10. Ethan

TEN

ETHAN

The instant Miranda released her panther, my heart leaped to my throat. While she was a magnificent sight to see, my concern grew while she moved to face off with Lucius, who was more powerful than I'd given him credit for. But before I could step in, the scene abruptly changed.

Lucius had done something to Miranda's panther, causing her to stop in her tracks. It was like watching a high-speed chase slam into an invisible wall. A catlike roar ripped from her panther as she fell to the ground, and a wicked smirk twisted Lucius's lips, making him look as though he'd won a freaking grand prize.

That did it.

My bear erupted into a blind, seething rage. His anger spilled over to me, mingling with my own and filling me wholly. Control was out of reach. All I could see, all I could focus on, was getting to Lucius and making him pay for the agony he was causing Miranda and her panther.

I launched myself at him but didn't make it far. Someone slammed into me from the side before I could reach him, knocking me to the ground.

"You didn't think I came alone, did you?" Lucius teased. "Ethan, meet some of my friends."

I glanced up at the guy who'd tackled me to the ground. His eyes glowed in an unnatural way—he was a shifter. Three more people stalked from the woods toward me with their animals barely contained. In seconds, they were all on me. Their strength was surprising, and their intent was clear. They'd do anything to keep me from intervening with Lucius gaining control of Miranda's mind.

Panic flared through me, not for myself, but for her.

Her panther still writhed on the ground while she fought Lucius's ability. I landed a punch to the guy who'd slammed into me, knocking him backward, but another guy stepped into his place.

"Miranda!" I roared, not even sure if she could hear me.

The thought of not reaching her, of not being able to help her, squeezed my heart. I cared for this woman, so did my bear, and we weren't about to lose her to this asshole and his damn minions.

We had to get to her.

Standing to my full height, I swung again at the guy attacking me. He dodged it, but not the upper cut I dished out next. It connected straight to his jaw, snapping his head back and sending him to the ground, knocked out cold. Satisfaction worked through me, but it was temporary.

The other three were on me half a heartbeat later.

Fighting became my sole focus. Every punch, every swipe I tossed was driven by the need to get to Miranda. To help her. But these people were relentless. They were like damn zombies. I didn't know who Lucius was, but he'd planned this attack well, using these people as pawns to keep me occupied so he could get to Miranda.

My bear's rage blistered through me.

He was pissed I was losing, that I wasn't helping her already. I was on the verge of giving way to him and shredding my way through these people to get to Miranda when I spotted my torch leaning against the wall just inside my shop.

An idea took form in my head.

While I wasn't sure it would work, I had to try something. Fighting wasn't offering an immediate way to overpower Lucius or his makeshift army, and I couldn't risk Miranda's safety any longer.

I made a split-second decision.

Dropping to my knees, I placed my hands on my head in a universal sign of surrender and glanced at Lucius.

"I give up," I called out, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. My bear didn't agree with this plan, and he roared with a force inside my skull that made it known. He liked his plan better, the one where he got to shred everyone standing in our way of getting to Miranda. "You win, Lucius."

Lucius smirked in triumph and then signaled his followers to hold back. "I knew you'd see sense eventually," he gloated.

Surrendering was the last thing on my mind, though. My gaze flicked to the old torch by the entrance of my workshop again, wondering if I could get to it before he sicced his minions on me again.

I had no choice. This was our only option.

Without another second of hesitation, I sprang into action. My bear's strength surged as I bolted toward the workshop for the torch. Gripping it tight, I prayed there was enough fuel in it to do what I needed. I couldn't remember the last time I'd filled it.

"Get him!" Lucius shouted at his minions.

I pulled the trigger on the torch and watched as an orange flame burst from the end. Side-stepping the man moving to tackle me to the ground again, I made my way to Lucius.

If I took him down, the others would fall with him.

Lucius's eyes widened as I pointed the torch in his direction. Pulling the trigger again, I ignited another flame aimed at him. He dodge it, but not fast enough.

The flames kissed the side of his face and shoulder, sending an agonizing cry from him. I shot one more blow his way for good measure, but he sidestepped it, causing the sawdust sprinkled across the ground to ignite instead. In seconds, the ground was ablaze, and I knew it wouldn't be long before the workshop and cabin went up in flames next.

