Ethan (Blackbeary Creek 1) (5 page)

Guests had their choice of rooms with an authentic rustic appeal, or rooms with a traditional interior as seen in most hotels. There were styles to fit everyone’s comfort level, and both couples and families visited to enjoy the amenities.

The huge building seemed like a regular hotel in the front, with a traditional concrete entrance and presence, but the back was crafted from wood, and opened into a woodland retreat. The end of the property bordered a protected national park, and many guests enjoyed the brush with nature combined with the freedom and ease of nearby civilization.

Tegan walked through the sliding glass door, and made her way to the concierge desk.

“Hi, can help you?” the girl behind the counter asked.

She was slim, pretty, and about Tegan’s age, but she didn’t look friendly.

“Yes,” Tegan said. “Is Mr. Locke in?”

“Which Mr. Locke?” The girl sighed, rolling her eyes.

Yep, definitely not friendly.

“Mr. Russell Locke,” Tegan replied.

“I'm sorry but—”

“That will be all Tiffany,” a deep voice from behind Tegan said. “You may go home now.”

“But my shift doesn't—”

“Marcy in human resources will take care of you on your way out,” the voice said.

Tiffany stomped away from the desk, and Tegan turned and smiled up at Jasper Locke, the oldest Locke brother.

He was ten years her senior, with blonde hair and emerald green eyes, and he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever met. The first time she and her brother had visited the Locke Hotel, she'd been enthralled by Jasper, and the fascination had never dissipated.

Still, in her mind, he could never measure up to Ethan.

“Tegan Ryan,” Jasper said, his voice automatically forcing her to relax as he guided her away from the counter. “This is a surprise. Is your brother with you?”

“Is she fired?” she whispered, shocked that he would fire someone who’d treated her poorly.

“She's been spoken to before,” Jasper said, as if reading her mind. “We like to be fair, but we don't stand for any rude behavior toward our guests. Especially our friends.”

“Oh God,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“What? Why?” Jasper laughed. “You didn’t do anything, and even though she's been trouble, she'll still get a nice severance check. Trust me, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to let someone go, and it won’t be the last. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay,” Tegan said, admiring him once again.

“Good, now tell me about your visit,” he said. “To what do we owe this surprise honor?”

Tegan thought about how much she should tell the older bear.

It was rude to show up without a reservation, and she didn’t want him to tell Tristian about her fears, but she wanted his help. She’d come to him because she trusted him to help her, and he would, but it would be easier if he knew the truth.

She decided to trust him.

“Tristian's not with me,” she said. “I'm actually in the middle of moving to Ravenwood.”

“You're moving away from home?” Jasper asked, openly surprised.

“Yes,” she said. “As you know, I'm not like my brother, and I decided it was time for me to learn to take care of myself.”

He nodded, and if she shocked him again, he didn't show it.

“I feel sort of silly now,” she said, “but a car had been tailing me, or seemed to be, for several hours. I didn't want to go straight to the cabin, so I decided to stop here in case I needed some help.”

“Good idea,” Jasper nodded. “What happened to the car?”

“It took an exit about an hour back and I haven’t seen it since,” she said sheepishly. “I feel so stupid.”

“There's no reason to feel stupid,” Jasper said. “You did the right thing. Let's get you into a room, and then I’ll add some extra security for tonight and tomorrow—or for however long you decide to stay—just in case.”

“Thank you Jasper,” she said. “Oh can I…”

Damn.

She didn’t want to admit her refusal to stop for gas, but she wouldn’t get very far if she didn’t tell him.

“Anything for you, Tegan,” Jasper said, honestly. “You and your brother are like family.”

His sincerity made it easier to admit her faults.

“The gas light on the SUV came on when I pulled into the parking lot.”

“Does the valet have your keys, or are you parked in one of the visitor spaces?”

“I gave him my keys,” she said.

“Good. I'll get someone to bring up your bags, and we’ll get the car filled up before it’s returned to you.”

Jasper walked her back to the counter, exchanged a few words with the remaining clerk, and left her in the woman’s capable hands. The woman was fast, friendly, and knowledgeable, and Tegan didn’t think it was because she was a friend of the owners. In fact, the vast difference between the two women was hard to ignore, and she immediately understood why Jasper had let the other one go.

A few minutes later, she stood in the elevator on the way to one of the traditional rooms. Once she reached her floor, she slid her key in the slot, and and gasped when she opened the door.

Jasper had given her one of the suites, and it was amazing.

She kicked off her shoes, allowed her toes to sink into the thick plush carpet, and then took a quick tour, ending in the kitchen. She pulled a bottle of water out of the fully stocked refrigerator, and sat on the couch as the cool liquid soothed her dry throat. When the bottle was empty, she put her feet up on the coffee table, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

She woke several minutes later to someone knocking on the door.

“Miss Ryan” the bellboy called. “I have your bags.”

Tegan rushed the door, opened it, and allowed the bellboy to bring in her two suitcases.

“Mr. Locke wanted to know if you also needed the boxes?” he asked.

“No, the suitcases will be fine,” she said. “Thank you.”

The man carried the bags to the bedroom, and then started to leave.

“On, hang on,” she called to him. “Let me get my purse.”

“That's not necessary,” the bellboy said, handing her a room service menu. “Mr. Locke asked me to remind you that everything is on the house, and that you must eat something after such a long trip. Here’s a menu. Just press the button with the plate and fork on the phone when you’re ready to order.”

“Thank you, she said.

“My pleasure,” he smiled. “Enjoy your stay.”

The bellboy left the room, pulling the door closed behind him, and out of habit, Tegan rushed after him and turned the deadbolt for extra security.

