Kane & Evette

04) EVETTE

Inside, I was paralyzed with fear. Outside, I was a badass walking away from a fucking werebear.

I didn't risk a look over my shoulder and hoped the bear-man would let me walk away. I focused on my steps and keeping my back straight. I would not let him see how scared I was.

I got maybe five feet when heavy arms seized my waist. My feet were lifted off the ground and I was thrown over the brute's shoulder like I weighed nothing at all.

He can't be serious.

I tried to keep a level head, my breathing haggard but paced. "What do you think you're doing?"

He readjusted me so I was higher on his shoulder and wrapped his arms around the back of my knees like he was giving me the most awkward hug ever. At least he wasn't feeling up my ass.

"Going to find my sister," he said.

I laughed hysterically. This is insane! "How does that have anything to do with me? Put me down. Put me down right now!"

"I can't do that. It's a blizzard out there. You can't wander off alone."

I kept laughing, my head bouncing as he walked. "Is that so? Put me down and watch me, asshole."

The bear-man chuckled and continued trekking through the wilderness. I wasn't scared anymore. I was angry.

"Put me down or I scream," I threatened, pushing my hands into his sides. I applied pressure, digging my nails in.

The man winced but didn't slow his pace. "I'll help you find your friends after I find my sister."

I didn't believe for one minute this wasn't a kidnapping or that I wasn't going to find myself tied up in this freak's basement by the end of this.

"At least let me walk then. I won't run away," I promised with conviction even though I wasn't sure if I would keep my word yet.

He was still a stranger who could transform into a bear. I had to remember to tread lightly.

I felt his arms tense. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

I groaned, my head leaning against his back. "Please," I whimpered. "I'm starting to get light-headed." I wasn't even trying to trick him anymore and was also pretty certain I was seconds away from blacking out.

He sighed. Before I could prepare myself, he set me on my feet. I lost my balance, the ground getting closer to my face. Oh, shit!

Before my head met the frozen dirt, the bear-man grabbed my waist. I expected the contact to be awkward, like when he was carrying me, but his hands resting on the curve of my waist was oddly pleasant.

This was the first time I could properly see the bear-man. He was close enough I could decipher his eye color: green like evergreen trees. I held my breath as I chronicled the rest of his facial features.

His bone structure was sharp, but not to the point he looked malnourished or alien. He was ruggedly handsome with black stubble gracing his jawline. His hair was dark and wild like stormy ocean waves. His eyebrows were thick but well-kept and they were drawn in a deep v.

He was observing me just like I was observing him.

I stumbled out his hold, my breathing returning to normal. I clasped my hands behind my neck, tugging at my scarf. I'm such a fucking idiot! I can't believe I was thinking my captor was handsome. Only stupid girls in horror movies could relate.

"I need to find my sister," he reiterated, clearing his throat.

I couldn't help looking at his neck muscles as he did so. My attention soon drifted to his arms and I wondered if he had cords of visible muscle there, underneath his worn-in, blue jacket.

I cleared my own throat and looked in the direction we were heading. "Was she the one who howled?"

The bear-man smirked. "Bears don't howl like wolves. We roar."

I rolled my eyes. "Same difference." I pursed my lips and met his gaze again. The tension between us had thankfully vanished. "We can go find your sister on one condition."

He waited for me to continue, sucking in his bottom lip. I felt my abdomen clench but ignored it. Now was not the time and definitely not the person.

"What's your name?"