“They’ve been abducting and impregnating human virgins for years. You haven’t known any of them?”
“Sorry to say, but most of the women I know didn’t keep their virginity for long after reaching puberty. I think it’s mostly tourists who disappear.”
“You’re a local then?”
“Yes, I’m a local. I grew up here. My parents grew up here. Their parents before them…”
“And you don’t know about the missing women?”
“No, I don’t know about them, okay? If people disappeared, I figured they just finally got out of this dead-end town.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. I moved from foot to foot, wanting so badly to spit in his face and leave, but the fear of being hunted kept my legs from budging.
“So, they’re just going to keep chasing me then?” I finally broke the awkward silence. “What am I supposed to do? I have to go back to work in a couple days.”
“Maybe you should finally get out of this dead-end town.”
“Thanks bear man, but that’s not helpful. I mean, why didn’t they come after me when you took me here? Did you sprinkle holy water around the place?”
“They’re not vampires. They’re werewolves.” I gave a gesture of frustration. He sighed. “They aren’t coming here because I’m the alpha bear of my tribe, so they’re afraid of me. Our tribes have been rivals for… many, many, many years.”
“So, you guys have like rumbles in the forest? Do you like snap at each other like in West Side Story or what?”
He gave a slight-closed mouth smile. “Yes, because we all have opposable thumbs when we’re transformed.”
I shrugged, “I didn’t get a good look at anyone’s paws.”
“My tribe’s goal is to keep the people of the forest safe. We aren’t letting them take human women anymore.”
“But you did at one time?”
His lean lost its swagger for a brief moment, but he quickly was able to regain his composure. “You didn’t even notice anyone was gone. I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
I felt my resolve slipping for a moment as well, but I didn’t want to show weakness to him. Still, I knew this was the best situation for me. If the werewolves are afraid of him, they won’t come after me here. “What I’m getting here is that staying with you is the safest route for me?”
He narrowed his eyes, “I didn’t say that necessarily.”
“Well, they’re afraid of you, right?”
“Yes.”
“So, this is the best place to be. Unless you have some holy water…”
“That’s vampires.” I gave him an expectant look, taking a stand near the door. He gave me a tired look back, his mind going through the repercussions of a decision to kick me out. “All right, you can stay here.” I smiled wide. “But only for a couple weeks until the rest of my tribe complete their mission.”
“Their mission?”
“We’ve been hunting the leader of the werewolf pack for a while, and we’re getting close. I got quite a few of his right hand men last night, actually.”
“And killing the leader will end all this?”
“I believe so.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.” We stared at each other in silence for a moment as if still in a stand-off. “Do you want to call your family or anything so they know where you are?”
“Oh no, they’re....” I began, but then thought better of it. He didn’t need to know I didn’t have a family. It’d be better if he thought someone would miss me being gone. “Yes. Yes, I do. My mom will be very worried. Do you have a private phone?”
“Upstairs in the guest room. It’s the middle room.”
“Thanks.” I moved quickly upstairs.
As I climbed, I noticed the stairs were a little shaky. Maybe he really just didn’t want to carry me up the stairs for safety. These stairs are sketchy. Still, he doesn’t deserve any kind of excuses made for him. I appreciate him letting me stay, but he’s still a complete jerk.
Three doors stood in a line right up the stairs. Another door stood to the right of the stairs. An ornate butterfly plaque hung on the door, which normally would have made me feel happy but I felt strangely sad looking at it. Something about the room felt abandoned and lonely. I’m not sure why such a macho man would have a room with a butterfly on the door. It must be some kind of kinky sex room or something. Maybe he likes to crossdress for kicks - a manly man wanting to feel pretty.
I sighed, walking into the middle room. It’s not fair to say mean things about him. His choice of decor is none of my business. The guest room had a sterile, hotel feel to it. A nice hotel, but a hotel all the same. The bed looked new, never slept in. The comforter still felt stiff to the touch, as if just out of the bag. I sat down on the bed, picked up the phone, and held it. I dialed slowly.
“Hello, you’ve reached the Velma family,” my mother’s voice answered after four rings. “We’re not in right now, so leave a message with your name, your number, and the time you called, and we’ll get back to you.” Kevin could be heard in the distance screaming, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” Mom’s voice sounded exasperated as she finished with, “Thanks, talk to you soon.”
“Hey, I’m not going to be home for a few weeks,” I said. “Miss you, love you.”
I hung up, then dialed Stevie’s number. I used to be friends with his sister in elementary school. Hers was the first number I ever memorized besides my own. “Hello?”
“Hey Stevie, it’s Veronica.”
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Things are fine. I um…” what excuse would work for being out for two weeks? “I am going to be out for a while.”
“Oh yeah? Is everything okay?”
No, I’m being hunted by werewolves for my virginity, and I’m staying with a bear-shifting asshole. “Everything’s fine. I just um… I took a shortcut to avoid the man-boys, and uh…”
He chuckled, “They really aren’t that bad. Beth used to date one of them before she ran off.”
I thought back to Beth. We hadn’t been friends since middle school - she fell into a different crowd. We started being friends again around tenth grade when Mom died. Mom’s death made her want to turn her life around.
