Don't Moose With Her (Bearbank Book 1) (5 page)

Ethan’s leg bumped hers again, drawing her attention back to him.

“How are you getting along with Leo?” she asked. That was a safe question.

“Fine,” Ethan said, taking a drink. “He’s a good partner. Seems like a decent guy.” He fell silent again.

The conversation was a little stilted and awkward. Dana wasn't sure what to say. Maybe Ethan didn't either. She shifted a little on her chair, uncomfortable but unwilling to walk away. The mating instinct drew them together physically. Many couples would be off somewhere private by now. Mate first, get to know each other later. It sounded like a terrible idea but it often worked out well for shifters. Sure, some shifters found themselves mated to someone they disliked but the majority were reasonably happy. Her moose snorted at her, unable to understand why they were just sitting there.

“So what do you like doing in your spare time?” she asked him. Maybe they could find something they had in common. That would be a good starting point.

Ethan shrugged again. Mating instinct or not, her mate seemed fairly unenthusiastic. Yet, he still sat close to her. He was giving off seriously mixed messages and Dana found herself hurt and confused. Did he want her or not?

“I don’t really have much spare time,” he stated. “Work keeps me busy.”

“Oh.” There wasn’t much else to say. He didn’t seem to want to talk to her or mate her but he did want to sit right next to her, invading her personal space. She didn’t understand.

Ethan sighed. “Look, Dana. I know we’re mates, you’re pretty, and I’m sure you’re a great person. I’m just not interested in having a mate. Not right now. Maybe never. I can’t claim you.”

Dana felt numb. A cold creeping feeling started at her neck and crept up her head. She felt stunned, unable to move or respond. Everything felt curiously detached from her. Her mate was rejecting her. Her once in a lifetime, you only get one, mate was saying he didn’t want her. Unable to speak, unable to look at him, she simply stood and walked over to her friends.

***

Ethan watched his mate walk away. His inner wolf snarled, furious with him for hurting their mate. He had hurt her. He had seen the look in her eyes before she turned away. The shock and the pain that hurt him almost as much as it did her. He was the one who had put that look on her face. All because he was a damaged lone wolf who had nothing to offer a mate. She deserved better. It might not be a true mate but there would be someone who could treat her better than he could. He ignored the stab of pain and the flare of fury that accompanied the thought of his little moose with someone else. This was better for both of them. No matter how much it hurt.

He wished he could explain it to her but he doubted it would help. Prolonging it would only make it harder. He watched her talk to her friends, her back firmly turned to him. He winced when Leo’s cousin, Katie, shot him a glare. He wasn’t going to be popular around here once word got out. Not that it mattered. He wouldn’t be staying here long. If he missed his chance at the Shifter Stalker, he’d be following him to the next location. If he caught the guy, well, he’d likely still be moving on.

“What the hell did you do?” Leo asked, sitting down at the table.

Ethan shrugged. “I told her the truth. That I’m not looking for a mate, right now.” Although he wanted one. He wanted Dana. He just couldn't have her.

“You’re an idiot,” Leo snorted. “We only get one shot. It happens when it happens. If you’re lucky. I just hope you regret it before it reaches the point where you can’t fix it.”

Shaking his head, Leo stood and walked away with a muttered “Idiot.”

Ethan watched as Dana left with her friends, still studiously avoiding looking at him. He found himself watching, hoping for a last glimpse of her face but he was disappointed. This time both of her friends glared at him, before they all left.

It was for the best. For both of them. Even if he was an idiot.

Dana was quiet on the way back to her house. There was nothing to say. Katie and Fiona were unnaturally quiet too. Katie especially and she didn't normally do quiet. They kept glancing at her and she made sure to keep her face a mask. She just didn’t want to discuss it. Not right now when she was sure she would be unable to stop herself from crying. Her thoughts whirled inside her head, a furious maelstrom that never stopped. She felt physically sick. The creeping numbness was the only thing keeping her from a full-blown meltdown and she needed to be alone before that happened.

Her mate had just condemned her to a life alone. How could she mate with anyone else, knowing that she had a true mate out there? Even one who had rejected her. Didn’t he feel the connection that she felt? What was so wrong with her that her mate could deny their natures, their bond? She just wanted to be alone, to lick her wounds in private. She couldn’t bear the humiliation of explaining the situation, even to her friends. It was exceedingly rare for anyone to deny their true mate. People would be shocked. They would whisper about her. Wondering what was wrong with her. What was wrong with her?

