Bearly Dated (The Enigma Shifters) Read online

  "I wasn't by myself." The words popped out of her mouth before she could stop them so she quickly continued to distract her. "There's a lot of renovating work to be done and it's keeping me busy."

  "What do you mean you weren't by yourself? Who were you with?"

  Savannah chose that moment to walk into the room. "Didn't you hear about her and Deputy Carter canoodling together out there? It's no wonder she didn't want to come back. If I had him following me around, I'd be pretty happy to be alone too."

  "Whaaat?" Jami's head swiveled between her and Savi.

  Savi laughed. "So what was he like? Is he as intense in bed as he looks?"

  As if the heat flooding my cheeks wasn't enough, it was that moment that Drago also walked in. "Do I want to know?" he asked, looking at Jami.

  She shook her head. "Nope."

  "Good. Then I'll be in my office taking a few calls until whatever this is is over." He disappeared as quickly as he'd appeared, but the damage was done and Violet’s humiliation was complete.

  "Jesus Christ, Savi. What is wrong with you?" She tried to keep her voice at a whisper, but the conversation her sister had started made it hard enough to breathe, let alone stay calm.

  "Lighten up, Violet. Talking about sex is hardly scandalous. Since when are you so sensitive?"

  "Sorry. But I think under the circumstances my bright and shiny attitude has disappeared. I didn't think it was unreasonable to request some time to think. Nor do I think it's unreasonable to not talk about Carter. None of that matters anyway."

  Jami and Savannah exchanged a look, although both refrained from saying anything immediately. Not that they needed to. One of the quirks about being a triplet was how easy it was to figure out what the other two were thinking. And based on their nonverbal cues, they were practically yelling at her.

  "We're going to table that for now, although probably not for long, because we have bigger issues to deal with. Do you remember I explained about the different clans? The bears here and the wolves and cougars up north?"

  She and Savi both nodded.

  "Then there is the psy clan."

  "We already know this," Savi complained. "That's where you think our biological father came from. Got it."

  "I should have had the Sheriff or Drago explain all of this. It's still new-ish to me too, and I'm processing it about as fast as the two of you are."

  "I don't know about that. But it is exhausting to think about." She rounded the nearby couch and plopped down on the seat. "What at first sounded cool is starting to freak me out."

  "That's understandable, all things considered." Jami agreed. "It was one thing to find out we aren't quite human and how we need to deal with that, but it's something totally different, now that our freedom may be affected."

  "Yeah about that? Can they really just take me away from here against my will? Couldn't I go to the police?"

  Jami smirked at Violet.

  "Okay. Not the local, shifter police. But what about something at a state level?"

  "And tell them what? That you are having weird dreams, and now a clan of powerful psychics is coming after you?"

  Well, when she said it like that I realized how ridiculous it sounded. "Thanks for making me feel like an idiot."

  "Violet, you're not an idiot. But this is an almost impossible situation. We have to be realistic."

  Her heart sank at her sister's words. She didn't know what she expected from Jami, but this pessimistic vibe of giving up or giving in wasn't it.

  "And to clarify, you mean I have to get mated or be mated by a stranger from that clan."

  For a minute, no one did anything or said anything. The room got so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Suddenly, the atmosphere was as eerie as the words.

  "You were literally the one who told us you believed in love at first sight. Didn't Carter claim you were his mate? The Sheriff certainly implied as much."

  She kind of wanted to kick Savi in the shins. Having her own words thrown back in her face did not feel great. From now on she was going to keep her mouth shut if it killed her.

  "Wait. What? How am I just now hearing about this?" Jami jumped in front of her and stared down at her. "This is great news."

  She narrowed her eyes at her sister. "Great news? What exactly are you smoking, and can I have some too?"

  Savi laughed. "You two are killing me. Especially you, Violet." She turned her glare her way. "You aren't the only one affected by this latest development, you know? And I do not have the benefit of the hot local deputy standing by to claim me as his mate."

  “Fuck. You're right. It's not just about me, and we need to not turn on each other. We have to put our heads together and come up with a solution, instead of fight about it."

  "Agreed." Jami sighed.

  "You probably don't think it's fair for me because Drago and I are already married. But I don't understand this clan, or the powers we may or may not have, either. The fact that they keep to themselves and refuse to share any insights doesn't bode well for the future. However, that doesn't mean we're going to just let one or both of you be taken."

  "I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. Both the deputy and the sheriff said to go against them would start a war."

  "Bring it on," Savannah said, her aggressive tendencies rushing to the forefront. There was no doubt she would fight to the death if that's what it took.

  "Stand down, Savi. You going off half-cocked isn't going to help either. We need diplomacy at this point, and believe it or not, that's what Maxim is working on. My husband it a topnotch negotiator and I have faith in him. And I know I'm biased, but that doesn't discount his abilities. He's got the plethora of businesses under his belt to prove it.

  Savi whispered something under her breath, that sounded suspiciously dirty, about what was under the man's belt.

