Page 58 of Mated to the Mountain Bear

“Jump, Zara. Now.”

She doesn’t hesitate, trusting me completely. I catch her easily, her weight nothing to my bear-enhanced strength. Her heart hammers against my chest as I set her on her feet.

“Inside,” I order, one arm staying around her as we move.

We’re almost to the door when movement flashes in my peripheral vision. A tall figure watching from the trees. Zara clings to me, squinting into the shadows.

“Is it... is that the bear?”

I don’t have the heart to tell her, don’t want to frighten her any more than is necessary.

“Inside. Now.” I need to just get her through the door and into the cabin, keeping her as calm as possible.

“Stay here,” I order, already turning back toward the door.

My tone brooks no argument. This is not the Ben who shares quiet moments on the roof and whispers to her about how fate has connected our lives.

This is the apex predator who will do whatever it takes to protect what’s his.

“Ben, what’s wrong?” Her voice shakes. “Oh no, Jerry’s still out there.”

I’m already moving back outside, my skin rippling with the beginnings of a shift I’m struggling to control. “Stay. I’ll get him.”

Zara’s face drains of colour. “Ben… you can’t go out there.” She leans forward, watching Jerry through the window, his fluffy tail a beacon in the silvery moonlight.

“Lock the door behind me.” Then I’m gone, leaving her confused and shaken, but I’ve no other choice.

Jerry hasn’t moved from his defensive position, still growling at the shadows. Whatever was there has melted back into the darkness, but the dog’s not convinced it’s gone. Neither am I.

“Jerry, come.”

He ignores me, taking off toward the woods with a series of sharp barks. His massive form crashes through the underbrush, quickly disappearing into the shadows between the trees.

Damn it. I follow, every sense on high alert. The darkness doesn’t bother me; my night vision is better than most. But whoever was watching knows what they’re doing. They stayed downwind. If it weren’t for Jerry going for a wander, we might never have known they were there, watching and waiting. At least, not until morning.

Jerry’s barking stops abruptly. Too abruptly for my liking.

I find him twenty yards in, hackles still raised but silent now, staring at something on the ground. My blood chills when I see what’s caught his attention.

Footprints. Fresh ones. Under a tall tree with lots of wide, sturdy branches that would give perfect view of the cabin. Of the roof.

They watched us. Watched me kiss her.

And decided to ruin it.

Rage floods through me, my bear roaring for release. But I can’t shift. Not with Zara so close. Not when she doesn’t know what I am.

“Jerry, heel.”

This time, he obeys, sensing the command in my voice. We make our way back quickly, my eyes scanning for any movement. Nothing.

The door flies open almost immediately when I return. I practically shove Jerry inside. His whole body vibrates with tension, a low growl rumbling in his chest. He’s not happy, just as protective of Zara as I am.

“Lock it,” I command, already backing away. My eyes scan the edge of the forest, hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Now, Zara.”

My bear is clawing at me, demanding we hunt, demanding we protect.

“This is ridiculous. Come back inside,” she pleads through the door. “It’ll get bored and wander off on its own.”