Read Online Bear's Claim (Bear Heat Book 3) by Natalie Kristen - Free Book Online

didn't want to think of the
horrors Dr. Faizel would inflict on Michael once he discovered what
Michael had done.
    Michael had managed to free
her from her restraints. He couldn't work himself free of his collar
and chains but he directed her towards a secret opening in a side
wall. “Go. Keep moving through the tunnel, and you'll emerge
in the middle of a forest. Run, don't look back,” he'd told
her.
    “W-what about you? And
Luke?”
    “I'll try to protect
him, for as long as I can,” Michael said, glancing at the
sleeping Luke. “But I don't have much time. Neither do you.
Now go.”
    “I'll come back for
you. I promise!”
    “Press that small
button in the wall and move quickly. You only have three seconds.”
    With a shaky nod, Aubrey
depressed the knob at the corner of the wall and a narrow door slid
open. The instant she rushed through the opening, the door slid shut
behind her. If she had been just a second slower, her foot would
have been crushed by that heavy door.
    Aubrey kept moving through
the narrow tunnel which seemed to go on forever. She finally tumbled
out of the tunnel, blinking and gasping, to find herself in the
middle of a forest. She had made it out. Now she had to get help
and make it back before it was too late.
    Aubrey spun round, but all
she saw were trees. Which way should she go? She glanced back
fearfully at the opening of the tunnel which was well hidden by the
tall grasses and a large cluster of rocks. She just had to keep
moving away from the tunnel. Aubrey limped forward, dragging
her bleeding leg behind her. She had fallen on some rocks and there
was a deep cut on her leg.
    She hoped that there weren't
any wild animals in these woods. The beasts would be attracted by
the scent of fresh blood. She didn't want to be eaten by a pack of
ravenous predators.
    Eaten.
    God, Michael had confessed to
eating his friend alive.
    Aubrey whimpered as she
limped on as fast as she could. They were all in terrible danger.
She didn't fear Michael. But she was desperately frightened for him.
    Michael was a victim, not a
monster.
    She had to help him, and
Luke.
    Aubrey heard a roar echo
through the woods and froze. It sounded like a bear. She stared
round frantically for a place to hide. What should she do? Climb a
tree? Lie down and play dead? Roar back to warn the animal away?
    She turned and saw a shadow
moving swiftly between the trees. What was it? A bear? A wolf?
There was no time to scream. The beast would be upon her in a
heartbeat.
    Aubrey tried to back away but
the dark, hulking shape loomed nearer. She raised her arm to block a
blow that never came. Lowering her arm, she gasped as she stared
into a pair of mismatched blue and green eyes.
    “Y-you...” she
stammered. “Thor!”
    Thor took a step towards her,
and she flew into his arms.
    “Aubrey! What
happened? You're bleeding!” He held her tight as she sobbed
and clung tightly to him. It took her a moment to compose herself.
She was being a baby. She shouldn't be bawling and blubbering and
being a wreck. She should be getting help for Michael and Luke. She
had to go back for them. Now!
    “H-how did you find
me?” Aubrey blew her nose loudly on her sleeve and looked up
at Thor. “Ah, never mind that now. We have no time. You have
to come with me, Thor. This way! We have to save them!” She
began to tug at his arm.
    “Who do we have to
save? You have to tell me what happened to you.” He gripped
her wrists, his eyes scanning the cuts on her limbs. “I'll get
you back to the hospital.”
    “No!” she gasped.
“Not the hospital! The hospital Director is in on this!”
    His frown deepened, but she
saw that he was listening intently to her. “What have you
uncovered, Aubrey?” His tone gentled. “Don't be afraid.
I'll help you. I'm on your side. I'll always be on your side.”
    “I...I found out that
Dr. Faizel is working for a Mob boss, Alberto Birns...”
    “Alberto?” Thor
breathed. “Alberto Birns has been harboring