Grizzly Flying Home by Sloane Meyers Read Free Book Online Page B

long enough. It’s time to come back to Frost Peak. I’ll let you know as soon as I have an exact date.”
    “This is awesome news,” Sawyer said. “Anderson is going to be so excited, too. Hurry your ass back over here so we can put you to work.”
    Chance laughed. “Alright, alright. I’ll be in touch.”
    As soon as Chance hung up the call with Sawyer, he knew he was making the right decision by choosing to go home. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Now he just had to tell Ian. He knew the smokejumpers’ alpha would be disappointed, but Ian also knew that Chance had already stayed in California longer than he’d originally planned. Chance sat up and breathed in the morning air, enjoying the sunlight that was just starting to streak over the tops of the trees.
    “You’re up early,” a voice behind him said. It was Ian.
    Chance turned around, surprised. “Yeah, I know. I couldn’t sleep. And was your nose itching or something? I was just thinking about you.”
    Ian laughed and came to sit down near Chance. “I could ask you the same thing. I was just thinking I needed to talk to you. And here you are. Why were you thinking of me?”
    “You first,” Chance said, deferring to Ian’s alpha status.
    Ian nodded. “I wanted to ask you about Emily.”
    “What about her?” Chance asked. He had known this conversation was coming. Ian had let it go pretty easily last night when Chance had assured him that he knew Emily and she was fine to have around. But Ian had never been a big fan of full humans being invited around without his knowing. Chance couldn’t blame him. When humans discovered that shifters existed, they often responded by running to the police in fear. Things could easily get out of hand.
    “How do you know her? Are you interested in her?”
    “I’m not interested in her because she’s not available. I met her in town at a movie theater, where her scumbag of a boyfriend tried to beat her up. I stopped him, but Emily refuses to leave him or acknowledge that he’s dangerous. I told her if she ever needed a safe place she could come here. Don’t worry, I don’t think she’s interested in going to the police about shifters. She tries to stay far away from the cops because she doesn’t want them getting involved with her and her boyfriend.”
    “Wow, I never would have guessed she was in a relationship like that. She seemed so happy and carefree at the barbecue last night.”
    “Yeah, well, I think that’s the first time in a long time she’s been out somewhere with people and didn’t have to worry that she was going to get beaten up at any moment.”
    Ian shook his head. “Well, of course, she’s welcome to take refuge here any time she needs to. I would never turn away a woman in danger. But you should have warned me that she might be stopping by.”
    “I know. I’m sorry. I honestly didn’t think she was going to come by. She shocked me almost as much as you. But you’re right. I should have said something just in case.”
    “No harm done. Just be more careful next time. Now, did you say you wanted to talk to me about something?”
    Chance took a deep breath. “Yeah. You’re not going to like it, though. I’ve decided to head back to Alaska as soon as the fire season here is done.”
    Ian looked surprised, and frowned. “I guess I knew this day was coming, but I was hoping you’d stay at least one more season. We’ve gotten used to having a full-time pilot. And we’ve gotten used to having your crazy ass around. We’re going to miss the hell out of you.”
    Chance smiled. “I know. I’ve loved working with you all and getting to know you better, too. But there are a lot of changes going on with my clan up in Frost Peak, and Sawyer needs me. Besides, as much as I’ve enjoyed being here, I’m feeling homesick. Alaska will always be my home.”
    To Chance’s surprise, Ian didn’t fight him. Instead, he nodded his head and looked over at Chance