Jade Crew: Captive Bear: Ridgeback Bears, #4

Chapter One

Darren

This is going to be awesome! Joel crowed as the Ridgebacks piled out of the two trucks that had carted them straight from the mines to their destination.

I can’t wait to see what Gwen did to the place, Cole chimed in, playfully jabbing Russell as they walked toward the lone building set into a small depression off the main road. A small S-shaped drive led down from the elevated roadway, ending up in a gravel parking lot in front of the building.

You be nice, Russell rumbled, though there was a hint of a smile on his face.

Oh come on, Darren said, teasing his longtime rival and newfound friend. "Go easy on the guy. After all, it can’t be that bad!" He easily dodged the backhand that Russell threw his way.

Something impacted on the back of his head, and cold splattered across his neck.

Ack! he shouted as the snowball exploded over his head and shoulders, the frigid fluff trickling down his spine. Darren turned to find the other shifters and their mates all whistling off tune and doing their best to look anywhere but directly at him.

Real funny, he said, reaching up to grab some snow that had already accumulated on another vehicle in the parking lot and flinging it in a rainbow arc at the bunch of them.

The women shrieked, while Garrett and Cole, in an attempt to defend their mates’ honor, crouched down and began to build some ammunition.

Oh no you don’t! Darren yelped and dashed for the door in an attempt to evade the oncoming assault.

He almost made it, but multiple impacts on his back sent him into the door, instead of stopping to open it. I surrender! he said, throwing his hands above his head.

A rather dainty hand pulled back his jacket and dumped a load of loose snow down his back. Again. Parley! Parley! he shouted, jumping up and down to try and divest himself of the rapidly melting snow.

Okay fellas, let’s put on our mature faces, Garrett said, pretending to straighten his collar and extending an elbow for his mate, Emma, before striding forward in a ridiculous parody of some snooty aristocrat.

Yes sir, right this way sir, very good sir, Darren gushed, pulling the door open for the procession that followed his Alpha inside.

Damn it felt good to be back.

I have missed this place, he declared, following Corey inside as the Ridgebacks fanned out to take in their favorite haunt.

Gwen was waiting there, and Russell walked up to her, gathering her in his arms as he planted a large kiss right on her lips. Cheeks flared red in the light, much to the delight of everyone as they teased their friends.

Gwen, this is fabulous, Emma said, as she and Trestin moved forward to envelop their friend in a small circle. The three women moved out into the single large room, pointing out certain bits and pieces of the décor to each other.

She did a damn good job, Russ, Darren said, clapping the other shifter on the shoulder. Damn good job. It’s still the same, but it’s absolutely not the same.

He looked around, taking it in. The Tongue & Flame bar had been all but destroyed over a month ago. A massive shifter fight had taken place inside the bar, damn near leveling the entire structure. Gwen, Russell’s mate, had offered to help the owner and bartender, Ferro, redecorate in the wake of the destruction. The Ridgebacks were all present—minus Evan—for the grand reopening. It promised to be a great night.

Holy hell I’ve missed this place, Joel said, making a beeline for the part of the bar that had been their normal relaxation area. And look at this! he cried, taking in their seating area for the first time.

Darren glanced over the rest of the bar, but decided to go exploring later. For now, he wanted to see their area.

It’s roped off, he said with a smile, coming up alongside Joel.

It even says reserved for ‘The Jade Crew,’ his friend pointed out, motioning to the sign hanging from the roped-off area.

So fancy. I almost feel like an honored guest, Darren said happily. He reached down and unhooked a length of the rich green velvet rope, looping it back around itself onto another of the sleek silver uprights that held it aloft. The squared-off design of the posts helped add a modern touch to an old style.

I think we’ve been spoiled, Garrett said, stepping up alongside Darren as they surveyed their new hangout.

Putting it pretty mildly boss. Putting it pretty mildly, Darren echoed himself, stepping forward to run his hands over the luxurious leather-backed chairs, noting the recliners on most of them. The dark leather went perfectly with the bronzed design of the large low-slung table that was centered in the area. There were enough couches or chair seating surrounding the ten-foot-long table for all the shifters and their mates, including some open spaces for those who had yet to find their women.

Darren hadn’t found a mate yet, but he wasn’t worried. A mate would be nice, but he wasn’t rushed for time yet. He wanted it to happen naturally, instead of him going out and seeking one.

Wow, he said, drawing the three-letter word out into a long exclamation as he sat down. The leather was so soft it seemed to actually adjust and counter to his oversized body. Darren wasn’t the biggest shifter—hell, he wasn’t even the largest in the bar that night—but he was still six and a half feet tall, and covered in slabs of muscle that would make a bodybuilder jealous. His broad shoulders and thick, sturdy legs relaxed into the leather as if it were designed for him, and only him. This, he proclaimed to his crew, this could be trouble.

Joel nodded. Uh, yeah. These chairs are sinfully luxurious. We are going to spend far too much time here, I can see it.

Garrett wisely didn’t say anything. Darren smiled at the boss as he sat down into the high-backed extra-wide loveseat. Gingerly Emma slid in next to him as the women returned, her small frame practically absorbed by both the chair and her mate.

Everything okay Emma? he asked. She seemed to have taken extra precautions in the way she sat.

She and Garrett exchanged glances. The Alpha of the Ridgebacks sat up straighter. Sit down, his deep voice commanded gently, gesturing to the empty chairs and those of the crew who were still standing.

After obediently following his commands—not that any of them were reluctant to try out the chairs—Garrett nodded to his mate. But Emma shook her head, and whispered something to him.

Very well, he said out loud. We were going to wait and tell you, but now seems as good a time as any.

Darren raised an eyebrow and took a quick glance at the others. They all had an expression on their face that indicated they knew where this was going.

