Santa Soldier Bear - Meg Ripley Page 0,33
been while out in public.
The two incoming enemies were bears, and with that same fetid stench coming off of them, Roman was sure they were the enemy. They were giant, with long black claws that churned up the soil as they ran, their heavy coats rolling on their backs. Their mouths gaped open, showing their teeth and the long strings of saliva that dripped from them as they anticipated the fight and their supposed victory.
Melody had noticed the threat, and she stood with her back to the children. Her ears were laid back flat against her head as she hissed, a row of fur raised all down her spine. Her yowls and hisses twisted through the air, reminding these two attackers of just who they were dealing with. Ruby sat near the fence, looking completely puzzled as Lucas stood up in front of her. He put his paws in the air and tried to look as ferocious as possible as the first assailant charged at them.
Roman closed the distance between the house and the fray, Amar in the air at his side. They wouldn’t get there in time. These bears who’d intruded headquarters were after the things he wanted to protect most in the world, and even as he tried his best, he couldn’t do anything to protect them. I’m coming, Melody. I’m coming.
He didn’t know whether she heard him or not, but she wasn’t going to just stand down and let the bears take Ruby. She leaped into the air as the first bear approached, sailing past his mouth and landing directly on top of his head. Her cries of anger shot through the air as her claws shredded his thick hide. Blood splattered on the grass below as she tore through his fur and skin, glistening bright and red. The bear let out a moan, but it was one of frustration as he whipped his head around and sought purchase on her. Sinking her teeth into his hide, Melody held on as the bear whipped his body from side to side, trying to shake her off like a bull rider at a rodeo. Melody sank her claws in once again as the bear’s fur darkened, stained by his blood.
The second bear dodged past Melody and his comrade to get to the children, but Roman dove in front of him, forming a wall between the attacker and the little ones. Amar swept in, sending down a stream of fire, and the air filled with the acrid scent of burning fur as the bear roared his pain. Digging his claws into the grass, Roman built as much traction as possible before he barreled across the short distance. The enemy was distracted by the massive black dragon overhead, his chin turned up, leaving his throat vulnerable. There were times in war when a soldier did his best to give the foe a chance to run away or surrender, when the noblest thing was simply to stop the situation from escalating instead of slaughtering the enemy. This was not one of them. These assholes had already come after his mate once. Now he was reliving the nightmare all over again, and he’d be damned if it happened a third time.
Roman went straight for its throat, and the other bear reared back, but it was too late. Roman’s teeth sank into its flesh, clamping his jaws together as he twisted, pulling backward and taking a chunk of the other bear with him. Blood spewed over Roman’s white coat, tinting it pink as he went back in again and again, his mouth filling with blood as his teeth chopped and tore. A deep bellow of fear, pain, and anguish echoed through the air, and Roman realized it was coming from his enemy. He was absolutely mad with fury as he attacked, ripping and tearing, putting all his anger and frustration into it.
A clawed hand rested heavily on his shoulder. Roman turned to attack it as well, but the red that had clouded his vision cleared just in time for him to realize it was Amar. The dragon dissolved back into his human form, folding his wings into his back and standing up straight. His face was solemn. “It’s over, Roman. The children are safe.” He moved toward the fence, where the two cubs were shivering against the foliage, and scooped them into his arms.
Melody! Roman turned to see Melody lying on the ground. The bear’s carcass next to her was proof of the effort