Bear Exposure (Highland Brothers 3) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers

as she was about to crack the door, it pushed open.
    She looked up. She couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t possible. No.
    Striker stood in front of her. His body covered in blood. His chest heaving. His eyes darting with fear.
    “What are you doing here? How?” she whispered. She took a step back, as he reached for her.
    “Are you ok?” he asked.
    She shook her head. What was going on?

18

Striker
    H er eyes were wide with fear. She was still wearing that damn see-through gown. He wanted to wrap her in a blanket and carry her out of here, but she was in shock. He could see it.
    “Presley, are you all right? Did they touch you?” He led her to the bed, forcing her to sit.
    She shook her head again. “How are you here?”
    “Shh. You’re ok. Just tell me if they touched you.”
    He thought he had made it in time, but there was no question what was going on in that circle. The pack had prepared a mating ceremony. They wanted her. Killing all of them didn’t quell the anger he felt. If they had laid a hand on her he didn’t know if he could take it.
    She pulled her knees to her chest. “How did you find me?”
    Striker couldn’t lie to her. It was part of being a mate. Only the truth could exist between them.
    “Let me take you back to Highland House. We can talk there.”
    She started to stand from the bed. “Are they gone?”
    He nodded. “But don’t look. I don’t want you to see what’s out there.” He grabbed a blanket from the bed and draped it over her shoulders before scooping her in his arms.
    He didn’t want her to see the carnage on the other side of the door. Although, he would do it again if he had to. He’d do anything to protect his mate. Even kill. Tonight he proved she was worth his soul.
    He held her close to his chest as he stepped over the wolves’ bodies. All five were scattered. Limbs torn. Fur ripped. Dead. Every last one was dead.
    He wouldn’t think about the men he killed. They were rapists and murderers in his eyes.
    Striker walked into the woods, cradling Presley to his body.

----
    H e knew they were both in shock after what had happened. They didn’t speak when they returned to Highland House. He pulled into the garage, closing the door behind them. He felt like he needed to turn the house into a fortress. A place where he could barricade Presley from the horrors of the world.
    He lifted her from the passenger seat and carried her upstairs. He turned the hot water on in the Jacuzzi tub next to the shower.
    She raised her arms as he pulled the ritual gown off her body. He wanted to burn the damn thing. She climbed into the tub.
    “I’m going to rinse off.” He pointed to the shower.
    He emerged clean. The blood washed down the drain. He had scrubbed until his skin was raw and fresh. Presley was still soaking in the tub. He didn’t know what she had gone through, but he needed her to tell him. He wanted to help.
    She still hadn’t spoken.
    “Pres? Want me to help you?”
    She nodded and he wrapped a towel around her as he led her to his room. She pulled back the covers and slid into the bed. Striker knew she needed sleep. Too much had happened tonight to tell her now.
    He would let her sleep. Tomorrow he would tell her about his bear.

19

Presley
    S he heard birds outside the window. Presley sat forward. The covers were flat next to her. She didn’t know if Striker had slept next to her last night or not. She only knew she was in a trance state when they returned from the wolves’ cabin. He had helped her in the tub and then she fell asleep.
    She didn’t think sleep was possible, but it was almost instantaneous when her head hit the pillow.
    She got dressed and walked downstairs. The smell of bacon was strong.
    “Good morning.” Striker smiled at her from the stove. “Are you hungry?”
    She nodded. “Starving.”
    It felt weird to want food, but she was almost shaky from hunger.
    Striker slid a plate across the counter. “I made bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Now