Within seconds, the pack was following him, following Lucy’s scent. The truck roared behind them, as they ran. Dan used every part of his instincts to keep a hold of Lucy’s trail, hoping desperately he wouldn’t lose her scent.

Stop.

Dan did as Nick asked, slowly coming to a standstill. Looking around him, he felt his body grow tense, wary of something that he couldn’t see.

They’re here.

Sniffing, Dan realized that Lucy's scent had become intermingled with another two at least. He'd been so intent on following hers that he hadn't stopped to think about what else might be there.

The truck pulled up behind them, and, together, the pack stood as one, just waiting for either Lucas or Dominic to reveal themselves.

“Well, well, well,” came a loud voice. “So this is the pack that Lucas has been telling me about.”

“Yeah, that’s them,” growled Lucas, walking towards them. “I reckon we can take them.”

Dan’s chest rumbled with a long growl, warning them off. His eyes were fixed on Lucy, who was being held firmly by Dominic. He'd even had the gall to tape her mouth so that she couldn't shout for help. A red mist descended as he lurched forward, only for Tom to step directly into his path, stopping him. 

Wait, Tom warned.

Dan bared his teeth, wanting nothing more than to sink his teeth into Dominic’s arm and let Lucy go free, but Tom was right. Attacking now wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t know who else from the Northern Wind pack were waiting to join the fight.

It was just as well he listened to Tom, because, right at that very moment, two other bears sprang from the shadows. Savannah took on one, while Tom slapped one large paw into the other. At exactly the same time, Dominic shoved Lucy hard, so hard that she fell backward and hit her head on the ground. Dan caught the smell of blood almost at once, and charged towards Dominic who was in the process of shifting.

Dominic was a huge bear, there was no doubt about that. While not an alpha, he was bigger and stronger than Dan, batting him away fairly easily.

Careful, Dan, Nick warned, before launching his attack on Lucas.

Dan didn’t know what else to do other than go at Dominic again and again, no matter how often he was knocked back. All he could see was Lucy, lying there on the ground, with the scent of blood in the air. Anger fuelled him, pushing him to attack, but Dominic simply kept batting him away. His skin tore, his fur ripped, but still, Dan kept going.

Staggering back as another clawed paw crashed into his face, Dan took a moment or two to regain his balance, his blood still pumping furiously through his veins.

You’re weak, Dominic laughed, making Dan growl with fury. Lucy is weak too. You probably deserve each other.

Dan growled, his paws clawing the ground. I won’t let you take her.

Dominic snorted, blowing a short breath through his nose. Looks like you can’t stop me. He began to walk towards Lucy.

Furious, Dan launched himself at Dominic again, this time throwing all of his weight behind his jump, managing to knock Dominic flat. Dan used his advantage to keep Dominic on his back, using every ounce of strength to fight with his teeth and claws. Dominic had to block his attack, unable to move.

Eventually, his strength slowly wearing away, Dan threw himself towards Lucy, standing between her and Dominic. His chest was heaving, as he blew out breath after breath through his nose, while still keeping a strong stance. Pushing himself onto his hind legs, he stood as tall as he could, making his meaning absolutely clear. Dominic wasn’t going to get to Lucy. Dan would die trying to keep her safe.

 

The world slowly became clear again, as Lucy pulled the tape from her mouth.

“Dan?” She rubbed the back of her head, wincing as she pushed herself up with her other hand. All she could see was fur but her bear told her that it was Dan. She didn’t need to hide from him.

Slowly getting up, Lucy took her hand away from her head, finding it sticky with blood. All she could remember was Dominic trying to force her towards Lucas' pack when she had been fighting with all her might to get away. She'd known that if he managed to get her there, she might never escape but Dominic had been too big and too strong for her.

A bear - Dan’s bear, turned around to glance at her, and Lucy smothered a gasp. His mouth was ripped and torn, and one of his eyes looked swollen. He’d obviously been fighting.

Scrambling to her feet, Lucy stood glanced around Dan's bulk and, with horror, saw Dominic's gigantic bear with a lot fewer wounds than Dan. It was all becoming clear. Dan had been fighting Dominic, in an attempt to keep her safe.

