Page 55 of Caught Bear Handed
A few presses later, my efforts earned a wince from my bear.
“You might have a cracked rib.”Which was definitely worst-case scenario.“You need to shift.”
He shook his head.“Already tried.Can’t.”
“When?”That was news to me.I would’ve known, right?We’d held on to each other the entire way from the crash site to the cabin.I would’ve felt the heat rise in his body.The presence of his bear.
“Couple times, when the pain got to be too much.”He closed his eyes and winced again.If he was actually admitting he was in pain, we were so screwed right now.
I’d never felt so helpless in my life.“I need you to try again.”
“Kayla.”The word was strained.“I need to conserve my energy.”
I hated that he was probably right.
“What if I shift?”I suggested.My wolf was absolutely begging to come out, but she had a tendency to be reckless first and ask questions later.We couldn’t afford that.But maybe I could make a bargain with her.“I’d at least be able to lick the wound clean.”
He shook his head.“Things are too unpredictable.”
I wanted to scream.We needed a solution.Now.“If there’s something you’re not telling me, you need to spill it right now.”
Gigi barked.At first I thought it was in confirmation of some secret, but as it quickly intensified into a bark storm, it became clear she was delivering a message.Or protecting us.
“Good, the first responders are here.”I rose from the cot, but Beau grabbed my hand.
If I was right, the knock on the door should’ve come by now.
He sat up, not letting go of me.“I smell fire.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
Beau
My head was swimming and my bear was clawing at my insides, looking for any way out.It wasn’t like him to panic, and my head hurt too much to process what that really meant.
Kayla stared at me, her expression a mix of shock and confusion, as I did my best to stay steady.Gigi was on alert, her full attention on the door.I was glad my girl was on it because I didn’t trust my senses right now.
More like I didn’t want to trust my senses.There was no good explanation for that smell.I was glad Gigi also picked up on it and concerned Kayla wasn’t.Unless that factored into her expression.
Gigi’s bark storm intensified as I put my hand on the doorknob.
“Good girl,” I said softly, but there was no soothing her.
I stepped out onto the small porch and was greeted by my absolute worst nightmare.
“Oh, shit.”Kayla was right behind me.“How did that get so bad so fast?”
Ribbons of fire had the hillside in a chokehold.If it wasn’t so destructive, so unpredictable, it could be considered beautiful.
“This is no accident.The pattern tells me it was intentionally set.See the way it curls back on itself?If the wind catches any of this, the entire hillside will be engulfed in minutes.”
“Should I try to radio again?I’m not sure who I talked to,” Kayla confessed.“I’ve never felt so helpless.”
“No,” I growled, and that sentiment might have been enough to get my bear to finally make an appearance.“We’re far from helpless.We have Gigi to thank for alerting us.Every second counts.We get out of here while we can.”
“Beau, you’re hurt.”
“If we stay here, we’ll die.”I hated being such a fatalist, and she was absolutely right to have concerns.“My bear might not have made an appearance yet, but he can lead the way.”