Page 29 of Mated to the Mountain Bear (Bear Protector #1)

BEN

T he tracks lead deeper into the woods, heading north toward the ridge. In the darkness, they looked fresh. Or at least they did closer to home.

I followed them this far anyway, driven by the need to end this. The bastard who’s been stalking Zara was here, on my land. He needs to pay for that.

But now, every step away from the cabin feels wrong. My skin prickles with unease. The invisible rope between Zara and me stretches tighter with each yard.

She’s safe. The door is locked. Jerry’s inside.

I force myself to refocus on the hunt. An intruder on my territory. My hands curl into fists, nails biting into my palms. This is my land. He doesn’t belong here.

The fucking audacity makes my vision blur red. He doesn’t know what he’s just unleashed. I’m not some scared woman he’s been tormenting.

This is my territory. My home.

My mate.

The word pounds through me with each heartbeat.

My bear has known from the start, but now, every cell in my body recognises the truth.

She’s mine to protect, mine to keep safe.

And this bastard has been terrorising her, making her afraid to live.

He’s going to pay for every nightmare, every moment of fear he’s caused her.

The trail winds through dense pines. Too straight. Too sure. No stumbling over roots, no veering around obstacles. Just a steady path leading deeper into the wilderness.

I crouch, examining the prints more carefully. The edge is softer than it seemed at first. Not as crisp as they should be if they were left minutes ago.

Water sounds ahead—the creek. I move to the bank. Disturbed rocks on both sides. Mud smears where someone crossed, then recrossed. Water drips on stones that should be dry.

He used the creek to break his trail.

My blood turns to ice. This whole path, these carefully placed tracks...

He’s not running from me.

He’s circling back.

I’m sprinting before the thought completes, crashing through the underbrush. Branches tear at my clothes, whipping across my face. The sting doesn’t register. Only the terror clawing up my throat matters.

She’s alone.

My legs pump harder. Lungs burn. The cabin is too far. I let him lead me too deep into the woods.

My bear roars inside me. Shift. We’d be faster on four legs.

Not yet. I need to think clearly.

The forest blurs past. My chest feels ready to explode, but I push harder, forcing screaming muscles to keep going.

If he touches her. If he so much as breathes in her direction...

My vision goes red at the edges. I’ll tear him apart with my bare hands. Then I’ll deal with my brothers, who clearly led him straight to our door.

I underestimated him. Badly.

I just hope Zara doesn’t pay for my mistake.