Hard (The Bear Chronicles of Willow Creek #2) Read Free

toward the kitchen. I stand there for a second, not wanting to deal with Amelia, but the scent of freshly baked ham forces me to follow him. What can I say? When it comes to food, I have absolutely no willpower. I walk into the kitchen just as Ethan says, “I love that all it takes is a kiss to make you wet.”
    “Shh…We have company, and I can guarantee you that he can hear us,” Amelia says, looking from Ethan to me. 
    “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before,” I mumble as I walk over to the counter and look at the feast she has prepared. 
    The two of them are always all over each other. If I didn’t know better, I’d think they were the true mates that Ethan claims they are. But that’s just not possible. Shifters only mate with other shifters. Every single one of us has been taught this since birth. There are no exceptions to the rules that I’ve ever heard of. Their attraction has to be based on pure lust, nothing else. Doesn’t it?
    “Would you like to stay for dinner, Eli? I’m sure we have more than enough to go around.” It takes me a second to realize Amelia is talking to me. My eyes jerk to her as she adds, “Honestly, there’s plenty if you’re hungry.”
    As much as I want to lash out at her, I keep my temper in check and shrug my shoulders as I say, “I could eat.”
    I have to figure out a way to get along with her. If not, I’m gonna lose my friendship with Ethan. Unlike humans, shifter friendships are a bond that lasts a lifetime. Losing a friend is like losing a piece of yourself. Not only that, we’re family. Nothing, not a damn thing, comes between a shifter and their family. 
    Realizing I have some bridges to rebuild, I grab the ham and carry it to the table. Ethan follows me with another dish, and a second later, we are digging in to our food. I’m so focused on what’s going into my mouth that I’m completely lost when Ethan says, “I talked to Dad today. He’s gonna take over my patrol while we’re gone.”
     
    Grabbing another roll, I start covering it in butter as I ask, “I didn’t know you were gonna go out of town. Where are you going?”
    Amelia gives me a weak smile and says, “We’re going to Chicago to pick up my younger sister this weekend. I’ll be so glad to have Liza here with me. I just know she’s gonna love it in Willow Creek.”
    Instantly, my plan for trying to get along with Ethan’s human flies out the window. “You’re bringing another one to Willow Creek?”
    “That’s enough, Eli. Cut the shit now, and remember that you’re in our home,” Ethan growl out, showing me his fangs.
    Before he can go on, Amelia cuts him off. “Yes, Liza will be living here with us, for a while anyway.”
    I should shut my mouth, think about my friendship with Ethan, but I don’t. “Exactly like I said, there’s gonna be another one running around town.”
    Ethan bangs his fist against the table, sending dishes and food onto the floor. “She’s not another one. She’s Amelia’s sister, so that makes her my sister, too. You better show her respect, or I’ll rip you a new asshole, you ignorant fucker.”
    For the first time, I see true fury in his eyes. He’s spent the better part of two months pissed off at me, but this is different. He’s done trying to explain himself and his choices to me. He’s ready to kill.
    I’m about to leave, to give him a bit of time to cool down, but Amelia stops me. “She’s really sweet, Eli. You’ll like her.”
    I don’t say anything, just push my bear back down and focus on breathing in and out. Just before I stand up, she says, “Why don’t you ride to Chicago with us? We’re gonna be bringing back a truck full of stuff—Liza’s belongings and some of my parents’ things. I’m sure Ethan could use your help loading it.”
    Remembering that she lost her parents, just like I lost my mother, I can’t stop myself from asking. “I thought you lost your parents when you were young and then you lived in a