Bearing the Late Thaw (Ice Bear Shifters Book 5) by Sloane Meyers

that the best way to end this warfare once and for all was to quickly take down the enemy. They would only shift if for some unforeseen reason they weren’t able to use their guns, and only at Neal’s signal. If Neal went down, Ryker would be second in command. Then Eric, then Tyler, then Alan. There would be no retreat. Either the Blizzards would die out there today, or the Northern Lights bears would. Neal had had enough. It was time to end this once and for all.
    The women of the clan solemnly kissed their life mates goodbye. Even the cubs, Hope and Calum, were quiet, seeming to sense the somber mood. No one mentioned the possibility that this would be the last time they saw each other, although the reality of the situation hung heavy in the air. Christine had tried to put up a brave face, but Neal could tell she was feeling terrified. He kissed her, and acted sure of himself for her sake.
    “Don’t worry,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be back before dinnertime.” Christine nodded, but her face remained frozen in a terrified expression.
    Neal took a deep breath, and nodded confidently in the direction of the door. “Let’s roll,” he said. The men marched out to their waiting snowmobiles, and zoomed off as the woman waved farewell from the doorstep of the cabin.
    Neal led the pack, flying confidently over the tundra toward the spot he had marked on the map with a big red “X.” His adrenaline was running high, and he had a good feeling about today. Today was the day he would avenge his father’s death, and the death of all of the Northern Lights Clan members who had fallen victim to the Blizzards’ attacks. Today, he would bring peace to the Arctic once again, or die trying. He felt as though his whole life had been building to this one, significant moment, and that he was finally making the difference he had been put on this earth to make. He knew his clan members were nervous, but he felt only elation at the realization that this nightmare was finally ending.
    When they reached the spot where Seth and James were splitting off to go light the fires, Neal gave them an encouraging nod and salute as they zipped away. In another five minutes, Neal and his men reached the edge of the woods, where they had a perfect vantage point of the Blizzards escape route. Here, they would watch and wait. Neal estimated it would be about fifteen minutes before the fires would be lit and forcing the Blizzards out of the caverns. His heart pounded as he dismounted from his snowmobile and readied his gun. His violet eyes blazed with pent up energy, and he nodded encouragingly at his men as they followed his lead, dismounting and readying their guns.
    Twenty minutes passed, and no sign of the Blizzards had appeared yet. Neal could tell that his men were getting antsy, but he held his gun steady and continued to wait. He had confidence that this was going to work.
    At the twenty-two minute mark, a cloud of gray smoke suddenly appeared near the entrance of the caverns, followed by a flurry of large, white polar bears. The Blizzards had all shifted already, making it somewhat difficult to tell which ones were men and which ones were women. But as Neal peered through the smoke, he realized to his horror that the smaller bears, who were the female bears, were all out in front of the male bears. And the children were out in front of the women.
    “Damn it,” Neal cried out in frustration. “Those bastards are using their women and children as shields. Fucking cowards!”
    “Boss, we have to shoot,” Ryker said. “I know you didn’t want to, but if we don’t shoot the women and children, all of the men are going to get away.”
    “No,” Neal roared. “We aren’t stooping to their level. I’m not going to shoot women and children.”
    “But we’re going to lose our chance!” Ryker said, his voice urgent. “They’re going to get away, and we’re all going to have to continue living in fear of what’s lurking around