Bearly Ever: An Alpha Werebear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Arcadia Knights Book 1) by Olivia Gayle Read Free Book Online Page A

crumpled dash keeping him bound.
    The door was nothing to the bear; he pushed it out onto the grass and climbed out of the car, coughing in bear form. He didn’t waste any time however, shuffling quickly to the other side of the car. Grabbing the passenger door, he tore it off its hinges, tossing it out toward the street as he reached inside.
    As carefully as his form would allow, he pried the opening free and cut the belt holding Ever in place before pulling her out. She was limp in his arms, and he didn’t wait to change back into human form. Tucking her under one arm, he ran on three legs away from the car, putting as much distance from it as he could.
    Just in time, too. There was a loud explosion, and the shock wave made Aidan stumble. He fell sideways, pulling Ever into a bear hug, and rolled over to his side, shielding her from the blast. Bits of metal and burning shards hit him but nothing horrible, so he dragged himself a little further and looked back.
    The car was on fire, the blaze scorching the overhanging trees. Aidan needed to call it in, then realized that his belt radio, along with his phone, had been shed along with the rest of his clothes, and was on fire with the rest of the car’s belongings. They were out in the middle of nowhere, with no way to call for help.
    Lying Ever down on the wet grass, Aidan stood on his hind legs and scanned both directions of the road. The truck that had hit them was nowhere to be seen. That didn’t mean the danger was over, but at least he wouldn’t have to deal with more enemies. The bear was ready to do battle, enraged that its mate had been hurt.
    Aidan echoed the sentiment.
    Ever wouldn’t likely find any comfort if she woke up with a bear standing over her, so he knew he needed to shift back into human form. Aidan had no idea how he’d explain being naked after the crash; maybe his clothing had caught fire and he shed them? He’d figure that out when the time came.
    The shift lasted only a handful of seconds, and Aidan’s human skin felt the prickle of cold more keenly than the bear. Even the heat of the burning car wasn’t enough to cast any warmth. Aidan knew if he was chilled then the fully human Ever was going to feel it even more.
    He needed to get her to shelter, at least off the wet grass.
    Turning around, he moved to gather her in his arms when he realized her eyes were open. Wide open, and staring up at him in horror. With a jolt, he realized she’d probably been awake to see his Shift from bear to human.
    Dammit, this wasn’t how he’d wanted to let her know.
    “Ever…”
    Drawing in a deep breath, his mate opened her mouth and screamed bloody murder.

 
     
     

     
     
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
     
     
    Ever crawled backwards over the ground, eyes never leaving Aidan’s naked form. Her hands and feet slipped on the wet grass but that didn’t stop her.
    “Wait, we need to talk.”
    Fuck that! Jumping to her feet, she turned tail and bolted sideways into the forest.
    “Ever!”
    She ignored Aidan’s yell, too caught up with running. The trees weren’t dense here, but brambles and undergrowth was dense in places. Ever ran blindly, not caring at the twigs and branches that pulled at her clothes and scratched her skin.
    There was no way what she saw was real. No way. And yet, she’d seen it with her own eyes. She’d freaking felt the fur and claws.
    Oh yeah, running like hell seemed a perfectly viable option.
    She didn’t know she was being pursued until an arm wrapped around her belly, pulling her up short. Ever screamed again, expecting to feel that same furred claws, but only found a very human arm. She kicked backwards, thrashing in Aidan’s grasp, but he was like a rock. Nothing she did seemed to make a dent.
    “I’m not your enemy,” he said in a low voice, grunting when one of her elbows connected with his ribs. “I’d never hurt you, I promise.”
    Ever stopped fighting, but couldn’t control the trembling in her body. She