In death, the bear remained a bear… which surprised me.
Why wouldn’t he turn back into a human?
Then I heard the blood-curdling scream of his son, still in bear form.
He dropped to all fours and charged me.
I found the lever on the break action, quickly pulled the shells and reached into my back pocked for two more rounds. If I didn’t reload quickly, it would be too late for me.
“Shit!”
I pulled them out, then dropped one.
A massive silver wolf jumped in front of me, his growl making the hairs on my neck stand up.
He launched himself at the bear, tearing at his throat.
The other silver wolf attacked too, taking out the bear’s legs and pulling him to the ground.
I grabbed for the shells, my hands trembling to re-load the gun. But finally, I managed it.
I held the shotgun up.
The bear suddenly began to shift back to human form—back to Trevor—his bleeding body heaving with exertion.
The wolves shifted back too, obviously assuming the threat was over.
I wasn’t so sure, and kept the gun relaxed, but in my hands, ready to lift and fire if he so much as threatened my mates.
My mates… Damn, how the tables had turned.
“What’s wrong, Trevor? Lost the fight and want to surrender?” I asked, my tone goading as I stood there with my battered body.
But I was still standing.
“No. I wanted to see the look on these guys’ faces when they saw my marks on you. Isn’t she beautiful like that, boys?” he asked, gesturing to my face.
“Why you…” Aaron dove for him, and Trevor, fast as lighting, got Aaron in a headlock and began backing away.
Aaron tapped at his arms, struggling in Trevor’s grip, but he was gasping for air.
“Drop the gun or I’m going to break his neck.”
Grayson danced on his toes like a boxer about to go into the ring.
“Let him go, you coward. You know I’m the one you want. Come on. Alpha on Alpha.”
Trevor laughed and tightened his grip on Aaron’s throat.
I didn’t want this.
I didn’t want any of my men hurt, and Aaron was turning blue.
I yelled out to the man I hated, “Grayson, throw Trevor your keys. Take the car, go. Get out of here.”
“Drop the gun,” he demanded again and I placed it on the ground.
“There. Now let Aaron go.”