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    Bearly Alive: Bear Shifters of Alaska, #1
    Bearly Alive: Bear Shifters of Alaska, #1
    Bearly Alive: Bear Shifters of Alaska, #1
    Ebook112 pages1 hour

    Bearly Alive: Bear Shifters of Alaska, #1

    By Ava Catori

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    The sweet smell of her skin called to me. She was strewn across the forest floor like a broken angel. I hoped it wasn’t too late. Her once silken hair stuck to her face, matted and caked in blood. I moved in closer and listened carefully. Relief rushed through me. She was breathing, but barely alive. I knew I had to save her.

    When I find out who’s responsible, I’ll hunt them down like the savage beast I am. Nobody capable of doing this to another is deserving of their life. I’ll extinguish them in the blink of an eye, and the world will be a better place.

    As for the woman, I’ll claim her for my own.
    Mine to keep.
    Mine to love.
    Life in the Alaskan wilderness can be lonely – but it won’t be for me.
    Not anymore. Not if I can help it.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAva Catori Books
    Release dateOct 25, 2017
    ISBN9781386742425
    Bearly Alive: Bear Shifters of Alaska, #1

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      Book preview

      Bearly Alive - Ava Catori

      Chapter 1

      The scent of a woman was in the air. Denver recognized it immediately. He pushed past the brush and branches, seeking out the subtle fragrance that called to him. Leaves crunched beneath his feet as some of the trees shed their foliage with the change of the season. The crisp air made it clear summer was over. Like a sweet lullaby, the woman’s fragrance lured him in. The closer he got, the quicker he moved.  

      He rambled with the anxious gait of an excited child. Having traveled almost two miles, he inhaled again. The wind barely moved. On a good breeze, he picked up a scent for miles. A dead carcass, up to twenty if it was spoiled.

      Another few yards and he spotted the girl.

      Her body was heaped in a pile, collapsed and fragile. She’d collided with the earth like a fallen angel.

      This wasn’t an accident. She’d been left for dead. Denver moved in closer, slowly at first so as not to startle her. She was still breathing, but just barely. There wasn’t time to lose. No time to think. He could do more damage moving her, but there wasn’t a choice. If he didn’t get her to safety she’d be dinner for the wolves.

      Denver slipped his head beneath her torso and shimmied her onto his back. It was awkward, but worked. There was no time to shift – he’d lose time as a man. As his bear self, he’d cover more ground faster.

      He pushed back through the woods, following the path he’d made out there. He knew every inch of the land and there were no shortcuts.

      Alaska was a lonely place on the frontier, but he’d lived there for a long time. His folks had taught him how to survive, and he always kept plenty of supplies on hand to live comfortably.

      Most people only knew Denver Beck as a man. If they knew his secret, it could start a witch hunt. Shifters weren’t welcome in town. There’d been a time when they were, but not after the last altercation that left two people dead. You kept to yourself unless it was mating season, and even then you rarely trusted your closest friend. People would turn on you in a minute. Some were out for themselves, others watched out for their brothers. If you laid low, nobody bothered you. Denver trusted no one. It was a lesson learned after his father was killed. He had a couple friends from back in school that knew his truth, but otherwise he guarded it desperately.

      The woman was still unconscious when he arrived at his cabin. He carefully slid her onto his bed. He shifted back to his human form and got to work. She needed care and she needed it now. He gathered a bowl with warm water, a washcloth, scissors and a knife. He moved cautiously and methodically, attending to her worst wounds first.

      Denver quietly apologized to the woman for what he was about to do. He sliced off her clothing to check for hidden wounds. He flinched seeing all the bruises she’d acquired. What kind of beast...? If it clouded his mind, his rage would cause him to shift again.

      He washed the blood from her face and hair. The wounds were messy, but not as deep as he’d first suspected. She’d been battered and beaten, then tossed aside like a worn-out ragdoll. But who tosses a body in the middle of nowhere? Right, someone not expecting her to come back. Fucking animal. Denver closed his eyes and clenched his teeth, forcing his anger back. His bear wanted to show itself, to rear up in disgust and pain.

      He’d do what he could and let time do the rest. Being in the middle of nowhere, he kept a first aid kit fully stocked with emergency medication. He checked the supply of antibiotics and pain medication. There wasn’t a lot, but enough to get them through the roughest days. Time would do the rest. He’d feed her and bathe her, and keep her warm and sheltered. Getting her to a doctor would be risky at this point. He opted not to move her again. She’d stay with him.

      The first day, she slept. The second, she stirred. On the third, her tiny voice wafted into the air in desperation. It hurts, she murmured, then fell back to sleep.

      He’d kept her as clean as he was able under the circumstances, attended to her wounds, and fed her antibiotics. He pushed a pain killer to her lips, and almost without thinking she opened them and took the pill.

      ABE, I CAN’T DO THIS anymore, she whimpered, lost in a dream. Please, no...no...

      A shrill scream pierced the air and jolted Denver awake. He jumped up from the sofa and ran to her.

      It’s okay, it’s okay, he whispered, unsure if she could hear him.

      Her eyes opened slowly. She blinked a few times, adapting to the light, then looked at the man standing over her. Who are you?

      Just rest, he answered. You can ask questions later. You need to heal first.

      She went to move, then flinched and yelped at the pain. The woman looked around. Where am I?

      Denver wasn’t sure how much to tell her. Would she know who did this to her? Would she be able to identify the monster that traumatized her? And would the thought of him send her down a path of delirium? He cautiously spoke, knowing that he needed to move slowly. Too much might overwhelm her.

      Do you remember anything? he asked gently. I found you on the forest floor, not far from where I live. You were broken.

      She looked at him and tilted her head. She tried to shift, but did so with fragile movements. Ian? Is that you?

      Denver shook his head. No. I don’t know an Ian. You mentioned an Abe earlier.

      The color drained from her face. She pulled the covers up over her. Make him go away. He’ll hurt me.

      He tried to pacify her the best that he could under the circumstances. It’s only me here. You’re safe. It’s okay. Do you remember your name?

      She peeked out from the covers and whispered, Lily.

      Lily, my name is Denver. You don’t have to be afraid. You’re safe here. You’ve been recovering from your injuries. I didn’t think it was safe to move you, so you’ve been here.

      She pulled the covers down a bit more and looked around. Then looked down. She yanked the covers back up. I’m naked.

      I apologize. I needed to clean your wounds. He hoped she didn’t think he took advantage. If anything, he was a gentleman when the situation called for it.

      My wounds... Her voice was as fragile as her body.

      Do you remember?

      She nodded quietly and looked away.

      Why don’t you rest. I’m going to make you something to eat. You need your strength, Denver said, moving to the small kitchen area just off of the bedroom. It wasn’t a big place, but it did the job.

      Wait, she called out. Don’t leave.

      I’m right here, he said, moving back into the doorway.

      I’m afraid. What if he comes back?

      Who? Denver asked, not wanting to lead her to answers.

      "He’ll kill me if he finds out I’m still alive. He thought I was dead. I heard him. When he was kicking me, I forced myself not to move or whimper or he’d

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