Bear Cop: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant

attacked his legs, and scored another gash across his shoulder. Eve had to bite back a terrified cry as the cats raced towards him once more.
    One of them was hit by Chris’ paw in mid-jump with such force that it was thrown aside and hit a tree with a sickening crunch. It did not stir again, and a second later, its outline blurred, revealing a naked man unconscious in a crumple at the foot of the tree.
    Shifters , Eve thought, swallowing and raising the axe higher. Chris was right. They’re all shifters.
    The other two cats had snapped at Chris’ legs again, snarling at him while Chris turned. His growl was full of pain and rage. There was blood dripping from the paw that had knocked the third jaguar out, and Eve felt a fierce satisfaction. Chris was strong. He’d make them pay for hurting him.
    Again one jaguar jumped forward, and Chris snapped at it, bristling as it retreated to where it was just out of reach of his paws. The jaguar was snarling, bared fangs dripping blood as it lunged forward again and again, only to jump back at the last moment before Chris’ claws could tear into it.
    Suddenly, she saw that the other jaguar had slunk behind Chris.
    “Careful!” Eve cried in fear.
    But it was too late. Even as Chris tried to twist around to keep it in view, the beast exploded forward in a flurry of movement. Chris roared in pain as it found a hold on his back, its fangs piercing his neck while Chris tried to shake it off. But the jaguar held on tightly, and Eve felt terror grip her heart when she saw rivulets of blood drip down Chris’ side.
    The other jaguar flung itself forward as well, snarling in triumph now that it seemed that victory was close—but this time, Chris waited until it was close enough to close its jaws around his leg, only to bat it away with a powerful slap of his paw while roaring in anger.
    Eve suddenly realized that she still held the axe in her hands. Chris was turning and twisting, growling in fury as the jaguar on his back refused to be dislodged. The second jaguar was whining in pain now as it tried to stand up, but one of its legs seemed strangely twisted—maybe she could take that one out, Eve thought, tightening her hands around the axe for reassurance. If it couldn’t move as quickly, maybe she stood a chance…
    Slowly, she inched forward, but then the jaguar turned with another whimper and ran for the trees, dragging one leg behind. Eve swallowed, remembering Chris’ explanation about shifter healing. It might be back—but it would take a while. It had taken Chris all night to recover. The rescue team would be here first.
    Chris was still trying to tear the jaguar from his back. He was panting now, his roars of fury rough with pain. He’d managed to rake the claws of one paw down the jaguar’s side, opening slashes that bled profusely down the jaguar’s spotted fur, but still the beast’s teeth refused to release him.
    Eve inched forward another step while the bear and jaguar continued to struggle with deafening roars and snarls. She had to help Chris. She knew he’d want her safe in the cabin, but she couldn’t take it. He’d called her mate , and she knew in her heart that this was true. She could feel it now, stronger than ever before. Her mate was in danger. She had to do something!
    Her gaze fell onto the still smoldering fire. Her heart was still beating painfully fast from terror, but she took a step forward, and then another—and then she stood next to the fire pit. Only seconds had passed. The jaguar was still bleeding onto Chris’ fur, but showed no sign of letting go, even when Chris shook himself with another ear-shattering roar.
    Eve grabbed a branch from the fire pit. The tip was smoldering, red-hot with smoke spiraling up into the air, and she gathered all of her courage. She couldn’t think now. Chris was in danger. Chris was bleeding. Chris—
    Again Chris shook himself, and again the jaguar tightened its hold on him, the claws of its hind legs