Bearly Enough (23 page)

Stone would be able to get into the house without any
trouble, by this time of the day her mother was usually passed out cold, or so
drunk that she wouldn’t remember anything. Andrea could have a full-blown
conversation with Stone and come tomorrow she wouldn’t remember a damn word.

No, it was better that Lucy had stayed. And soon Stone would
return with all of her clothes and makeup and creams and lotions—all the little
things that would help her feel at home in Stone’s house. And in truth, Stone’s
house already felt more like home than the run-down little place she had shared
with her mother.

Stone hadn’t understood why she needed or even wanted her
clothes from her house, since she would now be able to buy new clothes with the
money that they would earn by starting their family. But Lucy wasn’t concerned
about new clothes. Right now, she just wanted things that felt familiar.

She thought she heard the door open and shut downstairs, and
she looked around the bathroom once more, smiling to herself as she thought
about lining up her lipstick and eyeliners.

“Stone?” she called, as she walked out of the bedroom.

Hmm, maybe she had been hearing things.

She really wanted to speak to Gabby and tell her about her plans
to be with Stone. She needed Stone to help her figure out a way to see Gabby
and at least try to make things better. She was hurt by Gabby’s reaction, but
she wasn’t going to let that ruin their entire relationship.

She headed downstairs, wondering where Stone was. “Stone?”
she called out again. She must have been hearing things, though she couldn’t
understand why Stone wasn’t home already.

It was dark downstairs, and she flipped on the lights,
filling the house with a warm glow.

She heard a sound behind her, but before she could turn a
hand clasped over her mouth and yanked her body hard.

She screamed, trying to fight, but she was no match.

“Shut up,” the voice hissed. She didn’t recognize the voice,
and she wasn’t surprised. She knew almost no one around here.

The man dragged her across the room, and she kicked and
fought him, but it was in vain.

Where the hell was Stone?

Panic was overtaking her, and she knew that she needed to
keep a clear head. She had no idea about Stone’s neighbors or anyone else who
she could scream to for help.

Holding tight to her, the man seemed to be fiddling with
something, and then he continued to pull her toward the door. “Let’s go. We
don’t have much time.”

NO! NO! NO! She screamed inside her head. She had no idea
where he was taking her, but she knew that leaving the house would be a death
sentence.

“Stop,” came a commanding voice from down the hall, and Lucy
nearly went limp with relief.

Jeremy.

She had never been happier or more relieved by his arrival.

Jeremy would fix everything.

“Sit down,” the man holding her said, shoving her down on
the couch. He held her down, and Lucy looked around wildly and saw Jeremy
standing ten feet away.

“Jeremy!” she cried, leaping off the couch, ignoring the
man’s warning and fleeing to Jeremy. She threw herself at him, but Jeremy
remained frozen, unmoving.

Her heart was pounding out of her chest. “Jeremy,” she
cried, pounding on his chest, “Jeremy! This man just tried to kidnap me.’’

Jeremy looked at her, slowly registering what she was
saying. He smiled slightly.

Lucy shook her head in disbelief, backing up slowly.

It wasn’t possible.

Jeremy was the alpha.

“No,” she whispered, taking another step back and nearly
tripping. Stumbling, she caught herself, gripping the back of a chair and
holding herself steady. The entire room was spinning, and she couldn’t afford
to pass out.

Where was Stone?

“Don’t worry,” Jeremy said quietly. “Just as I promised, you
will be well taken care of.”

“No,” Lucy said, her voice louder and steadier. “This was
not the plan. This was not the agreement.”

“Our agreement expired,” he said slowly. “I don’t think
Stone is the right match for you. I think you would be better suited with
someone of my own choosing.”

“No!” she cried loudly. “I don’t agree to that! You can’t
force me to do that!”

“Can’t I?” he asked slowly, advancing toward her.

Lucy suddenly saw him for what he was—a true predator.

Jeremy was more terrifying than she could ever have
imagined.

“Stone won’t let you get away with this,” she threatened,
but she had a sinking feeling inside her. She could not think about Stone
possibly being hurt right now.

“Oh, don’t worry. Stone won’t be a problem anymore,” Jeremy
assured her.

No.

No.

No.

Her mind swam, and the room began spinning again.

