Page 52 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Tracy fell in behind him.“Aren’t we supposed to be heading the other way?”she asked.

He flashed her a grin.“We will, once we get to the other side of the river.If anyone was to follow us, they would believe this is the direction to my people.”

“Ah.We’re taking the scenic route,” she responded.

“Yes.”

An hour later, he paused at the edge of the river and stared across.Van and Peterson emerged out of the woods and came to stand on either side of him and Tracy.He motioned at the river.

“We cross here.”

“Here?Why here?There’s a bridge five miles downstream.We could cross there,” Peterson suggested.

He looked over his shoulder.“You may cross there.I will cross here,” he stated.

They would be crossing this river four times before they turned to the north.This was the widest section.It would help cover any scent trails they left behind.His primary focus was to cause confusion should anyone try to follow them.

He walked to the edge of the water and began wading into it.The current was strong, but nothing he couldn’t handle.It would take him downriver a few hundred yards.

Frigid mountain water swirled around his waist.He was weighed down by his soaked clothing.The pack he wore on his back would be even heavier.Leaning forward, he began swimming.

The current in the center of the river caught him, sucking him under and causing him to roll.He didn’t fight against it.Instead, he let it take him as he continued kicking.

Surprise struck him when something grabbed the pack on his back and jerked him forward and up.His first thought was his pack had caught on a log floating downriver.The trouble with that analysis was a log might carry him downstream, but itwouldn’tcarry him across the river, or lift him out of the water.

He pulled in a deep breath and shook his head to clear his vision.Wiping a hand across his eyes, he caught the sight of dark brown fur out of his peripheral vision.He stumbled when his feet touched the rocky bottom on the other side.Whatever had snagged him wasn’t letting go.He could feel his body being dragged out of the water until he was unceremoniously deposited on the other side.

Lying on his back, he stared up at the massive grizzly bear standing over him.The enormous creature shook, sending droplets of water everywhere.He tried to crawl back, but stopped when the beast glared down at him.

Humor fought with disbelief when the beast opened its mouth and released a mixture of curses, growls, and snorts of displeasure.He hadn’t realized that shifters could still talk when in their animal form until that moment.He winced when Tracy placed her paw against his chest and pressed him backwards.

“If youeverscare the daylights out of me again like that, I’ll do more than drag your ass out of the water!What were you thinking?You could have drowned!When I saw you go under, I?—”

Her voice faded when he reached up and cupped each side of her face.She rapidly blinked and her lower lip trembled.He caressed her dark, wet fur with a sense of awe.

“You’re beautiful, even if you do look like you want to bite my head off,” he soothed.

She bowed her head and pressed it against his chest.He released a low grunt.He knew she was trying to control her bear.He would withstand the discomfort for as long as she needed.

“Hey, Tracy.I think you might want to let him breathe.No sense in saving his life only to squish him,” Van commented, wading ashore.

Tracy lifted her head and growled at Van.Mitchell took the opportunity to pull a deep breath into his starving lungs.He continued scratching her bear along the side of her neck.

“I wasn’t in trouble,” he said.

“You looked like it to us,” Peterson replied.“I got your bag, Trace.I hope you brought a change of clothes.”

“I did,” Tracy growled.

Mitchell sat up when Tracy rose and walked over to the wet backpack.She picked it up in her mouth, turned, and stalked off toward the forest.He rotated on the smooth rocks, following her with his eyes.

“Next time, give us a little warning.Tracy might have handled it better if she knew you were okay,” Peterson suggested.

He nodded and rose.“I thought she would know considering this is my home.”

“She might, but her bear is a bit sensitive right now.It will be extremely protective of you.When you disappeared under the water and didn’t come back up right away—” Van shook his head before he continued, “You need to understand that our other half can be a bit difficult to control at first.”

“At first?At first what?”he replied, confused.

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