Free Chosen by the Bear by Imogen Taylor Page B

and territorial desire, he crossed the floor, closing the gap between them long before she could to run. Grabbing her firmly around her waist, he realised what he was doing and panicked, realizing that he could be hurting her. His eyes darted around the cabin, looking for something to calm her or somewhere to put her till she calmed. He could not have her escaping into the world now she knew what he was. He did not want the torches and pitchforks destroying his hidden sanctuary.
    Nikki struggled valiantly, screams so constant that he had to hold her mouth so that they would not echo into the woods outside, but he held her firm against his naked body. She could feel the unnatural warmth radiating off of him, but her focus was on escape. Internally she screamed and screamed but she could do nothing more than wriggle within his arms.
    "Shh Shh Shh nothing is going to happen to you if you keep quiet," He hissed, trying to keep the pleading out of his tone. He should have known she would react like that when she saw the truth, but he felt responsible for her.
    Nikki slowly started to calm within his arms; there was no way she could escape his grasp. He was grateful to feel her calm but he just could not risk it her escaping, not now. With a few strides, he carried her to a small room and placed her within another room. Without hesitation, he shut the door and locked the door.
    There was no way of escaping. Nikki ran around checking all the windows; they were bolted shut. She even tried the door again, banging and pulling on it, begging to escape.
    “My name is Kade and I’m sorry…” His voice came through the door, head resting against the wood. She could hear the sorrow and frustrated sigh in his voice, but she could not contain the venom that ran around her body. She felt like a caged animal. She struck the door one final time before sliding to the floor and letting her tears fall.

Chapter 3: Through the Eyes of a Beast
     
    Kade sat with his back against the door, listening to Nikki cry and wondering what was going to happen to her now. He could not fight the thoughts that danced through his mind. He had never expected his night to end this way. It started as his nights always did: with a hunt.
    He had transformed as always and went out stalking for some food. He had come across a heard of deer and that smelt so delicious that he could not contain himself. He must have chased one deer for miles before it found its way into the road.
    He had seen the entire crash, but there had been nothing he could have done. It was all over in a second. By the time Kade made it to the road, Nikki’s car had already crashed into the tree. He did not know what to do in that moment, but he knew he had to do something. He felt responsible; he had chased the deer into the road and caused the crash. He kept himself hidden from her as she made her way through the woods, sure she would find her way out and to safety.
    However, when the wolves began circling her like she was prime steak and they hadn’t been fed in years, Kade knew there and then he could not stand by and let her become their dinner. He had forced her into this hell and now he had to break her free.
    That was what had brought them to this situation. He still could not understand why he let himself transform before her and could not bring himself to let her leave. There was something enticing about her, but he kept telling himself it was only to keep her safe from another attack.
    Kade listened to her for a long time, before she fell silent, worn out from everything that had happened. He took a moment to listen through the door. He could hear her soft, deep breathing as if she had fallen asleep and he knew she was safe within the bedroom.
    Practically forcing himself away from the door, he went around the cabin making sure that everything was perfect for the company he suddenly had. He threw on some clothes, just a pair of grey pajama bottoms to keep himself covered yet