I was sitting in Mateo’s backyard, having a cup of coffee, when I felt my mate’s fear.

Now, although I’d known upon seeing and touching Natasha that she was my mate, having never been mated before, I didn’t really know what that meant. Especially since not only had we not had the mating ceremony yet, but I hadn’t even claimed her, so I had no idea that we’d already be linked so acutely.

But I felt her fear as if I was experiencing it myself, and my animal immediately took over.

I barely registered the fact that the cup had hit the cement and shattered as I’d shifted in response to my mate’s peril.

My bear took over and tore out of Mateo’s yard and into the forest, toward Natasha and whatever danger she was in. I ran as fast as I could, not feeling the rough terrain under my paws, or feeling the pain of exertion; I was completely tuned into Natasha, and would stop at nothing to get to her.

Once I cleared the woods, I stopped to take in my surroundings. I saw a house, then realized that Mateo and Maximus were surrounded by wolves, but my focus was on the man standing in the center facing off against my friends.

He was the enemy.

I stood and roared my displeasure, then ran straight for the pack of snarling wolves that stood between me and the house, where I knew my mate was being held.

I could hear Mateo calling for me, but I didn’t stop until I was inches from the grey-haired man, and it registered that Mateo was saying the girls were about to be released. Still enraged, I roared in the man’s face, my bear on the edge of ripping him apart, when I heard the door open and saw movement on the porch.

Dropping to all fours, I kept my gaze rapt on Natasha as she descended the stairs, then moved toward her. Once I was close enough, I stood again and gathered her gently into my paws, cradling her so as not to frighten her, although I knew that she could instinctively tell that I would never harm her.

Then, without another glance at the pack, or our friends, I turned and ambled back into the woods, calmed by the feel of my mate in my arms. I focused on the beating of her heart and the heat of her body against mine.

Relief flooded me at the knowledge that she was safe, and I had her with me. But, the fact that she’d been in danger, and that the men who’d taken her were still breathing, had me changing course as I held her tightly to me.

Once her adrenaline left her, Natasha drifted off to sleep in my arms.

My bear wanted to roar with satisfaction that she felt safe in my arms, but I kept quiet so she could get some sleep and headed in the direction of my cabin.

Mateo and Max, and even Gilly, had met me at my cabin for fishing trips in the past, but often, it was the place I went to when I needed solitude. It was on the edge of my clan’s land… close enough to be there if my people needed me, but far enough away for me to enjoy the calm of the lake without any distractions.

It was the perfect place, not only to keep Natasha safe, but for me and my mate to spend some much-needed alone time together.

I just hoped she wouldn’t freak out when she woke up.

In bear form, I could cover a lot of ground quickly. Of course, it would have been faster on all fours, but still, with Natasha snuggled into my fir, we were able to make it to the cabin just as the sun was going down over the lake.

I gently eased her onto my lounger in the back, then shifted. Once I was sure Natasha was comfortable and still snoozing, I hurried into the cabin. I was a little overheated from the trip, so I took a quick shower, then threw on some cut off sweat pants, before grabbing a couple bottles of water and heading back outside.

I heard the difference in Natasha’s breathing as I approached and knew she was awake.

She was looking out over the lake, but turned her face toward me as I sat in the chair next to hers and held out a water.

Natasha took it and asked, “Where are we?”

“My cabin,” I replied, watching her for any signs of distress. “It’s on the outskirts of my land, about two hour’s drive from your pack.”

“Heidi?” she asked, and I wasn’t sure what she was talking about.

“Who?”

“My friend, Heidi, she was with me there, the Threehorn leader held us at gunpoint.”

Rage filled me, but I tapped it down and answered calmly, “She was with Mateo and Max… safe.”

Natasha nodded, but didn’t react in any other way, which I had to admit, confused me.

I’d half expected her to freak out, get pissed, or at the very least, be wary, but she seemed to be taking this turn of events in stride.

“I thought you’d be safer here with me, at least until Mateo and his pack figure out how to handle the Threehorn pack.”

When she only nodded in response, then looked back out at the water, I became a little worried. She almost seemed numb. Was she in shock? Was there something else I should be doing for her?

“Are you hungry? Or want something stronger than water?” I asked, leaning closer so that my elbows rested on my knees, close enough to feel the heat from her body. “Or maybe a shower, would that make you feel better?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Natasha replied tentatively, then opened her bottle and took a sip. “This is good.”

“If you really want to go back, I’ll take you, you’re not a prisoner here,” I began, thinking maybe she was having issue with me taking her without giving her a choice. “I want you to be safe, but I’ll find a way to protect you there, if that’s where you need to be.”

“No,” she said softly, “This is nice.”

I waited, but when she didn’t say anything else, I sat back in my chair and joined her in looking out quietly at the water. Then, going on instinct, I reached over and took her hand in mine, then held it as I let calm wash over me.