Page 48

SASHA

W erebears surrounded me, claws slashed out and sharp fangs bared. They had tracked my location with ease, which was not surprising. I was right in the middle of werebear territory, after all.

I let my dominance echo through my voice and squared my shoulders. “Listen up, I am Alpha Sasha Havens of the Hopecrest pack, requesting an audience with your alpha, Damon Hunter.”

“Why the hell would we allow you to see our alpha and bring you into the heart of our camp?” A tall woman with a solid frame and wavy black hair snarled at me, her stance primed to launch an attack should I move a muscle.

The other bears growled their agreement.

“Because I have pertinent information that your alpha needs to hear. We have business, and he is expecting me.”

The werebears exchanged dubious glances, their smell of doubt wafting into my nostrils.

I took advantage of their hesitancy. “I’ll wait here, then.

” I shrugged. “Tell Alpha Damon and he can trek all the way here himself. Though I don’t know how much of a mood he’ll be in afterward. He can be a real ass when provoked.”

A few bears swallowed, showing their Adam’s apple bobbing. A female bear even grew pale. They all shot imploring peeks at the first female who’d spoken to me.

She must be a senior sentinel or a beta second in command.

The female gritted her teeth, her brow furrowed.

“God dammit,” she yelled. With a lift of her chin, she turned on her heel, looking aggravated. “This way, wolf.”

With an air of nonchalance, I followed the female bear. The patrol of six werebears fell into step, two flanking me on either side and four taking up the rear, caging me in.

Yet, although seasoned sentinels boxed me, my heartbeat remained even.

My breathing stayed deep and full. A sick realization hit me like a bolt of lightning.

I wasn’t worried about physical harm because, rejected mate or not, I belonged to Alpha Damon.

His bear would recognize my soul, just like my wolf recognized his.

He could never hurt me or allow any harm to befall me.

And if his bears gnawed on my bones, on the off chance I was mistaken, Damon would rip out their throats without hesitation. Of that, I was sure.

That was one of the reasons I was thankful that I’d insisted my sentinels stay with the pack.

Garret was livid, cussing up a storm as he declared I was being the ‘ultimate dumbass’ by traveling into Stoneclaw territory alone.

At the time, I was sure of my decision. I didn’t want to risk any of my people becoming injured or worse, because of my desire to have a meeting with Damon.

The werebears and I trudged through the forest. Trees towered overhead, their leaves straining to prick the blue sky dappled with downy clouds.

A branch snapped here and there; the scuttle of squirrels scrambling up trees, and deer traipsing through the thick undergrowth.

Birdsong flitted through the air. Without the rigid shoulders and choking tension, the journey to the Stoneclaw territory could have been peaceful—perhaps even enjoyable.

As we crested the ridge, we came across a large clearing with sparse trees scattered about.

In the center spanned multiple dwellings crafted out of logs.

Werebears milled about, deep in their daily routine.

Cubs played near a pond. Females conversed in loose circles, their boisterous laughter cresting on the breeze.

Males walked back and forth, many in tactical outfits.

“Stop gawking.” The female in the lead shot me an evil glare. I peeked at her twisted features out of the corner of my eye. “You’re drooling all over the ground.”

Another barb at me being a wolf. I blinked, unimpressed. The female hissed under her breath, stalking down the hillside headed into camp. I followed her, inhaling a steadying breath with a swarm of wasps in my gut at the thought of encountering Damon once more.