Page 22 of Hard Shift

She rubbed against Rhys’ leg, reassuring him she was fine. Crimson blood matted his black fur as she paced at his feet in a protective shield, daring any others to get too close.

Evan stepped closer to her, and her bear roared and lifted his long claws, ready to strike. She stood between Rhys and Evan and the wolves debating which enemy was more of a threat. She inched against Rhys’ legs, easing him backward and farther away. The wolves let out a long howl before charging off into the woods, being chased away by two bears lumbering into the woods, standing on two legs as they spotted her tiger and prepared to fight.

They roared a menacing growl at her tiger, and Rhys let out an even louder, deadly growl back in challenge. He turned his back to her, to protect her from his brothers, as she kept her back to him, to protect him from Evan.

Evan sheathed his sword in the holder on his back before dropping to his knees and bowing his head. “Shift, Abigail. I will not harm you. The other bears need to see who you are.”

Elizabeth shifted, standing nude in the clearing, not caring that Evan was a stranger. She reached behind her, holding onto Rhys’ pelt in reassurance. Her body trembled, and her breathing was harsh. She clung to him.

He changed instantly and pushed her behind him so that he was the one facing Evan. His brothers, finally realizing who she was and that she was no longer a threat, started to shift.

“Elizabeth, baby, you’re shaking. Go put on my shirt. Evan isn’t going anywhere.” Rhys growled not taking his gaze from Evan.

“Don’t kill him,” she rested her palm on his arm. “He helped us.”

“You will come to no harm from me, Abigail,” Evan acknowledged.

Rhys glanced back at her and raised his brow before blocking Evan from view. “Abigail?”

She didn’t answer, just peered around Rhys, narrowing her gaze. Elizabeth jogged back to the deck, grabbed her weapon and pulled on Rhys’ shirt, which hung down to her knees. She raised the shirt to her nose and inhaled. His sweet, honey musk infused her, surrounding her with everything Rhys. She returned to the clearing within minutes. They were all still standing, staring at each other, tension thick in the darkening sky.

She raised her gun and aimed it at Evan’s chest. “How do you know my name?”

He tilted his head. “I wasn’t aware you’d learned to use firearms, Abigail.”

“Answer the damn question.” She cocked the hammer.

“Who the hell is Abigail?” Rhys demanded.

“I was,” she answered keeping her focus on Evan.

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