Page 93 of Bear Facts

Freya’s brother, Matt said happily. And the feral Shifters. This way. This way!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Freya realized Matt was right before she’d taken three strides. She felt a tug, one she hadn’t experienced this sharply since the time Rolf had fallen down the mine shaft when they’d been playing.

Graham’s rage about that incident had come from fear, Freya knew now. He’d been shaky after he’d brought them home safely, doctoring Rolf’s wounds with gentle hands. He’d sent them to bed, smoothing Freya’s hair from her forehead before he’d left her darkened room.

Graham was far away now, searching with another team, but Freya had Shane, the strong, courageous, and determined grizzly.

The pull dragged her farther to the right. Matt corrected when he saw her turn, the cub knowing she felt the true direction to go. Shane, however, growled and grumbled.

But he didn’t stop her. Shane was trusting Freya. It gave her a warm feeling.

The trees, which had shut out the snow with their thick branches, abruptly thinned, then ended at the edge of a ridge. Freya skidded to a halt, her paws slipping on ice.

Matt flew right over the side. Before Freya could cry out in alarm, he scrambled up again. He circled Freya, tail going like mad.

Shane burst from the trees behind them, letting out a relieved breath when he saw they were both safe. Together, they approached the ledge and looked over.

The hill was steep but not sheer, conical fir trees marching down the rocky slope to a river valley beyond. Freya could see what looked like a boat dock in the far distance, a tiny thing. No boats were there in the winter chill, though the river flowed past its icy banks.

I bet you’re going to say we have to go down there, Shane growled.

Down there and across the river, Freya answered.

The Goddess is laughing at me, isn’t she? Shane rumbled.

It’s okay, Uncle Shane. Matt circled Freya then Shane at top speed. I won’t let you drown.

Will it do any good at all to tell you to stay behind? Shane demanded.

No, Matt answered without hesitation. He yipped, raising his nose to test the air.

Figures. Shane heaved a bear sigh. All right. Onward. Goddess I’m going to have so much crap to pick out of my fur.

Freya would have laughed any other time, but anxiousness crept through her. If the mercenaries creating ferals had Rolf caged, they’d see what happened when you messed with a Shifter’s family.

Can we call for backup? she asked. She had no illusions that she and Shane could take on a band of mercenaries alone.

Xav and Reid were carrying the cell phones, Shane answered. And the comms are out of range. Best we could do is return to the plane and hope Marlo’s still there.

The afternoon had waned as they searched, and the sun—a ball of misty light obscured by clouds—was already sliding behind the mountains to the west. Long, blue-tinted shadows crawled along the hills and over the far bank of the river.

We might lose him if we go back. Freya feared she’d not be able to pinpoint Rolf again if they left the area. My brother needs help.

I get that. We can check it out, at least.

Freya blinked. She’d braced herself to argue with Shane and relaxed in relief when he simply agreed.

Shane moved in front of her to lead them. He picked his way down the hill, shoving larger rocks aside for the wolves or clearing deep patches of snow. Matt scampered along, tirelessly popping over boulders and scrambling around scrubby trees.

By the time they reached the bottom of the slope, Freya’s paws were sore from the gravel and thorny dead grass, and her legs ached from constantly bracing on icy patches. Shane didn’t complain other than emitting a barely audible growl, but Matt was as fresh as when they’d started.

Shane paused on the riverbank to scope out the other side. The current was fairly calm here, but the water still flowed quickly over rocks, thin chunks of ice breaking free and floating past them.

Far downstream another bear wandered from the trees and took two steps into the water to drink. Freya watched it catch their scent, jerking its head up.

It was a grizzly, but a wild one. It observed the bear and wolf that had invaded its territory, then turned and nonchalantly sauntered back into the woods.

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