The two new bears sauntered toward Khloe, eyes narrowed. They looked menacing, but Isaac didn’t think Surge and Thorn would let anything happen to any of the wolves. It would ruin their bourgeoning relationship.
“Khloe,” Felix ordered sharply.
She continued to growl, but she stepped back slowly, putting some distance between herself and the newcomers.
Surge and Thorn flanked them and shifted to human form. “Stand down,” Thorn yelled. “Now.”
The two growled louder before taking a step back and shifting.
One was tall with dark skin and a black beard. His head was shaved. He scowled at Thorn. “Watch it, Thorn. You’re not in charge of me.”
“Oh, but I am. Surge and I were assigned as liaisons with the wolves. You’re overstepping.”
The dark man smirked. “Your precious alliance is creating a rift among our own people.”
Thorn leaned into the guy’s face. “Our alliance could mean the survival of both of our communities,” he hissed.
The dark man chuckled sardonically. “From who? Lions? We don’t even know those were really lions. And besides, theyhaven’t been seen in weeks. Maybe they decided we were too formidable for them.”
Isaac cringed. These two were in denial. Perhaps they were power hungry.
Isaac stroked his mate’s back, pleased that she remained tightlipped. All of the wolves were silent, letting this unfold. Surge had warned them. They would heed his advice for now. This squabble was among the bears. It didn’t include the wolves. Yet.
The dark man turned toward the wolves and scanned the crowd. The only shifted wolf was Khloe. He paused, his attention on her. “Good heavens. Are they all this large?”
No one answered.
He glanced at his friend, a blond man with pale skin. He’d been a much lighter color bear before shifting, too. “Have you seen any of them up close, Cane?”
The blond—Cane—shook his head. “No.”
“There’s no reason to harass them, Rogin,” Thorn growled. “They are a peaceful people.”
Rogin eyed everyone suspiciously, scanning every face as though memorizing them.
Isaac hated the vibe he got from this asshole. He couldn’t wait to hear what Rylee scented.
Surge took a step toward Rogin. “Stop listening to the likes of Drow. He’ll turn on you just like he did Firat. He’s not well. You can see that. You visited him. He’s frothing at the mouth, muttering nonsense.”
Rogin took a step back. His expression softened slightly. He still smirked.
Thorn shuffled closer to him. “We have an alliance with the wolves. We need them. We’re working together to track down the lions. Neither of our people want trouble.”
Cane turned toward Thorn and shook a finger. “Fine. But you better keep your eyes on them. Something feels off. They’re hiding something. I can feel it.” He turned toward Rogin and nodded in the direction of the trees. “Let’s go.”
The two took off, and Isaac breathed out a deep sigh for a few seconds before he realized Thorn and Surge were coming toward him.
Surge smiled warmly at Amber before shifting his attention to Isaac. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience to you and your new mate. We’d be appreciative if she could track them. They were right to suspect something was different about many of your people. I didn’t want to give them more ammunition, though. Thorn and I don’t have the ability to follow them around without detection. But your mate…”
Surge shifted his attention back to Amber. “I’m so sorry, Little one.”
Amber nodded. “I’ll do it,” she said, her voice strong as she turned her attention back to the trees where the two had disappeared.
Isaac’s chest swelled with pride. She was the most precious being in his world, and she held her ground in front of these bear shifters.
Surge turned back to Isaac. “Thank you. You have my number. If you could just let me know where they go.”
Isaac nodded. “I will.”
