“I’m a human,” she said.
“Not deep inside, you aren’t.”
“I’m at least half of each,” she said, folding her arms. “And you’re not getting away with this.”
“Transform,” he said. “And show celeb boy what you are.” She could see his smirk even in bear form.
“I thought you were nice.”
“I was,” he said. “I didn’t think there was any rush to claim you. I mean, you were the first female bear I’d met in some time, but you were out here, and it was so remote, I figured I had time. But if you’re going to be getting cozy with a grizzly, I don’t have time to spare.”
“A grizzly?” she shook her head. “I don’t get it.”
“You will,” he said, jerking his head toward the cabin. “In a minute.”
She looked toward the cabin. “No.”
“Yes, he’ll be out to fight me. It’s another thing bears do.”
She took another step back. “You can’t. You’ll hurt him. He’s human.”
“Is he, though?” Rex asked, stepping from paw to paw as he spoke. Leslie had never been in her bear form. Was very far from it. Before today, she hadn’t even known that bear shifters could talk like humans when shifted.
She didn’t know what was going on, and she didn’t know what to do about it.
She heard the door open and slam, saw Riley running toward them from the cabin. He was shedding clothing as he went, and his eyes were burning like fire.
She wanted to shift, use her bear to protect him, but she didn’t know how, and she didn’t want him to see her shift. He didn’t know people like her existed, and right now, he probably only thought she was being threatened by one of the actual bears that roamed around Bearstone Park.
Her heart thrummed in her chest and her legs were shaky, but she focused inwardly on the image of a bear, trying to make herself change. Why hadn’t anyone taught her how?
Before she could figure it out, she nearly had a heart attack as Riley leapt into the air and became a huge, roaring bear as he landed between her and Rex.
She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until she fainted.
14
Riley hadn’t even felt himself change. All he’d felt was mate, in danger, and his body had been flying over the snow toward her. Bear or human, his life was for her. He’d die before he let another man take her.
Or bear, for that matter.
The huge Kodiak in front of him reared up on his legs, and Riley batted him hard with his claws across the side of the head, moving the fight away from Leslie’s direction so she couldn’t get hurt.
Rex roared in pain and rolled to the side. Riley lunged toward him. Grizzlies were nearly as large as Kodiaks regularly, and Riley was an unusually large grizzly. He knew he’d win this fight.
And it felt so right, to have all this power, this strength, taking on anyone who challenged him for Leslie. It had been too long since he’d felt his bear; only now did he realize how much he had missed him.
As Riley reached Rex, Rex got to his hind legs and caught Riley on the shoulders with his claws. Riley locked with him in a bear hug, digging his claws into the other bear’s side as hard as he could. He couldn’t even feel the pain of the fight; the adrenaline of it was too intense, the thoughts of the woman he was protecting too important. His only thought was taking this bear to the ground and showing him once and for all that Leslie was his.
There was no thought beyond that.
Rex twisted hard to the side, and took Riley down to the ground, lunging for his neck, but Riley kept his claws in the other bear and jerked as hard as he could in the same direction, rolling the other bear under him. He took a huge swipe at the other bear’s face, and Rex howled as Riley’s claws sunk into his snout.
Rex swiped back, trying to dig his claws into Riley’s face and neck in order to get him off of him so he could take back the dominant position, but Riley wasn’t about to let him. He pushed forward hard with his strong hind legs, reveling in his bear’s power, and pressed the other bear down beneath him. He was about to sink his teeth into the other’s neck when the other bear roared and rolled them, batting Riley off and standing up.
Both were bleeding. Riley could feel wetness on his face, and he could see the blood streaking the other bear’s coat in the moonlight. But it didn’t matter. One of them would walk away, and he had to make sure it was him. He knew it would be him.
Because Leslie was his.
Rex lunged and Riley caught him, and when the two locked in a bear hug, Riley twisted with all his strength and reached the other bear’s neck and dug his teeth in with all his might.
