Runaway Bear

by Alana Sapphire

  “Miles…” I choke out.

  It’s getting difficult to breathe. My arms flail as I try to grab him, hit him, scratch him… anything to get out of his hold. He pulls away, but before I can even catch my breath, he blindsides me once again, slapping me across the face. The force sends me tumbling to the floor. Grabbing my cheek, I stare up at him in shock, tears spilling from my eyes. Who the hell did I just agree to spend the rest of my life with?

  “Look what you made me do!” he shouts. “You think I wanted to? It’s your fault.” He begins to pace, asking questions that seem to be aimed at himself and not me. “What is it? Is he better looking? Does he have more money? Why do you love him? Why not me?”

  I shrink away from him when he turns back to me, my bear wanting to take over. I fight her, knowing if I don’t, I may never revert to human form. That’s how much he’s scaring me right now.

  “If he wanted you, you wouldn’t be here.” He fists his hand in my hair, dragging me across the floor. I struggle against his hold but it’s no use. Stopping in the middle of the room, he leans in, his face an inch from mine. “Who else is going to want you when it’s obvious you’re pining after a man you can’t have?”

  Oh, shit. He knows. How does he know?

  “Miles, I don’t know—”

  “Shut the fuck up! Don’t even try to deny it!”

  I scream as he slaps me again.

  “Forget him, Callie. I’ll be damned if you’re going to be thinking about another man when I’m inside you. You’re mine.”

  He releases my hair with a push, and my head connects with the floor. Huffing, he walks away. I watch him retreat, frozen in the spot he left me. At the door, he turns, his wolf’s eyes glaring at me as he proclaims, “I’ll beat him out of you if I have to.”

  Present

  After that day, he took possessive and abusive to a new level. My life became sunglasses and makeup to hide bruises and black eyes. I was living in constant fear, as the smallest things seemed to set him off. I had no friends, because he said he was the only one I needed. Sex wasn’t an issue anymore. The only time he touched me was when he hit me. His new favorite phrase became “no one else wants you.” He drummed it into my head so many times, I began to believe it. Fearing for my life, I finally gathered the strength to leave. I packed up my shit, left him a note, and came home. I told him I wouldn’t come back unless he changed, but I had no intention of returning to him. My hope was that enough time would pass and he’d give up on me. I certainly didn’t think he’d track me down. It’s my fault. I should have ended it with him instead of leaving things up in the air. He believes we’re still engaged and I’m to blame.

  “Miles.” Mom looks him over from head to feet. “You’re a shifter, too.”

  “Guilty as charged ma’am. A wolf.”

  “I see.”

  But she doesn’t. I do, though. He’s barely containing his anger, just waiting to get me alone. A part of me wants to keep my mom by my side, but the other part knows this has to happen.

  “Mom, could you give us a minute? There are some things Miles and I need to discuss.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I nod, motioning for her to go upstairs. She moves reluctantly. I watch her leave, needing to look elsewhere, and not at Miles.

  “You forgot something.” He removes the engagement ring he gave me from his pocket.

  “How did you know I was here?”

  When we met, I told him I was from a small town in Nebraska, because I wanted to make a fresh start; leave Fall Valley and North Carolina behind. That’s the only reason I came back here. I didn’t think he’d be able to find me.

  “I’m a wolf, sweetheart. Tracking is a skill. I figured you ran home. Took me a while, since you lied to me about where you’re from,” he narrows his eyes. “But… here I am.”

  I swallow hard as he slowly makes his way toward me, his expression turning sinister.

  “Okay. Why are you here? I told you I needed time. Apart.”

  “You’ve been here a month. That’s too much time, Callie. You changing your number gave me the impression you’re planning on staying. That… I cannot allow. I’m here to take you home.”

  He grabs my hand, forcing the ring on to my finger while I try to get free. Placing his lips at my ear, he inhales deeply. I stare at a spot on his chest, barely able to contain the terrifying shivers running through my body.

