Jade Crew: Fallen Bear (A BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (Ridgeback Bears Book 7) Read Online Free PDF Page B

she wanted to know the answer.
    “I did,” he admitted. “Then I tried to convince them to stop, after I found out just how badly it messes with you.”
    There was a world of hurt hidden in that sentence that Victoria couldn’t even begin to comprehend. Whatever had happened, its effect upon Evan had clearly been profound. She wanted to ask him for more information, but suspected that he wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. If he chose to, Evan would have to come to her, not the other way around.
    “But it didn’t work,” she said instead, prompting him to continue.
    “No, it didn’t,” he agreed. “They were so far down the path by then, they couldn’t have stopped if they wanted to. They went for broke, and it backfired on them.”
    “How so?” She was beginning to get the sense that things in Genesis Valley where a hell of a lot more complicated than she had ever been led to believe. Victoria was quite positive that she had gone and stepped in it, without even realizing what she was doing. By attaching herself to his crew, it would be tough for her to back out now.
    You could always run away. You’re plenty good at that.
    But where would she go? Genesis Valley was supposed to be her last stop, the place where she turned things around. If she left now, there would be no fixing things for her. Not anymore. No, Victoria was determined to make her life here work, even if it was going to be a bigger challenge than she had ever expected.
    “They gave enough to a brand-new crew as a celebratory gift, for finding their first Dragon Stone,” Evan answered her, grimacing as he recalled the events. “It fucked them up so badly they never had a chance. The Emerald Crew, along with a few of the Jade Crew and Gabriel, ended them after a major fight at a bar. The remainder fled and eventually they and the Sapphires were tracked down and dealt with.”
    “Oh,” she said, shocked at the casual way he referred to the endings of so many bears, as if it were common nature, even in Genesis Valley.
    Then something he said registered. “But if they were all ended, who are all of them?” she asked with a nod toward the other shifters in the truck.
    “Remnants who refused to obey their Alphas,” he explained. “Their defiance was considered enough to grant them jail time and the possibility of another chance down the line.”
    “A chance we mean to take advantage of,” Matthew said with a growl. “They were our family, but that doesn’t mean we approved of what they were doing.” He shook his head. “Difficult situation, and one that I can honestly say I’m glad is over with.”
    Victoria nodded, understanding the dilemma between having to betray someone you know is family, versus letting their ill deeds go unchecked. It was not a decision she envied, nor did she hold their lack of action against them.
    She bit her lip, feeling embarrassed about the next question she needed to ask. But before she could open her mouth, Evan shot her a look, seeming to pick up on her mood.
    “What is it?” he asked.
    “I have a dumb question,” she admitted, shrugging her shoulders helplessly.
    “I’m sure I’ve heard worse.”
    She smiled. “You mentioned Dragon Stones. What are they?”
    “Okay, maybe I haven’t,” he said, tossing her a wink along with his grin to let her know he was teasing her.
    “Not fair!” she protested. “I’m new here, and my ‘orientation’ consisted of being thrown in jail with you lot!”
    “I know I know,” he said, holding up a hand to try and calm her. “I was just teasing.”
    “Well, you had better spill now,” she told him.
    “I will,” he assured her, pausing to take a breath before continuing. “We mine for Dragon Stones, sometimes called a ‘soul stone.’ It’s the essence of the dragon left behind when they die. With it, a mature dragon can breathe life into one and create a new dragon.”
    “Interesting. I had no idea that’s how dragons reproduce.”
    “It’s not