Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
As though the wolves sense our approach, one appears around the side of the building, snarling. Men appear in the doorway, shifting in a blur of white flesh to gray fur, a waterfall of angry rival shifters.
Robert and Evan flank me, snarling and growling as we edge forward, our eyes focused on our enemy and the open doorway that might be our route to Goldie. Fighting our enemies shouldn’t come before finding out if our mate is okay, but it has to. They have to be destroyed.
There are six of them, which is more than I expected. We’ve reduced their clan numbers over the past couple of years. Some have left, no longer wanting to participate in the constant battle, and others have been maimed or killed. The six left show signs of battle, torn ears and scars running down their flanks. One is missing a tail. I have that hanging as a trophy in the house.
A battle of wolf versus bear is one of tactics over power. We’re bigger and stronger, but they’re faster and outnumber us. Still, I don’t fear the wounds they can inflict. Our father was a fearsome teacher, and we followed him into many confrontations over the years.
I’m the first to strike, slashing my paw at a wolf who dared to get too close. He whines and retreats, dragging a leg that oozes a string of blood. Their yapping gets louder, and Robert strikes, using his fearsome jaws to clamp onto another wolf’s rear. Three wolves try to defend their friend, and Robert lashes out as Evan, and I weigh in. Soft flesh yields against my claws, and hot blood seeps between my toes as I snarl and slash, wanting to tear these wolves to ribbons. I’m bitten and clawed from behind as the wolves attempt to overpower me. Still, I shake them off, rising like a wall of brutality.
I come down hard on the back of a mangy wolf, and he cries out in pain.
How long will they fight for? How many will we kill before they retreat?
Evan manages to get his jaws around the neck of a wolf, who scrambles to get free, growling at first, then shrieking until he’s finally quiet. The other wolves seem to lose their drive to fight, staring at the flopping corpse of their friend as his life force spills over the ground in a scarlet halo. I take a chance, gouging at the face of the closest wolf, taking his eye in the process. Another wolf catches me across my back, dragging sharp claws through my fur, skin, and flesh. Evan knocks him away, and he yelps, landing painfully on his spine. That’s the final straw for them, and they back away, snarling and growling, edging further from the house and closer to the safety of the treeline. We follow, creeping forward as they sculk backward, our eyes never leaving the threat. Only when they’ve turned quickly and run into the forest do we lower our muzzles, panting and sweating, holding our ground for what feels like an eon until we’re sure they’ll not return.
“Go,” I growl at Evan. “Check for Goldie.”
He turns and bounds away as fast as his bear legs can carry him.
I sense the moment he shifts, and that third of my bear mind goes dark. I won’t know if he finds her until I see them both for myself. I can’t breathe as I wait until I’m confident the wolves are gone and won’t be coming back.
27
GOLDIE
How long have I been drifting in a place between reality and dreamland?
Voices. Men’s voices.
The crunch of gravel.
The whirr of an engine.
Smells, too. It’s musty where I am. Stale and unclean.
Darkness. It’s a bubble around me, and I feel safe here. Safe from knowing what’s happening to me and what will happen when I awake.
There’s no sense of time, only a fluttering sense of unreality.
I am, but I’m not—a person who exists but doesn’t.
Bears.
I see a flash of them in my mind. Warm, furry coats, and raw power. Angry faces and fierce jaws. Paws that can slash and crush. Beings of strength and fear. Of solidness and protection.
They’re not the sweet bears of my mom’s dreams and my imaginings.
In this dream state, I’m uncertain of everything.
Snarling.
Snarling and growling.
I’m nudged and shoved. Limbs that don’t feel tangible ache with real pain that’s dulled by that sweet, sweet smell.
A loud snarl shatters my peace—more loud snarls. I try to force my eyes open, but I can’t. My body is a phantom. I have no control.
Strong hands under me.
Arms around me.
I’m drifting.
How long have I existed in this space between reality and dreamland?
28
GOLDIE
“Her eyelids just fluttered.”
The voice is hushed but urgent. It’s close, too. My first conscious sensation is a warm breath on my cheek. A rough hand strokes my hair and cups my face.