Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Z ane couldn't help but grin as he stepped into Archer's bar. It was a little surreal, actually, to be walking right into what just a day ago had been forbidden territory. He looked around at the pool tables and TV sets.

"Not bad for a bunch of fleabags," Dash quipped, elbowing Zane in the ribs. "I mean, it's no Misty Brews, but it'll do in a pinch."

Zane chuckled, shaking his head. "Easy there, brother. We're all on the same side now, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah," Dash grumbled good-naturedly. "Give me a little time to get used to it, okay? And I reserve the right to talk a little trash. Old habits die hard and all that."

They had all headed home after the ceremony to get a little rest but had agreed they needed to meet up ASAP, and Archer's bar had seemed as good a place as any.

As they wove through the crowd, Zane spotted Archer and Smith huddled in a booth in a corner, their expressions serious as they focused on a map of Misty Vale. He made his way over, Dash trailing behind him.

"So, what's the plan so far?" Zane asked, nodding towards the map.

Archer glanced up, a determined look on his face. "Pretty simple. Crush Ghost and any other Rider bastards he has working with him."

"Maybe we are gonna get along," Zane mumbled as his dragon clawed at the ground.

Protect mate. Destroy threat.

"I want in," he said, his voice low and gruff. "Ghost threatened my mate. He's mine."

Smith raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "I think we all want a piece of him, but we figured you'd say that, and you'll get no argument from me, all things considered."

"That is as it should be," Archer added. A moment later, after another look at the map of the town, he added, "So who's going on this little field trip?"

"Count me in," Dash chimed in, cracking his knuckles. "No one messes with my little brother's family and gets away with it."

Zane felt a surge of gratitude towards his brother. They might butt heads more often than not, but when push came to shove, Dash always had his back.

Just then, Dice strolled into the bar, his rugged features set in a grim expression. He greeted them with a curt nod.

"Gentleman. I'm not sure what's up with you guys," he said, seeming to take in the newfound unity between what he saw as rival gangs, "but I'm glad to see it. It's been mighty tense around here."

Zane noted that the other shifts gave him respectful nods in return. "Let's just say we have come to an understanding," Zane said, nodding at the other bears and dragons.

"Good, ‘cause I've done some digging based on what you told me. Turns out, you were right about Ghost and his little faction. They've been working against the Riders' interests this whole time."

Murmurs of anger rippled through the group. Zane noted that Archer's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury. "I knew it. Those backstabbing sons of—"

"Normally, I'd handle this with my own," Dice cut in, holding up a placating hand. "Believe you me, he was my right-hand man. I've half a mind to take him out myself. But in the spirit of our new partnership, and as a show of goodwill, I'm gonna let you boys deal with Ghost however you see fit. Especially since he directly threatened your old lady," he added, tipping his chin towards Zane.

Zane's dragon rumbled its approval, even as a flicker of unease passed through him. "And you're sure your men are okay with this? I don't want any misunderstandings or unnecessary retaliation."

Dice's lips quirked in a humorless smile. "Loyalty is held above all else in our club. Ghost and the others betrayed us all. There will be no problems there. I've already got Riders moving in to create a perimeter and provide backup if needed, though I trust you boys can handle it."

Relief and anticipation thrummed through Zane. Finally, a chance to confront the man who had dared to threaten his mate, his family. His dragon roared within him, eager for vengeance.

The front entrance double doors swung open again, revealing Brandon and Striker, their expressions grim and determined.

"We're coming, too," Brandon declared, his tone brooking no argument.

Dash let out a laugh. "It's gonna take me awhile to get used to seeing dragons and bears cooperating."

"Hey, man, you and me both," Striker said. "I don't know what happened in that séance or whatever, but I don't know… the whole feud thing just feels… silly now."

Zane nodded.

Right. Silly.

Just then, Dice excused himself. "I am going to join my boys. We have Ghost and the rest of the traitors surrounded but they haven't caught wind of it yet. They are in the Blake Craft Warehouse on the south side. We'll keep an eye on them til you get there, all right? But make it quick, before they realize what's happening. And fair warning, if you take more than thirty minutes, I can't guarantee Ghost will even still be breathing."

"Understood, we'll be right behind you." Archer said.

Just as Dice was heading out, the doors popped open again.

Alena herself came striding into the bar, her hazel eyes blazing with fierce determination. "I'm going with you," she announced, her chin lifted in defiance.

Zane's heart stumbled, fear and love warring within him. "Alena! What? No way. The baby—"

Zane's dragon surged to the front. They were both still trying to take in the news. It was almost overwhelming, and more than Zane could have possibly hoped for, but he still had this one bit of business to handle before he was ready to celebrate.

