Page 26 of Grumpy Special Ops Bear: Ep. 3
“Real cute, Cutter!” I hollered. “I’m not in the mood for games unless you’re here to tell me Fergus is ready to listen to me.”
The growl grew louder and then multiplied, and then the sound echoed around the cave.
Fear gripped me, and my stomach clenched.
Slowly, I drew the knife I’d kept tucked in my pants as I raised the torch higher. “Cutter? Grant?”
But it wasn’t a bear that emerged from the shadows.
“Shit.”
I staggered backward as Price in his human form stepped forward, followed closely by five wolves. Someone was missing, I realized, but that was all I noticed before Price cackled darkly and reached out a hand toward me. They must have gotten inside the cave via the back entrance, bypassing Fergus’s detection because they were at the front.
“Trinity, sweet Trinity, why don’t you make this easy for us and just come here?” He leered.
“Why would I do that?” I snapped, raising my knife.
“If you want to save the life of your mate,” he growled, “you will do exactly as I say.”
Hard pass on that, motherfucker.
I lowered my arm and charged forward, aiming for Price’s chest. I didn’t even make it close.
Boyle snarled and lunged for me, slamming me onto the cave floor with a loud thud. The torch rolled across the ground. There was a snap, and I groaned as white-hot pain exploded up my side.
They snatched the knife from my hand. It hurt too much for me to even try to scream out in pain. Boyle kept his heavy hands on my shoulders, pinning me down as Price leaned over me, holding the knife to my throat.
“I could kill you with one quick swipe of this blade,” he whispered.
I felt the cold metal against my skin and fought the urge to flinch.
“But, sadly, I won’t, or I would piss off some very important people.”
He stepped back and yanked me to my feet, keeping one arm wrapped around my front and the blade at my neck.
I struggled, but the blade cut into my skin, drawing blood. It was enough to make me stop moving. “Shit.”
“Now then, let’s go find your mate.”
My eyes narrowed. “My what?”
“Don’t play coy with me, bitch. We know exactly what you are to him. Now, get moving.” Price shoved me forward. “We have business to deal with tonight, and then you and I are going to take a nice, long trip.” They marched me toward the front entrance.
Chapter 16
Fergus
Standing outside the cave,I stared out over the drop-off and wondered if I should give in first and go talk to Trinity. She was stubborn just like me, but I knew one of us would have to let it go.
She was spot-on. The plan to draw out Price by using her would be the right approach, but it still didn’t mean I wanted her to be the bait.
Price was dangerous, and Boyle was worse. If either of them got their hands on her, I’d never forgive myself.
I swore to be her protector.
I was her mate.
It was my duty to be there for her at all times.
