Mated to the Wilde Bear novel Chapter 29

She forgot Gerald. She forgot everything else and took off for the trailhead where they descended. People parted for her with surprised murmurs, but no one stopped her. When she neared, she spotted Xavier and Lucas each leading a handcuffed man in front of them.

She darted around the one Xavier was shoving along just as the medics came forward and took him away. Xavier spread his arms wide, and she launched herself into them. He caught her, and she held on tight, tears stinging her eyes at the sweet relief of having him back safe and sound.

“If this is what I’m coming home to, hopefully, I get calls like these every night,” Xavier said on a laugh.

“Uh, no. You’re definitely not doing another poacher rescue for a while,” she said. “My nerves can’t handle it.”

“God, I love it when you get all bossy on me.”

“Mrs. Alpha!”

Laurel focused on a figure rounding the bend over Xaiver’s shoulder. She couldn’t make out the face, but she knew Jake from the sound of his voice—and his nickname for her.

“Hey, Jake,” she called, her arms still around Xavier. She grinned and leaned in, trailing kisses over Xavier’s cheek, headed for his mouth.

Another figure appeared several yards behind Jake, and Laurel pulled away, ready to yell out a greeting to someone she assumed must be Nash. But the figure broke into a run and cut across the trail, sprinting away toward the trees at an angle. He sidestepped Jake, who didn’t notice until the figure had blown past him, headed straight for Xavier.

“Stop!” Jake shouted.

Xavier pulled away, turning to identify the intruder.

“It’s the last poacher,” Harley called, appearing from around the bend in the trail. He pursued the man at a run, but Laurel knew he was way too far behind to catch up now.

She watched as the hunter neared her and Xavier. She figured he’d cut left and sprint for the forest again, but he was headed straight for them. Straight for Xavier, she realized, and he was close enough now that she could see the hateful determination blazing in his expression as he barreled closer.

“Fucking bear shifters,” the man yelled. “I came here to take you down, and I’m not leaving without you!”