Cynful

do wonders for your pores.”

Cyn shook her head. “I am so tattooing a purple fairy on your ass.”

“I’d rather have your name.” It was an ongoing argument between them, because for some strange reason she thought he was joking. He’d been trying to get her to tattoo Property of Cyn on his ass for weeks now, but she blocked him at every turn. Perhaps it was time he had a chat with Tabby. She might do it for him. He’d just have to make sure she didn’t laugh her way through the whole tattoo. He’d hate it if it looked like it was done by a five-year-old.

They settled into an easy rhythm, moving and swaying together as if they danced with each other a thousand times before. It wasn’t long before her head was resting against his chest, her hat perched on his head. Her fingers stroked through his loosened hair, combing it for him. She’d shoved the rubber band into his back pocket, copping a feel before stroking his hair once more. He let his own fingers do the walking down her back. When his hands landed on her ass he squeezed. Damn, he liked these pants. He’d have to see if he could get her to wear them on their next date night.

She tilted her head back and looked at him through her lashes. It didn’t take him long to find out what she was up to. She began to nibble on the exposed skin of his throat, licking and tasting him. He shivered and tilted his head when she found an especially sensitive spot.

“Somebody likes that,” she whispered, her warm breath tickling the moist spots she’d left behind.

“Oh, yeah, somebody definitely does.”

He felt a tug on his hair and allowed his head to be pulled back. He was rewarded for his obedience by more warm, wet kisses. He closed his eyes, savoring the touch of his mate and the fact that she wanted him. It was hot as hell to have her taking the lead. Normally he was the one who instigated any touches or kisses. To have Cyn take the initiative made him weak in the knees. He was so hard he could probably drill holes in granite.

“Shit.” She caressed the back of his head gently, and his hair swung free once more. “Imminent Grizzly attack at two o’clock.”

Julian opened his eyes to find Ryan pulling a cave bear routine. He was close to shifting, he was so agitated. Glory was doing her best to ignore him, dancing with her back to him, surrounded by men who kept reaching out to touch what they shouldn’t be.

Glory had no idea what she was unleashing, and if Julian didn’t do something fast someone was going to die.

He allowed his other power to flow through him, the power he rarely tapped. He stepped out of Cyn’s arms toward Ryan. “Calm down.” He tapped in to that part of Ryan where his rage lived, soothing the beast before he could savage the humans. Ryan’s back straightened, his hands unclenched and his dark brown eyes turned blue again. Julian wasn’t certain how long he’d be able to hold the Grizzly, so he did the only thing he could think of. He had to get Ryan out of here. “Follow me.”

He backed slowly out of the dancing crowd, his gaze never leaving Ryan’s. Occasionally he would restate the command to follow, keeping the Grizzly under his control until they were out of the building and in the parking lot. He pointed to the seat of Ryan’s motorcycle. “Sit.”

Ryan sat, and Julian allowed his power to go back to sleep.

“What the fuck was that?” Ryan’s expression was part awed, part terrified.

“The other reason Kermode stay separate from all of you.” Julian joined Ryan on the seat and stared at the club, kicking one heel against the asphalt.

“Holy shit. You’re Alphas. All of you.”

Julian winced. He hated it when somebody used that title. It wasn’t accurate, not in the way they meant it. “Not…exactly.”

“So what are you then?” Cyn was standing before them, her arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapping to the beat they could all clearly hear. She didn’t look nervous or scared, just curious. This was good, because hopefully she’d be just like him.

Julian took a deep breath. “Spirit Bears are Shamans, not Alphas. We have no desire to rule others, only to help them and guide them when needed.” He laughed, but even he could hear the lack of humor in it. “What would I do with the whole pack of Bears?”

“Rule the world?” Ryan’s tone was thoughtful. Perhaps he did have a clue what Spirit Bears could truly do if they ever set their minds to it.

One of Cyn’s dark brows quirked upwards. “Steal the world’s honey supply?”

Great. He’d gone from being a Care Bear to Winnie The Pooh.

Ryan darted a quick glance at him. His shoulders relaxed for the first time since they’d entered the club. “Turn salmon into an endangered species?”

“Demand toilet paper in every forest in the land?”

“Ooh, that’s a good one. Because Bears do shit in the woods.”

“I bet those pinecones are scratchy as hell.” Cyn’s expression was solemn, but Julian could see the grin trying to break free.

“You have no idea. And God forbid if you haven’t figured out what poison oak looks like yet.” Ryan shuddered melodramatically.

“I sense a story there.”

“Not one I’m willing to tell.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “Children, behave please.”

Cyn batted her lashes at him. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Say that again when we’re alone.” He heard Ryan’s sigh even over Cyn’s quickly muffled giggle. “Stay here and guard Cyn. I’ll go fetch Glory.”

Cyn’s brow rose. “How are you going to get her to leave? She was having a pretty good time, and Glory loves to close the club down.”

From the way Ryan’s shoulders tensed once more the club would be permanently closed if they didn’t get Glory out of there soon. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this one covered.” He patted Ryan’s shoulder sympathetically. Honestly, if his mate had pulled half the stuff Glory had he wouldn’t be handling it nearly as well.

He stepped once more into the club and scanned the sea of dancers looking for pale blue hair. He spotted Glory quickly and cursed under his breath. She was at the bar and flirting outrageously with the bartender. She brushed his hand and shot him a coy look, a look that clearly stated she was ready, willing and available.

She might be ready and willing, but she certainly wasn’t available no matter what she thought. Julian plastered on his most innocent smile and sauntered to the bar. “Glory! I’ve been looking all over for you.”

He could see Glory’s teeth clenching as she shot him a dirty look. “Go away, Julian.”

The bartender scowled. “Is this man bothering you?”

Only the genuine concern Julian could sense pouring from the man kept him from fetching Ryan. “She’s a friend of my girlfriend, Cyn. We were worried about her.”

The man’s smile dimmed. “Cyn is here? And you’re dating her?”

Now it was Julian’s turn to clench his teeth. Who the hell was this guy? “I most definitely am.”

Pain flashed across the bartender’s features, but was quickly masked by resignation. “Oh. Well, I hope things go better for you than they did for me.”

“Thanks. I’m planning on making it permanent.” While Julian felt some sympathy for him, there was no way in hell he wouldn’t stake his claim to Cyn. But right now he had other things to worry about. He placed his hand on Glory’s shoulder, and smiled. “Time to go!”

“Ugh. I don’t think so.” She tried to brush his hand away but he wasn’t budging. “Rude much?”

“Aren’t you feeling tired? Maybe even a little dizzy?”

She wobbled on the stool, her eyes going wide with horror and suspicion. “You son of a—”

“Like I said, time to go. You’ll be fine once we get a few carbs in you.” He tsked and shared a look with the bartender. “She was so excited to come out tonight she forgot to eat.”

He could tell the bartender wasn’t buying it, but when Julian waved to Tabby and got a wave back the bartender backed down. Julian helped Glory down from the stool, wrapping one arm around her waist when it was obvious she couldn’t stand on her own. When they were far enough away from the friendly bartender she growled at him. “When I get changed into a Puma I’m going to eat your face off.”