Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Bear’s Arranged Mate Chapter 6

Elva

"That's it, ladies! Kick higher!" I balanced my weight on my right while kicking with my left. "Get him right in the chest! In the balls!"

One of my students paused with her leg in the air. "What if it's a woman?"

Another student planted her feet on the mat, holding up her fists to block an invisible attack. "Or what if we don't know?"

I nodded as I fixed my position. "Fair point."

"So, what do we do?" Both students stared at me for an answer. The other three women in the room halted their exercises to hear the answer.

I fixed my sports bra. "Groins are always going to be sensitive. Going for the groin is a way for you to get more time to get away."

Each student nodded.

"I usually say he because it's more likely we're going to get attacked by men in just about every place we can think of-and places we don't even expect."

The student in front of me, a mousy woman with ashen hair and wiry glasses, hugged her shoulders. "Fred got to me when I was getting ready to shower. It was totally out of nowhere."

I frowned with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Beatrice. I remember how hard that was for you."

A memory glazed her eyes over, glossy tears appearing next. Her glasses fogged up as her mouth twisted from a grimace to a triumphant smile. "But I got that jerk because he didn't see it coming either. Thanks to you, Elva."

One of the other students wrapped an arm around Beatrice. "Babe, don't get too worked up. We still have thirty minutes."

"I know, Sal."

It was a pity that my guy had to call out sick. He was the toughest human I knew who could take a shifter punch. Not that every single one of these women was a shifter. Only two of them were actually human.

A wide window on the other side of the room, tinted dark enough to cast a shadow, revealed the landscape outside. Busy city streets bustled with life. Cars chugged by. Birds dipped to the sidewalk to grab scraps and then retreated to the balcony above us. Without a volunteer to handle my training, I couldn't exactly show them much more.

I glanced at the clock. "Actually, we can end early today. Without somebody to handle my punches, we can't really-"

Somebody wandered up to the window. Every so often, we got what I called lookers. Nosy people wanted to know what went on inside this particular part of the community center. While I hadn't been able to secure a more private room away from the street, I'd at least been able to convince the city to tint the window so nobody could see inside.

Safety issue. The women I worked with were trying to protect themselves from handsy husbands, stalkers, and creepy coworkers. At every turn, they had to face the possibility of danger. The least I could do was give them a safe place to go to learn how to handle that danger.

But that somebody-that guy-was taller than a dang moose and sprouted gorgeous brown curls that could have matched the fur of a moose, too. He cupped his hands around his eyes and tried to peek into the room.

Sal puffed up. "That motherfucker has been here every weekend since-"

"That's my boyfriend, Jermaine."

Had I said those words? Really?

Had I seriously said them out loud?

To other people?

Five curious and concerned women stared blankly at me for a few minutes.

I felt the heat hit my cheeks before it hit the rest of me. "Yeah, he...he's harmless. And actually, I forgot that I invited him to help us out today."

Beatrice took a shaky step toward the window. "He sure is, uh..."

The other three women chuckled while Sal reached for Beatrice.

"A tank," I finished. "A literal Hulk. I know. He's good for protection."

More staring. More concern came with it.

"I know. I get it," I said while holding up my hands. "Why would someone like me need protection? Well, it's a long story, ladies. And one we hardly have time for if we're going to make our hour full. Let's get that bear inside."

I nearly choked. Damn it, I called him a bear, too. What was wrong with my mouth today?

I pointed to one of the women next to Beatrice. "Freya, can you help Jenny and Rex with the soft mats? We need a good pile of them."

"You got it!" Freya replied while saluting me.

With my students preparing the floor for a demonstration, I took that time to slip into the hallway. I kept the classroom door within the watching distance as I jogged down the hall and slapped the emergency door open. While I was here, I made sure the alarms were off so we could get out undeterred and undetected if we needed. And it had happened a few times.

"Jermaine!" I called out. "Down here!"

His head swung in my direction. He glanced at the window, glanced at me, and then glanced at the window again. Then, after checking his phone, he jogged toward me.

He held the door. "What are you doing?"

"I thought you already knew."

"Self-defense. Team of five. You've got a guy hanging out in a baby blue Mazda at the end of the block. He keeps eyeing this place."

I blanched. "That sounds like Fred is trying to get to Beatrice again."

"Want me to shake him up a bit?"

