Chapter 14: Sawyer

I saw it, even as she spoke. A huge black bear shuffled along, sniffing at the remains about a dozen feet beyond the tree. It hadn't noticed us yet, probably because all the blood and guts masked our scent. I hadn't noticed it for the same reason.

It noticed us now, freezing to the spot.

We held perfectly still, watching the bear. The chain links dug into my palms as I clenched it, fighting the wolf for control. A cool head needed to prevail here. This wasn't a grizzly. Black bears weren't as aggressive. This one might just walk away as long as we didn't do anything to antagonize it.

Through the length of chain, I could feel Elodie trembling, and I couldn't stop the growl from rumbling in my chest. If the bear noticed, it gave no sign. Instead, it paced to the side, circling the tree, eyes fixed on us. We should've been backing slowly away, getting out of the bear's territory. But that left Rich. Bleeding, unconscious Rich.