Page 42

“Bastard!” Carter lunged for Alpha Damon’s throat, fangs bared and snarling.

He was quick, shooting across the ground like a missile.

Alpha Damon blurred, my eyes tracking the speed at which he reacted.

The alpha werebear’s hand shot out, clamping around the sentinel’s throat.

The sentinel rocked to a stop, blood spouting from his mouth, spraying the grass.

I gasped as Alpha Damon lifted Carter off the ground as if the burly man weighed no more than a pup.

Holy hell…

“Big-ass mistake.” With that, Alpha Damon flung Carter clear across the clearing. An earth-rending crack shattered the silence, Carter’s back slamming into the trunk of an oak, the trunk caving in. A shrill yelped, then the wolf hit the ground. He didn’t rise.

Alpha Ryan threw his head back, a low-keening howl piercing the air. His skin peeled away, fur sprouting in its place.

All hell descended.

The forest erupted in a flurry of shaggy fur and sleek pelts.

Wolves broke into the clearing, their claws tearing at the earth as they raced to meet all the werebears head-on.

The ground thundered, massive bears crashing through the treeline, spittle flying from gaping maws as they barreled into the wolves.

I snatched up my rifle and scanned the battlefield.

A black bear had one she-wolf cornered against an oak, his claws whipping out, tearing chunks of bloody flesh from her flank.

She let out an anguished howl. I raised my rifle’s muzzle and fired.

The bullet slammed into the bear’s skull, sending the werebear crashing.

Its chest rose somewhat. Bullets didn’t prove fatal to bears—their regenerative powers were too responsive.

But it afforded my pack mate enough time to sink her fangs into the bear’s throat.

Swinging around, I fired at two more bears ripping into a wolf.

The bullets tore through their heads, fresh blood spraying.

Movements fluid as water, I took out five more bears in rapid succession.

The tree, in which I hunkered, shook, the branch I perched on rattling. I lurched forward, gasping as another tremor shot up the trunk. My gun flew from my hand, careening to the ground. With my claws sliced out, I sank them into the tree trunk, fighting for purchase. A roar bellowed from below.

Three bears circled the tree in which I hid, their muzzles frothed, flinty eyes gleaming with fury.

Eyes that paralyzed me.

“Shit!” I hissed, my cover blown.

The bears slammed their bodies against the tree. A sharp crack sounded, the tree splitting under the might of the bears.

After shooting to my feet, I yanked my claws from the tree, bark flying.

I raced along the bough. The blood roared in my ears, my heart beating a staccato against my ribs.

Reaching the branches’ edge, I launched into the air.

Shooting into the foliage of a nearby tree, I landed on another sturdy branch and dropped into a crouch, balancing on the balls of my feet.

Roars of indignation chased after me. The tree rocked beneath me as the bears, in pursuit, flung themselves into the trunk.

It caved with a violent crack and the trunk pitched.

God dammit!

I shot into the air once more, seeking shelter in a pine. The ground rumbled, my insides quaking as the tree I once hunched in moments before came crashing down. The bears swarmed the foliage, muzzles nosing the branches as they sought me out.

I knew I couldn’t keep bouncing from tree to tree.

Bears may be stupid, but they were also dogged as hell.

Sinking my claws into the trunk, I shimmied down the tree and dropped to the ground without a whisper of sound.

I crept through the thick brush, keeping low.

Heat blasted my insides, the rush of adrenaline racing through my veins.

My body screamed at me to run, but I inhaled a steadying breath, since I was never one to let fear rule me.

Latent didn’t mean I rolled over and got my ass kicked.

I slinked past the bears, their growls of frustration rumbling in my chest. There was too much blood spilled, the battle too thick for them to trace my scent.

I had to find another position where I could get a clean shot. Quickly.

I took another careful step. White-hot pain exploded through my body as a heavy mass rammed me.

A cry tore from my lungs. The sensation of weightlessness bloomed in my gut.

Through my blurred vision, the trees, sky, and ground tumbled over themselves like a vicious spin cycle.

Then I slammed into the ground, stumbling over myself before sliding to a stop on my back.

Barbs of pain pierced every cell inside me.

I could do nothing but crack my eyelids open.

Dazed, I took in the inky sky above. My ears rang, and a wheezed groan broke past my lips. Realization took hold. A werebear had hit me like a damn semi-truck, and it sent me airborne. And I hit down to earth with a sickening thud.

I briefly took note of my body. The sharp pang with each labored breath suggested broken ribs.

A deep growl sounded to my right. My eyes snapped wide, and I twisted, fingers grasping for the handgun holstered to my hip.

Every movement sent a jolt of pain straight into my very bones.

I bit on my lip hard, the metallic tang of blood coating my mouth.

My fingertips felt clumsy as I unclasped the button of the holster and raised the flap. The ground quaked with each approaching paw step.

I peered over my shoulder.

He was a mere twenty feet away.

Panic seized my limbs, and my fingers trembled.

Almost there…

My fingers encircled the butt of the gun.

