Page 13 of Hunny and the Bear (Bearly Yours #1)

Thirteen

T ank narrowed his eyes as the door to Murphy’s office opened, a smiling Hunny stepping into the reception area. His brother’s laughter floated out after her, and Tank’s mood soured further.

Great. Not only had that jackass asked to speak with her alone, now he was laughing at something she’d said. What was next? The fucker would ask her out on a date?

Over my dead body. Better yet, over Murphy’s dead body.

“What’s got him squealing like a pig?” Tank asked irritably, snatching Hunny’s hand before she could answer. He intertwined their fingers, leading her as far away from his older brother as possible. No way was he going to let anyone else woo her but him.

Pushing through the front doors of the large cabin that acted as the clan’s ‘bear den,’ which acted as the clinic, Murphy’s office, and the primary meeting place for the bear shifters under Murphy’s rule, he led Hunny toward his truck.

“We were just having a heart-to-heart,” Hunny answered with a small laugh of her own, the delicate sound heating his blood even through his bad mood.

“Murphy better keep his heart to his fucking self,” Tank snarled under his breath.

Suddenly, Hunny yanked on his hand, pulling on him until he turned to face her. “What did you say, Henry Sinclair?” she asked menacingly, her nose wrinkling adorably.

Tank cleared his throat, his cheeks heating. “I’m glad you’re getting along with my brother.”

She raised a brow, her green eyes shining at him like gems. “Is that right? It sounded like you said something else.”

He shook his head innocently. “Nope.”

“Good. I’d hate to demote you from the position as my favorite bear shifter because you were acting like a jerk.”

His fingers tightened around hers, and this time he did the tugging, pulling Hunny close until she was flush against him, enjoying the feeling of her softness pressed against the hard planes of his body. He cupped the back of her neck, staring down at her heatedly. “I’m your favorite bear?” he all but purred.

Damned straight, he was her favorite.

She sniffed haughtily, rolling her eyes even as she blushed. “ For now . But if you get snarly with me again, your ranking could drop.”

Tank leaned in, his lips closer to hers than they’d ever been before as he rasped sensually, “Guess I’ll have to reserve all of my nice for you, darlin’.”

Hunny’s eyes widened, and she released a small squeak. “I—Um, we —”

The scent of her desire filled the air, and it took all of Tank’s strength to keep himself in check. He’d battled this seductive allure for days, and as much as he intended to remain chivalrous for her sake, it was almost impossible. All he wanted to do was breathe her deep into his lungs, to smash his lips against hers and taste her lush mouth as his fingers delved between her thighs, relieving her of the pressure he’d sensed building up inside of her for a week.

He’d figured out days ago he turned her on, and that knowledge was as delicious as her scent, going straight to his head. Now, he couldn’t help but find ways to tease her, to see what flustered her. He liked learning all about his little rabbit, even while she remained oblivious to his intentions.

One day soon, when she’d healed from everything and was ready to move on, he’d make his move. But until then, he’d enjoy this tug-of-war between them.

Squirming in his hold, Hunny finally broke free, her face flushed and her chest heaving as she breathed hard. “Di-didn’t you promise to take me fishing?” she asked quickly.

“I did.” He raised a brow in mock concern. “Everything okay, darlin’? You look a little flustered.”

“I-I’m fine.” She shifted on her feet, her thighs clenching together. Unashamed, his gaze raked over her figure, settling on the gentle slope of her breasts before moving back up to her face. She gaped at him. “Did you just—” Her mouth snapped shut, and she shook her head. “Nevermind.”

Tank shrugged, turning toward the truck to hide the erection straining in his jeans. Luckily, he was standing downwind of her, his scent concealed in the air. “Let’s head on home, shift, and then you can help me fish, Hunny.”

I t didn’t take long to make it back to his cabin from the main house, and it took even less time to shift and head out into the woods. Although shifters rarely bothered with modesty, Tank remembered Hunny asking for his shirt before she changed forms for him the first time, so he ensured she had plenty of privacy.

When he finished shifting, he waited for a small squeak to sound from a nearby bush before he rounded the corner of the house, stopping in front of his tiny rabbit companion. He chuffed in greeting, leaning down to nuzzle the top of her head with his snout.

