Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,59

coming along, too.

“When was the last time you visited the world beyond?” Caleb asked.

“Some time ago. A couple of years, maybe more. I went to a food festival. There were all different flavors of food from around the world. I found it stimulating.” Elise inhaled deeply. “I can still taste some of them and the smell...”

“You and food,” Karros replied.

“I’ve never known you to complain about eating the food I’ve prepared,” Elise countered.

“I’m always happy to support you in your career.” Karros glanced at Caleb. “You find it funny?”

Caleb’s laughter bubbled up inside him, despite the seriousness of the situation. “I can hear my brothers and me in you two. The way you bicker. You don’t mean to hurt each other, you just like to have these small disagreements.”

“It’s part of being siblings,” Elise acknowledged. “At least we have plenty of experience when it comes to our own children.”

“Ah, so this means you are having children.” Karros nodded with approval.

“It does.” Elise tucked her arm through her brother’s. “We’re going to need lots of babysitting help. I want to continue with my career.”

He placed his hand on top of hers. “You know I’m there for you no matter what. Whatever you need, I’ll do what I can.”

“You’re a good brother.” Caleb stared straight ahead, they were nearly back at the hotel.

“Thanks. It means a lot.” Karros paused. “And you’re a good mate for my sister. I know how much her career means to her.”

“I am here,” Elise squeezed his hand. “You’re talking as if I am invisible.”

“You could never be invisible,” Karros told her. “Not when you make so much noise.”

“I don’t make a lot of noise.” She shuffled in her seat and sat up straighter. “What noise do I make?”

Caleb chuckled and then Karros started laughing as Elise poked him in the ribs. “Ouch.”

“Don’t be so mean.” She hugged him as Caleb drove into the parking lot of the hotel and stopped the engine.

“I’m going to tell Aiden that you’re coming.” He leaned forward and looked at Karros. “If he really hates the idea...”

“I won’t come,” Karros replied. “If he really hates the idea, I’ll wait for you here. As long as you promise to keep in contact with me. And if you need me, I’ll come find you.”

“Thanks.” Caleb bowed his head at Karros and got out of the truck.

“You’re trusting Karros to drive your truck back to his house?” Aiden had his head under the hood of his truck as he checked the water and oil.

“No, he’s coming with us.”

Aiden nearly thumped his head on the raised hood as he jerked his chin up. “What?”

“Karros wants to come, and Elise has a feeling it’s a good idea,” Caleb explained, even though it sounded lame.

“Seriously? You know that he was engaged to Flora until a couple of days ago. I know it’s hard to say no to your mate, but I think it’s a terrible idea.” He closed the hood and wiped his hand on a rag.

“Is it?” Caleb asked.

“Yes.” Aiden stared at his brother as he wiped his hands clean. With a sigh, he shook his head. “But you’ve obviously thought it through and think it’s a good idea.”

“Elise reminded me that we have no idea what we’re walking into. We have no idea what kind of threat is out there waiting for us. What kind of threat is stalking our sister. What kind of danger we’re walking into with our mates.”

Aiden glanced over his brother’s shoulders, his eyes fixed on Karros who was still seated inside the truck.

He’s smart, Caleb’s bear said. If he’d gotten out as if this was a done deal no matter what Aiden said, it might have caused problems. Aiden might have felt pressured, but this way our brother gets to make a decision.

Of course he’s smart, Caleb joked. He’s Elise’s brother and he knew to let Flora go when she found her mate. He could have clung on, but he didn’t.

So we like him now? His bear chuckled.

We do. And we have to since he is Elise’s brother and very important to her. She trusts him so we must trust him, too.

With our lives? Caleb asked.

Yes. With our lives. But let’s hope it never comes to that. His bear lowered his head and paced back and forth, the thought of anyone threatening them or their loved ones was almost too much. He wanted to tear into whoever was threatening Zara.

“Elise is right. Ivan offered to come but there’s no way he