“Turn around and meet your future husband,” Jeremy breathed.
“Go on,” he urged, when she didn’t move.

Slowly, feeling as if she was stuck in quicksand, she turned
around to look at the man’s face.

The man facing Lucy was short and bulky, and his face was
twisted into an ugly snarl. His eyes were black as midnight, and matched his
inky-black hair, which was short, yet disheveled. His entire stance radiated
cruelty.

There was no way in hell that she was marrying this man.

Lucy backed up slowly, shaking her head.

“Hello, Lucy,” the man said softly, his tone threatening.
“I’m Evan.”

She seemed to recall that name—was it someone that Stone had
mentioned?

“I think you and Evan will make wonderful mates,” Jeremy
finished.

Lucy whirled around to look at Jeremy. “Where is Stone?” she
asked, her voice rising. “Tell me where he is!”

“I told you that Stone wasn’t a concern anymore. I’ve
decided to make some changes in the tribe.”

“What have you done with Stone?” Lucy cried out, charging at
Jeremy.

Jeremy slapped her across the face, the sickening sound of
skin hitting skin echoing throughout the quiet house.

Lucy cried out, clutching at her face and looking at Jeremy
with fear.

Evan grabbed her from behind, twisting her arm and pulling
her toward him as she cried out again. “Get off me!”

“So pretty,” Evan murmured, trailing his finger along her
arm and gently caressing her hair.

“Don’t touch me!” she shouted, trying to kick at him. He
tightened his grip on her, twisting her arm further back until she yelped.

“Don’t doubt for a second that I’ll hurt you,” Evan promised
in a cold voice.

“Yes, I’d be careful,” Jeremy said in a bored tone, walking
around the living room. “Evan has had a lot of practice. And a very good
mentor.”

Shaking, Lucy looked between the two men. Was she missing
some kind of joke?

Evan gave her a sick smile.

“My half-brother was the former alpha,” Evan explained,
“I’ve been trying to tell Jeremy that he was going about everything all wrong.
There’s only one way to get results, and being peaceful is not it.”

Jeremy nodded, though Lucy swore she saw a glimmer of doubt
in his eyes.

“So, what now?” she asked, trying to buy time. She needed to
know where Stone was and what had happened to him. She would
not
consider the alternative.

Jeremy smiled at her. “I think now you and Evan have a happy
little life to begin.”

Lucy wanted to vomit.

She glanced back over at Evan and then at Jeremy. “This will
never work,” she whispered. “People are going to wonder where Stone is. I won’t
go along with this. I’m not going to live here with
him.”

Evan chuckled. “So cute,” he murmured. “Don’t you get it
sweetheart? We’ll just tell the tribe that there was an unfortunate accident
with Stone. People will be sad, but they’ll understand. No one even has any
idea that you’re here besides Torin and Karina, and each of them will be easy
to bribe, if need be. No one will bat an eye if we’re together.” He glanced
over at Jeremy and grinned. “I’m pretty sure Jeremy has a backup plan if you
don’t go along.”

Lucy glanced over at Jeremy, who dragged his finger across
his throat.

That seemed the better option now.

But she wasn’t going down without a fight.

“You can’t make me,” she whispered as tears began to stream
down her face.

Jeremy chuckled, and Evan pulled her even closer toward him.
“Let’s get you home,” he spoke softly, into her face. “I think it’s time that
you got acquainted with your new place.’’

He pulled her toward the door, Jeremy following and
carefully flicking off the lights.

They stepped out into the cold night air, and Lucy’s mind
raced as she tried to think of something—anything—that she could do. Before she
could even think, she heard a loud rushing of air, and a black shape knocked
Evan down, nearly taking Lucy with him.

“Lucy! Run!”

Gabby? What was she doing here?

Lucy stood frozen for a split second and then she acted. She
darted off toward the trees and she could hear Jeremy take off after her—she
would never outrun him—but then she heard him shout and a loud thump.

All was silent behind her.

“Run! Run!” Gabby screamed, and crying out, Lucy ran blindly
toward her sister’s voice, tripping as she catapulted herself at the sound. She
was almost at the trees when she felt a hand reach out and grab her, yanking
her forward. “Hurry!” Gabby cried, “This way!”

