Look at the Polar Bears
Ma stepped back and shifted without warning. Kirk paused an instant, not willing to give ground or acknowledge his aches and pains. Showing vulnerability to their mother never ended well.
“That human must go. Admit you’re playing with her and send her on her way.” She straightened her jacket and strolled from the warehouse, her nose in the air like an imperious queen.
Hell no. Kirk refused to let Fiona leave, and he suspected Stig would be of a similar mind. How they would continue with all of his brothers wanting her, he had no idea. All he knew was that his bear wanted her with a desperation that had allowed him to fight his mother and not back down. Leif had fought at his side, and although they were both bloody, neither of them bore broken limbs. This rated as a success since her ferocity told him she’d intended pain and temporary suffering.To teach a lesson.
They’d never stood up to her like this before. A first, and he enjoyed standing beside his big brother. They might have different fathers, but that meant nothing to him or his brothers because they had each other’s backs. Besides, from what he understood, Ma had been difficult and unwilling to let any male tell her what to do or how to act. With that in their backgrounds, was it any wonder they valued family above all else?
At his side, Leif shifted. Kirk paused until he was certain their mother wasn’t lingering outside to reappear and take advantage during the vulnerable time of shifting.
Kirk transformed next. “How much damage control will we need to do with Fiona?”
Leif sighed. “I’m not sure. With any luck, Ma will head out on the ice today. Most of the pack has already left. She knows we won’t attend the gathering. We’d refused to go before Fiona’s arrival.”
“She assumes we’re playing with Fiona, and that Fiona will return to her regular life once her week tour is up.” When Kirk pictured Fiona, he imagined them together in a future of fun and laughter and her softness. If he let himself, he could imagine children, although he wouldn’t mention that to Leif. It would only scare him.
“Ma doesn’t understand us. She never has.” Leif sighed again, a heavy one of reluctance. “Let’s go upstairs and face the damage. Seeing us transform into bears might have done what Ma is hoping. Fiona might turn her back on us.”
“True,” Kirk said. They hadn’t known Fiona long enough to learn her strength of character. She’d seemed a strong woman, but he’d been wrong before.
At the top of the stairs, Leif entered the master code and the lock clicked. He opened the door and entered.
Kirk tested his senses. “They’re in Runt’s room.”
“Good,” Leif said. “Runt wasn’t taking any chances with Ma going berserk.”
Kirk strode down the corridor to Runt’s room. “Locked.”
Leif plugged in the master code and the lock released. He hesitated a second before opening the door.
Kirk sucked in a quick breath and glanced at Leif. His face remained impassive as they surveyed Fiona wrapped around Runt in his bear form. Runt opened his mouth in a version of a bear smile, and Kirk relaxed. Approval shone in Leif, and they backed from the room, neither wishing to awaken Fiona.
“You say Arve claimed her,” Leif murmured as they returned to the den.
“Yes. His vocab reduced to one word.Mine. What will we do, Leif? I want her. You want her. Hell, we allwanther.”
“Apart from Ma. She’d prefer Fiona to leave.”
Claws clicked on the floor, and Runt prowled into the family room. He shifted and scanned them closely. “You’re still standing. Only a little blood. That’s unexpected.”
Kirk glanced down at his arm. A lucky swipe from Ma had shredded his sleeve and drawn blood. He’d scarcely noticed. He straightened his limb, experienced a slight pull and shrugged. Not too bad at all. “How is Fiona?”
“Full of questions.” Runt wrinkled his nose in amusement. “And she took photos before she decided she could take a nap. She promised to sleep in my bedroom tonight.”
Kirk snarled.
“You’re invited,” Runt said. “Fiona said that was fine. You and me.”
The satisfaction in his youngest brother drew an unwilling smile from Kirk. He’d received an invitation from Fiona, and the welcome pleased him.
“That was sneaky,” Leif snapped.
“Pot. Kettle,” Runt said in a level voice. “You whisked her away last night without worrying about us or our wishes.”
Kirk waited for his oldest brother to pull rank, but to his surprise, Leif scowled instead.
“As long as Fiona is happy with the arrangement,” Leif said, albeit unwillingly.