Rex writhed furiously, flailing in a way that wasn’t smart when someone had your neck, but Riley held on. Not ready to kill him yet, but wanting the other to acknowledge that he could if he wanted to.
They weren’t men, planning carefully, fighting fairly. Right now they were animals fighting for the right to mate, to the death if needed.
But Riley’s human was in there somewhere, and he didn’t really want to end another person’s life. He struggled against his bear, holding the other bear in his grasp as he tried to think clearly.
“Riley, you’ve won. Let him go,” a voice called out.
He looked over to see Ryan, looking so small as a human, running out of the lodge. Ryder was close behind. Riley released Rex, who went limp in the snow, and took a shaky step back from the humans. Wary of them.
Ryan put up a placating hand. “It’s okay, big guy. I know, you haven’t been in bear form for a while, it’s overwhelming. Also, you’re probably worn out. You won’t be able to hold it long.” Ryan took another step forward, and Riley eyed him with mild panic.
“You’ve won,” Ryan said. “You can be done now. Come on out.”
Riley looked wildly around at the scene. Where was Leslie? Oh gosh, he thought as conscious thought returned. He’d transformed in front of Leslie. No. No, no, no! He shook his head wildly, as if he could shake off the pain overwhelming him at knowing what he’d done to her.
She’d never see him the same. He couldn’t face her now.
He heard a feminine groan and turned toward the sound to see her sitting up, rubbing her head, and blinking blearily. She’d passed out? Crap, he’d made her faint?
Or maybe the other bear had? No, she’d definitely been standing, looking afraid, when he’d transformed. Of course it had been him that had shocked her.
Sure enough, her eyes were wide with fear and surprise as she looked at him. Eyes that were too like another pair of eyes. Ones he missed desperately.
“Riley?” she asked, biting her lip and continuing to stare at him with wide eyes, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
His body trembled. He could feel what Ryan had talked about. He wouldn’t be able to hold the form long. But he couldn’t transform. He couldn’t face her. He turned and ran from them all, up into the deep snow on the mountain, as fast as he could.
She was safe; it was over. And now he could keep her the safest by keeping away from her. Keeping himself away from all of them.
He ran and didn’t look back.
* * *
Leslie watched in horror as the man she loved took one look at her and bolted away into the snow. It was as if looking at her had broken his heart.
She didn’t know what had set him off. If he was offended by the shock on her face, he had to know that waking up to see a massive, bloody bear who you knew was also a Hollywood movie star had to set anyone back for a minute.
But she hadn’t been about to reject him.
Now that he was running, even as she wanted to run after him and stop him, bring him back, her head buzzed with the knowledge. Riley was a bear. Was that why he couldn’t settle down?
Mom had always said bears couldn’t stay in one place. He had tried to explain it to her. She bit her lip. Could she be with a bear, then, knowing how much it had broken her mother’s heart?
; “Are you going to go after him?” Ryan asked, irritation in his voice. “Because of you, he shifted before he was ready to.”
“I didn’t ask him to,” she said blankly, not knowing what else to say. Snow had begun to fall, coating everything around them in a layer of cold powdered sugar. The snow was beautiful, catching the light as it fell to the ground.
But something more beautiful than that was disappearing up into the mountains, and soon would be out of sight.
“If you don’t, I will,” Ryan said. “He won’t be able to hold his form. He’s going to freeze up there. You have to convince him to come back.”
Leslie nodded. “I would, but I don’t know how to transform.”
“Okay, I’ll teach you,” Ryan said. “And I’ll follow behind to make sure that you guys get back okay. I just think he’s more likely to see reason if you’re with me.”
“I don’t know,” she said, “I seem to be the one who terrified him.”
Ryder was wrapping a bloodied but alive Rex up in his jacket and helping him stand. “I’ll take care of this dude, you go get him. Leslie?”
“Yes?” she replied, turning to Ryder.
“Bring him home safe, okay?”
