Chapter 799 Chapter 799
Bear’s stomach was in knots. His animal was basically pacing inside his mind, which wasn’t helping. The accident had been three days ago and since waking up, Calla was pushing herself to the limit. He understood she wanted to shift, but his heart froze each time she was up and trying to walk. She didn’t say it hurt, but he could see on her face that the pain was bad.
He carried the tray into the room and stopped. She was sitting with her legs hanging over the edge of the bed, taking off the wraps covering her legs. He set the tray down and went over. “Fionna said it’s okay to—” She pinned him with a look that he knew all too well. His sisters gave him that look when he was told his opinion wasn’t necessary.
“They’re itchy.”
He squatted in front of her, took the wrap out of her hand, and continued unwrapping. “They’re probably very bruised.” He knew they were. He’d seen them when Fionna had checked them the second night.
“Well, I did hold a truck on them.”
He glanced to see amusement in her eyes. “True.
“But you lifted the truck off them.”
“Actually, I backed the truck up. I didn’t—”
She put her hand on his head. “You know what I mean.”
He stopped and looked at her. There was no pain in her eyes, and the way she looked at him made him want to pick her up and hug her tight, which wouldn’t help with her recovery. She played with his hair for a second, and he wanted to purr.
Clearing his throat, he looked back to what he was doing. “Jesse didn’t call your family…”
She sucked in a breath. “Thank god for that.”
Bear grinned. He understood that feeling. Family could be overwhelming.
“Are you part of Cargan’s clan? I know you’re not from Benny’s.”
He set the cloth on the bed and gently removed the support from her leg. “Yeah. We’re technically an extension of Benny’s, but Cargan is our alpha.” He shrugged. “Or second, I suppose.”
“Do you have a lot of family?”
He glanced at her.
She grinned. “Of course you do. Clingy, nosey, all up in your face, family.”
He leaned onto his knees and looked at her. “Most females from our clan love lots of up close and too personal family.”
Calla cringed. “I am not one of those.” She sighed. “I like quiet and solitude, which never happens when I’m home.”
“Is that why you joined the Alliance teams?”
She nodded. “I worked for a delivery company before—” She waved her hand around. “—everything happened.” She leaned forward. “I almost lost my mind when the clans had to bring everyone home…”
He nodded. “I traveled with a construction crew, and then I was at home stuck with my sisters and way too many relatives.”
“Right. I have eight close together and spend a lot of time in cat form, so I don’t have to socialize…”
“And every get-together is them asking if you’ve met so and so because they might be your mate.”
Calla snorted. “Which is ridiculous because we’ve been around everyone in the clan every day of our life.”
“Yes.” Bear smiled. “You get it. I didn’t think there was a female from lion clan that would ever understand.”
“Ever sleep outside as far from everyone as you can just so you can breathe?”
His animal was happy. “Yes. All the time.”
She sighed and looked at him. “If Jesse had called my family, this house would have been full of relatives.
Bear cringed. “Think I can meet them one at a time?”
When she looked at him, he held his breath. She hadn’t spoken of them being mates since she was in shock after the accident.
“I was thinking.” She said it slowly, and his animal stopped and listened. “As soon as I’m moving again, we should volunteer to go to one of the US ops.”
He couldn’t avoid the shocked look from appearing on his face. “Really?” He nodded so fast he probably looked like an idiot. “Yeah. Before I uh-you-I was going to see if I could go help out Zain and Oaklyn at the new US HQ. There’s going to be a lot going on there…”
She touched his cheek and nodded. “Yes. Let’s go there.”
Bear’s animal was even excited. “Okay. I’ll call Zain and see if that works.”
“Kay.” She smiled at him.
Rising up, he put his hands beside her and watched her eyes as he leaned in and kissed her mouth softly. Just once. Just for a second.
Someone cleared their throat. He turned to see Amair standing there.
“Blaise and Griffin are here. Tripp and I are heading out.” She came over and looked down at the unwrapped leg. “You need to take a picture of that and send it to Foster every time he whines about some little scratch.”
Calla looked down at her leg. It was bad. Bear had never seen bruises like this before, which made him want to wrap it back up and cover it. He gently lifted it so she could see it better. “Or you could take a picture of the moo-moo and tell him that’s what you have to wear if you’re really injured.” He was trying to distract the shocked look from her face.
Amari laughed.
Calla touched his shoulder. “Find my clothes. There’s a track suit in my bag. I’m putting it on.”
Tripp came up behind Amari. He looked at Calla’s leg. “Damn.” He said softly. Putting his arm around Amari, he leaned down. “It’s emotional and awkward out there. Blaise said she’s got watch if we want to head out.”
Amari nodded. “I am good without the emotional reunion.” She pointed to Calla. “Take the picture and call me when you’re back on your feet.”
“In the morning.” Calla motioned to her leg. “I’m shifting by tomorrow morning.”
Amari grinned. “Yes, you are.” She looked at Tripp. “When are Beck and Quinn dropping off a new ride for them?”
“Quinn said noon.” Amari smiled at her. “You can be out of here by noon. Are you coming to the factory?” She glanced at Bear.
He stood up. “I think we’re going to go down and help Zain and Oaklyn. There’s going to be a lot happening down there.”
Amar looked at Tripp. “Where are we going once Blaise is back?”
Tripp rubbed his hand along his jaw. “Unknown. There’s a big meeting at the factory next week. Once Uri’s team has had eyes on target locations.”
Calla remembered the water clan woman. “Did they find that Kenric man that was hunting for more water clan?”
Tripp shook his head. “Not yet, but Uri is gathering intel on the location now.”
Calla sighed. “Good.”
Amari nodded slowly. “I think we should ask if we can go that way, babe. You know that’s where Konner will be.”
Tripp nodded. “I’ll talk to Kenzo and Wynter and get their take on it.”
Amari turned back to Calla and grinned. “You got so much information. We’re going to be kicking down doors for months after this.”
Calla laughed. “And freeing our kind.”
Amari shrugged. “Well, yeah, that too.”
“All right. Let’s hit the road. Grab a little alone time before we’re back in the mix.”
Amari gave Tripp an unmistakable lusty look. “Mmm, alone time.”
Tripp laughed and saluted Calla and Bear. Then took Amari’s hand.
“Take the picture.” She said as she was being pulled from the room.
Bear look at Calla. “Those two are…”
“The other half of each other.” Calla nodded. “I think it’s amazing. Amari deserves happiness.”
“Yeah.” He knelt again and started taking the wrap off her other leg. “You should ask Fionna about your arm before you make plans to shift.”
Calla touched the case. “Well, when you break it off, we’ll see what it’s like.”
“I’m breaking it off?” He looked up to see her smile.
“It’s probably faster than whatever method Fionna would use.” She smiled again. “Please?”
He held her gaze, and he realized something. Saying no when she looked at him like that was going to be impossible. “Okay, but she has to approve the removal of it.”
She bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Deal.”