Silverback, grizzly, and fox…and up there? Up in the sky where all the humans of Foxburg would be able to see? There was the scariest shifter on earth. The big dragon who could breathe fire in his human form, and destroy land. He was a man-eater who could read minds, and who had little control over the dragon.
But Vyr and Torren had come to help her and Nox, and in this moment, she knew these were her people, no matter how broken they were.
Vyr dipped to the earth and scooped ashes, arched his back, pummeled his wings, and lifted into the sky again.
There would be no hiding for them anymore.
The bad boys of Damon’s Mountains had just announced their presence in Foxburg in a big, fiery way.
Chapter Sixteen
Nevada sat in the car trembling. She saw in the rearview mirror her face was pallid, the scars down her left cheek were stark, and her eyes looked petrified. But she’d done it. She’d interviewed for a position at the tiny Foxburg Public Library where she would talk to real people until she would get better control over her social anxiety.
She’d been hired on the spot. She was equal parts elated, horrified, excited, and confused at what the heck she had just done—those feelings swirled inside of her on a constant loop.
Nox was going to be so proud. She kind of wanted to cry, because honestly? She was really proud of herself too, and it was a really good feeling. No more hiding in her house or getting worse each year. From here on, she was going to get on with living.
Her phone rang from the cup holder of her car. She fumbled with it with shaking hands, nearly dropped it, then connected the call in a rush. “Yes?” she asked breathlessly.
“How did it go?” Nox asked.
“I got it.”
“Are you serious?” Louder, he repeated, “Nevada are you serious?”
“I got the job, Nox. I got the job and I start next week and I’m so nervous but it’ll be good and I’ll get settled in and I’m gonna try really hard and I really got it.” She broke down on the last part and choked on a sob.
“Steel! I knew you’d get it, you little badass. I knew it! Vyr, she got it. What? Fuck you, man.” There was murmuring on the other end, and it didn’t sound happy. Nox sighed loudly and muttered, “Vyr wants to talk to you.” Static blasted across the phone and then Vyr rumbled out, “Your mate set fire to my fuckin’ yard.” Eek, he sounded pissed.
“I’ll be right over,” she murmured, throwing the car into drive.
She hung up and shook her head. All she’d wanted was one night when the guys weren’t at each other’s throats. They tattled to her like children, and she was always caught in the middle because Torren and Vyr still really didn’t understand Nox’s language. To her, it was easy to see he acted out with people he cared about, but for Vyr and Torren, they just became immediately angry and shut down. But they kept inviting her and Nox over, so at least they were still trying. Still…Nox setting Vyr’s territory on fire? Was he trying to claim it for himself? Vyr wouldn’t forgive that. His dragon was too dominant to put up with that. Crap on a stick, now this was sucking all the excitement out of her job offer and deflating her completely.
When she finally pulled into the clearing, she squinted at the billowing smoke that indeed was coming from a good portion of the yard. Nox was standing beside it with the swan in his arms. Mr. Diddles, Nox had named him after they caught him humping a duck statue. He was now Nox’s second best friend, next to Nevada, though he still threatened to kill the horny little thing every three hours or so. He wouldn’t, though. Probably.
“Nox,” she murmured as she got out of her car and made her way to him. “What did you do?”
Vyr and Torren were staring at the burn marks with their arms crossed and their backs to her.
“You said I needed to work on using a language they can understand,” Nox said remorselessly. “So I did.” He gestured grandly to his artwork.
He’d burned the words Dear Assholes, will you be my friends? into the yard with some kind of smelly lighter fluid.
A peel of giggles bubbled up her throat. The lettering was very well done.
“It’s not funny,” Vyr said, twisting around. Oh, he looked angry.
“It’s kind of funny. If you think about it.”
“I paid a stupid amount of money to have the landscaping done.”
“It’s wintertime, you snob,” Nox said, stroking Mr. Diddles feathers. “No one cares about your perfect yard if it’s covered in snow. I improved it. You’re welcome.”
“I like it,” Torren said, still staring at the writing. “Did you use Baskerville Bold.”
Nox beamed. “Why yes, I did. It’s my favorite font for vandalism. It’s classic, thank you for noticing.”
Torren took a swig of his beer and nodded like he was impressed.
“Put my swan down!” Vyr demanded.
“Don’t be pissed because Mr. Diddles likes me more than you.”
“His name isn’t Mr. Diddles, and I swear to God, if you call him that one more time—”
“You’ll what? Burn me?” Nox yanked down the neck of his sweater to expose the burn he’d gotten protecting Nevada from Vyr’s fire. “Been there, done that, got the scars. Your dragon sucks. I want to be a crew.”
“What?” Vyr asked. “No. We aren’t a crew. We’re just passing time until I figure out how to avoid shifter prison. Or until human law enforcement comes for us.” Vyr frowned. “I don’t really know what they’re waiting for.”
