Cohen

by Emilia Hartley

  ***

  The trip wasn’t actually as bad as Tom thought it would be. It seemed they both had similar plans of just keeping to their own thoughts most of the time—save for the occasional guidance on what brands to buy, pass on, and bulk purchase—though Tom couldn’t help the occasional sidelong glance in her direction when she wasn’t looking. She really was quite striking.

  There was only one blunder—they’d just walked into the office supply store when Savannah flinched, clenching her leg. He went to reach for her almost instinctively, nearly making contact before she stumbled awkwardly backward. It turned out that the splinters from the chair caused some irritation on her calf, but she was in no need of Tom’s help. He made sure to order a new chair as his first order of business, but even as they headed back to the office, he was still smarting from her rejection.

  Savannah turned to him slightly as they made their way down the street side. “Thank you, for escorting me. I know you probably think I could have figured all this out on my own, but I really did learn things today. You were a big help.” She averted her gaze. “I know you were probably really against it, so…”

  Tom frowned. “I didn’t much mind it, actually.”

  “Oh,” she breathed. “Well then, maybe…” Her voice trailed off a bit, and he watched as she physically gathered her resolve. “Look, however well it actually went, I know you didn’t want to take me at first. And that is mostly in part because you don’t trust me.”

  She turned to him again, gaze more intense than Tom thought the situation warranted. “But you took me there and helped me out despite that. So I want you to know I appreciate it. Okay?”

  Tom swallowed deeply, trying hard not to stare at her cold-blushed cheeks, a bright pink against the dark waves of her hair. She looked so sincere and honest, and in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to tell her that she was wrong and he’d totally learn to trust her easily, but deep down he knew she deserved the truth.

  He sighed, a long puff of white breath billowing before him in the cold weather. “My brother and I, we’ve been through a lot of bullshit lately, Savannah. I don’t trust easily.

  “What happened?” she asked quickly, eyes inquiring.

  He had the feeling that she’d been aching to ask him all along but thought it impolite. As he looked into her wide honey-brown eyes, cheeks flushed from the cold and soft lips pressed together in concern for him, he decided that telling the whole truth just this once would be worth it. He told her about the Northern Wind, the events leading up to Nick confronting them. He left the part about Dan out; she’d likely find out about him soon enough. He’d washed his own dishes again that morning and turned down his pain medication.

  As he spoke, he watched as her face shifted from a look of shock, to sadness, and even fear. At the end of his explanation, she was back to concern, and maybe a bit of surprise, though he wasn’t sure why. “That sounds awful,” she whispered. “I’m not surprised that you don’t trust me. I’d act exactly the same way if I were in your shoes.”

  “Glad you understand,” he replied, and he meant it. It felt good to finally unleash some of the burden he always had a habit of shouldering alone. Too often he seemed to be the only one worrying or the only one that exercised caution. With Savannah, he finally felt like he didn’t have to face that responsibility alone.

  As he took a deep breath, the sudden heady aroma of Savannah’s bear wafted past him. His bear raised its head high sampling the scent with an eager anticipation. When Tom tried to stamp it down, a grown rattled loudly and angrily within him.

  Beside him, Savannah shivered, and he could tell it wasn’t from the chill of the air. “You feel it, too?” she asked, wrapping her arms tightly around herself as if she had to physically hold her bear inside.

  “Yeah,” Tom replied. “I think they might be tired of being cooped up.” Despite the warning bells, a wicked grin slid over his face. “Hey, wanna go for a run?”

  He heard her take a soft, sharp intake of breath. “I, um… Won’t Jo and Nick worry?” she asked. “I don’t want to give a bad impression, especially not on my first day.”

  His grin grew. “It’ll be fine. Just a quick run. We’ll be back way before they even think twice about where we could be.”

