Page 23 of Grizzly's Bear

“Noisy how?” Slade asked as he carried her plate to the table.

“It’s as if now that the memories are back, I can’t shut them off.” She shuddered, and Slade automatically moved into her, wrapping his arms around her. “Every time I close my eyes, I’m back on that table. Stripped down. Arms and legs spread wide and tied down.”

Slade growled, and she curled into him, seeming to find comfort in his hold.

“I feel their hits. The pain… it’s as if I’m in that moment again. Feeling it for the first time. There was a club. Metal. And one of the hunters taunted me, telling me how he’d been waiting for the perfect time to try it out.”

She shuddered again, and Slade couldn’t stay silent. “He’s dead. They’re all dead except for the bastard Tony has tucked away somewhere, and even Talbot can’t hurt you again. I’ll kill anyone who tries. Never again, Rissa. I’ll never let anyone hurt you like that again.”

She nodded against his chest, but she was still shaking. Her trembling tore through him. He hated it. Hated knowing he’d failed her when she’d needed him most. No matter what she said, he had.

“Maybe, we need to talk about it. Maybe, that’s the way we get it out of your head.”

“Fuck that!” Slade snapped as Jensen did a complete one eighty from what he’d previously said. “We’re not putting her through that.”

“Sounds like we don’t have to,” Jensen said softly. “Her mind already is.”

“He’s right,” Rissa offered. “But I’d like to wait until after breakfast tomorrow. I can share what I remember and see what Ariel remembers. Maybe, she’ll share something that brings more clarity to the jumble I have in my head, right now.”

“Why?” Slade demanded. “Aren’t you already hurting enough? Why ask for more?”

“Because there are others out there who aren’t as lucky as I am, and yes, I am lucky. I got away. I have you. They’ve been wherever they are for years, Slade. Years most likely filled with torturous games played by the monsters who hunt us. They don’t have people searching for them because no one even knew they were alive. I can’t imagine what they’ve gone through. The survivors. Because God knows, I’m sure there were many who didn’t. If I can remember anything that points us in their direction, then I’ll endure memories. Memories can’t draw fresh blood. They only remind you of the time it was drawn.”

“I love you,” Slade whispered. He’d known she was strong and brave, but he hadn’t truly understood the depths of both that existed inside her.

“I love you,” she whispered back. “Thank you for understanding.”

He nodded. How could he do anything but stand beside her and offer support? He could be no less than his mate.

“You’re a remarkable woman, Rissa, and my brother’s damn lucky to have you,” Jensen stated.

“He is, and he knows it,” Rissa agreed, and Slade chuckled softly. “What have you two learned about where they’re hiding Talbot?”

Slade sighed while his brother shrugged. Before Slade could comment, though, she turned from him, pushing him away. She sat at the table and pulled her plate closer then picked up her fork.

“Do not say later, Slade. I swear. I thought that was the only word you knew, earlier.”

“Really?” Jensen asked with interest. “Do tell.”

Rissa snorted then dug into her food.

“Maybe, you want to know what I have in mind for later?” Slade crooned, leaning close to her ear. His mate shivered, lifting one hand to cover his mouth while keeping her gaze on her plate. He definitely had plans for later. Plans that included her spending hours moaning his name while he milked every ounce of pleasure from her body. He’d chase away the memories and fill her dreams with nothing but the two of them.

Chapter Ten

Rissa had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep after Slade had finished wringing pleasure from her. The man had an insatiable appetite for her. Something she appreciated and returned. Hell, she’d been half tempted to initiate more love play that morning and would have if it wouldn’t have made them late. Part of her had expected him to wake her and want to know what else she remembered. She suspected he wasn’t eager to hear any more about the torture she’d endured. He’d seen the aftermath. That was probably more than enough for him to handle.

“Ready?” he asked, holding out his hand. She nodded as she took it, threading her fingers with his as he led them out of the bedroom and down the hallway to the front door.

Jensen was there to pick them up, but there were no signs of her brother. Knowing him, he was doing his own search for where they had Talbot. She wasn’t sure the Holloways fully appreciated her brother’s skillset. He could be calm and quiet or a wrecking ball, taking down everything in his path. She’d have to make Slade aware Adam would be a huge asset to the den if they chose to make use of him.

Hopefully, Adam found Talbot. She wanted to know where the man was. If it was the last thing she did before they headed back to Wyoming, she wanted to come face-to-face with Talbot. She wanted to look at the man who thought she was worthless, who thought all shifters were nothing more than science projects to mutilate and kill. God help her, she wanted to kill him, but she also believed that pleasure should belong to the ones he’d kept and tortured, over and over, through the years. Those shifters were out there. Somewhere. She hoped they were all located and helped back home.

“Feeling better?” Ariel asked as she met them on the front porch of the house where the main members of the pride resided.

“Much,” Rissa said then went on instinct and stepped forward, hugging Ariel close. The other woman returned it, and Rissa knew Ariel was as eager for the friendship they’d begun as she was.

“You didn’t replace me while I was sleeping, did you?” Rissa teased.

---