Page 17 of Bear Facts

“I’m only looking for information,” Freya babbled, the words not as eloquent as what she’d prepared. “My brother vanished, and I need to know if it was voluntary or not.”

One of the guards near Althea stared off into space, as though listening to something on his earpiece. The second guard stiffened, obviously hearing the same thing, and the first bent and whispered to Althea.

The woman turned her attention back to Freya, her mouth thinning. “It seems we have a watcher in the woods.”

Shane. Crap.

Freya shrugged, trying to convey that the intruder had nothing to do with her, but Ewan whipped around, sniffing the wind.

“Holy shit,” he said. “What is a bear doing out here?”

The guard who’d whispered to Althea disappeared under the trees, and soon shouts sounded behind the SUVs. After a few tense moments, five guards, including the one who’d stood with Althea, came around the SUVs, driving Shane forward. One held a tranq rifle, and two of the others had automatic shotguns.

Freya’s heart tripped in sudden fear. She had no doubt that these guys could kill Shane without remorse. Why hadn’t he run?

Ewan watched with derision as Shane was marched into the middle of Althea’s circle. He was far larger than the men who surrounded him, but Shane had his hands raised as he moved unconcernedly in front of the guards.

“So.” Althea pinned him with her sunglasses stare. “Who are you, and why are you listening in on a private conversation?”

Shane’s response should be that he’d been taking a walk, doing his own thing, when her goons had surrounded him. He should say he didn’t know anything about Althea, or her organization, or had heard any of her conversation with Freya. He should say he’d move along and never tell a soul what he’d seen at the end of this parking lot.

Instead, Shane beamed Althea a huge smile and then turned the same one on Freya.

“Baby,” he boomed, his voice rumbling through the snow-clad trees. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you. What are you doing out here, risking your life to talk to a bunch of mercenaries?”

Chapter Six

Shane belted out the question while Freya glared at him with her gold-gray eyes, clearly willing him to turn around and get the hell out of there.

Not going anywhere, sweetie. These guys and this Althea were trouble—he’d smelled that long before he’d reached the edge of the parking lot and peered around the SUVs.

Plus, there was a mangy Feline in their midst. Ewan, Althea had called him. Shane knew exactly where that cat’s thoughts had been going—he’d broadcasted strongly that he wouldn’t mind Freya under him, no matter that she was a mere Lupine. Ewan’s unconcealed lust made Shane want to punch his face. Which he would, when he had the chance.

“Who is this?” Althea, the coolly crisp woman in charge, demanded of Freya.

Freya should deny any knowledge of Shane’s existence. If she were wise, she would do so instantly. Then Althea would order her men to tranq Shane and dump his sleeping body somewhere while they vanished into the blue—probably with Freya.

Of course, they might not stop at simply tranquilizing Shane. They could very well kill him. No one but Shane’s family and friends would worry about a dead Shifter.

“Before you shoot me, I should tell you that you do not want my mom on the warpath,” Shane said. “Your entire army would crumble before her.”

Althea completely ignored him. “Well?” she asked Freya. “What should I do with him? Keep him? Or make certain he tells no tales?”

Clever woman. Shane was Freya’s problem, and she’d make it Freya’s choice.

Freya could say the word, and these guys would snuff him. Shane saw it in their faces, especially that of the Feline who regarded Shane with the intense focus of a cat ready to take down its prey.

What would Freya have to lose by giving them Shane? Nell would come after Althea and her crew, sure, recruiting anyone she could along the way, but she’d know nothing about Freya. And that was only if Shane’s body was ever found. The annoying Feline here could advise them on how to get rid of Shane completely, might even have a Guardian in his pocket who could render Shane dust with no questions asked.

Freya had no loyalty to him. Shane had given her food, clothes, and brief shelter, but she’d accepted reluctantly and had fled at the first opportunity.

Shane could only watch her, leaving it up to her what to do.

Freya gazed back at him, hers the only eyes exposed in this little group. Shane saw worry and indecision warring in them, fear for herself, and also fear for him. Something squeezed in his heart, even as his snarky bear said, Aw, sweet.

Althea was growing impatient, but she remained quiet, letting Freya battle with her conscience.

Freya released a heavy sigh and screwed up her face in exasperation. “He’s my ex,” she said to Althea. “He follows me everywhere. I told him to stay away, but here he is. I’m sorry.”

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