Waking the Bear (Shifter Wars) (3 page)

She looked around the bedroom, noting the lack of pictures hanging on the walls, the prim white lace curtains, and the handmade quilt. Soon as she signed, there’d be no backing out. The cabin would be hers for two months. Every time she thought about it, acid filled her stomach. Or maybe it was excitement.

Let’s go with excitement. New things. I can do this.

She stood and smoothed the worn quilt. Already, the little cabin felt familiar—like it was supposed to be hers. If that wasn’t a promising sign, what was? All that was left was signing on the dotted line and giving the Realtor a check, and meeting Mr. Martin.

Let’s do this!

When Amy stepped into the living room, the first thing she noticed was the backside of Mr. Martin—or rather, his broad back. She stopped in her tracks to stare. She knew she shouldn’t, but it wasn’t every day she had such a view. No harm in looking.

He was tall—maybe six four—and his presence filled the room with an unmistakable masculinity that took her breath away. Dressed in a blue flannel button-up shirt and jeans, he looked nothing like a park ranger. At least not any park ranger she’d ever seen. She looked at his feet. Cowboy boots. She swallowed hard. This wasn’t the West, but damn those boots looked fine. The way his blue jeans hugged his backside was a sight she thought only existed in advertisements.

He was the real thing, and standing right in front of her.

Even though Jill had said he was handsome, when she said ranger Amy had expected some Smokey the Bear type uniform on a balding, middle-aged man with a paunch, not a sexy cowboy come to life with shoulders as wide as a doorframe.

“Hello.” She licked her lips and cleared her throat, aware that a blush crept up her chest and neck. She instinctively put her hands up to cover her neck.

“Griff, this is Amy Francis, your new tenant.” Jill rushed over to Amy and took her by the elbow to lead her to the small kitchenette table. “I’ve already done the background check and credit check, and she’s prepared to pay two months up front. Just gotta sign the papers.”

As Amy passed the ranger he peered down at her, his hazel eyes locking on to her, examining. Warm, and soul-deep, they stared. Not judging or comparing, he truly seemed to be studying her without any pretense. She gazed back, her mouth partly open, her heart rate accelerating from being so close she could smell his woodsy scent. He wore a full beard, the kind of scraggly brown mess of wiry hair usually reserved for reality TV. His hair matched, curling to his shoulders in a tangle of waves.

Something about his eyes warmed her to her core.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Francis,” his deep voice almost growled. He set her scarf on the table.

What had he been doing with her scarf? She’d left it on the table. She grabbed it then wrapped it around her neck, hoping to conceal her flush. “Nice to meet you, too.”

She was instantly at ease with him, despite his gruff appearance and her body’s reaction to his maleness. He had that Grizzly Adams kind of comfort in his posture. Big, but safe. Trustworthy. At ease with himself and his environment. The kind of guy that made you feel like everything was going to be okay.

Not the kind of guy she was used to being around.

“Glad you find my cabin to your satisfaction.” He continued to stare, but it wasn’t threatening, it was curious.

“It’s a lovely place, and the view is amazing, but you know that. Exactly what I was looking for, though. So thank you for agreeing to rent it to me.” She could tell she was babbling but her mouth wouldn’t stop. Something about the sexy ranger made her slap happy. She squeezed her scarf, trying to keep quiet and slow her thoughts down.
Amy time. Amy time. Not looking for a man. Shouldn’t even be looking at a man, especially not a man like this. Whew, is it hot in here?
She fanned herself.

“I have some questions.” He eyed her for a few seconds before continuing, his gaze cutting into her. “This is my family’s cabin and it’s very special to me. I don’t rent to just anyone that shows up. Even someone Jill has picked and background checked.” He nodded toward Jill. “Even though I’ve known her a long time.”

“Her background check was clear.” Jill nodded.

“I hope you’ll consider me.” Amy shuffled her feet. Her heart thudded and her palms dampened. She hadn’t considered that he might not rent to her. If he didn’t, she’d have to stay in a hotel till she found another place, and that wouldn’t be easy.

