Healing the Bear

by Vanessa Devereaux

  He relaxed, allowing himself to shift slowly back into his human form.

  “You humans are so slow,” he said, standing up.

  “I always thought it was a joke when they said bears can run fast. You always look like your pants have fallen down.”

  He smacked her on the backside. “Is that what you think about my body?”

  “That and it’s so cute.”

  He put his hand in hers and they began walking along. “I’m getting cold. I need my clothes.”

  “First time I’ve seen your cock limp,” said Melanie, giving him a cheeky grin. “It’s still pretty fantastic even in that state.”

  He looked down, seeing it bounce from one thigh to the other.

  “I bet you can say something to make it go hard. I mean even without you touching me.”

  “Okay, let’s see. I loved your tongue and lips on my pussy. Loved your tongue inside my pussy.”

  She glanced over. It was beginning to twitch.

  “What I loved most was having you inside me, pounding up against my pussy walls.”

  “Told you,” he said, feeling his erection come on fast and hard. “That’s enough of the sexy talk because we’re out of condoms.”

  “Maybe I can take care of the birth control one of these days. I used to use a diaphragm.”

  He had no idea what that was, but he liked the idea that he could ditch those damn condoms.

  “Why can’t you just be like shifter women, have a mark appear on you during your cycle, so we know no sex unless we want a little shifter.”

  “Guess that would be easy, but don’t you get tempted?”

  “You do but you have to learn control.”

  “Just like this you mean?”

  She stopped and put her hand on his cock.

  “What did I say? You are a bad, bad girl and I’m going to have to take you over my knee and spank you.”

  “Wow, I think I just had an orgasm.”

  ****

  Could it be that her new life was starting to be as good as her old one? While she’d give anything to have Mike and their life back and for none of this to ever have happened, meeting Dane had made her finally want to get out of bed each morning.

  She peeked outside the reception area and heard a bunch of men’s voices getting closer. The retreat group had arrived. The sliding glass door swished opened and men starting filling in carrying tents and suitcases, golf clubs and coolers. They said women over packed for trips, but these guys made the ladies look like they were traveling light.

  “Good afternoon and welcome to the Lodge,” said Melanie. “We’ll have the staff take your luggage to your rooms shortly. If you want to start by registering over here, we can get your door cards activated.”

  Melanie hoped her plan to make everything as streamlined as possible would go without a hitch.

  “The evening reception will be in the main lounge beginning at 7 p.m. Breakfast is served from 6-8 a.m. Tomorrow there’s skeet shooting and river rafting, and then on Wednesday we have a guide taking you fishing and an overnight wilderness stay.”

  “Ms. Hargreaves, is it?” asked one of the men, peering at her name tag.

  “Yes, how can I help you?”

  “I was late registering so my name’s not on the list.”

  “Okay, let’s get you booked in.”

  “It’s Noah August.”

  Melanie typed in his name and luckily one room was left on the main floor with the rest of the party.”

  “Room 256,” she said, activating the card. She slid it across to him. “And if I could have you fill in this…and I need to see your driver’s license for ID.”

  “Sure.” He dug it out of his pocket and passed it to her. She typed in his license number and then handed it back to him. “Did you catch everything I said about the reception tonight?”

  “Yep, made a mental note of it,” he said, tapping the side of his head.

  “And if there’s anything I or the other members of staff can do, just let us know.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  ****

  Dane loved the Internet. It allowed him to take a crash course on fishing, and especially fly fishing. He and Trent had buried the hatchet and Trent had told him that his father-in-law was a fishing expert. Dane spent an hour on the phone with him picking up tips he could pass along to the men at the Lodge.

  He still wasn’t comfortable with being a guide, but it was doing a huge favor for Melanie and anything for her wasn’t really a hardship. She looked more beautiful than ever as he walked into the reception area and spotted her tidying up the floral arrangement at the front desk.

  “Good morning,” he said.

  “Morning to you and you really look the part. I love those khaki shorts.”

  They had been an impulse buy, so had the top of the line fishing rod and tackle. He wasn’t sure when he’d use them again because his way of fishing was so much easier. Although now that he had a human girlfriend doing things her way wasn’t so bad either. Maybe they’d take a picnic by the lake and stream. He’d fish and after they’d make love and…

  “A huge smile has just appeared on your face,” she said. “Were you thinking of something pleasant?”

  “Very, and sort of naughty too.”

  “You can tell me later because here are the men. Now behave yourself, no wild partying tonight out in the wilderness.”

  “Damn, and I’ve invited a bunch of strippers along.”

  She walked around from the desk and pinched his arm.

  “Gentleman, this is your guide, Dane Reynolds. Be gentle with him because it’s his first time taking a group out for the night, but no one knows the outdoors quite like Dane.”

  He tapped her playfully on the butt, hoping no one was looking.

  “Hi, Dane,” the men shouted at him.

  Dane waved. “Okay, let’s get all the gear together and load it into the bus. Then we’ll be on our way.”

  “Be good and take lots of photos,” she said, kissing him.

