Free The Write Bear (Highland Brothers 1) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers Page B

and the low growl of a dog. She backed off the rock. Holy shit.
    The animal crept forward from the recesses of the forest, licking its lips, pointing its sharp nose at her.
    “Nice, wolf,” she stammered. “Nice, wolf.” She felt the edge of the banks, wetting the hem of her jeans. There was no where to go but into the lake. She took another step, the water now at her knees.
    The wolf didn’t seem deterred. It pounced forward, splashing the water only a foot in front of her.
    Riley screamed, her voice piercing the silent night. There was nothing to grab. No sticks. No loose rocks. It was only her and a hungry wolf.
    Just as he bared his teeth again, she heard a roar echo through the trees. She searched in the dark, but the path was still. The wolf flipped in the direction of the trail, ready to fight, when a brown bear emerged, teeth gleaming in the moonlight, claws extended. He reared to a standing position, his chest barreled and massive.
    The wolf lunged forward, taking the bear’s fur between its teeth. The bear rolled on its back, shoving the wolf to the ground with a thud. They stood, growling and facing each other with hatred in their eyes.
    Riley stared in amazement as they continued to fight. The wolf pouncing and taking bites at the bear, while the bear would swat and slice the wolf with his vicious claws.
    Her heart beat rapidly as she watched the battle. She didn’t believe the magic. It couldn’t be real, but as she watched the two animals, she knew she was watching Hudson defend her with his life. There was no doubt he was the man beneath the furry exterior. The man was there beneath the layers, fighting for her with all his strength.
    She sank into the lake, the water rising to her hips. There was nowhere else to go. If she walked to the shore, she could get caught in the blades of their battle.
    The wolf sank his teeth into the bear’s arm, and Hudson let out a roar. He threw off the attack, sending the wolf into the lake. Riley expected him to get out and attack once more, but the wolf floated to the surface, his eyes meeting hers. He had a new target.
    With speed and accuracy, he began swimming toward her. Her eyes grew wide. He was headed for her, and the water was rising around her chest. She began to tread water, but she was no match for the wolf’s quickness.
    Just as the tip of his nose reached her chest, his mouth opened and he snatched at her, ripping her shirt. Riley screamed, closing her eyes. He was about to take another bite, when the wolf squealed. He was being pulled under.
    Riley swam farther away, watching the bear wrestle the wolf under water, holding it’s snatching jaws below the surface. Within a few minutes the struggle stopped.
    She didn’t know whether to call out or whether to stay silent.
    The bear swam toward her. She screamed as he gently circled his paws around her wrists, drawing them over his back. Her throat tightened, but as he pressed her close to his chest she felt the fear wash away. She clung to his neck as he swam to shore. Against his fur and massive body she felt safe. There was warmth in his arms.
    She searched his eyes for something familiar. Something that was undeniably Hudson. The dark pools of brown glanced at her before he settled her bottom on a rock. She saw it. The strength of his soul speaking to her through the same eyes that had pierced her heart in Hudson’s bed. The man was there too.
    He swam back to the center of the lake where he dragged the limp body of the wolf back to shore.
    Riley watched in silence as he heaved the dead wolf over his shoulder and disappeared onto one of the trails. She began to shake, the coldness of her wet clothes invading what little warmth was in her body. Her teeth chattered and the goose bumps covered every inch of her flesh.
    She tried to think of warm things. The fire back at Highland House. The heat in the sheets of Hudson’s bed. The way the glass of wine warmed her veins. How Hudson’s fingers fired flames