Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,60

can leave the hotel restaurant. Logan and Dario are busy with the store and with Penny and Helena pregnant, I don’t want them to take unnecessary risks.”

“And Rift?” Caleb asked. Not that there was room for anyone else in the truck. But if there was an issue with Karros accompanying them then maybe their snow leopard brother could come with them instead.

“Rift is going to finish the job on the roof.” Aiden shrugged. “We were supposed to finish it today. We can’t leave it for too long, there’s rain forecast tomorrow, and we have no idea when we’re going to be back.”

“Okay, Karros it is.” Caleb nodded.

“Karros it is what?” Flora came out of the hotel carrying a pack and linked arms with Aiden. “What are you two planning? I thought we were focused on going to check up on Zara.”

“We are and Karros has offered to come, too.” Aiden faced his mate. “Are you okay with that?”

“Am I okay with that?” She leveled her gaze at Aiden. “Shouldn’t you be the one answering that question?”

“I already have. I told Caleb I’m okay with it because we might need backup.” Aiden’s jaw tensed as Flora’s eyes narrowed. “So, you’re okay with it but not happy about it.”

“That just about sums it up.” Aiden nodded toward the truck. “All I want to do is protect my family and if Karros can help with that then I appreciate it.”

“He’ll have your back,” Flora told her mate. “No matter what he feels about our relationship, if he says he’s there for you then he’ll be there for you. He won’t go behind your back and he knows for sure that my relationship and our arranged marriage are dead.”

“As long as he’s not coming along to make sure that I end up dead,” Aiden said lightly but his expression was set firm.

“He’s not that kind of man. I promise you.” She kissed Aiden’s cheek. “And you have no reason to be insecure, you know I am yours. If anything happened to you, I would never take another man to my bed nor will I ever wear another man’s ring.”

“Okay.” Caleb put up his hand. “That is far too much information.” He chuckled as he walked away, heading back to his truck to tell Karros his offer to accompany them had been accepted.

“So, we’re all going.” Elise and Karros got out of the truck as he approached.

“Yes, if you’re sure that’s what you want to do.” He lowered his head and looked Karros in the eyes. “This is going to be hard for you.”

“I know.” Karros nodded and headed around to the back of the truck. “Let’s just get the packs and get on the road.”

“Will he be okay?” Caleb whispered to Elise.

“He’ll be okay. He’s got to learn how to act around Flora now that they are no longer engaged. This might be the easiest way. He’ll see how happy she is with Aiden and maybe he’ll move on. Then when we get back, he can focus on finding the love of his life.”

“You make it sound so simple.” Caleb slipped his arms around her and pulled her close.

“Okay, I might have one request while we’re on this trip,” Karros called from the back of the truck.

“And that is?” Elise asked.

“You can tone down the smooching and the kissing. Some of us are single and don’t need to be reminded every five minutes that you are in lurve.”

Elise grabbed Caleb and kissed him, clinging to him as Karros made puking noises.

Siblings, his bear laughed.

Chapter Twenty-One – Elise

“We survived the trip.” Elise climbed out of the truck. Flora had sat in the front with Aiden while Caleb, Elise, and Karros had sat in the back. With no smooching.

She cast a sidelong glance at her brother as he got out of the truck and stretched his arms over his head. He’d been so quiet on the journey, but he looked okay.

“Stop staring.” Karros suddenly locked eyes with her.

“I was just checking that you were okay.” Elise switched her attention to Caleb who was talking quietly with Aiden. She suspected they were using their shifter senses to search the area around the nearby house.

“I’m fine. But I’d be better if you stopped looking at me.” He moved closer to her. “This is a nice place.” He inhaled deeply. “The mountain air is so cool and fresh.”

“Are you tempted to live here?” she asked.

“Not live but a long visit might be nice.” He glanced at Flora.

“It would give