  He saw her ponder internally, but she didn’t take long to say yes. Carefully setting aside their bought supplies, they set off for separate foliage so they could shift in privacy. Tom could barely get his clothes off before his bear sprang from his skin, none too gently. He could tell his beast was tired of being denied its innate wants and desires, everything in his being screaming out for something more with the beautiful bear that strolled out from behind a nearby bush to join him. Her coat was a light brown and her eyes nearly golden, reflecting mischievously in the dusky setting sunlight. She was undeniably breathtaking.

  Without warning, she took off full force into the forest. With a happy roar, Tom bolted after her, and for once, he was glad that he didn’t take the time to overthink things.

  It wasn’t often that he allowed himself to see so freely.

  Chapter Nine

  That first free romp through the woods set in motion a chain reaction between Savannah and Tom over the following couple of weeks. She’d always remember that day as the first time she saw him smile—a real, genuine, teasingly sexy smile that hinted at just how amazing a man and a bear Tom could possibly be.

  Since then, Tom had seemed a little more okay with her being around, the sentiment growing larger every day. Savannah made it her objective to coax as much of that grinning Tom out into the open as she possibly could. He hid it behind confident stoicism and fleeting interest, but even if she was unsuccessful in recreating that desired upturn of his full lips, anything was better than the scowl she’d used to associate him with.

  Of course, there were still moments where his voice dipped low in suspicion or his eyes held a shadow of doubt, betraying that he still couldn’t fully trust her, but Savannah couldn’t help but appreciate those little cues. They kept her at arm’s length so she didn’t get too caught up in the fun and frivolity of sharing grins and electric stares with the brooding alpha bear. They reminded her that this wasn’t a vacation from the Northern Wind, but rather a reconnaissance for them. Fun though Tom may be, her pack was counting on her to put the wheels in motion for their revenge. At the end of the day, Dan was still dead. Tom’s distance helped her remember that, even if her bear would rather she forget.

  But where Tom had given Savannah reason to try and keep her distance, she found it exceedingly hard to do the same with Jo. She was kind and wonderful and compassionate. Savannah never once witnessed Jo thinking for herself first; she was always doing things for others before personal benefit.

  As a human, she was fragile by nature, and yet, at the same time, she never carried herself like she was weaker. She always found a way to assist and be there without being a burden, whether it was making coffee, explaining systems and programs, or even tidying up the drab office. She may have been human, but she was every bit as necessary to the pack as both alphas were. Slowly, Savannah began to understand what Nick—and even Nick’s bear—saw in the human woman. Jo was downright admirable.

  When she wasn’t helping out at the mechanic shop, Savannah found something of a refuge in the woods. She’d mostly bound about alone, crunching down on crisp leaves and taking the occasional dip in the lake, but these last few days, Tom has surprised her by asking if she needed any company. It was only a couple of times, but dashing through the woodland with the majestic alpha bear was a heady experience all on its own that Savannah never wanted to end. She loved being in bear form with him, and so did her bear. It was never more content than it was when it was panting and exhausted after a fun race with Tom.

  She sat at her desk, snug in her fancy new chair, entering numbers into a spreadsheet. She couldn’t help wondering offhandedly whether Lucas could have lied. As her leader, she wanted to think he’d never do that, b
ut deep down she knew she wouldn’t put it past him. Jo seemed kind and compassionate, helpful to a fault almost. Tom distanced himself from moral dilemma, but ultimately avoided harm when he could. Now that she was better aware of the events leading up to Lucas’s last attack, she could see that this pack hadn’t even wanted to fight! She wished she could ask more, but prying risked suspicions, and she didn’t want Tom’s slowly growing trust in her to dwindle.

  If she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t really sure of much these days. She settled for having a bit of fun where she could, without forgetting why she was there of course, constantly reminding herself of the consequences she’d face if she strayed from the path Lucas had set her on.

  Even still, she couldn’t help the smile that overtook her face as Tom’s gaze met hers from across the office as he strolled indoors. The day was warmer than most, a comfortable breeze wafting through the office entrance that Jo had decided to leave propped open while they worked. The gust carried Tom’s musky scent to Savannah, curling the pine and woodsy smell of him all the way around her in an electrifying embrace.

