A Bear Temptation

| Chapter Six |

Zeke sat on the worn log watching Katze train. She was a vicious fighter, both in animal and human form. She swung at Fleur her fist landing square on her stomach, the sheer force sending Fleur straight to the muddy earth with a groan.

"You ok?" Katze worried helping Fleur to her feet.

"Yes." Fleur nodded pushing her long dark ponytail behind her back. "Gosh girl, you can fight."

"My brother taught me. He said it would come in handy one day." Fleur just nodded in agreement at Katze's smile.

It had been four days and continually they had been training. Tomorrow was the day they would get Katze's sister, maybe it was selfish, but Zeke wanted that more than anything. He wanted to ease the tension she felt, he also needed to stop the worry that slivered into her face when she thought nobody was looking.

Zeke knew he had never been in more awe of a person. Katze was a gorgeous individual and the more time he was around her the greater his appreciation for her coming into his life grew.

"Deon." Zeke called motioning for him to come sit beside him on the log. He approached hesitantly silently taking a seat.

Staring back at Katze for a moment he was lost in those different coloured eyes, one blue, one green, them both enchanting. He had been given a gift in her and these last few days he could see it. She didn't know him with the bear, all she knew was his humanity and for that Zeke would be eternally grateful. She looked at him like the man he was and there was no judgement in her eyes as she did.

Turning to Deon a smile lit Zeke's face. "Happy Birthday."

With mischievous eyes Zeke watched the fire blaze in Deon's cheeks. He didn't like being the centre of attention, actually he didn't like any attention.

"Thanks." He mumbled in response a hum leaving his throat from the bear inside his skin.

"I got you something." He smiled at the fear that embedded itself into Deon's eyes.

Taking the small gift out his back-pocket Zeke placed it into his unwilling hand. There was a tension in the air as Deon fought with himself. He looked at Zeke then back to the present and with shaking hands he tore the brown paper from it leaving a wooden box. Again, he looked at Zeke his eyes wide.

"Open it." Zeke pushed.

There was a fast flicker of shock that registered in his eyes. Zeke had lived with the man a long time and this was the most emotion he had ever seen him wear. It was heart-warming. Zeke didn't know Deon's story, yet he had a feeling it was a tough one. Daily, the man was almost a ghost around them.

"You said your father used to collect compasses once. I figured it could be a nice reminder."

Again, Deon looked at Zeke a complete loss for words. His young face suddenly softened and as Deon looked back down at the compass his thumb stroking over the face gently.

"It looks just like his." The dull whisper was light, yet Zeke could hear the bubbling emotion he must have been feeling.

"You know I'm always here if you need someone to talk to. You aren't alone here."

Deon stood gripping his shoulder, his firm hand creating a pressure that Zeke winced at. He knew it wasn't intentional, he was just overwhelmed.

"Thank you Zeke." He whispered walking away slowly his eyes never leaving that compass even when he opened and shut his cabin door behind him.

Bitterness overwhelmed him. Zeke would do as Wolff had asked, he would get to know Deon, yet he had a feeling the young man was troubled - not that he was the only one. Since Katze had told him about her Sister she had been distant, he would ask questions and she would clam up. Zeke didn't like her not sharing things, it was crazy and totally unexplained, but he wanted to be the one person she trusted with everything.

"Oh, there he is." Zeke turned his eyebrows raising at his Dads booming voice towards Maxton.

Maxton walked through the trees his arrogant sneer as plain as the day they stood in. He stared at Jeff a look of anger filtering through his eyes. Zeke rolled his own eyes simply because he knew what was going to happen. It had been building up these last few days. If he had the animal he would bet the anger was almost suffocating in the air right now.

"So, you fancy a fight Maxton, all that anger can't be good to keep in?" Zeke's dad goaded, his eyes alight with mischief.

Everyone began to gather round, even Deon had come back out his cabin. Smiling at the smirk on Wolff's face Zeke couldn't help but mirror his. Neve nearly fell from Wolff's side when she saw it. He didn't care. Katze made him feel better, nothing was as heavy around her. Her presence allowed everything to be bearable.

"Are you sure old man?" Maxton grated back his voice like steel.

"Oh yes boy, I'm sure."

Maxton pulled the top from his body throwing it angrily to the ground as he came before Zeke's Dad his muscles bulging with his underlying tension.

"I've been waiting a long time for this Jeff." He cracked his knuckles with cold smile turning to Wolff.

"Maxton you know the rules. We fight here until one of you can't get up. Jeff, you are in my territory, under my leadership. Those are the rules you will follow, understood?"

"Understood." Both men agreed in unison with a quick nod.

"Then fight." Wolff stepped back motioning for the others to get into a circle. Everyone did giving them plenty of room.

"So, how are we going to do this old man? Animal or man?"

"I don't suppose it matters Maxton." Jeff remarked with a smirk. "Either way you would still be hiding who you are."

The bear ripped from Maxton so fast Zeke pulled Katze to his chest. She looked at him startled before her eyes softened.

