The bear's final roar had died, but the night still shook with the echo of it.
Blood steamed in rivers across the cracked ice, the hot copper scent curling into Alexei's lungs until nothing else mattered. He felt his stomach grumbling, begging him to satisfy a hunger that he was finally able to identify.
Was that why no matter how much food he ate… he still felt empty?
Sera didn't hesitate.
She fell to her knees beside the carcass and sank her claws into its hide.
Flesh split under her hands, the thick white pelt peeling back in sheets.
Steam poured from the wound, a furnace heat that painted her face red. She bent low and tore out the first mouthful of meat, chewing with deliberate slowness, black eyes fixed on Alexei as if daring him to flinch.
He couldn't help by smile as he shook his head.
Nothing she could do would cause him to turn away.