Her eyes travelled around the rest of the pack, taking in the other fights going on, although she saw that there seemed to be a lot of domination going on. There were two bears fighting another two, but they were being easily held back, and the two bears fighting across from Dan looked exactly the same. Recognizing the alpha bears, Lucy realized with a sigh of relief that Tom and Nick were holding back Lucas' pack. She just had to get Dominic to go.

“Dominic,” she shouted, stepping out from behind Dan. “Leave me alone. Go! I don’t want to go with you. I’m a part of the Alliance pack now.”

Dominic’s bear growled at her, his lip curling back to reveal his teeth. Next to her, Dan stamped at the ground with his front paws, warning her to stay away.

Lucy saw the way Dominic tensed and knew he was going to attack Dan again. Without even choosing to, her bear tore from her skin, for the first time in a long time. The pain was agonizing, almost forcing her to drop to the ground, but instead, Lucy roared aloud, letting the pain out through the sound.

I said no, Dominic. She moved in front of Dan, despite his attempt to get next to her.

Get out of the way.

Lucy snorted, once. No.

Standing tall, she stared at her brother, refusing to give in. If she had to, Lucy knew she would fight for Dan, fight for herself and her freedom. There wasn’t any way she would go back with him. Not now. When it came to the crunch, Lucy knew that even though Dominic was her brother, her allegiance was with Dan. He had her heart. He had welcomed her in and made her feel safe. He was her everything.

After a long minute, Dominic dropped to the ground onto his four paws.

You’re dead to me, he said, rage and anger poured out with every breath he took. You stupid, worthless bitch.

Lucy stood still, refusing to move, refusing to speak. His words tore into her, but Lucy didn’t want to show him even the slightest weakness.

If you come near my pack, I’ll fight you myself, Dominic warned, his eyes filled with a darkness she’d never seen before. I don’t have a sister any more.

Turning his back on them, Dominic wandered back into the woods, and, to Lucy's great relief, the rest of the pack followed. The Alliance pack stood together, watching them leave. The scent of blood clung to the air, but still, they stood strong together.

That’s not the last we’ve seen of them… Let’s go home, Nick said, once the danger had passed.

Without a word, Lucy followed Nick back along the path towards the mechanics. She felt dazed. Her brother’s words and actions had just proven that he was exactly who she’d thought he was. He hadn’t changed. In fact, he’d just become more violent.

Lucy couldn't quite believe she’d shifted so easily. What had happened to her vow? Why had she been unable to keep the bear down? It had pushed to the surface without even a hint of warning, determined to defend the shifter she loved. There was a strength to their bond that held them together, as shifters. Bear and human loved with such a deep strength that Lucy didn’t think it could ever be broken.

The closer they got to the mechanics, the more Lucy wanted to shift back. This bear was unfamiliar, unwanted. She knew that Dan would probably be thrilled that she'd shifted, but it wasn't something Lucy wanted to do again. She had seen her brother in a darker, more violent form, seen the way the shifters had been battling with each other, and that wasn't something Lucy wanted to be a part of again. She had made her stance clear with her brother, and that had to be the end of it now. He wouldn't come near her again, not now. His words ripped at her soul. Lucy knew she was nothing to him now, believing that he meant every word that he’d said. If she went near him, as part of the Alliance pack, he could easily tear her apart. This wasn’t a life she wanted to be a part of.

Guys in the workstation, Nick growled, as they approached the mechanic's shop. 

Heat tore through Lucy as she remembered she’d be completely naked once she shifted back. Beside her, Savannah let herself go back into her human skin, letting out a sigh of relief. Jo parked the truck next to her and handed Savannah a blanket before looking enquiringly at Lucy.

Gritting her teeth against the pain she knew would come, Lucy forced the bear back. It struggled and fought, having only just been released, but, eventually, Lucy stood in her human skin, screaming in pain. Her breath came in gasps as Jo wrapped a soft blanket around her, putting an arm around her shoulders as Lucy finally managed to stand upright.

“Are you okay?” she asked, gently.

Lucy swallowed, fighting the tears pooling in her eyes.

“I’ve heard the first time can be rough,” Jo continued, her eyes suddenly looking past Lucy. “There’s Dan - dressed, thankfully. He’ll look after you.” Giving her a quick smile, Jo walked away, just as Dan reached them.

“Lucy,” he murmured, putting a strong hand around her waist. “Let’s go inside.”

Lucy let Dan lead her inside, wanting nothing more than to curl up on to the bed and cry until she had nothing left.