The bikers exchanged glances, some almost amused. A few hands drifted toward waistbands where Danny was sure guns were hidden or holstered knives with razor-sharp blades.
You’re insane if you think you can fight any of them. You bruised your knuckles punching a pillow. They'll crush you like a bug.
He told the voice to shut up. It didn’t matter if he was outmatched. It didn’t matter if his knees were shaking so badly it was a miracle he was still standing. Ash had protected him, and Danny would do no less.
“Sorry me if I don’t take your word for it.” Danny glanced between them, watching for any sign of attack. “I’m aware Ash called for backup, but I don’t know any of you. Until I’m certain, I stand by what I said.” This newfound courage felt like someone else had possessed him, lending him a voice that didn’t waver and a backbone made of steel. “I’ll fight every last one of you if I have to, because no one is hurting him.”
Holding up one hand, palm out, Zeppelin pressed some buttons on his phone. With the call on speaker, the ringing sounded deafening in the small clearing.
“Frothy Pine.”
“Hey, sunshine,” Zeppelin replied. “Can you—”
“Did you find Ash? Is he okay?” Then the guy’s voice lowered to a growl. “Tell me you gutted the asshole who did this.”
Zeppelin grinned like he was amused and turned on by sunshine’s bloodthirsty tone. “We just got here, Preston. I need you to verify I’m friends with Ash. His mate’s twitchy and about to beat our asses if we go anywhere near his bear.”
Danny’s stance relaxed slightly.
“Oh my god! I so want to meet him! Is he absolutely adorable?” Preston squealed. “What’s his name? Have you invited him to the house yet? I bet Ash gets all growly soft with his mate.” He sighed. “I’m so happy for them.”
“Sunshine, you’re on speaker.”
Silence. “You could’ve warned me before I ran my mouth like a toddler begging for a playdate!”
Preston was the unicorn version of Isaac. Both unhinged, but with glitter instead of shovels. Danny instantly liked him.
“What’s your name, Ash’s mate?” Preston asked through the speaker.
“Danny.”
“Are you okay, Danny? Were you hurt?” Preston inquired with genuine concern in his voice, which surprised Danny considering they were complete strangers.
Glancing at Ash, Danny’s throat tightened. “Not a scratch on me.”
“We need to take care of this,” Zeppelin said to Preston. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too, sunshine.” Zeppelin hadn’t hesitated or seemed embarrassed by the declaration. Most alpha-type men would’ve played it off or whispered their reply. Zeppelin hadn’t done either.
“We good?” Zeppelin asked after hanging up. “I could call a dozen more people if you need me to.”
“Preston sounds like a nice guy.” Danny finally lowered his arms. Thank god. They’d started to cramp.
“He’s my entire world.” Zeppelin pocketed his phone. “Is it okay if we load Ash into the back of the pickup?”
The question caught Danny off guard. He glanced around at the other men, wondering why Zeppelin would need his permission. The others just stood there, like they were waiting on Danny’s answer. “I don’t understand,” he said. “Why are you asking me? You guys are friends.”
Zeppelin stepped closer, but kept enough distance not to crowd or tower over Danny. “You’re his mate, which means no one overrides your decisions for him. You told us not to touch him. So I need you tell me if we can load him up, or do you want us to stay here and watch your backs until he’s fully healed.”
“What’s a mate?” Ash had called him that a couple of times. Danny just thought the guy was calling him a friend. Were these men simply referring to Danny as Ash’s friend as well? Maybe, but he had a feeling it meant something else he wasn’t aware of.
Someone groaned while someone else cursed under their breath. Zeppelin quietly muttered, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Danny just stood there, waiting for someone to tell him, though their reactions weren’t encouraging. How could the answer be any worse than finding out mid-crisis the guy you were falling for was actually a bear?
“Right now Ash is healing in his bear form,” Zeppelin said, completely ignoring Danny’s question. “How long he’ll stay a bear depends on the extent of his injuries. While I want to know what happened, getting him home takes priority.”