  “I smell him on you,” he sneers. “Is that what you came back for? To be his whore?”

  He takes another sniff, pulling back. Brows furrowing, his wolf’s icy blue eyes regard me with contempt. Before I can move, he grabs my robe, ripping it from my shoulder.

  “You fucking bitch! What did you do?”

  His body shakes with rage. I watch in fear as he raises his right hand. He backhands me, sending me to the floor in a heap. My bear rushes to the surface, and for the first time in a long time, I let her free. I scurry to a corner, watching Miles huff and puff. He inclines his head, listening to sounds coming from upstairs. Oh, no. Mom!

  “That bear of yours? He’s dead.”

  Helpless and afraid, I watch him head upstairs. My mom screams, then heavy footsteps and tumbling come from the stairs. Miles drags Mom into the room by her hair, thrusting her in my direction. She wraps her arms around me, carefully watching the beast in the room. He smirks, looking to the clock on the wall.

  “Now… we wait.”

  ***Zax***

  Before I even open my eyes, I know it’s going to be an amazing day. The rest of my life will be amazing, because I’ll have Callie by my side. With a yawn and a stretch, I turn over so I can pull her into my arms. Instead of her lush body, my palm connects with the bed.

  “Callie?”

  No answer.

  I climb out of bed and go in search of her. She’s not in the bathroom, the living room, or the kitchen. I look out the window, finding the spot next to my truck empty. Her car is gone from my yard, the way she was gone from my bed.

  Fuck.

  This can’t be happening again. I try to calm down, brushing my teeth, then making coffee. Coffee she bought, that she’s been making me every morning. Fuck it. I stomp back to the bedroom and grab my phone. I’ll just call her instead of jumping to conclusions. I let out a giant sigh of relief when I see a missed call and a voicemail from her home number.

  See, Knight? You worry too much.

  I listen to the voicemail, surprised when it’s Mrs. Masters’ panicked voice I hear.

  “Zax, it’s June Masters. I don’t know what’s going on, but I think you better get over here immediately.”

  I don’t need to listen to the rest. I grab my keys, hop in the truck and peel out of the yard. My baby. If someone put their fucking hands—paws, claws, whatever—on her, they’re fucking dead. By the time I get to her house, a million scenarios have gone through my mind. I throw the truck in park and jump out, not even shutting it off or closing the door. There’s a strange car in the driveway, but I ignore it when Mrs. Masters comes running out of the house, tears streaming down her face. Panic replaces anger. Callie.

  “Zax, hurry!”

  I follow Callie’s mom, racing through the house like a crazed lunatic. In the living room, my eyes instantly settle on the trembling brown bear in the corner.

  “She’s been like this ever since he got here. I can’t get her to change back.”

  “Since who got here?”

  “Didn’t you listen to my message?”

  “Not all of it. Where is he now?”

  “I don’t know. He stepped out right before you drove up. Can you help her?”

  Slowly, I make my way to my mate; my beautiful mate cowering in the corner like a frightened child. My heart breaks into a million fucking pieces.

  “Baby?”

  She raises her head, looking at me as if she just realized I was in the room. Then it dips, and she tucks her face into her shoulder. I drop to my knees, extending my arms.

&nb
sp; “Come on, baby,” I say in a soft voice. “I’m here.”

  She looks longingly at my open arms, then moves tentatively toward me.

  “That’s it, Callie.”

  She breaks into a run, throwing herself into my embrace. I hold her tightly, wondering what the hell did this to her. I’ve only seen a glimpse of her bear once, and I got the feeling she doesn’t like to shift. Now, not only has she shifted, but she’s trembling in fear.

  “Shift back for me, Callie. Tell me what’s going on.”

  She moans, burrowing closer.

  “Please, baby. I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

  Callie doesn’t make a move. What the hell happened to her?

  “Who is he?” I ask her mother.

  “He says he’s Callie’s fiancé.”

  “Her what?” I growl.

  “I know.”

