Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

Z ane woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and a sinking feeling in his gut. The events of the previous night's town meeting played on a loop in his mind—Kiki's shocking confession, the eruption of chaos and accusations, the cold realization that the divide between bears and dragons was deeper than he had ever imagined. And the idea of splitting Misty Vale in half? Or buying out the bears? What had his father been thinking? That definitely hadn't been in the game plan and had hardly helped to put out the fire he was afraid could erupt at any moment. It had been more like gasoline.

How was the town going to come back from that?

But all of these things paled in comparison to the space Alena was taking up in his thoughts. God, he couldn't shake the image of her face from the night before—the fear, the desperation, the heartbreak. It had been about halfway through that he had even become aware she was at the meeting. That had been shocking enough, but then as Kiki was speaking, it became apparent that she was the secret Alena had held. She must have been counting on Kiki's revelation to turn things around. Instead, it had only served to fan the flames of hatred. He had felt her disappointment. These last few days, he had thought he felt a lot from her, but it had been a confusing mix of emotions. At times, there was some doubt, but also elation. He'd had to focus on his responsibilities to his family, yet now he could not bear any moment away from Alena. He had to go to her.

For a moment, he considered a text, but no; he hated how phones had taken over. He wanted to see her in the flesh. He needed to.

Protect mate, his dragon rumbled insistently, pacing restlessly beneath his skin. Keep her safe.

"I'm trying," Zane muttered, massaging his forehead wearily. But how was he supposed to do that when the entire town was on the brink of war? When his own father was championing the idea of cutting the town in half? How the hell was that supposed to work?

Whatever. Zane needed to reconnect with Alena, to make sure she was all right. His dragon demanded it, and on this topic, at least, they were totally on the same page.

He threw on some clothes and headed out, finally able to do what he had been thinking about more or less constantly since their last meeting—to hold her in his arms again. To smell her intoxicating scent and reassure her that everything would be okay.

Zane's mind raced as he stormed out of his house, his dragon roaring within him. His dragon's instincts drove him forward, propelling him towards the diner where Alena worked. But even as his heart ached to hold her, to reassure them both that everything would be okay, he couldn't dismiss that the nagging voice of doubt had gotten louder, particularly after last night.

Can we really make this work ? With everything falling apart around us? Probably not in this town.

He shook his head, pushing aside the uncertainty. Of course we can make it work, one way or another.

As Zane approached the diner, he hesitated. With the diner finally before him, he realized the obvious flaw in his plan. It wasn't like he could just walk in. Hell, I shouldn't even be here.

He briefly considered making a beeline back across the street for the safety of Misty Brews, or simply pulling out his phone to text her.

No, his dragon hissed. No, he needed to see her. To touch her, however briefly.

Heading over to an alley, Zane slipped around to the back.

Much better idea. He just wanted to steal a moment alone with Alena to reconnect and let her know he was there for her. He crept around from the alley toward the back door of the diner, his senses on high alert. As he positioned himself alongside the screen door, he could already hear the sounds of the kitchen within. He was contemplating the next step when he overheard hushed voices approaching in mid-sentence.

Her voice. It stopped him in his tracks, just inside of the door.

"I just don't know what to do, Kel."

Alena.

Zane froze, his heart constricting at the pain and confusion in her voice.

"Everything's such a mess."

"Oh, honey." That was Kelly, her tone gentle.

"I thought the town could heal, but after last night's meeting? Who am I kidding? I could never have a family with a dragon in Misty Vale. I could never even build a life here. I've been a fool…"

The words hit Zane like a punch to the gut, stealing his breath. He stepped back from the door, heading toward the alley again, his mind reeling.

So, she doesn't think it can work? She doesn't even want to try? What does this mean? But just as he was rounding the corner into the alley he came face with Archer and Brandon, their expressions twisted with rage.

Perfect.

"See? I knew it was him," Brandon snarled. "What the fuck are you doing snooping around back here, dragon? Not enough that you fucked up my tools? Now you want to destroy our diner, too? Or did you want to assess its worth so you can offer us a nickel on the dollar of its value before you try to run us out of town? You dragons have some balls, you know that?"

Zane barely had time to react before they were on him, shoving him roughly against the wall. Rage and despair warred within him, his dragon roaring for action. How dare they lay hands on him? And how could Alena say such things after everything they'd shared? He wanted to fight back, to let his beast tear into the insolent bears. But the crushing weight of Alena's words held him paralyzed, his heart confused and pained.

"No, that's ridiculous… I wasn't…" Zane stammered, but his protest died on his lips. What was the point? He couldn't tell the real reason he was there. That might put Alena in danger, and he could never risk that.

Besides, she had been clear enough. Their love, their future, had been nothing more than a foolish dream.

With a final, disgusted shove, Archer and Brandon released him. He figured they were as aware as he was of the danger of escalating things any further.

"I once thought we could find common ground, you know? Hard to believe. Now stay the hell away from our diner," Archer warned, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury. "I don't even want to know your plan. It might make me do something our entire town could regret," he added as he glanced around the alley, presumably to be sure Zane had been alone.

