Free Bearly Hers: A Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Maria Amor Page A

air, wispy and musky.
    “You didn’t recognize her?”
    Dell shrugged. “No. But, ah, she didn’t seem too happy with the guy that she was talking to. Thought I’d better mention it to y’all before I intervened.”
    Unease crept up Trey’s spine. “What guy?” Without waiting for an answer, Trey ran out of the barn. Rain was falling in a steady beat as he headed onto the drive that led to the house. He smelled smoke before he saw it. The acrid musk hit his nose full bore, his animal picking up on what he’d been half-ignoring in the barn.
    “Xander, Bo!” He bellowed, rounding to the horse barn and feeling the closed front doors. Smoke billowed out from beneath. Inside, Hannah was nickering frantically, followed by the soft, innocent, fear-filled snorts of her new foal. Desperation filled his chest, followed by the icky slick of fear along his skin.
    Fire damaged him as an oblivious fourteen year old, hanging out at his friend Devin’s house, the two of them alone. Unsupervised. Trying to smoke, hating it and throwing the cigars down… one rolling under the couch, forgotten as they raced outside, coughing and laughing and getting on their bikes, off to something new. Until they came back half an hour later to find the house mostly engulfed, with Devin’s younger sister still inside.
    He’d made it out, barely able to carry the girl after flaming debris had fallen onto his back, catching his shirt on fire. The scars were little compared to the price Devin had paid. With his life.
    Now it could be his beloved Hannah and her baby. And if he didn’t hurry, Gia, too.
    Trey glanced around, noticing unfamiliar SUV tracks in the wet drive leading to the barn. Pressing his palms to the doors, he tried to gauge how close on the inside the fire might be. The wood was warm but not uncomfortable. Knowing he could cause a flash fire by opening the doors, he stood slightly behind the right door and pulled it wide, using it as a shield against any flames that might come out.
    Covering his nose and mouth with his hand, Trey edged his way inside. Flames were creeping up the back and sidewalls, making their way to the haymow above. Black smoke filled the hollow spaces, seeping into his nose and scooping out oxygen until his chest went tight. His legs seemed wooden, sweat wetting his forehead and running down his back. Realizing how slowly he was moving, Trey knew if he stopped, he’d be frozen in fear. This time, he might not escape. The automatic sprinkler system hadn’t turned on, leaving them at the mercy of the fire department to get all the way here in a reasonable time. By then, the place would be ashes.
    Hannah neighed frantically, kicking at the stall.
    Taking slow, short breaths, Trey made it to Hannah’s stall. His palms were slick, adrenaline kicking through him and revving his heart rate. Mouth dry, he wasn’t even able to reassure Hannah, just reached out and unlocked the stall door. It swung wide. Trey leaned back against the rail, his hands out as if to brace himself from falling.
    Get a grip and get to Gia.
    Trey faintly heard his name being called through ringing in his ears. Pressure filled his head and slapped a dizzy glaze over his brain. Get control. Get control. He tried to even his breathing, but the smoke seeped in, clogging his throat. Finally, he broke away from the rail and reached for Hannah’s halter. She leaned into his touch, her filly hiding behind Hannah’s legs.
    Still unable to speak, Trey pulled Hannah forward. She resisted, her neck stretching long as he encouraged her to move. Glancing at the fire, he knew it wouldn’t be long until the haymow went up in flames.
    “Trey!” Xander and Bo appeared through the smoke, both of them rushing forward to grab Hannah’s halter.
    “Go!” Bo coughed and covered his mouth with his arm. “Go find Gia.”
    His mind a storm of thoughts, Trey left Hannah to his brother’s care and rushed up the drive. Leaning into his senses, he focused his