She would eat, but later.

The only thing she wanted to do now was soak in the two-person swimming pool the Locke’s called a bathtub.

***

Ethan stared at the main house from his front porch, and willed Tristian to appear. It had been nearly an hour since their altercation, and he was still waiting for the alpha to cool down, give in, and tell him where Tegan was.

If he had to guess, he would say she was at the cabin, but he didn't want to guess. He didn't want to waste any more time, but until Tristian forgave him, he didn’t have a choice.

Unfortunately, the man was stubborn, and though Ethan knew forgiveness would come, he also knew he could be waiting for a long time.

The screen door to to Graham’s house slammed closed, and Ethan looked up to see the other man walking toward him with his fingers wrapped around two long necks. When Graham reached the porch, he took the stairs two-at-a-time, and handed him a beer.

“Thanks,” Ethan said, accepting the ice cold brew.

He placed the bottle against his cheek, and allowed the cool glass to soothe his aching flesh.

“How are you feeling?” Graham asked.

“Okay. I'm healing, of course, but I think he cracked a rib.”

They could heal from most things, but it still took time, and broken bones needed time to heal.

Graham nodded and took a swig of his beer. Ethan did the same, and they sat in silence for several minutes. As much as Ethan wanted to force Graham to reveal Tegan's location, he didn't say a word. They’d all heard Tristian's warning, but despite that, he knew Graham wouldn't want to break to Tegan's trust.

He glanced at the main house again, but there was no sign of Tristian.

“Is she really your mate?” Graham asked.

“Yes,” Ethan nodded, still staring at the main house. “She's my mate.”

“Why didn't you tell her?” Graham asked.

“Because I'm an idiot,” Ethan sighed, looking at the other bear. “When she turned eighteen, suddenly everything clicked, but she didn't seem to feel the same. I knew she was already struggling with not being able to shift, and she was so young, that I didn't want to put any more pressure on her. I knew if I told her my feelings, she would feel obligated to mate me, and I didn't want to force her into something she didn't really want.”

“In an effort to end what I felt for her, I took my friendship, and tried to stay away as much as possible. It was stupid plan. We all know those feelings don’t just go away, and all I did was hurt her.”

“When she came home from her date the other night, and I saw that mark on her face and her ripped purse…I lost it. I'm sure she told you what happened, but I’m ashamed to say I said things no mate should ever say. That's when I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. I knew I had to tell her, and then deal with the consequences later. Of course, Tristian figured it out somehow, maybe because she asked to leave on the same day, I don’t know, but he sent me away before I could tell her.”

They drank their beer in silence, and he wasn't sure if Graham would say anything else, but then the man put down his empty beer bottle and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

“She loves you, too, you know,” Graham said, as he searched for the app he wanted.

“What?” Ethan asked. “She does?”

“She's going to kill me for telling you this,” Graham nodded, “but she does love you.”

“She told you that?” Ethan clarified.

“She didn’t want to,” Graham said, making eye contact, “but after we saw you in the sub shop yesterday, I figured it out and she confirmed it. Apparently she's always been in love with you, and she just didn't want anyone to know.”

“Shit,” Ethan growled. “Did she leave because of me?”

“You're not the only reason,” Graham said, “but you’re the main reason.”

“Fuck,” Ethan swore. “Graham, I know Tristian told you not to say anything, and I know I don’t deserve it, but please tell me where she is.”

“I’m more worried about Tegan’s wrath, than Tristian’s,” Graham laughed. “I think she knew I'd cave and tell you, because she made me take the GPS tracker off her phone.”

“But she doesn't know about the one on the car,” Ethan said.

“No,” Graham admitted. “She doesn't know about that one.”

“Where she Graham?”

“She was going to the cabin,” he said, “but a little over halfway there, she changed course and went south to Maple Bear Falls. She arrived at the Locke Hotel about ten minutes ago.”

“The Locke Hotel?” Ethan questioned. “Did she tell you she was stopping there?”

“No,” Graham said. “She wanted to get to the cabin tonight before dark so she could air out the place, and she would've been arriving there now if she hadn't made the detour. Even if she left Maple Bear Falls right now, it’s still a four-hour drive to the cabin. She’d never make it before dark.”

“Something's wrong,” Ethan said, standing. “We’ve vacationed there a few times, but I don't think she would go there alone unless she needed help.”

“I agree,” Graham said, standing, too. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“I’m going.”

Ethan stepped inside the house, grabbed his wallet and keys from the table near the door, and met Graham back out on the porch. As they walked to Ethan’s SUV, he fired off instructions.

“Try to call her,” Ethan said. “Find out if she’ll tell you anything, but be cool, and don't tell her I'm coming. Keep it short and sweet, and then let me know what, if anything, you find out. Next go see Tristian, and fill him in, but don’t let him call her or any of the Locke brothers. If she thinks we’re checking up on her, she’ll run, and if she runs, and she
is
in danger, then we’re screwed. I can’t protect her if I can’t find her.”

“Got it,” Graham said. “I’ll call you in a few minutes.”

Ethan pulled open the door to his vehicle, slid one leg in, and turned back to Graham.

“Thank you, Graham,” Ethan said, honestly. “You did the right thing.”

“I know,” Graham said, “but if you break her heart, or you’re lying for any reason, then I’ll be waiting in front of the big house when you get back, and I won't go easy on you like Tristian did.”

Ethan wanted to laugh at the comment about Tristian going easy on him, even though it was true. His ribs and face still stung, and if his alpha had come at him fully, he’d probably still be in an immobile heap on the driveway.