The Bear Naked Truth

  

  Bear Essentials

  The Bear Naked Truth

  Harvey Colton was Dwayne's mate and they both knew it. He'd always known it. It was just too bad that Harvey decided to go off and play soldier instead of claiming him or even talking to him about it. By the time he remembered Dwayne existed and came back, Dwayne wanted nothing to do with the man.

  Life just didn't ask him what he wanted. Duty and bonds of friendship had him following his best friend as they left their old clan and went in search of a new one. Unfortunately, Harvey decided to come along, as well, and he was making Dwayne's life miserable, insisting that they were mates.

  Harvey Colton never denied his mate, and that was the one part Dwayne didn't seem to understand. He simply couldn't claim him when he had a duty to the military. When his brother is banished, Harvey feels compelled to tag along, especially when he learns Dwayne is going to. Now, if he can just get his mate to agree to talk to him.

  Genres: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary, Paranormal, Shape-shifter

  Length: 30,467

  THE BEAR NAKED TRUTH

  Bear Essentials

  Stormy Glenn

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  The Bear Naked Truth

  Copyright © 2019 by Stormy Glenn

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-873-4

  First Publication: May 2019

  Cover design by Jess Buffett

  All art and logo copyright © 2019 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at legal@sirenbookstrand.com

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Stormy believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two or three men in cowboy boots. She also believes in love at first sight, soul mates, true love, and happy endings.

  You can usually find her cuddled in bed with a book in her hand and a puppy in her lap, or on her laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of her stories. Stormy welcomes comments from readers.

  For all titles by Stormy Glenn, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/stormy-glenn

  www.stormyglenn.com

  www.facebook.com/stormy.glenn.39

  www.stormyglen.tumblr.com

  www.twitter.com/stormyglenn

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  THE BEAR NAKED TRUTH

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  THE BEAR NAKED TRUTH

  Bear Essentials

  STORMY GLENN

  Copyright © 2019

  Chapter One

  Harvey Colton was so bored he wanted to gouge his eyes out just to create a little excitement. They hadn't been on the road forever, but it sure as hell felt like it. Two weeks in the cab of a truck, with only a few nights spent in an actual motel, did not make for a happy bear.

  He knew this was a bad idea when he left King City, but he refused to let his baby brother go out into the world alone, and Rob's goofy friends didn't count. Jed, Billy Ray, and Dwayne were loyal friends, but they were just as much trouble as Rob.

  The latest chaos was a prime example. Harvey fully understood protecting one's mate, but his brother couldn't just claim his mate and live happily ever after. Somehow, in claiming Casey Newton, Rob had ended up mated to an omega, which turned him into an alpha bear, and that got him banished from their clan.

  Rob never could do things the simple way.

  Deciding to tag along had three purposes for Harvey. Someone needed to keep an eye on Rob, Rob's mate, and Rob's friends. They might technically be old enough to move out on their own—barely—but they had no idea of what was out there in the big, bad world.

  Harvey did.

  It also allowed Harvey to leave King City. There was no way in hell he was going to stick around someplace where any member of his family wasn't welcome. He had been feeling the urge to move away from King City since he had returned on leave from his tour of duty in the service. This just kind of upped his timeline.

  And lastly, and maybe most importantly, it allowed Harvey time with his mate.

  Harvey glanced over at his mate, who was currently driving the truck they were in. It didn't help his already rotten mood any that said mate was refusing to even acknowledge he was breathing.

  "Are you ever going to say anything to me?" he asked.

  Dwayne's answer was instant. "No."

  Harvey rolled his eyes. His mate was such a stubborn ass. Dwayne had been avoiding him since he came home from his tour of duty abroad not long before they left town. The man wouldn't say more than a few words to him, and if he did, it usually involved telling him to go fuck himself. Dwayne was actually getting quite creative in the different ways he told Harvey to "fuck off."

  His mate was also as sexy as hell, and Harvey had been fighting his bear to keep from pouncing on the guy. There was an understated masculine beauty to the man that pushed every one of Harvey's buttons. The man's natural scent—honey and fresh berries—was better than any cologne could ever be.

  From the sunlight-blond hair that hung around his heart-shaped face like a halo to eyes so deeply blue they reminded Harvey of the Mediterranean Sea, Dwayne was beautiful. The slick muscular chest Harvey had glimpsed a handful of times, the long solid thighs, and the shoulders that squared up Dwayne's six-foot-two frame made him perfect in Harvey's eyes.

  Now, if he could just get Dwayne to talk to him, he might get a chance to find out if the handsome man felt as good as he looked. Dwayne had steadfastly refused to have anything to do with him, going as far as leaving the room if he walked into it. Heaven forbid Harvey actually try to have a conversation with the man.

