Grizzly - Bundle Parts 1-3 (13 page)

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The waiter served us two large bowls of pho in the Vietnamese noodle shop we were dining in. We both set about to adding all the yummy fixings to doctor up the warm and steaming broth.

“So, have you ever traveled to the West Coast?” I asked casually.

I watched as Cass used her chopsticks to mix up the noodles with the beef flank and veggies, taking her time in adding bay leaves, sprouts and some lime juice.

“Just once. To San Francisco for my cousin’s wedding. It was a few years ago.”

“Ever been to any of the national parks?”

Focused on preparing her meal, her attention earnestly dedicated to preparing her noodles, I could tell she didn’t see what I was working my way towards in the conversation.

“Just Niagra Falls, really.” She answered, peering at me curiously.

“Do you like to camp?” I asked.

“Not much of a nature girl, ya know. Just a really bad attempt at horse camp when I was eight and a girl scout. I had a horse named Big who had a special needs sibling that followed him everywhere we went. His name was Little. Big and Little. Problem was, Little liked to bite Big’s butt, so on more than a few occasions it set Big off and he’d go into a full gallop.”

A funny look fell across her face, while she reminisced bemusedly.

“Picture a terrified eight year old, clinging to her horse for dear life, screaming her full head off while the horse trail leader managed to get my horse to slow down by galloping up beside me. Not funny at the time but entirely hilarious in retrospect.” She shared.

She paused, “To make matters worse, at the end of the week, on the last morning, I was the first person awake and when I went to the outhouse to pee, I encountered a Mama Bear that had wandered into the campsite with her two cubs. Thankfully, the campsite dogs were close-by and their barking scared away the bears when they heard me screaming, but I very much remember thinking and believing I was going to die that day! By bear or horse, that place was out to get me… Never camped again.”

I listened closely, doing my best to not bust up laughing at what must have been her terrifying predicament as a child. No wonder she’d never camped again!

“I’m sorry… that’s horrifying… but also, funny as hell!” I said, managing to keep my inside laughter down to a chuckle.

“Go ahead, laugh at me. I dare you…” She teased, pointing an accusing chopstick in my direction. “Hardy-har-har!” She winked at me, her checks red from embarrassment.

I took a bit of my pho, taking in the sight of her. She was so relaxed and at ease, making fun of herself. I loved it.

“Would you be willing to venture into the great outdoors with me? Go camping?” I asked.

She chewed thoughtfully and studied me carefully. “Maybe. What are you getting at, Abe?”

Here goes nothing!

“I was thinking that we could go camping sometime. Might be fun to get out of town for a bit. Spend some private time alone. It would give me the chance to show you my shifted form.”

“Really? You’re ready to do that. To share with me? Do you think I’m ready?”

“Yes, the sooner the better if you ask me. I think it will help trigger some of your own shifter instincts. And I want to introduce you the beauty of nature and the woods. It’s peaceful and serene.”

She took another bite and I watched her as she nodded, “Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Yes, maybe.” She said.

“Not ready?”

We studied one another. I could tell she was wrestling with herself and her hesitation. She wrinkled up her nose at me. “Okay, but no horses or bears…”

I almost choked on my bite.

“Teasing…” She said, giggling and winking at me. “Bears are okay.”

I shook my head. She got me. Which was funny.

“About the bear thing… how will I get to see you… er, um… shift?” She said quietly, leaning in closer over the table.

I’d thought about that very thing as of a lot lately. I wanted to introduce her without scaring her and my idea was to take her camping so we could be out in the wild, out in nature.

“Well, while we’re camping. We can hike to a more remote area where there aren’t the chances of running into other campers. Then I can shift safely without drawing attention to myself.”

“Really?” She asked incredulously.

“Yes, really.”

A look of primal excitement flashed across her face. Her breathing shifted and I saw the pupils of her eyes dilate a bit.

Good god, she was aroused!

Hearing me talking about shifting had turned her on…

“You like that idea?” I teased.

“I do. I don’t know why, but it sorta excites me too… Is that normal?” She asked sweetly.

