Page 79 of Bear Facts

“You thought it. At least, the wolf in you did.”

“Sure, because bears have insta-love for Lupines.”

Shane chuckled. “Maybe not, but it was close to that with you. Never looked at a wolf before and thought her so beautiful.”

He’d melt her if he didn’t quit talking. Freya let out a sigh, closing her eyes and absorbing the goodness of him. “I still don’t know what I’m going to do, Shane.”

“That’s all right. You don’t have to decide anything right away.”

“I mean, even after we find Rolf.” Freya couldn’t bring herself to say if they found him. “I spent so much of my life running away from Collars and Shiftertowns that I don’t know if I can simply accept them.”

“I mean, take as long as you want to figure it out. Weeks. Months. Years. I can skip Shiftertown and run around the world with you if it makes you happy. I’d never try to trap any Shifter here, and especially not my mate.”

Freya looked up at him, startled. “But Shifter Bureau … Eric. They won’t just let you disappear.”

“If you hadn’t noticed, I’m not much for following the rules,” Shane rumbled. “Eric isn’t either, and my mom definitely isn’t. Eric and Neal, with their hacker partner in crime, Xav, would cover it up that I was gone. They’ll also cover up your presence here—I’m sure they’ve already done that.” He turned her to slide both arms around her. “They’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours.”

Shane followed his words by tilting her head back and giving her a long, slow kiss filled with fire and promise.

Freya shuddered with need as she kissed him back, absorbing his strength. The vivid memory of their crazed lovemaking on the cabin’s living room rug flashed to her, renewing the fire. She’d felt more complete in that moment than she had in her entire life.

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me.” Zander Moncrieff’s incredulous growl filled the space behind them. “Can’t you Vegas Shifters stay out of trouble?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Freya leapt from Shane’s embrace as Zander filled the bedroom doorway. Behind him was Rae, her sword hilt gleaming above her shoulder, amusement in her eyes.

Zander still looked haggard, in spite of his rest after what he’d done for Leo, and Freya sensed Rae’s worry for him. She wished there was another way to help the feral wolf besides taxing Zander’s strength.

“Maybe you should wait before you try to heal her,” Freya said to Zander in concern.

A very young voice came from behind Zander and Rae. “You can do it, Zander. We’ll help.”

Matt and Kyle slid through the adults into the room and to the bed. They wore matching red long-sleeved T-shirts with the words “Here Comes Trouble” on them. Had Cormac let them in? Freya wondered, though she suspected the pair did whatever they liked, went wherever they wanted.

Zander crouched his bulk down to them. “Aw, that’s nice guys, but …”

“How did you two little monsters get in here?” Shane interrupted, echoing Freya’s thoughts. “That door lock is biometric.”

Freya recalled Shane staring at what had looked like a decal on the wall, which must be an ocular reader.

Rae answered. “Cormac let us in. I didn’t see Matt and Kyle behind us.”

“Locks don’t bother us,” Kyle said. “Do they, Matt?”

“Nope.” Matt nodded readily.

Shane frowned but he didn’t pursue it. “Freya’s right,” he said to Zander. “Take your time. We can keep her tranqued until you’re ready.”

“You can’t knock her out for too long.” Zander rose. “That much drug isn’t good for us.”

“True, but going feral yourself because you connected with one isn’t good for you,” Shane pointed out.

“I’ve done it before,” Zander said defiantly, but he wouldn’t meet Shane’s eyes.

“And how did that work out for you?” Shane asked.

“Yeah, all right, not good.” Zander grimaced. “But I made it. Of course, I didn’t have Rae then. She’s my anchor now.” He beamed Rae a loving smile, but Rae’s expression told Freya she agreed with Shane.

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