Shifters Forever The Boxed Set Books 1 - 6 (6 page)

C
helsea gasped
. A blush ran its course, humiliating her as it warmed her face and chest. It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be. There was no way this hunk of a man wanted her.

Then she remembered. “No. The secret you were supposed to exchange with me. Mine for yours.”

“I remember.”

A soft knock at the door to the library caught their attention. A man as large as Grant, with just as imposing a demeanor and with a kind look on his face, was at the entrance to the room.

“Joe let me in. Grant, what have you been up to?” The smile on the man’s face was genuine, concerned, and mildly amused, as if he was used to Grant’s antics.

Grant untangled himself from their embrace, a look of sadness at doing so on his face. Chelsea could definitely identify with that forlorn sentiment. Not being in his arms left her feeling alone and empty.

“Doc.” A smile of welcome flashed across Grant’s features. “This is my doctor, Chelsea. Doc Evans.”

Grant strode across the room, his long legs taking the strides quickly. She watched his ass as he walked, thought of what it would be like to see him without clothes. Her pulse picked up speed, her breathing shallowed. She hoped it would get under control before the doctor examined her.

The man shook hands with Grant, then made his way to the couch. A woman about Chelsea’s age followed him in.

“Astra,” Grant said, giving the other woman a hug. “Chelsea, meet Astra, Doc Evans’ daughter.”

Astra flipped a quick wave to Chelsea, flashing her a smile, then gave Grant a fierce hug. “How’s my favorite—”

“Fine.” It seemed Grant cut her off. “It’s not me who’s hurt. It’s Chelsea.”

Chelsea wondered what kind of favorite he was. Then she chastised herself. She had no right to wonder anything. It wasn’t like they were an item. In fact, if anyone had claims on Grant, it was probably Mae.

Astra and Doc Evans approached. “Astra’s going to be helping me out sometimes.” He smiled at Astra. “Following in her stepfather’s footsteps.” He put an arm around the ashen-haired beauty.

“Somewhat, Dad,” Astra said. “I’m not into treating the same—”

Grant coughed twice.

Astra paused, giving him a look. Chelsea felt like a third wheel. They weren’t letting her in on the joke, or secret, or whatever it was.

Inside she crumpled at the idea that she couldn’t be a part of this. She’d come to love this community. She enjoyed the tranquility of the mountains and canyons. She’d come to care for Grant and Mae and a few of the other locals.

Another knock at the door. Mae strode in, her face lighting up when she saw them. “Are you okay?” She rushed toward Chelsea with a concerned expression. “You had me so worried.” She turned to Grant. “Was it Jeff?”

Grant shrugged. “She doesn’t remember.” A glint in the depths of his eyes made Chelsea wonder how much he believed her. It didn’t matter.

She studied him, the way Mae stood next to him. The comfortable way they interacted.

Foolish woman that I am
, she chastised herself. She knew that he should be with Mae. Knew that Mae was more right for him, with her vivacious coloring and spirited character. Could see that Mae cared for him and that he cared for her.

She felt a burning shame for the things she’d done with him.

She felt angry at him for doing those things, when clearly he and Mae...

Maybe that was the secret he was holding back. The one he didn’t want to reveal to her. That he cared for Mae.

Maybe what he had for Chelsea was temporary lust.

Then it occurred to her. Hit her like a slap in the face.

He’d called Mae. From her phone. He’d punched the number in. A number he knew by heart. And hadn’t Mae said she couldn’t give Chelsea his number earlier that day so that Chelsea could call and cancel? So Mae had lied when she’d said she didn’t have it?

Chelsea was so confused. Did he want her or Mae? It didn’t matter. She needed to do what was right for Mae. Mae had taken good care of her while she was here. She owed her that.

Shame filled Chelsea for having given in to her passions. Anger also filled her for Grant’s doing this with her when Mae clearly cared for him. She would accept their help. She’d be polite and cordial, recuperate, pack, and then she’d have to leave town. Tomorrow morning. As much as she’d grown to love Bear Canyon Valley, she couldn’t sit back and watch Mae and Grant live their happy-ever-after. Not that she didn’t adore Mae. She did. And she wanted her to be happy. But—

Not.

With.

Grant.

G
rant waited patiently
while Doc closed his bag. He knew from experience that Doc wasn’t going to say anything until he was good and ready, but Grant’s patience was running thin. “Well?” He tried to keep the annoyance from his voice. Really, he did. “How is she?”

