Between the Bear's Sheets (Wylde Brothers 2)

“I don’t want a random fuck, but I could use a stiff drink.”

Fortunately, Bram didn’t question him on his lack of female company, and instead slapped him on the back in approval.

Maybe getting drunk would do him some good, but the more he thought about it, the more a good fight sounded like an ideal energy reliever.

10

Dylan circled Ford, his muscles bulging as they prepared to shift.

After they had gotten off work, they headed over to Slater’s, the small hole-in-the-wall bar that held the underground shifter cage fighting in their basement.

Now, here was Ford, standing in the dank basement with a dripping pipe running above him, the scent of mildew filling the musty, damp air, and the muted noise of the music above them.

Ford pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it to Bram, who stood on the sidelines waiting his turn to throw some punches. Dylan, the lion shifter, cracked his neck and then his knuckles. He grinned at Ford.

There was enough alcohol moving through his veins that even if the lion shifter got a hit on him, he would be too numb to feel it.

He had drowned himself in liquor once again, hoping to rid himself of these feelings for Talia, because frankly, they were almost too much for his shattered mind and heart to take in. Of course, all of that alcohol only managed to make him want her even more.

“I’m gonna fuck you up, bear.” Dylan ripped his shirt off, took his jeans off, and took a step toward Ford.

Ford was ready for this. He had Talia on his mind, and that was what needed to change, because he needed to get rid of all this fucking energy she caused within him.

He let the shift take over, felt his bear move through his body until his muscles stretched, his bones broke and realigned, and his bear pushed his human to the side.

He stood to his full ten-foot height and stared down at the now shifted Dylan. The lion paced back and forth, and even though Ford was now in full bear mode, he still felt the effects of the alcohol rolling through his system. He knew he could easily take a lion, no doubt about it, but he wanted to feel pain.

Ford needed his mind off other things, ones that had him wanting to keep a certain foxy female by his side. Those were ideas he certainly didn’t want to play with, and so the best way to deal with it was fight like there was no tomorrow.

They charged forward and met in the center. Teeth tore into flesh, claws ripped into muscles, and blood sprayed out like a geyser coating the dull gray cement floor a brilliant red. Dylan dug his claws into Ford’s belly, and he let out a roar of pain and relief. Ford had fought on a few different occasions over the last ten years, needing that pain to numb his mind.

He couldn’t explain this feeling inside him, but it was as if he was coming unhinged and about to combust.

And it was all because of this one female. It didn’t make any sense, and all he could think about was Charlie and his now pregnant mate.

His brother had been so unstable when he met Ary, and Ford had a suspicion he might be going through the same situation as his older brother. Could it be that his bear recognized Talia as his mate?

Dylan bit his shoulder, and Ford swiped his paw out, throwing the lion to his side. He might have wanted to feel pain, but his thoughts were making him vulnerable and look like a pussy who couldn’t handle himself against a lion. Tilting his head back and roaring, he charged Dylan.

The crowd that surrounded them was loud and rowdy, calling out for more violence, wanting to see them tear each other apart. It was exhilarating and painful, and to Ford’s disappointment didn’t lessen his thoughts when they concerned Talia. He let his confusion, anger, arousal, and every other emotion he felt for Talia wash through him and defeat the lion.

When it was all said and done and Dylan limped off to lick his wounds, Ford looked around, needing another contender. Bram stepped up, placed his hand on Ford, which only had his bear rounding on his youngest brother and growling. Bram held up both hands. Ford forced his bear into submission.

He was being uncontrollable and needed to calm the fuck down. He took a deep breath and changed back into his human form. It was the same bone-snapping, muscle-tearing sensation.

Bram handed Ford his shirt and pants, and he quickly put them on, covering his now bloody and torn flesh. “Fuck, man, you were intense out there.”

The crowd was still going wild as a tiger and panther shifter took the center stage. Ford was done for right now, ready to pass out and get his bearings. He wanted to talk to Charlie, see if what he was feeling was his confirmation on Talia being his mate, even though he was pretty damn sure that was what in the hell was going on.