access, and Lane steered me before him. Naturally, the house was filled with boxes. There was furniture as well, but the used and tired kind. Then, over all of it, was the sweet scent of bears. It was natural and nice, blending well with the woods just outside.
"Elena!" Vic said as he came around the corner. "Lane. Please tell me there isn't a problem?"
"That's what Jax said," I groaned. "No, there's nothing wrong. I just wanted to make sure everything's still ok."
"No trouble with the neighbors?" Lane asked.
The third man, Scott, joined us, moving over to lean against the wall. "We got a few stares from the house across the street, but that's about it. Why?"
"Because," Lane told them, "Ian's been making the rounds, letting everyone know that you're welcome here. And if you three have a minute, I thought we could show you the trails."
Vic jerked his thumb out towards the back of the house. "All of that?"
"Yep," Lane said. "Ok, and I want Elena to try shifting on her own, but I figure it serves double duty." He glanced over at Scott. "I'm fated for her. To wolves, that means I wouldn't do anything to risk her." Then he looked at Jax. "And she's the second in charge of this pack, so her word is as much law as Ian's. She also has no clue how to walk as a wolf, and she'll be very, very vulnerable." He paused to shove a hand over his mouth. "But Ashley's basically a sister to me, and she seems to trust you three, so I do too. Would you be interested in lending a little muscle?"
"What?" I asked, turning to look at him.
"Elena, I can't lift you as a wolf. A few of us can give you something to brace against, but you aren't a pup like Gabby. We'd make it work, but them? They can lift you. Now, it means you'll need to suck up a little pride, and you will definitely have to overcome a little fear of bears, but I have a feeling that's not bothering you anymore."
"It's not," I agreed.
He nodded. "So, let these three play the part of the Alpha Female's personal guards, and let the pack see it, little bunny. The fact that I'm the one with you? It'll be noticed, and I can't think of anything else to prove that our newest members are safe."
I chewed my lower lip, loving and hating this idea at the same time. Lane had a point, and the fact that he didn't hate these men said a lot. But the part about some strangers seeing me as a complete idiot? Yeah, that wouldn't be much fun, but it was basically just taking one for the team. In this case, that meant Ashley, since I knew she really wanted things with these guys to work out.
"Ok," I agreed. "Just don't embarrass me too much."
"Now?" Jax asked, his eyes jumping to the trees.
"It's as good a time as any," Lane assured him.
"What if there are wolves out there?" Scott wanted to know.
Lane smiled. "There are. That's why we're here. Guys, there are always wolves out there, but Vic said none of you have shifted in months." His golden eyes jumped over to Vic. "It's calling to you, isn't it?"
"More than you can guess," he admitted.
"So, I'm driving Elena over there, since she can't run on her own, and she'll be wiped when we're done. If you three want a ride..."
"Really?" Scott asked. "Just, middle of the day, run around in our bear forms?"
"Yep," Lane said.
"No catch?" Jax asked.
"None," Lane assured them. "Except that you'll have to entertain yourselves for a bit while I get Elena from a human to a wolf. But we have a few trees around, and some of them are probably big enough for you three to climb."
"And no tearing them down, right?" Vic asked.
"Preferably not the healthy ones. We only have about fifteen acres of wilderness, but there are a few that probably need to be dropped eventually. Also won't complain if you widen a few of the trails for our less agile members."
The three bears just stared at Lane like they couldn't believe it. There was something so raw about the look in their eyes, and also sad. It was obvious that all of them wanted to do this, but no one was making the first move, so I decided to do it.
"So, if you're all ready to help me out, I'd appreciate it," I