Free Gray Back Alpha Bear by T. S. Joyce

silver color. He bolted from the room, slamming into the washer with his hip as he passed.
    “Creed!” she yelled.
    The front door banged closed hard enough to shake the whole trailer. What the hell? She looked down at herself, but she was still completely covered in bubbles. And anyway, why should he be so offended by her body? He’d slept with her before. Self-consciousness was a bitter passenger as she kicked the cap and stood. The water and bubbles drained around her feet, and she hit the shower, wincing as the cold water pelted against her skin. When all the soap suds had washed from her skin, she grabbed a towel and slipped and slid into the bedroom where she dressed double-time. After she’d pulled a pair of floppy snow boots over her sweat pants, she strode through the living room to the front door. He wasn’t on the porch or anywhere in the side yard that was illuminated by the strands of outdoor lights.
    Her body had changed a lot, and now he was being cruel. She didn’t understand him. He’d kissed her and seemed attracted to her one minute, and the next, the sight of her in a bubble bath made him flee faster than when she’d told him she was pregnant.
    Movement in the trees made her leave the safety of the porch light and sprint for the woods. But when she drew nearer to the movement, it wasn’t Creed at all, but Easton.
    Chills rippled up her arms as she skidded to a stop. “What are you doing out here?”
    “Watching your mate run,” he said gruffly, shifting his weight from side to side. His eyes were glowing green.
    Gia backed up a step out of self-preservation. “He’s not my mate. Did you see where he went?”
    “Same place he always goes when he sees the waves. To Bear Trap Falls.”
    Shaking her head, Gia frowned. “I…I don’t understand.”
    “Ah,” he rumbled. Pausing, he canted his head. “Gray Back Alpha Bear didn’t tell you, did he?”
    “Tell me what?”
    “About the water.”
    “What about the water?” She was growing frustrated and ready to leave the conversation. Clearly, Easton was nuts.
    “Can’t say anymore. Not my place to expose ghosts, and besides, don’t like talking to a dead woman. You’ll be a ghost soon, too.” His eyes went sad, and the glow lost its luminosity. “I don’t want you to go. I won’t Turn you, though. Never again. Never again. I hurt Willa. Won’t hurt you. But I don’t want you to go.”
    A shiver trembled up her spine as she backed away faster. He hurt Willa? “You’re hurting me, too, by talking about me dying, Easton. I’m not going to die. I’m strong.”
    Easton looked uncertain. “I’m hurting you?”
    “Yes. Every time you talk about me dying, it scares me and hurts me. It makes me think you don’t like me. Why else would you say awful things like that?”
    He shook his head and backed away a few steps, then crouched down, angling his head until his neck was exposed. “You don’t have to be scared of me. You’re mate of my alpha. I’m nothing.”
    He wasn’t nothing. Easton was dangerous, and she didn’t understand him. And being out here alone with him was a terrible idea.
    “Can you wait here?” Easton asked softly, neck still exposed. “Just for a moment? I made you something.”
    “I don’t know if I should…”
    Easton was gone, and the rustle of brush was the only proof he’d been there at all. When she backed up, she tripped over an exposed tree root and barely caught herself. And then he was back, approaching slowly, crouched down, neck exposed. He set something down near her feet, then backed away. He gestured to what looked like a knife in a leather sheath. “For you.”
    “You made this? For me?”
    Easton nodded. “I made it just like Willa’s. Clinton said girls like things that match. I want to take you to Bear Trap Falls, but you’re afraid of me. I can smell it.” He waved in front of his nose. “Acrid. Bitter. Ask Willa to take you to your mate. She will. Willa’s