The Mane Squeeze
Page 15

Gwen opened her eyes and snorted. Figures.
What? Blayne asked, staring down at her.
Blayne was staring down at her. Not a handsome bear. But Blayne. She loved Blaynebut Blayne wasnt the bear. The bear whod made a promise. Gave his word!
See? She couldnt rely on anyone but herself, her family, and Blayne. Crazy, never-knew-when-she-would-snap, anger-management-classes-are-her-friend Blayne. Anyone elsenot to be trusted.
Nothings wrong, Gwen lied.
You sure?
Yeah. Im sure. So can I leave?
Brendons signing you out now. You cant walk on that leg for at least four hours, so hes going to have to carry you. Or Smitty. Blaynes lips pursed. The Packs here, too.
Gwen didnt ask why the Smith Pack was here because she already knew. Ronnie Lee called one of them and said in that annoying country twang, No, no. I dont need nothin. Ill be fine. Yall dont worry bout me none. And the dogs ran over like Ronnie was being locked into an Animal Control van.
Whatever, Gwen sighed. Because reallywould it have killed the bear to have stuck around at least until she woke up? At least until he knew she wasnt about to become another victim of body-part theft?
Apparently it would have, because he wasnt here. Like hed promised!
As Gwen always suspected, male bears were no different from any of the other breeds. All males were born liars. Every last one of them. And why the hell did she care so much that he hadnt stayed and she felt moments from pouting?
It must be the medication. That was the only thing that made sense. All those stupid meds flowing through her body were making her an emotional wreck.
Brendon walked in. All right. Lets get out of here.
Blayne slipped her arm under Gwens shoulders to help her sit up.
Ive got her. Brendon waited until Blayne stepped aside and then easily scooped Gwen up in his arms.
You dont need to carry me like Im an infant.
And proving how much like Mitch Shaw he really was, Brendon cried out dramatically, Would it kill you to let me help you?
Blowing out a sigh, Gwen looked at Blayne and Blayne looked down at the floor, her shoulders shaking from laughter.
No, Bren. Thats fine.
He smiled, happy hed gotten his way. Thank you.
Ulrich Van Holtz continued to read the latest tome on world economics, pretending to be bored, but in truth absolutely fascinated!
He loved weekends like this. Weekends without his father, Alder, or brother in attendance because if there was one thing that pair knew how to do really well was ruin a relaxing weekendamong family.
But instead of enduring the presence of those two, Ric was instead getting a few days of downtime with his favorite cousins, a few hours on his own to read a dry, detailed exploration on failing economics, and a chance to watch his best friend storm into the house, slam the door behind him, and make all Rics lounging cousins disappear in the face of that grizzly boar-rage.
Awesome.
Lock MacRyrie stalked by the living room entryway wearing hospital scrubs, a scowl, and a series of fresh bruises on his face and neck.
Lock?
The grizzly walked back and stood in the archway. What?
Should I ask what happened to your face?
It doesnt matter, he growled before storming off again.
Placing his book on the table, Ric followed his friend. When the grizzly started to head out a back door, Ric caught his arm and led him toward the kitchen.
Adelle Van Holtz, his fathers first cousin but mature enough that Ric always referred to her as Aunt Adelle, glanced up from whatever she was mixing for tonights dessert. Her mouth dropped open in shock when she saw Lock.
Lachlan! She put down her mixing bowl and rushed to him. My poor baby. What happened to you?
I really dont want to talk about it, he muttered and Adelle pulled him toward one of the stools by the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from one of the smaller dining areas.
You sit right down here, she said, amusing Ric, who sat next to him. It fascinated him the way the older She-wolves pampered Lock like a giant teddy bear, while all the older males hated and feared him.
You going to tell me what happened? Ric asked, reaching for one of the berries from the massive bowl Adelle placed in front of Lock, but quickly snatching his hand back when she slapped it.
I said I dont want to talk about it.
Youll feel better.
No, I wont.
Did you end up on the wrong side of a buck again?
No. Wolves. When Ric and Adelle passed glances, both wondering who in their Pack would be stupid enough to go up against any bear, much less Lock, he shook his head. Not your Pack. Some other flea-bitten Pack.
Excuse me, but we havent had an outbreak of fleas in years. And what other Pack?
I dont know.
Adelle cleared her throat, her face concerned. I know some of the Smiths are staying out at Shaws place this weekend. But I cant imagine Bobby Ray would
These werent Smiths. Ive dealt with Smiths before, and met a few of the New York Pack at Jesss wedding. It wasnt them.