Chapter 8 Marcus
MARCUS
The moment we step out of the car, the scent of sex overwhelms my senses.
The black bear resting peacefully within me is now fully awake and ready for war.
Because it’s not just sex I can smell, it’s her.
That sweet honeysuckle and bright lavender have candied into something dangerous that has my mouth watering.
Adrian’s polar bear snarls, his claws extending. He slams his fists into the hood of the SUV. “Fuck,” his voice is barely human, and his body shivers as the shift begins.
It takes me only two long strides to reach him. I wrap one hand around the back of his neck and press the other to his chest. “Breathe, brother.”
“I can’t fucking breathe. All I smell is her.” His voice is pleading.
“Take a fucking breath, Adrian,” I command. “Do you smell Kieran?” Adrian nods, grimacing, his claws digging into the metal. “Good. It’s just Kieran and Goldie here. He would never hurt her.”
Ever since his sister was kidnapped, Adrian had trouble with women. He refuses to date, let alone open his heart to someone new. I smell his fear, his memories coming to the surface. Terrible things happened to his sister, and being intimate with anyone is a struggle for him.
Our little trip into town gave us time to talk openly about the human living in our home.
Kieran was so clearly smitten with her, but it would be a lie if I said she did not interest me, either.
Adrian was equally intrigued by her. Therein lies our problem.
This fragile human stepped into a den of monsters with zero survival skills.
Humans typically turn away from shifters.
Something about our nature makes them pause.
Pairings between shifters and humans are rare.
And yet, she came to us, wide-eyed and trusting, with no hesitation.
Even still, if Goldie chose Kieran, as she clearly has done considering their mingling scents, how would that work for us?
Could we continue to live together with them?
An uneasy feeling settles inside me at the thought.
I don’t want her to choose. But if Kieran is the bear for her, I can set aside my own desires for his happiness.
Adrian’s breathing evens out, and his claws detract from the now ruined vehicle. “Sorry.”
I squeeze the back of his neck affectionately. “Never apologize for having emotions. Better to let them out than bottle them up.”
He snorts a laugh. “Are you talking to yourself or me?” Unwilling to share my own inner turmoil, I shove him away, and he chuckles at my expense. “That’s what I thought.”
We walk through the front door as Goldie and Kieran enter from the back. He’s carrying her close to his chest. His brown hair and her golden locks are equally messy. Goldie has dirt all down her legs, her ass barely covered by Kieran’s oversized shirt.
“Just wrapped up a bit of gardening,” Kieran smiles brightly. “How was shopping?”
Adrian holds up several bags. “Wasn’t sure what you preferred to wear, so we bought one of everything.”
Goldie’s eyes go wide, and she giggles. “I wonder what the sales ladies thought of that.”
I frown, crossing my arms over my chest. “They were nosy as fuck, and I wanted to eat them.”
Kieran rolls his eyes. “You want to eat everyone. It’s your go-to threat at any minor inconvenience.”
Goldie giggles again, one of her arms wrapped around Kieran’s neck and playing with his hair.
I’m jealous and annoyed at the feeling. I want to leave, but before I can do so, Kieran strides over to me and pushes Goldie into my arms. My own hands reach for her instantly, and she settles against my chest as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
“She needs some pampering, and I’ve got to work on her new identity,” he says, arching a brow. “Don’t mind, do you, Marcus?"
My eyes narrow at him, but I can feel Goldie’s gaze glued to my face. If I say no, it will hurt her feelings, and that’s not something I am willing to live with. Adrian gathers the bags and takes them up to her room, and I follow.
“Looks like you enjoyed your morning of gardening,” I murmur, unable to help myself. I seem to lose all ability to behave when Goldie is nearby. It’s as if I’m a young cub again, unseasoned in the ways of women.
A blush creeps up her neck, and I resist the urge to nuzzle into her as we take the stairs to the third floor. “Wasn’t what I expected to find in the garden, but can’t say I’m sad about it.”
“I’m sure the pup was more than eager to get you alone.” The comment slips from my lips, and I instantly regret it. My composure is quickly disappearing.
Adrian laughs in front of us. “You sound jealous, Marcus.”
My back stiffens at his comment, and Goldie watches me as if she needs to know the answer. “Are you jealous of him?”
“No,” I say, my voice curt. We arrive at her room, and I gently let her down from my arms. “There are toiletries stocked in your ensuite and plenty of clothing to choose from. If you need anything else, let me know.”
Her lips part slightly at my formal tone, but I turn away before I can see the hurt in her eyes. I don’t need to see it; I can smell the change in her scent. But how can I behave otherwise? She chose Kieran, and I won’t do anything to hurt him, either.
Adrian frowns at me but says nothing when I stomp back down the stairs. I pass Kieran’s office, pausing when he looks up from his computer, still shirtless and reeking of sex.
Kieran arches a brow at me. “Why do you look like someone just shat in your porridge?”
A growl rumbles up my chest. “I’m going out to hunt. Adrian is with her. He… almost lost control earlier, but he’s better now.”
Kieran’s eyes shift down, and he folds his arms over his chest. “I hate that he is still so affected by Sylvie’s death. I wish we could at least find out who did it.”
“We will.” My words sound more convincing than I feel. It’s been two years since her death, and we are no closer to discovering who murdered her. Kieran worries Adrian will never be the same if we don’t, and I share the same fear.
“I think Goldie might be able to help him,” Kieran says, returning to his work.
“How so?” I ask, curious even if I don’t want to be. Every moment I spend thinking about her will only make it harder when she chooses Kieran.
He smiles at me, and there’s a secret hiding behind his honey-colored eyes. “I don’t think she wants to choose, Marcus.” My back straightens at his words, as if he’s been reading my mind, but I don’t respond. “What if we can all be happy?”
His words sink into my soul, but the logical part of my mind rejects them. It was already strange for three different kinds of bears to coexist the way we do, but to share a mate as well? Unheard of. I want to believe him, but the impossibility of it is just too great.
“It will never work,” I growl in irritation. “You’ve claimed her. She’s yours.”
Before he can say another word, I rush out of the house and into the woods. The beast within me rages, and I undress quickly, shifting on the run. A roar escapes my jaws, and the forest quivers with fear at my arrival.