The Panther's Rival

by Emilia Hartley

  Savannah snuffed her reply, and he watched a violent quake rock her frame before the muscles began to tear. Her bear began groaning in agony, the growls of pain turning slowly and torturously to whimpers from human vocal chords. The shift was slow, and Tom’s heart broke at the way her increasingly humanoid face contorted as she suffered. When it was finally over, she lay curled with her knees to her chest, clutching her injured hand as she cried.

  Tom stood just out of the way, watching as she wept. Her body shook with every gasp, her wail full-bodied and filled with anguish. It was obvious that the pain she was letting out wasn’t caused by the injuries she’d sustained; as much as Tom’s bear urged and growled at him to go to her, he thought it best to let her handle this part on her own.

  Only when she finally settled to soft sniffling did Tom take one tentative step forward. “Hey, that looks pretty bad,” he murmured, indicating lightly to her hand. “Let’s get back to the mechanics.”

  They walked slowly enough that Tom noticed the limp in Savannah’s stride. She’d sustained more injuries than he’d originally estimated. Despite his better judgment, he slowly moved to her, wrapping one protective arm gently around her shoulders.

  She flinched hard, fearful eyes glancing frantically up at him. He wondered briefly what she was thinking about; how she thought he must feel about it all. How did he feel? There was anger, yes, and his familiar distrust had flared brightly for a moment, but mostly he was just hurt. He shook his head, freeing his mind of the thought. Medical now, feelings later.

  They made it into the shop shortly after, Tom walking her gingerly to his back bedroom. “Let me get some clothes on,” Tom breathed softly, trying and failing to ignore the scent of their lovemaking still on the sheets. “I’ll grab something for you, too.”

  “Why are you doing this,” Savannah whispered. Her voice was small and weak like the day he’d met her. It broke his heart all over again. “I betrayed you and—”

  “Shhh,” Tom replied, cutting off her words. “There will be plenty of time for talking after we get that arm tended to.”

  Savannah fell silent, tears beginning to well up in her eyes once more. “Thank you,” she whimpered, the first tear sliding down her dirty cheek. “I don’t deserve any of this.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Tom caressed Savannah’s shoulder, a little surprised at how he was reacting to her. He’d just caught her red handed with the bear that sought to destroy him and his brother. She’d been working for him, sent to the mechanics by him. So why wasn’t Tom furious with the very thought of her?

  Was it because she’d protected him when he fell, shaking with a terror of her own? Was it because she truly felt remorse for her actions, recalling how she shivered and cried on the forest floor? Or was it simply because they were mated, destined to be paired together so simply having her near kept him at peace?

  Tom didn’t know.

  Helping Savannah into some loose-fitting clothes, Tom let Dan’s parting words waft back to the forefront of his mind. He thought of the way she’d tried to protect him despite the cruelty Dan had hinted at. When was it that she’d chosen him over her own leader?

  As Tom helped her into the back room where Dan usually slept, he couldn’t help but think that maybe it was his bear that kept him from being angry with her. He hated to admit it; it was illogical to still trust her, but at the same time, since the short battle had ended and Savannah was confirmed safe, Tom had never been more at peace. When he tried to think of the possibilities of her doing something like this again, he found it absurd. Was it because of his human brain seeing the regret in her eyes as she walked with him to the mechanics, or his bear accepting with everything he was that his mate would never betray him?

  He still didn’t know.

  Savannah winced, jerking hard as Tom bandaged her up. Her hand was a complete mess and would take time to heal. She was awash with slashes and dark-swollen bruises, muddied with dirt and blood. He was too afraid of the running water making her blood-loss worse to advise a shower. He ended up cleaning every wound by hand before dressing them in gauze. He flinched with her as every pass of the warm cloth over her body made her hiss in pain.

  “Sorry,” he murmured remorsefully, tugging on a bind of bandage over her forearm. A gash up the side of her back needed skin adhesive before dressing, his fingers working angrily into the cut as he got it to stick together. He feared she might cry yet again as the room filled with the scent of her tears, but she steeled her features, focusing on something on the far wall. Despite her tough façade, she was shivering by the time he finished binding the last wound.