“Just a bump. No concussion. Needs a little rest. That’s all.”

Grant breathed a sigh of relief. Now if only he could figure out what was wrong with Chelsea. She’d changed in the last half hour. Suddenly she wouldn’t establish eye contact with him. Her answers were short, and when he sat next to her, she moved away.

Mae gave him a look, asking ‘What’s up?’

He shrugged. This was not the same Chelsea he’d been with in the cave. As soon as he could get the others all out of here they’d have a talk. He’d tell her about the shifting, the lifestyle, and he’d ask her to be his.

Grant found himself tapping his fingers on his thighs, wishing everyone would hit the road. Instead, Doc Evans and Mae were talking about the weather, and Astra was asking Chelsea for hair advice. He found himself spending more time trying to control his bear’s frustration, and less time concentrating on his own.

Finally, Doc Evans took a step toward the door, glancing at Astra. “Ready? Or do you have more hair stuff to talk about?”

“I’ll be in to see you soon,” Astra said to Chelsea.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Chelsea smiled at Astra. Then she caught Grant looking at her. The smile vanished, and she cast her glance away.

“Thanks, Grant.” Mae gave him a hug and made for the door.

Chelsea rose to her feet. “Mae, can I get a ride with you?”

“Ride?” Mae looked at Grant.

He looked at Chelsea, then back at Mae. Why the hell was Chelsea leaving? He paused, unsure what to say. “Shouldn’t you stay and rest?” That was the best he could come up with.

Chelsea looked down. Wringing her hands, she continued, “I think I can rest at home. I’ve been such a bother already.”

“I think you need to file a report,” Astra said.

Chelsea gasped. Her head rose, her expression alarmed.

“No.” Grant’s voice was firm. “I made a promise.” He stepped closer to Chelsea. “I promised her that I’d bring Doc Evans here because she doesn’t want the attention the authorities would give her.”

“Please.” Chelsea’s voice was small. “I’d like to go home.”

Where was the woman he’d fallen in love with? The spirited, sassy, sexy woman? Now she was defeated. Like she’d given up.

Given up on what? On him? That she could keep her ex from finding her?

C
helsea leaned back
in Mae’s car. Outside the car, a blanket of whiteness covered the trees and the roadside. She felt numb, didn’t know what to say. She’d brought this on herself. She’d created a hassle with Jeff, one of Mae’s customers. She’d infringed on Mae’s relationship with Grant. Saying she was sorry seemed so lame now. The best thing she could do was pack her car and leave the valley first thing in the morning.

Mae took the curves and turns slowly, maintaining a speed that was safe, never taking her eyes off the asphalt. As soon as they’d started on a straight stretch of the road, Mae glanced at Chelsea. “Was it Jeff?”

Chelsea didn’t want to lie. But she also didn’t want to start problems for Mae.

“I’m not sure. One minute I was locking the store up, the next minute I was lying in a ditch. All I remember is that Grant found me and...” Chelsea stopped. The whole bear thing was silly.

“And what?”

“It’s silly. I think I was hallucinating. That a bear was there, carrying me.” She laughed a hollow laugh. “Silly, like I said.”

Mae looked at her sideways, didn’t say a word.

“Anyway,” Chelsea continued. “I wanted to say I’m sorry for troubling everyone. I hate that I was such a bother.”

“Bother?” Mae’s voice was high-pitched. She laughed. “You’re no bother. You’re like family. Like a sister to me.” She reached across the console, put a hand on Chelsea’s and squeezed. “I couldn’t do anything less for you.”

Tears sprang to Chelsea’s eyes. She felt ashamed. Here she was, hours from kissing—
and other things! Very enjoyable things!
—with Grant, from betraying this woman with the man Mae loved. Now she felt like shit. Forget leaving in the morning. She’d leave today. She bit the tears back, regained her composure.

They passed the road that turned into the town, where the salon and Chelsea’s car were.

Chelsea’s head snapped toward the turn. Was Mae not going to take her to her car? “Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you home to rest. You’re taking the day off. If not the whole weekend.”

“But my car...”

“I’ll have someone help me bring it later. Right now we need to get you rested.”

“Could you take me to my car?”

“Should you be driving?” Mae put her hand back on Chelsea’s.

“Doctor Evans didn’t say I couldn’t.”

Mae braked slightly. “I’m not sure. Maybe I should call Doc Evans. Or Grant.”

“No. There’s no need to call anyone. Please.”

Reluctantly, Mae turned the car around. “Okay.”