Nox set the swan down and approached Nevada with a smirk on his face. Over the past couple of weeks, he’d grown his beard back, but not as long. Now he was keeping it trimmed, and he looked good. His eyes were always clear and happy now. It made her feel happy, too.
“Hi,” she said softly as he wrapped his arms around her.
“You’re both gross,” Vyr muttered.
“So how do we do this?” Torren asked.
“Do what?” the Red Dragon drawled out, sounding tired.
“Become a crew? Do we like…pledge to you? Do you bite us?”
“Ew. No. I’m no alpha, Torren. I think we can all agree on that one.”
Nevada snuggled against Nox’s strong chest with a sappy smile. “Disagree. You can control anyone you want. You’re alpha as fuck.”
“Mmm, I like when you say bad words,” Nox murmured against her ear, then plucked gently at her sensitive earlobe.
“We should come up with a name for our crew,” Torren said. He was grinning now, like he was having fun pissing Vyr off, too.
“Purple Velociraptors,” Nox said immediately. “Purple is Nevada’s favorite color, and Velociraptors are cool. I’ve given this some thought.”
Vyr stared at him with his mouth hanging open.
“What?” Nox asked rudely, then flipped him off.
Nevada pursed her lips against the laughter that was clawing its way up her throat.
Torren chugged the rest of his beer and dropped the bottle into the yard like a litter-bug. He turned to them, crossbow resting casually against his shoulder. “It needs to be something badass.”
Vyr scoffed and stooped to pick up the bottle. “How about the Crew of a Million Bad Ideas?”
Nox said, “Hmm,” and twitched his head like he was impressed, but Torren frowned and said, “Veto.”
“What about Sons of Beasts?” Nevada asked softly, wrapping her arms around Nox’s waist as he rocked her side to side. She’d missed him all day.
They all got quiet, and stared at her. It was Vyr who responded first. “Huh.”
“I’m just saying, this would be a pretty cool crew,” Nevada sang. “The Son of the Cursed Bear, the Son of Kong, and the Son of the Dragon? Bad boys of Damon’s Mountains, all linking up to wreak havoc.”
A soft rumble rattled against her cheek from Nox, and it sounded pleased as punch. “My mate is a thousand times smarter than you two.”
“And what about you?” Vyr asked Nevada, seriousness tingeing his words. “Where do
you fit into the Sons of Beasts Crew?”
“I’m the daughter of no one now. I’m starting over, so the name suits me just fine. You didn’t see me before, when I stumbled over words, and couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. I still can’t talk easy outside of you three. Something about this,” she said, gesturing to the four of them, “makes me feel okay. Makes me feel strong. Where do I fit? I’m the one that’s gonna keep you three from ending the world. I’ll be a secret heroine. I’ll pee on you whenever you need it,” she promised Vyr. She slid a smile to Torren. “And I’ll keep you and Nox from shooting each other.” Finally she looked up at Nox. “And you…I’ll make you happy and keep you steady, like you do for me.”
“Sold,” Nox said with the biggest, proudest grin she’d ever seen on him. “Let’s pledge or bite, or kick each other’s asses or whatever to make this crew. I have things to do and those things include—”
“Please don’t say it,” Vyr said tiredly.
Nox arched his eyebrow. “Nevada.”
Vyr sighed and muttered, “I strongly dislike my life.”
Torren cracked his knuckles, looked at Nox, and said, “Yes.”
“Yes what, you weirdo? Even I suck less at conversation than—oooooh.”
Torren stood straighter, his massive shoulders puffing out. “Yes, I’ll be your friend. But you’re still a dick, and I still mostly hate you. And we’re still gonna fight. A lot.”
In an awed voice, Nox whispered, “You do speak my language.”
“Fiiine,” Vyr muttered. “We’re a crew. For now. But I’m not biting you fuckers because you probably taste like cheap beer and bad decisions.”
Oh, this crew was a mess. They liked to break rules, had unmanageable animal sides, and a mountain of issues between them. But they were also growing something amazing. Nevada didn’t even think the boys realized it, but she could practically see their bonds forming. And Nox, her Nox, was finally finding the friendships he’d always wanted.
Hell was coming for them. That much was for sure and for certain. She didn’t know why the humans were waiting to bring Vyr in, or why Damon had stopped pestering Nox to bring his son to the electrified gates of that shifter prison. It was way too quiet, but forming a crew would give them more protection. Sons of Beasts against the world. This was their home base, their stronghold. This crew could take them all straight to Hell in a handbasket, or turn into something great, it was impossible to tell.
But for Nevada, the risk was worth it.
“You’re happy,” Nox murmured. “I can feel it.”
She smiled up at him and leaned into his touch when he brushed the scars on her cheek. The scars that had given her freedom. The scars that had given her Nox and this moment with her crew. Her. Crew. “Tell me the L-word.”
Nox’s gaze dipped to her lips before he leaned down, sipped her softly, then ran his face against the side of hers, scratching her with his short whiskers. When his mouth was right by her ear, he said, “I fucking love you.” She could feel the smile just from the swell of his cheek against hers.
