by Haley Weir
Suddenly, it’s the next morning. Ellen opens her eyes to the sun lighting up her room through her blinds. She checks her phone immediately. No text messages. Her heart sinks, but she gets out of bed to start getting ready for work. As she brushes her teeth, she sends another text. She’s never texted someone this aggressively, but she’s too concerned about his well being to care. Composing yet another message, Ellen throws on her work clothes and tosses her hair into a messy bun.
Please just let me know if you’re okay or not. I promise I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want, I just need some peace of mind. She hits send.
The day seems to never end. Ellen goes through the motions, sleepy and distracted. She takes orders, brings them to her customers, mindlessly engages in small talk, and wipes down the counter, all while checking her phone every few minutes for a text from Douglas. Nothing comes.
Bruce arrives at Point Peak Cafe right before Ellen’s shift is about to end. He waves her over to chat. He’s always been a friendly and courteous business owner, eager to check in with his employees to make sure everything is running smoothly.
“Ellen,” says Bruce. “How are you? You know, I just saw your friend Douglas. Yesterday he came to talk with me about employment.”
“No kidding,” Ellen manages. She’s a little shocked that the Douglas she saw yesterday was out in the world seeking employment.
“Yeah, we’re working out a security gig for him, actually,” Bruce informs her.
“That’s great,” Ellen replies. “How did he seem to you?”
“Seem?”
“Yeah like, was he normal?”
“I think so,” says Bruce. “He seemed a little...careless, I guess. But I’m not a very judgemental guy.”
“What do you mean careless?” Ellen presses him, hoping for any clue that would explain Douglas’s behavior.
“Small things. You know, unkempt facial hair. Not exactly dressed to impress. I guess he seemed a little apathetic, sure,” Bruce explains. “Is everything okay, Ellen?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ellen shakes her head. “Thanks, Bruce.”
“Sure thing, Ellen. I’ll see you around,” Bruce says goodbye and leaves the cafe.
Apathetic? Unkempt? Ellen recognizes these symptoms. She doesn’t want to speculate, but all of this is reminiscent of her battle with depression when her situation with Mitch became bleak. She couldn’t bring herself to change into clean clothes or even brush her teeth. Every task seemed like an impossible obstacle. Relationships with friends and family were strained, no matter how much they reached out to her. Getting back to work was the hardest thing she had ever forced herself to do.
Ellen figures that Douglas is experiencing a serious bout of depression. Her heart breaks as she remembers the pain and daily struggle to find motivation to get back on her feet. Maybe Douglas has been dealing with depression this whole time, and he needed privacy to cope. Ellen wonders if he is using alcohol or drugs to help him get through it. It hits Ellen that Chris may not have been far off. Douglas may have a problem with mental illness and substance abuse. It’s one explanation that seems to fit.
After her shift, Ellen returns home to fill in Chris.
“So, you think maybe it’s depression?”
“Yeah,” says Ellen. “I don’t think you were off the mark when you said he was mentally ill, and maybe he’s using drugs to cope.”
“Wait, so you deduced all of this based on a brief conversation with your boss about Douglas rather than when we saw him ourselves?”
“It’s just all starting to make sense,” Ellen replies. She takes out her phone.
“Are you texting him again?”
“Yes. One more text. I’m worried.”
This is the last time I’ll bother you, she types. If you don’t respond, I’ll accept that you’re done with me and I’ll leave you be.
Chapter 23
There’s a knock on Douglas’s bedroom door. He tries to disregard it by rolling over to face his bedroom window. The blinds are closed, and he is left to wallow in the darkness despite the bright afternoon sun begging to peek through. Chains from the night before are still locked around his ankles.
“Go away,” he groans, but the door flings open. It’s Ethan and Blake.
“You should come down and eat some food with us,” Ethan suggests.
“It’ll feel good to get out of bed today,” Blake adds.
Douglas groans indistinguishably in protest.