“Which one did she date?”
“Terrell. The nice one, you know? You might think they’re all misogynistic assholes, but she said he never even pressured her into sex.”
“They didn’t have sex?” Beth never had any other boyfriends in high school after Terrell, as I recall.
“Nah, she was still under the illusion that she wanted to wait until marriage,” he was silent for a moment. “I guess that changed when she graduated, huh?”
“Who do you think she went off with?”
“I don’t know. My dad thought it was Jimmy Bishop. He left sometime near then.”
“Didn’t he go to USC?”
“I don’t know. I was never fond of him. Anyway, why are you going to be out? You took a shortcut and…?”
“Oh, yeah, I took a shortcut and thought I heard something. I started running and just… snapped my ankle. I need to be off it for a while.”
“Ah, okay. Those woods can get scary after a few drinks. Well, keep me posted, huh?”
“I will for sure.”
“See you later.”
“Bye.”
“Goodbye. Feel better.”
I hung up, worry building up in my throat as I thought about Beth. She couldn’t have run off with Jimmy Graham; I know for a fact he’d gone off to school early. And that he didn’t like women anyway. He invited me to his wedding to his husband last summer, but I couldn’t make it. I mostly was embarrassed to show up there as the same person I’ve always been and working at the bar like all the local losers.
Beth pretended she was Jimmy’s girlfriend in high school so he wouldn’t get teased. When she ran off… or, I guess, disappeared, Stevie must’ve assumed she ran off with Jimmy because of their little act. I though
t she ran off because the family said she did. I hoped she had left a note that said where she was going, but they all never really talked about again. Stevie brought it up every so often, but it was only in passing. He never wanted to discuss it completely.
I walked slowly and quietly down the stairs. The bear man stood by the French doors, staring outside at nothing in particular. His shadow spread out across the shiny wood floor, making him look massive. He didn’t seem to know I was there. His shoulders had somewhat lost that prideful stance and his stare seemed sadder, more uncertain. I stepped off the last stair, causing a loud creak. He turned to me, his shoulders instantly rising and the pride returning to his dark eyes.
“Were you able to call your mother?” he asked.
I nodded, “I was. She was happy to hear from me.”
“Great.”
“I realized um… that I don’t know your name. And you don’t know mine.”
“Did she ask who you were staying with, and you didn’t know?”
“Who?”
“Your mom.”
“Oh, um…” I haven’t had a mom for so long, I forgot moms ask those things, “yeah, yeah she did. I told her I was safe.”
“Well, if she wants to talk to me, then I’ll be happy to speak with her to put her more at ease. Your dad too, if he’s around.”
“Just because you think I’m a white trash local doesn’t mean my dad left. That’s kind of insulting.”
“No, I’m just saying. I don’t know if your parents are together or what. My parents aren’t.”
“Well, I’ll let them know you’re willing to talk. But uh… what’s your name?”
“Oh, right. I’m Christian. You?” he held out his hand to shake.
“Veronica,” I answered, taking his outstretched hand.
His hand was large and strong with long fingers. It warmed my own hand, which looked small and delicate wrapped in his. Boys used to tease me about my large hands, but his made mine more feminine. I looked up into his eyes, our hands touching for a little longer than handshakes usually last. His stare made chills run up my spine to our joined hands.
“I have to get some work done,” he pulled his hand away. “Are you okay just hanging out down here?”
“Are you leaving?” a wave of fear washed over me.
“No, no. I have an office upstairs for when I can’t go into work. It’s especially useful in the winter.”
“Right. Okay.”
“If you’re hungry, you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen. I’m afraid my cook hasn’t been by this week yet though.”
“Your cook?”
“I have a cook bring meals by once a week. I pull them out from the freezer the night before and bake them.”
“You can’t cook?”
“I’m just busy. It’s easier this way.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. He didn’t give though - he kept that impenetrable scowl. We faced each other, neither of us speaking for a moment. He cocked his head to the side, as if thinking of something to say.
“Can I ask you a…” I started.
“Excuse me, I really must get to work. I have a meeting,” he interrupted, rushing upstairs and entering the third door. I sighed. Well, at least if he doesn’t want to talk to me, I don’t have to talk to him.
I sat on the couch and looked out the window at the sun shining on the forest outside. I wondered what secrets my forest held. I used to think it was so boring just yesterday, that all those stories were made up for tourist dollars. Maybe it’s a lot more sinister than I thought.
IV.
I slept on the couch again because Christian didn't come back down. It still was incredibly comfortable, but I felt out of place. I dreamt about Beth running in fear as the werewolves chased her through the woods. I should have thought harder about it when she left... I should've helped her when she needed it. I don’t know exactly how I could’ve helped the situation, but I know I should’ve done something, cared more.
I guess I always hoped she was okay, that she had just run away with someone and not been taken by the wolves.
The next morning, I waited for Christian as I stared out the window. I’ve never been this far out in the woods. The trees appeared closer together this deep in - they looked like an army protecting us from intruders. It both made me feel safe, but also lonely. Though I’ve only been here a day, Christian didn’t give any sense of warmth. His arrogance and cold civility (and I’m using the word ‘civility’ loosely here) made me feel like a burden on him than a guest.