I thought about her question. “I wouldn’t worry so much about whether it’s normal or not. Just pay attention to how your shifter-self reacts and responds. Make sense?”

“Yes,” she said quietly.

“Do you want to camp with just me or would you like me to invite Jason along too?” I asked.

She jerked her pretty face up from her pho bowl and looked me square in the eyes. “Would you be okay with that?”

“That’s why I’m asking. I meant it when I said I would work with you on this. Jason is a good guy, I like him. If it will make you happy to enjoy the both of us…”

“Shhhhhhhh…” she said, looking around us nervously, then giggling. “You’re full of surprises tonight, Abe.”

I smiled. It mattered to me that she knew I wouldn’t be selfish with her company, no matter how loudly my primal nature screamed otherwise. I needed to be strong for her. And that strength included being able to share her with another man, another lover if that was what she desired. What she needed.

“I eventually want to take you to visit my home territory. In
Yellowstone
and
Jackson Hole
. Where my bear clan is. I’m thinking I need to reintroduce you to nature slowly. Do some camping so you’re familiar with a more rustic environment. Get you out in the woods. What do you think?”

She was nodding thoughtfully, her eyes lighting up. “Considering that I’ve written a lot about paranormal beings who can shift into various animals, one would think that I’d already done a lot of hand’s on research, so to speak. I guess now is as good a time as any. I feel safe with you and because of that, I think I can give this camping thing another whirl.”

“Good girl. You’ll enjoy it more, I promise. There’s something to be said about spending time in the great outdoors, away from the busy pace of city-life. It’s rejuvenating.”

“I sure hope so. For my sake and yours. Otherwise, I’m going to be like the worst Alpha ever…”

“Think of it as something new to experience. Have fun with it. Camping is one of the great American past times. Plus, the food is good. I think you’ll like my fire-pit cooking.”

“Ooooh. Do tell!”

“Well, all that smoke adds flavor to certain meats and it adds to the taste. I’ve got plenty of practice, so you’re in for a treat.”

She nodded, a big smile on her face. “Okay, let’s do it.”

“I’m glad. You’ll be glad too.”

“So, how do you plan to approach Jason?”

I finished chewing, contemplating my approach as well. “Well, I was thinking I’d ask him over a beer. I have no idea how I’m going to broach the subject, to be honest. It’s not like I do this sort of thing all the time…”

“Right, that was sort of a dumb question. Do you prefer I ask him?” I could tell she was sincere, concerned for my feelings.

“Nawh, it’s okay. I’ll just add it to my bucket list.” I said, winking at her.

She smiled sweetly, a look of tenderness in her gaze. “God, Abe – you are so amazing. How did I ever luck out so well to find and meet you?”

She made a good point. We’d both hit the relationship jackpot, I was realizing. It was good we both knew it too.

Chapter Fifteen

(( 15 ))

CASSIDY

The cursor sat on my computer screen blinking at me. I was attempting to get some work done on a revision of my novel and despite staring at it for more than an hour, I was lost in deep thought about the most recent conversation with Abe.

Was I really an Alpha?

And a dormant shifter to boot?

Which was kind of scary to grasp. To accept. To own the idea. The concept. There was so much I was curious about. Needed to know. Was wondering about…

Soon, I found myself typing out a list of questions. All sorts. From little ones to big ones.

He’ll think I’m ridiculous
, I mused out loud to myself after reading through the list of questions. But then again, maybe not. I needed to give Abe more credit. He’d been nothing but supportive, understanding and helpful since we’d met.

And truthfully, in my gut, I knew Abe was my mate. I felt it in my bones. The more I learned about him, spent time with him and got closer to him, the more I knew we were partners. Companions. Even husband and wife material. Which was both scary and exciting.

I’d never gelded to someone so closely in my entire life.

Sure, I’d had boyfriends, but none of those relationships felt as rich, deep and rewarding as what we were cultivating with one another. I’d been able to open up to him quicker than any other man I’d known.

Which made me wonder about my inclinations to be involved with more than one man. Was Abe right? That being an Alpha sort of predisposed me with this preference? Was that why it was spring up so strongly, this pull to not just Abe but Jason too?

