Chapter Nine

Over the years of travel and encountering a variety of personalities and cultures, I had learned patience for others and acceptance that some were not as concerned with being on time as I was. Usually, we made a point as a matter of respect.

Today, we'd left early enough we had time to stop for dinner and pick up some flowers before retrieving Monroe.

"The flight is on time," I said, pointing to the board inside the airport. We lived on the outskirts of a small city but, on the weekend, this tiny airport bustled with travelers and those waiting and saying goodbye to their loved ones.

"Good. Let's go wait by the gate."

The thirty minutes we waited for her plane to arrive seemed excruciatingly long. Nothing compared to between the time the plane landed and when she came walking through the crowd toward us.

When I saw her, no one else around us, not even time, existed.

Every cell, shifter and human, inside me ignited. She wore a simple white shirt and jeans, her blonde hair pulled over one shoulder. I couldn't wait to bury my hands in it. As she neared, she stopped walking, making the river of people behind her go around. Her face lit up with a sunshine smile, and she waved. I waved back but almost as quickly, something changed in her demeanor. Her smile dissolved into a flatness. Her hand dropped and balled at her side.

"What was that, Ansel?" He would've seen the same thing as me. We were nothing if not observant.

"I don't know. It was like she was happy to see us and then realized she wasn't supposed to be. My bear didn't like it one bit."

Monroe closed the distance, finally coming out of the passenger-only area to stop in front of us. "H-hi," she choked out.

"Monroe, it's good to finally meet you in person," Ansel said. He opened his arms but waited for her to accept. She returned his hug with a laugh and then moved to give me the same honor. When she wrapped her lithe arms around my neck, my bear perked up at her scent. I couldn't describe the notes or even liken it to anything I'd encountered before, but I felt like a burst of spring had taken over my senses. No flower I'd ever scented, and yet it was floral. No specific spice, but it made my mouth water.

My bear was elated. Truth was, he had recognized her as ours the first time we saw her face and then again when we talked to her on video.

"It's good to meet you both. And this is Mavis." She held up a small pink crate. Inside was a small orange-and-white cat who, surprisingly, didn't hiss at us.

The only other things she carried were a backpack and a purse. Ansel took the backpack from her after a few weak protests by Monroe. "My other bags are in…area C?" she said, glancing at the notifications on her phone.

"Let's go get them. Do you need to use the restroom or get something to eat?" I offered.

"The restroom after I get the bags. Thanks."

With her luggage in our trunk, we got into the car after she used the restroom, Monroe in the front seat while Ansel took the back. She protested only a tiny bit then took the seat with a smile.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" I asked. "In a few miles, we will be leaving the city, and there won't be any places to stop. Of course, we could cook you something when we get home."

"No. I'm okay. I'm a bit nervous, and I think it's affecting my appetite. Once I'm settled, it will be fine."

"Nothing to be nervous about, female." Ansel reached forward and put his hand on her shoulder. "We won't bite."

Yes, we would. But not tonight.

When we arrived home, Monroe's eyes widened. She already knew we had a larger house from her bathroom comment, and there was more proof in the pictures we'd put on the app. The overly sweet scent of her unease took over the cab of the car.

"It's just a house." I patted her hand, wishing she would thread her fingers with mine. I would've done anything to have her touch me even in the most innocent way.

She snorted. "Yeah. Keep telling yourself that."

Ansel rushed over to open her door, and she gasped softly.

I turned off the engine and walked around as well. "We'll carry your bags to your room if you want to explore for a bit."

Her body tensed. Her shoulders squared off. Fingers flexed. Warming up for a fight, it appeared. So defensive and shielded. I wondered who in her life forced her to do that. "I'm very tired and just want to rest." The sternness in her voice was cute and all, but we were alphas, and she was lying. There was no hint of tiredness in her smell. She was also a bit hungry. Another lie.

Feisty little female needed to be taught to submit when necessary.

"Come inside and we can talk. Get to know each other better, and we will make you something to eat."

We opened the door to our home for her and she walked in, arms crossed over her breasts. Ansel ran out and came back with all her bags. He carried them easily, of course, because of his strength not only as a shifter but as a bear.

"Would you like a tour?" Ansel didn't wait for her answer. "Or we can show you to your room."

"Yes. I'd like to see my room, please." Her tone was hollow, void of emotion.

We led her up the stairs and into the suite that we had prepped, thanks to my sister-in-law's help. The linens and towels were all brand new but washed. The best we could find on such short notice. There had been no one in here, so nothing was used. We'd even cleaned the room ourselves, to make our den perfect for our mate.

"This is for me?" she murmured, reaching out to brush the satin finish of the table near the door.

"Yes. Well, the whole house is yours to roam and make yourself comfortable. We have nothing to hide, so you are welcome in any space. If there's anything you or Mavis need, please let us know."

She nodded and forced a fake yawn. The sun hadn't even begun to set yet. "I think I'm tired. I'm going to rinse off in what I can imagine is a huge shower with lots of hot water and then tuck in for the night. Thank you for picking me up and bringing my things to the room."

The lies coming off this female were incredible.

"What do you know about shifters?" Ansel asked. Neither of us moved a muscle.

"Not a lot. Only what I've read in books." Truth.

"We can scent lies. They smell like rusty metal. So, if you've come here and you don't like us or want some time to yourself, that's fine, but being dishonest won't work."

Her gaze locked him in place. I could feel the resistant energy coming off of her.

My grizzly found it enticing, to say the least.

"Fine. I'm overwhelmed and find this place a bit obscene. I mean, all of this for only you two? What are you compensating for?"

I shook my head and let out a low, menacing growl. Not to scare her but as a response to her spewing more lies.

"More of your dishonesty after what we just told you, Monroe? We don't tolerate that here. Now, since you are neither tired nor overwhelmed, we are going to go downstairs and have some food and enjoy the night. When you are tired, you can get some sleep. There's no reason for all this sass and defensiveness, no matter how much my bear is enjoying the back-and-forth."

I expected some backlash or maybe a scoff. What I hadn't expected was the wildflower scent of lust to come from our female.

Because whether she would admit it or not, she was our female, and I would do anything in my power to keep her here. Not against her will, of course.

A blush rose on her cheeks. "I am going to change in something more comfortable and then join you."

Ansel smiled. "Good girl. We'll whip something up for you. Any allergies or aversions to foods that we need to know about?"

"I don't like shellfish."

I nodded. "Perfect."

We stepped out of her bedroom and walked downstairs in silence. Once we got to the kitchen, Ansel turned to me. "That was something," he said.

I chuckled. "You've been picking up on the cues? She's so defensive and sassy but I can tell it's not sincere. It's almost like she doesn't want a mate but then…"

Ansel shook his head. "Then her scent revealed that she was more than willing to submit. My alpha side drank that up."

"Mine too."