She nodded. “I will.” It was the least she could do. He’d fought her for her, really fought for her. Bloodied himself, even. She had the feeling he’d been ready to give his life for her. If that wasn’t commitment, what was?
No, her mom had to be wrong about bears, just like she had to be wrong about all men being untrustworthy. After all, Janna and Ryder seemed to have something that worked. Wait…
“Are both of you bears too?” she asked them.
Ryder nodded, slowly, as Ryan transformed. “Riley’s lucky,” Ryder said. “Female bears are rare. And if there’s anyone who needs one, it’s him. Take care of him.”
“I will,” she said. “Now, how do I shift?”
Ryan came over to her and lowered his head to her, letting her feel his fur. “Just relax. Just let yourself feel. The forest, all around you. The scents just below your consciousness. That feeling that runs under all of the other feelings. The stuff you push down all the time.”
She focused and did as he said. Trying to relax, to feel the mountain air around her. To let go of her need to be human. She felt her body humming, but it wasn’t going yet. She thought of her mate, running through the mountains, alone in the cold.
His life was in danger.
When she opened her eyes, she was a bear. Smaller than Ryan, with black, shiny fur. She looked up at him questioningly.
“Ah, you’re a black bear. Should have guessed. I was thinking a female grizzly would have to be taller, more like us.”
“I’m plenty tall,” she said, surprised by the growl in her voice. “Wow, I’m a bear.”
Ryan laughed. “Yes, you’re a bear. Now, are you going to go get my brother before he kills himself out there?”
“Yes,” she said, taking off into the snow. Ryan let her go, obviously willing to give her a head start so she had a chance to talk to Riley. He would stay far enough back to be there if needed, but still give them privacy.
They had things to work out.
“I’m coming, Riley,” she said, more to herself than to anyone else. She let her nose guide her. Her mate couldn’t have gone far, and she had bursts of energy and speed. A power she’d never known or felt. The mountain was her home; the night air was invigorating. This part of herself that she’d never known was a treasure, but she didn’t have time to grieve for the time she’d missed knowing her bear.
She had to find Riley.
She followed his scent until it got faint, and then she followed his footsteps to where they disappeared over a rise. A few feet before disappearing, they turned from bear to human footprints. Her heart fell. No. No. Don’t be hurt. Be okay, she prayed, flying over the snow to find him lying alone and motionless in a drift.
She threw her body over him, trying to warm him, and felt intense relief when he groaned and stirred beneath her. His forehead was warm, like he was sick or feverish, but he was shaking, his body cold.
She curled around him, warming him with her fur, her warmth, and called for Ryan with a loud roar.
“Damn,” he said when he reached them and looked down. “We’ve gotta get him inside.” He stepped forward but she growled, unintentionally possessive of her mate. “Okay, you can take him, but we’ve got to go.”
Leslie looked down at her mate and sighed. “How? Where do we take him? He’ll freeze if I move away.”
Ryan sighed, and, giving her wary glare, slid in next to them. He put a paw up to Riley’s face. “Riley? Do you hear me, bro? You’ve got to shift. Now. Just for a bit longer, we gotta get you somewhere safe.”
He didn’t respond.
“Riley, your mate needs you.”
Riley groaned feverishly, and then started to shift. Leslie felt the change and stepped back as he turned. He looked barely conscious and stumbled a little as he stood in his bear form.
Leslie and Ryan got on either side of him and the three of them started for the lodge at the top of the mountain. Luckily it wasn’t too high up.
Leslie closed her eyes and pressed on, praying Riley would be okay when they got there. She still hadn’t thanked him for coming to save her.
There was so much they needed to talk about.
She closed her eyes and pressed on in the storm, helping to support Riley until they reached the cabin. When they got there, Riley transformed, and Ryan transformed to catch him, and Leslie averted her eyes as Ryan carried his brother inside.
Ryan came out the door a minute later, which was good, because she was starting to get shaky. Being in bear form was exhausting.