  Mrs. Masters gasps behind me, and I turn my head to see a little slip of a man rushing at me with a tree branch. I take the blow, because if I move, Callie gets it instead. When he raises the branch again, I lunge at him, knocking him to the ground. He scrambles away, heading for the door.

  Callie moans when I leave the room, but I have business to tend to. I don’t know who he is or what he did, but if she’s this scared of him, he needs to die. Right now. I find him standing at the top of the steps, holding a knife. Before the motherfucker can use it, I slam my palms into his chest. He flies backward, landing on his back and sliding toward his car. The knife ends up under it. He jumps to his feet, growling at me.

  “You,” he sneers, looking me up and down. “It’s time to get rid of you once and for all.”

  “What the fuck did you do to my woman?” I demand.

  “Your woman? We’ve been dating for a year, engaged for six months.”

  “She’s been mine for five years, motherfucker.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Breathing heavily, I start heading in his direction.

  “Zax, don’t!”

  I turn to find Callie standing on the porch, a blanket draped around her shoulders. Tears are running down her cheeks, one of which is black and blue.

  “He put his hands on you?”

  An angry growl begins in the back of my throat, turning into a roar when claws dig into my back.

  “Zax!” Callie screams.

  Reaching behind me, I grab the animal’s neck and toss him aside. The action drags his claws through my flesh. I quickly shift, watching the wolf heading my way. I rise up on my hind legs as he leaps at me. He digs his claws into my chest, and I sink my teeth into his neck. I fall forward, landing on top of him. He howls in agony. Yeah. Not so nice having a four hundred pound bear land on top of you, is it? I keep my teeth lodged into his neck while I get to my feet, tossing him from side to side. I drop him and he reaches out, swiping at my neck with his claws, but missing.

  Callie is sobbing, screaming my name. I need to end this. She needs me. Rising up, I land with one paw on his chest, the other on his head. I bite into his neck, ripping out a chunk and spitting it out next to his body. Before I can go to her, Callie runs to me, throwing her arms around my neck. I gently push her away as the world begins to spin.

  “Zax?”

  I fall to the ground, my vision blurring as she hovers above me.

  “Zax!”

  ***Callie***

  I watch as Micah and Dallas load up the dead wolf into the ambulance. The paramedics are busy cleaning Zax’s wounds and patching them up. He’s still unconscious, but they’ve assured me he’ll be fine. The smaller cuts are already beginning to heal. Thank God bears don’t heal like humans do. The Premier is here… standing in my yard, talking to the sheriff. I’ve stayed out of their way, but I know he’s going to want to talk to me, too.

  It’s over. I can’t believe it’s finally over. I would have liked things to be different, but the way Miles was, I guess it was always destined to end like this. The Premier and the sheriff glance in my direction, then begin to make their way toward me. Nervously, I slide my palms down the front of the jeans I changed into. I drop my gaze, taking a knee.

  “It’s okay, Miss Masters. You may stand.”

  The enormous bear’s deep voice reverberates through my body. I stand, but keep my gaze averted.

  “Why don’t you tell us what happened?”

  “Well…” I clear my throat. “Miles, that’s the wolf… Miles and I were together in California. I left because… um… I left because he used to hit me… all the time.”

  The Premier shifts, and when I look up, his jaws are clenching in anger. I can see where Trip got his features and… well, everything else, from. Will doesn’t look too happy, either.

  “He gave you that bruise on your cheek.”

  It wasn’t a question, but I answer anyway. “Yes, sir.”

  “I think I’ve heard enough. Zax will face no consequences on my end. If I were in his position, I would have done the same.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “What do you want to do with the body?” Sheriff Caldwell asks.

  “Um… his family… I’ll call Reid, his brother. He’s the alpha.”

  “Just give me the number, Callie. I’ll take care of it.”

  “No, I think he should hear it from me.”

  “Okay. If that’s what you want.”