"Look," Alena said, softening slightly. "I get it. You want to keep us safe. But you say that bastard threatened me, right? Well, I think I have just as much right for vengeance as you. Besides, Ghost and his goons have no idea what they're really up against. They need to see, to understand the power of a united front between bears, dragons, and, well, a pissed off mate," she added with a smile.

Zane sighed, recognizing the stubborn set of her jaw. There would be no talking her out of this. "Fine."

Alena was a fierce bear herself. Those punks had no idea what was about to hit them.

"But we scope it out first, make sure they are unarmed. That's nonnegotiable. I am not risking anything happening to you or our child. Then, and only then, can you say your piece. Deal?"

Alena hesitated, then nodded. "Deal. And Zane? Thank you. For understanding, for trusting me."

He pulled her into a quick, fierce hug, breathing in her familiar scent. "Of course. We're a team, Alena." And then, taking a quick moment, which was all he could afford at the moment, he cupped her chin in his hand. "You've made me the happiest man on the planet. And dragon. I had almost given up on the idea that I could ever find my place… but now I know what it is—it is with you, as your mate, and as the father to our coming child. Thank you, baby."

"It is you who has fulfilled all of my dreams, Zane."

"I think we will have to postpone our little celebration just a bit longer," he finally said, pulling away.

"Oh, we will celebrate, all right," she said with a wicked wink.

With the plan set, their motley crew set out, a mix of bears, dragons, and a few straggler Riders united in purpose.

As they got closer to the warehouse on the outskirts of town, Zane saw that Dice's men did indeed have Ghost and his cohorts surrounded. Once the bears and dragons arrived, Dice moved in to disarm the men.

He probably is having a few choice words with them himself.

At last, Dice signaled them, and the shifters moved in to confront the would-be usurpers.

"Well, well," Ghost sneered as they filed in, his eyes glittering with malice. "If it isn't the star-crossed lovers and their band of merry men. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Zane barely suppressed a snarl. He didn't even want to know how the thug had learned so much about his personal life. His dragon was hissing for blood. But he decided he would let Alena address the situation.

This oughta be good.

As she stepped forward, the rogue bikers scoffed and exchanged confused and dismissive looks.

"Oh, are we getting a fashion show? Oh, wait, I get it—no, thank you, I don't need a beverage, sugar. Thanks."

What a tool.

"Cut the crap, Ghost. I don't think you realize how much trouble you're in. We know all about your plans to pit us against each other."

Ghost scoffed, sharing a smirk with his cronies. "Hear that, boys? The kitty cat thinks she's got us all figured out." He spread his arms wide, a mocking invitation. "By all means, darlin', enlighten us. What dastardly deeds have I supposedly done?"

Alena's eyes flashed, her bear rising to the surface. "Threats. Manipulation. Trying to undermine the peace of our town. Not to mention I hear you followed me."

"Threats!" Ghost barked out a harsh laugh. "It's called business, sweetheart."

"You call melting my tools ‘business'? You fucking asshole!" Brandon roared.

"What are you talking about?" Ghost replied in a faux innocent voice. "That must have been ‘dragon fire,'" he said with a laugh.

"Keep laughing." Brandon nodded toward Alena and then Zane.

"Oh, come on, that was just me having a little fun with your superstitious horseshit. Amazing what an acetylene torch can do. This town is another level of nuts, I'll tell you that," Ghost continued, keeping up his show of bravado.

"You don't know what you have gotten yourself into here, ‘Ghost,'" Alena hissed, disdain dripping off her tongue as she spit his name.

Here we go. Zane was actually looking forward to this.

"Oh, please, it's not my fault if your boytoy here is too soft to handle a little friendly competition. So I might have followed you around a little, maybe said a few things. Big deal. You know, I was a little upset. Never got to peek in your windows. I bet that would have been fun. I bet you got a nice little rockin' body there."

Zane growled, his control fraying. Okay, time to shut this guy up.

But Alena held up a finger.

"Just one more second, please, honey. I'm just getting to the good part," she told him in her sweetest voice. She strutted a few steps in front of the biker. "I do have a rocking body, don't I?"

The effect was to throw him into confusion. Apparently, she wasn't acting the way he expected. Not at all, it seemed.

Zane smiled. That's my girl.

"What the hell is your game, lady? Why don't you go back home and tend to the dishes or whatever and let us men hash this out. I'm sure we can come to some understanding."

Oh, is that what you think?

"I think the time for talking is over," Alena said as she moved a little closer.

The rogue Riders shifted uneasily, doubt flickering in their eyes. But Ghost just sneered, apparently unimpressed as he seemed to try to get the upper hand in the exchange again.

"I'm shaking in my boots. What are you gonna do, smother me with your tits?" He made an obscene gesture, grabbing his crotch.

