From the World of Mystery, Alaska…
Join me here on the blog over the next month or so for a special treat from the Mystery, Alaska series!
Hugs & Happy Reading -Krystal Shannan
Bearly A Chance(Soulmate Shifters in Mystery, Alaska Book 3.5)
Chapter 1
Pain seared through Ava’s side. Her shoulder ached from where a wolf had raked claws through her skin. The wind howled and shrouds of white snow circled around her like angry spirits bent on vengeance. Even the mountain was against her. Wolves were circling from every side and there was no one close who could back her up.
Everyone was fighting.
Everyone was bleeding.
This fight was going to hell. They needed to find Tara fast. And that dragon needed to change his ass into a twenty-ton-fire-breathing-reptile before they all bled out. There were too many wolves.
A snarl came from her right.
She swung her large head and swiped with her paw. A grey wolf went flying into the murky snow-filled air with a pained yelp.
Got that one. Her bear chuffed with satisfaction and turned back to find a black wolf standing just in front of her…but not facing her. Not fighting her. He was fighting another wolf. And there was something about him. Something off. His fur was brighter than it should’ve been. Almost like…
It can’t be a Soul Call. Now? Right now, in the middle of this mess. And a wolf.
What the hell was she supposed to do with that?
Wolves didn’t mix with other breeds.
Ever.
But he was fighting for her. With her. He’d seen it too. She had to be glowing for him as well. There wasn’t another explanation for why he wasn’t attacking her. For why he was ripping one of his own pack to shreds right in front of her.
The second wolf to her left charged, ignoring the two fighting in front of her. She feinted to the right and then lunged, catching the approaching wolf off guard. Her large fangs closed over the wolf’s spine. She crunched and tossed. Probably didn’t kill him. But it would put him out of commission for a really really long time.
She turned again, this time coming eye-to-eye with the large raven-black wolf. His fur shimmered with the ethereal glow of magick. Her heart shuddered inside her chest. Her bear recognized their mate and so did Ava. Whoever this guy was—wolf or not—he was hers.
His gold eyes shimmered through the blinding snow, calling to her soul like he’d reached out and touched it. The growls and cries of pain swam around them, but all she saw was the sharp metallic glow of his eyes and the soft ethereal radiance surrounding every inch of his body.
Her muscles twitched, ready to lunge or run. She wasn’t sure which would be necessary. He was her mate, but it was widely known that wolves never crossed the species barrier, even if it meant being alone. But they weren’t on Reylea any longer.
The wolf curled his lip and growled low. Then shook his head, flapping his ears. It was a strange mix of menacing and cute.
Ava opened her mouth and roared softly.
The wolf took a step toward her. Paused. Another step. Pause. Another step.
Ava lowered her head and met him halfway, rubbed the side of her face against his. His scent was strong, but mixed with the blood of others, including some of the Tribe in Mystery. Kann’s scent was all over the black wolf.
She walked forward, trailing her nose over his midnight black pelt. A cat-scented claw mark sliced cleanly through his right flank. Her bear chuffed and bared her teeth, anger rising like boiling water in a teakettle.
The bugle of a dragon shook them both out of the moment. The wolf took off like a whisp of smoke in the wind. Ava followed without a second thought.
She could deal with the fallout later. Right now, she just needed to follow her mate. He might be fine with ignoring the Soul Call, but she wasn’t.
They ran hard.
Ava’s lungs burned. She wasn’t slow as a bear, but wolves were faster, especially over longer distances. It didn’t matter, she’d run until she collapsed. Though she’d prefer not to collapse. Also, daytime meant hunters and she didn’t want to end up a bearskin rug on someone’s cabin floor.
She shifted into her human form and shouted. “Stop!” The wind blew her voice back into her face. “Please.”
The wolf paused at the top of the rise. He looked back at her for just a moment before sprinting out of sight.
Dalmeck!Dammit! Whatever! Ava snarled, irritation bubbling in her gut like the molten rock in a lava pit. She lurched forward, shifting back into her bear as she dropped to all fours. Her long legs ate up the ground.
The wind was dying down. Visibility was increasing, but she’d have to track the canine the old-fashioned way. He had too much of a head start on her.
She trudged through the snow, up the side of the mountain. The sounds of the fighting behind her died off until she couldn’t hear them over the roar of the wind rushing between the trees right at her face.
Ava could smell her mate though. He was still ahead of her and turning just a bit to the right. She adjusted her trajectory and kept climbing. Her leg muscles trembled, tired already from the fighting and wounds she’d received while mowing through this guy’s pack. Hopefully he wouldn’t hold a grudge for the pack members she’d sent over death’s bridge.
At the ridge where she’d last seen him, Ava shifted back into human form again so she could see the tracks on the ground more clearly. Her bear was good for keeping her warm in this frigid environment and its strength but tracking really wasn’t a skill set.