"Protective." She mocked moulding against him with a sigh.

If only she knew. He thought of nothing other than her safety. Each night she had slept in that damn car outside of the treeline. All he thought about was how dangerous it was for her to be out there herself. Not tonight, she would be in his bed because with what was going to happen tomorrow he needed her close.

The snarling of Maxton's pitch-black bear brought him back to the fight. His Dad had changed a low controlled hum slipping into the air from the animal.

"Go easy on him Dad."

A smile lit Jeff's face, well as much a smile as a bear could give. Maxton gave a warning growl in Zeke's direction the anger radiating from him. Zeke just laughed; he was so easy to wind up.

His Dad reared back on his back legs then quickly slammed his front paws to the ground, the earth shaking below their feet. A deafening roar echoed into the night waking anything that would have been asleep. The animal was ready to fight.

"They are going to kill each other." Katze whispered.

"No Panther, they are going to bleed each other, we don't kill here." He kissed the top of her head not daring to look down at her, he wanted to pretend that this was his normality.

Maxton vaulted forward his claws raking down Jeff’s face. The blood seeped from the cut, not that his Dad cared. Jeff growled lowly stepping forward. His Dad's animal was a tank, a vicious fighting machine that didn't like to lose.

I suppose that's why he never did.

Jumping forward slightly Maxton stepped back his large weight stumbling away from Jeff. Never had he seen a look of uncertainty cross the eyes of Maxton's animal yet standing there Zeke could see the unease of Maxton's bear.

Sharp teeth bared his Dad continued his pursuit towards him, his steps even, his deep brown fur rippling with each step he took. Maxton mirrored his movements the circle widening to give them space.

Katze startled against him as Zeke watched his Dad lunge, those sharp teeth sunk deep into Maxton's shoulder. A howl of agony left the animal as it swung sending Jeff to the floor. The fight started then, the paws slamming against each other until they were both rolling around on the muddy earth the vicious snarls curling around them.

As Katze watched Zeke could feel her nails embed themselves into his skin. He wrapped his arms around her tighter, so she was straight against his body. The nails only deepened as the blood before them flew.

Zeke shouldn't have been affected the way he was. In seconds he was harder than concrete and the gasp from Katze made it clear she was completely aware.

"Zeke..." She whispered her voice drifting off as she looked up at him with those big eyes.

Those orbs had deepened, one a royal blue, the other a forest green. He smiled down at her as she tried to step away from him. Shaking his head, he pulled her tighter to his body, the curve of her back hiding his steel length.

"Don't move or we will have a bigger problem." He chuckled when she froze against him.

"You call that a big problem?"

Zeke couldn't help himself. A deep chuckle left his lips gaining the attention of everyone around him. It didn't matter that his Dad and friend were fighting or that tomorrow they were going to battle. All that mattered was that cheeky smile on Katze's face and Zeke being the reason she was wearing it.

Just because he could, he rolled his hips taking note of the light gasp she gave him.

"Naughty Panther." He whispered once again looking ahead.

Jeff had Maxton pinned to the ground a roar leaving his lips. Maxton snapped towards him, not that it made any difference he was glued to the earth, Jeff's claws digging into his fur.

Watching the change was brutal. Maxton let the human have his skin, Jeff not letting him go throughout the forced transformation.

"What do you want from me old man." Maxton wailed the blood oozing from the cuts on his skin.

Roaring in anger once again Zeke could only stare as his father changed. He stood spitting the blood from his mouth. His Mum was beside her mate instantly holding his hand. Like always she had stayed in the Cabin while his Dad fought. That was how it was for them; his Dad didn't like her being near danger so while he fought she simply wasn't.

"I want you to stop pretending that you are just like your father. I want you to be your God damn self Maxton. I want you to stop acting based on the way you think you should, and act based on the way you damn well want to." He spat again shaking his head, the anger emitting from every, single pore of his being.

Turning Jeff walked with his mate back to the Cabin. He didn't get far before Maxton had spoken once again.

"You don't know anything old man."

Jeff had moved so fast it was practically a blur. Pulling Maxton up by the throat he held him in the air. Seconds ticked by as Maxton gripped at his arm willing for him to let go.

"I know everything Maxton, you forget that it was myself you once came to for help and advice. I gave it to you like a son and it was you who ignored it."

His Dad didn't let go like he thought he would. Instead his grip tightened. Wolff was by them in a millisecond his hand on Jeff's with a warning growl.

"That's enough, let him go." Wolff demanded the Alpha tone clear.

With a snarl Jeff tightened his grip watching the colour drain from Maxton's face. Pulling Katze behind him Zeke vaulted forward.

"Dad, that is enough."

Stepping back startled Jeff let Maxton fall to the floor. He shook his head, dragging his hands through his hair. Turning, he moved from them, his Mum by his side. There was nothing to say right now. Sometimes it was best to just walk away.

"So old man, are you going to let a human tell you what to do? Zeke practically isn't your son anymore. He is a shell of what he was." Maxton goaded.