Reaching her house, she turned to tell her friends that they could go, that she’d be fine by herself. Katie shot her down before she could even speak.

“Don’t even think about it, Dana.” Katie fixed her with an I Mean Business stare. “You still have a creepy stalker so you’re not staying here by yourself. Besides, you’re hurting and even if we don’t know why, we’re not leaving you here alone.”

“We’re your friends, sweetie,” Fiona added, wrapping an arm around her. “We want to help and you can tell us anything. You know that.”

Dana felt her eyes stinging. She blinked furiously but couldn’t stop the tears from falling. First one fell. Then another.

Fiona hugged her fiercely. “Let’s get you inside.”

Dana let herself be guided along the pathway to her front door. On the doorstep was a box. A much larger one than before.

“I’ll get it,” Katie murmured, as Fiona opened the door and steered her into the house, settling her on the sofa and handing her some tissues.

Katie brought in the box and dumped it in the corner. “We can worry about that later. Now, hon, tell us what the jerk did. I’d like to know why I’m beating the crap out of him tomorrow.”

Dana took a few deep, shuddering breaths while Fiona rubbed her back soothingly. Katie sat on the coffee table, her hand on Dana’s knee, waiting for her to speak.

“He’s my mate,” Dana said quietly with a sniff. “My true mate.” She wiped at her eyes.

Katie shrugged. “We guessed that. The way you looked at each other, it was obvious. That should be a good thing, yet you’re not happy. Don’t you like him?”

She did like him. It just made things worse. She was such an idiot. She liked him a lot and he didn’t want her. She barely knew him and yet she felt devastated. It was pathetic. She felt more tears run down her face.

“She likes him,” Fiona said quietly, hugging her and handing her fresh tissues.

Katie’s mouth drew into a thin line. “I see. So what the hell is wrong with him?”

Dana gave a sad little hiccup. “He said he doesn’t want a mate. My true mate just rejected me.”

Katie growled. Actually growled. “Is he mentally defective?”

“Clearly.” Fiona shrugged.

“I can kill him for you, if you like,” Katie offered.

Dana smiled through her tears. “I don’t think having a dead true mate is much better than one who is AWOL. Especially not if one of my besties is in jail.”

“Bah,” Katie snorted. “Like I’d get caught.”

“You’re kind of scary sometimes,” Fiona said, her voice a little awed. “But let me know if I can help with torturing The Jerk.”

Dana leaned into Fiona, appreciating the comfort. She listened as her friends discussed various things they could do to Ethan, now known as The Jerk. The suggestions grew ever more outrageous, making her smile, even through the pain. Thank heavens for friends like hers. The tight squeezing around her heart eased a little, allowing her to breathe and calm down. Her heart was heavy and she felt tired and sad but at least the meltdown had passed. She would be fine. She knew that now. It still hurt and her future looked bleaker and mate-less but she would live on as best she could.

A little calmer, she went to sleep, feeling a little safer with her friends in the house.

***

The next morning was bright and sunny. Bah. Dana went through her morning routine in a daze. She was on automatic pilot as she showered and dressed, wandering into the kitchen in search of coffee. Katie and Fiona were already up and eating breakfast.

“So, what’s in the box?” Katie asked, gesturing to where the box in question was sitting, forgotten about.

Dana shrugged. “I don’t know. Another gift from my secret admirer? The last one was a necklace and chocolates.”

“Ooh, I wonder what this is. You should open it. You know, now. While I’m here to watch,” Fiona said, beaming at her. “And, you know, help with any chocolate eating.”

Dana walked to the box, dropped to her knees beside it, and examined it. No label or return address. Hand delivered as usual. She took the scissors handed to her by Fiona and worked on cutting the tape sealing the box shut. Setting the scissors down, she peeled back the box flaps, and froze.

This was no fancy present of chocolates or jewellery. Not this time. This was a moose head. From a real moose. An adult male, no wonder the box had been so big. It was the full, severed head, minus the antlers. Little stumps remained where the antlers had been cut off, presumably to make the head fit in the box. Dana stared at it in shock, unable to look away.

