Obeying the Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (The Callaghan Clan Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

would happen tonight. Since Blaze had so many businesses and the clan had been connected to them for a long time, there were a lot of important people from the state here to pay their respects. I even thought I spotted a congressman.
    “Hello, Emma.” Dixon’s gruff voice made my bear cower. We were still standing on the landing near the front door, constantly being pushed aside to let people move in and out. “Nice of you to finally join us.”
    Shocked by his angry tone, I snapped my head around to respond but then noticed him glaring at Bo. “I—”
    “I’m speaking to Bo, not you.”
    Dixon and Bo continued to have their stare down. Bo may have been the alpha’s son, but Dixon was the clan’s second in command. I watched Bo struggle to acquiesce to the older man. Bo was never very good at submitting or following clan rules. But he did have respect for his elders and after a tense minute, he finally dropped his gaze and tilted his head to expose his neck—an acknowledgement of Dixon’s authority.
    “I’m going to drop your bag off, Emma. I’ll be back soon.” Bo walked away before I had a chance to beg him not to leave me alone.
    Focusing on Dixon, I felt the need to say something. “Thank you for finding me.” I was surprised with the words, as I’d never thought I say them, let alone mean them. And I never thought I’d thank Dixon. For anything.
    Instead of responding, he just let out a huff and crossed his arms to survey the crowd again. I followed his gaze. I didn’t know most of the people here but I did see Brennan in the far corner talking to a person I thought was in the local government. He was facing sideways, but the resemblance to his brother was uncanny and made my heart jump. Brennan was the middle brother—the sensible and overly cautious one. He and Brandt were super close so I feared I would feel the wrath of Brennan long after Brandt forgave me. If he ever did.
    “How long will you stay?” Dixon suddenly asked, startling me.
    “I have a flight back in two days.”
    Dixon turned his commanding stare on me. Although approaching a hundred years old, he still looked like a human in his late fifties. “You should stay longer.”
    Stunned by this comment, I couldn’t help but ask. “Why?”
    He shrugged and returned to his position watching the crowd. I didn’t think he was going to answer until he jerked his chin to the far corner of the room where someone had just walked in. “Because he’s going to need you.”
    With a tight chest and a new round of tears threatening to break free, I watched Brandt play his role. His brown hair hung freely over his brows, his light brown eyes etched with a hint of yellow, Chiseled jaw, massive body—he couldn’t help exude sex. Brandt hadn’t made it five feet before several men in suits were on him, surrounding him like an injured elk and waiting for him to show weakness. But he smiled in the way that let me know he was just gritting his teeth and pushing down the bear. Shaking the hands of everyone, they did the friendly chuckle and shoulder taps as Brandt tried to break free. Yet just a few steps later, a female approached him. With her tight black dress with the low-cut back, I instantly felt the surge of jealousy raging inside. Every time she touched his arm, I wanted to rip her throat out.
    Dixon shifted beside me and I felt him toss a glance in my direction. I didn’t care what he thought. My bear said that he was mine and the human girl needed to keep her hands off. With that thought, I looked more closely at Brandt. Still just as handsome as ever, he hadn’t changed at all. And even though the slight gray under his eyes revealed the stress, I couldn’t remember why I ever wanted to leave. Tall, muscular, manly. A suit that hugged every curve of his defined muscles. Eyes that looked more animal than human. And a face that put every man in this room to shame.
    Dixon flared his nostrils, trying to clear the scent. My scent no doubt.