It was the first time I’d been outside, I mean, really outside in years.
The air was typical of the upper Northwest, which I had learned in my early years in school. Wet, damp, and cold, but not cold enough for it to snow much. The leaves weren’t crunching beneath my feet; rather they were wet, but that didn’t disappoint me because I could still see the light from behind the clouds, and I could see the hints of green moss behind some of the trees.
Teddy was easily concealed in the woods. The cabin quickly hid between the trees, thanks to the year-round evergreens, pines, cedars, and spruce.
“I hope you know where we are going,” I nearly whispered because of the surrounding nature. It was peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb the nature around us. The birds were chirping despite the fog and the giant grizzly that walked beside me.
“Of course I know where we are going,” he grumbled.“I would not lead my mate blindly.”
Boy, he was a real winner on personality.
“I heard that.”
I giggled, rubbing between his ears.
“You know what I meant. You are still angry about that nightmare?”
Teddy let out a low grumble, his fur bristling as he reared up on his hind legs. With a mighty swipe, his claws connected with the enormous tree trunk, sending a shower of rough bark flying through the air. The sound of the impact echoed through the forest, reaching the ears of nearby creatures. The scent of freshly exposed bark hit my nose, mixing with the earthy aroma of the surrounding forest. As Teddy’s claws dug deep into the meat of the trunk, the force of his strike left behind sizable divots, like deep scars etched into the tree’s flesh.
“Teddy!” I scolded, putting my hand on the tree as he moved away.
The sheer power from just a tiny swipe of the tree was deep, reminding me how powerful Teddy was. It still hurt to see that a tree was an innocent bystander.
Teddy turned and huffed, steam rising from his maw and nose.
I half expected to feel pain from the tree, knowing what I was, a half-fae. I mean, I was supposed to be connected with nature, right?
“It is the circle of life within nature, little bee,” Teddy finally said, turning around to look at me.“Animals use the plants in the forest to mark their territory, to eat, to make their homes. If a fae could feel the feelings of a tree or in their food, I think they would be in pain a lot.”
I laughed nervously, taking my hand away from the bark.
It was just a thought.
Teddy chuckled and waited for me to walk alongside him.“I’m just messing with you. I know little about fae. I know they can heal trees, and I know they can feel the pain of trees that are ruined by human hands.”
I nodded and kept my hand on Teddy’s back as we strolled. As we went deeper into the forest, the tension in his body released, but Teddy was ever vigilant, looking at every sound he heard. Even my ears had opened and listened to the noises, such as the cracks in the branches, the running of water in a nearby stream, and the brushing of the pines in the wind.
I didn’t have to concentrate or worry someone was going to speak too loudly. A problem I didn’t have to deal with while growing up but had only dealt with since coming out of solitary confinement.
Now I wondered if all my differences were somehow connected to my heritage.
“As a baby, you had grown accustomed to louder sounds,”Teddy said, interrupting my thoughts.“Your body naturally became accustomed to and adjusted. Since you were in solitary confinement, your body wasn’t used to sounds anymore and magnified the smallest of noises. You will adjust. It is much better than when we first met, isn’t it?”
I nodded and huffed out a breath, watching the steam from my nose rise. “You getting in my head is kinda annoying. When can I read your thoughts?”
“One step at a time, mate. First try talking to me without moving your mouth.”
I held my shoulders back and closed my eyes.“Can you hear me now?”
I could feel Teddy rolling his eyes at me.“Yes, female. Now open your eyes so you don’t fall.”
“You aren’t as fun as Bear. You are quite grumpy. I do like your name, though. It gives the illusion you are a big teddy despite your personality.” I poked at his cheek.
Teddy lifted his maw. Even though it showed off a row of teeth, it looked like a handsome smile.
“I am the logical one. I am to keep you safe. You are my everything, and I will do everything in my power to do just that. Even if that means to kill everyone in my path.”Teddy stopped and turned to me.
He held no humor on his face. Teddy was an animal. He was nothing like the name he held dear that I had given him. Every word he spoke was the truth. The massive strength in his body, the sharpness of his teeth, his claws, and paws proved he was a lethal weapon. He was a damn grizzly, probably the strongest land mammal on the continent.