  The only reason they were even in the same vehicle was because Harvey didn't have one and the others were full. He was pretty sure Dwayne would have happily dumped him on the side of the road if he could have gotten away with it.

  "You can't ignore me forever, you know."

  "Watch me," Dwayne replied without even looking in Harvey's direction.

  Harvey heaved an audible breath and stretched his legs out as far as they would go. He was glad his mate had a big truck, or there would be no leg room. Scooting a little to the side, Harvey angled himself so he had an unrestricted view of Dwayne.

  He stared.

  Intently.

  God, his mate was gorgeous.

  Dwayne shot him a look. "What are you doing?"

  "Admiring the view."

  A small wrinkle appeared between Dwayne's deep blue eyes. "Well, don't."

  Harvey snorted. Like not looking at Dwayne was even a possibility. He had been looking for a while now. Harvey had shifted for the first time when he was twelve years old, earlier than
most. Dwayne had shifted three years later.

  He'd known then that there was something special about Dwayne, but it wasn't until the man fully transitioned a year ago that Harvey truly understood his fascination with the gorgeous man. And it was the mistakes he made with that knowledge that kept the solid wall of ice between them now.

  He couldn't say he wouldn't repeat them. He was a man after all. They were known to fuck up from time to time. "I'd do it again, Dwayne."

  Dwayne's only response was the tightening of his jaw.

  "No matter how much you hate it, you know I made the right decision." Denying his mate had been the hardest thing he had ever done, but he'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping Dwayne safe.

  Dwayne shot him a look filled with more anger and sadness than any man should bear. "It should have been our decision to make, but you took that away from me, from us."

  "I couldn't claim you then, and you know it."

  "Well, you can't claim me now either."

  Harvey growled. He'd be damned if he would be denied what the fates had given him. He had worked too hard to make sure Dwayne was safe to give him up now. "Do you really think when it comes down to it, your bear is going to deny me?"

  Dwayne's eyes were glacial. "My bear does not control me."

  Harvey felt something deep inside of him clench in protest. "You're not refusing your bear, are you?" They couldn't do that. Their bears were an integral part of them. Denying one's bear was the same as denying their ability to breathe.

  "Just you never mind about my bear."

  "Dwayne."

  "I told you, I'm fine!" Dwayne snapped. "Now, drop it."

  Harvey did something he did with very few people. He pressed his lips together and didn't say what was on his mind, which was probably a good thing. He wanted to shout at Dwayne, and that wouldn't win him any points.

  "Any idea where we're headed?"

  "West."

  Harvey rolled his eyes again. He had to give it to his mate. Dwayne was persistent. Unfortunately, he was persistent at being an ass. "We've been on the road for two weeks. You'd think we'd find a suitable spot at some point."

  "I don't think it's easy to find territory that isn't already claimed."

  That was true.

  Harvey cocked his head. "What about territory that is already claimed?"

  Dwayne's head whipped around so fast, Harvey heard his neck pop. "You mean like challenging for it?"

  Harvey frowned, not liking how that sounded. "Maybe, but…" He shook his head. "There has to be another way."

  "Has Rob talked to the council at all?" Dwayne asked. "Maybe there's a clan in need of an alpha."

  "I don't think so," Harvey replied. "I'll ask him next time we stop."

  It wasn't like there was a huge hurry. Granted, they were all getting tired of being on the road, but they weren't being chased at the moment and they still had some funds left to get them through just a little longer.

  The sooner they found a place to set down roots, the better, though. The money wouldn't last forever, and winter would be here at some point. They needed to have a roof over their heads before the first snow fall.

  "You still planning on working for my dad's construction company with Rob?"

  Dwayne shot him a look. "What's it to you?"

  "Really?"

  Dwayne huffed as he went back to looking out the front window. "Once we find a place and get set up, if your parents join us, then yes, I still plan to work in construction with your brother."

  "Cool."

  "What about you?"

  "Me?"

  "Yeah." Dwayne glanced at him again, but just for a moment. "What are you going to do?"

  "I'm not sure yet."

  "You could work in construction like your brother."

  "No." Harvey had always known that his father's construction business was not for him. Luckily, his younger brother seemed to love it. "I have to put in my papers with the service first, then I'll figure something out."

  "You haven't put in your papers?" There was a hesitation in that question that made Harvey wonder what Dwayne was thinking.

  "Technically, I'm on a leave of absence right now. My captain is already getting my exit packet ready for me for when I return."

  Dwayne swallowed hard. "So, you're going back?"

  "Just long enough to sign my exit papers."

  "And then what?"

  "And then I come back to wherever you all set down roots." Well, mostly wherever Dwayne set down roots. Harvey cared about his brother and the others, but Dwayne was his mate. He'd follow him anywhere.

  "You're really leaving the service?"

  Harvey shrugged. "Rob needs me more than they do."

