Read Online Bearly Ever: An Alpha Werebear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Arcadia Knights Book 1) by Olivia Gayle - Free Book Online
Authors: Olivia Gayle
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bullet pinged off the hood of the car with a discordant clang. Ever screamed, and Aidan all but leaped over the car to get to her. “Down, now,” he yelled, gathering her in his arms and pulling her to the ground as bullets whizzed past their heads.
CHAPTER TWELVE
There were times when one appreciated being in a beautiful half-naked man’s arms.
The middle of a gun fight was definitely not one of them.
Ever jumped as a blast hit the car, punching through the metal. She clung to Aidan’s naked torso, then felt a prickly sensation underneath her palms. Wiry brown hairs grew and receded in ripples across his arm, the muscles beneath bulging and flexing. He was Changing before her eyes, or at least partially. This was what she’d seen before at the car, only in reverse, and much more up close and personal.
Maybe it should have weirded her out, but Ever found it fascinating. Now probably wasn’t the right time to study it, but she was curious. Looking up, she saw that his eyes had gone the same amber color she’d seen that morning. The bear’s eyes hadn’t been that color; they’d been almost black, darker than the fur. So whatever it was only happened in human form.
Another shot rang out, slamming into the car door they hid behind. This one exited less than a foot from Ever’s shoulder, and both she and Aidan jumped.
Yeah. Not the time to think about this.
“This is Sheriff Aidan Tucker.” His voice carried well, as if he had a natural megaphone in his chest. It didn’t hurt her ears though, the words just seemed stronger somehow. “Put down the gun, we’re just here to talk.”
There was a short pause, then a muffled shout came from inside the building. Ever tried to make out the words, but could only make out the last part: one of them.
Aidan looked down at Ever, frowning, then back toward the house. “We’re here about the demolished house on Strawberry Court. I promise, we’re not here to hurt you.”
Ever waited tensely for more shots, but they never came. Then the creak of old hinges swinging pierced the air. “This is silver buckshot, Sheriff.” The new voice sounded old, but determined. “Let’s talk.”
Aidan gave Ever a squeeze, as if to warn her to stay hidden, then slowly stood. This time Ever did as she was told, watching him intently as he squared off with the stranger, hands raised. “I just need some answers,” he said calmly.
“Me too. Like what the hell have your folk been doing all over my woods.”
“These lands are in Arcadia territory; everything on this mountain belongs to the Brahm. Shifters are allowed to come and go as they please.”
“No, not your townies. Someone else, something…” The other man made a disgusted sound. “Just ask your questions and leave.”
“You’re Carlton Avery, correct? Owner of 6223 Strawberry Court in Arcadia? We’re looking for the girl who lived there up until recently.”
“What?” Confusion laced the word. “That’s her at your feet, ain’t it?”
Ever never could listen to directions long. Gathering her feet under her, she peeked over the hood of the car to see who was speaking. An older black man held a large shotgun pointed straight at them. Aidan’s hand clapped down on her shoulder, obviously trying to keep her down, but she brushed it off and pulled herself upright. “That was my sister.”
The old man jumped, the barrel swinging to point at her. A growl that definitely couldn’t come out of a human throat flew from Aidan. He shoved himself in front of her, nearly unbalancing Ever. “She’s human, Mr. Avery,” he said, his voice almost an octave lower. “Just like you.”
So the man was human. Maybe that was why he looked old since, so far, all the shifters Ever had seen looked about the same age.
“No, she…” The old man trailed off, then squinted at Ever. “Sister, you say?”
“Yes,” Ever said, pushing herself up onto her feet. She tried to get
CHAPTER TWELVE
There were times when one appreciated being in a beautiful half-naked man’s arms.
The middle of a gun fight was definitely not one of them.
Ever jumped as a blast hit the car, punching through the metal. She clung to Aidan’s naked torso, then felt a prickly sensation underneath her palms. Wiry brown hairs grew and receded in ripples across his arm, the muscles beneath bulging and flexing. He was Changing before her eyes, or at least partially. This was what she’d seen before at the car, only in reverse, and much more up close and personal.
Maybe it should have weirded her out, but Ever found it fascinating. Now probably wasn’t the right time to study it, but she was curious. Looking up, she saw that his eyes had gone the same amber color she’d seen that morning. The bear’s eyes hadn’t been that color; they’d been almost black, darker than the fur. So whatever it was only happened in human form.
Another shot rang out, slamming into the car door they hid behind. This one exited less than a foot from Ever’s shoulder, and both she and Aidan jumped.
Yeah. Not the time to think about this.
“This is Sheriff Aidan Tucker.” His voice carried well, as if he had a natural megaphone in his chest. It didn’t hurt her ears though, the words just seemed stronger somehow. “Put down the gun, we’re just here to talk.”
There was a short pause, then a muffled shout came from inside the building. Ever tried to make out the words, but could only make out the last part: one of them.
Aidan looked down at Ever, frowning, then back toward the house. “We’re here about the demolished house on Strawberry Court. I promise, we’re not here to hurt you.”
Ever waited tensely for more shots, but they never came. Then the creak of old hinges swinging pierced the air. “This is silver buckshot, Sheriff.” The new voice sounded old, but determined. “Let’s talk.”
Aidan gave Ever a squeeze, as if to warn her to stay hidden, then slowly stood. This time Ever did as she was told, watching him intently as he squared off with the stranger, hands raised. “I just need some answers,” he said calmly.
“Me too. Like what the hell have your folk been doing all over my woods.”
“These lands are in Arcadia territory; everything on this mountain belongs to the Brahm. Shifters are allowed to come and go as they please.”
“No, not your townies. Someone else, something…” The other man made a disgusted sound. “Just ask your questions and leave.”
“You’re Carlton Avery, correct? Owner of 6223 Strawberry Court in Arcadia? We’re looking for the girl who lived there up until recently.”
“What?” Confusion laced the word. “That’s her at your feet, ain’t it?”
Ever never could listen to directions long. Gathering her feet under her, she peeked over the hood of the car to see who was speaking. An older black man held a large shotgun pointed straight at them. Aidan’s hand clapped down on her shoulder, obviously trying to keep her down, but she brushed it off and pulled herself upright. “That was my sister.”
The old man jumped, the barrel swinging to point at her. A growl that definitely couldn’t come out of a human throat flew from Aidan. He shoved himself in front of her, nearly unbalancing Ever. “She’s human, Mr. Avery,” he said, his voice almost an octave lower. “Just like you.”
So the man was human. Maybe that was why he looked old since, so far, all the shifters Ever had seen looked about the same age.
“No, she…” The old man trailed off, then squinted at Ever. “Sister, you say?”
“Yes,” Ever said, pushing herself up onto her feet. She tried to get
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