Free Scottish Werebear: A Second Chance: A BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Scottish Werebears Book 6) by Lorelei Moone Page B

your
mate
now, is she?" Henry barked.
    James stood tall and faced his leader, staring him down with only inches between them. "Yes, she is. What are you going to do about it?"
    "Now, now. Let's all relax," Gail spoke up from the sofa. "We can't change what happened. And if Charlotte is James' mate, so be it. The freedom to pair up with whoever you like is one of the fundamental reasons the New Alliance came into existence."
    Henry backed down and joined Gail, though his expression still betrayed his displeasure. James retreated as well. Henry was right, though. This was bad. The Sons could spin this any way they wanted.
    "We need to do some damage control before this hits the evening news," Gail said. "Sure, the police arrested the attacker and let James go, so that's a good sign. But that in itself might not be convincing enough."
    James nodded, as did Henry and Eric, who had so far stayed out of the whole conversation.
    "Once she wakes up... And if she indeed is your mate," Henry's skeptical tone grated at James, but he decided to let it go for now. "Perhaps she can help us."
    James shook his head. "No way. They've seen her face now and already tried to attack her once. I'm not going to let you make a bigger target out of her."
    Henry glared at James. "What choice do we have? We need friends in the media now more than ever. We already agreed on that."
    "Yeah, we agreed. But things have changed," James growled.
    "Bull-" Henry started, but then glanced over at Gail and stopped talking.
    "Guys, if you'll allow me to say something," Gail took over. "She works for a morning newspaper, yes? We need to fix this now, today. If she knows someone else who can help..."
    "Wait, you said it's all over Facebook. Can't Kyle help somehow? Hack in and remove the video?" James suggested.
    "I'll ask... But we still have to manage the fallout; we need a plan," Henry said.
    James nodded. As much as he hated to admit it, Henry was right.
    "He knew my name. How did he know my name?" James wondered aloud.
    Gail shrugged. "Maybe they have their own computer guy. Your face has been all over the news since we came out. With the right know-how, I'm sure it's not that hard to find out someone's identity. Kyle probably could have done it."
    She made sense, but James still felt there was something more to it. In his years working for Blacke, his intuition hadn't failed him even once. He hardly dared to consider the consequences if somehow the Sons had gained support within law enforcement. If that were the case, then everyone in this room would have to look over their shoulders from now on.
    "Talk to her," Henry repeated himself. "We need to sort this out as soon as possible."
    James wanted to argue for Charlie's safety again but didn't get the chance.
    "No need," a female voice interrupted their conversation.
    James closed his eyes as she approached. Her presence overwhelmed him now, so strong was their connection; their attraction. No matter what happened, what she'd kept from him before, it was impossible to ignore or fight her pull. They belonged together, for better or for worse.
    "I'm in. Just tell me what you need me to do," Charlie spoke directly to Henry now.

    When Charlie woke up, she barely remembered the confusing events at the park. She blinked a few times in an attempt to let her eyes adjust to the darkness of the strange room she found herself in. Slowly, outlines of furniture came into view. She was in a single bed, still fully dressed. The side of her head was tender, as though she'd been bruised somehow. Across from her bed, stood another one with a desk and chair in between underneath the window. Where was she?
    She closed her eyes again and inhaled deeply. James had been here. His scent lingered on the pillow, which reassured her. She was safe.
    After laying there, finding her bearings for another minute or two, she got up to investigate the rest of the house. She opened the door and heard voices coming from down the hall. One she