Bearly Ever: An Alpha Werebear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Arcadia Knights Book 1) by Olivia Gayle Page B

larger threats, sometimes singlehandedly.”
    “Sounds like a scary man.”
    “He can be. Usually he only steps in when violence is the last resort, but he keeps his fingers in all the pots. You saw the surveillance system at the house; there aren’t too many secrets in town that he doesn’t know about. People, in return, are allowed their safety.” He saw the dubiousness on her face. “It may not be the best system, but it’s worked for decades.”
    “How do you keep from being noticed by the rest of the world?”
    “Stay away, mostly. It’s gotten more difficult in recent years with all the technology, but we manage. We still get amenities like electricity, cellphones and internet from your world, but for the most part live by ourselves. As long as we don’t draw attention,
    “And those that draw attention?”
    “My father takes care of them.”
    She shivered, looking back out her window. “I don’t looking forward to meeting him.”
    Aidan coughed. “You already have, actually.”
    Ever looked at him quizzically, then her eyes widened to saucers. “No,” she breathed, and Aidan nodded, anticipating her answer. “But he was the same age as you!”
    “Not by a long shot.” He looked at Ever. “How old do you think I am?”
    Her jaw snapped shut on whatever she was going to say first. Aidan could see the wheels turning in her head, but her eyes still held incredulity. “One hundred?”
    “Close. Eighty-seven.”
    The exclamation of denial he was expecting didn’t come, and Aidan approved. She looked like she was trying to process that, and kept looking at him. “I have two older brothers, Warren and Logan,” he continued at her silence, “both born before the turn of the twentieth century.”
    “Lovely,” Ever said in a high voice, and Aidan just grinned. “What about humans that find you guys?”
    “Like you?” he asked bluntly, and she colored. “It depends on what they intend to do, but we try to be reasonable. We take care of our own, but you should know that there are quite a few humans living in our town, including your landlady. We’re not running a prison here, despite what it sounds like. There are towns like Arcadia across the world, just trying to survive and blend in.”
    It was obvious she had more questions, but they were coming up on their destination. Aidan turned down a gravel driveway and pulled up slowly toward the dilapidated house, scanning the area. He’d told Mac where they were going but now regretted not bringing backup, as he had no idea what to expect.
    “Do you think she’s here?” Ever murmured as Aidan rolled down the window, trying to get smells.
    “No idea.” There had definitely been shifters on the property; from the crisscrossing scents, quite a few, and recently too. Now though it looked deserted, and he couldn’t smell anybody nearby.
    That didn’t mean they weren’t there, however.
    “Stay in the car,” he said in a low voice, then got out before he got an answer. He really should have waited for one of the deputies to bring him a work shirt. He’d been in a rush to leave the accident, and now felt stupid standing beside the cop car wearing only a pair of battered slacks and boots without socks. There was no way he could make this seem like an official visit as he’d lost his badge with the rest of his clothes in the fire.
    All right then. Social call it was.
    “Mr. Avery,” he called, using the name of the person who’d been on the deed. The name hadn’t been familiar to Aidan but, even though Arcadia wasn’t a huge town, he didn’t know all the people who lived there. He left that up to his father, but now he wished he had more information, especially with his mate in the car. “Mr. Avery, we need to talk with you.”
    There was the click of a car door opening, and Aidan looked over to see Ever step out. Her jaw had a stubborn set. “I want to help.”
    “Get back inside, I don’t know what might be—”
    A shot rang out, and a