He ran his fingertips across the chairback and paused before speaking. “This cabin is a special place to me.”

She followed his fingers, watching them slide across the smooth wood. “I can see how it would be.” Her mouth went dry. His long fingers and large hands exuded the same power his height did. No wonder Jill seemed to have a crush on him. Who wouldn’t? She cleared her throat. “What questions do you have? I’m prepaying.”

“I’ve got the contract,” Jill interjected. “Ready to go.”

“No, it’s not that.” He ran his fingers through his beard. “I need to know how you’ll use the cabin.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t damage anything. I’m an artist and I draw and paint landscapes and florals. Mostly watercolor, and almost always outdoors. That’s why I thought about coming to the mountains of New York. It’s so beautiful here.” Damn, she was still babbling. What was it about the big man that both put her off guard and comforted her at the same time? Her body hummed with excitement being in his presence and she’d left her cool in the cabin bedroom. She had to get control. She was in New York to get away from people, not meet new ones. Especially not sexy new ones.

He had facial hair and she had a rule. No facial hair. That was simple enough, right? No facial hair meant zero facial hair. Well, except eyebrows. She’d dated a guy in college who shaved off his eyebrows as part of his Goth sensibilities. Best guy ever at quoting Whitman. No facial hair except eyebrows had been a rule since that guy was out of her life.

“I see. Well, I’m glad to hear you aren’t painting with harsh chemicals.” He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He gripped the back of the kitchen chair and scooted it across the wooden floor to its place under the table. “Sorry. I’m having a hard time staying awake.”

“Sorry.” Her face heated again. “I’m trying to tell you how lovely I think this area is, especially compared to the city.”

“The mountains are picturesque, especially in springtime. I think you’ll be an ideal tenant, long as you can follow the rules.”

His gaze lingered, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Th-thank you,” she stammered at his close inspection. “I can follow the rules.”
The landlord won’t be too bad to look at, either. Not a bonus I was expecting. Looking is okay.

“One thing you need to know. Take it to heart, please. The mountains are very dangerous. Especially if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going. You don’t want to go traipsing around these trails by yourself. You could get lost pretty easily and it could be days before someone finds you. There are things—”

“I don’t think you need to worry about Ms. Francis,” Jill spoke up. “She’ll be fine.” She fiddled with her notebook, flipping pages quickly. “She’s from Atlanta.”

Griff reared up to his full height and stared at the Realtor. “This is not Atlanta.”

Amy bit her lip. So close, he seemed larger than was possible for a man, and he gave off the strongest vibe of power she’d ever felt from a person. Even stronger than the VPs at the ad agency. Griff
commanded
the room without even speaking. In a positive way. A trustworthy way.

“The mountains
can
be dangerous,” he continued. “With the spring thaw we’ve had and the rainy season starting, you never know when a safe, dry place can become a hazard without warning. Flash floods, rockslides, dangerous animals...” He spoke low, gritting his teeth and fisting his hands. “There
are
dangerous animals out there. Animals that will tear her apart. So don’t assume she’ll be safe. I know these forests and mountains.”

“I’m sorry, Griff.” Jill dipped her head in clear submission. “What I meant is that I’m sure Ms. Francis will be careful. She’s smart. That’s all.”

“Of course I’ll be careful. I can take care of myself. I’ve handled a lot of difficult situations. I won’t do anything stupid.” Amy pulled out a chair and sat. “Now let’s get these papers signed so I can bring my things in. I’m exhausted.”

He paused a moment then...
Did he just sniff the air
?

He stared at her. “No one implied that you couldn’t take care of yourself.”

“I’ll be okay.”

He definitely sniffed, then he folded his arms across his chest. “I’m saying that the dangers here are different and potentially more serious than the dangers in the city. Here, things can be deadly and your body may not be found for days. When it
is
found, there may not be enough left to identify.”