Lucius called to the others and then disappeared into the woods. I stood there, torn between going after him and getting Miranda out of here while I could. As I debated, the fire reached my workshop, engulfing the front in flames in less than a minute.

Shit, this wasn't good.

The shop was loaded with chemicals—wood stains, paint, grease, and oils for my machines. It was a ticking time bomb. Going after Lucius and his minions wasn't an option; I had to get Miranda out of here now.

My gaze snapped to her. She'd shifted back into her human form and was lying naked on the ground, looking dazed and confused with her hands clutching her head. I pulled my shirt off as I rushed to her.

"Are you okay?" I asked, helping her sit up.

"Where's Lucius?" She glanced around. "What happened?"

"I got him to leave, but this place is about to blow. We've got to get out of here." I slipped my shirt over her head, grabbed her pile of clothes and cell phone, then I helped her to her feet. "Let's get you to my truck."

Once I had her situated in the passenger seat, I set her things on the floorboard and dashed inside the cabin for my keys. Pausing to glance around, my mind raced as I tried to think of anything I wanted or anything I needed to grab before leaving. Nothing stood out. It was all material things, nothing of value. Everything that meant anything to me and my bear was sitting in my truck right now. Making my way back out to it, I slammed the passenger door shut and then rounded to climb behind the wheel. As I sped away, kicking up dirt behind us, my gaze kept flicking to my rearview mirror. A mini-explosion happened in the workshop, sending flames to my cabin. It ignited in an instant.

I exhaled a slow breath, thinking maybe this was how it was supposed to go. Maybe this was how I got a fresh start, a way to fully give into this latest version of myself instead of clutching to who I used to be before gaining my bear.

"I'm so sorry," Miranda said, pressing her fingers to her temples and exhaling slowly.

I cast a quick glance her way. "It's not your fault. Are you sure you're all right?"

"I should be asking if you're okay. That was a lot, I know. Please believe me when I say that I had no idea he followed me."

"I'm fine, and I believe you."

"Your place is burning to the ground back there," she said, still looking disoriented.

"All I care about is right here." I placed a hand on her thigh and squeezed. When she didn't pull away or flinch, I took it as a good sign. "Where am I driving to—your place?"

"No. I need you to pull over."

"What?" Concern filled me as I came to a stop along the side of the road.

Was she about to get sick? If so, then she was as far from okay as could be.

"I have to go back," she said, pulling her phone out of the pile of her things at her feet. "I have to make sure Lucius doesn't get away."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

There was no way in hell I'd let her go back. He'd nearly had her. Lucius had gotten into her head and caused her and her panther physical pain. I knew what it felt like to have him in your head. It wasn't pretty.

"As long as I have the amulet, he can't get into my head again," she said, as though that should be enough to make me feel better about her going back.

My bear paced with unease.

"There's only one amulet."

"I know, which is why you're not coming with me." She tapped around on her phone, her thumbs flying at warp speed. "Go to my place. Go to town. Go anywhere but here."

"You're crazy if you think I'm letting you go back there to take him on alone," I scoffed. "Especially after I burned half his damn face off."

Surely, that had pissed him off.

"I won't be alone," she said, finally meeting my gaze. "I sent Neo and the others a text. They're coming." She held out her hand, waiting for me to give her the amulet.

My bear went wild.

"You barely escaped him. Going back is a shit idea," I countered, my tone firm.

"It's something I have to do." A pleading look entered her gaze. "I need that amulet, and I need you to go somewhere safe."

I shook my head. "I can't do that. I can give you the amulet, but you can't ask me to leave. Staying with you, helping you, that gets to be my decision."

"I can't lose you to him," she whispered, and I swore I could hear her heart break at the thought.

"And I can't lose you to him either," I said, meaning it wholeheartedly, my gaze never wavering from hers. "I'm coming with you."

"He could get into your head again. He could control you."

I grinned at her. "That's a risk I'm willing to take."

"You're stubborn."

"So are you."

She frowned but didn't speak. What could she say? She knew I was right.

The sound of a motorcycle in the distance made its way to my ears.

"The others are here," Miranda said, twisting to look down the road.

"Let's do this, then."

I eased back onto the road. Giving my truck some gas, I led the entourage of motorcycles to my place, where orange flames licked the sky. The sight was shocking, but I shoved my emotions away. Keeping my head in this situation was necessary. Lucius could be close, and I had to make sure we took him down. It was the only way to make sure he never came after Miranda again.