“You okay?” Ryan asked. “I got him tucked in.” Ryan gestured to his clothes. “I was lucky I had some snow gear in the closet up here. I sometimes use this place overnight when I’m snowboarding. There are some other clothes in the closet. You’re welcome to anything inside.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Ryan.”
“You should have reception. But if your phone doesn’t work, there’s a radio.”
“Thanks,” she said. “You’re amazing, Ryan.”
“So are you,” he said. “Okay, let me know if you need anything. I’ll be just a few minutes away by snowmobile, down at the lodge. But I have a feeling he needs you more than he needs me.”
Leslie nodded. “Me too.”
She waited for Riley to start up the snowmobile that must have been parked back behind the cabin. When he was headed down the mountain, she turned and let go of her shift and fell to her knees as a woman, trembling. Then she opened the door and went inside the cabin.
She’d been expecting it to be rustic and sparse, but it was luxe inside. Thick carpet, beautiful rugs, and a large bedroom with plush furnishings that she could see from the living room, which had a couch and a TV. She shut the door behind her with a shudder and opened the armoire by the door. There was a large wool robe and she shrugged into it. It was far too big, as it was clearly man-sized, but it smelled clean and was, most importantly, warm.
She padded into the bedroom, where the sound of snoring alerted her to Riley, who was tucked into the bed.
“Riley?” she said quietly, trying to see if he was really asleep.
He just snored, looking exhausted. She sighed with a tired smile and sat beside him on the bed. She could feel his warmth, though he still seemed feverish. His handsome face was tensed, his tousled hair in all directions. She leaned across him with one arm and lightly moved the hair into place, just wanting an excuse to touch him.
“Thank you for today,” she said. “Thank you for coming for me.”
He didn’t respond, just kept lightly snoring. Now that she was in human form, he was impossibly huge again. He was naked under the blankets, his impressive pecs and shoulders bared above the covers. She tried to pull the blanket all the way over him, but he muttered something and pushed it down and she wasn’
t strong enough to stop him.
She grinned at him. Frustrating man. The cabin was warm. She saw that it had power from a small generator outside, and there was a heater in the room. Snow was still falling outside; she could see it from the small, open bedroom window. She shut the curtains and padded over the floor to lock the deadbolt on the cabin door, so they’d be safe for the night.
Then she crawled under the covers with her man. He didn’t stir when she was next to him, and she ran a finger down his face, adoring him.
It wasn’t exactly how she’d planned the night with him going. She felt his forehead. He’d be okay. His wounds were already healing. The other bear had gotten the worst of it, and any blood had been wiped away with the snow when he’d fallen.
She’d gotten her mate safely home, and now her body was tired. She curled against him and let herself fall asleep, holding the blankets tight around them, and listening to the gentle winter wind outside.
She was with him, so for now, everything was all right. She just hoped things worked out in the morning. There was a lot to talk about. And there was so much more she wanted to do than talk.
15
Leslie woke the next morning to see two curious, almost accusing, hazel eyes staring down at her. But they were beautiful eyes, and she was happy to see them.
“Riley,” she said softly, happy to see him looking better, even if he did seem a bit confused.
He rubbed his head. He was wearing a loose tee shirt that nonetheless clung to his powerful shoulders and bulging pecs, and wool pajama pants. He was sitting with one leg on the ground and the other tucked under him on the bed. “I don’t remember that much after the fight. How did we get here?”
She swallowed. “I saved you.”
He let out a rough laugh. “No, really. Did Ryan come after me?”
She snorted and sat up against the headboard. “What, is it so unbelievable that I could come after you? I’m a bear, too, you know.”
He shook his head, not even hearing her. “I know what you saw terrified you. I’m sorry, when I saw Rex threatening you, I couldn’t even think. But I promise, I’ll keep that part of me under wraps—”
Bearlebrity: (BWWM) Paranormal BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone Page 12