"Shut your mouth," Zane snarled, his control snapping. But Alena just smiled.

"You really shouldn't have said that," she murmured. "You know, you must have done a pretty shitty job of following me if you never saw what an animal I can turn into."

Zane was getting an idea of where this was going.

All bets are off it seems.

Ghost looked around, even more confused and uncomfortable.

"Man, you are nuts, lady. You're all nuts." He let out another awkward little laugh. But it was clear was beginning to lose his composure.

"I am more than just nuts," she said. Then, faster than Zane's eyes could track, she began to shift into her bear form, a snarling mass of fur and fury.

Ghost stumbled back, shock and fear etched on his face. "What the fuck!" he yelped.

Behind him, his men blanched, tripping over themselves as they backed away from the enraged she-bear.

Zane watched with a mix of pride and apprehension as Alena's clothes ripped and tore as she shifted into her imposing bear form, towering over the cowering Ghost. Ghost's eyes bulged in shock and fear, and he stumbled back from the roar of the she-bear.

"What the fuck ?" he repeated, his voice cracking this time. The other Riders' earlier bravado had evaporated in the face of Alena's supernatural fury. Zane almost felt sorry for the bastards.

Almost.

Shouldn't have messed with my mate, assholes.

But just as Alena took a menacing step forward, Ghost's hand flew to an ankle holster they had failed to see. Zane's heart stopped as he saw the glint of a gun.

No!

Faster than thought, Zane shifted, his dragon exploding out in a maelstrom of scale and fang. He lunged, talons outstretched, just as Ghost aimed his weapon at Alena.

Like hell you will!

Screams erupted as a shot rang out right when Zane collided with Ghost, talons shredding flesh, teeth snapping bone. Dimly, from his dragon form, he was aware of Alena's roar, felt the heat of her at his side.

Alena!

It was over in seconds, Ghost's broken body crumpling to the ground. Zane's dragon turned to his bear.

Safe? She looked whole, at least.

They had brought extra clothes for just such an eventuality and quickly moved into an adjacent room to shift back, even as the rest of the rogue bikers sat in shocked silence.

Still breathing hard and reclothed, his hands slick with blood, Zane turned to Alena, running hands across her body and frantically checking her over.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she assured him, human once more. "We're okay. His shot went wild." Her hand drifted to her stomach, protective and tender.

"Holy shit!" Dice's voice cut through the chaos. "You're all—you're fucking—it's real? The stories? You really are dragons and bears?!"

Archer snorted. "Give the man a prize."

Dice shook his head slowly, eyes wide.

The other riders were all backed against a wall, sniveling and cowering.

"I figured the stories were just LSD or something, you know? Some of the guys go deep with the recreational shit," Dice blabbered.

"Surprise," Dash said dryly as held up his open hands besides his face. "Looks like you're going to need a new right-hand man."

Zane laughed in spite of the grim circumstances. Or maybe because of them. He approached Dice, his expression serious. "Listen, man. You've seen some heavy shit today. We need to know we can trust you to keep our secret."

Dice held up his hands, nodding vigorously. "Hey, no worries. Your secret's safe with me. I ain't looking to piss off a bunch of shape-shifting badasses."

Dash chuckled, clapping Dice on the shoulder. "Smart man. But just to be safe, we might need to do a little memory wipe on your boys here. And right now. Works best when we get it right away." He gestured to the other men, who looked like they weren't sure if they had been drugged or had lost their minds. "Can't have them running their mouths about dragons and bears, now can we?"

Ain't that the truth.

But this was contained. No problem. Just a little whammie and problem solved. It was the people that saw them shift without their knowledge that always proved problematic.

Dice hesitated, glancing at his men. "Yeah, sure. Do what you gotta do. But maybe… maybe leave me out of it? I swear, I won't tell a soul."

Zane exchanged a look with Alena and the others. "We'll see." His dragon rumbled uncertainly.

He was leaning toward giving Dice a chance. He'd proven himself an ally, and wiping his memory might also erase the progress they had made with their bond, as well as with their business.

As they prepared to leave, Zane took one last look at Ghost's corpse. "You know what they say," he mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"What's that?" Dash asked.

"FAFO," Zane replied, his eyes glinting with dark satisfaction.

Alena raised an eyebrow, confusion etched on her face. "FAFO?"

Zane grinned, pulling her close. "I guess you are not up on your memes. ‘Fuck around and find out.' Looks like Ghost here found out."

"Oh, he found out what happens when you fuck around, all right," Archer chimed in.

Laughter echoed through the warehouse as the group made their way out, leaving the chaos and violence behind them. Zane felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The threat was gone, his mate and cub were safe, and Misty Vale was finally on the path to healing.

What a difference a week can make.

Alena drifted back over toward him, and he instantly pulled her in with an arm to walk alongside him.