Zane wasn't sure if Archer had connected his intent to his sister, but what did it matter? With the two bears standing firm at the back door, he stumbled away from the diner, his thoughts consumed by what he had overheard.

How could I have been so stupid? He had thought there bond was stronger than that. Had it all been a lie? Had he just misread the whole thing?

No , his dragon practically bellowed.

Of course she could never truly love a dragon.

Zane, get a grip. Just calm down.

Lost in a haze of pain and confusion, Zane found himself back at Misty Brews. He slumped onto a barstool, motioning for a drink.

But before it was even served, a familiar figure caught his eye. Dice lounged in a corner booth, his feet kicked up on the table. Surprisingly, he actually sat up when he caught Zane's eye.

Great, just what I need now.

Dice crooked a finger at him, beckoning him over. Zane's jaw tightened, his dragon instantly wary. Dice was the last person he wanted to deal with. But he couldn't ignore a direct summons from the leader of the Riders without causing an issue. He slid into the booth, fixing Dice with a hard stare and wishing he'd decided to just head home rather than grab a beer.

"What do you want, Dice?"

The biker sobered, his expression turning serious. "Hey, be nice. We need to talk. In private."

Zane hesitated, surprised by something in the other man's tone.

"Fine," he bit out, jerking his chin towards the front door.

Dice led him outside and around the corner, away from prying eyes and ears. Zane crossed his arms over his chest, curiosity and suspicion warring within him, all of it tainted by his deeper fears around Alena.

"What is it, Dice?" It was almost more of a statement than even a question.

The biker leaned against the brick wall, his posture almost a forced casual. "Look, Livingstone, I'll be straight with you. I almost don't want to admit it… and ‘admitting' wouldn't even be the right word, but…" Dice paused, glancing around as if to make sure they were truly alone. "But I trust my gut. And right now, my gut's telling me that maybe, just maybe, there's something to your suspicions about my crew. So I'm going to do some digging, see if I can't uncover what's really going on here."

Zane blinked, taken aback by the unexpected admission—or not-quite-admission, as it were.

"Why?" he asked bluntly, searching the other man's face for any sign of deceit. "We haven't exactly been buddy-buddy. Why help me now, after everything?"

Dice shrugged, a wry twist to his lips. "Let's just say I don't like being played for a fool. And if someone in my crew is stirring up trouble behind my back, I want to know about it."

Zane nodded slowly, a flicker of hope sparking to life in his chest. Maybe he had an ally in this mess, after all. "All right. Keep me posted on what you find, yeah?"

"Will do," Dice agreed, pushing off the wall. "But Livingstone? Watch your back. Something tells me this shitstorm is just getting started."

Zane returned to the bar to finish his beer and try to process everything that had transpired, his mind reeling both from what he had heard Alena saying as well as from Dice's unexpected offer of help. He wasn't completely sure what to make of either one.

Zane shook his head, trying to clear his swirling thoughts. Even as he did, however, he sensed a new presence on the barstool to his right.

Ghost.

His dragon's hackles instantly rose. Now what?

The second-in-command biker had never so much as nodded at him in the past, let alone approached him on his own.

"Well, well, if it isn't our resident dragon club babysitter," the burly biker drawled, a menacing glint in his eye. "I've been meaning to have a chat with you."

Dragon club ? God, how Zane wished he could show these twerps just how appropriate their club names actually were.

His jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Is that so?"

The biker tsked , shaking his head. "You should be nicer to me. Or maybe you and your dragon gang just have bad manners. Either way, that's not a very welcoming way to talk to a friend. ‘Specially one who knows your dirty little secret."

Ice slid down Zane's spine, his heart stuttering in his chest.

"Secret?" he quipped, trying to sound casual.

Which one?

"And what would that be?"

Unfortunately, the biker had him at a loss, and Zane's attempt to appear unperturbed sounded hollow even to his own ears.

Ghost chuckled, a low, sinister sound. "Oh, I think you know what it is. See, I saw you that night at the ruins. You and your little bear girlfriend, getting all cozy. Whispering sweet nothings. And more."

Protect mate! his dragon roared, straining against the confines of Zane's human skin. He wanted to tear the man apart for even mentioning his mate.

"What are you talking about?" Zane growled, fighting to keep his beast in check. He couldn't afford to shift, not here, not now. Out of the question.

"See, I think you and your little girlfriend think you heard some things. Maybe some things about plans some of us bikers may or may not have. Of course, you were mistaken," Ghost crooned, leaning in closer. "And we don't much appreciate you repeating those things to Dice. Not one bit. So here's what's gonna happen. You're gonna forget whatever you think you might've heard that night. And you're going to keep your pretty mouth shut about our business."

Zane's blood boiled, rage almost getting the better of him. "Let's say I did have some idea of what you're talking about. What if I like telling my friends things I've heard?" He wouldn't let this dirtbag see how rattled he was.

Ghost's smile turned cruel. "Accidents happen all the time up by… Widow's Peak, I think they call it? And seems like she really likes her hikes. That's what those who are keeping tabs on her tell me, at least. Be a real shame if she took a tumble off a cliff, wouldn't it?"

