Page 73 of Bear Facts

The wolf rose from its haunches.

“Don’t even think about going out there and making friends with it,” Shane said. “If it’s not running, it’s luring you into a trap.”

“I don’t think so.” Freya didn’t move her gaze from the feral as she spoke. “She’s here for a reason.”

Shane started. “She?”

“Yes.” Freya’s answer was a breath. “She’s a female.”

“Shit.” Shane stared at the wolf and realized Freya was right.

A wild female wolf’s build was slighter than that of a male, though Shifter Lupines were closer in stature. But the way the wolf held herself, and that stare, told Shane what Freya had sensed right away.

Freya had soundlessly descended as he’d pondered and now stepped off the last stair to the ground.

“Damn it, Freya.” Shane moved quickly to follow her, but Freya held up her hand, stopping him.

“Let me go alone.”

“No way in hell am I doing that.”

Freya didn’t bother to argue. She walked forward, ignoring him.

The wolf waited, watching Freya put each slow foot in front of the other. Shane made himself remain motionless, fearing that a sudden move might make the feral attack Freya.

The fact that the wolf was female didn’t mean she was any less deadly. Leo had barely clung to life when she’d finished with him.

“My name’s Freya,” Freya was saying softly. “Will you let me speak to you? I won’t hurt you. Neither will Shane.”

Shane was making no promises, but he kept silent.

The wolf stiffened, her head coming up slightly. Shane couldn’t decide whether she understood or was so far gone she had no comprehension of Freya’s words.

Freya took another step. If she went any closer, Shane was coming with her, even if it scared off the wolf they were trying to catch. The feral had torn up Leo good, and who knew what it would do to Freya?

The wolf watched Freya approach. Why it wasn’t either running away or attacking, Shane didn’t know, but he sure as hell wasn’t letting it hurt Freya.

He’d seen what the loss of a mate had done to his mother, and her deep loneliness until she’d met Cormac. Shane had sensed her unhappiness, but he hadn’t understood it at a visceral level until now.

He’d do anything to keep Freya safe, including blowing a chance to get intel on this Shifter and whoever had made it go feral.

Freya took another step.

Any decision to stay or go was abruptly taken from Shane as Neal barreled around the cabin from the back, sword ready, and hurtled silently toward the feral wolf.

Who of course instantly vanished from sight. Shane briefly heard paws on dead underbrush and then silence.

Freya let out a noise of frustration, but Neal didn’t stop. He sprinted for the woods, fixed on the point the wolf had disappeared.

Reid popped into existence at the edge of the clearing, tranq rifle in his hands, then he followed Neal at a run.

Freya charged after them. “No. Don’t hurt her.”

“Aw, damn it.” Shane was off the porch and after Freya in no time, and he heard Brody and Dougal behind him.

“What the fuck?” Brody demanded. “Did Freya just say her?”

“Run now, talk later.” Shane had about caught up to Freya when she doubled her speed. Wolves could run.

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