CHAPTER 36
K aelyn pushed away from the log, forcing her legs to bear her weight. The salty air held the distinct aroma of blood and war.
Saar.
Kaelyn’s chest ached, her love for him spilling from her as freely as the blood flowing from her battle wounds. He’d taken the sword intended for her, proving his loyalty. She knew what that meant to him.
Instead of fear and anger at his sacrifice, a mixture of gratitude and love swirled inside, cementing the bond between them. Love was about caring for others, letting them inside, holding on tight. She’d opened up, allowing herself to care, to become vulnerable, and now, she wouldn’t let him go.
Saar struggled to maintain his balance, but his gaze met hers, his eyes full of devotion. He raised his hand and pointed toward the forest. His intent was clear—run.
No. She wouldn’t leave him.
The male Saar knocked to the ground stood. The muscles in his shoulders flexed as he picked up his sword. Faster than she thought possible, he raised his weapon.
“Stop!” Kaelyn bolted, plowing into the male and knocking him off balance.
“Ahhhh!” With a soft thud, the blade drove into the soft sand at his feet.
Saar growled, his shoulders flexing, hackles rising on his back. He turned toward the male.
Kaelyn rushed to Saar, colliding with the hard muscles of his chest. Warm and wet, blood from his wounds seeped into her skin, the coppery tang coating the back of her throat.
“Kill him!”
“He’s a danger to us all. Kill him!”
Loud shouts and pounding feet reverberated off the nearby trees. Saar wrapped his arm around her waist. He took a step back, toward the forest. His growl was low, menacing.
“Saar, stop.” She pushed against him, fighting to break his hold.
From the corner of her eye, a male skirted around them, then another, their swords gripped tightly, faces drawn.
“If the Gossum and Ursus don’t kill him, his own kind will.” Mauree’s words flitted through her mind.
Saar wavered on his feet, the blood loss taking its toll. She pulled back and this time, he released her.
She raised her hands toward the warriors. “Don’t hurt him.”
“Who are you?” One of the males with a bandana wrapped around his throat took a step forward, his sword raised above his head.
“I’m his mate. Kaelyn.” Saying the words strengthened the connection between them, solidifying it in her heart.
The male who’d spoken held out his hand. “Move away, Kaelyn. We can protect you.”
Her face heated, anger flaring within. “I can bring him back.”
“No one…” His voice trailed off. The tension in his arms relaxed, but he didn’t lower his sword.
Saar growled and pressed against Kaelyn’s back, drawing her to him once again, yet the strength he’d possessed before was gone.
“Others have and you know it. Let me try,” she choked out the words.
“Let her try, Quentin,” one of the other males shouted.
The warrior, Quentin, glanced at the other Stiyaha and pointed the tip of his sword at the ground.
She didn’t wait to see if they followed suit. With a quick turn, she faced Saar and gripped his face in her palm. Even in his beast form, his scar ran from cheek to chin.
He growled and jerked from her grasp, the beast in control.
“Shh…shh…it’s okay. They won’t hurt you.” She brushed a finger over his broad shoulder.
His attention darted from the males to her and back again several times, as if assessing whether to believe her words. At last, his blue eyes rested on her.
She stroked his fur, whispered how much she loved him, anything to keep him with her.
His eyelids drooped then popped open, focusing on her once again. His knees wobbled, and he leaned on her before straightening. Several moments ticked by, but at long last, he closed his eyes.
“That’s it, concentrate on my voice. I love you, Saar. Come back to me.”
Shuffling of feet and soft murmurs echoed around her, but she focused on Saar, continuing her efforts, stroking his fur, keeping him grounded. She poured all her love for him into her tone, trying to ease the beast within. Then, like a bright light bursting in her mind, she gripped her whistle and brought it to her lips. After taking a big breath, she blew into the bear’s head, playing a soft tune, just for him. Come to me.
His fur tickled her hand, retracting so slowly she almost didn’t notice. The movement bolstered her confidence, her heart beat picking up speed. She continued her quiet melody. His fur receded, his bones and muscles creaking as he reverted to his normal height. Rough, callused skin and his clothes reformed onto his body, including her golden yellow scarf wrapped around his wrist.
He opened his eyes.
A strangled cry eased from her throat. She kissed him on the mouth, firm and hard. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her to him, returning her kiss with a fevered intensity. After a long moment, she pulled away. Their combined panting echoed between them.
With a tenderness she’d grown accustomed to, he trailed his finger over her braid. “Little bear, thank you.”
Quentin stepped forward. “Welcome back, Commander.”
Kaelyn placed her hand on Saar’s chest. “Your injury…”
He raised his shirt. A thick line, a scar, marred his chest. He smiled, the small dimple she loved so much forming in his cheek. “Seems the beast heals quickly, I’d forgotten about that. Looks like another souvenir, a memory of what’s important in life.”
He cupped her cheek in his hand. His thumb trailed over her chin, and he stroked her like only he could.
She smiled. “It’s beautiful.”
He brushed his fingers over her shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist. She leaned into him, a weightlessness lightening her chest.
Quentin cleared his throat. “Noeh sent us to find you, bring you back to the Keep.”
His attention riveted on Quentin. A tic started in his jaw. “What are the charges?”
“Charges?” Quentin blinked. “None. On the contrary, he’s thankful you did the right thing. Alora visited, said Kaelyn is on our side now. Saar, I tried to save Kaelyn, not hurt her when you hit me.”
“What? I’m back on Alora’s team? Good thing it’s night and I found out before daybreak. Otherwise, I’d burn from the sun.” Kaelyn’s mind reeled. Her life had changed so drastically in such a short amount of time. “Why didn’t Alora tell me?”
Quentin shrugged. “Welcome to the team.”
“What about the rest of my kind?” Hope for the others rose in her chest.
“As far as I know, just you.”
A cold chill slid along her arms, an awareness she might not see her Tribe again, except on opposite sides of the war.
Saar drew her closer. “We must go. Who knows if Mauree and her troops will return anytime soon. Besides, we need to see Noeh.”
“The nearest portal is this way.” Quentin and the other males headed into the forest.
Kaelyn followed Saar’s gaze to the ocean. Memories of their encounter on the cliff brushed against her mind. She ran her hand down his arm, over her braiding scarf at his wrist, and squeezed his hand. “Maybe someday we’ll come back and visit.”
He wrapped her in his embrace and tugged her close. His breath cascaded over her chin, stroking her skin. A low, possessive growl rumbled in his chest. “Mated to you is my dream.”
Joy lifted her spirit as his lips met hers. She’d found her forever mate, and a happiness she’d never known swelled in her chest. This was love, and she embraced it with all her heart.