They should hate her for all the trouble that she’d caused them. Then Chelsea remembered: she hadn’t been able to get the car to start last night. If she told Mae that now, then she’d know Chelsea had lied when she’d said she didn’t remember anything after locking the door.

Fifteen minutes later, they were in town. The salon was already open. Lana’s car was there.

Was Lana running it alone? Chelsea looked at Mae.

“I unlocked and asked her to handle things while I came to Grant’s place to check on you.” Mae smiled. “Now stop worrying about everything.”

Would her car start now?

No luck. It didn’t.

Mae shivered, hugged herself. “I’ll call Jerry.”

“
L
oose battery cable
.” Jerry pronounced, shoving long hair off his forehead, leaving grease and dirt stains in its wake. “Try it now.”

Chelsea’s car started immediately.

“Odd how that came loose like that,” Jerry said, waving the two twenties that Chelsea tried to hand him away. “No charge. Friend of a friend and all that.”

“How about a trade?” Chelsea suggested. “A haircut or two in exchange?”

“That a hint?” Jerry laughed, his breath making white puffs in the cool air.

“Noooo.” Chelsea smiled, then instantly felt bad. She wouldn’t be there to cut his hair. She was such a loser, offering him haircuts knowing full well she didn’t plan to stick around. She got into the car to go to Mae’s to pack.

Mae stepped up to the car door before Chelsea could close it. “I’ll follow you.”

“No. I’ve disrupted enough. It’s fine. A short drive. I promise I’ll be fine. I’ll rest.”
For five minutes before I write you a thank you note and leave.

Mae frowned at her, but acquiesced.

The drive was short and uneventful. Chelsea committed the house to memory. She stared at it, willing herself to remember every detail of the two-story stone home. Mae had told her she’d been living there for years, that she’d shared it with her husband. She was so young to be a widow, and without children, too. Chelsea was sad for her, until she thought about Grant, and how Grant would give Mae all the things she needed and wanted. Then Chelsea was sad for herself because she would never have those things.

Putting the car into reverse, she backed into the driveway to make it easier to load her trunk. She unlocked the front door and took the stairs to her room slowly, unwilling to rush into the sad task of leaving.

She opened the door to her room.

“Didn’t think I’d let you go that easily, did you?”

“
W
hat’s with Chelsea
?” Doc Evans crossed his legs, getting comfortable in the large library. “You never bring outsiders to your home.”

“She’s the one, Doc.”

Doctor Jake Evans, affectionately known as Doc, had been Grant’s friend since they were both youngsters. Grant’s grandfather had taken Jake in and had practically raised the two boys as brothers until Grant had decided he wanted to get away from Bear Canyon Valley. That had been long ago. Then Grant had returned, done with roaming, to claim his rightful position in town. To live in his family’s home.

“I wondered.” Doc smiled. “I’m happy you’ve finally found someone.”

Astra strode into the room, a steaming coffee-filled mug in her hand. “When are you going to tell her? You know she has a right to know.”

Doc shook his head. “Easy to see where Astra stands on the whole shifter thing.”

Astra placed the mug on a table, put her hands on her hips. “I buried my mother because of her relationship with a shifter. I think shifters should be with shifters. Mortals should be left out of their lives.”

“Your mother was my soul mate.” Doc’s expression sobered. He shook his head.

Grant rose, put his arm around Astra. “We were all sorry that your mother’s life was taken prematurely. But that’s... We don’t have many problems with enemy shifters. Not like we did in the last century.”

She shook Grant’s arm off. “You’re still my favorite shifter. Right behind him.” She pointed to Doc. “I’m sorry. I still have so much anger over losing Mom.” She picked up the cup and took a sip. “Do you plan to make Chelsea your mate?”

“If she’ll have me. If she can accept the bear.”

“It’s clear she cares about you. I caught the looks,” Doc said. “Can we plan for a wedding?”

“Don’t put the cart before the horse.” Grant waggled his finger at him. “Jeff’s up to no good. Her story about not knowing what happened to her. I don’t know how much of that is true or if she’s trying to avoid a confrontation, but he definitely took her out of the parking lot. And he saw me carrying her—I was in bear form. He left the scene immediately.”

“What are you going to do?” Astra’s eyes were wide.

“Pay him a visit.”

G
rant pulled
into the driveway of Jeff’s home, the most opulent in the county, boasting the realtor’s successes. His car was there, but the other vehicle he used wasn’t.

