Bear Shifters (Book 3)

Chapter 1-Max

I sprinted through the forest with a limp, but didn't let it stop me. Blood pooled down my ghost white fur and onto the forest floor, but I couldn't let it affect me. I was finally free. I had managed to escape!

The sound of gunshots rung through my ears just before a bullet pierced my back left leg. I let out a roar as my bear went crashing to the forest ground. I pushed myself up, struggling with my own weight, but finally managed to rise.

I kept running as even more bullets found their way into my flesh. After another thirty minutes, I couldn't go on any longer. I collapsed to the ground once again, not able to muster any strength. The pounding of footsteps and the sound of motors got louder as they approached.

Suddenly, the black boots appeared beside me, guns pointed at my already bleeding form. A few motorcycles parked and the men dismounted.

"I got her, what should we do?" I heard one of them ask, talking into their head set. "Copy!"

I heard the sound of the safety clicking off on their guns and I closed my eyes, taking in one last breathe. I had finally managed to get out and taste fresh air...only to be caught and killed. Of course I would never be able to get away from them.

Suddenly, there were screams and a large flash of black appeared in my vision. I turned my head just enough to see a massive black wolf tackle the man that was about to shoot me. More wolves jumped out and killed the remaining men.

The black wolf turned to me and my heart froze. I stared into its dark eyes as it approached me.

Mate!

My vision started to blur and finally fade to black before I could say or do anything.

+++

I woke up with a start, staring at a white ceiling. My body ached, but felt refreshed and energetic. I shot up, realizing I was on a bed. I looked to my right and found a man sleeping next to me on the bed, shirtless. I let out a shriek and jumped off the bed, landing in a clump on the floor.

The guy shot out of bed with a growl, looking around the room, before his dark eyes finally landed on me. They softened as he took me in and moved over on the bed, closer to my fallen form.

I growled at him and scooted away, my back hitting the wall. I stood up slowly, growling and glaring at him. He looked...hurt? Why did he look hurt?

Mate!

My bear screamed inside my head, making me panic. No, no, no! I can't have a mate! I didn't want another male to touch me or come near me. I did the only thing I could. I turned and ran through the door, throwing it open and sprinting out. I heard his panicked cries as he came after me, but I ignore the aching in my chest and push on.

I flew down a flight of stairs, and made a hard right, crashing into a muscled chest. I pushed myself away from the male with a growl, but he lunges at me and gripes my wrist. I roar, before slamming my free fist into his nose. He falls back with a cry, clutching his face and I take the opportunity to escape. I jump over his fallen figure, and keep running.

I keep making turns, trying to find a way out, but this house was so huge. It's like a maze. I made a stupid choice and turned left down a hallway that I thought could lead to an escape, but it was a dead end, with one door at the end. I heard the man's footsteps coming closer and I slammed my shoulder into the locked door, knocking the whole thing down. I fell on top of his, letting out a groan, but quickly jumped up when I realized the man was close.

The room was a massive blue bedroom. On the bed was a terrified looking girl. I growled and looked around the room frantically. The only way out was a window. I rushed over to it and looked down, realizing that we were three stories up. I let out an annoyed huff before turning back around, only to find the man in the doorway.

"Please, come here. I won't hurt you," his silky voice says, making my bear swoon.

He had inky black hair with matching eyes. His skin was tan and made his already defined muscles even more noticeable. He was shirtless and didn't even seem to be winded. He was very intimidating with his six-foot tall frame and dark eyes.

I shook my head and backed father into the window. There was no way a male didn't want to hurt me. That's all they did. He took a step towards me and I growled, my hand moving behind me to the latch on the window.

"Please, don't jump, you'll hurt yourself," he says carefully.

A low growl escaped his lips, as he looks over my body, confused, I look down at myself. I am dressed in only a pair of black shorts and a sports bra, which means that all of my brands, scars, and bruises from the past eleven years of my life are on full display.

His eyes drift over to the brand on my left shoulder. It told the scientists at the Basement which subject I was. I wasn't ashamed of my scars or my bruises, but I was ashamed of the brand. Back in the Basement, they treated us like cattle. We were their lab rats, their research subject, and their source of entertainment.

My eyes catch the man taking a step closer to me and I snarl again, before spinning around and trying to open the window. The latch doesn't open and I let out an annoyed scream before powerful muscled arms wrap around my waist, sending tingles through my body.

I go into panic mode, slamming my elbow into the man's chest. He loosens his hold enough for me to spin around. I smash my fist into his nose and knee him in the groin before pushing him back. I punch the window, shattering the glass.

With one last glance at my mate lying on the ground, I jump out. I tuck my legs in upon landing and roll, my legs aching and shoulder throbbing upon impact. I hop back up and sprint through the property, avoiding all of the strangers around me.

Someone tackles me to the ground, making me growl before starting to shift.

"Wait, please stop. I'm your mate, you can trust me! I don't know what's happened to you, but please stop fighting," I heard a familiar voice say.

I turn my head from my tackled position on the ground and stare at my mate. His face was full of concern and worry, making my heartache. Stupid mate pull!