“I’ll be okay.” She gave him her eighty-five cent smile, but he looked away, avoiding eye contact. Men rarely dismissed her at eighty-five. Even Darren.

“Maybe.”

“Are you having second thoughts about renting to me?” She couldn’t decide if he was worried about her or what. She wasn’t scared, and he wasn’t going to scare her away from the first place she’d felt comfortable in months. No, she was renting this cabin and painting for the next two months. He could get over it. She didn’t plan to find herself at the bottom of any rockslides anytime soon.

“He said he thought you’d be a great tenant.” Jill raised her voice.

“A couple more questions. No pets? Dogs, cats, other?” He yanked out the chair across from her and sat down. “No parties, no drugs...” He yawned again, then tugged at his beard.

“No, just me.” Amy reached for the papers the Realtor held out. “Plus my paint set and camera. What you see is what you get.”

He nodded slowly, lost in thought as his gaze raked over her.

Amy fidgeted in her chair. He certainly stared a lot. Did he think she looked odd? She’d brushed her hair. She crossed her hands on her lap. “Oh, occasionally I might have a beer, if that’s okay.”

“Yup.” He jerked his gaze away and looked out the window and tapped his fingers on the table. “Of course. Why would I care if you had a beer?”

“I don’t know. I’m just trying to understand your rules.” It was her turn to feel powerful over the big guy.

He turned to look her in the eye for a second and she swallowed hard. She gave him a ninety-cent smile and the look in his eyes softened.

The moment was gone as quickly as it came and he was back to all business.

“Fine on all the other, then.” He rubbed his hands together then began rolling up his sleeves. “Let’s do this.”

Seems the man couldn’t be still for a moment. He revealed his forearms bit by bit as the blue fabric of the shirt inched up his arm. He was kinda hairy but she guessed that was normal for men raised in the mountains.

“You mentioned paying two months’ rent?” Jill leaned in and pointed to the lease. “In full?”

“Yes. Makes me commit.” Amy signed her name on the line labeled
tenant
.

“You have problems committing, Miss Francis?” The smile that slid across Griff’s face was as obvious as his nose. He wasn’t hiding a thing with his teasing jab.

Jill inhaled sharply.

Amy looked down. No way was the sexy ranger flirting with her. She must be interpreting it wrong. “Sometimes, Mr. Martin, but that wouldn’t be appropriate conversation for people who just met, would it? Unless you want to lead?” She surprised herself with her brazenness. Being on her own was agreeing with her already.

“No.” He leaned back in his chair.

“Fine. Check okay?” She flashed a full-on one-hundred percenter, complete with a couple of bats of her eyes. Why the hell was she flirting with the landlord? This was Amy time, dammit!

“Long as it’s a valid one, right, Griff?” Jill laughed and stepped closer to Griff. “Make it payable to me.”

Amy had flirted with the landlord more than once. Jill was probably embarrassed by the tone of the conversation. “I have it prepared.”

She signed the check. When she set the pen down, Griff closed his larger hand over hers and squeezed. Warm and strong, just as she’d imagined. She looked into his eyes, a hazel green—as green as the dark pines that lined the road on her way up—and blinked. He leaned in.

“Stay near the cabin or in town. Plenty of things to paint close by.” His voice vibrated her insides and sent a shiver up her back. “Please. Don’t go wandering in the forest on your own, okay? People go missing out there, and though it’s my job to search for them, I don’t always find them in time. Or ever.”

He pulled his hand away and a chill passed over her.

Mesmerized by his gaze, she nodded, even though she had no intention of following his order. She knew her mouth hung open and it took every bit of will to snap it shut.

Chapter Three

Griff’s heart raced and his bear paced inside him. He had to get out of the cabin before his body betrayed his newfound feelings. Amy was his. She was meant for him, of that he was certain.

Still, she was off-limits.

“I hope you’ll enjoy the cabin.” Griff set the pen down.
Business relationship only.
“There’s a creek not too far away, and lots of pretty spots to take on nature without going deep in the woods.” He set his jaw. “Close by.”