I forgot how tiny she is , he thought wistfully. Maybe she’ll stay like this and let me hold her later .

It wouldn’t hurt to ask, right?

Hunny, oblivious to his musings, pounced on him, her little paws smacking into one of his giant ones playfully before she jumped away, taking off like a rocket. Not wanting her to get lost, or stumble upon an actual bear, Tank hurried after her, slowing to a brisk walk once he’d caught up.

For nearly half an hour, he let her race around the woods like a bat out of hell, hopping in between his legs, launching herself into bushes and piles of fallen leaves with so much noise, he was sure she’d gain the attention of other predators nearby. She didn’t seem to mind in the slightest, though, trusting him to keep her safe from harm while she frolicked around like a nutcase.

Tank couldn’t get enough of Hunny acting so ridiculous. And the little happy grunting noises she made as she flew by him? Music to his ears. He loved seeing her happy, such a contrast to the despondent female he’d met only a week ago.

They traveled like that for another half-mile; her zooming around the woods while he followed along protectively. Soon enough, his little rabbit grew tuckered out, and she roamed back over to him, slumping at his feet.

What did she intend to do now? They still had another half a mile before they even reached the river.

An idea struck. With a low grunt, Tank lay down on his belly, resting his head on the ground right by her feet. Waiting. When she didn’t get the hint, he nudged her with his snout until she was half laying over the wide bridge of his nose.

Quickly enough, she figured out his intent, her claws digging into his fur as she hopped over his head and onto his back. He felt her shift around, and after a few more seconds, he felt some pressure pull against his fur. Hunny made a muffled chirping sound.

Muffled?

Was she biting his fur to hold on?

Inwardly, Tank laughed his ass off as he pushed back to his feet, wondering how ridiculous this had to look to an outside observer. Luckily, they were alone, otherwise he knew he’d never live this down. Hell, if she told a single member of his family that he’d carried her around on his back, he’d be the subject of emotional blackmail for a decade, at least.

Carefully at first, he began moving at a brisk walk. The fur she held between her teeth tugged against his skin, but it did the trick, keeping her steady. After a few minutes, he kicked up into a run, hyper aware of every slight move she made as he neared the river.

Suddenly, Tank heard a loud rustling in some nearby bushes, too loud to be anything other than a large animal. Slowing to a stop, he released a dangerous growl, but the sound drew even closer. He twisted his body to face the threat head-on, right as something crashed through the bushes and into the clearing.

The giant grizzly bear spotted Tank immediately, dropping onto its ass and planting its front paws onto the forest floor to stop itself from careening into him. Frozen in place for a moment, it then tilted its head, looking right at Tank’s face.

No, not at him . Right above his head. He felt it then, two tiny paws pressing down on the crown of his head as his little rabbit peeked over him and at this new addition.

The bear across from him chuffed, and then the sound of bones snapping rent the air, the bear shifting into a man a few seconds later.

Jasper, naked as the day he was born, gaped at Tank. “There’s a rabbit on your head. Is that Hunny posing as Simba at Pride Rock?” He grabbed his stomach, bending over and barking out a laugh. “Look at you, Tank; just the perfect chauffeur.”

Tank’s claws dug into the ground, the temptation to smack his brother right in the face rising to the surface. He might have done it too, if the fucker wouldn’t have bled. But that might upset Hunny. Tank didn’t want her getting mad at him for injuring the damned nuisance. He also didn’t want her fawning all over the bastard, offering to patch him up.

But he really didn’t want another male naked in front of her, either. Tank made a low noise, telling the other male to back the fuck off. His brother ignored him.

“We should get you a little top hat, so the next time you take Hunny for a ride, you’re dressed for the part,” Jasper wheezed. “Maybe a harness, actually. Equipped with a little throne for her to sit on,” he snickered.

Tank snarled in warning, but his brother didn’t heed it, still chortling like a dipshit at Tank’s expense.

“Now, now, brother, I know I’m naked in front of your girl, but there’s no need to get testy.” Jasper smirked.

That little shit—

Tank narrowed his eyes, an idea forming.

