“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair and added, “You, too.”

Claire and I watched him go. When he disappeared out the door I muttered, “What an idiot.”

“What’s that?” Claire asked.

“Nothing. Let’s dance.”

A grin blossomed on her face as I guided her to the dance floor and took her in my arms.

“This isn’t so bad,” she said into my ear.

I glanced around at the cheesy disco ball, the paper streamers, and the bear shaped balloons. “Only because I have you in my arms. The rest is...well, I hope I’m getting rewarded for this later.”

“Trust me. You are.” She tightened her hold on me, and I decided if she wanted to go to a dance every weekend, then I was in.

The music stopped and Elder Greyson climbed the makeshift stage to the podium. “It’s that time of year again,” she said into the microphone. “Time for friends to become lovers and lovers to claim their mates.”

A cheer went up around the room.

“Oh, no,” Claire said, tightening her hand around mine. “They aren’t really—”

“And tonight there’s someone here who would like to make it official.” She glanced around the room until her gaze landed on me. “Mr. Doucet? I believe the stage is yours.”

I grinned down at Claire.

“What in the world?”

“Come on,” I said and tugged her up to the stage.

She stood slightly behind me, both of her hands holding mine.

“Hello, everyone. I know it’s unusual to see a Doucet boy at one of these things, but now that Claire’s finally given me the time of day, I didn’t want to miss my opportunity.”

A happy sigh went up around the room.

“You see, just about twenty years ago, when my family relocated to this town, we moved in right next door to the Erickson family. And that day, five year old Claire stole my heart. I think somewhere deep down, I always knew she was the one for me. But with adolescence came stupidity, and I feared, due to my reckless actions, that I’d lost my chance with the one person I respected most.”

“Looks like you finally figured it out, man!” someone called from the crowd.

“Yeah,” I laughed. “Finally. Two weeks ago, I convinced this lovely lady to give me a chance. Only two weeks and twenty years.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a red velvet box that matched her dress. “And now I’m ready to make it official.”

Her eyes were wide with shock. “What are you doing?” she whispered. “You know you don’t have to do this.”

I just grinned at her, my heart swelling with emotion. “Claire Erickson?” I opened the box, revealing a ruby heart surrounded by diamonds. “Will you take me as your mate?”

She brushed her hands over the red stone and blinked back tears. “You know I decided a long time ago I was never going to give you a chance.”

I nodded, my grin widening.

“And you know you suck for ignoring me for all those years. My young five year old heart was crushed.”

“You’re right. I suck.” I brushed my fingers over her cheek.

“And now you’re standing up at this ball, making this grand gesture—”

“Say yes already!” another person called. Laughter filled the dance hall.

“Well, Claire?” I asked. “How about it?”

She closed her eyes for just a second, then smiled up at me and whispered, “Yes.”

“About time!” someone shouted.

“Kiss her!” another cried.

“Start the music!” yet another clan member called.

I clasped the necklace around her neck and then gathered her in my arms. “You’re mine now.”