Page 4 of Grumpy Special Ops Bear: Ep. 2
My thoughts came back to the present when a harsh scent hit my nose, and I froze.
Smoke?
Why is there smoke?
“She built a fire? The idiot,” I snapped, charging forward through the trees. My bones cracked and re-formed as I shifted mid run. My clothes fell from my huge fur-covered body, and I hurried through the trees, hoping to find the woman before the wolves did.
Chapter 3
Trinity
I was cold already,but I knew it was going to get worse. The clouds were growing darker in the distance. A storm was coming, and if it snowed before I could find shelter and get warm, I’d be dead by morning.
I’d been following the stream for a while, mostly to have access to water, but I’d pulled away from it, looking for a place I could build a fire. The last thing I wanted was for Price and his pack to see smoke, but a fire would be the only way for me to get warm unless I found a cabin way out here in the middle of nowhere.
I wasn’t even sure where exactly I was. I did not know where the camp from last night was. My feet had just taken me as far away and as fast as possible. That meant I could’ve run in any direction. Following the stream was the only proper guide I had.
Already I’d lost track of time, and I only knew the sun would set soon. With it would come a storm.
A ridgeline was ahead, stretching high above me.
“Perfect,” I whispered.
On my way there, I gathered sticks, large and small, for kindling. At least I knew how to build a fire with no aid. Otherwise, I’d freeze to death. But maybe that would be a good thing. I’d be dead before they ripped apart my body. There would be no pain, nothing but sweet darkness. I wouldn’t be cold any longer.
Wait. Do I want to die?
Am I really just going to give up like that?
I stared at the wood in my hands and angrily threw it onto the ground.
The hell I am.
I’d get out of here, or I’d go down swinging.
I built up the wood, making sure the fire would be close enough to the face of the cliff so the smoke would rise against it and then dissipate. Then I found some dried leaves and brush, piled them together, and started working on getting a fire going. It wasn’t the easiest way, but I didn’t have any flint.
After half an hour, I finally got one going. It was small, but with a few gentle breaths and the right amount of kindling, I could keep a steady flame, and I slowly built the rest of the wood around it.
As my fingers felt warmth seeping back into them, I tried to relax and savor the feeling. Heat all over felt so good I almost fell asleep right then, but I forced my eyes to stay open. The fire comforted me at least, even if only for a little while, but I knew I couldn’t stay there too long. The cliff provided me with some protection but not enough. I’d have to find something hidden and out of the way.
Once I’d warmed up enough to feel my limbs again, I got up and looked around for anything that might get me out of the elements.
Keeping the fire in sight, I made my way around the base of the cliff, but I saw no crevices to crawl into until I gazed up. About ten feet from the ground was a small, cave-like opening. If I could get up there and cover the opening with something, I might stay out of sight for a while.
I looked around for footholds and climbed up enough to peer inside. It appeared empty. At least there were no animals. I’d heat some stones, find a good-sized branch that wouldn’t look out of place across the entrance, and then hide out there until morning.
Maybe then I could come up with a better plan for keeping myself alive.
Chapter 4
Fergus
I crept through the trees,staying in bear form as I spied on her. She’d built a fire, and the clever woman was using the cliff to hide the smoke.
Damn, maybe she’s not some helpless human.
I hunkered down while observing her build up the flames and warm herself. The fire crackled, and for a moment, she looked as if she was going to fall asleep, but then she jerked herself up and started walking around.