“Come on, let’s have a beer or something. We should celebrate, right? You’re employed,” says Ethan as he helps his brother out of the chains.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Douglas replies without enthusiasm.
“We’re really worried about how much this break up is impacting you, Douglas,” Blake says gently. “So are the girls. They made a bunch of food for us and they’d really like to see you downstairs.”
“That’s nice,” Douglas mumbles, still in bed facing away from his brothers.
“Maybe take a shower, clean up that beard a little,” says Ethan.
“That’s a great idea,” Blake agrees. “Put on a clean shirt and just come downstairs with us.”
“I’m not hungry,” Douglas protests like a stubborn child.
“Well, just come sit, then,” says Ethan. “We can’t handle seeing you like this. How are you going to go work like this? If you need help, we want to help you. But you also have to want to help yourself,” urges Blake.
“You know,” Douglas says, slowly sitting up. “I saw her walking in town with another man.”
“Shit,” replies Ethan. “That sucks.”
“What happened?” asks Blake.
“I started to shift. In the middle of town. During the day. I just started running like a madman. I couldn’t look at her with him. I needed them out of sight.”
“She really does have a hold on you, doesn’t she?” asks Ethan.
“Comments like that aren't helpful,” scolds Blake to Ethan. “Listen, this is hard. I know. But if she’s moving on, it’s time for you to do the same.”
“She sent me a few text messages in the middle of the night while I was outside running through the woods. She seems worried. I can’t bring myself to answer. She told me to leave her alone. So I will.”
Blake and Ethan exchange concerned looks for their brother, but decide to stop pestering him.
“We’re going to go downstairs. We’d love for you to join us if you’re feeling up to it,” says Blake.
Eventually, Douglas works up the motivation to go downstairs and join his family. Picking up his cell, he notices he has a new message from Ellen. He doesn’t open it, attempting to give himself space from her.
“Douglas!” Mikayla calls out in excitement when he joins them in the kitchen.
“We barbecued,” Avery practically shouts. “Your favorite!”
A spread of delicious burgers, juicy steak, and a fresh salad made with vegetables picked from their own garden waits for him on the table.
“Thanks,” says Douglas halfheartedly. “I’m not very hungry though.”
Avery frowns. “Well, that’s okay. We’re just happy to see you.”
Blake puts his arm around Avery and gives her shoulder a comforting squeeze. It’s been hard on everyone to see Douglas so down in the dumps.
“We heard you have a security job in the works,” Mikayla says, trying to generate some conversation.
“Yep,” Douglas replies.
“That’s good!”
“Until I screw it up, like I screw everything up,” Douglas spits, dejected.
“Well, that’s not the best attitude,” Avery spits.
“Avery,” Blake warns. With Douglas so raw and fragile, it is important for everyone to tread lightly. He is not in full control, and his bear could appear at any moment.
“We’ve all been through painful personal stuff, so we get it. I get it. I mean it. But you can’t stay home feeling sorry for yourself forever,” remarks Mikayla.
&nb
sp; “You’re right,” says Douglas, lacking the spirit to put up a fight. Plus, deep down, he knows everything they are saying is true.
“Have you considered just talking to Ellen?” Mikayla blurts out. She immediately worries that she shouldn’t have mentioned her name at all.
“No,” Douglas responds. “She wants me to leave her alone. Now look at me. I don’t want to see her or talk to her. I’m giving her the space she deserves.”
“Fine,” replies Mikayla. “Do what you have to do. Some women want to be chased though,” she adds.
“Not Ellen, okay?”
Douglas remains at the dinner table picking at a steak while his family chat and dine. When they’re done eating, Douglas asks if someone will help him with his chains so he can go back to bed. Ethan agrees and they head upstairs.
Mikayla, Avery, and Blake begin cleaning the kitchen when Mikayla notices Douglas left his phone downstairs. She glances down to see an unopened text from Ellen. Spontaneously, she picks it up and she sneaks away to read it.
This is the last time I’ll bother you. If you don’t respond, I’ll accept that you’re done with me and I’ll leave you be.
