Page 52 of The Healer

His bear growled at her open disrespect while wondering how she knew this grizzly was him. He made a note to ask her. Later.

“Fine, go help the others, and fetch me when they find the next one.”

He changed to talk to her, resting his hands on his hips. “You aren’t warm enough, woman. You’re worth nothing if you’re dead.”

She blinked at him, her gaze traveling over his naked body. The fact she wiped her goggles to get a better look made him want to laugh.

“I have thermal blankets, you idiot,” she said. “I’ll wait here.”

His bear grunted at her calling them an idiot, but Rhys changed anyway. The quicker they found the scientists, the sooner she would be in front of a fire.

It was slow going sniffing out blood and digging folks up while the falling snow worsened the visibility. One by one, they found the scientists while Dane tore through the tower for those trapped inside. Rhys fetched her each time she was needed then watched her dig new holes. After each rescue, she gave him a pointed look to say, ‘get on with it.’ He galloped off.

Exhaustion hounded her, and she shivered uncontrollably, but he sensed she was as stubborn as he’d first deduced. With the last man found and airlifted to safety, they turned as one, heading to the parked vehicles.

Dane tried to carry her, but she swatted him away. When she stumbled for the fourth time, Rhys nudged her with his head, telling her to climb on. This time she didn’t ignore him, didn’t straighten her spine and push forward despite her waning strength. She crawled onto his back, buried her face and hands into his fur, and allowed him to carry her the remainder of the way.

He wanted to roar his joy. Happiness and warmth tore through him. His bear growled at her acceptance of their help, seeing it as a major achievement. When they reached the clearing, the excitement of the team woke her. She slid off him, trailing her hand along his neck. At the last second, she cradled his head against her chest and pressed a kiss to his brow. This simple yet precious gesture silenced him and his bear.

“Thank you,” she said and trudged away, joining the men around the brazier.

He changed, then dressed before grabbing a blanket and dropping it over her shoulders. She tugged it closer and flashed him a smile.

“Well done, all of you.” Sheriff Dunn nodded in thanks then gestured to the team to call it a night.

Rhys trailed Ilona to the SUV, sliding in as she did. The ride back was in comfortable silence, less rushed, but her brow furrowed as if doubts plagued her. She stopped the SUV alongside his but didn’t park, keeping the engine running.

“Thanks for coming with me, and tell Callie about me,” she said in farewell.

Her words from earlier haunted him still. Have a nice life, Rhys.

“We’ll meet for coffee tomorrow, ten o’clock,” he said.

“But…” Her hazel eyes narrowed in confusion.

He lowered his gaze to her pink cheeks and parted lips. “My bear knows your scent, Ilona. If you don’t pitch, I’ll hunt you down.”

“Fine, but I don’t see the purpose of it,” she grumbled. “I don’t need to hear more about Callie. You love her and should fight for her.”

He jerked back. Love? No, he was no longer sure what he’d felt for Callie was love. What had he said to convince Lona of such?

“Fight an ancient vampire for his mate?” He laughed even though he had considered it many times. “Coffee at Mo’s at ten.” He closed the door on her arguments and grinned, watching her drive off.

Stubborn woman. Just the way he liked them.

Chapter Nineteen

CONSEQUENCES

“Iknowyou’reinterestedin Doc, but she ain’t one for dilly-dallying, Rhys.”

Rhys removed his arm thrown over his eyes and scowled at Dane sitting in the chair in his room. He hadn’t heard him enter, but as exhausted as Rhys was, that didn’t surprise him. Groaning, he slapped a pillow over his face, wishing he could sleep for another hour. When Dane continued to suck on his teeth, stamp his feet, and grunt as he shifted in the chair, Rhys tossed the pillow aside.

He sat up. “Glad we can finally chat, Dane.”

“Yeah. I see you’re well, an alpha, and an even bigger bastard, but why set your sights on Ilona?”

What the hell? As far as he could tell, they weren’t dating. That gave Dane as much right to Lona as Rhys. He ran a hand over his face, hoping to rid himself of his exhaustion. “I met her on a snow-covered field south of Coedwig.”

---