Kisses and Bears,Oh my

     After I got out of the pool, I changed into a sundress and wedges then headed down stairs. When I entered the living room Alpha Drake was pacing with a furrowed brow and firmly set frown.  “What’s wrong?” I asked.  “You’re an alpha,” Drake stated. “Ummm yeah, so?” Drake shook his head, “You know each pack can only have one alpha. You are strong, it could cause problems. And there is another thing.” I assured Drake I was not going to cause problems. I let him know I was just looking to live on the ranch and keep to myself. I had no plans to use my power other than when an assignment required it. I would eventually find my mate and join him with his pack. Drake audibly growled when I mentioned a mate, perhaps because he is still searching for his. It is unusual to be unmated at twenty, normally wolves find their mate shortly after turning eighteen. I for example was certain I would find mine soon, having just celebrated my eighteenth birthday last week before returning home. Drake asked what I meant by assignment and I told him how after academy the council, the highest authority in the shifter world, asked me to consider freelancing for them as needed since I was determined to return home. I had agreed since I was very skilled and strong. Drake shook his head harder now, as if he couldn’t believe what I was saying. Drake sat down on the sofa still deep in thought. I plopped down next to him and remembered he had said there is another thing that we also need to talk about.

     I called his name several times before Drake snapped out of his own head and acknowledged me. When he looked up I reminded him there was something else we needed to talk about. He said we needed to talk about our wolves. I assumed his wolf must be wanting to play with Lila, I could not think of why else he would say our wolves.  I was wrong. He asked if Lila was talkative when I was around him or if she acted strange. I told him how Lila is always talkative and active, she is a pushy wolf. He chuckled and then my phone rang. It was the council so I excused myself and walked to the other room to take the call. It was my first assignment. I would leave at first light on a plane to Tennessee.  

     When I told Alpha Drake I had to leave first thing in the morning for an assignment out of state he became very pale. I couldn’t go into much detail about the mission, so I just told him it was nothing, just some rogue issues. The Alpha didn’t believe it for a minute. “Local packs handle rogues, the council rarely gets involved and they certainly wouldn’t need a newbie from out of state to help.” he questioned and of course he was correct. I assured him I could handle it, the council needed some unique skills I have and then he raised an eyebrow, as if to say stop bullshitting. I sighed deeply and told him,”Okay, it’s a little more than rogues but I can’t tell you. You can try to force me as my alpha but we both know I am powerful enough to deny you. Please don’t make me, Drake.”  He looked deeply into my eyes and surprised me when he softly spoke the words, “Don’t go.”  I was dumbfounded and clueless as to what was happening. I was so made, it was all I could do not to shift. “Get out, how dare you ask me to defy the council, get out!” I yelled at my alpha.  He slowly rose and started walking to the door and then stopped. I was not prepared for what happened next. He paused and walked back to me leaning down and placing the most gentle kiss on my lips. Sparks shot all over me and I visibly chilled. He turned and left without another word.

Drake.

     I left Izzy or Bella as she now likes to be called and headed for the tree line. I stripped and shifted letting Titan out. I needed to run and Titan needed to take over so I could think. My very large all black wolf took off, tearing through the trees and undergrowth of the woods. Titan was angry, he wanted to be near Bella and to run with Lila. Titan did not like the idea of her going on a dangerous mission and neither did I. I hadn’t gotten to finish our conversation to see if Bella’s wolf responded to me like TItan responds to her. I need to know, no I have to know. What skills does she have that the council calls for her directly? And why is she so powerful? I have never seen a wolf male or female that did not obey when I released my power and she freaking smiled while defying me. How could I find out if what I thought was happening really is if she leaves? So many questions plagued me as Titan ran. After the run I returned home and decided to call and see if she needed a ride to the plane. Bella did not answer. I mind linked her but something was preventing the link. I should be able to link to any member of the Desert Moon pack. Something had to be wrong. I shifted back since Titan is much faster than me and ran to the ranch. Twenty minutes later I was staring at Bella’s house but she was gone. I went inside since I knew where the spare key was and looked around. There were clothes all over her room like she had packed in a rush. I went to the kitchen to grab a beer and think when I saw a note on the fridge. It was short and simple, “ Had to leave unexpectedly. Not sure how long I will be gone. Will call when I can. All is fine. Love B.” The note was obviously for her brother, Bo. I was glad she was okay but still not liking that she had to leave for some dangerous mission.

Isabella.

     “What the hell was that kiss about?” I didn’t have time to think long. I decided to leave tonight. I ran upstairs calling my contact on the way and letting him know I would be at the airfield in half an hour to leave. I threw my combat clothes and some sexy clothes in a bag hurriedly. I left Bo a note and then got in my old jeep and left. When I arrived at the airfield the plane was waiting and ready to take off. I sipped champagne and contemplated that damn kiss all the way to Tennessee. I met my contact who drove me to the hotel I would be staying in during the assignment. My cover was to be the new waitress at a local backwoods bar that catered to shifters. I needed to meet and charm the leader of a local werebear biker gang. Yep, that’s right bears for the first assignment. Bears are strong and huge but not fast or stealthy. If I played my assets up right I might not even have to fight. Although they love to fight and I would oblige if needed.

     I gave myself one more look in the full length mirror in the bar manager’s office. The “uniform” for this mission was sexy but not my style. I wore cowboy boots, short cutoff shorts that showed the slightest bit of my ass cheeks, and a cinched up corset. My hair was fuller than I usually wear it and my make up was heavier with a smokey eye. Backwoods sexy I was. One last deep breath and out the door I went. There were so many scents in the crowded bar it took a minute to get control of my wolf senses. I had been waiting tables and serving drinks for about two hours when the biggest brooding man I have ever seen entered the bar, and he smelled like a bear. He and his friends took a large corner booth and I hurried over to take their order. I played up my Texas accent thicker than normal and almost purred when asking for their order. He stared at my name tag that simply said DD, it was a tribute to the television character that was my inspiration for tonight's performance. “Well DD, how about a couple buckets of long necks and a bottle of jack? Oh, and welcome to my town. Everyone calls me Brad.” he smiled and gave me a wink. “Your town, huh? I will be back with your drinks, Brad.” Off I went to get their drinks and I also grabbed a couple of orders of chips and salsa from me. Time to turn on the charm. 

I flirted all night and when my shift ended I joined Brad and his friends in the corner booth. It took all my training and self-control not to hurt someone when I was called a good little puppy. I smiled and told him I was bitch not a pup and I bite. Brad let out a loud laugh and pulled me onto his lap. I giggled and wiggled and even let him kiss me. I hated it and it made me long to kiss Drake again, but I had to focus. We danced and at closing time I did not go home with him. I told him I would be at the bar tomorrow night. I couldn’t seem too eager or easy or I might not get the information I needed. After two more nights that pretty much were the same as the first night, I made my move. “Brad, one of the customers mentioned a series of rogue attacks, do you think I am safe walking home?” I purred. He looked at me in shock, I almost thought I had blown the mission. Then he answered,”My scent is on you, no one will mess with you, but that reminds me of something I wanted to ask you. There are no packs around here, are you a rogue?” I had to think quickly. I told Brad that I had been in a relationship with my old alpha and he moved on and kicked me out of the pack. I said I was working here and saving some money before moving further out west. This seemed to suffice him. The next day was my day off from the bar and I would be joining him at the gang’s house.