Finally, footsteps creaked down the stairs. He wore a collared shirt and khakis, looking professional to just sit at home. He moved swiftly to the kitchen and to the coffee maker. He didn’t greet me or even look my direction.
“Good morning,” I said, standing up and walking to him. “Your couch is really quite comfortable. I appreciate your furniture taste.”
“Thank you,” he replied, finishing making his coffee then turning to me. His dark eyes stared into mine, and he kept his trademark scowl. “I’m glad to hear you’re comfortable, but you’re welcome to stay in the guest room. You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”
“Thank you,” I mirrored his monotone. “I did want to ask you something though. About… uh… the girls who go missing?”
“Girls who go missing?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, girls go missing all the time. Sometimes they’re just tired of their lives and leave. Sometimes someone takes them and either murders or keeps them for a long time. Sometimes… accidents happen. You know.”
“Yeah, I get that. I mean the girls who the the wolves take.”
“The werewolves? Or do you mean real wolves?”
“Why would I be asking about real wolves?” I snapped. “Why would I be ruminating on random missing girls taken by real wolves when I was almost abducted by werewolves, and you saved me?”
“I don’t know,” he answered, rubbing his forehead. “I’ve been doing meetings all morning, and I need my coffee. What did you want to know?”
“What happens to them?”
“The girls?”
“No, the wolves. Can they get jobs and stuff, or are they prejudiced against?” I said sarcastically. “Of course the girls.”
He raised an eyebrow and gave his closed mouth smile. “Just wanted to make sure. The girls… I’m not sure. They impregnate them, but we don’t know exactly what they do after the girls give birth, you know?”
“Well, have any escaped?”
“Not that I know of.”
“So… are they killed or…?”
“As I said, I don’t know. But since we haven’t ever found any women in their strongholds, I assume they’re…” he paused, “no longer living.”
“Did you find the babies?”
“Yes. They grow quicker than normal children. They’re usually at least teenage by the time we find them. Purebred werewolves don’t live all that long. They’re like real wolves and don’t live that long in the wild.”
“So the girls are forced to have these children that don’t live very long?”
“Essentially. Werewolves aren’t um… they aren’t like what you see in the movies.”
“Are they not human?”
“They are, but they live together in packs just like wolves. They’re like hermits, mountain men, out in the woods. You may have met one of them at some time.”
“What about the female werewolves?”
“That’s the reason the werewolves only choose virgins. Virgins are guaranteed to have males.”
“So… is that why they’re killed? They’re no good anymore for males?”
“Well, the female werewolves don’t survive to infancy. They’re usually miscarried, so it’s not… you know, beneficial for the pack to have females.”
“Okay…”
He sighed, “What I think happens is that having the babies, being impregnated, takes a lot out of the abducted girls and… they die in childbirth
. That’s why the werewolves have no humanity toward women. They only see them as measures for reproduction.”
“So they’re misogynists?”
“I guess you could say that. Why are you asking?”
“I uh… I remembered a girl I was friends with who disappeared. I wanted to know…”
He sipped his coffee, watching me. “I really don’t know what happens to the girls. That’s just my guess.”
“Are bear-shifters the same?”
“No. We come from an ancient line to keep order with the werewolves. It’s a… complicated story.”
“Do tell.”
“Well, um… the story is that the werewolves are cursed, which is why they don’t live long and that. Only the leader and his family line live longer in order to keep the pack protected. The leader, long ago, was a shaman who betrayed the tribe. So, they cursed him.”
“But they didn’t realize how dangerous the werewolves were?”
“No. That’s why they needed the protection from the bear. They designated the strongest of the tribe to be…” he paused, “‘blessed’ with the ability to transform. But the werewolves reproduced at too high a rate. And then the white people came, and the tribe mostly died out.”
“How did your family survive?”
“Well, the last of the bear-shifters in the tribe came here to this church. There was a missionary family that tried to save them. My ancestor fell in love with one of their daughters, so they formed a truce. The church has stayed in the family to protect against the wolves.”
“Oh, okay. But you said they hadn’t been protecting the women for a while?”
“Well, there weren’t many of us left, so we mostly kept to ourselves. Then….” he paused again, his expression thoughtful. “You know, I really have to get back to work. I’ll have to finish this later.”
He poured himself more coffee and gave a mumbled excuse.
“Wait,” I grabbed his arm, making him start. For some reason, the contact with him made my own skin feel warm and tingly. “Can’t you tell me something to ease my mind?”
“I think I’ve told you enough,” he replied, looking deeply into my eyes. “Excuse me.”
I watched him go, wondering why he got so strange toward the end of our conversation. Yet, my hand still felt warm from touching him. I couldn’t shake that feeling of his eyes meeting mine, how deeply they delved into my soul. It sounds stupid to say just a look as he retreated could have such an effect on me. If he weren’t so rude, I could probably learn to like him. He’s just so handsome.
Romance: Stranded With The Alpha Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (Werebear, BBW, Bear Shifter Romance) (Sweet Shifters Book 1) Page 2