At that moment, Mikayla takes matters into her own hands. She types the two words that could change the course of Ellen and Douglas’s lives forever.
Come over.
Chapter 24
It’s 11:00 at night when Ellen arrives at Douglas’s home. She admires at the massive cabin and the acres of lush green grass that it sits on. Mountains sprawl, stars twinkle, and the moon glows, creating a painting-like atmosphere. When Ellen rings the doorbell, she inhales deeply and prepares to see a disheveled Douglas, perhaps on, or coming down from, hard drugs. She’s surprised when Mikayla answers the door with Avery by her side.
“Ellen, hi. Come in,” Mikayla greets her knowingly.
“We’re glad you came,” says Avery.
“Thanks,” answers a confused Ellen. “Where’s Douglas? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s okay. Douglas is here. He’s in his bedroom. We need to talk with you.”
“I really need to talk to Douglas, actually,” pleads Ellen. “He finally texted me back. I’ve been so worried about him.”
“We’re going to explain everything,” Avery assures her.
“First off, Douglas didn’t send you that text. I did,” Mikayla confesses, pulling Ethan’s phone out of her sweatshirt pocket.
“What is this?” Ellen is full-on panicking. “I shouldn’t have come here. I should go.” She begins to turn around for the door.
“He’s a shifter, Ellen!” Avery blurts out, stopping Ellen dead in her tracks. She slowly turns around to face the women.
“He’s a what?”
“A shifter,” gulps Mikayla. “A bear shifter. Just like Ethan.”
“And just like Blake,” Avery adds.
Ellen feels like she’s having a hot flash. The room starts to spin. She walks over to the couch in the living room and takes a seat. It's the same couch where she and Douglas fell asleep on during their first date. Avery and Mikayla sit across from her.
“We’re sure this is a lot to take in. You probably have a lot of questions. We both did when we found out,” Avery says.
“He doesn’t want to get you involved, but we’ve taken matters into our own hands. He needs you, and we think you might need him,” Mikayla says.
Ellen is racking her brain for everything she has learned about shifters. She’s heard about them from reading novels and folklore her whole life, and always thought they were fictional stories. But, at the same time, she always teased the idea that they were real. She would check out books from the library about shifters, ghosts, vampires, and all things supernatural. As she grew up, she lost interest researching these creatures, but never abandoned the idea that they could exist. The universe is vast and possibilities are endless.
“A...shifter?” Ellen repeats in disbelief.
“Yes,” Avery nods her head.
“Where is he?”
“In his room. But before you can see him we want to prepare you,” Mikayla says. “Don’t be alarmed, but he’ll be in chains. Someone has to chain him up every night to make sure his bear doesn’t get loose and wreak havoc.”
“Wreak havoc? What do you mean?”
“He’s big. And strong. His instincts are animalistic because he’s still learning to control his bear. That’s the unpredictable nature of shifters,” Mikayla says.
“We know how badly both of you are hurting. But, you can understand why he’s so afraid to let you in, right?” Avery inquires.
“Of course,” Ellen says. “Yes. I don’t know if I would’ve believed him, anyway. I’m still not sure I believe any of this.”
“You will soon,” says Mikayla.
“So, there was never another woman?”
“Nope. Just you,” Avery comforts her.
“That’s the thing, Ellen. It’s you,” says Mikayla. “He needs you.”
“It sure doesn’t feel that way,” Ellen mumbles.
“Do you know anything about shifters, Ellen?” Avery asks.
“A little, maybe. From books I read as a child. But those were just stories…” Ellen trails off.
“There’s more truth to them than you could’ve ever imagined,” says Mikayla. “All of this is kind of beyond the realm of imagination. But it's real. Like, really real.”
“Shifters have fated mates,” Avery continues. “Like soul mates. But for the shifter, these fated mates are more than that. It’s like finding your other half.”