  "I'm not going anywhere with anyone," Savi declared. "I don't care if that means I'm starting a war. Sometimes standing up for what you believe in is more important than saving a little bad times for the greater good. The greater good needs people like me to stand up and say no. Plus, I'm no one's slave."

  Jami laughed. "Haha. You had me going. For a minute there I thought you were being incredibly poignant."

  Savi pouted. "I can be poignant and a little selfish. Can you really blame me? What would you do if you weren't already with Drago and they were coming for you?"

  Jami stared at her for half a second. "I'd certainly try to negotiate, which is what Drago will do."

  "And if that doesn't work?"

  "Honestly?" she asked, and we both nodded. "I'm a little afraid of what he'll do if he doesn't get his way. I don't know if it's a dragon thing or just a Maxim thing, but he does not take rejection well. One might even say it’s not exactly safe to say no to him."

  "Well, then, I'm glad he's on our side."

  Savi sidled up to Jami and whispered. "Will we get to see his dragon?"

  "You know he can probably still hear you even when you whisper, right?"

  Savi smirked. "Well, that's what he gets for listening in. If he doesn't like what he hears, then he should mind his own dragon business."

  They all kind of waited to see if they would hear anything from Drago's office, but either he wasn't listening or he had chosen to ignore Savi being a smartass. Which was about the best thing anyone could do, because engaging her only made it worse. No one else would win in that discussion.

  "Can we circle back to Carter and him claiming you as his mate?" Jami asked. "When exactly did that happen and how do you feel about it?"

  That was the question she kept trying to ask herself, but the right answer never seemed to appear. "Well, considering he humiliated me and lied about who he was, I would say we did not get off to a good start."

  "But you had sex with him, right?" Savi interrupted.

  "Savi! Stop being a brat."

  "Well, I'm right aren't I? The Sheriff certainly implied it, but even if he didn’t, you can see it written a
ll over her face. Violet's the worst at keeping secrets."

  It was true. Her body language always gave her away no matter how hard she tried to hide something. Especially when it came to her sisters.

  "Can we stop talking about Carter and sex in the same sentence? I really don't want to talk about that. It happened, it was good, but can we move on now?"

  Both Savi and Jami stared at her with their mouths dropped open. Jami came her to senses first and of course she wasn't going to let it go. Miss we have to talk everything out as soon as it happens until we're blue in the face would have it no other way.

  "I don't think you can sweep it under the rug now. I don't know everything about shifters, but they all seem to be incredibly stubborn and singleminded when it comes to their mates. And if you've already forged a connection with Carter, then problem solved."

  "Easy for you to say, you aren't the one he humiliated."

  "Oh for cripes sake, Violet. Quit harping on that. You mistook him as a handyman and he went along with it so he could spend some time with you. It's not that big a deal."

  Before she could fire back with her argument, Jami’s phone buzzed with an incoming text at the same time the door opened, and Carter barged in. They both ignored Carter and Jami read her message quickly with a frown on her face.

  “Crap. One of my clients is in trouble, I need to go.”

  “I can drive you,” Violet volunteered hastily. “I need to get the heck out of here anyways. Change of scenery and all.”

  “Uhm—“ Jami looked in the direction of Drago’s office and then back at her. “Actually, I can get there much quicker if Maxim takes me.”

  “Oh my God is this about the dragon flying thing again. Can you say obsessed?”

  Jami laughed. “If you had a man who could fly you on his back anywhere you wanted to go at any time wouldn’t you be obsessed too?”

  “Well, first I would have to find myself a dragon man.” Violet grumbled, knowing full well the bear behind her heard every word.

  A low snarl sounded from across the room and they all jerked their heads in that direction. The feral sound coming from Carter might have been warning enough, but the foul expression on his face sealed the deal. He did not approve of that idea. The jerk didn’t approve of anything she did. He was all rules and lockdown and crap like that.

  She watched her sister clamp her lips together to hide her smile, which made Violet want to smack her. There was absolutely nothing funny about any of this.

  "Sorry to interrupt your fun, but we've got company." The growl in Carter’s voice only slightly subdued.

  Seconds later, Drago stormed from his office, a dark look on his face. "They came here at my invitation. I'll be meeting with them downstairs. However, I fully expect they will want to meet all of you. Considering where we are, I am comfortable with your safety if you are okay with talking to them."

  Jami crossed to Drago and stepped into his arms. "I'm good with it, but I just got a message from one of my clients who needs some help. I need to deal with that first. It shouldn’t take long. Can you hold them off long enough for me to get back?"

  "I’m sure I can.” If the sarcastic tone of his voice didn’t say it all, the mischievious gleam in his gaze certainly did. She had no doubt Maxim Drago could and would eat these people alive if given half the chance.

  Jami turned her attention back to them. "What about you two? Are you good with this?"

  They both nodded, although the knots already in her stomach tightened. Instead of worrying about her and Carter having sex, they should have been discussing more about this clan and formulating a plan for how to handle them.

  She glanced at Carter to find him staring back at her, his gaze dark and full of intent. That singular look was enough to make her heart skip a beat and then start to melt. Whatever anger she had for him wasn't going to last. Not when he looked at her like that.

  Holy shit.