Parking a good distance away from the fires, I killed the engine on my truck and climbed out. Miranda rounded the front, heading toward me. Her eyes asked if I was okay. I could see the question swirling through their color.

"I'm fine," I muttered. "Let's find this asshole."

"Oh, shit," one guy said as he climbed off his bike, his gaze soaking in the inferno that used to be my sanctuary. "What happened?"

"Did you burn him?" another guy asked, his intense gaze fixed on me. Authority rippled off him in waves, which was something my bear picked up on right away.

"I did," I said, feeling proud.

"That's Neo, our alpha," Miranda said, pointing to the guy with the intense eyes. It made sense he was their alpha. I could somehow sense it in him. "And that's Lorenzo, Daxton, Savannah, and Kiera. My tribe."

I nodded to them all, remembering Kiera from the market.

"What did you burn him with?" Neo asked.

"My torch." I nodded to it, laying on the gravel where I'd left it.

"How badly did you burn him?" he asked.

"I got half of his face," I said. "It was enough for him to release his hold on Miranda and call his minions off me. We were able to escape."

Neo nodded, seemingly pleased by the news, and then shifted his attention to the others. "Just because he's injured doesn't mean he's no longer a threat. He could still be nearby, and the others under his control could still be with him." His gaze shifted to Miranda and me. "How many did he have with him?"

"Four or five," I replied.

"Did you recognize any of them?" Daxton asked.

"I didn't," Miranda answered. "But I don't know many people in town." Her gaze drifted to me, and so did everyone else's.

I shook my head. "Not really. I think I've seen one of the guys at the hardware store before. Another might be the owner of a lawn care business in town."

Jesus, I needed to get out more.

"Let's split up," Neo said. "Lorenzo, you're with me. Ethan and Miranda search that way, me and Lorenzo will head in the opposite direction. Savannah and Kiera, try to get these fires out. The last thing we need is for this place to be crawling with police and firefighters while we're searching for Lucius."

"I could call Dusty, Adara's man," Savannah offered. "He's a firefighter. I'm sure he'd be a big help in getting these fires out, but also in keeping everyone else away."

"Good idea, considering he's also a dragon shifter. He could probably snuff those flames out easily," Daxton chimed in.

"I'm not sure it was your place to share his secret," Savannah said, her eyes narrowing.

"Ah, my bad." Daxton rubbed the back of his neck, flashing her a crooked grin. "But it's true, isn't it?"

She pursed her lips. "Yes."

"Give him a call," Neo said. "All right, let's get to it." His tone was dismissive and stern, but it had everyone departing to do as he'd said.

But before I could take a step, Kiera called out to me.

"Ethan, wait. I made this for you to keep Lucius out of your head." She held out her hand, revealing an amulet similar to the one Miranda had given me before. "After Miranda came to me about making you one, I knew I needed to. I had a feeling you'd be hanging around." She gave me a knowing smirk.

"Thanks." I took the amulet from her, and as soon as I slipped it around my neck, I felt a sense of protection cloak me.

"Thank you," Miranda chimed in, pulling Kiera into a hug.

"No biggie," she said. "Now, go find Lucius and put an end to this mess."

With that, Miranda and I ventured into the woods. Even though I'd been in these woods more times than I could count, this evening they had an ominous feel to them.

"I'm sure you know these woods like the back of your hand. Are there any places he could hide?" Miranda asked.

I thought for a moment. While the woods were thick, there weren't many places for someone to hide while they healed. The terrain was mountainous and riddled with various-sized trees and shrubbery.

"Wait," I said, startling her. "There is one place he might hide if he can find it."

"Where?"

"There's a cave about half a mile from here that way. It's not easy to find, though."

I'd only stumbled upon it a few months ago. My bear had taken control after two solid weeks of me fighting him, and while he was in control, a wicked thunderstorm had crashed down on us. He'd found the cave by chance. It was tucked away, hidden at the bases of some exceptionally large trees.

"Take me there," Miranda demanded, determination etched into her features.

I nodded. "Are we hunting him in animal form or human?"

"Animal."

A grin formed on my face. I was okay with that. Running through these woods with Miranda's panther excited me, but it also excited my bear. He wanted to be near her while she was in panther form. There was something significant to him about that, something primal.

