Chapter 7

7

Preston

T he moment the girls are out of sight, my beast tears out of me, roaring. It’s so glad to be unfettered by these freaking wet clothes.

Now I can go a lot faster, easily following the human scent trail through the mountains. Thank goodness the other team had the sense to head back before the storm arrived.

The rain is goddamn heavy and with every step I take, I curse these idiot humans who are bent on taking themselves out. But I’m gonna get to them fast, so I can get back to my girl and put her sweet mind at rest. Hell, I’ve got no opinion of these assholes, but I’d gladly rescue them all day if it makes her happy.

I wonder how the heck I’m going to bring them back though. Two, three, I could carry on my back, but there’s ten of them out there. And if they made it all the way to the flag, it’s a long journey back. Cold, wet and at high altitude, they could easily get hypothermia. I gnash my teeth in frustration. I need to be with Lucy. She’s so ready for me. Every bit of her is crying out to me to take her, and my beast is mad with lust. When you find your mate, you don’t wait. You don’t leave her in the company of her bitchy colleagues who aren’t worth as much as her little toe. You hold her in your arms and never let her go.

I’m so darn proud of her for getting herself back safely. When those assholes picked her last for their teams, it took all my self-control not to take them out. Every last stupid one of them. Why is it that humans can’t value the best things in life? They turned their back on a precious jewel like her, and squabble in the dirt among themselves instead. But she rose above it, my girl, and did her best to save their miserable skins.

I know she’s been doing this her whole life, and I’m so in awe of her resilience. But this is the last time she’s going to suffer. From now on, she’s going to live with me in my lair, and I’ll make darn sure she gets every little thing she’s ever dreamed of.

I’m getting close now. The flag is still a good way off, but the scent of their hides is thick in my nostrils. Another minute, and I see them—huddling under a rocky outcrop. They’re in a group hug, clinging onto each other and shivering so hard I can hear their teeth chattering. Those pricks.

I pause. No point letting them see me in my bear form. I shift fast. Yanking those wet clothes back on is a hell of a job, but I just about manage it.

Now, I need wood. Dry wood. I hunt around for anything that hasn’t been caught out in the rain, then I spot a cave nearby. That’ll keep them a lot drier than their current spot.

After a few minutes, I gather up a bundle of branches and pile them up at the cave entrance. I pull out my lighter and get it lit, then I go get the others.

When I appear, they stare at me like they’ve seen a ghost.

“What kept you?” One of them hollers.

I stop dead. “Huh?”

“You shoulda been here.”

I shake my head. No way. The last bit of my goodwill snaps.

“I warned you dickheads not to stay out past twelve, didn’t I?” I glare at each one of them in turn.

“Didn’t I?” I roar, letting my beast take possession of my voice.

Everything. Their dumbness, their self-entitlement, but mainly the way they’ve been treating my princess.

It all comes to a head.

“Answer me, or I leave right now!”

“Yeah, you did,” a whiny voice pops up.

“And didn’t Lucy tell you when it was time to head back?”

“Yeah, she might’ve.”

“But you ignored her!” I thunder. “Don’t you know that she’s smarter than all of you bozos put together?”

They hang their heads, say nothing.

“That’s a question!” I roar.

They jump in unison. It’s almost funny.

“Yeah, I mean she’s good at organizing stuff. It’s just, like, she giggles a lot.”

“And?” I round on the moron who’s currently speaking. “What’s wrong with being a little cheerful?” I startle at my own words. Twenty-four hours ago, such a thought would’ve never entered my grumpy old brain. I can’t resist a secret smile.

One of them clears his throat. “It’s just not really suitable in the corporate world.”

I fix him with a hard stare. “You saying it’s more important to be serious than smart?”

“Well…” His eyes get kinda glazed. “I don’t know.”

“Her talents have been wasted on you all.” I glare at them in disgust. “I wonder how many good ideas of hers you’ve trampled on over the years. And here you are like a bunch of pricks about to die of exposure. When I get you back to the lodge, every single one of you is going to apologize to Lucy from the bottom of your miserable hearts. For every little way you’ve insulted her. I’m gonna listen to every darn word, and if I don’t believe you’re speaking with your heart… well—let’s just say I think that bear is still around. Now, follow me.”