In the meantime...!
Birds of a feather, drink together.
Or at least that's what they did in this case. Because while Bjorn sat down at the bar, tired of a long evening doing his partner's added paperwork, Bella slandered over with a huge grin on her face. She just loved to dance in this time. Fewer steps to memorize and more bodily groping.
And she could do with more of both!
She'd promised to let Kat have the apartment tonight so she and Magnus could get better acquainted. She'd even helped to buy the groceries – because for some reason a bobcat in a store was considered weird – and cleaned up the apartment for her best friend, despite that her idea of cleaning was to tell the furniture what she wanted them to do. Then she'd helped her pick out Kat's dress and shoes, applied makeup (again, her furniture helped out) and hell, by the end of the evening, she felt a little like the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
Now it was time for her to sit back and have some well-deserved fun.
She'd just gotten her drink when out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a huge shifter at the other end of the counter. While taking a sip, she let her eyes roam, just as Bjorn felt the hairs at the back of his neck rise. It was the feeling he got, every time someone was watching him. So while being as inconspicuous as he could, he looked around. Across the bar, their gazes met--- and while Bella inhaled her drink and almost choked on it, Bjorn became a spluttering fountain with beer foam gushing from his nose.
"YOU?!?!"
They both exclaimed in unison--- and then the game was on!
Still coughing, Bella whirled around, her panicked eyes looking for an exit. Since the shifter blocked the main entrance, she needed to find the emergency exit. Seeing a green sign next to the bathrooms, she darted in that direction. And not a moment too soon. Behind her, she heard men and women let out their outrage about being hurdled aside, as the bear made his way towards her.
Shit! Shit, shit, shit!
Bella kept chanting that like a mantra, wishing it was a magic spell that would make her disappear. But no such luck. And while she knew a couple of disappearing spells, she couldn't use any of them in a crowded room. Not only risking exposing herself as a witch but also accidentally taking another person (or one of their limbs) along with her.
As always, the line outside the girls' bathroom was long, and it slowed her down significantly as she tried to push through. She tried to mumble out excuses and ignore the insults that she got in return. Seriously, where was the "bitches stick together" attitude when you needed it?
"Out of my way!" The bear shifter bellowed behind her--- and fuck! If the sea of girls didn't part for him like he was some kind of Moses!
Unbelievable!
"Stop," he snarled after her and stomped towards her. Yeah, right! Instead, she spun on her heels and darted towards the door with the big "exit" sign above it. To their credit, some of the women looked at her and looked like they at least were considering doing something to help her. But one glance at the tank coming at her, had all of them gulping and finding something better to do.
Other than writing their will, she suspected…
Bursting into the alley behind the bar, she quickly glanced in both directions. There was a metal fence in one direction and while the parking lot was in the other direction, she only had one shot to get rid of the cop. Out in the open and without any witnesses he had the advantage of his shifter speed and strength.
So not the parking lot!
And as the realization hit her, an idea hit her simultaneously. She spun and as fast as her heels would let her, she darted towards the fence. Just as the door slammed again and a low growl followed right on her favorite pair of heels.
"Evolo!" she snapped at the fence, drawing the magical symbol for "open" with her finger as she spoke. Instantly obeying her command, the fence split open and the second she was on the other side, she closed it--- just in time to see the startled expression on the shifter's face when he crashed into it!
"Ha!" she exclaimed victoriously before sticking her tongue out at him. "Take that, you stupid bear!"
For a split second, he looked surprised--- but then his features were hidden behind a stony mask of nothing but raw anger.
"You know what I am?" he more demanded off her than asked. Not that she cared what kind of way he asked her anything. She didn't have to answer, but something inside of her – perhaps that little bit of wicked that lingered from her old ways – wanted to rub it in the cop's face…
"Sure," she smiled, despite panting like an out-of-breath pig, and leaned against the fence, feeling cocky and brave with the thin wall between them. "Shifters aren't that hard to spot and---" She had to pause and gasp in a breath of air. Damn, she was out of shape, she realized as her side started to hurt from the short sprint. Promising herself to amend that – and lay off Kat's chocolate cookies! – she continued: "And with your eyes turning black, that's your bear so… Bear shifter!"
It was common knowledge among shifters actually and she'd only learned to spot the differences thanks to Kat. The way their bodies were just slightly different from ordinary humans. How their gaze seemed to take in just a little bit MORE than everybody else. And then of course was the fact that she'd always had the ability to sport them in a crowd. Not to mention that when emotions ran hot, a shifter's eye color would change, showing their animals. Canine shifters got a golden hue, feline shifters got bright green eyes and other predator shifters got black eyes. And willing or not, Bella could never forget his eyes when he broke into Colten's apartment that night…
"Clever little witch, aren't we," he growled low--- and hell if that didn't shoot something hot straight to her core. Damn, that voice! She could only imagine what it would be like hearing him purr like that in the sheets when passion and lust coated his words. How it would vibrate against her skin and---
And now she knew what she was going to do when she got home…
"I wasn't going to say anything, but yeah! I'm pretty…," she began, but cut herself off as she watched him. He never took his dark eyes off her, as a wicket grin slowly spread across his lips. Holding up one hand--- he partly shifted, displaying huge talon-like claws at the tip of each finger. And Bella's eyes widen in horror, as she realized what he meant to do.