“The universe brings shifters together with fated mates because shifters need their mates to tame their bears. I guess it sounds cheesy when we try to explain it. Basically, if you’re Douglas’s fated, and we’re all pretty sure that’s the case, you’re destined to be with him. Only you have the ability to tame his bear,” Mikayla says. “No pressure though,” she uncomfortably jokes.
“You think I’m Douglas’s fated mate?” Ellen asks, her eyes wide.
“Yes, but I think things will become clearer when you talk to him about that,” Avery says. “Go upstairs and see him.” Leaping off the couch, Ellen hurries up the stairs to Douglas’s bedroom.
Ellen slowly pushes open the door. A giant brown grizzly bear is laying down on the bed, chains immobilizing him. He looks gentle and sweet, but Ellen proceeds with caution.
“Douglas?” she whispers. The bear lifts his head, and there is no mistaking those blue eyes. The bear lets out a low growl and Ellen understands. She doesn’t feel threatened, but safe and protected. While Ellen finally has answers, she also has more questions than ever.
“Douglas,” Ellen begins. “I want you to know that I accept you for who you are. I know now. I know your secret, and I am going to be here waiting for you when you wake up.”
She reaches out a hand, slowly touching the brown fur. He moves towards her, his chains rattling. Her heart skips a beat, exhilarated.
“You’re my fated mate, Douglas.”
Chapter 25
Around 6 A.M., Douglas wakes up. He’s in human form. Normally he wakes up when his body begins to shift, but he must have been sleeping very soundly. Then he notices he’s not alone. He can feel the heat of a body sleeping next to him. It’s Ellen. She’s in his bed next to him wearing his clothes as pajamas. “Ellen?” he gently shakes her awake.
She wakes up and immediately wraps her arms around him.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she whispers, burying her head in his neck. He likes how her warm breath feels.
“I took the liberty of removing you from your chains,” she says. “After you shifted. I didn’t want to mess with a sleeping bear.”
“Thanks,” breathes Douglas. “I was so happy to see you last night. I hope I didn’t frighten you.”
“Not at all,” Ellen replies, now sitting up in bed. “Avery and Mikayla prepared me.”
“So that’s how you ended up here. I should’ve known,” Douglas
shakes his head. “They need to stay out of my business.”
“No, I’m glad they got involved. I’ve been so worried about you, Douglas.”
Douglas suddenly remembers the last time he saw her.
“But, what about that guy you were with?”
“I knew you saw me,” Ellen exclaims. “That’s Chris. My roommate and close friend.”
Douglas’s face turns bright red.
“I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you. I could make the excuse that I thought it’s what you wanted, but you obviously didn’t want that. The truth is that I was afraid. Hell, I’m still afraid.”
“Well, I’m not. I’m not afraid at all. Not of you, and not of what this is. What we are.”
“Fated mates,” Douglas repeats quietly. “You mean it?”
“I stayed here, didn’t I? I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to hide anything anymore. I’m in this with you, Douglas.”
“But, it’s dangerous…”
“It’s more dangerous not having you in my life. You’ve been protecting me and most of the time, I didn’t realize it. It’s not just you and me anymore, Douglas. It’s us.”
“Ellen…”
“No! Don’t try to fight me on this. I have been through so much and now I’m certain of what I want. I want you. I don’t care if you’re bear, human, or a freakin’ vampire. You make me so happy. These past few weeks without you have been miserable. I’ve tried to move on, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking about you-”
“Ellen,” Douglas starts again.
“Let me finish! I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I thought you were depressed, but now I see that I didn’t have the full story. Despite how bizarre this all is, everything makes sense. You were never cheating. You didn’t lie. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry I forced you out of my life.”
“Ellen,” Douglas asserts. “I love you.”
“I love you so much, Douglas. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“And I can’t imagine mine without you. I don’t know that I’d ever be able to tame my inner beast without you by my side. You know, the first time I was able to control to my bear was the day we ended things, the day we saw Mitch. Your hand in mine gave me a sense of calm that I have never felt before.”