A midnight blue SUV. Gone.

Grant wondered if that was an indicator of anything, though as long as Chelsea was safe with Mae, where Jeff was didn’t matter.

As Grant pulled back out of Jeff’s long driveway, the snow began to fall more quickly, in larger, heavier flakes. He put in a call to Mae’s cell. When she answered, he dispensed with the niceties. “How’s Chelsea?”

“She was fine when I left her. Said she wanted to take a nap.”

“Left her? I thought you were going to stay with her.” Deep within, his bear growled in his mind.

“She didn’t want me to. I didn’t want to be forceful. I locked the door behind me. She promised she’d leave it locked, just said she wanted to be alone. She started to cry, Grant. She felt bad for inconveniencing me. And she wanted her car. She’s a grown woman. I can’t keep her from her car. I can’t make her do what I want her to do.” Mae’s own voice sounded like she was upset that she’d disappointed Grant.

He turned his truck around, heading toward Mae’s home. “I’m going to your place. I’ll call you when I get there.”

Twenty agonizing moments later he pulled into Mae’s driveway and breathed a sigh of relief. Chelsea’s car was parked there. No other cars were around. He jumped out of his truck—the hell with waking her up—and pounded up the steps of Mae’s front porch, almost tripping on a chair that was sticking out.

He raised his fist to pound on the door. Thinking better of it, not wanting to scare her, he rapped on it softly with his knuckles. The door creaked open. It wasn’t locked.

No...

It wasn’t even closed.

He paused, listening, concentrating. He picked up no signs of life. Nothing. His bear could hear no heartbeat, no breathing. He could smell Jeff’s scent. He was in the house.

He took his phone out and punched redial. When Mae answered, he asked, trying to keep the panic he felt from invading his voice, “Which room is Chelsea’s?”

“First one at the top of the stairs, on the left.” At the other end, Mae gasped. “Why are you asking? What is it?”

“Her car’s here. She’s not.”

“I’m on my way over.” She hung up the phone before he could tell her that she couldn’t help, and that it wasn’t a good idea for her to come.
Dammit.
She couldn’t help. She’d get in the way, maybe even end up hurt herself. Who knew what kind of a wild card Jeff was?

He stormed up the stairs and ran through the open door at the top, on the left. Her door. The room was empty. A cup of tea sat on the dresser. He touched the porcelain. Still warm. It hadn’t been long since she was there. The drawers on the dresser were open and empty. The closet was empty too, no clothing hanging there.

Grant raged out the front door, looking for tracks. There, barely visible in the blanket of snow that had begun its downward drift: large tires. An SUV. He was certain it had to be Jeff’s.

He roared, shifted, and began to follow, going in the direction of the tracks, losing them on the main road, but knew there was no other way they’d go. If Jeff had taken her hostage, he wouldn’t go to a heavily populated area. More likely than not, the man had some property somewhere in the area. He’d take her there. An abandoned building... Grant didn’t know where, but he knew he wouldn’t give up looking.

He kept up a brisk pace, staying hidden by the tree line, just off the road, until he saw tracks on a cut-off. He stopped, studied them, and brushed the light blanket of snow off. Same tread. Had to be it. He took off after the tracks, following them.

There it was.

The SUV. Stopped. Parked at the end of the road. Grant couldn’t move for a moment. Concern for Chelsea paralyzed him. He knew where this road led, to the abandoned lookout post. That’s when he noticed the driver’s side door was open.

His bear’s sharp ears heard it before he saw it. The sound of drops methodically hitting the ground. Coming around the back of the vehicle, he approached the door with caution.

In the driver’s seat, Jeff, dressed in an impeccable suit, was sprawled out. One hand on the wheel, the other at his side, but dangling out of the vehicle, dripping blood. The immaculate appearance of the suit was marred by a large pool of blood that wove its way down to his fingertips, then plopped on the ground. The blood was becoming solid and the dripping slowed by the cold temperature.

Grant stepped closer, careful, not sure what he would encounter, and wondered if the man could be alive after losing all that blood. He paused in front of the door. Jeff’s eyes were open, a look of surprise and horror on his face. There was a knife next to him. Grant stared at the dead man.

Chelsea couldn’t have done this, could she? Had Jeff attacked her, and she’d killed him in self-defense? Where was she now? His bear took over, sniffed for her, and found her scent easily. Found another scent too, a male. Had someone found her? Was that someone helping her, or was it an enemy? He didn’t recognize the scent.