Garrett seemed to pick up on it too. What? Does everyone know already? He looked down at Emma in confusion.

I think it’s more a case of ‘We’ve been expecting this for a while,’ Darren said aloud. Then he turned to the others. So, a little over four months from when they met. Who wins, Corey?

The other shifter looked thoughtful for a moment. We said closest, whether over or under, right?

Darren nodded.

In that case, Cole wins.

Yes! Cole shouted, pumping a fist in the air gently, so as not to disturb his mate, who was also pregnant.

I don’t understand, Garrett said, frowning.

Emma patted him on the shoulder. It’s okay dear. You just look at them and see the dumb oafs they are most of the time. You forget that two of them have mates now. Word was going to get out sooner or later, she said with a smile.

So, when are you due? Russell asked, beaming with pride at his brother and his mate.

Well, it was rather unexpected. But, another six months or so. We were going to wait a little longer before we started trying, Emma said, looking up at Garrett with a smile on her face.

But life, uh, finds a way, he finished, pulling her tight to him.

Well congratulations! Darren said, regretfully levering himself up from his chair to go give the happy couple a hug. First round is on me! he said as he stood back up, heading over to the bar to grab some pitchers. Joel, you’re on carrying duty. Get over here, he said with a jerk of his head.

The shifters drank a lot due to their metabolisms, and there was no way Darren could carry it all. It would take the two of them two trips each.

Ferro! he shouted, greeting the bartender as they approached. I see you kept some things the same, he said, smiling with approval as his hands ran across the beautiful piece of solid mahogany that constituted the bar top. The gorgeous finish had always attracted his attention whenever he visited.

The notoriously tight-lipped bartender acknowledged his greeting with a tilt of his head and began grabbing pitchers.

You know, Gwen did an amazing job with this place. I liked it before, but this, this is spectacular, Ferro, he said genuinely, hoping the dragon shifter behind the bar would understand he meant it.

Ferro must have heard something in Darren’s voice, because he turned to face him, meeting his eyes. Thank you Darren. I’ve always taken great pride in this place, though don’t ask me to explain why because I couldn’t tell you. I have to admit, she certainly spruced up the place. Then, having said his fill for a while, he turned back to the beer.

That she did, Darren said silently, taking a moment to look around the bar.

They had installed a set of double doors as part of the renovations. The doors were set diagonally in the corner between two walls. Walking in, the bar opened up to the left and straight ahead. To the left was the Jade Crew section, a large, trapezoidal area filled with the chairs he longed to get back to. Along the wall to the right of the doors were the entrances to the washrooms, now split by a huge roaring fireplace that had been built where a shifter had gone through the wall during the fight.

Past the washrooms was another offset area, where Darren could see Ajax, the Alpha of the Emerald Crew, and several of his crewmembers sitting around in other comfortable-looking chairs.

Between the two, he could see two pool tables, one of which was currently occupied by a few more Emerald crew shifters. Scattered around were also some tables and chairs designed more for eating than relaxing. There were some normal humans, folks from the town and also from LMC—the mining consortium that ran the town and employed the various shifter crews—scattered around those tables.

Layout looks the same, doesn’t it, Joel said, coming up alongside him.

It does, but those chairs look far sturdier to me, he replied, dipping his head in the direction of the nearest metal chair that had a distinctly solid look to it.

No kidding. I love the new tablecloths too.

Darren had to agree. The old black-and-red checker pattern coverings were long gone. Instead, bright red and orange tablecloths covered the surfaces, mimicking the look of flames. It was a definite upgrade in his mind.

I am definitely not going to mind having access to this, he said aloud as his mind wandered slightly. Although that fireplace isn’t an open bonfire, I really like the look of it. Even if we can’t do barbecues anymore, this will be perfect for the winters now.

It certainly does take the edge off, doesn’t it? Joel said in agreement, hefting the first few pitchers as they were ready and returning to the table.

Agreed, he said. Then, with another nod to Ferro, he headed back to the Ridgeback section. Here you are boys, he said, spreading the two pitchers and the stack of glasses he had balanced precariously on his hand across the table as the others began to pour. Make sure I get one of those, he admonished with a grin, returning to the bar for the other drinks.

Now this is the life, isn’t it? Russell said, raising a glass from his side of the lounge area.

Is that just because you get to ditch Gwen for the evening? Darren teased, raising his own glass in cheers.

Partially, Darren, but if you tell her, I’ll have to fight you, Russell replied, then looked around the rest of the table. To the Ridgebacks!

Ridgebacks! the voices echoed, and then they got down to the serious business of drinking the beer.

Darren turned to his Alpha. Things have been pretty good the past few weeks, haven’t they? he said, taking a long drink from his mug.

Garrett’s eyes clouded over, marking a distinctly different emotion from the words he spoke. Indeed. Though I wish it could have come under different circumstances.

Darren winced. He hadn’t meant it as a hit against his Alpha.

What Evan did had nothing to do with any of us, he said adamantly.

I know, Garrett said with a sigh. Emma squeezed his arm gently, but didn’t partake in the conversation. Still, I wish I could have helped him.

Darren froze as he realized that his Alpha was having a serious conversation with him. A professional one. That was not something he had expected to happen. Although Darren had hopes that perhaps one day he might show enough abilities to be appointed an Alpha of his own, he was well aware he had a way to go yet. Under Garrett, he had learned a lot, and he was intent on learning as much as he possibly could. But that didn’t mean he had been ready for Garrett to acknowledge anything like that, and open up to him about his own thoughts.

He had to say something. Do you think he realizes yet that it was his own choices that got him where he is?

Garrett shook his head. I doubt it. He didn’t seem to realize it at his trial, so I doubt it’s come to him yet.

"I still can’t believe that they let those Sapphires and Opals live.