"You were incredible," he said as he kissed her cheek.

"You weren't so bad yourself." She smiled back.

"I guess we're quite the team."

"That's what I've been sayin'. Now, can we do some of that celebrating?"

"Most definitely. More than celebrating, actually. There's one last thing I have been meaning to do."

"Oh? What's that?"

Zane noticed Alena was biting her lip as she gazed over at him. "Oh, you'll see."

They had no sooner arrived at a deserted spot than Zane ripped off his clothes, shifting instantly. He allowed his dragon to come to the fore in a rush. Alena only looked up at him in awe. He could tell they were of the same mind. He knew she understood what was coming and wanted it to. It was what they had both been wanting. Their bond was such that it had almost seemed like a formality, if such a thing were possible for shifters.

She instantly climbed on his massive, scaled back, and he beat his wings powerfully as they took off. He soared and soared, driving to gain altitude until he could look down and see the spot.

There. Clearing. Stone circle.

It was the spot that had been calling him since he had laid eyes on her. He dove, feeling Alena grasping with all her might around his neck. Just before they touched down, he pulled up and spread his wings to descend softly. After she had dismounted him, he went to the center of the clearing, within the smaller stone circle his pack often came to, and with a mighty breath of fire, he set the logs there aflame. Then, with his eyes back on his love, he again asserted his mind and shifted back into his human form. He stood naked before her.

"This place. I feel the dragon fire all around us," she said.

"Yes. This is a place of my ancestors. A place of claiming."

"Yes, Zane, make me yours." Even as she spoke, she was already removing her own blouse.

He instantly went to her and began to help her undress. She seized his length immediately while he was pulling her dress off.

"God I want you. I want to take you completely. To claim you."

"What do you call what we already did?" Alena quipped.

"A warm up."

She laughed.

"But in truth, we are already connected. Our bond is like nothing I have ever seen or heard of…"

"I feel it, too, Zane."

"I was afraid to fully claim… to say the words. I was afraid for you."

"Are you afraid now?" she cooed, a coquettish look in her eyes.

Without a word, Zane pulled her to him as he lifted her off her feet and carried her to a soft patch of grass where he laid her down.

"How could I ever be afraid now with you by my side?" He kissed her deeply.

"God, I want you, Zane. I want to be yours. And I want you to be mine."

"You had my heart the moment we ran into each other that morning. But I like the formalities." He kissed each breast and then her forehead gently.

No sooner had he laid her down and positioned himself above her than she grabbed his hard sex and guided him toward her wetness.

"I want this feeling to last forever, baby," he groaned as he drove his girth once more into her waiting sex.

"Ohh, Zane," she sighed as he slowly began to work his length inside her, giving her time to adjust.

She wrapped her legs around him, and he picked up his pace. But this time, he did not hold back his dragon. He could feel a fire building deep in his core. He looked down at his love, his mate, and could see a mirrored fire in her eyes. Her bear.

Even as he began to pump into her, he could hear her own primal grunts and growls as he began to roar. The pressure was building so fast now. All the built-up tension between wanted to finally unravel. She was pressing her hips against him with every thrust.

Soon, she was panting as sweat dripped between them. He kissed at her breasts even as he arched his back to drive in more powerfully still.

"Yes, baby, I want you to come deep inside me again. Claim me completely for now and all time. And let my bear claim you."

Alena stretched her legs even wider for him, pulling her into him with her heels. His balls were slapping against her ass so hard now as she took his full length, until he felt the pressure building to a climax.

Zane's mouth watered as his seed began to practically boil within him.

"Yes, baby, yes," she moaned as she moved in a frenzy beneath him.

Suddenly, he felt his hot seed shoot down his shaft, and he lifted his head to utter a mighty roar to the sky. Heat radiated from him in all directions, radiated from her as their souls joined.

"I claim you, Alena, here and now for all time as my sole mate, my love, mother to my child."

He could feel her shaking beneath him as he emptied his come inside her. "And I receive you and take you as my mate…"

He collapsed on top of her as the two continued to shake.

For a second, he was taken out of it by the odd smell of singed grass.

Holy shit. Raising his head an inch or two, he saw that they had literally burned a circle of their own into the grass.

He collapsed upon her once more.

"So, I guess we're official," Alena sighed into his ear.

"Yup." Zane kissed her neck as he pulled out and lay beside her.

"I felt pretty official already, but I'm glad we crossed all the T's and dotted the I's."

He just laughed. "My forever mate."

" My forever mate," she repeated, giving him a peck on the lips.

They lay like that for some time before finally getting dressed again.

This has been a pretty good day.

He squeezed her hand as they made their way back to what was essentially a brand-new town.

We might need to rename it New Misty Vale, he thought with a laugh.