Page 19 of Shielded By My Mate

That’s the only thought in my head as I hurry across the kitchen, freezing in the open doorway at the scene in front of me.

Ansel is still in bear form, his teeth sinking into one man’s neck. He shakes his head, the man like a rag doll in his grip, and I watch as blood spills out, staining the grass.

I gasp when I see another flash of movement, gripping the doorway as another bear charges through the trees at the man pointing his gun at Ansel.

“Look out!” I shout.

Ansel turns, his eyes filled with worry as they meet mine. Before the man can shoot Ansel, the other bear bites down on the man’s arm. He screams, dropping the gun as he turns to fight off the animal, but it’s no use.

I watch, taking in the men’s terrified expressions, their wide eyes, their screams for help, the way their blood pours out as the life drains from their eyes. I see it all.

The whole thing is over in seconds, but it seems to take hours. My muscles are locked. I’m frozen to the spot as Ansel shifts back and rushes to my side.

“Angel? I told you to stay put,” he chastises. “Your ankle… Are you okay?”

I’m too freaked out to answer. I can only stare at the men’s lifeless bodies.

“Mira?”

I can hear the worry in Ansel’s voice.

This is crazy. I should be relieved, not freaked out. I told Ansel I was okay with the men dying… I just never thought it would happen right in front of me.

I tear my gaze away from my dead kidnappers as the other bear shifts back to his human form. I know instantly that he’s Ansel’s brother. They look so much alike.

He holds his hands awkwardly in front of his groin, and I blush, spinning away from his naked body.

“Right… So, this is Russo. My brother,” Ansel says sheepishly.

“Um, nice to meet you.” My voice comes out high-pitched and slightly hysterical.

“I’ll go get some clothes,” I hear Russo say as he shuffles toward the forest.

Ansel curses as my whole body trembles. “Shit.”

He bends and lifts me into his arms. I want to say something, but I’m not sure what. Do I thank him? Do I regret that he didn’t try to talk to them before he killed them? We could’ve asked them where Ridley was. We could’ve had them arrested, so they’d face justice that way.

Anger swirls inside me, warring with the panic and shock. It’s a terrible combination. As Ansel sets me down on the couch, whispering soft words to me, I clam up. My body simply shuts down. I can’t think straight. Can’t process any of this. I don’t know what to do now or how to feel about any of this.

I sit there, staring off into the distance, wondering if I should trust my head and body after all the trouble they’ve gotten me into so far.

7

Ansel

“Are you good?” Russo asks.

I nod, barely sparing him a glance as I survey the scene. Members of the Midnight Haven are rushing about, preparing for the Alphas to get here. The men’s bodies are still lying in the grass and I growl as I glare down at them.

We saved her. We kept her safe. We’ll always keep her safe, my bear growls.

We should have done it away from her. We shouldn’t have made her watch that. She’s not used to all of this, I remind him.

I can feel his nervousness then.

“I’m going to run home and grab my phone,” Russo tells me.

“Are you okay?” I ask, glancing over at him.