“Yeah, I saw lots of places in the photos. I’m looking forward to painting here.”

Renting the cabin to Amy was a bad idea, he could feel it in every bone in his body—like standing on the brink of a cliff without a safety harness and jumping up and down seeing if the wind would blow you over the edge.

“If you need me, here’s my number.” He handed her his business card from his wallet, his fingers brushing against hers and sending an electric shock up his arm. He shuddered and yanked his hand away as soon as she took the card.

Dammit. Bad idea. Bad. Idea.

He stuck his wallet back in his pocket. He should’ve told Jill to pull the cabin from her listings for the year, especially with the Sen Pal encroachment, but it hadn’t even crossed his mind with all the other things he had to catch up on since fully waking up. His patrols weren’t much more than a quick ride around the park and a bit of trail running, but combine that with semi-hibernation, and there wasn’t a lot of time for other things.

Now he had another person to protect. Someone he felt like he’d known his entire life. One who made him feel something unlike anything he’d ever felt. It was a new kind of scared, coupled with excitement and joy.

Bad news, all around.

He tugged at his beard. He shouldn’t be renting to a lone woman. A city woman at that. He could tell that from first sight. He could also tell she wasn’t the kind of woman to listen.
Stubborn.
He wasn’t sure if that annoyed him or excited him, but she seemed completely oblivious to any dangers she might face in the wilderness outside the cabin’s doorstep.

His wilderness.

“Griffton?” Amy raised her eyebrows.

He tried not to take in her fragrance too deeply. “Everyone calls me Griff.” He smiled but didn’t make eye contact. “Let me know if you need anything. My cell’s on the card. I can be here quickly.”
Naps are shorter with each day. By summer, they’ll be completely optional.

She returned his smile. “Park ranger. Saving lost and wandering people from mountain dangers. Like lions and bears. And the lone tiger, I’m sure.”

“You’re making fun.” He scowled.
City woman
. He shook his head. “I’ll protect you from lions and bears. No promise on the tigers.”

She laughed and the floor fell from under his feet. So lovely. He had to get out of the stifling cabin and away from her intoxicating presence.

He needed to think.

“I find it hard to believe I could be in so much danger in the forest. I mean, I’m afraid of snakes and spiders, but I’ll watch for them. I doubt I’ll run in to any bears or lions.” Amy slid her fingers through her long blond hair and raked it over her shoulder, and Griff couldn’t help but stare as the tresses slid over her hand like molten gold. “Or rogue tigers.”

“I hope you’re right.” He looked into her eyes again, searching. Every time, she met his gaze. She wasn’t scared of him. She didn’t know she should be. He needed to keep it that way, no matter what his psyche was telling him.

He wasn’t ready to accept what he knew was true.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for her to come into his life, yet here she was, practically delivered to his doorstep and tied up with a pretty bow. The urge to be near her was overwhelming, but he had to keep his distance or he was going to make things a lot worse.

Every bit of his essence urged him to put his hand on her shoulder, run his hands through her hair, and pull her to him. They’d fit together seamlessly. Her soft curves to his hard muscles.

A perfect match.

He sighed.

Jill cleared her throat. “Well, I’m going to get going.” She grabbed the contract and Amy’s check off the table then collected the pens and stuffed everything into her notebook. “Glad everything worked out.” She headed for the door then turned. “Ms. Francis, be sure you do stay close to the cabin. I’d hate for you to get lost, and Griff’s right about how easy that is to do around here. Happens all the time.”

“I get the message. What’s in the woods around here that no one’s telling me? Dinosaurs?”

Jill and Griff exchanged glances.

“No, no dinosaurs that I’m aware of. But...other animals...” Her voice trailed off and she looked out the window. Then she snapped back. “I’ve got another client waiting on me to meet them at a house in Oakwood, so I need to run. Thanks. See ya, Griff.” Jill headed out the door, pulling it shut behind her with a loud
click
.