I started to protest. But honestly? It wasn't a terrible idea. "I suppose we should ask Beatrice if she wants that done first."

"Why not? I can do it right now. Easy."

I smiled at him, warmth seeping into my heart as I studied the genuine worry in his eyes. He cared about people. Even people he didn't know.

It didn't take much to beckon him inside. I padded down the hallway to get back to the classroom, listening intently to the sounds around me. Nothing but jokes and giggles came from the classroom. All was well. For the time being.

I rested my hand on Jermaine's shoulder. "Listen, I know you have the best of intentions, but sometimes things like that can make domestic violence situations worse." "How would you know?"

One of my synapses misfired. My defense system went into overdrive, fury winding its way through my body and circulating through my fingers.

It wasn't until Jermaine gently squeezed my wrist that I realized I was digging my nails right into his flesh. Crescent marks remained indented on his skin when I released him.

I rubbed my wrist. "Sorry, I..." I closed my eyes.

I don't want to talk to him about this, I thought. I don't want to have to go through this story all over again.

"I know a district attorney who handles cases like these," I fibbed. "He told me about how things can escalate."

Jermaine's eyes narrowed. It didn't seem like he was buying it. "Right, that makes sense."

But he wasn't pointing it out.

Was he letting me get away with a lie?

I nodded and forced a smile. "Tell you what you can do for me. Act like a dummy."

"I figured I did that this morning when I didn't fold the laundry correctly."

Guilt stabbed me right in the gills. I rubbed my chest, the warmth in my heart turning into molten heat that made me shiver. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that." "Best of intentions, right?"

"You're not wrong."

He gave me that crooked smile of his, the one that told me I didn't have to worry because he had everything under control. "You just like things a certain way." "I don't do it on purpose. I just "

He placed his finger on my lips. The way he did was soft, light, almost playful. Yet the look in his eyes was fierce, burning, pining.

It sent a bolt of electricity right to my slit.

"Sweet pea, you want me to help with your class. Is that right?" he asked in a low voice. "Because I have a feeling that's the way you want me to act as a dummy."

His finger warmed my mouth-or maybe that was just desire swarming my tongue. Not like it mattered. We were in public. We would have to wait if I wanted to jump his bones.

That was weird. Why did I want to jump his bones at all? We'd done nothing but pick little fights here and there since we got back from the mountain. So much for that pleasant bonding experience. Maybe the alpha wasn't good at picking mate pairs.

Jermaine released my lips and favored my cheek, running his fingers over the buzzed hair around my ear. He smiled. "It's alright. You don't have to ask. I volunteer." He crossed his heart. "Swear to die." "I'm pretty sure that's not the phrase."

"There she is. Alive again." He tapped my chin. "Come on. I'm sure your students are curious about your boyfriend."

Oh, sweet gods, he'd heard what I'd said to the others.

And he'd just waited for the right moment to twist that one into me, hadn't he?

I marched after him. "If you embarrass me-"

But Jermaine was already walking into the room. "Good afternoon, friends!"

Five pairs of eyes stared at my gigantic boyfriend standing at the front of the room. He unwound the watch from his wrist and set some things aside as he continued, "I'm volunteering to be the dummy today. What are y'all working on?" Beatrice raised her hand and said, "We're doing kicks."

"High kicks? Low kicks?"

"Both."

He nodded and made a fist, banging his chest twice. "Line up and give me your best shot."

Those five pairs of eyes swiveled in my direction. I found more heat in my cheeks and a stammer that I swore hadn't been around since I was about twelve years old flirting with my very first crush.

Jermaine chuckled and shrugged. "Cat's got her tongue. Let's get moving. Attacks happen fast and that doesn't give you much time to think. Let's go!"

When he clapped, my students jumped into action, lining up along the wall to get a good kick at my crazy bear of a boyfriend. Each one of them landed a kick on his chest or his solar plexus. Rex sent him stumbling back.

I found myself totally lost in the sight of him instructing my class. He was generous with his knowledge, calm, and kept an even tone. He never raised his voice and he spoke in simple terms, giving the most direct explanations possible. Once our class wrapped up, he had two of them fawning over his muscles.

