Wolf in Heat (Mated for Life 2)

“Don’t tell me I’m the only one who noticed that,” Reese said. His pack mate was nearby but unseen.

“It’s the bear. The same one.”

“Is it stalking you?”

“Why me?” David didn’t like the fact he didn’t know where the source of the scent was coming from. It was close. Too close.

“You’re the one who pissed it off.”

He knew there was no chance his friend would take off and leave him to fight by himself. David trusted every member of his pack with his life. But what happened when they discovered the bear was a female? He’d never live it down.

“It likes the taste of wolf. If you don’t want to be dinner, let’s just get the fuck out of here.”

Reese wasn’t budging.

David saw him standing in the near distance.

“Reese!”

It took quite a while to get his attention as if he were in some kind of trance. “Okay. Okay.”

They continued off toward home, keeping on high alert.

As soon as the property around their home came in sight, he exhaled in relief. They slowed their pace, walking the rest of the way to bring down their heartrates.

“Well, that was interesting,” Reese said.

“What, that you forgot the extra meat?”

“Shit.”

They split up, David heading to the house to find Heather. Just thinking her name warmed him from the inside out in the most delectable way.

He searched the rooms, not finding his mate in all her usual places. Then he spotted her on the swing out back. She looked absolutely gutted.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

She looked over at him and tried to smile. “It’s nothing.”

“You think I’m going to settle for that answer? Come on, tell me what’s wrong. You were fine when I left this morning.”

“It’s just … I think I upset my uncle. I didn’t mean to but that doesn’t help me now,” she said.

“I’m sure he’ll get over it. What happened?”

“We went to town to talk with Joe about the bear attack.”

He braced himself, his muscles tensing. Caleb was supposed to keep an eye on her, but she’d gone to visit the bears with only her uncle? He didn’t like where this was going one little bit. But he bit his tongue as the last thing he wanted to do was chase away his mate after winning her back. He didn’t want to appear overbearing.

“And?”

“Joe said he had no clue about any problem bears. Benjamin didn’t believe a word he said. David, the last thing we need is another pack war. I still haven’t recovered from the last one.”

“You’re right. I’ll talk to Caleb.”

She slipped off the swing and came close, circling her arms around his waist. He held her head to his chest and stroked her hair. “I was scared, David. Of everything. The first thing I wanted was you. You always make everything better.”

“You should stay away from town until we figure out what’s going on. Please, Heather. I can’t lose you.” His protective instincts were firing hot. He kept envisioning his mate alone, afraid, in need of him. And he was miles away, unable to help if she needed him.

“I didn’t think anything of it. And nothing happened.”

“Okay.” He kissed her atop the head. “I can’t wait to claim you as mine. It’s so close I can feel it.”

“Me too. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

He took her hand, and they interlocked fingers as they strolled back to the house. That was when they heard it. A great roar coming from the forest near their home. It was unmistakably from a bear.

“David?”

He pulled her close to his body. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

Was it the bear? Any shifter on their territory knew damn well they were trespassing and asking for retaliation. The entire pack would be on them within minutes. Unless the bears were out for all-out war, which he doubted, it had to be her—the crazy bitch with a death wish.

Reese and Brian were outside within a minute of the roar. “Is it the one who kicked your ass?” asked Brian.

“Fuck off,” he said. “Get Caleb. We need to find out exactly what’s going on. If Joe can’t help, we’ll deal with it ourselves. He had his chance.”

Brian rushed off, but Reese stayed in place, listening for the next roar. They needed numbers, so David waited until they were all ready to head out. The females would stay behind in the safety of the house.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you, David. Promise me. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid,” Heather said.

“Things are different now. I have something to live for.” He kissed her hard on the mouth. It wouldn’t be the last time. David wanted to live, to claim his mate, to start a family. Nothing was going to get in his way of it either—not even a bear.

Chapter Seven

Two days later, Heather rushed out of the house as she caught sight of David, Reese, Brian, and Caleb heading toward them.