“Stone!” Lucy gasped, stumbling after her sister. “Stone!”
She needed to find him.

“Hurry!” Gabby urged.

They ran together, stumbling over branches and tripping over
twigs. Lucy only focused on the task of running—one foot in front of the other,
one ragged breath and then another.

Run, run, run,
she chanted to herself. 
Run
.

She could hear a commotion behind her, and she realized it
was a chase and a fight happening simultaneously. She knew that she and Gabby
were both dead should Jeremy or Evan catch them. She wasn’t even sure what had
stopped Jeremy and Evan in the first place; she had been too shocked to pay any
attention.

The sisters continued to hurry forward, and Lucy saw Quentin
up ahead. “Almost there!” Gabby cried.

Both girls collapsed at Quentin’s feet, and he quickly
jumped in front of them.

“Not another step!” he yelled loudly. “This is Virtus
territory, and you will be killed should you trespass!”

Lucy heard Gabby cry out, and she looked around Quentin to
see a huge brown bear now limping toward them.

Was that Zane?

Lucy was fixated on the two massive black bears that stood
on the other side of the imaginary line. Their eyes were filled with rage and
anger, and Lucy scrambled back even farther, on her hands and knees.

Those two bears had to be Jeremy and Evan.

“The girl is on our land now,” Quentin said in a deep voice.
“She is protected.”

One of the bears roared and began to quiver and shake,
shifting right before Lucy’s eyes.

Jeremy.

Lucy tried not to focus on the fact that he was naked, and
instead looked at his face.

“She belongs to us!” Jeremy screamed, his eyes wild with
rage and anger. His entire body shook and he looked demented. “You have no
business getting involved!” he roared.

The bear next to Lucy began to shift, and she backed up
again; suddenly Zane was beside her.

She gasped.

He was bruised and bleeding.

“Oh, my God,” Gabby cried, hurrying to him, but he held his
hand up to stop her.

“Leave her alone,” Zane warned. “She is under our protection
now.”

Evan shifted next, and he looked even more possessed than he
had inside Stone’s house. “We will find you,” he whispered to Lucy, his dark
eyes boring into her. “We will find you. And when we do, you will live locked
in a cellar!” he raged. “You will be nothing but a plaything for whoever wants their
turn!”

Lucy let out a cry, her entire body trembling. So much had
just happened in such a short amount of time.  She would never feel safe
again; she knew that Evan and Jeremy would never rest.

She knew too much.

She had seen too much.

“Go,” Zane commanded, his voice deep with authority. “Or I
shall involve my own alpha, and I promise that he will not be as understanding
or forgiving as Quentin and myself.”

“You stupid cunt sisters,” Jeremy spat at the two girls. His
face was red with anger, and his eyes were wild and deranged.

Quentin growled low in his throat, and though he was human,
the sound was certainly animal. “Go now before I rip your throats out myself.”

Lucy’s head snapped up—usually Quentin was the peaceful one.

Evan and Jeremy exchanged a look, and then they both turned
around and limped back into the woods.

Gabby hurried to Zane, trying to tend to his wounds, but he
brushed her off. “We need to get back to the house. Quickly.”

Quentin took Lucy’s arm.

“Are you alright?” he asked quietly.

But Lucy could only respond with a sob. “Stone,” she choked,
“I’m fine, but where is Stone?”

“We found him,” Zane explained, “But he needs medical
attention. We need to get him help.”

He began to walk, but he stumbled.

“You’re not okay!” Gabby accused, trying to help him as
Quentin hurried forward to do the same.

Everything had happened so quickly.

Lucy was watching Quentin and Gabby rush to Zane, when she
felt hands clasp around her throat, and she fell backwards.

“Lucy!” Gabby screamed.

In a rush of black fur, Lucy was free.

She rolled back onto the dirty twigs that had scratched her
face and she sat up, trying to figure out what had just happened.

A black bear was dragging Jeremy away as he fought and
clawed to get at Lucy. Evan was slow to come to Jeremy’s defense.

“No!” Evan yelled, a moment before Lucy realized what had
happened.  Then she screamed in horror when she saw the blood spurting
from Jeremy; the bear had ripped out Jeremy’s throat.