Series: Lee Savino
Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“We can go inside, if you’re cold,” I offer, settling onto the picnic bench opposite her
She wipes her lips on a napkin. “I enjoy being outside.” After years of captivity, going where she wants must feel glorious.
For a moment, I feel guilty. I’ve been keeping my bear captive, locked down. No wonder he’s straining to break free.
Then I remember what he’s done, the mayhem that drove both my mothers away. Caging him is the only option.
Paloma and I are almost done with our meal when I catch a scent that makes me stiffen. I shoot out of my seat so quickly, Paloma drops her fork.
“Darius? What–”
“Brother!” an angry shout cuts her off. Twenty feet off, in the forest, a tall pine shudders and falls, crashing to the ground. In a flash, I’m standing between Paloma and the treeline.
A bear-growl rockets from my throat.
My twin strides out, lightning flashing in his eyes. His bear is out of control.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He points from me to Paloma.
“Theodore.” I shove my bear back down. I am the civilized one. I keep my bear on lock in a city packed with humans. I won’t let him goad me into my animal nature.
I raise both hands, keeping my voice at a reasonable volume. “Calm down.”
“My mate is pregnant, and you brought danger to the mountain,” he spits. “Now you’re going to answer to me.”
“I had no choice, Teddy. You know that.”
“You don’t even have the decency to say you’ll come home for Thanksgiving, but the moment you want to show off to some Manhattan socialite–”
I charge before I even know what I’m doing. I’m still in human form, but civility just blew up. My bear wants blood for him speaking about Paloma like she’s nothing. I tackle Teddy to the ground and take a swing at his face.
“Darius!” Paloma screams when I crack him in the jaw.
Teddy log rolls his way on top and punches me in the ribs. “You won’t be happy until you destroy our mountain,” he roars.
I block his punch to my face.
“This is our home, and you’re not welcome if you can’t respect it. I have a cub to protect now.” He punches my ribs, right and left.
I could give a shit about the mountain right now. “You think your mate is more important than mine?” I shoot my feet in the air to toss Teddy off as I back roll to my feet. “Do you?” I snarl.
“Darius, stop!” Paloma shouts. She’s right beside me, which further enrages my bear. He doesn’t want Teddy’s fists anywhere near her.
“Is she your mate?” Teddy comes at me, swinging. I dodge and jab him in the kidney. “You haven’t marked her. She doesn’t even know what you are.”
My bear roars at the idea of marking her. He’s already so close to the surface, I lose even more control.
“I can’t.” I don’t know if I’m telling my bear or Teddy. All I know is I have to keep a lid on the bear or Paloma will get hurt.
“What does he mean, what you are?”
My bear rips free. I feel the change happening.
“Go,” I grit out. “Run.”
Paloma gasps, her face blanching as she gets a good look at my face. I know what she’s seeing–my wild bear, my glowing eyes.
“Let her see it.” Teddy wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, bouncing on the balls of his feet, boxer-style.
“No!” I roar. I have to get away from her. I can’t hurt my beautiful mate.
“See what, Darius?” Paloma shrieks. She’s angry, but I’m not sure why. Maybe she’s afraid.
I’m afraid too. Afraid for her. Afraid of what she’ll think of me when she finds out what I am.
“Go now!” I roar and fall to all fours, my spine bowing as I fight my bear.
“He won’t hurt you.” Teddy holds up a hand at Paloma, who hasn’t moved. He keeps his gaze on me, poised for my attack.
This fucking asshole. He made me shift and scare Paloma. I need to regain control, but first…I’m going to make him pay.
My bear gains the upper hand, and I lose the struggle. The air crackles as I change.
“Finally,” Teddy snarls.
I rise to my full eight-foot height and roar at Teddy. One warning before I rip him to shreds.
Chapter Nine
Paloma
My jaw hangs open. Darius is a bear! A massive, terrifying grizzly bear with a row of gleaming sharp teeth and five-inch claws.
He launches himself at his brother–who is also a bear! The two grapple and roll to the ground with vicious roars.
My heart pounds. My feet remain glued to the forest floor despite Darius’ commands to run. I don’t know whether I’m frozen with fear or fascination. Or just because I refuse to be told what to do ever again.
Mostly, I want Teddy to leave Darius the fuck alone.