Page 63 of Beary In Love

Logan's enhanced senses picked up Serena's rapid heartbeat behind him, the acrid smell of smoke from the burning sanctuary, and the magical energy crackling around Silas's approaching form. Every instinct screamed at him to attack, to eliminate the threat to his mate.

Silas's claws flashed in the firelight as he closed the final few feet between them. Logan's lips pulled back in a snarl, exposing razor-sharp teeth. The tattoos on Silas's bear form pulsed with that same eerie blue light, promising enhanced strength behind every blow. But Logan didn't care - he'd tear himself apart before he let Silas lay a single claw on Serena.

The ground trembled as the two massive bears collided with bone-crushing force. Logan's protective rage fueled every swipe of his claws, every snap of his powerful jaws. Silas's magically enhanced strength made his attacks devastating, but Logan's fury burned hotter than any spell.

Blood matted their fur as they tore into each other. The metallic scent filled Logan's nostrils, mixing with the smoke from his burning sanctuary. Behind him, he heard Serena's sharp intake of breath as Silas's claws raked across his shoulder. The pain only fueled his determination.

Silas's magical tattoos pulsed with that sickening blue light, lending supernatural power to each blow. But Logan had something stronger driving him - the need to protect what he loved. His sanctuary. His animals. His Serena.

With a roar that shook the trees, Logan reared up to his full height. Silas matched his stance, both bears towering over ninefeet tall as they grappled. Logan's muscles strained as he drove Silas backward, away from where Serena stood.

Silas's claws tore chunks from Logan's hide, but he barely felt it. All he could focus on was ending this threat once and for all. No more attacks. No more sick animals. No more endangering the woman he loved.

Logan feinted left, then struck like lightning when Silas took the bait. His massive jaws clamped around Silas's throat, crushing through muscle and bone. The magical tattoos flared brilliantly then faded as Silas's struggles weakened.

With one final, savage shake, Logan felt Silas go limp in his grasp. He released his hold and the other bear's massive form crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The blue glow of Beatrice's magic flickered once more then died completely.

Logan stood over his fallen enemy, chest heaving as blood dripped from his wounds. He felt no remorse - only relief that the threat to his family was finally eliminated. His bear form vibrated with satisfaction, knowing their territory and mate were safe at last.

"Logan?" Serena's voice was steady despite everything she'd witnessed. "The firefighters are here."

He turned his massive head toward her, huffing in acknowledgment.

Logan's shift back to human form sent waves of pain through his battered body. Blood trickled from deep gashes across his chest and shoulder, but satisfaction coursed through him. Silas would never threaten what was his again.

"Logan!" Serena rushed to his side, her eyes wide with concern. "Don't you dare move."

He couldn't help the crooked grin that spread across his face, even as the movement split his lip further. "I won, didn't I?"

"This isn't funny." She draped a blanket over his naked form, her hands trembling slightly. "Come on, we need to get you to the treatment room before you bleed out, you stubborn bear."

Logan let her support some of his weight as they made their way to the treatment room, though his pride bristled at showing weakness. The sound of fire engines and shouting firefighters filled the air behind them.

"At least the sanctuary will be okay," he muttered, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.

"The sanctuary can be rebuilt. You can't." Serena's voice cracked as she helped him onto the examination table. She busied herself gathering supplies, her movements quick and efficient despite her obvious distress.

"I'm fine, honey. Just need a few band-aids."

She shot him a withering look over her glasses. "These gashes are deep enough to need stitches on a normal person. Now hold still while I mix the healing potion."

Logan settled back, content to watch her work. The familiar scent of her magic filled the air as she combined ingredients with practiced movements. His bear preened with satisfaction - their mate was taking care of them.

"This will sting," she warned, applying the glowing blue liquid to his wounds.

Logan hissed through his teeth but didn't flinch. The potion burned as it knit his flesh back together, but he'd endured worse. "Worth it to keep you safe."

Serena's hands paused in their work. "I was scared for you."

"Hey." He caught her chin with his fingers, tilting her face up to meet his eyes. "I'll always protect what's mine."

Her cheeks flushed pink but she didn't look away. "I know. That's what worries me."

Logan watched Serena's delicate fingers work as she applied the last of the healing potion to his wounds. Her touch sentsparks of electricity through his skin, making his bear rumble with contentment despite the burning sensation of the medicine.

"This section's going to need complete rebuilding," he said, rolling his shoulder to test the newly healed muscle. "Insurance company's going to love this."

Serena's gray eyes met his. "We'll figure it out together. I'm not going anywhere."

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