Tank crouched down, putting his head to the ground as he had before. Taking the hint immediately, Hunny slid down his body and hopped off, giving him plenty of room to handle business.

He charged at his younger brother then, and Jasper let out a shriek of surprise, shifting back into his bear form right as Tank plowed into him. They collided in a tangle of claws and fur, rolling around on the ground like a pair of adolescents.

Fur went flying, roars echoing around the forest as they fought. Still, with each roll on the ground, they made sure to avoid their spectator. Neither bear wanted to accidentally hurt Hunny.

Soon enough, Tank had his little shithead of a brother pinned beneath him, biting down on the back of his neck as he kept Jasper’s head firmly pressed into the ground.

Jasper whined in reluctant surrender, but Tank didn’t let up, glimpsing a flash of grayish-brown movement out of the corner of his eye. Hunny hopped over, getting in Jasper’s face and making a loud chirping noise that sounded suspiciously like her own version of a laugh. Then she bopped Jasper twice on the nose with her tiny paws before tearing off through some bushes.

Clearly, the short rest had amped her battery back up.

Chuffing, Tank released his brother, backing up to let the other male rise from the dirt. With a glower, Jasper sat up on his hind legs, running his front paws over his furred belly in an attempt to straighten up his now matted fur.

Tank turned away from him, his gaze wandering to where he’d last seen Hunny. He expected her to come barreling back into the clearing at any second, but she didn’t. After a full minute had passed, he cocked his head to the side, straining his ears to listen for her.

Nothing.

Suddenly uneasy, he lifted his head and sniffed, hoping to catch her scent nearby. And then he smelled it; wolf shifter. It was fresh. Close. Too close.

And his little rabbit was nowhere in sight.

Snarling, Tank rushed through the bushes after Hunny, his brother hot on his heels.

Where is she?

Tank released a threatening roar into the forest, hoping to deter the interloper. Hunny would know it was him. She wouldn’t run away. She’d come to him if she were in danger. Right?

Unless she couldn’t.

Jasper echoed the sound, letting whatever fucker that had entered their territory know Tank wasn’t alone. Still, he couldn’t find Hunny, trailing after her scent until he smelled blood. His head whipped to the side, following the coppery stench as he picked up speed.

No, no, no —

There, just a few feet ahead, was a bloody lump on the ground, the same size as his little rabbit. His legs weakened, and his heart stalled in his chest as he made his way over to the wounded animal, a distressed sound pouring from his throat.

The creature was almost unrecognizable, its fur completely soaked in fresh blood. Tank nudged the lifeless animal with his nose, a mournful whine leaving his throat.

“Tank.”

The sound of Hunny’s voice had him jerking to the left, where he spotted his very human, very naked female crouched down beside a bush. She looked frightened, her cheeks pale and her eyes wild, leaves and twigs sticking out of her hair.

Tank shifted into his human form before he even realized what he was doing, prowling over to her. He just needed to hold her, to make sure she was alright. He picked her up from the ground, wrapping his shaking arms around her.

“You’re alright,” he assured her, but he knew the words were for him, too, anxiety coursing through him as Jasper kept watch.

Tank’s gaze returned to the dead bunny on the ground, and his jaw clenched, a tremor skating down his spine. The stench of wolf was strong here, too, meaning they’d only missed the culprit by a few minutes at most.

What the fuck had it even been doing here, so far from pack territory? Hunting? But then why hadn’t it eaten the rabbit? Or had it been leaving a message? The wolf’s scent wasn’t familiar, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t part of the Moon Rose pack.

Unnerved, Tank held on more firmly to his woman, breathing in her scent to overpower the smell of blood and death.

“I’m alright. I think you scared it off,” Hunny murmured, wrapping her legs around his waist as she buried her head into the crook of his neck. She was shaking almost as hard as he was, and it infuriated him that someone had come into their territory and scared her like this. Scared them both. “I want to go home, Henry.”

“Alright, baby,” he crooned, turning back toward his cabin with her still secured in his arms. “Let’s go home.”

He’d take her home, get her settled, and make sure she was safe. And then he’d come back out here, hunt down that wolf, and rip it to pieces.