Foul-mouthed man. Damaged, loner, prankster, hot-as-fire, perfectly flawed man.
He was a disaster.
He was a masterpiece.
Nevada bit his neck gently, right over the claiming mark she’d given him. A scar that hadn’t meant anything before Nox came into her life, and now meant everything. In a whisper, she said, “I fucking love you, too.”
Nox chuckled a deep rumbling sound and cupped her cheeks, eased back to search her eyes. His thumb stroked the scars on her face again. He did that a lot. He worried. “I still hate that you were marked, but I think you look like a warrior. So beautiful. You didn’t back down an inch, did you, little fox?” He swallowed hard. “But tell me you’re okay.”
Her eyes welled with tears, but it wasn’t because she was hurt. They were tears of happiness. Before Nox, she’d been alone. She’d believed mean things about herself. She’d questioned her value. She’d found rock bottom. And now, because of him, she was climbing her way back up, and for the first time in her entire life, she was feeling deep joy.
He’d given her friends in Vyr and Torren. Terrifying friends who were monstrous in a war, but who were gentle and protective of her.
He’d given her confidence just from the way he looked at her, and saw her, and constantly pointed out the things he liked about her. Things she hadn’t thought about before.
He’d given her a desire to work hard and be a better version of herself.
He’d given her his body for protection.
He’d given her freedom.
He’d given her a voice.
He’d given her a future she was excited about.
And now he’d given her a crew—the Sons of Beasts.
She belonged. Finally, finally…Nevada belonged.
She was better than okay.
With an emotional smile, she rested her forehead against his and let him hear every honest note in her voice as she said exactly how she felt. “Because of you, everything’s fine.”
Up Next in this Series
Torren will get his story next in the Sons of Beasts trilogy
Son of Kong
Coming August 2017
New Release Newsletter Sign-Up
For new releases, exclusive sneak peeks, and giveaways, sign up for T. S. Joyce’s Bear Shifter Romance Newsletter HERE.
Want More of these Characters?
The Sons of Beasts Crew makes its first appearance in the Red Havoc Panther’s series
Red Havoc Rogue (Book 1)
Red Havoc Rebel (Book 2)
Red Havoc Bad Cat (Book 3)
Red Havoc Guardian (Book 4)
Red Havoc Bad Bear (Book 5)
More Series by T. S. Joyce
Harper’s Mountains
Bloodrunner Dragon (Book 1)
Bloodrunner Bear (Book 2)
Air Ryder (Book 3)
Novak Raven (Book 4)
Blackwing Dragon (Book 5)
Kane’s Mountains
Blackwing Defender (Book 1)
Blackwing Wolf (Book 2)
Blackwing Beast (Book 3)
Bears Fur Hire
Husband Fur Hire (Book 1)
Bear Fur Hire (Book 2)
Mate Fur Hire (Book 3)
Wolf Fur Hire (Book 4)
Dawson Fur Hire (Book 5)
Chance Fur Hire (Book 6)
Saw Bears
Lumberjack Werebear (Book 1)
Woodcutter Werebear (Book 2)
Timberman Werebear (Book 3)
Sawman Werebear (Book 4)
Axman Werebear (Book 5)
Woodsman Werebear (Book 6)
Lumberman Werebear (Book 7)
Fire Bears
Bear My Soul (Book 1)
Bear the Burn (Book 2)
Bear the Heat (Book 3)
Gray Back Bears
Gray Back Bad Bear (Book 1)
Gray Back Alpha Bear (Book 2)
Gray Back Ghost Bear (Book 3)
Gray Back Broken Bear (Book 4)
Lowlander Silverback (Book 5)
Last Immortal Dragon (Book 6)
Boarlander Bears
Boarlander Boss Bear (Book 1)
Boarlander Bash Bear (Book 2)
Boarlander Silverback (Book 3)
Boarlander Beast Boar (Book 4)
Boarlander Cursed Bear (Book 5)
Wolf Brides
Wolf Bride (Book 1)
Red Snow Bride (Book 2)
Dawson Bride (Book 3)
More Books from this Author
Visit www.tsjoyce.com for a full reading list.
About the Author
T.S. Joyce is devoted to bringing hot shifter romances to readers. Hungry alpha males are her calling card, and the wilder the men, the more she'll make them pour their hearts out. She lives in a tiny town, outside of a tiny city, and devotes her life to writing big stories. Foodie, bear whisperer, ninja, thief of tiny bottles of awesome smelling h
otel shampoo, nap connoisseur, movie fanatic, and zombie slayer, and most of this bio is true.
Bear Shifters? Check
Smoldering Alpha Hotness? Double Check
Sexy Scenes? Fasten up your girdles, ladies and gents, it’s gonna to be a wild ride.
For more information about T. S. Joyce and her work, visit her website here.
T. S. Joyce, Son of the Cursed Bear
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