“Oh God.” Fiona’s voice was choked as she peered over Dana's shoulder.

“What the hell?” Katie exclaimed. “I thought he sent you nice gifts.”

“It’s not a…” Fiona paused. “It’s not a shifter, right? I mean, where would someone even find an actual moose in Scotland?”

Katie looked closer. “No. I think this is one of those taxidermy things. The moose probably died a long time ago and then got bought over the internet.”

Dana shuddered, unable to stop staring at the moose head. She wasn’t a fan of hunting trophies at the best of times. A moose head hit a little too close to home.

“Do you think this is a threat?” Fiona whispered. “I mean, they chose a moose of all things.”

“Yeah,” Katie answered, leaning over and closing the box flaps. “We have to go to the police with this. I’m not buying that your secret admirer randomly sent you a moose head because he thought it would go with your furniture.”

“You think it’s the same guy?” Fiona asked. “Why sent all the nice stuff and then this?”

Katie glanced at Dana. Clearly she knew something and just as clearly didn't want to say it.

“What?” Dana asked. “Just tell me.” Not knowing would be worse.

Katie sighed. “Leo told me that the Shifter Stalker does this. He starts with sweet stuff and then something changes and the gifts get threatening. You can’t ignore this Dana.”

“I’m not ignoring it,” Dana said. “I’ll call the police. This morning.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Katie said. “Don't argue.” She had no intention of arguing.

“I’d stay too but I’d better get to work. Especially if you’re going to be late,” Fiona said.

“Thanks guys,” Dana said. “For last night, too.”

“Aw, sweetie.” Fiona hugged her. “That’s what we’re here for.”

With a final hug, Fiona left for work, leaving Dana with Katie and the box. Dana moved away from the box, unwilling to touch it. Still her eyes were constantly drawn to it. She kept telling herself not to look but then she'd find herself staring at it anyway. Until Katie quite deliberately stood between her and the box, blocking Dana’s view.

“I’ll call Leo,” Katie offered, reaching for her phone.

“No!” Dana almost shouted. Katie froze and Dana made an effort to calm herself. “Sorry, not Leo. He’d bring his partner and I do not want to see him. Can’t we call someone else? Please Katie? I can't deal with him right now.”

Katie nodded. Her eyes filled with sympathy. “Ok, I’ll call and speak to the boss. He’s a shifter and he can send someone shifter-friendly over to the house. Someone who won't bring a jerk with him.”

Dana nodded as Katie picked up her phone and dialled.

The morning had been an exercise in frustration. Ethan had tossed and turned all night, unable to forget the look on Dana’s face. Now he was tired and grumpy. His wolf was sulking, a silent presence in his mind, refusing to interact with him. His partner had been coldly civil all morning, saying nothing personal, only talking about case-related matters. Ethan was furious at his wolf, his partner, the universe, and at himself. What was he supposed to do? He wasn’t mate material. Not even close.

They had spent the morning chasing down people from the bar on the night Becky was abducted. Nobody seemed to know anything. No one had noticed anything unusual. Ethan’s temper grew shorter with each useless witness. The Shifter Stalker had been among them and nobody had even noticed. He knew he was being unfair. It's not like the stalker wore a T-shirt identifying himself as a serial-killing psychopath. Still, he was in a foul mood and unable to snap out of it.

They had reached the last witness, Hazel Matthews, a pretty fox shifter with red hair. When they asked about Becca’s human admirer from the bar, she nodded.

“That guy?” Hazel said. “That’s Andy. Andy Woods. He works as an accountant in the next town over. He has a stepsister here, so he visits from time to time.”

“So he’s not new to the area?” Leo asked.

Hazel shook her head. “No, his mother married a shifter and they lived here for a while when he was a kid. It didn’t work out but they only moved to the next town. He’s always been back and forth. He’s a nice guy. He wouldn’t hurt Becca. He clearly adored her but he was a little shy and she was oblivious.”

“I’ve heard that she was paying him more attention on the night she disappeared,” Ethan pointed out.

“Yeah,” Hazel agreed. “The last few times he was in, Becca spent more time talking to him. They seemed to be getting along really well. I thought maybe she’d finally realized that he liked her.”