Brad’s face turned a little red and she could see he was pissed. “It’s really just a bear?”

She nodded. “Yep. He’s one screwed-up looking bear, to be fair. He’s scarred up pretty bad too. I think he hit every branch of the ugly tree he must have fallen out of.”

“Fuck you, man.” Brad jerked out of her hold, glaring at Lake. “You’re an asshole.”

“Sorry.” Lake didn’t sound it.

Brad looked down at Dusti. “Thanks for telling me the truth.”

“You’re welcome. And I’m going to make sure that George is euthanized so this doesn’t happen to anyone else. It’s better for that poor bear too. He’s got the worst skin condition I’ve ever seen on an animal. It’s probably painful. I’m going to ride the mayor until it happens. I promise.”

“Thank you.” Brad flipped Lake off. “Up yours, man.” He spun away from the counter, giving Drantos a nasty look next. “Listen to her. That shit’s not funny and I would have sued this town if I’d wrecked my car. You know that damn bear is a hazard. I’m never coming back to this shithole again.”

He stormed out and left tread marks when he pulled out of the parking lot to drive away.

Dusti smiled at Drantos. “See? You didn’t have to kill him.”

“I can’t believe he bought that.” Drantos scowled.

“It’s human nature.” Dusti shrugged. “It was a believable excuse for something he saw that he couldn’t explain. Add in the fact that he thought we were trying to make him look foolish and we have a winner. Now he won’t be talking about a monster. He’ll be saying the people in this town are assholes and to avoid this place at all costs. Problem solved and nobody died.”

Drantos closed the distance between them and grinned. “I see.”

“I don’t,” Lake grumbled.

Dusti turned her head, smiling at him. “Sorry I made you the bad guy, but do you really care that Brad is mad? He’s gone and won’t be back.”

He shook his head. “I don’t have to clean up blood.”

That killed her humor. He seemed serious. “That’s always a plus.” She looked up at Drantos. “Is he kidding?”

He nodded.

She blew out a relieved sigh.

“He would have snapped his neck. That doesn’t make a mess.”

“You could have left off that second part,” she pointed out.

Drantos chuckled. “I’d never lie to you.”

“Fantastic.”

“You’re going to ride me, huh?” Drantos’s hands slid down her back and cupped her ass. “I look forward to it.”

She reached back and yanked his hands off her butt. “Behave. You don’t want to shock poor Lake here.”

“It wouldn’t,” the clerk announced. “I’d have something interesting to watch, but it could be off-putting to any humans who come in. They might be offended to see you both naked and going at it.”

Dusti rolled her eyes. “We’re out of here, on that note.”

“You sure?” Drantos deepened his voice. “I could carry you into the back.” He shot a dirty look at the other VampLycan. “You’re not going to see my mate naked. I’d have to kill you.”

They strolled out of the store hand in hand but stopped as soon as they reached the line of trees. A large group of VampLycans waited in the shadows. Velder stepped forward.

“We watched the human drive away.” He kept his focus on Drantos. “What happened?”

“Apparently, we have a mutant bear with severe mange and are attempting to fool humans into thinking they’ve seen a monster to bring in business by drawing more tourists. She verbally chastised Lake in front of the human for scaring him and not just telling him the ‘truth’.” Drantos shook his head. “The human bought her story, and he’s pissed. He swore to never return and said that he’d have sued our town if he’d damaged his car. Dusti promised him we’d euthanize the bear before someone got hurt.” He paused. “She made me the mayor, too.”

Velder’s lips twitched but he didn’t smile. He lowered his gaze to Dusti. “Very smart.”

“Thank you.”

She glanced at the faces around her. They weren’t glaring at her with suspicion anymore. Some seemed amused, others impressed. She gripped Drantos’s hand a little tighter.

They look a bit surprised that I pulled that off, she thought at him.

They underestimated you. So did I.

Humans are good at bullshitting other humans. It’s a gift.

He smirked. I’ll remember that.

I didn’t mean I’d bullshit you. You’re in my head. That would be tough to do.

Don’t ever try. Mates don’t lie to each other.

Good.

Velder turned, motioning everyone back toward the clearing. “The food will be ready soon.”

Drantos returned Dusti to Peva. “I need to feel the mood of everyone.”

“What does that mean?” Dusti frowned.

“To see how they feel about what you just did,” Peva explained, reaching over and patting her leg. “Drantos will one day lead our people. It’s important that everyone feels secure that he didn’t mate someone who will weaken our clan.”

Dusti hated politics. “Fantastic.”

“It will be fine,” Drantos assured her. “Sit here and I’ll be back soon.”

She watched him join a group of men talking around one of the fire pits. Peva patted her leg again and Dusti turned her head, holding her gaze.

“It would have been easier if you hadn’t mated someone so highly ranked in the clan, but it isn’t a matter of choice when it comes to mates. Drantos chose you.”

“I am so out of my element.”

“You’re doing well. It’s always difficult when a woman mates someone from another clan. I was lucky to find mine here. Most don’t. They have to attempt to fit in with strangers and adjust to their ways. I’m impressed how you’re handling everything, Dusti. You should be proud.”

“Because I’m not crying and hiding under Drantos’s bed?”

Peva laughed. “Yes.”

“I was tempted to but I don’t want him to regret loving me.” She scanned the clearing and watched the man she loved laugh with a new group. He fit in with his clan. Those were his neighbors and friends, people he cared about.