Page 4 of Riding With the Grizzly

He seems uneasy about that, but he doesn’t say anything more. I jerk my hand out of his and he takes a step toward me like he’s going to take hold of me again.

“I should go.”

“I’ll take you home,” he says and I step back from him.

“I have a ride.”

He takes another step toward me and I back up, matching him. I need to get out of here and find Astrid and I’m not sure that this man is going to let that happen.

“Thanks for the assist,” I say, trying to brush him off.

“Princess,” he growls in warning as he takes another step toward me.

I can tell that he’s not just going to let me go. He’s going to want to give me a ride home or something else. I can’t have that. I need to figure out a way to get away. I need a distraction.

Inspiration strikes and I look over his shoulder, pretending to see something that scares me and as soon as he turns to face the threat, I take off.

I run, ducking down the alley and popping out into the parking lot. I see Astrid running toward her own car and we reach it at the same time. We share a bewildered look over the roof and then she’s laughing.

“Men,” she says as she slips behind the wheel, making me giggle.

“Let’s get out of here.”

She nods, starting the car, and then we do just that.

CHAPTER THREE

JUDE

Ican't believe my mate got away from me last night. I took my eyes off of her for a split second and she bolted. I tried to go after her, of course, but by the time I got through the crowd and followed her scent to a parking lot, she was already peeling out. My only consolation was that Caden seemed just as upset that his mate got away, too.

I stomp around my office at the clubhouse, grumbling under my breath to myself. My bear is pacing inside of me, growling and snarling at me every now and then. He’s pissed that we haven’t claimed our mate by now. The problem is that I have no idea where to find her.

She could have just been passing through! We need to be out looking for her,my bear snaps at me and I grit my teeth.

We spent all of last night looking for her with no trace. We need to come up with a new plan.

He bares his teeth at me and I do my best to ignore him.

“Prez,” Caden says, looking just as tired as I feel.

“Have you found them?” I ask him and he nods.

“Yeah, but I don’t think you’re going to like what I have to say.”

“Did you find my mate,” I ask, enunciating each word.

“Yes.”

“Where is she?”

“With the Midnight Rebel MC.”

My stomach drops and my bear roars in my head.

“They took her? Shit,” I shout, starting to pace back and forth. “Did they kidnap her last night? Where are they keeping her?”

“Prez,” Caden starts, but I keep going.

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