  “I would like to speak with him also, Miss Masters,” the Premier says.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “James is fine.” He gives me a reassuring smile.

  “Yes, sir.”

  He chuckles as I walk away.

  A couple months ago, I considered telling Reid everything that was going on. I decided against it, because I figured it would have only made Miles more aggressive, made things worse for me. Now, I not only have to tell him his brother is dead, but why—because he was an abusive prick. Sighing, I retrieve my phone from the house and dial Reid’s number.

  “Hello.”

  “Reid? It’s Callie.”

  “Callie!” He breathes a sigh of relief. “Where are you? Miles has been looking all over for you.”

  “Well… that’s why I’m calling. He found me.”

  “What’s going on, Callie?” he asks, his voice booming with alpha authority.

  Taking my time, I explain everything to him—me leaving Fall Valley, Miles’ behavior after we got engaged, coming back home and reconnecting with Zax.

  “Shit. Obviously he didn’t tell me all that. All he said was that you disappeared. I even offered to help him, but he refused. Why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”

  “I wanted to, but I didn’t want to make the situation worse.”

  “And what happened today?”

  “Miles… he… attacked me and my mother.”

  “Fuck!” he shouts in anger. “Are you both okay?”

  “We’re fine.”

  “But Miles isn’t. That’s why you called, right?”

  “He attacked Zax and they fought. Miles… he didn’t make it.”

  He takes a deep breath, and when he speaks, I can tell he’s trying his best to control his voice. “Miles was my brother, and I loved him, but I always knew something was off about him… even as a pup. He seemed different after he met you, and I thought you’d be good for him. I guess he just got tired of suppressing his tendencies. I’m sorry about the way the situation played out, but know that I don’t blame you, or your mate. I will send someone to pick up my brother’s body.”

  “Thank you, Reid.”

  “No need to thank me. I’m sorry for what he did to you, and will try to make it up to you in any way I can.”

  “That’s not necessary. I just wish I hadn’t let it go this far.”

  “Well, hindsight is 20/20, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Thank you for calling, Callie.”

  “I’m sorry, Reid. I didn’t want it to end like this.”

  “I know.”

  “Um… our Premier wants to ta
lk to you.”

  “I imagine so.”

  As I hand the phone to James, a paramedic approaches, motioning to Zax. “He’s all patched up. Where can I put him?”

  “Upstairs. Second door on the right.”

  Mom and I follow as they carry him up the stairs, waiting while they transfer him to my bed. I pull up a chair, sitting by the bed to do the only thing I can. Wait.

  ***Zax***

  I wake up and find myself in what I think is Callie’s bed. She’s sitting next to it, watching me, her brows creased with worry.

  “You’re awake.”

  “How long have I been out?”

  “Just a couple hours. You lost a lot of blood but your wounds are healing.”

  “The wolf?”

  “The sheriff took care of everything. The Premier was here, too. He said you’re off the hook.”

  I sit up, motioning for her to join me. She climbs in, carefully sitting next to me.

  “You gonna tell me what happened? Who I just killed?” I ask.

  She takes a deep breath, turning her head to look at me.

  “I met him at school. We were friends for a long time, then about a year ago, he asked me out. He was a good friend, funny, handsome. I didn’t love him, but when he asked me to marry him, I said yes. I thought he’d be a good mate.”

  “Why were you so afraid of him?”

  “After we got engaged, he changed, became abusive.” Her gaze drops to her lap. “Emotionally and physically.”

  My blood boils in my veins. I wish I could kill the fucker more than once.

  “I left because I was scared he’d hurt me. Well, worse than he already had.”

  “Why didn’t you come back, Callie? After school? Why didn’t you come back to me?”

  “For what? To be a part of your harem? I couldn’t. Not with how I felt about you.”

  “How did you feel about me?”

  I pull her against me when she sniffles.

  “I’ve loved you since I was sixteen, Zax. I was a stupid girl who thought you were my true mate and being with me that night would change you; that you’d fall madly in love with me.”