Bear Necessities

What are you doing here?”

Glory held up Tabby’s gym bag. The bangles on her wrist jangled and her grin was wide and sparkling. “Not quite the way we’d envisioned you spending last night.” She giggled. “Okay, bringing you work clothes after your night of debauchery, yes. Bringing you work clothes after a night in the hospital, no. And hey, no walk of shame, right?”

“Thanks a lot.” Tabby rolled her eyes, but just the presence of her bubbly friend soothed her. It was hard to be upset when Glory was around. “Is Cyn all alone?”

The store had opened over an hour ago.

“She posted that we were closed for a family emergency and moved the appointments we had to later in the week.” She handed Tabby the bag. “I’m sorry to hear about your boyfriend’s cousin.”

“Thanks.” Tabby headed toward Julian’s room. She’d rather change in his bathroom than in the public restroom. And there was no way she was going into Chloe’s room, not with all those people in there. Julian would guard the door for her while she changed. He was one of the few people she truly trusted to keep her safe.

“Where is your new man, anyway?”

Tabby shrugged. “Alex is getting some sleep finally.” And hadn’t that been a battle and a half? He’d argued with everyone but his mother until the woman had pinched his ear and literally dragged him off for some rest. He was due back any minute now. “Oh, I almost forgot. Julian’s here.”

“What for?”

She thought about trying to explain, but decided she wanted a nice tall pitcher of margaritas next to her when she did. She still hadn’t figured out how he’d saved Chloe, or what was up with the funky white hair. “I’ll tell you later, but he’s fine now. He’s waiting on his discharge paperwork in his room, so I’ll change there.”

“Well, Cyn says to take your— oomph!” Tabby spun around. Glory was sprawled on the floor. Ryan stood over her, the strangest look on his face.

Glory blew her pale blue bangs out of her face. “And hello to you too.”

Tabby had to stifle her own giggles at the disgruntled look on her face.

Ryan blinked. His expression was stunned. Tabby had seen Glory have that effect on more than one man. “Hello.” Tabby shivered. Ryan had practically purred the salutation. “Who are you?”

Glory smiled up at Ryan. “Glory.” She held up her hand, every inch a dainty princess. “Help me up, please?”

Ryan jumped. “Oh! Right.” He took Glory’s hand and easily pulled her to her feet.

“I’m Ryan, Ryan Williams.”

Glory’s expression turned much more genuine. “Chloe’s brother?”

Ryan smiled. “Yeah. She was admitted last night. You know her?”

Glory’s mouth dropped open. “You mean…?” She turned to Tabby. “You didn’t tell me it was Chloe in the hospital.” She tugged on her hand, frowning absently when Ryan didn’t let go. “Chloe’s a friend. I need to go get her some flowers or something.”

“She’d like that once she’s out of ICU.” Ryan took Glory’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Maybe I can help you find some?”

Glory tapped her foot. “Your sister is in the hospital and you’re flirting with me?”

Ryan’s answer was a heated grin.

Tabby coughed. From the look on Ryan’s face, things were about to get interesting for her friend. “I need to borrow Glory for a little bit.” Ryan frowned at her. “Seriously. She’s my coworker, my roommate and one of my best friends.”

The frown left his face. “And?”

Tabby sighed. “Glory?”

“Yeah?”

“Grr-grr.”

Glory tilted her head toward Ryan, her mouth hanging open. “Him?”

“Yup.”

“Oh!” Glory yanked her hand free. “Shouldn’t you be, I dunno, with your mate?”

She hissed. Glory had a real hate-on for cheaters. Tabby still didn’t know why, though she could guess. Glory’s parents were divorced, and she knew Glory would have nothing to do with her mother.

“He doesn’t have one, Glory.”

Ryan threw his head back and laughed. “Not yet, anyway.” He loomed over Glory, his expression intense. He towered over her petite friend. The move screamed possession.

Uh-oh. “Um. Ryan? Why don’t you go check on Chloe?”

He looked over at her, and for a moment the predator he was peeked out of his suddenly deep brown eyes. She could tell he was debating whether or not to do what she’d asked. “Where are you two headed?”

Tabby held up her bag. “She brought me clothes. We’re headed to Julian’s room so I can get changed in peace.”

Ryan studied her, his fingers absently toying with a lock of Glory’s hair. “Keep her safe.”

She gulped, the quiet warning in the Bear’s voice clear. If Ryan had decided not to let Glory out of his sight, there wasn’t much Tabby could have done to stop him.

A lone Bear could whip the ass of a lone Wolf. “Yup. Will do.”

Ryan took Glory’s hand to his lips. “I will see you later.” He tipped Glory’s chin up and smiled down at her, his expression filled with wonder and a touch of satisfaction. “Glory.”

Glory didn’t take a breath until Ryan’s form disappeared around the corner.

“What the hell was that all about?”

Tabby took Glory’s arm and steered her back to Julian’s room. “I’ll explain it on the way.” She pushed the button for the elevator. “How do you feel about bears?”

Glory looked stunned. She stumbled along, pulled by Tabby, her expression one of horrified fascination. She’d never dealt well with aggressive men, and a man on the hunt for his mate was about as aggressive as they came. “Please tell me we’re discussing the teddy kind.”

Tabby shook her head and escorted her friend into Julian’s room.

Bunny pushed on the door to Julian’s room. Ryan had told him that his mate could be found there. He’d also told Bunny that she was getting naked. He needed to find out if Julian was a dead man or not. Clenched in one hand was the stupid stuffed bear he’d had made for Julian at Tabby’s insistence.

If Julian had gotten one glimpse of his mate’s creamy flesh, Bunny was going to feed the toy to him one fuzzy piece at a time.

“I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Bunny blinked. Julian sat on the edge of his bed, a smirk on his face. His Native American heritage was obvious in his dusky skin color, deep black eyes and high cheekbones. His long, dark hair was loose, falling to pool in his lap. Now that he got a good look at him, Bunny nearly growled. Julian was one of the handsomest men he’d ever seen. And Tabby was naked in this man’s bathroom?

Hell to the no.

“Where’s Tabby?” Bunny smiled, his fangs peeking out. Mine.

Julian rolled his eyes and snorted. “She’s getting dressed.” He pointed toward the bathroom. “She even waited until she shut the door to start with the nakedness.”

Bunny’s hands clenched. He owed the man, but still. That was his mate getting naked in another man’s room. “Tabby?”

“Yeah?” Her muffled reply sounded amused.

He ground his teeth. “Are you done yet?”

Julian covered his mouth, no doubt hiding his laughter from the way his shoulders were shaking. “Your mate thinks I’m going to sneak in there and ravish your lily-white ass.”

Bunny relaxed a bit. The other man had just acknowledged Bunny’s right to Tabby. He bowed his head in thanks, smiling back when Julian winked at him.