Read Bethany's Heart (Unearthly World Book 3) for Free Online Page A

Bethany had ever seen. She crouched near Finn’s partner who had stopped eating to stare at her.
    “Adan,” Adan said and pointed at her chest.
    “Blu,” came a guttural response.
    Adan licked her lips and swallowed hard. “Blu?” Adan pointed at his food, her face an open book of hope and longing.
    Blu studied her for a moment. Using his sharp claws he sliced a large piece of his meat, cooked it until it sizzled with his direct stare and held it out to Adan. She crept closer. As she crept closer, Blu lured her further with the meat until she sat next to him. Bethany almost chuckled aloud with the donkey and carrot trick coming to mind.
    “I’m not going near those things.” Bertha spat the words, her distaste oozing from her pores. “You don’t know what it is. For all you know they killed one of their own to eat, like savages.”
    “Who the hell cares,” Chiyo said, already halfway to the roaring fire. She plopped her ass down next to Blu’s other side, pressing against his hip.
    “Go ahead and starve, Bertha.” Tasia was the next to abandon their proverbial fur boat. She went directly to Finn and without embarrassment begged for a taste of his meat.
    “Save me some,” Dyani squealed.
    Finn cut the meat into hand sized pieces, all the while watching Bethany. The meat had to be some type of bear. All sorts of thick furred creatures roamed the area, mainly predators that would eat predators—and humans. Their little group wasn’t strong enough to go after bears, their weapons too meager. These alien creatures were the ultimate predators. Bethany remained motionless. She wasn’t afraid, or wary. Stunned and impressed was more the emotion.
    Finn sliced a generous amount of food, cooked it with his gaze and approached Bethany. He crouched before her.
    “Beth-a-ny,” he growled. He cocked his head, looked annoyed and repeated her name. “Bethn, Bethnny, Beth-a-nny. Beth-an-ninny-ny...ne.”
    Bethany gripped his hand stilling his words before he desecrated her name. She smiled and tried not to grimace when he smiled back. Chunks of meat were stuck in ‘Jaws’ mouth. Ick. She focused her attention on the food he offered. One taste and she dove face first into the meat. When she glanced up to smile again at Finn, he was wide-eyed. Bethany choked down a mouthful and ran her hand across her bloodied mouth. She just knew she looked like a piranha.
    Finn looked over at Bertha who was glancing at everything but the food. He motioned to Bethany and she shrugged. If the woman didn’t want to eat she couldn’t force her. It appeared Finn had other ideas. He rose to his full height then went to cut a smaller piece of meat. He marched over to Bertha who pointedly ignored him. Finn gripped her furs at her chest and with one hand lifted her into the air. Bertha howled he was killing her. Bethany knew she was overreacting.
    Eye to eye Finn centered his intense glare onto the frightened woman. Her howls ceased at a command from Finn. Small whimpers filled the silence. Finn held the meat in his other hand. As they all watched the meat began to sizzle with his heated gaze. When the meat had cooked he turned his attention back onto Bertha. She was panting when he handed her the meat. Bertha was a bitch but she wasn’t stupid. She took the meat. Finn growled at her.
    “Thank you,” she squeaked and gulped dramatically.
    Satisfied, Finn set her on the ground where she collapsed onto her knees when released. Bertha kept her gaze to the ground as she finished every bit.
    “Honey, where the hell were you three years ago?” Tasia said to Finn and chuckled.
    It was exactly three years ago Bertha graced their presence; she had been abandoned by others, claiming she was too good to be around them anyway. More than likely they had chased her off. Bethany watched as Blu and Finn exchanged words, obviously discussing Bertha. Bethany didn’t think Finn meant to be cruel, just forceful. Bertha was a stubborn, mean little witch