Irritation slid right into the place where my heart usually beat. I skipped across the room, stood on my toes, and planted the sloppiest kiss on his cheek. Without missing a beat, he scooped me up and planted his hands on my hips, lodging my bottom on his wrist and keeping me balanced without so much as breaking a sweat.

We probably looked like a circus act.

My students applauded his strength.

Once I was on level ground again, I gave my students something to study for the next class. We reviewed Beatrice's safety plan. We discussed what Jermaine could do to help. When he offered to scare her husband, she smiled weakly and shook her head. And Jermaine looked pretty upset about it, too.

Beatrice grabbed a backpack. "It's so nice of you to offer, Mr. Jermaine, but my lawyer advised me against doing anything of the sort. It could make matters worse."

My boyfriend frowned but accepted her response with a nod. "Well, if you change your mind..." He gestured to me. "Just let El know about it, okay?" "Thank you both so much."

Tears stung my eyes as I watched Beatrice walk out of the room with the other four women surrounding her. She had protection wherever she went with that group. And with the tips she'd picked up today, she would be alright for a little while longer. I hung my head while my throat dried up. Cotton grew along my vocal cords, making it difficult to even think about saying something. I crossed my arms over my chest, turned to the window, and stared at the glass until it blurred.

Jermaine touched my shoulder. It wasn't invasive at all. It was merely a sign of solidarity. The gesture was a quiet reassurance that I could turn back around whenever I wanted-or not at all. I got the impression that I never had to do anything with Jermaine that I didn't want.

Which made our relationship that much more confusing. Because then that meant the things I was doing were things that I wanted.

And I wasn't sure if I had the capacity to process that right now.

I reached for his hand on my shoulder. I let my fingers hover over it, knowing I could take it or leave it.

I decided to take it. "I'm sorry."

"Don't ever be sorry for crying, El."

"It's stupid."

He ran his thumb along my skin, devotion emanating from the softest touch. "Did I ever tell you how I got into security?"

I pitched my right ear to him, smiling. "We never really talked much. We always argued."

He chuckled. "Yeah, that's true."

"But no, you never told me." I lost my smile. "I never told you about my shit either, I guess."

"Yours is easy."

I turned around. "If it's so easy, then explain it."

"You like to be in control because most things are out of your control."

He had a point.

But I didn't need to confirm it.

I didn't deny it either. "You're probably doing it for the same reason."

"Something like that." His hand returned to my shoulder. Then, his free hand found my hip. I stared up into his eyes, seeing a world of rich bark and autumn leaves in his irises alone. "My parents were killed during the vampire-wolf wars. They were slaughtered right in front of me."

His words sliced into the most secret parts of my soul. My lower lip trembled. "Jermaine, that's-"

"Awful? You have no idea, El. I still have nightmares." His gaze dropped to the ground between us. Not that there was much ground between us. "I got into security and started training like hell so that could never happen ever again."

"I mean, I get it."

He met my gaze. "That's why I'm going to protect you."

I blinked. "But the wars are over."

"Yeah, and we have our own battles lurking in our background. We have Raymond Gilbert to worry about." He glanced at the window. "We have friends to protect."

"I'm sorry."

He gave me a weak smile. "Don't be. I think that helps level the playing field, doesn't it?"

"Is this a game?"

"No, but it's a battle to share a life with someone."

I frowned. "I didn't think I was that bad at fights. I just-"

His finger tapped my mouth. "No, darling. It's not you. It's the fact that being vulnerable with you makes me happy."

Cue the music. Cue the angels singing.

I had to be dead. There was no other explanation for it.

The type of affection in his eyes could have only been described as divine. And if that was divine, then I was surely on my way to a place that held the divine.

Like the places we go after we bite it.

Therefore, I was dead.

No other excuse possible.

He stroked my cheek. "That's actually why I wanted to talk to you tonight, El."

"What? You didn't want to be the crash dummy for our self-defense class?"

He smiled. "I enjoyed that. I can always come back."

"Oh, I was just joking."

"I know." He traced my bottom lip. "You do that when you're scared."

My heart started racing faster than a rabbit who knew a wolf was after him. Was I the rabbit? No, that wasn't right. I was a tiger. Nothing on this earth could scare me.

Not even the things that Jermaine was telling me to make me feel warm all over.

Not even the affection pouring from his eyes.

Because if things like that scared me, then I would have run away a long time ago.

So, why wasn't I running yet?