Wounds to Bear (Heart of The Bear #1)(16)

“There’s a trail just ahead. It’ll be the one Paul took to the cave.”

“They’re in a cave? How do you—”

Roman pressed a finger to her lips, then backed her toward the nearest tree, putting himself between her and whatever he sensed. His low growl vibrated through her. She was starting to recognize the differences—this one was menacing, a warning to whatever headed toward them.

It halted a second later, and she understood when she saw the man step out of the trees. Leo’s father, Jedidiah.

Roman growled again, in frustration this time. “Damn it, Jed—I could have killed you. I don’t know your scent as well as the rest of the family.”

“Not if I saw you first.” He ran one hand through his hair. “I picked up the wolf scent from Leo and Chrissy. It took most of the night to track it here.”

“You always were a lousy tracker, Jed.”

He smiled, that same transforming smile he gave his son. “I had to filter out a lot of other scents. How did you end up here?”

“I’ll tell you on the way.”

The big man nodded and joined him, Jenna forgotten as she followed after them. She had to double time to keep up with them, and was panting when they finally decided to check on her.

Jedidiah frowned. “Okay, Dr. Morgan?”

“Jenna,” she gasped. “I’m good.”

“Stay with her, Jed. I have to get to Corey.” Roman moved to her and hauled her up against his chest, kissing her like it was his last chance. “Stay with him. I’ll see you there.”

“You better, Roman Black. I’ll never forgive you if you get yourself killed.”

He kissed her again, then set her on her feet. “Not a chance, Jenna Morgan.” He leaned in, whispering against her lips. “I’m going to marry you.”

“Yes, you are.” She clutched her kit as she watched him sprint through the trees.

“I didn’t know he’d claimed you.” Jedidiah studied her, his dark brown eyes thoughtful. “I didn’t—”

“Smell it on me?” She softened the question with a smile. “It happened after you left. How’s Leo?”

“Exhausted, scared, and sound asleep right now. He’s with my stepmother.”

“Lindy.”

“You met her?”

“She hired me to be the town vet.”

“Ah.”

He started moving before she could ask him what the hell he meant by that.





***





Roman ran, fast and silent, his bear growling at him to shift.

Not yet. I want to face Paul as a man.

He slowed when he reached the small clearing in front of the cave. It was part of a system of caves in this area, snaking through what had probably been the top of one of the Bear Haven Mountains to his left, broken off millions of years ago. It had always been a forbidden place, where he and his brothers played as cubs, getting caught by Mom more often than not.

Every muscle stiffened as he smelled fresh blood, and the fear of children. The bastard would pay for every minute of that fear before he died.

“Paul. I’m here.”

He stepped out of the cave before Roman finished talking, Corey in front of him, a knife at his throat. The cub did his best not to look terrified. Roman’s heart ached at the sight of the jagged claw marks on his left cheek. Healing without the help of his bear, they’d scar, a constant reminder of today.

Rage burned through him, barely controlled by the man. The bear wanted to revel in it as he tore their enemy from limb to limb.

“I thought you’d play coward, Roman, and hide behind your mama’s skirts. She’s not here?”

“Only me. Let him go, Paul. This is between us.”

“I do, you kill me.”

Roman smiled. “That’s the plan.”

“You ruined my life! I wanted—I had to—”

“What, Paul? Terrorize a group of kids?”

“They weren’t supposed to be there! I was going to—”

“Ambush me in the middle of the forest.”

Paul let out a breath. “Yes. I wanted you to suffer, Roman, like I’ve suffered the last ten years. No pack, no protection. I couldn’t even stay in Pine Heart, because everyone knew—” He cut himself off, pressed the knife under Corey’s jaw. Roman fought his bear for control. Just a little longer—he had to wait until Corey was safe. “I spent the last few years with a pack in California, who believed I was stabbed during an attack. I learned from them, how to fight, how to use what I could do to my advantage.” He lifted his left hand, and Roman watched it change, the claws replacing the knife at Corey’s throat. “One move, and I’ll tear his throat out. Not even his almighty bear could heal that.”

“Tell me what you want, Paul.”

“A fair fight. I want the chance to hurt you, like you hurt me.”

Roman cocked his head. “Is that what you really want?”

“I really wanted to kill you in your sleep, along with any bitch you might have been f*cking, but you moved back to Pine Heart before I could find you, and I couldn’t take the chance that one of your brothers might find me.”

The rage shook him. He would lose control soon, like he did when one of his own was threatened. “Get out of here, Paul, before I shift. Once I do, you’re a dead man. This is your last chance.”