Return To The Bear (Bear Valley Shifters #3)(9)

“I love no one. But I care for her, and for her mate, Riker. He’s the…is she here?”

Her gaze dropped to his hands, resting warmly on her knees. He didn’t touch her skin, but a blanket of safety seemed to spread from where his fingertips touched the fabric of her jeans. “Anya, one of Nathan’s mates, told me about a woman who arrived today. Black hair, red lips, nice outfit. Is this Hannah or Merit?”

“Shit.” He angled his neck and studied the woods behind them. “It’s Merit. She’s seeking vengeance for Riker not taking her as his mate. If Hannah is here, she’s in danger. She’s human.”

Joanna’s eyes went wide. “Human?” Benson Riker had chosen one mate over another. Not only that, but he’d chosen a human. “Does he love her? Your alpha, is he in love with Hannah?”

“Yes. Very much.” Brody’s eyes were so sad, she reached out and touched his cheek. The skin was smooth over his jaw and his lips were full, inviting.

“Take me with you.”

He gripped her hand so fast she gasped, and pulled it away from his face. “No. You’ll bring war between the Long Claws and Bear Valley. I don’t know what you are to Nathan, but you’re important here.”

“He’s forcing a pairing.” Her voice shook as she lowered it. “I’m not a Long Claw.” She hit her chest with an open palm, the greeting of her people. “I’m Blood Den. The Long Claws took our land and killed or scattered my clan. I was the spoils of war.”

“How long ago?”

“Two years. If I stay here, I’ll be claimed as one of his mates.”

His eyes looked tortured and he made a clucking sound, just one, behind his teeth.

“Please,” she begged. “Are you unclaimed?”

“I don’t want a mate.”

“I don’t either. Are you unclaimed?” she rushed out.

“Yes.”

“I’ll search for Merit and Hannah, and if I can find Hannah and escape with her, will you claim me and take me with you?”

“Why do I have to claim you?” He sounded angry.

“Because Nathan won’t want me if I’ve been touched by another male. My only way out of this is if I’m ruined for him.”

“He won’t let you go like that. He’ll bring death to Bear Valley and I can’t risk it.”

“Don’t you see?” she said, grasping his hands in desperation. “Why wouldn’t he tell you about Merit? If he has Hannah, the mate of Bear Valley’s alpha, it means he’s bringing war to you anyway. Now, he has something to bargain with.”

His hard expression faltered and she pounced. “Claim me, then leave me. Take me somewhere far away from here. With the Raiders, maybe. Just ruin me for Nathan so I can escape his reach. Please.”

“I can’t—”

A twig snapped from a distance off and she jerked her gaze over her shoulder, into the dark woods. “They’re coming,” she breathed.

“He’ll kill you if he catches you trying to escape with Hannah,” Brody murmured, his eyes burning with intensity.

It touched her so deeply that a stranger would care. “I’m already dead. Or didn’t you hear?” Another twig snapped much closer and she pulled him close, whispered in his ear, “There is a pond west of here, about two miles off the main road. No one ever visits because it’s clouded with algae. I’ll be there with Hannah tomorrow night at six. I’d bring her earlier, but I need time to find and prepare her. Swear you’ll abide by my terms and I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”

His chest rose under his deep breaths and his gaze smoldered like fire, sparking with embers of anger and determination. “I’ll claim you.”

“Swear it.”

“I swear, I’ll claim you, but if I do, I’m not leaving you.” His eyes were dark and serious as he held her gaze like a caress. “You don’t want a pairing with me, Joanna. I’m no good for anyone but if I claim you, it’s for good. Make sure it’s what you want.”

He stood abruptly and disappeared into the brush like he’d never been there at all.





Chapter Three


Brody watched Joanna from the shadows. What had he done? He’d just promised a stranger he’d claim her so she could risk her life to help him. He’d just killed her. Selfish *.

He crouched in the shadows and canted his head, studied the woman. No wonder Nathan coveted her. She was beautiful. Long, brunette hair fell in soft waves down her shoulders. He couldn’t tell here in the dark, but when he’d seen her inside the mess hall, her eyes had been stunning. They were green, but not the dark forest color. They were lighter, and more captivating framed by such dark lashes. The tank top she wore clung to her slim frame and the top of her head would fit just under his chin.

And he’d killed her.

He breathed an oath and scrubbed his hands through his hair as members of her clan approached. She sniffled and looked up at a tall man with blond hair pulled back in a ponytail.

“We thought you tried to escape again,” he said in a tired voice.

“Not this time. I just needed some time alone.”

The man crouched and sighed. “Joanna, it’s obvious you don’t want to be the mate of our alpha. You aren’t like the other women here, but you have to do a better job of pretending or you’ll be hurt. Do you understand?”