  “I will and if I lose my job at the school I guess I can always be a fishing guide.”

  Dane followed behind the men and went outside just as the bus pulled up. The driver opened up the luggage area and they began loading it with bags and fishing rods.

  “You think it’s a good day for fish to bite?” asked one of the men.

  “Perfect because I hear rain’s in the forecast.”

  ****

  This was the first night in what seemed forever that Dane wasn’t going to be with her. She’d forgotten how lonely her evenings used to be. She’d wanted so desperately to go out and do stuff and meet new people but had been petrified that she’d give herself away and they’d think she was a liar or just plain weird. Eventually, she’d just given up and expected she’d be sort of a recluse for the rest of her life.

  What did she used to do? Read, watch TV, she’d even taken up knitting when the weather got colder. Maybe she’d drag out her knitting needles again and make something as a surprise for Dane. She realized she didn’t know the date of his birthday. That was something else she’d have to change. For the last two years, she’d sung happy birthday to herself on her real birthday not the one they’d given to her, which for some reason was Halloween. She thought it appropriate because her new life had been connected with all sorts of horrors.

  ****

  Dane eyed the woods as they settled down for the night. He’d wanted to go for a run as a bear but wouldn’t risk being seen. The cooking part of the evening had gone better than he’d expected. They’d caught a total of seven fish. Cleaning them had been a task but finally he’d put them in the cast iron skillet over the fire and everyone had loved the meal.

  “Maybe we should have a sing along before bed,” said one of the men, coming back from relieving himself.

  In your dreams. He loved music and singing, but the thought of sitting around the fire singing with a dozen human men wasn’t his idea of a guys’
night out. Luckily two of the other guys threw their shoes at him, which Dane had seriously considered doing should the guy pursue the sing along thing further.

  “Okay, night everyone. I’m only a tent away should you need anything,” said Dane. Hopefully the fresh air has made you want to sleep like babies.

  He unzipped his own tent and got inside. Being a human in the wilderness was boring with a capital B. The woods were calling his name, but he could not give into temptation. He lay down and pulled the blanket over him. He’d tried calling Melanie but got no reception on his cell phone which was probably the whole point of the retreat and people getting away from their everyday lives, including calling and texting every few minutes.

  He crossed one foot over the other and looked up at the top of the tent. He sure missed Melanie and wondered what she was up to. He should have brought a book with him and read by flashlight. He turned over and thought he’d count sheep. Maybe that would put him to sleep and he too would sleep like a baby.

  Dane hadn’t realized he’d dozed off until the sound of twigs and brush snapping close by woke him up. It probably hadn’t disturbed the other men, but his bear hearing alerted him to the least little thing. He sat up, putting his nose in the air. Wasn’t an animal, but human. He’d know that scent anywhere.

  He listened carefully. He heard more twigs breaking. It sounded like the person was moving away from their camp not toward it, which was probably a good thing, but he’d still feel happier checking it out just in case he or she came back.

  Dane unzipped his tent and went outside, looking around but seeing nothing until he caught a flash of something moving down the ways to the left. He took a quick look around to see if anything was missing. Didn’t seem to be, but one of the tents was wide open.

  He walked over to it and peeked inside. No one was in there. His bear curiosity got the better of him and he went inside, not worrying too much if the guy came back because he sensed something wasn’t right and he needed to know what.

  Dane sat down and began looking through the guy’s belongings. Change of shorts and a t-shirt, water bottle, bug spray, and an orange folder. He reached over for it and placed it on his lap, pulling out his flashlight from his belt. He opened it and focused on its contents.

  A cold chill ran over him when he saw a photo of Melanie. He swallowed a few times. One of the guys wasn’t here for a retreat. He’d found Melanie and was going to kill her.

  Perfect cover. He hated to think that maybe Trent’s fishing around into her background had led a bad person to her.

  Dane rushed out of the tent. The guy was probably heading back to the lodge. He had a ten minute start on Dane. He reached into the tent for the blanket and took in its scent. Dane the human might not be able to catch up with him or track him, but Dane the bear could.

  He began taking off his clothes as he raced toward the way he’d seen the guy heading. For his own sake this guy better not harm one hair on Melanie’s head or he’d kill him.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Melanie hadn’t realized how sleepy she was until she found herself nodding off as she was casting on what would be a scarf for Dane. Her head shot up and for a minute she’d forgotten that she’d opted to take her knitting to bed to get a head start on it while she watched the news.

  She flicked off the remote, set the knitting needles and wool on the night table, and flicked off the light, wondering if Dane and the guys had turned in for the night yet. He’s probably fast asleep and giving that cute bear snore of his.

  She smiled and drifted off to sleep only to be woken up thirty minutes later by what sounded like footsteps out in the living room. Panic washed over her. She’d armed the alarm. It was working because the voice had told her it was activated, and she’d checked for the red blinking lights on it before she’d gone to bed.

  There it was again, squeaking floorboards and now through the gap at the bottom of the closed door she could see what was definitely someone walking by. She reached for the phone, but when she picked it up the line was dead.

