Wild Lust(46)

“Don’t worry. It’s Daniel and Anderson.”

“Then why aren’t they helping them? Four against one is better odds.”

Shannon nodded toward the three animals still fighting. “I don’t think your guys need any help.”

“I knew it was them.”

“But they’d want you to get out of harm’s way. Come on. I’ll lead you back to the ranch.”

She jerked her arm out of Shannon’s grip for a third time. “I said no. I’m not going anywhere until I know they’re going to be all right.”

Shannon smiled and hugged her. “I understand.” Taking one last glance at the fight, she hurried back to stand between the two dark werewolves. Lifting her hand in good-bye, she disappeared into the darkness.

Charlie gritted her teeth, determined to find a way to help her men against the bear. But when she turned back to them, she saw that they were doing fine on their own. Foam spilled from the bear’s mouth as it gasped for air. The werewolves circled it, and, without knowing why, she sensed that they were communicating to each other.

Were they going to kill it? Their lips were pulled back into snarls, but they made no effort to move in on it. The bear crouched low with its ears laid back and its tail hanging low. Blood covered its flanks and back with a large gash oozing blood down its neck. It snarled at the werewolves but didn’t attack.

“Reese. Blane.”

In the instant the werewolves looked at her, the bear lumbered away and into the dark. One werewolf started to go after it, but the other one blocked its way. Hanging their heads low, they turned their amber gazes toward her. She knelt on the ground, ignoring the rocks digging into her knees.

“It’s you, isn’t it? But you’re hurt. Let me help you.” She reached out for them, but they stayed where they were. “Tell me how to help you.”

The amber gazes locked onto her, their tails swishing back and forth. Each had bloody wounds where the bear had dug into their skin, but the injuries were already starting to heal. Soon only splattered blood remained on their fur.

“Show me that it’s you.”

At first she wasn’t sure they’d understood her. But when their bodies blurred, she rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. Her vision was fine. What was happening before her was real. The two golden werewolves were changing into men.

Their bodies blurred even more, and terrible cracking sounds had her holding her breath. Did transforming hurt that much?

They kept changing, their front legs morphing into arms while their hind legs grew longer, straightening until they stood on two feet. Claws disappeared into fingertips, and ears shortened. Their faces blurred again as their muzzles withdrew into the faces of the men she loved. Growling, they opened their mouths as their fangs shortened and became eye teeth. Skin flowed over their bodies, pushing the fur away. Soon, Reese and Blane stood before her.

Blane came to her first. He took her arms and looked her over then gazed into her eyes. Only a few amber flecks remained in the bright blue eyes she adored.

“Did he hurt you?” His voice was rasping as though the transition hadn’t made it to his vocal chords yet.

“I’m fine. You came to my rescue just in time.” She touched his cheek and wondered how she could’ve ever doubted staying with her men. “Wait. Did you call it a ‘he’?”

“That was a werebear.”

“A werebear? You mean like a werewolf, except as a bear?” How many more paranormal beings existed in the world?

“Yeah. They’ve gotten riled up lately after one of them got caught slaughtering cattle. But we thought that business was over.” Reese added a growl. “We need to tell Jackson about this.”

“We will, but I doubt that bear’s going to bother anyone anytime soon. Still, let’s get Charlie back home first.”

Reese snarled at her. “You’re an idiot, Charlie.”

“Reese, this can’t be easy for her,” warned Blane, but it didn’t do anything to stop the large man from stalking over to her.

He grabbed her by the arms, his fingers digging into her flesh. “Reese, you’re hurting me.”

“I should do a lot more than just grip your arms. I should put you over my lap and spank you until you can’t sit down for two days.”

She couldn’t help it. She had to smile.

His scowl deepened. “I was wrong. You’re not an idiot. You’re just plain crazy. Why the hell are you smiling?”

She got onto the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his. At first he didn’t respond, but then he answered, pulling her to him. His tongue swept through her mouth, teasing her in a playful game of chase. Yet when she tried to push her tongue into his mouth, he pushed her away. Although his scowl was gone, confusion had taken its place.