Also why they’d needed the Dragon to find Tara in the first place.
She glanced along the ridgeline, tracing the freshly broken snow across the hillside where he’d run. From her? Or just from Col?
Probably the dragon. If she didn’t know Col wouldn’t turn her to ash, she’d be hightailing it too.
Ava shifted again, settling into a slow lope she hoped she could keep up long enough to stay close to her mate. His tracks were still spread out at an almost full out run.
Her bear grunted in disgust, but continued forward, plowing through the powder sending it spraying in either direction. She wasn’t going to give up. She couldn’t lose him. If she didn’t find him, one of the others from the tribe might hunt him down. They wouldn’t know he was her mate. He needed her.
***
Mate. Bear. Pack will kill. Dragon will kill.
He kept running. His legs ached. His wounds burned. His lungs felt as though they were close to bursting. But he couldn’t stop. Even when she called out to him. The wind had been against her, but he’d still heard. The tone of her voice had been a balm to his empty soul, but he couldn’t stay with her. His wolf wouldn’t allow it. His sense of survival drove him forward.
Dragon. Death. Pack will kill.
He’d fought his brothers. His friends. He’d killed his own.
They would never let him keep a mate outside the pack. Outside their species.
Wolves didn’t mix. Wolves never mixed.
He was a traitor. He’d turned against Raish. Against his alpha. Against the royal bloodline that his family had served loyally for generations. All of it thrown into the wind for a mate…for a bear.
He couldn’t let her catch up. If he did, he’d never be able to leave her again.
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68 Responses
Love it. Can’t wait for more.
Thanks Wendy!
Omg!!! That was fantastic!!!! I cant wait!!! Woohoo!!! More!!! I wana hear more!! It was so good! This series is amazing
Thank you, Deissy!
Loved it. I can’t wait to read the rest. I love this series so much and love wearing my Book Nerd t-shirt as well. Please keep up the good, exciting work!
There will be more soon!! And yay! I love that shirt too.
Star crossed lovers 🙂 Can’t wait for the next tid bit.
It’s going to be so good!
Wow, am very interested. I want the book.
Has my full blown attention! As always, great work Krystal!!! Can’t wait for the book!
Thank you Norma!
I loved it! Can’t wait for more!
Thank you, Ann!
Thank you and God for 3.5 Ava’s story I was hoping to hear what happened to our girl!
And what a surprise it was to find out females made it through too!
Wow what a ride
Yay! So glad you’re excited and enjoying it.
I can’t wait for the book. I love reading your books
Thank you!
Can’t wait to read it all it’s got me captivated
More soon!
Can’t wait for more. Love everything of yours I have in my library.
Thank you!
So excited…..love this series! Congratulations!
Thanks Cathy!
Good series.
When can we pre-order?
Soon.
Can’t wait for the rest of the story. I’m really enjoying this series !
So glad to hear that!
Can’t wait for the book to come out it’s going to be awesome
Me too! It’s going to be awesome!
Wow!! Can’t wait for more!!!
Yay!
OMG. Cannot wait for the release of this book. The whole series is fantastic. I carnt get enough of them.
Thank you so much!
Can’t wait to read. Have really enjoyed reading all the others.
Awesome! So glad to hear it!
Looks very interesting
Great!
Love it, can”t wait to see the rest. Loved your last book Viking Vampire, saved it to re-read, awesome.
Yay! Erick and Bailey were a very special couple for me. I’m so glad you liked their story.
Love it already! Can’t wait for more!
Yay!
I like the way this story started and the fight scene. Chasing after her wolf was great. I will love to read more of this story to the end. Thank you!
I’m so glad! It’s going to be a great story!
Can’t wait to order and read the rest.
More is on it’s way!
Need to read this novel! I love BEARS and now Dragons too!
Me too!
I want more!! Please give me more!
It’s on it’s way!
More please!!!!!!! That was a real teaser, brilliant can’t wait.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Ava and Ryder have been a fun couple.
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book
Yay!
Wow
Thank you!
Can’t wait for more. Thank you?
Thank you!
Can’t wait to read more ?
Sounds good
Absolutely love this series.♥️♥️♥️
Wow. Cannot wait for the whole story!
Love it ?
Love it.. Can’t wait to read more.
OMG, I literally JUST left a review on “Bearly Hanging On”, BEGGING you to hurry and write the next book. I’m as spellbound by this series as Soulmates are to each other. Reading this chapter proves that this next story, with Ava & her wolf mate, is NOT going to disappoint.
MORE……..MORE……MORE……..NEED MORE! ????????
I love your books but this last one knock down Dragon out and the 2 book to follow were great .I cant for the next books to come..I see you have Bassist fur baby. So do I we always have 2 at a time we Rescue them..love these books..thanks Deanne
love it
Ooh wee! Sounds great and I look forward to reading it while wearing my Book Nerd shirt
Loving it. Can’t wait for more