Page 18 of The Alpha Grizzly's Mate

“What happened?” I asked, walking over to the corpse. A trickle of remorse and grief washed over me but really, I was relieved. For myself. For Aunt Patty. She would never have to wonder where he was or cry over how he was absent in her life. I couldn’t imagine having a mate who could’ve cared less about his mate’s welfare.

“I don’t know. Looks like he wasn’t welcomed back here.”

“Wolves. And not regular ones.” Hammer grunted, crouching down to inspect the body. “Shifter wolves. Perhaps they blamed him for Colson going missing.”

I shrugged and leaned over to see my uncle’s eyes open wide—he looked terrified. “As long as he didn’t say anything before he died, I think we’re fine.”

“I don’t think he got a chance to,” Tyrus said. “They got to him before he shifted, but he tried to…see?” Parks of my uncle’s skin had already begun the transition to bear. Tufts of brown hair. His fingers were elongated, his claws half emerged.

“They killed him before he could defend himself. This is the kind of place my mate came from.”

We all paused and stood to our full height. Hammer crossed his arms over his chest. “What do you want to do with the body?”

I blew out a long breath. “Is it wrong that I’m thinking about leaving it here?”

Maverick cocked one eyebrow. “To a human, it would look like an animal attack. Nothing more. I don’t think they would suspect a shifter.”

“I mean morally,” I explained. “What would my mate think about me leaving my relative here?”

“Has this uncle of yours ever showed a lick of loyalty? I only know you and Sutton, but I can say with confidence that this man was nothing like you. You and Sutton would never put your mate or anyone else in danger.”

The bear wasn’t wrong.

“You’re right, Tyrus. Leave him here. I need to go get my mate and go find my aunt. If he told them where our bear den is, I don’t want them to go after my people and especially not Raphael’s mate. I won’t leave her unprotected.”

Maverick nodded. “Why don’t you and the others go to the truck. I’ll make sure this body is not easily found.”

We headed for the vehicle. In the side mirror, I watched as Maverick rolled Raphael down the hill and didn’t look back.

My twinge of guilt soon flitted away.

Now to go get my mate and find Aunt Patty before someone else did.

“You have to leave?” Hammer asked.

“I do. My clan might be in danger. I was the acting alpha before I called on Sutton and came to your place.”

Hammer ground his jaw.

None of us spoke again until we got back to the farmhouse and climbed out of the truck.

“Mav,” Hammer said. “How about you and Tyrus go with Levi back to his lands. Stay with him until we know the coast is clear. Are you two good with that?”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Hammer raised an eyebrow at me. Even my bear recognized his alpha power. “I’m good with it. My omega won’t be.”

“Bring them. Bring both of them and your young if you like.” Hammer nodded. “Make your arrangements and let me know who is going. I imagine Sutton will want to go as well.”

“I don’t know. I still have to tell my omega.”

Tyrus clapped me on the back. “If he’s like our omegas, he will insist on going with you.”

Before I told Colson, I got on my cell and called Aunt Patty. Over the phone wasn’t the best way to break the news that her mate was dead, but through the bond she would already know.

“He’s gone, isn’t he?” she answered.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I tried. We saved him and he ran away.”

She laughed but I could tell it was through her tears. “Story of my life, Levi.”

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