Page 12 of His Stubborn Mate

They ran together through the forest side by side, their massive forms cutting through the snow like a pair of titans. Rance could feel Amanda’s exhilaration as she embraced her new form, the freedom that came with being a bear. She reveled in the power, the sheer physicality of it, and he couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride as he watched her.

Amanda’s bear was fast and agile, her movements fluid and graceful despite her size. She bounded ahead of him at times, her energy seemingly boundless as she explored the world through new eyes. Rance stayed close, matching her pace and letting her set the rhythm of their run.

But as they continued deeper into the forest, Rance’s instincts began to prick at him. There was a shift in the air, a tension that hadn’t been there before. He slowed, his ears twitching as he listened intently.

Then, he heard it—a low, menacing growl that sent a chill down his spine. Rance turned his head and saw it emerging from the shadows—a massive Kodiak grizzly, its eyes fixed on Amanda. The bear was territorial, and it clearly saw her as a threat.

Rance’s protectiveness flared to life, a primal need to defend his mate. He let out a thunderous roar, charging at the Kodiak bear with all the force his powerful body could muster. The two bears collided with a bone-rattling impact, the force of the collision shaking the ground beneath them.

The Kodiak bear was a formidable opponent, its claws slashing through the air as it tried to assert its dominance. But Rance was larger, more powerful, and driven by something far stronger than instinct—he was driven by love, by the need to protect Amanda at all costs.

They clashed in a brutal fight for survival, their roars echoing through the forest as they grappled with each other. Rance’s claws raked across the Kodiak’s side, drawing blood, but the bear retaliated with a powerful swipe that sent him staggering back.

For a moment, Rance felt the sting of the Kodiak’s claws, but he pushed through the pain, his determination unyielding. He charged again, this time aiming for the Kodiak’s vulnerable throat. His jaws clamped down on the bear’s neck, and he used his immense strength to drag the beast to the ground.

The Kodiak thrashed beneath him, trying to break free, but Rance held on, his grip unrelenting. He could feel the Kodiak’s resistance weakening, its roars growing more desperate as it realized it was losing the fight.

Finally, with one last effort, the Kodiak bear broke free, backing away with a series of huffs and growls. It eyed Rance warily, blood dripping from its wounds, before turning and lumbering off into the forest, defeated.

Rance stood there for a moment, breathing heavily as he watched the Kodiak bear disappear into the trees. His body ached from the fight, but the sight of Amanda, safe and unharmed, brought him a sense of relief that overshadowed everything else.

He turned to her, his bear form still imposing despite the battle he had just fought. Amanda’s bear approached him slowly, her eyes filled with a mixture of awe and concern. She nudged him gently, her massive head brushing against his shoulder in a gesture of gratitude.

Rance let out a soft huff, reassuring her that he was fine. He nudged her back, guiding her toward the cabin as the adrenaline from the fight began to fade.

Once inside, they shifted back to their human forms, the process seamless and familiar for Rance. He watched as Amanda struggled for a moment, but with his guidance, she managed to reverse the transformation. The mist formed around her once more, swirling before dissipating to reveal her human form, her body trembling slightly from the exertion.

She looked at him with a mixture of amazement and relief. “I did it,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, or I will be. Shifters heal remarkably fast. The cuts look worse than they are.” Looking at her, he smiled. “I’m so proud of you. You did it. You were incredible out there.”

Amanda took a step closer, her eyes searching his as she asked, “You mentioned that our kind were protectors. That we’ve been guardians of something for as long as anyone can remember. Is that true?”

Rance’s expression softened as he thought back to the stories he had been told as a child. “Those are the legends I grew up with,” he said. “Our kind is rare, but we’ve always been connected to the land, to the natural world. Some say we were chosen to protect it, to be guardians of the wild places. Others believe it’s simply in our nature, a part of who we are.”

Amanda’s gaze held his, her eyes filled with curiosity as she pulled on one of his sweaters, handing him his jeans. “And what do you believe?”

Rance hesitated for a moment, then shrugged slightly. “I believe there’s truth in those stories. I’ve always felt a deep connection to this land, a responsibility to protect it. But I also believe that we’re not just guardians of the land—we’re guardians of each other. You and I, Amanda—we were meant to find each other, to be together. And now that we have, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

Amanda smiled, a warmth spreading through her at his words. She stepped into his arms, resting her head against his chest as he held her close. The bond between them was stronger than ever, forged in the heat of battle and the intimacy of shared secrets. She was his fated mate, and he was hers. There was nothing in this world—or the next—that could tear them apart.

Chapter Seven

Amanda

Rance had tried to convince her to stay, but Amanda had explained that even though she was sure of what she wanted, she needed time to process everything. He had reluctantly agreed, but only if she agreed to call or text him when she got back to town. Amanda agreed and smiled as she did so. Once she was inside her clinic she made a quick tour through her facility to ensure nothing was out of place, then set the alarm and headed upstairs.

Amanda closed the door to her home above the veterinary clinic, the familiar scent of antiseptic and pine wafting up from the clinic below. The space was warm and inviting, but she felt anything but relaxed. The events of the night weighed heavily on her mind, especially the encounter with the Kodiak bear and the wild and exhilarating run through the forest in her new form. It was a lot to process, and she wasn’t entirely sure where to begin.

As she slipped off her boots and hung up her coat, she heard the soft murmur of a voice. She turned and found Eva sitting on the couch, her legs crossed and a steaming mug of tea in her hands. Her friend’s expression was a mix of concern and curiosity, the kind of look that said she had been waiting for Amanda’s return and wasn’t leaving without some answers.

“Eva,” Amanda said, trying to keep her tone light. “What are you doing here?”

Eva gave her a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I thought I’d stop by and see how you were doing. You’ve been through a lot lately.”

Amanda forced a smile, though she knew it probably looked as strained as she felt. “I’m fine, really. Just needed some fresh air and a change of scenery.”

Eva’s gaze didn’t waver, and she gestured for Amanda to sit beside her. “Why don’t you tell me what really happened?”

---