  Tom released his held breath in a relieved sigh, happy to be done causing her more pain. “How does it feel?”

  Savannah sampled her joints, wincing as she flexed her wrists, grimacing as her back twisted ad agitated several wounds on her torso. “Everything hurts, but I’ll heal.” She gave him a weary look before quickly averting her eyes once more, looking more exhausted by now than sad or scared. “Thank you.”

  Slowly, so as not to startle her, Tom raised his hand to her chin, tipping her head back to face him. “Please Savannah. Tell me everything.”

  And she did. Everything from the day Lucas scouted her to the moment Tom found her in the woods denouncing him, voice hitching uncontrollably when she told him of the night at the lake that had caused her to run away from him that night. Anything he didn’t know and everything he’d want to know was now his. She barely breathed, stumbling over her words as they tumbled out of her mouth; Tom could tell she’d wanted to get this off her chest for a good long while.

  “I’m so sorry, Tom,” she finished, voice cracking in renewed anguish. “I should have told you the truth sooner.”

  He only nodded, mostly numb as he processed all the new information. “Yes, you should have,” he replied, heavily. He saw her face fall, a picture of true misery. “But I understand why you couldn’t,” he murmured.

  For a brief moment, Savannah’s eyes lit up with hope, searching his face for a catch in his behavior before they dimmed in remorse. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”

  Slowly, a half smile finally tilted Tom’s lips. “You’re my mate Savannah. I know in my heart why you did what you did and how hard it was to stop. You risked everything to sever ties with Lucas when you had every reason to bend to his demands. If there’s anyone on this planet who deserves a second chance… it’s you.” Tom was shocked to find that the distrust he was so accustomed to have all but vanished. His bear lazed happily, content with knowing that Savannah was out of harm’s way and on the fast track to healing. He gazed deeply into her eyes and only found regret and self-inflicted torture. He never wanted her to feel like this again.

  She swallowed hard, blinking back tears. “But I betrayed you.”

  Tom shook his head. “Betrayal would have been rejoining Lucas after the night we’d shared together, and even then, with the type of man and bear I know he can truly be, I wouldn’t fault you for it.” He shrugged. “And yeah, I won’t lie and say that it didn’t hurt. It hurt like hell that you lied to me and even deceived me, but you aren’t to blame. You were only trying to keep yourself safe.”

  He smiled, running a gentle hand down Savannah’s face. “Plus, you stood shaking in terror before Lucas all in an effort to protect me while I was down. You could have died. Hell, with the amount of blood you’ve lost, I’m pretty sure you nearly did. It kind of put everything into perspective for me.”

  He gazed lovingly at Savannah, her eyes already filling with more unshed tears. “I love you Savannah Danvers, and I don’t want something terrible to happen to you, or to me, and all you could think about before we’re separated forever is that I didn’t trust you. That I didn’t love you. Because I do, Savannah. I love you so much, and my bear loves you so much, and I know you love me, too. So I told myself, I at least owe you the opportunity to tell your story.”

  “Was it everything you wanted to hear?” Savanna
h asked quietly.

  “It was everything I needed to hear,” Tom answered, a smile in his eyes. “Now I understand.”

  Savannah nodded a few times, seemingly satisfied enough with his answer. “I still should have told you sooner, or before leaving. The note was—”

  “A good idea given the circumstances,” Tom finished. “It didn’t give my mind enough time to run crazy with theories and paranoia. So thank you for that.”

  “Thank you for following me into the woods,” Savannah said. “I don’t think Dan or I would have survived without you.” Her gaze finally began to sparkle with that hope she almost always seemed to have. “You and Nick… are good people. I wish I’d have known that before agreeing to drag you into this mess I made.”

  Tom kissed her lightly on the forehead. “If it wasn’t for this mess you made, we’d likely have never met.” He ran a hand through her hair. “And I don’t even want to think of that, because imagining my life without you in it is physically painful.”

  There was fear in Savannah’s eyes as she met his gaze. “So does this mean you want me to stay?” she asked quietly, as if the risk of asking was almost too great.

