Page 24 of Bound to Two Bears

He spun and padded barefoot to the bathroom, still sleep weary. His body ached in unfamiliar places as he walked. After relieving himself, he washed his hands and glanced into the mirror. Although he still appeared exactly the same in the reflection, he somehow looked different, too. A moment of shame hit as he stared at his face.

What have I done?

After a few seconds of self-loathing, he walked to the doorway separating the bedroom from the bathroom. He leaned on the frame and stared at the two men sleeping. He wasn’t sure he was ready to wade back into the middle of that pile, and thought perhaps it was better if he had some time alone. He grabbed his backpack and walked out to the living room. After dropping his bag on the couch, Carson dressed quickly and tugged on his hiking boots.

Carson knew they’d warned him about hiking alone, but from the looks of things, the only bears he had to fear were the two inside the cabin. A little space and fresh air was exactly what he needed to clear his head. Opening the front door as quietly as he could, he escaped into the arms of Mother Nature.

It was gray and chilly. He scented a hint of rain in the crisp, morning air. Carson tugged his light jacket closer, hoping it would be enough to protect him. On he walked, higher up the mountain, curious of what he might find along the path. The pines seemed to grow even denser along the narrow lane, so dense what little daylight there was could barely break through. It was more like night, the higher he hiked.

There was a stillness to the early morning that suited Carson’s needs. He drew in the pine scent as he walked, letting it clear his head somewhat.

No matter how right last night had seemed, he still felt off. He’d lived his entire life as a straight man. He’d also lived his entire life assuming that things like shifters didn’t exist. Where there other creatures that went bump in the night were actually real? He had so many questions, yet there hadn’t been a right time last night.

The lust he’d felt for them had been so overpowering. He’d completely surrendered without much thought. The guy who overthought everything had given in without much fight.

Two bears meandered out of the woods just ahead of him on the trail. At first he thought it might be Jared and Royce, but as soon as they caught sight of him, he instantly knew they weren’t. Neither were as large as his bears, and Carson wasn’t sure how, but he simply knew they weren’t his males.

Slowly, he began to back up, unsure if these were real bears or other shifters. Regardless, he was in danger.

Why hadn’t he listened?

He trained his gaze on them, watching for any signs they might attack. Praying to the powers of the universe that they didn’t.

Don’t run.

Don’t tempt them to give chase.

He kept slowly backing away, and the two watched without moving. That is until one of them reared up on his hind legs and let out a massive roar. As soon as its forepaws hit the ground, the pair were on the chase, heading straight for Carson.

Carson spun and took off, running down the mountain path. The gravel was loose in places, and he skidded a few feet. He struggled with the decline in a few places and had to slow, but he somehow managed to outrun them. He looked over his shoulder, but only saw one bear. Carson couldn’t stop to look around for the other attacker, so he sped up as fast as his legs could carry him.

The other bear leapt onto the path ahead of Carson, blocking his escape. Carson shifted to the left and began to climb a steep embankment. The bear behind him slashed at his legs. Carson felt the sting as the tips of the animals’ claws dug in some—but the strike missed for the most part.

His heart thundered in his chest. Fear unlike anything he’d ever known crushed in around him. Unable to stop, he pushed on, dragging himself up the embankment and onto the next part of the mountain road. He raced higher now, the air getting thinner and burning his lungs.

One bear roared behind him, bellowing in Carson’s direction. Carson looked over his shoulder before rounding a bend and saw the lumbering beast tailing him. Off in the distance, he saw the other as well. His legs felt like rubber, but he pushed on the climb, knowing he needed some sort of shelter to get away from the bears.

At the end of the curve, he hit a dead end. He spun to face his attackers and looked for another route of escape. It was all sheer mountain face, and he had no climbing gear in his pack. It sat in his duffel, back in the cabin.

Think, damn it, think!

He searched for an escape as the bear rounded the curve. He bolted, trying to bypass the beast, but the creature spun at the last second. It pinned him to the ground. Carson’s head smacked the hard ground, knocking the air from his lungs. That, plus the weight of the bear above him, and he could barely breathe. There was no way to scream for help. He couldn’t summon the oxygen to make one, single sound.

Lungs burning, he tried to drag in air—but it was pointless. It only took a moment for him to feel lightheaded. Another for him to see stars floating before him eyes.

Good. Let me pass out before they maul me to death.

As darkness started to fill his field of vision, he heard a familiar roar in the distance. Hope filled him, but he wasn’t sure if they’d get to him in time. He fought off the darkness and tried to stay conscious. His heart thundered in his ears, echoing the fearful beating as he knew the end could soon come for him.

The roar sounded again, and this time, Carsonknewit was Royce. A smile came to his lips, even as he fought for air. Even if the creatures killed him, his bears would tear these two to pieces. At least he knew that on the way out.

He’d be avenged.

He didn’t want to die. He clung to hope, grasping in desperation as his vision blurred. The thrumming of his heart slowed. His eyelids fluttered closed. He couldn’t fight the coming darkness anymore.

And then he sucked in a great burning breath, an involuntary reaction. It hurt beyond belief to take that breath, and his body wracked in pain as he drew in another precious lungful.Coughing came next and he looked around as his vision began to clear.

The bear that had been on top of him lay motionless on the ground, blood pooling around its head. The naked human on his knees pleading with Royce for mercy must’ve been the other.

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