Page 22 of His Stubborn Mate

Amanda’s mind raced, searching for an escape. Ahead, the ledge widened slightly, offering them a brief reprieve. She knew they couldn’t keep running forever, and they were running out of options.

Albright finally reached the top, his eyes locking onto them with predatory intent. “There’s nowhere left to go!” he taunted, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “If you and your little friend there had been willing to play the game, I’d have just hunted you down and shot you—a relatively easy death all things considered. But now, now I want you to suffer.

They ran along the ledge, the path ahead uncertain, but they didn’t stop. Behind them, Albright continued to chase them. He was relentless in his pursuit, and it was only a matter of time before he caught up to them. They had bought themselves some precious time, but the danger was far from over.

Chapter Eleven

Rance

The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the dense forest as Rance sprinted through the trees, his heart pounding in his chest. The scent of pine and earth filled his nostrils, but it was the faint traces of Amanda and Eva’s scent that he followed with laser focus. He pushed himself to the limit, his muscles aching as he navigated the rugged terrain, but he didn’t care. He had to find them—had to protect them—before it was too late.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as he approached the waterfall, and a sense of dread settled in his gut. The trail led straight to it, and he knew Albright had driven them there, cornered them like prey. The thought sent a surge of adrenaline through him, propelling him faster until he broke through the tree line.

There, at the top of the icy waterfall, he saw them.

Amanda and Eva stood near the edge, their backs to the drop, facing Albright, who was advancing on them with murderous intent. The man’s eyes were wild with rage, his grip on a knife, its blade glinting in the sun, confident as he stalked forward. The sun reflected off the ice beneath their feet, casting a harsh light on the deadly scene.

Rance didn’t hesitate. He let the beast inside him surge forward, his body expanding in a flash of raw power as he shifted into his Arctotherium form. The transformation was seamless, his muscles bulging, his fur bristling as he let out a deafening roar that echoed through the mountains.

Albright turned, his eyes widening in shock at the sight of the massive bear charging toward him. But shock quickly gave way to a twisted grin. “Come on, then!” Albright shouted, brandishing the knife with deadly intent.

Rance’s roar shook the ground as he charged, covering the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Albright didn’t retreat; instead, he lunged forward, slashing the knife in a wide arc aimed at Rance’s chest.

The blade cut deep into Rance’s fur, but the pain barely registered. His focus was on protecting Amanda and Eva, and nothing would stop him.

Rance swiped at Albright with one massive paw, the force of the blow sending him skidding across the ice. Albright rolled to his feet with surprising agility, his eyes burning with fury as he circled Rance, looking for an opening. The knife flashed in the sunlight as he slashed at Rance again, aiming for his side.

Rance twisted at the last second, the blade only grazing his ribs. With a snarl, he lunged forward, his jaws snapping inches from Albright’s face. Albright barely managed to dodge, his knife plunging into Rance’s shoulder instead.

Pain flared, but Rance’s rage was stronger. He roared in fury, rearing up on his hind legs and crashing down with all his weight. The impact sent Albright sprawling, his knife clattering across the ice.

Albright scrambled after the knife, but Rance was faster. He pinned Albright to the ground with one massive paw, the weight of his body crushing Albright against the ice. Albright struggled, his hands clawing at Rance’s fur, but he was no match for the sheer power of the Arctotherium.

Rance leaned in, his teeth bared, ready to end the threat once and for all. But as he did, the ice beneath them cracked, the world tilting dangerously as the edge of the waterfall loomed closer.

Albright, desperate, reached out and grabbed the knife, slashing wildly at Rance’s paw. The blade cut deep, and Rance let out a roar of pain, his grip loosening just enough for Albright to push him off.

Albright staggered to his feet, bloodied but not defeated. He backed away toward the edge of the waterfall, his knife held out in front of him, a sneer twisting his lips. “You think this ends here?” he spat; his voice laced with venom. “I’ll never stop. I’ll hunt you all down. But if I fall, others will replace me.”

Rance growled low in his throat, his body trembling with the effort to stay upright. He could end it now, end the threat that Albright posed once and for all. But as he stepped forward, the ice beneath his massive paws cracked and gave way.

Rance slipped, his balance momentarily lost as the ground beneath him crumbled. He tried to regain his footing, but the icy surface was too slick. Albright, sensing an opportunity, lunged at Rance, his knife aimed at Rance’s throat.

The two men—one a bear, one a human—struggled, their bodies teetering on the brink of the waterfall. Rance’s claws dug into the ice, but the weight of Albright’s body was dragging him closer to the edge. For a terrifying moment, Rance thought he might go over.

Then he felt hands on his fur, strong and determined. Amanda and Eva were there, their faces set with grim resolve as they pulled with everything they had. Inch by inch, they dragged Rance back from the brink, their combined strength enough to stop his descent.

Finally, with one last heave, Rance found solid footing. He pushed Albright away, sending him sliding toward the edge. Albright scrambled to stop his slide, but the ice gave way beneath him. With a final, desperate shout, Albright plunged over the edge of the waterfall, disappearing into the churning waters below.

Breathing heavily, Rance shifted back into human form, blood dripping from the wound on his side where Albright’s knife had struck. His eyes, filled with a mixture of relief and fury, locked onto Amanda, who was ripping the shirt beneath her sweater to try and staunch the bleeding.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded, his voice rough with anger and fear. “You almost got yourself killed!”

Amanda’s chest heaved as she caught her breath, but there was no fear in her eyes—only determination and a fierce love that took his breath away. Without a word, she stepped forward, grabbed his face in both hands and pulled him into a kiss. It was a kiss full of fire and passion, a desperate need to reassure him that she was still there, still alive.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes locked onto his with a challenge. “What was I supposed to do? Let my fated mate die?” she demanded, her voice shaking with emotion. “You got me into this mess, Rance. I expect you to do the right thing and ‘put a ring on it.’” She glanced down and a smirk tugged at her lips. “And you might want to put that thing away.”

Rance followed her gaze and remembered with something of a start that he was completely naked, his clothes lost during the shift. For a moment, he was too stunned to speak, but then he burst into laughter, the sound deep and genuine.

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