The words "oh, shit" didn't even begin to cover it!
"Now who's the stupid bear?" he asked mockingly, the sly tilt of his lips just underlining how much shit she was in for.
"Oh, come on!" she exclaimed in frustration, before pivoting around and dashing further down the ally. Behind her, she heard the fence give way to the huge talons, and then the earth shook as he quickly gained on her. Whatever advantage she'd had before was lost, since her stupidity had demanded that she'd rub it in the bear shifter's face.
Why?
Why hadn't she just run when she had the chance? She'd outrun him once before, but that was on a busy street where he had to hold his abilities back. And she wasn't trying to escape in 8-inch heels back then either. In short, despite her best effort, she knew she was screwed!
"GOT YOU!"
She screeched when strong hands suddenly snaked around her waist--- and hell! The next second she was airborne and thrown over his bloody shoulder!
Oh, the--- the indignity!
It left her speechless a good few seconds, as he hauled her down the alley, towards what she only could assume was the parking lot. And to his car, where he probably had the means to restrain her! Not that any of that sat her blood on fire. No! what enraged her, was how he'd manhandled her over his shoulder---
With her ass in the air!
She wasn't a fucking damsel in distress, damn him!
"Let me go!" she snarled and tried to reach up to hit him in the back of his head. But the way he held her made it impossible. Not to mention that she was completely out of breath, her side hurt like a bitch and--- ah! It was a relief to her feet to be off the ground…
"Shut up!" he growled and kept on walking like she wasn't fighting for her life behind his back. "I hate reading people their rights."
Well, since there wasn't anything else she could do…
"Lave----!" she began but was abruptly cut off when there was a sharp sting to her butt cheek. Gaping in outrage, she whirled on him – or at least tried to, seeing that she was hanging upside down over his shoulder. Gripping his shirt, she tried to pull herself upright to glare at his neck.
"Did you just slap my ass?!" she asked infuriated--- and just a little bit turned on. Perhaps she really needed that therapy that Kat always said she needed…
"Yes," the shifter purred, his voice low and menacing. "And one more spell out of your mouth and I'll "bibbidi-bobbidi-boo" your ass twice as hard."
His voice was hard and filled with the promise of retribution if she didn't obey. Which for Bella was nothing short of an invitation to do just that!
*
"What?" the witch over Bjorn's shoulder challenged him, an almost gleam in her voice. "You think I can't get away without using magic?"
Erm… no?
Because while witches were evil and wile creatures, Bjorn was also utterly convinced that without their magic they were as much as a threat as a moody toddler. All he had to do was to make sure she couldn't say or finish any Latin words until he had her in some iron cuffs. And if spanking her delectable ass got him the results he wanted, well…
He wasn't about to complain…
"Do your worst!" he scoffed and rolled his eyes, his bear practically purring with his mate finally this close. Damn that damn animal! He had to fight hard to keep the animal under wraps and remind himself again and again, that cops and criminals didn't go together. And there was absolutely no way a witch and an MBI agent were going to work! So, his stupid animal just had to get over his infatuation with the damn witch--- despite how amazing she smelled.
And how perfect she felt against him…
"HELP!!!!"
And that stopped his thoughts straight in their tracks! What the hell was she doing?! Pausing, not because of fear or anything, but because she'd utterly stubbed him. What the hell was she thinking? It was late on a Friday night. Everybody who wasn't home snuggled in bed was out drunk off their asses. Or inside the bar dancing. The only thing she'd achieve was making his ears bleed…
"I'm being kidnapped! HEEEEEELP!!!"
"What the hell are you doing---?!" he gaped, wincing as she only screeched louder. Well, fuck him! Of all the things coming out of her mouth, that was the last thing he expected. But that's when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up – and the cold chill in the night had nothing to do with it.
Unbeknown to him, there had been a gang of bikers – all humans – hanging out in the far end of the parking lot. But with the witch's ass right under his nose--- he'd been good and well distracted.
What hot-blooded man would be?!
(Bjorn snarling at anyone who might judge!)
"Is everything ok here?" the leader of the gang asked, as they walked up to him in formation. All big and looking meaner than a badger. Oh, you got to be kidding me, Bjorn thought with a low growl that rumbled in his chest. Not that it stopped any of the idiots heading their way.
He adjusted the woman, making her huff and hell, he enjoyed her little moment of discomfort. Served her right for using humans against him. He couldn't fight them fairly. They were humans! One real punch and he might permanently hurt them or worse: kill them!
Gritting his teeth, he reached into his pants pockets and pulled out his badge. Thank God he had it with him, or he might have to fight them. Which would be all kinds of bad…
"Official Marshal business," he growled, and flashed them his golden star – not that he thought it was going to scare them off, but hopefully keep them out of his hair. "Keep walking!"