My phone rang, pulling me out of my reverie.

“Hello?” I answered it somewhat absent-mindedly.

“Cassidy? This is Philip Silk. We spoke the other day at
Starbucks
. Is this a good time?”

“It’s as good a time as any. How are you?” I asked politely.

“Doing well, I wondered if you’d had the chance to update your attorney?” He asked.

“I did, he was supposed to reach out to you. Have you not heard from him yet? His name is Mick.”

“Not yet. Just wanted to check in and make sure.”

“I appreciate it, sorry about that. He’s a very busy man. I promise though, I put you on his radar.”

“Great. I just wanted to be sure… By the way, I took some time and read one of your stories. You’re a very good writer.” He said, changing the conversation.

“I appreciate that, always good to hear when someone enjoys something I wrote.”

“My pleasure… Alrighty then, I know you must be busy yourself, so I’ll let you go. Looking forward to speaking with Mick.”

“Thanks again, have a great week.”

“Take care, bye.”

“You too, bye.”

Philip’s call was a bit of a wake up to reality which caused me to dial my attorney. After a few short rings, Mick answered.

“Hi Cassidy, just the woman I needed to speak with. Are you psychic or something?” Mick teased.

“Perhaps,” I jested. “Just another one of my many skills. How are you doing?”

“Great! Busy as all hell, but always got time for a new client. I imagine you’re wanting an update?”

Now he was reading my mind.

“Yes, actually. I wanted to see if you’d had a chance to reach out to Bob Silk’s son yet? Philip Silk? He just called me… I just want to be sure what he has to share will be useful to you and the case?”

“I hadn’t called him just yet, but plan to. How comfortable are you with using what he has to share against his own father? It would entail some mud-slinging and once you go down that path, it can get ugly real quick.” Mick said, a note of hesitation in his voice.

“Good point. It can’t hurt for him to at least provide it, even if we end up negotiating everything in private, right?”

“Agreed. I will reach out to him today then. Consider it done.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Of course. Stay the course. You’re in good hands. I’ll follow up with an update later this week. Talk to you soon, Cassidy.”

“Perfect, thank you. Take care.”

“You too, bye.”

“Bye.”

I hung up and thought about what he’d said. That the mud-slinging could go both ways. The last thing I wanted was for it to get ugly. I really was hoping for as peaceful a resolution as possible. I didn’t want things to go public, at all.

Chewing on my pen, deep in thought, I remembered that sometimes business got ugly and that when push came to shove, there would be things I’d need to do to protect myself and my writing career. I’d prefer it to be any other way, but I knew that if I got backed into a corner, I would do what I needed to do to protect myself.

Which made me think about my shifter instincts. How they would manifest? When they would rise up and be useful? And how would I know? The mind-reading part had blown my mind. It’s hard to think of something that has only ever been considered fantasy or sci-fi material to be an actual ability or skill. I wasn’t so sure how much I liked the idea of it. If I even wanted to have that kind of a gift. It seemed more of a burden. I could see how sometimes it could be really useful, but overall I was content not knowing other people’s thoughts.

I felt there was so much unknown to me and that it would take time, just like Abe had said.

I needed to be patient with myself. Really patient…

Chapter Sixteen

(( 16 ))

ABE

I passed the pitcher of beer to Jason and he poured himself a pint. I’d invited him to meet me at
Biddy’s Pub
to gauge his interest in Cass. I'd never done anything like this before and wasn't exactly sure how to broach the topic. The fact that Cass was interested in a threesome with him.

"How goes the new gigs?" Jason asked, the picture of collected calm. He wore the police officer act well, on or off duty.

"Not bad, I'm starting to get steady editing work. Can't complain. Cass's connections have been really helpful. A real boon." I shared.

"That's great to hear, man."

"Thanks. How goes it in your world?"

"The usual. Just one day at a time on the force, really. Half the time you know what to expect, the other half, you're completely caught off guard."

"I bet." I said, taking a long sip of my beer. "So, I have an off-handed question for ya. I hope you won't be offended..."