Page 44 of Hayes

Thorn paced, hands on his hips. “He probably wants to snoop on us.”

Surge nodded. “Most likely, he’s thinking he can report back to the council that we did something wrong.”

“Would he lie about it?” Rylee asked. “Make something up?”

Thorn faced her. “It’s possible, but it won’t do him any good. We’re trusted members of society. He is not.”

Rylee came toward Hayes. “We could also back you up if need be.” She was so smart and thoughtful, considering how much had been thrown at her in such a short time. It would seem she was going to have an important role in her new community. Hayes would be in denial if he thought otherwise.

“He’s here,” Olivia stated. She leaned into her Daddy and tipped her head down. She wasn’t the only one who could hear any loud thoughts inside Drow’s head, but the other two bears didn’t yet know that Molly could also.

It was time to share more details with Thorn and Surge. Trust needed to go both ways, and there was no way for anyone among the bears to lie or keep secrets anyway.

Surge snorted. “Asshole is grumbling to himself. His thoughts aren’t fit for Olivia’s ears, but there’s no way to stop them.”

Olivia chuckled. “I’ve heard worse. No need to worry.”

Molly winced and pressed the side of her face against Gavin. She was trying hard not to give anything away, but blocking one ear probably wasn’t enough.

Hayes pointed toward the sofa and various chairs as he headed for the kitchen table to grab more chairs and bring them into the circle.

Thorn and Surge joined him, each lifting a chair and then using it when they returned to the living space.

Everyone else took seats on the couch and various chairs. The four men held their mates close.

Surge began. “We met with the council of elders this morning. They support an alliance and any meetings we’d like to set up with your people. They suggest we put together a joint task force to patrol the area in every direction to see if we can learn where the lions are living and what their goals are.”

Felix nodded. “We had the same thinking. I spoke with our elders this morning also.”

Thorn glanced around at the women. “For as powerful as bears are—both in size and abilities—it would seem your newly mated females have skills that surpass any of us.”

Hayes glanced at Gavin, acknowledging his subtle nod. He turned his attention back to the bears. “Can Drow hear us?”

Surge shook his head. “We’ve blocked him. If he could hear us, he wouldn’t be grumbling to himself. He’d be listening.”

Olivia snickered. “He’s like a toddler.”

Thorn laughed. “Excellent observation.”

Gavin gave Molly a squeeze. “We need to share some things with you.”

Thorn and Surge nodded and turned their attention to Gavin.

“You know that Olivia has the ability to sense you before the rest of us in addition to being able to communicate telepathically with your people. That second power could prove invaluable at some point in the future. When shifted, our people do not have any method of communication. Olivia would have to operate as a liaison between our two societies, though she also can’t impart details to any of us except verbally.”

The two bears nodded.

Surge glanced at Khloe. “Your clairvoyance will come in handy. How reliable is it? I assume you knew we were coming both today and last night.”

Khloe nodded. “Yes. I can’t promise I will always know what others are planning, but I assume the universe sees fit to keep me informed of movements that are important. I hope she doesn’t find it necessary to let me know when someone is going to the bathroom,” she joked.

Hayes cleared his throat. “The truth is both Molly and Rylee will know when everyone uses the toilet.”

The bears flinched in tandem.

Thorn cocked his head to the side. “Why?”

Molly sat taller on Gavin’s lap. “I will hear it.”