Jake didn’t answer. His bear was close and everything in him was poised and ready for danger. The need to protect Delilah and his crew from this enemy was overwhelming. “Where are you going?” He heard her footsteps behind him but he didn’t stop, shedding his shirt as he went.
“Get back in the truck, Delilah,” he repeated through clenched teeth.
“Is there someone out here?” she asked, still ignoring.
“Dammit, woman.” He pulled up short, unbuttoning and shucking his pants. He dropped them on the gravel at his feet and Delilah’s eyes widened. At least he had her attention. “Get back in the truck. Now.”
She nodded once and then took off for the truck. He rolled his eyes to the sky and then resumed his trek toward the trees.
Behind him, someone yelled and Delilah shrieked.
He turned back in time to see a dark figure swing an arm out aimed at Delilah. She darted sideways and the man’s fist caught her in the shoulder. She went down and Jake took off.
He changed midstride, his polar bear exploding out of his skin in a wave of fury. The man looked up but he didn’t have a chance to move away before Jake crashed into him. Jake’s ears roared with the rush of the change and the fight. He couldn’t think straight. Protect. It was his only thought. The man screamed. They both went down and Jake bit and clawed until the man went limp and his cries died off.
By the time he came up for air, Delilah was on her feet near the hood of his truck watching him intently. Even on four paws, he was almost eye level with her and he watched her, his breath huffing out of his snout in little puffs. Around them both, everything was still. He knew the nocturnal animals had all fled but even better, he didn’t sense a single person besides the two of them out on this road. She was safe.
He watched her carefully, sure she’d bolt at any second. He had to be intimidating in this form. She’d made it clear she’d never worked with shifters before. And now here he was, his polar bear chasing down and bleeding a man right in front of her. He braced himself for what she must think of him now.
“Jake, it’s okay,” Delilah said softly. Her voice broke as her gaze darted to the body lying beside where he stood. He didn’t bother to look at it too. He could smell the blood in the air. But there was no trace of fear as she looked back at him, only concern.
He opened his mouth and let out a bellowing roar, daring anything or anyone else to challenge him tonight. Delilah’s expression crumped and he rose on his hind legs, shifting back as he closed the distance between them.
“Shhh,” he said, catching her up in his arms just as her knees wobbled and gave out.
She collapsed against him, sniffling, shoulders shaking, as she buried her face against his bare chest. He smoothed her hair, enjoying the silky waves as they ran through his fingers.
“It’s all right,” he assured her when her sniffles slowed. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”