Now that he was alone with Amy, the need to be in her presence overwhelmed Griff with fierce desire. Desire he couldn’t act on.
Ever.
He’d never felt anything like the overwhelming urge he felt to be near Amy. It didn’t matter. To protect her and his clan, he had to resist.

The quandary wasn’t a pleasurable feeling, but more like a vise grip or maybe quicksand. “I, uh, guess I’ll see you later. Sometime. Call me if you need anything.”

The space seemed to close in and he avoided her gaze. His heart beat so hard, he was sure she heard it. The more he woke up, the more he realized she was not some random woman who wanted to rent his cabin.

Awareness punched him in the gut.

She was
the
woman.

Mate.

Amy is mine.

Shit.

He had neither the time nor the inclination to pursue that path of thought to its natural conclusion. Not now. Not while the Sen Pal roamed Deep Creek. He needed out, now. “Bye.” His head spun with the weight of his realization as he dashed toward the door. “I’ve gotta go.”

“Bye.” Amy hurried to hold the door for him. “I’ll take care of your place, I promise. Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome.”

Griff stomped out to his Jeep, which he’d parked right behind Amy’s clunker. Suitcases lined her backseat and bags filled the passenger side.
Surprised she made it all the way here in that piece of junk. Looks like it’s been on the road way past its lifespan.
He shook his head. Hopefully, it was safe, at least, and in repair. Breaking down while driving through the mountains would be bad. A flash of worry crossed his mind but he pushed it away.

Why had he rented the cabin to Amy, when he knew it was a bad idea? He had to blame his decision on not being completely awake, because if he were in his right mind, he’d never have rented to her, or anyone else. Especially after he saw the photo of Evers on the prowl. Evers was a game changer.

Dammit!

When Jill had called and woken him from his nap, he’d been too groggy to think straight. Once he met Amy, it was too late to back out.

He was on some kind of bear autopilot.

He pulled his keys out of his pocket. Now the cabin was rented for two months. To his mate. A human mate, to boot.

Elijah was going to have fun with this one, despite the inherent danger, and there’d be no keeping the news from him. Hell, the old bear probably smelled it in the air already or had hummingbirds spying on Griff’s supposed mating habits.

He shook his head. He felt the attraction with every atom of his being. A low burn that started somewhere deep in his gut and spread throughout his body to the end of every hair and into every cell, lighting his essence with a fire that couldn’t be quenched.

Mine.

He kicked at the gravel in the driveway.
This is bad.
The Sen Pal mountain lion pack was coming, and they would do whatever it took to get what they wanted. They hadn’t operated or moved in during the snowy winter, but now that the spring thaw was underway, they could move at any time.

It didn’t matter who or what stood in their way.

It didn’t matter who got hurt.

It didn’t matter that Griff had a mate.

They’d kill anyone in the way.

The brushes with them in the past had proven that they didn’t give a shit about anything or anyone who wasn’t part of their plan. He growled and clenched his fists. Too many bears and humans had paid the price for the lions’ attitude, including his sister, Charlotte. He clutched his keys and leaned against his Jeep, then stared up into the cloud-streaked evening sky, colored red and orange by the setting sun.

Charlotte.

She was only seven.

Griff was nine, and he remembered the night like a Technicolor horror movie. He hadn’t saved his sister, and he’d never forgiven himself for not trying. His parents were already dead when he woke up, but he could’ve done
something
to save Charlotte.

But he didn’t.

The Sen Pal showed no mercy, and the only reason he’d lived was because he’d smeared the blood from the gash in his thigh up over his neck and face and played dead. The lions had been in too much of a rush to check on him thoroughly or they would’ve realized he was alive.

He closed his eyes.

Charlotte’s screams still echoed in his dreams and on those long lonely nights when he patrolled the forest.

His heart clenched with sorrow and he took a ragged breath before scanning the cabin.

Now the lions were coming back and they wouldn’t stop until they got what they wanted and destroyed everything he held dear.