The werebear pounced, a blur of fangs and claws.

I scrambled to my feet and drew my weapon.

Damn, too slow . The werebear knocked me down.

I cried out and my back connected with the ground so hard my teeth rattled.

Thick paws gripped my upper arms, hooked claws within inches of my throat.

The fight was thick around us, wolves and bears entangled, chunks of fur and blood splattering the ground.

A sickening knot twisted my gut. No one could help me.

I called on my inner wolf, desperation clawing at me.

Yet my wolf sat on her haunches, her eyes glowing with eager anticipation.

The bear lowered his massive head, bright amber eyes gleaming. His maw opened, a roar blasting my eardrums. My fingers flexed in the open air, just grazing the gun.

Dammit!

With arms pinned to my sides, I couldn’t get a firm grip on the weapon.

As if sensing my frantic movements, the bear’s head whipped toward my hip.

His eyes clapped onto the handgun. He growled, and his steely gaze slid back to my face.

I bared my teeth and let out a defiant snarl, writhing in his grip.

He drew his head back, jaws open, and wide fangs trailing spittle. A dizzying rush of fear singed my nerve endings.

The killing bite.

Rage blasted through my blood like a stream of fire. If the bastard was gonna rip my throat out, no way in hell would I bare my throat and make it easy for him. Tucking my chin, I howled my fury, my fangs primed in a last act to take a chunk out of his flesh.

He lunged, roaring. I never shut my eyes.

A hair's breadth away, he froze. His eyes snapped wide, the amber of his orbs swallowed up by dark pupils. His nose wrinkled as he chuffed and inhaled a deep breath.

“Come at me, you bastard!” I spat through gritted teeth.

Fur shrank back, skin emerging in its place.

I blinked. A muscled male crouched over me and the size of him was alarmingly apparent.

Dark bronzed skin smoothed over rippling muscle and corded tendon.

The bare pecs of his chest were firm like twin boulders, a valley of planes sculpting a solid torso.

Heat scorched my cheeks as my gaze dipped even lower.

His abs weren’t the only thing well-endowed.

Naked. A very naked male straddled me. And my snatch winked in greeting.

My pebbled nipples thrust out beneath my shirt as if seeking the male—anticipating the wet heat of his tongue, teasing the tender flesh.

My tongue flicked out to drag across my lower lip.

I drew my eyes upward, our gazes colliding.

Cobalt blue met burnished brown.

The breath whooshed from my lungs. All cacophony faded away till an empty void blanketed us. Just the male and I existed. No fangs, claws, or blood thickening the air. Just a bear and wolf seeing each other, into one another, as if for the first time.

I was vaguely aware of my inner wolf unleashing a piercing howl.

A rush of warmth billowed inside me, pooled low in my belly—a welcoming heat that filled me, and brought a sense of completeness. Of surety. My life had felt like an aimless wandering in this world until I finally returned and discovered a home in the male’s striking blue eyes.

Mate.

I blinked in a daze. Brilliant blue eyes? The vibrant colors faded away and the person’s sharp facial angles revealed as I stared, still blinking.

Werebear Damon, Alpha of the Stoneclaw Clan.

Holy shit.

Mate.

My primal side howled with her glee, calling out for her mate. Our mate.

Alpha Damon’s chest heaved with ragged breaths. Droplets of sweat beaded his brow.

He scrambled off me, rising to his full imposing height. My body cried out at the loss. He whirled around and stalked away. I pushed to my feet, ribs screaming in protest, and stumbled after him.

“Wait!”

He paused, back rigid.

I swallowed past my dry throat. “Y-you… felt it too. Didn’t you?” Words left unsaid. A title too precious—too forbidden to use with a werebear. The enemy.

Alpha Damon kept his back to me. His large hands clenched at his sides, the knuckles pallid. Heart thrashing, I waited him out.

Then he angled his body toward me and glanced over his shoulder. His gaze, a thunderous blue, slammed into me. I sucked in a sharp breath.

“You live only because of,” He gestured between us, “this.” His upper lip curled, and he snarled. “But know this. I will never take a werewolf as my mate.”

A piercing barb embedded in my heart, the muscle bleeding out.

He uttered ‘werewolf’ as if I were the most filthy creature he’d laid eyes on.

I exhaled a shaky breath, my knees weakening, and limbs trembling.

The wolf inside dropped to her belly and let out a mournful howl.

He’d rejected us. Our mate had denied the bond.

And the aftermath was catastrophic.

I clenched at my chest; the hurt slicing through my organs like serrated knives. Slowly. The torture carving me apart. My legs became gelatin. I dropped to my knees, my energy spent—robbed. I bowed my head, stifling a sob.

I peered up at Alpha Damon through lashes beaded with tears and watched the hard planes of his face remain impassive. His eyes looked cold and detached, before he turned and slipped into the shadows—his bears following at the call to retreat.

And with each fading footstep, my heart caved in. Though I had escaped the battle unscathed, a part of my soul died that night.