Her trusting him with that side of her, it spoke to him.

I stripped out of my clothes, trying not to stare at her while she slid my shirt over her head and tossed it onto the grass. Her body was perfect. The sight had things stirring to life in me that shouldn't right now, given the situation we were in. Trying to dampen what I felt, I gave way to my bear, letting him have full control.

Behave , I told him, take her to the cave . He made a noise, letting me know he thought my words were unnecessary.

Working our way through the woods, Miranda's sleek panther shadowed me. The dense forest that would have impeded me as a man didn't bother my bear in the slightest, and Miranda's agility complimented my brute strength well as we navigated the mountainous terrain. Being with her in this way felt right. My bear, even given the dire situation, felt content to be close to her in our shifter forms.

As we approached the cave, my bear went on high alert. He was determined to protect Miranda this time around. Thankfully, the amulet Kiera made was more magical than I'd thought and still hung around my bear's neck. It was the edge we needed to beat Lucius when we found him.

Stepping inside the cave, a deafening silence met my bear's ears and the scent of cold earth filled his nose. One more good inhale was all it took to realize Lucius and his minions weren't here.

No one was—except us.

Miranda shifted back into her human form first, frustration rippling off her in waves, and I shifted next.

"He's not here," she spat, her anger palpable as it echoed off the cave walls. "I was hoping he would be. This would be the perfect place for him to hide out—a creepy cave for a creepy snake." Her gaze drifted around, as though waiting for him to materialize from the shadows.

"We'll find him," I assured her, even though disappointment and frustration that he wasn't here warred inside me, too.

She spun to look at me, her gaze fierce. "Every minute we waste, he gets farther away," she said, her voice tight with barely contained rage. "And that means we'll see him again. Who knows, next time he could have an army backing him."

I stepped closer, placing my hands on her shoulders, and turned her to face me. "He can bring an army. We all know if we take him down that whole army of his falls too." I smoothed my hands along her arms. "He's not indestructible. He'll get what's coming to him."

It was a promise.

Miranda leaned into my touch, her earlier fury subsiding as she calmed. "I hate feeling like we're always one step behind," she admitted, her voice softer now.

I nodded, understanding her frustration all too well. "He'll slip up at some point, though. That's when we'll get him."

A brief smile flickered across her face. "You're good at pep talks."

"Am I?" I questioned, and she nodded. "I take that as a sign you're feeling better about the situation, then."

"Somewhat, yeah. I'm glad you're here." Her hand touched my bare chest, her gaze never wavering from mine.

Without thinking, I leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm glad I'm here, too."

She exhaled a slow breath, and then I felt her relax. Her naked body pressed against mine, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight.

"This is the first time I think I've fully relaxed in forever. You make me feel safe, like I'm not doing everything all alone," she whispered. "I know I have the tribe, and I'm grateful for them, but it's nice having someone else solely in my corner. Someone to calm me when my thoughts get too choppy and my emotions take hold. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I replied softly. "I'm always here for you."

I meant it.

Whatever this woman needed, my bear and I had her back. Always.

She sighed and nestled deeper into my embrace. I stroked her hair, marveling at how soft it was between my fingers. Every muscle in her body melted under my touch. As I trailed my fingertips in lazy circles along the small of her back, I noticed when goose bumps prickled across her bare skin.

She pulled away slightly and looked up at me, her eyes locking with mine. "I want you to know something," she whispered, and my pulse quickened at her words. "My panther, she chose you. I know you're not familiar with the shifter world, but when I say that, I mean, she picked you as her mate. You have the love of a panther, Ethan, my panther."

My bear reacted to her words. He released a roar of approval that sent a wave of pure bliss rippling through me. "I think my bear chooses her and you back."

A smile formed on her face. I leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss, tasting the sweetness of her tongue as she explored my mouth in response.

This. Right here. Right now. Her. It felt right.

For the first time in my life, I felt like every part of me was home. It was all because of this amazing woman. She was kind, smart, stunning, and fierce.

She was everything.

My hands ran down her hips before cupping her behind. She let out a small moan that did things to me and then nibbled my bottom lip. I released a groan and dug my fingertips into the flesh of her perfect ass.

"I want you," she whispered.

It was all the motivation I needed to take things to the next level. Trailing my lips down her neck, I tasted her skin.