"Since when did official Marshal business include kidnapping, you big baboon?!" the witch wailed, playing the role of the unwilling victim perfectly. "Put me down! HELP!"
Fuck! Just--- fuck!
"I think the lady wants you to put her down," the man on his left said, cracking his knuckles just as something shimmered in the dim light. Probably some brass knuckle of some kind. The men were big and burly – not his size, but there were 7 of them. Which meant that this was going to be painful for everyone involved…
"Keep walking if you know what's good for you," Bjorn growled in a hard, authoritative voice, hating how the men surrounded him in a semi-circle. His bear bared his teeth, ready to fight. But Bjorn had to push it down. This wasn't a fight for the bear, no matter how badly the animal wanted to take a chunk out of these guys.
"Please help me!" she continued--- and hell, now there was pleating with a hint of hopefulness in her voice. "I don't want to go with him. Please, I haven't done anything."
And the Oscar of best actress goes to, Bjorn thought wryly while wondering how much more grinding his teeth could handle before he grounded them to dust.
"She's not so innocent," he gritted between clenched teeth, his gaze shortly going to the ass still dangling over his shoulder. If he spanked her again, would she perhaps rethink this? Because there was no way this was going to end in a good way.
No way that he---
"No?" she questioned and hell, he could hear the sly smirk in her tone. "Then please, tell me! What have I done?"
Oh, he was so going to spank the---
Seriously?! She was playing that game with him? Because of course, he couldn't say what she was wanted for. "Yeah, sorry guys, but she's a time-traveling witch, who's suspected of murder. And for trying to summon something so old and evil that nobody knows what it is." That was an explanation that would fly by well – just before they fitted him for a straitjacket…
"You're wanted for arrest," he ground out, tempted to swing her off his should and shake her. "I don't ask questions."
"We had a one-night thing, BJORN," she scoffed, enunciating his name as if she knew him extremely intimately. "ONE NIGHT! Get the fuck over yourself and put me down!"
Say--- what the fuck?!
"What?!" he echoed, baffled. Because one, how did she know his name? And two, did she just insinuate that they'd had sex?! And why was a part of him disappointed that that wasn't the truth? Perhaps he needed that therapy that Milla kept insisting on that he needed…
"Just because I said yes once doesn't mean I want to blow you repeatedly, you ogre," she continued, taking full advantage of his muted state. "Take a no like a man, you jerk!"
Once she was done talking, Bjorn knew two things: One, the witch was one seriously cunning son of a bitch. And two, she was very likely going to be the death of him. Because while one part of him – the logical Marshal side of him – knew that he'd been pressed into a corner and was going to have to fight to get out of this. The other part of him was howling with desire. Hell, he hadn't had a hunt this exhilarating in ages. And even with his prey soundly in his arms, she was cunning enough to still slip away from him.
And that put a smile on his lips…
"That's it!" the human hissed and stepped forward. "Put. Her. Down!"
"You really don't want to do this," he growled low, cursing the good Samaritans to hell and back. But yeah, like the humans he knew that this was going to end bloody.
"I think we really do," their leader said menacingly as they all crawled closer. Mentally Bjorn sighed. Well, the hard way it was then. But he couldn't fight them with the sweet-smelling witch draped over his shoulder. What if she got hurt? Sure, she clearly didn't share his sentiments, but his bear would kick his ass if he let anything happen to her.
Arg! Just--- ARG!!!
"Fuck," he growled and with a quick glance around, he slowly edged towards a dumpster. Ungracefully and very unceremoniously he let her glide off his shoulder--- and yeah, a small (really big and childish) part of him grinned when he heard her screeches upon landing.
"Stay!" he ordered curtly.
"You son of a---!"
He didn't hear the rest. Because for one, he closed the lid on her. And two, the leader attacked him with a right hook that would have knocked an ordinary human out cold. And fuck him if that shit didn't hurt like a son of a bitch!
After that everything was a tangle of arms swinging, legs kicking and men roaring in pain, while Bjorn constantly had to rain in his bear and not let the beast let tear the mother fuckers to shreds. And all because of a woman!
They really were the root of all evil!
Suddenly someone called out and like one, they all fell back. Like rats they hooted and hollered, picking up their bikes and kicking them to life like bats out of hell. Barely catching his balance – because he'd taken quite a beating – Bjorn pulled himself to his full height, watching them.
What the---?!
"I would love to stick around, Pooh Bear," said suddenly an all too familiar voice behind him. He spun around and--- and sure enough. While he'd been busy fighting off the gang, the rest of them had helped her out of the dumpster. Now she was safely tucked behind one of the bikers and speeding out of there!
"But I just realized I have other plans," she called out to him and blew him a kiss for good measures. "Later, babe!"
"Son of a---!" he growled and pushed away from the car, flying across the parking lot with inhuman speed. But when he reached the road, all he could see were the red lights of the motorcycles driving away. Panting he cursed and--- and for some reason, he smiled.
Next time, little witch, he promised her and grinned, as his torn skin knitted back together and his broken ribs healed.
Next time, you're MINE!