  A soft chuckle rumbled in Tom’s chest. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Savannah’s, basking in the scent of her. “One of these days you’ll trust me enough to realize you’ve never have to ask that question. We’re bound for life, Savannah. The world itself could try to swallow you whole and I’d dig to its core to save you. Don’t let anyone or anything else make you believe otherwise.”

  EPILOGUE

  When Jo and Nick arrived with Dan, Tom and Savannah were sitting in the back room, nursing cups of coffee.

  Anxiety written on her face, Jo rushed over to Savannah, looking her over intently. “Are you okay?”

  Savannah nodded, a darkness of guilt washing over her yet again. She hadn’t just hurt Tom; she put everyone here in unnecessary danger. Even if they had forgiven her action, she wasn’t quite there yet. “I’ll be fine, thank you.” She averted her gaze, staring deeply into the dark mug of coffee. “I need to explain this to you guys. All of it. It’s a long story, and it might get tough at times, but you all deserve to know.”

  Jo smiled. “All I care about now is that you’re safe, you’re happy, and the mate bond you and Tom share hasn’t been broken because of this.”

  Savannah looked up with a start. “You know about the mate bond?”

  Jo’s smile grew to a grin. “Well I am mated to Nick, after all. Even as a human there are things about you guys that I need to know now.”

  Savannah’s gaze slid slowly to Tom. “She knows I’m…?”

  Tom shrugged apologetically. “She’s known since the day you got here. I didn’t tell her though.” He pointed accusatorily. “Nick did.”

  Nick started at Tom’s reveal. “I didn’t know she wanted to keep it a secret until after I said it.” He turned to Savannah. “I meant no harm.”

  A chuckle tumbled surprisingly from Savannah’s lips. This pack was so different from the Northern Wind. She hoped that, now that she was a part of the pack with no secrets between them, she’d finally find a place in the fun rapport they shared.

  “It’s okay,” Savannah sighed. “I was about to tell her anyway. No more secrets. Ever.”

  “I second that motion,” Dan muttered, his smile turning into a tight grimace as he sat. He’d dressed some of his wounds since the last time Savannah had seen him, and maybe had a shower. “It’s way too exhausting.”

  “Dan told us what he could,” Nick said, moving to help Dan get situated without jostling his hurt leg. “But we’d really appreciate another rundown of events from today.”

  Tom nodded and began recalling the events from the day. Savannah couldn’t bear to look at anyone as he spelled out how she’d gone to Lucas behind their backs, been a part of his pack the entire time, and how Tom had nearly died because of her actions.

  But then her heart swelled when he spoke of her protecting him. She nearly started to cry all over again when she heard the pride and happiness in his voice as he recounted how she agreed to stay with them in the pack. There was no sense of betrayal, no familiar distrust. There was only love, and Tom, and the promise of their entire lives before them as she proved that no one and nothing would come between them again.

  “I could have killed him,” Tom finished, a flash of anger burning on his face. “But I didn’t think it my place.”

  Nick shook his head with a small approving smile. “That was the right decision. If we kill him at the first chance we get, we’re no better than he is. Good work.” The smile fell. “But I get the feeling that this is far from over.”

  “I agree,” Dan added, a look of guilt crossing his own face. “It appears we’ve made things even more complicated for you guys.”

  Nick nodded. “Maybe so, but it didn’t come without its advantages.” He looked to Savannah. “We’ve gained another bear from it all.” Looking back to Dan, a small smile played on his lips. “Maybe two?”

  Dan looked from Nick, to Tom, then to Jo, and finally to Savannah. Savannah saw the conflict on his face. It wasn’t at whether he should stay or not, but whether or not an ex-bear of the Northern Wind would truly find a place in this new pack of peace? Savannah recalled the hurt, darkness, and turmoil that the Northern Wind was surrounded by, shuddering. She felt the same way.

  A look of understanding passed between her and Dan, and he smiled. They may not know if they’d fit in, but the happiness and tranquility here made it definitely worth a try.