No! Not mate! Protect!

Zane's blood turned to ice. They had been watching her. The threat, both overt and unspoken, was obvious. If he stepped out of line, they would harm Alena.

His vision tunneled as his dragon surged forward again, ready to tear the biker limb from limb. But with an incredible will, he held it at bay. He couldn't. It was more than just Ghost behind this. He had to think of Alena, of keeping her safe.

Think!

"And I did a little digging myself. Interesting town you have here. Seems you dragons and bears just don't get along. I get that. We don't really get along with the Iron Riders. Rivalries, you know?" Ghost said in a mock casual tone. "Anyway, seems the bears wouldn't take kindly to you two shacking up. Not at all, nope."

He tsked again, as if to emphasize the point. "And your brothers wouldn't care for it, either. They have enough to worry about, what with an all-out war set to break out at any minute. So you keep your mouth shut. Got it? Maybe even tell Dice you were mistaken. That would be a nice touch. Oh, and you're going to overlook any anomalies in our books and ignore any late-night shipments, too. In fact, you'd better let us do whatever the fuck we want from now on. Do these things, and both your secret and your little girlfriend will be safe. Friend." He snarled the last word with a sneer on his lips.

With a herculean effort, Zane tamped down on his beast's murderous urges, forcing his features into a mask of cold indifference.

"That was a one-night stand, you idiot," he said, his voice flat and emotionless. "You don't know shit about this town if you think I could actually care about a bear. She was just a bit of fun, a way to pass the time. I couldn't care less what happens to her."

The words tasted like ash on his tongue, bile rising in his throat at the betrayal. But he had to sell it, had to make Ghost believe him.

"Is that so?" the biker mused, eyeing him skeptically. "Somehow, I thought you would try that. I'm not buying it."

"Whatever. I don't care what you believe. And you better think twice before you ever even think of threatening me again. The only reason I am not hurting you right here and now is because my brothers want this partnership to work out."

Zane's heart pounded as he faced down the menacing biker, his dragon roaring within him to protect his mate at all costs. He had to bluff and try to play it off to at least sow some doubt in the biker's mind, though he was pretty sure it was too late for that. Either way, he had to play this smart, had to at least try to convince Ghost that Alena meant nothing to him. Whether he would believe him was another matter entirely.

"I wouldn't touch a bear if my life depended on it."

Lies! his dragon hissed. Alena is everything!

Zane ignored the internal protests, focusing on selling the ruse, buying some time.

"I'll see you ‘round," he said and headed for the door.

He wasn't sure if Ghost was buying it, but it was the best he could do in the moment. As he made his way to the exit, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ghost following, watching him as he walked out into the street.

Just then, movement caught his eye across the way.

Shit!

Alena emerged from the diner, her brow furrowed with concern as she spotted him with Ghost. God, what bad timing.

No, love, Zane thought desperately. Stay away!

But it was too late.

This was going to be hard. Really hard.

I have to do this. To keep her safe.

He could feel Ghost's eyes on his back. And now Alena was approaching.

"Zane, we need to talk… I have to tell you something. And you haven't responded to—"

Zane's dragon was trying to practically rip through his flesh in protest of what he was about to do.

"I told you, it was a mistake," he snapped curtly, interrupting her. "We're done. Hell, we didn't even start. Forget about me, okay? It was a fling, nothing more." Confusion and hurt flickered across Alena's face, but Zane steeled himself against the pain. He raised his voice a bit to be sure it carried to Ghost's ears. He hoped his ploy wasn't too obvious, but what choice did he have? All the more reason to really try to sell it.

"Get it through your head, little girl. It was nothing." Then, to make sure she would not endanger herself any further, "Just stay away from me!"

Oh, god, I'm sorry, my love, he thought, even as the words cut like knives into his own soul. They tasted like battery acid on his tongue.

But it had to be done.

Just then, Archer and Brandon came out of the diner, their expressions thunderous as they closed ranks around Alena.

"So that's what you were doing sneaking around? Stay the hell away from my sister!" Archer snarled, shoving Zane back.

Zane let him, his dragon howling with the agony of being separated from their mate. But he held firm to his resolve, knowing this was the only way to keep her safe. If anything, this helped.

Good. Protect her, Archer.

He watched as Archer pulled her back toward the diner as she burst into tears.

"This time, you have gone too far, Livingstone!" Brandon yelled. Attracted by the conflict, dragons began to pour out of Misty Brews, even as bears backed up Brandon on the other side.

Zane had never felt so conflicted. On the one hand, his dragon wanted to rip through his skin and go to Alena. To comfort her, to love her. To tell her he never wanted to be separated again, especially since she had approached him. Maybe she didn't hate him? It didn't matter now, though. The other side knew that the more she had been hurt, the more her kind, the bears, would circle around her and protect her.

Let them all hate me. As long as they keep her safe. He had done what he had to, had torn out his own soul to protect the woman he loved. But as he watched Alena disappear from view, her devastated face etched into his memory, Zane couldn't help but wonder if he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.