He disagrees, alert now as he presses forward in my mind.
Something’s here,he growls.
A faint rustling drifts through the trees, and my eyes narrow.It comes from the thick brush on the east side of the clearing.
Slowly, carefully, I walk that way, every step measured.My ears strain for sound while my eyes scan the undergrowth, but all I see are the usual branches, leaves, and shadows.
The rustling comes again, closer this time.My heart pounds harder in my chest as the noise grows louder.Whatever it is, it’s moving fast, and it’s headed right toward me.
Then suddenly?—
The brush explodes.A figure bursts through the trees and collapses at my feet.
I freeze.
My instincts are still debating if I should shift.Shock slams through me as I stare down at the little figure.
A woman.
She’s sprawled in the grass, breathing raggedly, her dark hair tangled around her face.Dirt and scratches cover her arms, and her clothes are torn like she’s been running through the forest for hours.
My bear roars inside my head.
Mate,he thunders.
The word is so loud that it knocks the air out of my lungs and almost deafens me.It takes me a second to process what he says, and he lunges at my throat.
Claim her!he orders.
I blink.What?
Then I catch her scent.It’s sweet, soft… and mine.
The realization hits me like a lightning strike.
She’s my fated mate.
Holy shit, I’ve found her.
She groans softly, barely conscious, and tries to push herself up before collapsing again.Panic claws up my throat as I drop to my knees beside her, checking her over.
Where is she hurt?I think frantically while my bear bellows in my head.
“Hey,” I say, trying to sound comforting.I’m not sure I pull it off.My voice is rusty from lack of use.
I clear my throat, my fingers brushing over her, and I clench my jaw when I feel how cold she is.Too cold.
“Easy,” I murmur when she tries to move.
Her eyelashes flutter, and for a split second, I see them.Light blue eyes, so clear that they remind me of the lake north of my place.
Then they roll back as she goes limp.
My bear growls violently in my head.Save her!Protect her from whatever she was running from.
“I know,” I mutter quietly.
I scoop her into my arms, cradling her against me.She’s smaller than I expected.So curvy and soft.Her head falls against my chest as I stand, and the scent of her wraps around me again.