  "He's not the only one," Dwayne mumbled.

  Harvey decided not to mention he'd heard his mate, and it was all he could do to keep the smile off his face. Maybe this little trip wouldn't be so bad after all.

  He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and glanced down at the screen. No service.

  "Damn it."

  "What?" Dwayne asked.

  "I was going to call the others and tell them to find the next stop so we could grab something to eat. I'm starving."

  "So, why don't you?"

  Harvey held up his phone. "No cell service."

  Dwayne actually cracked a smile as he tapped the horn several times. The two trucks in front of them slowed then pulled over to the side of the road at the first available spot. Dwayne waved his hand toward them. "Well, go tell them you're hungry."

  Harvey grinned before climbing out of the truck. "What are you hungry for?"

  "Honestly, pancakes with honey."

  Harvey's stomach growled. "Oh, good choice. Okay, I'll see if we can find some sort of diner."

  He shut the door then started walking toward the other two vehicles. If his mate wanted pancakes with honey, he was going to do everything within his power to make it happen. This was the first time Dwayne was talking to him of his own free will since he left for the service after they discovered they were mates.

  He wasn't going to fuck it up.

  Chapter Two

  Dwayne rubbed his hand over his chin as stared after Harvey, watching the man walk to where the other trucks were parked. He stopped first to talk to Jeb and Billy Ray then moved on to the lead truck to talk to Rob and Casey.

  Good gravy, watching the man walk away was practically a religious experience. Harvey Colton had the tightest ass he'd ever seen on anyone, and he'd know he was gay most of his life. He had looked at a lot of asses.

  Dwayne wanted nothing more than to tap that ass or have the man in question tap his ass. He wasn't particular. There should be some tapping involved somewhere. There was only one thing holding him back.

  Harvey.

  He couldn't take the chance that Harvey would leave him again. His heart couldn't take it a second time. Once had been enough.

  Dwayne sighed as he reached back and rubbed the tense muscles at the nape of his neck. He felt as if he was fucked if he did and fucked if he didn't. The attraction to his mate and the desire to pin him to the ground, rip all his clothes off, and fuck him until he submitted rode Dwayne harder with each passing day.

  The memories of his heartache when Harvey denied him rode him even harder. Logically, he understood why Harvey had refused to mate him at the time. Dwayne had still been in school, and Harvey was in the service. Mated bears did not do well when separated for long periods of time.

  Waiting made sense.

  It was the not being consulted thing that Dwayne had an issue with. Harvey hadn't talked to him about it at all. He'd just rejected Dwayne and walked away. If he thought he could walk right back in and everything would be peachy, he was in for a rude awakening.

  Dwayne just wished he didn't ache for the man so damn much.

  When Harvey started walking back to the truck, Dwayne had to reach down and rearrange himself when his cock hardened like a steel pipe and pressed against his
zipper. The man looked good coming or going.

  Harvey climbed in then shut the door. "Rob said he'd stop at the next town. We're also going to see about finding a motel for the night. We could all do with some hot showers and rest indoors."

  Dwayne couldn't disagree with that. He knew he'd pretty much sell a toe for a hot shower. He started up his truck and then began to follow after the other two. "Any idea what the next town is?"

  Harvey reached into the glove box and pulled out a map. He drew his finger across the map until he tapped at it. "Silver Lake. It's in the heart of the Bitterroot Mountain range."

  "Silver Lake?" Where had he heard that before? "We're still in Idaho, right?"

  "Yeah, we left Montana yesterday."

  Huh. Dwayne hadn't even noticed, but it wasn't as if they were in a hurry to get somewhere. They really had no idea where they were headed.

  "Silver Lake is on an actual lake."

  Go figure.

  "You might want to see if they have bears in the Bitterroot Mountains. I'm sure all of us could do with a little furry time." Dwayne knew he could. He'd been biting at the bit to get out and get his fur on. Being stuck in the truck with Harvey day in and day out was playing havoc on his nerves.

  "I will just as soon as I have cell phone service."

  Oh, right.

  "Forgot about that."

  "Hopefully, we'll get something once we reach Silver Lake. I know there's not a lot of cell phone reception in the mountains like this, but you'd think there'd be something in town."

  Maybe, maybe not. Small towns could be weird.

  They drove for another hour before Dwayne started to see signs of life. It was just a few houses and farms, but it was more than he'd seen in ages. When they reached the outskirts of Silver Lake, there were more houses and then businesses.

  "So, this is Silver Lake, huh?" Harvey mused. "Not bad. Small. God, I hope they have a diner."

  "Don't all small towns have diners?" Dwayne was pretty sure it was written in the small town bylaws. Diner owned by a guy named Al, a mom-and-pop corner grocery store, and a homophobic and racist sheriff.