  He meandered easily to her, propping one nonchalant elbow onto the desk where she worked. “Anything interesting happening tonight?” he asked, innocently.

  Savannah slid a timid gaze up to meet his, eyes travelling hungrily over the hills and valleys of his defined muscles the entire trip. “I don’t know. Maybe after dinner?” she mused.

  “Fancy any company tonight? Or are you doing the lone wolf thing?”

  Savannah didn’t think she had the resolve to turn down a single second with him. “I’m a bear, not a wolf. Or have you forgotten?”

  Tom slid a quick, heat-charged gaze down Savannah’s body. It was quick and relatively nonintrusive, but she felt tingles on the bare skin as his eyes travelled over her form, making her painfully aware that she dressed lighter for today’s weather. “Oh, I most certainly have not,” he breathed.

  A giddy thrill shivered up Savannah’s spine. “Good,” she spoke quickly, trying to make up for her excited reaction. “Then you can join me, but only if you can find me first.”

  She saw him lean in a bit closer, speaking lower and more intimately. “Are you going to try and hide from me?” he asked, breath warm and promising as interest glimmered in his eyes.

  Savannah’s bear rattled an eager growl. She shrugged, feigning a blasé demeanor. “Maybe. I consider my ‘me’ time in the woods very sacred. If you want to be a part of that, you’ll have to work for it, Mr. Brewer.”

  “Oh?” he replied, one hand snaking out to caress hers as she typed. It was tentative and gentle, but still the sizzling sensation she felt where he’d made contact was immediate and exhilarating. “I’ll have you know you’re challenging a very skilled hunter to track you down,” he warned, as his voice dipped even lower.

  Sudden warmth burst in Savannah’s belly, making her gasp slightly. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to hide her reaction from Tom; he was much too close. She settled for averting her gaze, eyes trained intently on the computer screen in front of her, but not before she saw the way his body tensed in surprise. “I’m well aware of the circumstances, Tom,” she breathed, trying to remain calm.

  She felt Tom staring at her as she worked, willing herself to not meet his gaze the way she so desperately wanted to. He didn’t move, didn’t speak, and didn’t do anything until Jo entered the office in a flurry of energy and joy, whistling a happy tune.

  “Good morning, you two!” she greeted happily, and Savannah was happy for the distraction.

  “Good morning! The coffee’s fresh,” Savannah replied, though Jo was already helping herself to a cup. “Hey, actually, would you be able to take a second look at this graph and make sure I input everything correctly? A second pair of eyes wouldn’t hurt.”

  Jo grinned. “Of course!”

  Tom finally stepped back as Jo made her way to Savannah. There was a mischievous gleam in his eye as he finally locked gazes with her. “Tonight, then,” he breathed quietly so only Savannah could hear. “I’ll find you.” With that, he turned and walked away.

  “Looking forward to it,” Savannah whispered to herself, a little thrill making her shudder inwardly. With a relieved sigh, she watched him as he walked away, resisting the urge to fan herself dramatically.

  ***

  Tom threw himself into his work in double time, ignoring the way his heart was hammering in his chest. What had just happened? Did he really just instigate a flirt session with Savannah right in the middle of the office? Did she actually just flirt back?

  He shook his head, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. He couldn’t think about this right now. His bear was roiling, urging and willing him to go back in that office and make Savannah his.

  He twisted the tire iron he held with more force than necessary, grunting his frustration. That line of thinking made no sense. Savannah was never “his” to take. Yet at the same time, there was no denying the attraction they felt for one another. He’d thought it was mostly one sided at first, but her reaction to him only a short while ago was primal, intense, and completely unmistakable. A part of her wanted something more too.

  But what was that something, exactly? Tom wasn’t too keen on the idea of flings, especially with someone he was expected to work with on a daily basis. The thought of his time with her being temporary from the jump made the bear rattle a dreadful growl, but at the same time, Tom had never really considered mating with her, either.

