“What’sgoingon?”
She pointed. “Mack. My ex. He’s going tokillhim.”
He sprinted past her. “No one’s killing anyonetonight.”
Although she couldn’t match Logan’s long strides, she stayed just steps behind. When she rounded the corner, she spotted Mack. As he advanced toward his prey, steamy air puffed from hisnostrils.
“No!” shescreamed.
As much as she hated Ben, it wasn’t right to kill in cold blood. Ben crab-walked back, his butt scooting through the snow. A thin trickle of blood spread from a claw mark on hischeek.
“Don’t eat me!” heshrieked.
Logan stepped between the fallen man and the bear. He leveled the shotgun at Ben but addressed Mack. “I have him covered. Shift back and we’ll call the sheriff so he can deal with this pieceofcrap.”
Mack roared and with one swipe of his paw, shoved Logan to the side. The blood in Madison’s stomach flooded into her legs. Without stopping to think, she lunged for the bear’s back. As she landed on his side, she grabbed two fistfuls of fur. He shook his entire body in an attempt todislodgeher.
“Stop it,” sheyelled.
Logan nudged Ben with the shotgun. “Get up. You’ll be safer inside. Madison, let go. He won’t shift until he discharges allhisrage.”
Madison released her hold and slid down until her feet hit the ground. The bear turned his angry gaze on her. She backed away slowly. She had no idea if Mack could control himself in his current state and she didn’t want to risk her life tofindout.
She joined Logan and Ben. The three of them walked backward, and then around the corner until they couldn’t see Mack. Logan directed Ben into the main house. Madison followedbehind.
“Is Mack going to be okay?” sheasked.
“Once his temper cools down.” Logan turned to Ben. “You’re lucky he didn’t kill you. Sit down. I’m sure Sheriff Hunt will be happy to lock your dumbassup.”
Madison peered out the front window. The bear stood at the bottom of the steps. He gave her a mournful look as his bones snapped loud enough to hear through the closed window. His fur receded. The huge paws became hands and feet. The elongated snout retracted to form Mack’s nose. With the shift complete, Mack regarded herwarily.
Her heart broke. What would her life be like if she chose to live with someone who would turn into a bear if he couldn’t contain his anger? She couldn’t imagine ever feelingtrulysafe.
* * *
An hour later,Sheriff Hunt slapped a pair of handcuffsonBen.
The sheriff turned to Madison. “I’ll be back to take your full statement after I lock him up. I doubt he’ll be getting out anytime soon, but you might want to get a restraining order in case hemakesbail.”
“I will. Thank you,”shesaid.
“Don’t thank me, thank Mack for being alert enough to hear Ben breaking in. I’d hate to think of what would have happened had Mack notheardhim.”
Mack glared at Ben. “I would haveheardhim.”
Sheriff Hunt chuckled. “I’m just glad you boys didn’t claw hisfaceoff.”
Logan said, “It was close, but Mack’s pretty good about controllinghisbear.”
Ben simpered. “You know about this too? What kind of cop lets monsters run aroundhistown?”
“Monsters? I don’t know what you mean,”Huntsaid.
“What the… you’re in on this! You’re covering it up! Wait until I tell CNN. You’re going to have the media so far up your ass you’ll wish you never tookthisjob.”
“Son, now you’re just talking crazy,” Hunt chuckled. “I might have to just go straight to the local judge and get a psych eval ordered. Rolling Pines Mental Hospital isn’t too far from here. We’ll be there bysunrise.”
“You can’tdothat!”
