Bearing It All (Grizzly Affairs Book 1) Read Free Page A

distance between herself and the two men. Wrapping her arms around herself she took in her surroundings. Still there was nothing but endless trees and snow with no sign of a road or house anywhere. A wave of hopelessness hit her despite her will to ignore it. She needed to find some type of shelter and get warm or she wouldn’t last in this element for long. Slowly walking along, she was just about to debate whether she should seek shelter high up in a tree again when her eyes noticed something. To her left, a short distance away was a cave that nature had carved out of the side of a rocky formation near the gentle brook. Moving closer she inspected the inside to be sure it was empty, a grateful smile graced her lips as she found it was.
    The interior of the cave was covered in dry leaves and cold earth. The smell of soggy wood and dirt filled her senses. Bending down slightly she slowly entered the dark space. Inside the cave had to be no bigger than the length of her cell, but it would do for shelter this night. Except for the sound of flowing water nearby the woods around her was quiet. She could only hope the dark shelter would hide her presence from her pursuers for a few hours while she rested.
    Lowering herself down to the ground, she quickly pulled her wet boots off. Turning them upside down she wasn’t surprised when a bit of water poured out of them. Not ready to put her feet back in them just yet she lowered herself onto her side as she faced to mouth of the cave. Her wound along her ribs burned with her movement causing her to wince.
    Choosing to ignore the pain in her side, she drew her knees to her chest as she struggled to stay awake. She’d been running for so long, what harm was there in resting for a minute? As the thought drifted through her mind, her eyes drifted shut against her will. She could only hope that she’d survive to see the morning.
     
    * ~ * ~ *
    You’re mine…
    Doyle grinned as his eyes followed the female he’d been tracking for the last half an hour. The predator had his prey. Slowly edging out from the cover of the trees, he moved closer. His heavy feet were silent against the sinking snow under his weight. If he moved too soon, she’d become aware of his presence and run away. But tonight was his night and tonight he would feast. 
    Her feet froze in mid step, casting a look around the surrounding trees. She knew he was watching, yet she stayed. Waiting…waiting to see what he would do this night. Would he spare her like he'd done the last time their paths crossed? Or would he finally catch her? He enjoyed the uncontainable power that he felt when in his grizzly form. His immense form made him the perfect hunter. Every creature in his forest should respect and fear him.
    All day, his human skin had burned, feeling too small for his immense muscular frame. His bear was wound so tight that he was snapping at everyone he’d come in contact with today. If he didn't get more of a handle on his bear, someone was going to get hurt. He never felt more alive than he was now as he stalked his prey. Hunting within his territory in his superior form was the only joy he seemed to feel lately.
    There were times he regretted becoming Alpha over his region like his father before him. It was too much responsibility and too many people wanting him to fix their problems. It was much easier being the Alpha’s son than Alpha himself. Though grizzly bears didn't run in packs like wolves, His pack consisted of not just grizzly shifters but others as well. To keep order, there had always been an appointed a leader to govern over all the shifters in his territory. That meant more work for him and less time to let loose his animal. Tonight was the first time in weeks he was able to relax and he planned on enjoying it.
    Unable to contain his animal urges any more, he watched as the doe lowered her head once again, searching once again for any vegetation that she could eat. Without wasting a second his