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Blake watched her go with a slightly quirked brow, then shook his head and turned his attention back to Miguel. The alpha had taken Ursalina’s place, perhaps sensing the uptick in nervous energy from the clan.
“We will need everyone to play some kind of role here,” he told them. “For now, I won’t be moving anyone out of Angel Fire until we can pin down the source of all these break-ins. Should it seem like anyone here is in danger, we will do as we did the last time cougars tried to attack and get those who cannot fight out of town immediately. I won’t take any chances with people’s lives.”
“I think it’s time to consider not only those who cannot physically fight,” Ivo interrupted, and heads swiveled back to look at the black bear shifter, “but also those who lack the predisposition to fight.”
Blake’s jaw clenched when the bear nodded in his direction, as if he were the prime example to illustrate a point.
“Blake is our clan medic. He’s supposed to nurture, to heal, not harm—”
“Just because I took an oath to do no harm to my patients doesn’t mean I won’t fight tooth and nail to protect them,” Blake fired back, anger prickling through him. If anyone thought he’d just stand aside and let someone be hurt—Tanith or otherwise—they were delusional. His human form was a doctor, but his heart was a bear shifter, same as everyone else.
“Oh, really?” Ivo scoffed, arms crossed and head cocked to one side—a veiled challenge. “And when have you ever done anything to back that statement up, doc?”
Blake’s inner black bear growled. Thankfully, his inner beast wasn’t prone to irrational fits of rage—not unless Tanith was in danger. While his bear side was more emotional, more willing to do something dangerous if it meant protecting a loved one, he wasn’t as quick to anger as some shifters Blake knew. For some, it was a constant struggle to keep the beast within quiet and satiated.
“Blake doesn’t need to do anything to back up his commitment to this clan,” Miguel barked, answering so Blake wouldn’t have to. “He proves his loyalty day in and day out by healing us and looking after our cubs. If anyone has a problem with Blake, they can take it up with me.”
Luther’s presence loomed at Blake’s side, a silent ally in this absurd battle for who’s dick was bigger Ivo had started. Blake almost wanted to laugh; contests of masculinity and physical strength were of no interest to him. When he needed to prove his worth, he was more than capable. No sense in ruining a good outfit to soothe another bear’s ego.
Still, he didn’t like the idea that someone within the clan might have a problem with him. He stared down Ivo briefly before shifting his gaze back to Miguel. Blake had treated the bear’s human cubs—and he was one of the few, as far as he knew, who knew Ivo’s mate was pregnant. The hostility was unwarranted, but he had no intentions of addressing it with Ivo unless the bear continued to push his buttons.
Miguel cleared his throat, refocusing the group’s attention. “Now, let’s go over what I think are appropriate instances to intervene in situations where non-shifters appear at risk…”