"I want you too."

My hands traveled along her body with my lips. She smelled like lavender and vanilla, a scent that was uniquely hers and drove me wild, and her skin was incredibly soft. Her breath hitched when I brushed my thumbs over her hardened nipples, causing them to pebble even more. She tangled her fingers into my hair and pulled me closer as she arched into me.

I worked my way down her body, loving every inch. A small moan slipped past her lips, echoing through the cave. I skimmed my lips past her navel and felt her body tremble. A smirk twisted my lips, and I couldn't resist tasting her.

"Mmm," she moaned at the first flick of my tongue.

She tugged at my hair while I parted her folds with my fingers and teased her entrance with the tip of my tongue. Her taste intoxicated me, making me hungry for more. I lapped away, loving each little moan that slipped past her parted lips and the way her hips rocked against my face while I explored her wet, hot center with my tongue. My hands roamed up her torso to cup her breasts and massage them gently while I worshiped her with my tongue. I sucked her clit and flicked it with my tongue repeatedly until she cried out, louder this time.

She tasted so fucking good.

My mouth watered for more as I gripped her hips, pressing my face closer to her sweet center. Adding one finger and then two, I stroked her lovingly while my tongue danced around her clit. She shuddered as her breath became ragged. The tightness coiling through her body drove me to thrust into her, filling her with my fingers as she pushed back against me. Her hips bucked against my face while I continued to pleasure her, and her moans grew louder with each passing second.

I couldn't get enough of the way she felt, the way she smelled, or the taste of her on my tongue. It was driving me wild. I flicked my tongue over her clit once more before suckling hard. She cried out before shattering into bliss against my face. I lapped it all up until she gently pushed me away.

"Sit," she ordered, and I obliged.

The cave floor was cool against my bare skin, but I would do anything this woman asked of me and more. She moved to straddle me, staring at me with those bewitching eyes. Her lips pressed against mine as she lined my shaft up with her entrance. Slowly, she lowered herself onto me, taking me deeper and deeper into her wet heat.

"Damn, you feel good," I gasped into her mouth between kisses.

"So do you," she whispered.

As we moved together, the sound of our passion echoed off the cave walls. Electricity buzzed across my skin while my hands gripped her hips. I thrusted my hips to meet her, loving the feel of her walls clutching me so tightly. Her breathing grew quicker, and so did mine as we picked up speed.

Miranda tossed her head back, her long dark hair tickling my legs, and a low moan escaped her. I gripped her tightly, my fingers digging into the flesh of her hips as she ground against me harder. Her walls constricted around me, and I knew her release was near. When she pressed her chest against mine, her nails digging into my back, I felt her give way to her inevitable release. She pulsed around me while I thrust into her harder. Her sweet panting in my ear drove me wild, and in the next instant, my release exploded from me like a tidal wave. I tensed my legs, thrusting deeper inside her one last time, feeling the ripples of my release twitch from my core and convulse my body as I filled her.

This woman was mine.

Miranda slid off me when I was done, her chest rising and falling as rapidly as mine while she struggled to catch her breath.

"That was amazing," she breathed. "I needed that."

"Glad I could help," I quipped. "I'm yours whenever you like."

A smile twisted her lips as she moved to lean against the cave wall beside me. "Ditto."

Grabbing her hand, I brought her knuckles to my lips and placed a soft kiss there. Her eyes met mine, and without words, I knew we both understood this was the beginning of something special between us. It wasn't just a one-time thing.

"We should head back," she said a few heartbeats later. "I don't want to. I'd much rather stay holed up in this cave with you instead, but I know the others will be wondering if we're okay. Plus, I'd like to see if they found Lucius."

I nodded, knowing she was right.

My bear made a noise, hoping they'd found him and dealt with him properly. I hoped for the same.

Moving to stand, I held a hand out to Miranda, offering to help her to her feet. She accepted, a smirk cutting across her face.

"What?" I asked.

"You're sexy."

"Woman, you're going to have me keeping you in here all night if you keep saying things like that and looking at me the way you are," I teased.

She laughed and then started toward the cave entrance, swinging those beautiful hips of hers while she walked. I followed, deciding this cave would always be a place I treasured now.

When we stepped outside, Miranda shifted, her panther bursting from her. I grinned and then gave way to my bear.