Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Kodiak

“ W e’re home,” I say as I shut off the engine on the truck. Nix brought it to me and offered to ride my bike back to the clubhouse. It’s far too cold for Callie to ride with me today but I can’t wait to get her on my bike again. I glance in her direction and see the worry lines etched into her flawless features.

She hasn’t said much since we left her house, and I’m worried that she’s overwhelmed. I hope like hell my brothers accept her because she’s my fated mate. She’s mine. Forever. Taking a deep breath, I exit the truck then head to the passenger side to help her out since the truck is higher than normal due to the fact that a lot of us are larger in stature because of our animals.

“You live here? I thought it was the clubhouse,” she finally says once she’s on firm ground.

“We bought the old ski lodge which has not only this building, but about thirty cabins. Some of us prefer more privacy, so we live in the cabins, but our club meetings are in the lodge itself,” I reply. “I do have a room here, but I also have my own cabin for those times when I need to be alone.” Hibernation is a real thing for this bear, but I suspect with a mate, those days may be over. “We redid a lot of the interior to suit our needs, so even here, we have suites that are more like mini apartments versus rooms like you’d find in a hotel. Since it was an active ski lodge before it shut down, there were many amenities already in place like the bar which we expanded, a game room, an indoor pool, and an exercise room.”

“Wow,” she says on a sigh. “The outside is gorgeous and what I saw the other day when I met with Spike was impressive.”

I hope she loves it here and feels safe because now that my mate has come with me, I can’t handle the thought of her ever leaving. This is my home, but I want to share it with her. I’ve found my mate, so everything I own is hers. It’s a given. My bear agrees. He’s preening inside of me again, wanting to show all of his favorite places, but now is not the time for his shenanigans.

Seeing her shiver a little bit, I curl her into my body to take the brunt of the wind and maneuver us to the front door. “Let’s get you inside, Callie. I’ll get one of the guys to grab your bags.”

While I’d love to haul her off to what’ll be her cabin, I suspect it’ll be safer for her if all of us stay in the clubhouse. We’ll be able to defend it a lot easier than if we were scattered throughout the property. First things first, I need to have Spike send out a message for Church. It’s not our normal day at all, but we have to get ahead of this fucker Jeremy so my mate can enjoy the rest of the holiday season.

I suspect most of my club brothers are already aware of the threat but gathering in one place at the same time eliminates any miscommunication and places us all on the same page fast. I’m hoping we can handle business in less than an hour so I can spend my time with Callie. She’s all I want and the need to solidify our bond is becoming impossible to wrangle.

I ignore my bear and his response to that because I’m fighting lust, need, and rage that my mate is a target. Anything else might push me over the edge.

We enter the clubhouse and I steer Callie toward the bar. It’s open, bright, and warm. There are plenty of cozy spots for her to relax and I suspect she’ll want to be close to the fireplace. Spike builds a fire year-round. The hills can get cool no matter what season we’re in and since he’s a dragon, it seems to calm him when he’s close to the flames.

We only make it a few feet inside when I stop. Everyone is here. All my brothers have gathered in the bar as if not a single one wants to miss meeting Callie. I’m annoyed for about two seconds until I realize the reason. She’s their hope that mates for all of them exist and they’ll find them someday. Plus, they’re curious.

Callie instinctually moves into my chest, and I hold her to me, ticking my chin at the group of misfits. “These are my club brothers, but also the others I call family. You know Spike,” I remind her, gesturing to my pres.

“Hi again, Spike.”

“You’re welcome here as long as you want to stay,” Spike says. The glare he gives each of my brothers dares them to object to his command, which I know they won’t do. None of us want to rile his dragon; he’s fearsome enough as it is, but when he’s in a rage, he’s practically unstoppable.

Callie nods. “I appreciate that.”

There are over a dozen shifters, and I take the time to introduce each one. It’s important that she knows who friend and foe is because if someone manages to get inside, I don’t want her to trust the wrong person. The introductions finish and Spike gestures to the chapel.

“Church. We’ve got shit to discuss.”

The bar nearly empties. I’m standing with Callie and Spike when he grips my shoulder, squeezes, and leaves us alone.

“What’s going on?” She sounds tired, which has me itching to get this over with so I can get her settled.

“A mandatory meeting. We might be a few minutes. Anything you need before I go?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” She presses her hand to her forehead, and I lead her to the couch.

Callie flops down and turns on her side, facing the flickering flames of the logs. They won’t die down anytime soon. Spike seems to have a knack for creating the perfect, long-lasting fire.

“Babe, you okay?”

“Just tired.”

“The kitchen is stocked if you want anything to eat or drink.” I point to the closest hallway. “Bathrooms are that way.”

“Okay.”

I turn to leave when she reaches for my hand. “Wait. Am I going to be alone while you’re in church?”

I chuckle. “Sweetheart, you’re never alone. I might be behind a wall but there isn’t a single shifter here that won’t hear someone coming long before they attempt to open the door.”

Mollified, she smiles. “Then I’ll take a nap until you come back to me.”

I lift her hand and kiss her soft skin before letting go. “Rest. I won’t be long.”

Her eyes are closing as I walk away, and I know my bear will alert me the moment he senses that she’s awake. I briefly wonder how much stronger our bond will become once I’ve fully claimed her, then push it to the side so I don’t walk into the room with a raging hardon.

When I enter the chapel, all eyes are on me as I shut the door and take my seat.