  Her heart beat faster.

  If they were going to kill her, she’d have rather them do it the way they’d taken Mike’s life. They’d told her he probably hadn’t known anything about it and hadn’t suffered.

  She closed her eyes, knowing hers would be a more drawn out way, painful even. She gagged. Would she run and put up a fight? Was it worth it? Even if she got away this time, they’d send someone else later on. She was tired of being scared.

  Someone turned the knob on the bedroom door. She’d thought about asking for a lock for it but didn’t see the point. If they got into the apartment, they could get into the bedroom.

  Soon a man stood in the doorway. Noah August.

  Was she just going to let him kill her, or would she try to fight and run for help?

  Dane, she had him to live for now.

  She reached for the knitting needles. If she could stab him, maybe it would give her time to run for help or even pick up her cell phone that was on the coffee table.

  A light shone in her eyes and she saw him, dressed in black, rope pulled tight between his hands.

  “Hi, Chloe, time to join Mike.”

  He ran toward her. She jumped out of bed and lunged at him with the needles, piercing his arm.

  “Fuck you, bitch, now you’ll die more slowly.” She wasn’t quick enough and he hit her in the face with the back of his hands. It stung, burned. She thought she’d pass out, but she couldn’t. She had to fight so she’d live to see Dane again.

  She tried to run, but he grabbed her ankle and pulled her toward him, his weight now on top of her, pressing her into the carpet. She saw blood from her face and head splatter out in front of her. The next blow had cracked something inside her body. She groaned as he slipped the rope around her neck.

  Honey, get up and fight. You have to live, because something special’s happening to you.

  It was Mike’s voice. He was here.

  With as much effort as she could muster, she pulled herself up and wedged her hand under the rope, letting it cut into the side of her palm rather than her throat. Her ribs were broken, she was pretty sure of it, but if she could find someplace to hide maybe she’d get enough energy to fight him some more.

  She elbowed him, taking him off guard, and then she got to her feet and kicked him in the crotch. While he was doubled over, she ran for her closet, crawled inside, pulled the door, and latched the lock.

  She listened. Nothing, but then she jumped when he called out to her.

  “You can’t stay in there forever and no one’s coming to save you. Let’s get this over and done with. I promise I’ll be quick and then it’ll be all over and you can see Mike again.”

  There was a thud and then silence again.

  He was tricking her, making her believe he’d gone, but she wasn’t falling for it. She was going to stay in this closet forever if she had to. They wouldn’t kill her like they had her husband.

  Chapter Twenty

  Dane ran to the side of the Lodge, knowing Melanie’s apartment was only minutes away. He walked around the side of the main building. Changing back into his human form was going to be tough with his mind and body in such a heightened state, but he had to do it. Either that or break down the door as a bear. He closed his eyes and thought how he needed to do this for one person and that was Melanie. His claws retreated and his paws became his feet and hands again.

  He only hoped he’d run quickly enough and that she’d had the sense to know someone was around and had taken precautions. As he turned the corner, he saw the door was open. He ran inside and down the hallway, seeing a man sitting on the floor of Melanie’s room. There was rope in his hands. He was staring at the wall, a pool of blood beside him, blood splattered all over the carpet.

  Dane didn’t think, didn’t even give it a second thought. He ran in there and lunged at him, sending the man falling backwards. He punched him, pounded on him, seeing blood fly from his mouth in al
l different directions.

  “You fucking bastard, you deserve to die,” Dane shouted at him.

  He then heard what he knew was a door opening and guessed there was another assailant. He’d take him on too. He turned around ready to fight when he saw Melanie, standing in the t-shirt she wore to bed, shaking. Her throat was black and blue, bruising already putting in an appearance. It also looked like her arm was out of its socket.

  “Dane, I’m okay. Don’t kill him or they’ll send you away.”

  She stumbled over to him and fell into his arms. She’d passed out.

  He needed to call 9-1-1. He had to get help and get the police to arrest this asshole before he didn’t do as she’d asked and he killed him just like the man who’d killed Lucinda.

  He picked Melanie up and placed her on the bed. Then he used the rope to tie the man’s hands behind his back before picking up the phone.

  Shit, he’d obviously cut the line. He ran out into the living room, knowing that Melanie often kept her cell phone there. He saw it on the coffee table. He lifted and dialed, hoping that she’d be okay and maybe her nightmare would be finally over.

  ****

  Dane paced up and down as he waited for the doctor to examine Melanie. It was taking forever and he didn’t know if that was a good sign or not. He swallowed the last of his coffee, grimacing because he hadn’t realized it was cold and had grown bitter.

  He was about to pick up a magazine when he saw the doctor heading his way. He stood, feeling sick and crossing his fingers behind his back.

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Let’s sit down,” said the doctor.

  Not a good sign.

  “She has a concussion, four broken ribs, and a broken collarbone.”

  Dane made fists with both his hands. He should have killed that bastard.

  “And her throat?”

  “No permanent damage to her windpipe, but she’ll be hoarse for a while. Thebruising is going to look a lot worse than it actually is.”