With the lions making a play for the national forest land nearby, Amy could easily be a pawn in a battle she couldn’t know anything about.

The lions wouldn’t hesitate to use her and Evers definitely wouldn’t hesitate to hurt her.

Or kill her—especially if he knew she was Griff’s mate.

“Dammit!” He ran his fingers through the coarse strands of his beard.

He stared up into the tall pines that bordered the property, their tops neatly outlined in the spring sunset like a paper silhouette.

Things were about to get more complicated than any of the bears had bargained for.

A bird whistled in the distance, somewhere in the tree canopy, and its mate responded with a trill. Springtime in the forest. Time for mates and mating calls as dusk settled over the land.

Ugh.

He climbed into the Jeep and pulled the door closed.

He smacked the steering wheel.

Elijah was right. It was time to pay a visit to Shoshannah. Maybe she would finally give him the words of wisdom she seemed to give all the other bears. Didn’t matter that he really didn’t believe. The process was more like meditation and finding your own true feelings—not an ancient shifter spirit. At least that was how he had come to terms with it. Regardless, he’d promised he would go, so best not piss off Elijah.

Besides, the run through the fresh air in the woods would help him unwind and maybe sort out his newfound feelings.

He kept the radio off on the drive to the cave, the only sound in the compartment the tires on the road and the overload of thoughts in his mind. He slowed the Jeep to a crawl as he shut his eyes just for a moment. Exhaustion sculpted his every move and his brain fuzzed. He’d tried to do too much today. He yawned. Why had he told Elijah he’d go to the cave? It was already closing in on evening. The visit could wait until tomorrow. Right now, he needed sleep.

He pulled off the road and rested his forehead on the padded steering wheel, the vibrations of the motor lulling him further into lullaby land.
No.
He had to wake up. Every time he closed his eyes, Amy filled his mind. Intelligent, well spoken and kind, she was exactly his type.

Only he didn’t get to have a type.

A lump swelled in his throat. His parents dead in their bed. His little sister’s screams as the lion dragged her away. Him playing dead with a leg injury. He rubbed his thigh.
Coward.
He should have gone after the lions. Maybe he could have saved Charlotte. It was his fault she died.

No, he couldn’t fall in love with Amy, even if she was his mate. Until every Sen Pal was gone, he would remain alone.

Lonely.

He leaned back and flicked on the radio, then turned it a bit louder than he usually kept it, hoping to dull his mind’s scream.

He clicked the radio off. Even in human form, his ears were sensitive. He couldn’t sleep. Not yet.

After he rolled down the driver’s window, he pulled the Jeep out onto the deserted road and headed toward the cave, intent on finishing the errand then getting home to a hot shower and bed. He might not even get up tomorrow.

The road slung back and forth and the damp smell of rotting leaves and forest detritus filled the Jeep. Griff breathed it in, his bear pacing and begging to run in the cool spring air. His heartbeat quickened and his alertness returned. As a bear, he was powerful. Strong. Brave.

“Hold on, boy. You’ll get your chance.” His bear hadn’t had nearly enough time out in the forest since he woke. Now that his mating senses has awakened, his bear pawed to be released.

The cave wasn’t accessible by road; he’d have to park and run the last mile on foot. Bear feet. The damp air on his fur and the mud on his claws would feed his soul.

The thought of Amy and her high-pitched wind-chime tinkling of a laugh slid through his memory again and he got the same tingling in his gut as he had at the cabin. He shook his head to clear his mind.

Who’d have ever guessed his mate would be human? Or that he really did have a mate?

Elijah would. Griff growled. As much as he loved the old bear, it was really annoying that he was always right. He’d hinted about the prospect before, but Griff had ignored him, along with all other talk about mates and cubs.

He pulled onto the road’s shoulder, the tires crackling in the rocky grass. No one really came through the park at night once the gates were locked, and he had his own keycard to get in and out, so it would be safe to leave the Jeep. This early in the season, the park still closed at dusk.