And behind them, standing apart, a man who’s bigger than the rest. Tall. Broad through the chest and shoulders in a way that doesn’t come from training. He’s dressed differently: civilian jacket, heavy boots, no visible weapon. His scent reaches me on the wind, and my nostrils flare.
The same musky density from the cave.
The bear.
This man is the bear.
Sable stops. Her hand finds my arm. Not reassuring. Warning. Her grip tightens.
“Don’t move,” she says, low. “Let me handle this.”
I want to object, but I know that she’s right. After what happened in the vehicle, they’ll see any move from me as a threat.
She steps forward. Not rushing. Measured. Her hands come up, palms open.
“We’re coming in voluntarily,” she calls across the clearing. “I’m the healer from the Ravenclaw transport. I wasn’t abducted. I chose to stay.”
“Ma’am, we know who you are.” The nearest operative. Young. Tense. His rifle is angled down, but his hand is on the stock. “We’ve been looking for you for three days. Are you injured?”
“No. I’m fine. We’re both—”
“Our briefing says the wolf broke transport restraints, assaulted a handler, and fled with you.” A second operative, older, his voice flat. “That’s an abduction, ma’am. Regardless of what you believe happened after.”
“That’s not what—”
“With respect. You’ve been alone with an unsecured, unmedicated wolf for over forty-eight hours. A wolf classified as feral and extremely dangerous.” His eyes move to me. Cold. Assessing. “You may not be in a position to evaluate your own situation. We have instructions to separate you, transport you both to Aurora, and let the medical team sort it out.”
“I’m a healer. I’m telling you he’s not—”
“Ma’am, we’re not negotiating.” The older operative steps forward. Two of the others move with him, flanking, rifles shifting. “We’re separating you now. He’ll be restrained and transported. You’ll come with us for evaluation.”
Separating…
My wolf bristles.
Sable’s jaw sets. “You’re not restraining him. You don’t understand what that will—”
“Step away from the wolf, ma’am.”
They start moving toward her. The younger one’s hand is still on the rifle, and his eyes keep flicking my way. I tell myself he’s just nervous. That he’s not a real threat.
My wolf has other ideas. I feel my teeth sharpen.
Stop, dammit.
They start closing in, and Sable backs away. Her scent sharpens as her anxiety spikes.
“I’m trying to explain!” she goes on. “You need to listen to me.”
“Ma’am, you’re not thinking clearly. Trauma can cloud your judgment.” The older one is closer now.
Too close. Too fucking close. My nails sharpen. I curl my hands into fists.
“Men, I think we need to rethink this.” The voice that intervenes is a deep bass that rumbles in the air. It’s the bear. He’s stepping forward. But the others aren’t listening.
The first one is circling around her. As the older one keeps talking, the pair exchange a meaningful glance. The younger one nods. Before she has a chance to say another word, they’ve reached in and grabbed her, each gripping an arm and lifting her off the floor.
“No!” she yells, twisting and kicking. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