Zeke swallowed the hurt down. As his father turned once again ready to vault towards Maxton he stepped between them.

"Leave Dad."

His father took a deep, shaky breath looking past him to Maxton who was still on the ground. Those hard eyes were filled with fury, the animal straining to be free.

"Even if it wasn't my blood running through his veins he would be my son. I don't care what form he takes; I don't care how weak or strong in your opinion he may be. He is my son and he always will be. I'm sorry you never had a Father who knew the real meaning of the word. I tried Maxton, there was a time I would have fought for you, a time when I classed you as my own regardless of the fact you were in another Clan. You ruined it, remember that."

Zeke wiped the tear from his eye simply because those words were all he could have hoped for, his heart thrummed in his chest just from hearing that one statement. Lifting Maxton up he shook his head walking away. He couldn't stand in front of him right now, it was too much to be around him.

Jeff walked away this time making it to Zeke's cabin. With the door securely shut Wolff instructed Deon and Fleur to take Maxton to heal. Wordlessly he went the air thick around them.

A growl from the tree line had Zeke rolling his eyes as a bitter chuckle left his lips. He walked over to Neve's pacing bear giving Katze a smile as she stood beside the agitated animal fearless.

"At least you waited until the fight was over this time until you changed firecracker. I suppose that means you are getting better." He scratched her head smiling up at Katze's warm eyes.

"I told her to let the Bear out. She was trying to keep the animal in, but it was hurting her." Katze explained as Wolff walked over to them.

"You did the right thing." Wolff nodded leaning down to kiss his mate's fur. A deep rumble left Neve as she nuzzled against him.

"You OK Zeke?" Wolff asked not looking back at him.

"Fine."

"Good. I'm going to go a run with Neve. We will patrol the area, get some rest. It will be a long day tomorrow."

With those parting words he changed effortlessly into his animal, the two bears walking side by side into Our Wood. The silence was like a thick storm cloud between them once they were left alone. Zeke didn't speak, somehow he felt exposed not that he really understood why.

"Is your Dad going to be OK?" Katze eventually asked, her voice like an elegant song.

"He will be. We used to live in neighbouring Clans. Maxton betrayed my Dad when he thought he had his loyalty. That fight had been brewing for years but my Dad didn't want to hurt him, Maxton didn't want to hurt my Dad either. Like he said there was a time that they were like father and son, but one decision changed everything and that was that. I don't hold a grudge because really I care for them both." Zeke shrugged at his vague explanation.

"Loyal." Was Katze's clipped response.

"What?" He frowned.

"You are very loyal." He just chuckled taking her dainty hand in his.

"I better get to sleep. Like Wolff said, it's going to be a long day tomorrow." The sadness hit her face after her words.

"You can sleep in my cabin tonight." Zeke grabbed Katze's arm lightly guiding her towards his door.

"It's fine I'll just sleep in my car."

Shaking his head Zeke pulled her to his door. He needed her close to him, tonight he needed to hold her body against his because with her he felt whole.

"Zeke, I can't...I don't. There can't..."

"Shhh."

Turning to her he kissed those delicate lips. His hands threaded into her hair tilting her head back. Pulling her against him she gasped and that was all it took for his tongue to enter her mouth, caressing hers in a battle that was as old as life itself. His grip tightened in those dark locks as hers tightened on his neck, teasing little panther. Pulling back, he smiled at the hiss that left her lips, her animal wanted more.

"That's what I call a kiss, just for future reference." He winked.

"Zeke, I can't..."

"I don't expect anything from you. All I want is to hold you against my body. I need it with what we will face tomorrow." After several seconds of her animal hissing uncontrollably she nodded her eyes looking at his with an uncertainty, like she didn't like what she was doing.

"Ok." She nodded.

It wasn't long until they were in the cabin, in his bed. He pulled her to him, holding her sexy body against his. Maybe this was a bad idea, he was going to need, like a hundred cold showers in the morning.

"Zeke." Katze whispered.

"Hmm." He answered distracted by her pert behind against his erection.

"I'm glad I'm here tonight."

"Why?" He whispered trying not to startle her sensitive ears since his lips were right at them.

"I needed this too." She admitted kissing his bicep that was curled around her.

He sat there in silence for a moment letting those words sink into his mind. She honestly was the perfect woman.

"You and your sister will be safe Katze. You won't have to worry about her here." He wanted to reassure her simply because since she had been here that's what she had given him - the reassurance that he may just be enough.

"Do you promise she will be?"

"Yes." He agreed instantly hating the vulnerability in her voice.

"Then I believe it...Goodnight Zeke."

"Goodnight Panther."

He leaned down kissing her hair before his head fell back onto the pillow. Listening as her breathing evened Zeke made sure she was sound asleep before he let himself slowly drift.

Tomorrow they would fight but here and now he would savour the feeling of this Panther in his arms because in his heart something was telling him this was where she belonged.

That thought alone proved he really was a broken man.