Bearing the Black Ice (Ice Bear Shifters Book 4) Read Free

feet. “They’re going after Kenzie’s cub.”
    Hannah squinted up at him in the near darkness, clearly not understanding the significance of what he was saying. “Kenzie?”
    “One of our clan members. Kenzie. She’s a human life mate to one of our shifters. When the Blizzards tried to poison us, only five of us made it out alive. Kenzie’s pregnant with the first Northern Lights cub since the poisoning. Her baby is the hope for the Northern Lights’ future, and the Blizzards know it.”
    Hannah seemed unimpressed by Alan’s explanation for his sudden panic. “Okay. Well, surely, your clan members are protecting her? They must know that Blizzards will be trying to take out any new cubs, since they’re so hell-bent on eliminating all of the other clans around here.”
    Alan turned his angry glare in Hannah’s direction. “Yes, of course my clan members are protecting her. They’re also no doubt trying to find me. They’re spread too thin, especially if all of the Blizzards are out here in this cave like you’re saying. The temperatures are dropping, and it won’t be long until any semblance of warmer weather is gone and the Blizzards are completely comfortable with leaving this cave whenever they want. Their heat sensitivity isn’t going to hold them back much longer. I have to get back to my clan and help them protect Kenzie and the new cub.”
    “How are you going to do that? There’s no way out unless someone lowers a rope down the entrance up there. Trying to find your way out through the tunnels is almost certain suicide. This cave is a huge maze, and the entrances aren’t easy to see. The reason the Blizzards named it ‘Black Ice Caverns’ is that the cavern openings are as invisible as black ice on a roadway. And even if you don’t die of starvation while wandering endlessly through the tunnels, you’re running the risk of coming across the Blizzards. There are dozens of them down here. It’s obvious just from looking at you that you’re a really strong bear, but you are way, way outnumbered.”
    “Look, Hannah, you’re not going to talk me out of this. My clan needs me, and I’m not going to sit here idly while the Blizzards close in on our newest cub. I’m going to escape, or die trying. And, I’ll tell you one thing—Kenzie isn’t due for a few more weeks. If the Blizzards are really planning to leave you here until the baby is born, you’re going to starve to death. I have a couple protein bars, which I’ll share with you if you want to come with me. There should be plenty of water in the cave. We can make it a week or so, I would guess. You can stay here and die if you want, but I would recommend taking some action and trying to escape with me.”
    Alan crossed his arms and waited for an answer. He didn’t actually want Hannah to come with him. She would probably just slow him down, and having her along would cause his meager supply of protein bars to disappear even faster. But Alan couldn’t in good conscience leave her behind without at least warning her. He had no doubt that waiting around in this dank room would mean certain starvation.
    But, despite his warnings, Hannah shook her head at Alan. “Hell, no. I’m not going down that tunnel into that death trap. You’re an idiot if you think you can get out of here alive.”
    Alan shrugged. “Fine by me. I can move quicker without someone to babysit, anyways.”
    Hannah rolled her eyes at him while he stood and started sliding his backpack straps over his arms.
    “You have no idea what you’re getting into,” she said.
    “Neither do you,” Alan said, and then disappeared down the tunnel. He breathed in deeply as he walked, trying to catch any faint scent of fresh air, or bears. But the only thing the tunnel smelled like was wet rocks. He carried his flashlight in his right hand, but only occasionally flipped on its beam. He didn’t know how long he would be down here, and he didn’t want to waste the battery.
    Alan