Chapter 3

Tess awoke to the sound of breaking glass; the shards skittering on the street. It sounded as though a driver had slammed into Connor’s truck. Under the moonlight she could see that Connor was still asleep beside her. He had looked exhausted so she didn’t want to disturb him. She stood from the ground, wishing she could have stayed wrapped around Connor a few minutes longer. The heat from the blanket was already dissipating in the morning’s dew.

Tess shifted and ran toward the truck to sate her curiosity. The morning was gray and she suspected it would rain soon, and just as she thought about it a drop of rain splashed on her nose. With every step the rain grew harder.

Another smash and the groan of metal resounded in the echoing forest. By the time she arrived the forest floor had become pocked with mud. There was no use trying to avoid it, even as she slowed and hid in the thick brush near the truck.

It wasn’t a car at all, but something far more imposing awaited her. An enormous bear was ramming into the truck and taking swipes at the truck bed. With a second, smaller bear working its way to the front, almost looking like it were getting ready to climb the truck. At first she thought it amusing that they would be attacking a parked car that did little to them, but then Tess saw something moving in the bed of the truck.

Tess had to hold back her own instincts. Narrowing her gaze for a better look she tried to make out what the bears might have been after.

Without any luck she resorted to sniffing the air, quickly finding her answer. Alex, she thought, he must have stowed away in the back of the truck. As she watched, she couldn’t suppress the low growl that was beginning in the back of her throat.

Alex was already dodging away from their powerful claws and biting at anything that came near him. The two bears swiped and bellowed out their deep roars.

Tess started running and barking to save her brother. Even without a pack of wolves to support her, she would do anything to protect what she held dear. She was already salivating with excitement, wanting to rip at their throats.

The bears ceased their attack on the truck and searched the forest line to find the commotion. Tess having the element of surprise and being quick on her paws was already pouncing on the closer, smaller bear. Even being the smaller of the two, he was still nearly twice her size, if not more, but she didn’t care. She was slashing and biting, trying her best to get the bear’s attention away from her brother.

Her surprise attack worked a little too well as both bears converged and quickly overwhelmed her. Alex watched on from the truck bed, his jowl clenched with fear of what might happen to his sister.

She stood her ground, growling and baring her fangs, but this did little to scare them off. Knowing the tight spot she was in she tried to run but the large bear was upon her quickly, striking her to the ground with a single strike from a massive paw.

She was thrown five feet and slid along the muddy ground, whimpering with pain. The larger bear pursued her across the ground and readied another strike but was stopped by Alex leaping to its back.

He bit and tore into the bear’s neck causing the large creature to yelp with pain. Tess tried to limp to her feet but couldn’t find her footing, and lost what little strength she had left, spilling back to the ground.

Alex continued to bite but was swiftly knocked aside. These two bears fought with way too much coordination, Tess thought, what the hell had the bear shifters been doing in wolf territory?

She watched as her brother fell to the ground but rolled back to his feet, only to lunge again, continuing his assault. He had wrapped his fangs around the larger bear’s neck but it was too strong for him and he was again tossed into a nearby tree. With a loud yelp, he collapsed to the floor.

He wasn’t moving, and the bears were approaching for the kill. Tess found a surge of adrenaline take over and she acted as fast as she could but she knew she wouldn’t make it in time. Her heart sunk and everything slowed; the seconds ticked by as hours as she watched in horror, fearing that Alex would die protecting his sister.

Loud barking echoed through the woods and gave the bears pause. They turned their backs to Alex as Connor leapt from the brush and tackled the largest bear to the ground.

Looking around to assess the situation for half a second, Connor let out a menacing growl from deep within his throat. He felt alive. All his senses urged him to continue his assault. He wanted to tear their hearts out for what they had done to Tess and Alex. He attacked with tooth and claw at anything that came within striking distance. Blood poured from the gashes the bears had already received and they must have seen it as futile to continue their attack. As they turned to flee, Connor gave chase, nipping at their heels as they disappeared into the woods.

Tess watched as Connor furiously scared them off, making the larger bear, which almost took her life, look as dangerous as a teddy bear.

Bruised and in tears, Tess shifted and knelt down beside her brother. His fur was muddy and matted with blood. His breathing was labored and weak. It took Alex a great effort to shift.

“Did I get 'em, sis?” he asked, weakly.

She brushed a tear from his cheek and strained a smile.

“You did,” she replied.

“That’ll show ‘em. If only dad saw that,” he said.

His head went limp and he fell into his sister’s arms. She held him close with no idea what to do.

Connor came back and shifted. His body caked in mud.

“He needs a doctor,” Tess shrieked.

Connor knew his truck was the only way to get Alex anywhere in time to save him. He dug around in the pockets of his clothes that lie soaked and muddy on the floor from the other night for his keys. Wasting no time, he tried the ignition causing the truck to roar to life almost instantly.

“Take my truck; get him home as fast as you can,” he said.

Tess nodded while pulling on her clothing. Connor lifted Alex into the passenger seat and latched the buckle.

“Go, now!” he shouted.

“But, what if the bears come back,” Tess frantically asked, “No matter how strong you are, their coordinated attacks will give you trouble”

“My pack hunting grounds aren’t far. I’ll just have to outrun them. My pack needs to be warned. Stay safe and drive fast.”

Connor gathered up his clothes and shifted while carrying them in his mouth. Tess punched the accelerator hard and tore off down the road; hoping beyond hope that she might get home in time to save her brother.