  He turned to Nick. “Definitely two.” Jo clapped her hands excitedly. And Tom gave Savannah a small celebratory kiss on the lips.

  Nick grinned at the news. “That’s good to hear. Though I supposed we’re big enough that we’ll need a proper name,” he pondered.

  “Wait, you’re telling me that ‘The Best Damn Pack In the World’ wasn’t our proper name?” Tom joked, making Jo groan.

  “Literally no one called us that,” Nick rebutted. “Not even you.”

  Tom shrugged, holding Savannah close. “We could start.”

  “Heavens, no,” Jo protested, rolling her eyes at the thought.

  “The Southern Wind!” Dan quipped, grinning at the glare Tom shot him.

  “You’re banned from future name suggestions, Limpy,” Tom growled.

  “Oh, you’re one to talk,” Jo muttered.

  Tom scoffed. “My name was way bet—”

  “Mountain Haven?”

  Everyone in the room turned to Savannah, embarrassment welling up in her chest almost immediately.

  Finally, Nick gave a small nod. “It feels right.”

  “I think it suits us,” Jo agreed with an affirmative nod.

  “Sounds like something you’d read in a comic book,” Dan quipped with a grin. “I like it!”

  Tom smiled down on her, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. “It’s amazing, just like you.”

  “Mountain Haven,” Nick murmured, the others nodding their approval as a new sense of purpose filled the room.

  Lucas had been made to retreat once more. His bears were suddenly learning that there was something better out there than him. It wouldn’t be long before he grew desperate in his efforts to rid himself of the alpha pack — The Mountain Haven pack.

  He would return, his wrath more deadly and dangerous than ever before, but they’d be ready. Now, with Savannah and Dan in the pack, they were stronger than ever before. And this time, nothing was going to break them apart.

  Loved by the Alpha Bear

  Alpha Bears Book 3

  Emilia Hartley

  Chapter One

  “Good morning!” Dan greeted loudly in the otherwise quiet mechanic’s office.

  Nick groaned, reaching for his second cup of coffee. “Why are you always so damned cheerful in the morning?”

  He really didn’t know. Maybe it was because, for the first time in a while, he wasn’t confined to a role of brutish b
odyguard or ruthless second-in-command. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he felt free. Dan shrugged. “Can’t help it.”

  Nick grumbled. “Try.”

  Chuckling, Dan made his way over to the coffeemaker to pour himself a mug, though he didn’t really need it. It had been a few weeks since he’d accepted the offer to join Tom and Nick in their pack, Mountain Haven. He’d been settling nicely into his new routine with them, but they hadn’t quite gotten used to this new side of him yet. They were always slow-going and a bit grumpy, whereas Dan was always cheerful and ready to take on the day early. He knew it was different from the Dan they knew, so he didn’t hold it against them. Savannah seemed to mind less, though she was also quiet in the mornings.

  Jo was the only one who seemed to understand his love of the mornings; the way the sun began to spread its fingers across the forest trees as it overtook Woodhaven always seemed to take her breath away. Despite being human, Dan could appreciate just how bearlike she seemed at times.

  Tom meandered out of the back room, running a hand through sleep-ruffled hair that he hadn’t bothered to tend to.

  “Good morning, Tom” Dan chirped with a grin.

  “Hmph,” Tom grunted, shaking himself all over. “I liked you better when you hated us.”

  Dan chuckled, not the least bit offended. Life at the mechanic shop had started tough for him, but he quickly picked up on Tom’s humor and was surprised to notice that it resembled his own. It hadn’t taken long for the two of them to hit it off nicely. It also helped that they were practically roommates, though the shop did seem a bit cramped at times.

  Nick stood from where he was leaning over the office desk, indicating toward his brother. “Good, you’re finally awake. Got time to chat?”

  Tom stifled a yawn. “Sure, I guess.”

  Nick nodded. “Dan, you can lend an ear too; it’s nothing secret.”

  Nodding his understanding, Dan made his way over to a nearby office chair with his steaming mug of coffee. He wondered what was so important that Nick had decided to talk about first thing in the morning. Had Lucas been spotted recently?