  “Mating?” he said aloud, his hand freezing mid twist. “You think Savannah…”

  He allowed the possibility to settle in his mind, the way he did whenever he wasn’t busying himself with menial labor. Even then it was a struggle not to think of her. She was always there, just under the surface of his memory, threatening to dominate his thoughts at the pass of a breeze or the tingle of her voice.

  Just thinking about Savannah calmed his bear. As if on cue, Tom remembered back when Nick had told him about Jo, how merely the thought of her was enough to bring his angered beast to rest. The realization of how uncanny this predicament was knocked him back on his haunches. He stared dazed and confused at the rim he’d been working on, unable to wave away the possibility of what this probably meant.

  “You alright?” Jo peeked her head though the doorway of the garage’s side entrance. “I thought I heard you shout something.”

  He shook his head, finally snapping out of his stupor. “It’s nothing.” His voice sounded overly defensive, even to him. Instead of taking offense, a knowing look colored her features in response. He bristled instantly. “Look Jo, I don’t need any of your teasing right now.”

  “That’s exactly the opposite of what I want to do,” she replied, tersely. “I just wanted you to know that if you needed to talk, I’m willing to listen. I know firsthand how confusing it can be to fall for someone so completely and immediately. It can be… tough.”

  Tom scoffed derisively. “I’m not falling for her.”

  Jo raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?” she asked, softly. “Doesn’t look that way to me.”

  Chapter Ten

  Savannah told herself it was probably a terrible idea to see Tom that night after how intense things had gotten between them in the office that morning, but she found herself back in the woods and eagerly awaiting his arrival the moment she got out of work.

  With every step, the bear pushed against her skin, eager to be set free after waiting for hours, but Savannah stayed her ground. Now that she’s had time away from Lucas’s pack, she was slowly becoming re-accustomed to her human skin. In the Northern Wind, it wasn’t odd at all to stay in bear form for weeks at a time before being offered a short stint as humans once more, so Savannah rather enjoyed exploring the familiar woods with feet and hands rather than paws.

  Though there was definite power in becoming her bear, there was sensuality to the way her human body moved that the bear couldn’t emulate. Despite the added strength of her bear, most other s
hifters were stronger than her by far. The pure appeal and allure of her human body was something no other human or shifter could dampen or take away. That was something she’d come to learn in her time here with Tom’s pack… with Tom. It made her feel more in control of her life than any amount a shifting ever could.

  Of course, Lucas wouldn’t stand for whatever was happening between her and Tom. She knew that with everything in her being, and still here she was. It was too amorphous to put into words, too fleeting to rely on, but it was fun to behold, and she’d live in the moment as long as Lucas allowed her. With a bittersweet smile at the thought, she dipped into a nearby brush and finally set her bear free.

  It exploded from her skin in a torrent of agony, impatient in its exit and angry with her refusal to let it out sooner. She bore the pain well, already anticipating the bear’s irritation long before muscles tore and bones snapped. It was over quickly enough, but she’d never be fully used to it.

  The bear’s immense strength and power filled her newly changed body almost immediately, providing her with newfound energy as she sought out a place to hide. Tom would be about soon, she had to think fast. Her heart sped gleefully at the thought of him hunting for her, and the possibilities of what could happen once he found her.

  The perfect place flashed in her mind. She growled in pleasure before setting off with renewed vigor.

  ***

  Tom growled to himself, growing more impatient as he lost Savannah’s scent once more. She was good, better than he’d originally given her credit for. So far he’d lost her up a tree, behind a rabbit den, and even dangerously close to the most populated area of the town. He wasn’t giving up though. There weren’t too many more places that a whole bear could hide.

  Catching a fresh whiff of her scent, Tom had a sudden thought that nearly made him kick himself. How hadn’t he thought to look there of all places first? He took off in a lope towards the final hiding place big enough to keep Savannah away from him, gradually picking up speed as he neared her. Soon he was in a full on sprint, rocketing forward until, with a roar of victory, he launched himself over the bank of the lake and crashed deep into its cool waters.