The Bite Before Christmas by Lynsay Sands, Jeaniene Frost

then. He might even be able to beg a ride into town for better provisions to get them by until the road was clear and they could drive out.
    A loud rustling in the trees behind and to the side of him caught his ear. Teddy stiffened, and then slowly turned his head to peer over his shoulder. He spotted the large, lumbering shape by the shed and recognized it at once as a bear. There were few animals in the woods that size but bears. Seeing one of them at this time of year, though, was a rarity indeed. Bears didn’t hibernate, as most people thought, at least not a true hibernation with the metabolic depression and lower body temperature. They actually slept and could be roused. Last night’s storm had probably wakened the creature. A tree falling nearby its den or . . . Well, it could be anything, but whatever the case, the beast was up and probably hungry.
    Teddy didn’t panic right away. He was downwind and in the shadow of the trees. The bear wasn’t likely to see or smell him and would, no doubt, lumber on his way after a moment or two. He just had to wait out the beast . . . and maybe pray the animal didn’t lumber in his direction, he thought grimly, and then glanced sharply to the cottage when the door suddenly opened.
    â€œTeddy?” Katricia called, stepping out onto the deck in her coat and boots and peering toward the shed. “Do you need help?”
    Panic seized Teddy then. He didn’t even think; seeing the bear pause and turn slowly in Katricia’s direction, he let all but one of the logs he carried drop and started forward, roaring, “Get back inside!”
    Katricia turned his way with surprise, but Teddy’s attention was on the bear, who had turned and was now facing them both. The beast hesitated, and for one moment, Teddy had hope that the bear would be scared off by the sudden activity and noise. But it was mid-winter and the animal was hungry enough that noise and motion wouldn’t put him off when there was a meal to be had. The bear charged.
    â€œGet inside!” Teddy repeated, raising his log as he ran. He continued to shout as he raced forward, log upraised, making as much noise and trying to make himself as big and threatening as he could. The bear didn’t even slow. It was like a game of chicken, but at the last moment, Teddy stepped to the right toward the cottage and swung for the side of the bear’s head with all his might. He connected, the impact vibrating up his arms, but he hadn’t stepped far enough or fast enough and felt the claws of one paw tear into his chest and stomach. Gasping in pain, he swung again even as he stumbled back against the cottage wall, managing to whack the beast in the snout as the bear turned toward him. The bear roared in pain and fury and rose up on his hind legs. Teddy was pretty sure he was done for when the sudden blast of a gun exploded to his side.
    Startled, Teddy turned to find Katricia rushing down the stairs, his gun in hand, and pointing at the air as she loosed another bullet. He stared at her blankly, wondering how she’d got inside, grabbed his gun, and got back so fast, but then recalled immortals had incredible speed. He turned to peer back toward the bear, relieved to see the large back end of the beast disappearing into the trees. Apparently, the combination of his log and the gun was enough to make him decide against pursuing this meal.
    â€œAre you all right?” Katricia was in front of him, the moonlight enough to reveal the concern on her face. “I smell blood. Did he get you?”
    Teddy clutched the log in his hands, teeth gritting as he became aware of the burning in his chest, but merely shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, I’m fine,” he lied and turned away to move slowly toward the logs he’d dropped.
    â€œTeddy, your coat’s ripped,” Katricia said, following. “Let me see—”
    â€œI’m fine,” he