forget the look on his mate’s face when he said the disgusting words that would push her away forever. Shock had been followed by pain, betrayal, and ultimate sadness. He’d said the words, and then watched as her heart, and her trust in him, broke into pieces. He’d wanted to sever their ties, make her hate him, and he’d succeeded.
Unfortunately, watching her run away had the opposite effect he’d hoped for. His bear roared inside and fought for control over the man. A cold sweat covered his skin, and the magic of the bear thrummed through his body causing him to tremble. If he didn’t move quickly, he’d never make it to a safe place to shift.
The sheriff stepped into the open doorway and blocked his exit. He didn’t have to see the man’s glare to know the clan leader, both the bear and the man, had lost faith in him.
“I know you’ve struggled with what we are for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve ever been ashamed to call you my friend,” Gage said. “That poor girl deserves so much better. You’d better get out of here. You look like crap and I don’t feel like explaining the sudden presence of a pathetic grizzly walking the streets of my town. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
With those final words, the sheriff turned and left him alone in the room.
Aaron put on his backpack and raced out of the room toward the street. Goose bumps covered his skin, and the tiny hairs that covered his body rose, signaling the change. He didn’t take the time to check-out of his room. He knew Gage would handle it, and he had to get to a safe place before the tiny strand of control he held onto snapped and his bear roared to life.
He ran down the street in the direction of the two-lane highway that led visitors in and out of town, and hurried into a patch of dense trees that lined the road. He continued running toward the interstate, desperate to get as far away from his mate as possible.
As soon as he was hidden, his control shattered. He instantly turned into his bear form and continued running south, fueled by anger and heartache.
Resentful of being ignored for nearly a century, the animal side took over and ignored the human. They were two parts of the same magical spirit, but they dueled for superiority. The bear was stronger and continued to run.
He had no concept of time, and no concept of distance. The only thing he recognized was the feel of the ground beneath his paws. Hours later, after the sun had set, he grew tired of running and found shelter in a hollow cave. He spent the night in his bear form, unable to convince the bear to turn back. The animal was determined to stay on four legs for as long as possible and Aaron gave up the fight in exchange for rest.
As he drifted off to sleep, his mind focused on his beautiful mate. The way her soft curves fit perfectly against him, the smile she only shared with him, and the horrible things he’d said to her before she ran out of his life forever.
Gage had been right, she deserved so much better, but he couldn’t help wondering how he would continue to live without her.
***
Sara woke to the piercing beep of her alarm and sat up quickly to turn off the annoying noise. Her eyes were caked with dried tears and she could barely see as she walked to the bathroom. The wound on her arm ached, and flashbacks from the previous day filled her mind. Joy and amazing revelations were soon replaced with pain, her forgotten prescription, and Aaron’s hateful words.
She detested the fact that she’d mistaken his friendship for something more. Even after he shattered her heart and embarrassed her in front of the sheriff, she couldn’t make herself dislike him. She wanted to. She wanted to hate him more than anything, but she felt a pull toward him she couldn’t explain. She shook her head as she showered and desperately tried to forget the special moments they shared. They weren’t special. Other than an easy fuck with the