Bear Apparent (BBW Shifter Romance) (Stone Claw Clan Book 1) by Jade Woods Read Free Book Online

what that little gesture did to him. “Okay. So, your clan... Do you mean your family?”
    “For all intents and purposes, yes. We’re not related by blood, but by common interest. No shifter ever did well alone and males like us, well were not a benefit to any clan but our own.”
    She shook her head as if she had trouble understanding everything. “This guy that’s after you, would he really pursue you halfway across the state just to make a point?”
    “Yeah, he would. For the most part, we are given free reign on earth as long as we don’t influence the world of humanity too much. There is a sort of council, a group of Chimeras to govern the clans to make sure they don’t do anything stupid. We have very few rules, and killing another shifter is allowed in two instances— self-defense and challenging another for territory, resources and females. Lazaran is a cruel, vicious shifter, more animal than human. I heard rumors of him circumventing our laws by challenging the leaders of clans, killing them, then abandoning the territory he had won a short while after.”
    The female fidgeted, and Garrett didn’t blame her. “So he is a serial killer of the paranormal world. Can you do something? Like petition your council for help?”
    Shrugging, he picked at a strand of frayed denim at his knee. “It’s a loophole. They won’t get involved unless humans are at risk. It’s my problem to solve, and I’m sorry I put you in the middle of it. I promise to do everything in my power to get you out.”
    She let out a big breath and slapped her thighs then rose to her feet.
    “Where are you going?” he asked, hoping she might have more questions. He was surprised how badly he wanted her to know him. He liked the way those big green eyes twinkled like precious jewels. There was something very comforting about the way she looked at him...
    “Going to have a whole pack of bears in my house. I need to prepare and get supplies. Something tells me I’m going to need more than clam chowder.”
    A flash of heat crawled up Garrett’s neck, and he offered her an apologetic smile, but she didn’t seem all that aggravated. In fact, Dahlia looked excited at the prospects of examining other supernatural beings. Garrett wondered why that was and what kind of story she had to tell. He’d flounced with human women before, but none captivated him like she did and they hadn’t even gotten intimate.
    Actually, just being in her general vicinity was likely to destroy him in the best possible way.

 
    Chapter Six
     
    Dahlia bit her lip for the umpteenth time as she watched her guest sleeping on the couch. His chest rumbled with every breath, and the muscles in his face ticked as if he were dreaming. The bandages around his torso had loosened, and were hanging off in tatters so she set up some medical supplies on the coffee table. He had been out for a good ten hours since talking on the phone, and she wondered if he was hibernating again.
    Tentatively, she touched the bulbous muscle of his shoulder and shook gently, the warmth of his skin soaking into her. He lolled his head and that rhythmic, deep breathing cut off. His lashes fluttered open, eyes the color of golden honey greeting her. Remembering what she had said the night before, that uncomfortable heat coursed through her. Yeah, okay. So she had thought about kissing him—what straight woman wouldn’t?
    His lips pulled up into what she thought was a smile. “Hey. How long have I been asleep?”
    “About ten hours or so, I thought you might be hibernating again. Geez, that sounds weird.” Dahlia motioned to the role of fresh bandage. “We need to change your bandages.”
    The man sat up slowly, his hair a tangled mess on top of his head, and that stubble had become a bit of a bush. He ran a big hand through his locks and yawned widely. “Not hibernating, just weary.”
    “Okay.” Dahlia glanced at his chest, waiting for him to help, but he didn’t move. He looked dazed,