Spike lifts the gavel and slams it down on the wooden table. “Church is in session. First order of business, Kodiak and his mate. Tell ’em what you did, V.P.”

My grin is too fucking wide. “I showed Callie my bear.”

Shocked, no one utters a word.

“She didn’t freak out either.” I shrug. “My pretty mate petted my fur,” I brag. “She nuzzled my bear with her nose and said I was soft and warm.”

“She didn’t run?” Nix asked.

“Nope.”

“Or scream?” Chomp clarified.

“No. She seemed to be in awe.”

“That’s ‘cause your dick was swingin’ in the breeze,” Spike sputters out through a laugh.

I can’t deny it helped. “She sure stared long enough.”

Chuckles erupt around the table.

Any humor vanishes as I straighten, clenching my hands over the table’s surface. “Her ex is stalking her. He already beat her badly enough to put her in a hospital once. She had to have surgery for fuck’s sake. I’m not gonna allow him to get close enough for that to happen again.”

My brothers pound the table with their fists in agreement.

Sly stops clicking keys on his laptop, speaking as the room quiets. “Jeremy Thornberry is bad news. His association with the Lower East Primates will probably cause the club problems. We engage him, it might start a war.”

“Lower East Primates?” Kong asks, slamming his hand on the table. “That’s the club who forced me out.”

Shit. I forgot his connection to them.

“Are they in Yukon Bluff?” Kong stands, pushing away from the table. I can see his ape struggling as steam blows from his flaring nostrils.

Sly nods. “I believe so, yes.”

“What’s the connection to Callie?” Fang asks as he folds his arms across his chest. “I knew I smelled something off around her place.”

Nix agrees, nodding his head but staying silent.

“So, her ex is a member?” Kong clarifies.

“He’s using his pharmaceutical company’s resources to make drugs for the Primates. They’re pushing that shit in the area. So far, it hasn’t touched Yukon Bluff,” Sly informs us.

“But it might,” I fill in. “This asshole wants to hurt her again and sell drugs in our city. Ain’t happening,” I growl.

“No, it’s not.” Spike leans forward, holding the gaze of every member in the room. “Callie is Kodiak’s mate and his ol’ lady. She’s protected. We don’t back down from a threat or a fight.”

The loud outburst that follows soothes my bear as he hears the voices of his brethren promising to protect our female at any cost.

“Callie will be staying here in the clubhouse. If trouble comes, we’ll be ready,” Spike advises.

We form a plan and Spike ends church. I’m the first out of the door, heading directly to my precious mate. She’s in a deep sleep so I don’t wake her, gently sliding my hands underneath her body to lift her. Her warm breath tickles my neck as her head rests on my shoulder. Before I can stop myself, I’m nuzzling my nose to her cheek, inhaling the sweet scent of her that fills me with longing.

I don’t think I can wait much longer to claim her.

Until we arrived here, I didn’t think she was ready. I forced myself to be patient. But something changed after she saw my bear. Her acceptance opened the door for intimacy. I’m sure she has questions about how it all works. Hell, I do as well because I’m the first of all of us to find my mate.

Once I’m in my suite, I gently place her on the bed, then grab the suitcases that were left outside my door and bring them inside. I hate waking her up because I know she’s beyond exhausted, but she needs to eat at least.

“Callie? Sweetheart?” I call out. I don’t want to startle her, so I try to temper my voice which tends to come out loud most of the time.

“Kodiak? Where are we?” she asks, rousing from her nap.

My bear chuffs inside at the fact we were able to carry her without her waking up. There are times I wonder about his sanity because the oddest things seem to impress him. Shaking my head, I look at her and reply, “Our suite, where we’ll stay until we find out what’s going on with Jeremy’s crew.”

“Oh. Um, do you think I could take a shower?”

The thought of her naked beneath the cascading water, all wet and warm, has me clenching my fists as desire courses through my body. Now is not the time, but it needs to happen soon because I’m holding on by a thread.

“Yeah, let me grab some fresh towels for you. We’ll go downstairs to eat when you’re ready, okay?” I ask as I go into the linen closet and pull out what I think she’ll need.

She walks toward me with her clothes in her arms, a smile gracing her beautiful face. It amazes me that despite everything she’s gone through, she has a gentle, kind soul and she’s willing to help others. Most people I know, whether they’re shifters or not, would’ve thrown up their middle finger at the world and looked out for themselves. But not Callie; she’s worried about the foster kids in the next town over having a nice Christmas.

We’ll get the brothers to help her, my bear advises. Cubs, er kids need presents and we’ll give them a good Christmas.

Yes, my club brothers will help. Since I agree with my bear, I don’t say anything else. I merely lean in and kiss Callie’s cheek. Once again, her delectable scent envelops me, and I have to grind my teeth to keep from pulling her into my arms.

“Thank you, Kodiak,” she says. “For everything .”

As she closes the bathroom door behind her, I think of the gym. It’s a bit random but my bear is already working out how our mate will fit into every aspect of our life. I mentally start thinking of additional classes we can post at the gym for those who are into that kind of thing. We don’t do CrossFit per se, but we offer daily workouts for the diehard gym rats. Maybe it’s time to change things up and offer more variety. Peanut already spoke to me about it last week.

Sighing, I straighten up my room while Callie showers, emptying out two dresser drawers and making some space in the closet. It’s only temporary as I’ll order a dresser that’ll match my stuff, both here at the clubhouse and at my cabin.

Because what my mate needs, she’s going to get.