Grant took off at a fast pace, running between trees, chasing her scent. It grew stronger and stronger, staying on a main path, heading somewhat toward the abandoned post. Was this a local? Who else would know about the post?

Grant slowed to get his bearings to scent for her location. His breath left tiny puffs in the cold air. That was when he heard them. Voices. One man’s, one woman’s. Chelsea. Who was that with her?

The man was hidden by a large tree trunk.

Chelsea was talking. “No. I don’t know what he was talking about.”

Grant grit his teeth at how disheveled she appeared. And how pale. Clearly this asshole wasn’t taking care of her. There was a fresh bruise on her cheek, on the same side as the laceration from the night before. His bear roared deep within Grant’s brain, causing his head to ache. He fought to regain control.

“Don’t lie to me.” The man’s voice was a loud snarl. “He said you have a boyfriend.” A hand popped out from behind the tree, and Chelsea swerved and ducked, avoiding the swing.

Grant gripped the tree trunk. He was going to kill this man, whoever he was. He held the bear in him back from charging. He didn’t know what weapon the man had trained on Chelsea. He couldn’t afford to have her shot or cut.

Chelsea was talking again. “Jeff doesn’t know anything about me. Nothing at all. He asked me out. That’s all there is to know.”

“So who is this Grant that he mentioned?”

Chelsea paused, was silent for a moment. “He’s a man I know. You don’t need to worry about it. There’s no reason to hurt him too.”

“I told you, I won’t have other men looking at you. Jeff got his just desserts. This Grant fella will too. I’ll get you situated somewhere, then I’ll go take care of him.” The man moved out from behind the tree.

Grant got a good look at him. Dirty jeans, a scuffed-up coat, unshaven, and with an angry scar that crossed his cheek. That was Chelsea’s ex. The one she was running from. A cop. Probably armed.

Snow and leaves crunching nearby caught Grant’s attention. He looked across the clearing they were in to see if the man or Chelsea had noticed, but they seemed too embroiled in their argument.

Grant scrutinized the source of the noise. What was back there? Then it came into view. She came into view.

What the hell was Mae doing here? What the hell did she think she could do? She’d make things worse. Now the asshole would have two hostages.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Chelsea and the man hadn’t seen Mae yet. Grant tried to wave her off, not worried that he was a bear because she’d seen his bear before, and having been married to a shifter, she was no stranger to shifter ways.

She wasn’t looking in his direction, and didn’t see him. Instead, Mae stalked closer to the couple, a shotgun in her hand.

Great. That made it worse. She’d more than likely be shot.

The man turned to Chelsea, grabbed her and shoved her in front of him, then yelled, “Put the shotgun down, and step away from it.”

Shit. He’d seen Mae.

“Mae.” Chelsea’s voice shook, tears obvious. “Oh, Mae.” Chelsea had lowered her voice, but his bear still heard it. “Why did you come out here?”

“I had to make sure you were okay.” Mae put the shotgun down and sidestepped, locking eyes with the man. “Who are you?”

“This is Derek. Mae, my boss.” Chelsea was introducing them as if they were at a social event, not as if he was a killer who’d stabbed and killed Jeff and was holding her hostage at gunpoint.

Derek indicated the shotgun. “Go get that, Chelsea, and bring it to me. Don’t try anything or I’ll have to blow a hole in your friend Mae here.”

“Stop. I’ll get it. Don’t hurt her.” Chelsea stomped to the shotgun, picked it up, and carried it to Derek.

Derek checked it. “Loaded, huh?” He smiled an evil grin. “Aren’t you the brave little missus?”

A sneer crossed Mae’s face. Grant wondered if she knew he was watching. A part of him was glad she was here. He didn’t want to risk scaring Chelsea with his bear.

He stepped from behind the tree and the bush that had given him a hiding place. He reared up on two legs, threw his head back, and released a roar of pure anger.

Chelsea screamed.

“What the fuck!” Derek raised his handgun.

“No!” Mae yelled.

Grant closed the distance rapidly, his bear seeing red. He had every intention of not killing Derek, but he couldn’t say the same for his bear. Especially when Derek pulled the trigger. The round caught Grant in his upper torso, ripping into his shoulder. He didn’t let it affect his momentum.

He raised his claw, swiping at Derek, catching him across the throat. Blood spurted.

At the same moment, Derek pulled the trigger again, delivering another round into Grant, then the man collapsed.

Grant fell on top of Derek, crushing him before he rolled over.