  He might as well beat his chest and shout to the world that she belonged to him.

  Like it or not, her life had changed. Now she had to decide what she would fight for next.

  Him.

  Or her freedom.

  12

  Standing in a room full of strangers, from a clan he knew nothing about, and who kept eyeing and talking about his mate like a piece of property had his blood about to boil. He'd simmered for a while, and now he wanted to explode.

  Drago had yet to reveal their connection, so they still had that ace up their sleeve. But these people...their arrogance knew no bounds. They'd remained tight-lipped about the process their powers would take to manifest, but they'd been abundantly clear that their women couldn't handle it without a mating bond.

  Since they'd not brought a single female with them, he had his doubts about everything they told them. Their clan wasn't known for any kind of cooperation, and that didn't give anyone confidence.

  Drago, on the other hand, he hammered at them hard. It was clear he had no intention of giving them anything they wanted unless they gave more than they got.

  "I think it's time we met them for ourselves. We need to assess their situations individually and decide what to do with them."

  "What to do with them?" Drago growled. "How about absolutely nothing? I don't think I need to repeat myself again that one of the women is my mate."

  "Don't take our efforts the wrong way, but we are better equipped to offer the kind of support they need to get through their transition." The one named Richard, and apparently the leader of this group, tried to sound reassuring, but again, his efforts fell short.

  "And what exactly happens during the transition?" He couldn't sit quietly on the sidelines any longer. This lack of solid information was driving him insane.

  He saw a flash of anger cross Richard's face before he cleared it and slipped his mask back in place, thus ensuring that he got nowhere near Violet unless it was over his dead body. And even then, it wouldn't happen.

  “The women sometimes begin to have delusions that are often violent in nature. They see and feel things that simply don't exist. When this happens, their fight or flight instincts kick in, and depending on their prior training, they can cause serious harm to themselves or others.”

  "Can you give us an example?" Drago asked. "I'm struggling to see why this couldn't be handled with some basic containment during the process. If they aren't mated, that is."

  "It's not that simple. Mating helps, but it is no guarantee. The women need to be monitored by our people. We know the signs and can help when things get out of control."

  "If things get out of control." Drago growled and this time smoke slowly rolled from his mouth. His anger wasn't far below the surface, and this talk was on the verge of breaking down.

  "Of course. If." Richard repeated.

  "I think the odds are low that we cannot contain any issues that arise, so if you’d stop dancing around the facts and tell us what we need to know to help these women, I think we could all get through this unscathed." Drago pulled his hand up to his mouth and blew air across his fingers as they elongated to claws before rubbing them on the front of his suit jacket. “If you know what I mean.”

  A couple of the clan members at the table blanched, and Carter had to cover his laugh with a cough to keep from offending anyone. That dragon was a piece of work, and for once he was glad to have him on their team.

  "I'm afraid we must insist on handling this ourselves. We have full clan rights when it comes to this matter. The unified council has already agreed that we need to contain our own people."

  "And do you have any actual evidence that these women belong to your clan? Their human mother would probably disagree with your claim."

  The struggle on Richard's face grew epic as he tried not to lose his shit. It was obvious now that Drago had designed this conversation to push his buttons at every turn. Clever fucker.

  "You contacted us. You said these women were fathered by one of us."

  "Did we?” Drago drawled. “
I'm not sure I recollect that conversation. Is there someone here who can attest to the parentage of these women? If not, I think we're done here."

  Richard shot to his feet. "We came here on good faith." He slammed his palms on the table. "This is an outrage."

  "Is it?" Drago leaned back in his chair, caring less that they towered over him. Shifter alphas had abnormally high confidence, but weaknesses in other areas. This one, though, he might be in a league all of his own. It left Carter to wonder if all dragons were like this. They were so rare, he had nothing to compare to.

  That alone should make Richard want to run for the hills. Yet here he stood, trying to have a standoff with a dragon. Made Carter think there was definitely more to this whole situation he hadn't said.

  "We aren't leaving until we meet them."

  "And I don't do ultimatums." Drago finally rose to his full height until he towered over them. They were lucky he didn't shift right here and roast them for a barbecue. He had quite a reputation, and a Google search of him made it crystal clear that he didn't play fair.

  "If you prefer to do this the hard way, the clan can send their enforcers. Although they won’t take that well, and there are bound to be consequences for involving them. They don't like wasting their time."

  "Neither do I. Since you aren't going to share anything useful, and continue to make ridiculous demands that I'm going to keep ignoring, I declare this meeting as officially over."

  All of the representatives from their clan jumped to their feet, but none made a move in Drago's direction. Carter’s bear fought for freedom, but now was not the time to let him out. Not while there was still a whisper of compromise.

  Before Drago reached the door, it popped open and each of the Raye triplets filed inside.

  "What's going on?" Richard asked, his gaze as well as the others fixated on the sisters. "Are these—?"

  "As I said, this meeting is over." Drago's tone should have brooked no argument, but the arrival of the women had thrown the entire room into chaos. And for whatever reason, their visitors deemed it necessary to ignore the demands of a dragon.