I closed my eyes, not releasing my hold. Bear backed away from the tree and continued to walk through the forest, leaving my pants and boots behind.
“I feel your warmth.” My body shuddered.
“Keep going,”he linked.
“Your love, your concern.” I dug deeper, laying my head on his shoulder, on top of the shoulder I had bitten.
I didn’t care if there was blood smeared on my cheek. It had stopped bleeding, and I could feel the skin folding in on itself, leaving my scared bite marks bright and white on his skin.
“Close your eyes, my mate. It’s too much for you to be looking around right now.” Bear rubbed his hand up and down my back, whispering in his deep baritone voice.
I whimpered, closing my eyes again. This time, when I closed them, I felt not the skin of Bear’s shoulder but the fur of Teddy. He was right there with me when I shut my eyes to the real world, and somehow, he was with me when my eyes were closed.
“I see Teddy,” I told Bear. “He’s right here with me.”
“He and I will always be here. When you are awake and when you sleep.”
“And what if that nightmare comes back?” I sniffed, holding onto him tighter.
I could hear Bear’s feet step onto the wooden porch of the cabin. The creaking of the screen door opening and Anaki’s sharp gasp didn’t deter me from opening my eyes. I had Teddy and Bear with me at the same time.
“That’s not happening again. We are leaving now. Anaki, get the vehicles ready to leave,” Bear barked.
Bear strode into the bathroom again and stepped into the shower. Cold water rained down on us, causing me to jolt my body away from him.
“We are getting that thing out of you today,” he growled. “I’ve been prideful, thinking I can do it on my own, but I can’t. I’m going to be an asshole. I don’t want people touching what’s mine, but now that we are bonded, I’ll try my best to be on good behavior.”
My chest rose, and my nipples hardened at his sharp tone. Possessive Bear was certainly a turn-on.
I nodded and placed my head on his chest. “I love you too, Bear,” I whispered while he set me down. He tilted my head back by pulling on the hair on my scalp and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.
But now, as the realization of the depth of my feelings crashed over me like a tidal wave, a sense of overwhelming vulnerability washed over my entire being. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
I had accepted this life, the shifters, the Iron Fang, Bear, this unconventional love, with open arms. The acceptance came effortlessly, a testament to the undeniable bond that had formed between us. It wasn’t just physical attraction or a fleeting infatuation; it was something far more profound. Our souls were intertwined, calling out to each other across the vast expanse of time and space.
I wanted to enjoy it now, and with this nightmare inside me, it wasn’t going to happen.
“You are doing what you think is best.” I swallowed.
Bear shook his head. “I love you with all my heart and soul, Nadia. I’m going to protect you, no matter the cost. I’m a fucking idiot. I thought I could keep you safe.” The water rained down on us, washing away the dirt, blood, and the arousal between our legs. “I’m going to fix this, I swear it.”
I leaned against the large shower that could easily fit three of him. I didn’t cover myself. I wasn’t at all shy about my body now. It was mostly because I was tired, but he knew all of it anyway by now. I grabbed the girlish loofah Anaki had brought and put on a scentless body wash.
“Thank you for calming me down,” I whispered.
Bear never left my side. Some part of his body was always touching me: his hand, his leg, his foot. When he left my side to grab the shampoo, my body chilled, and panic swelled inside me.
“We will need to stay close as the bond ties us together. You will also see your bear emerging soon. Most likely in your dreams, as long as that nightmare stays away.” Bear’s brow furrowed. “I will stay with you while you sleep. How are you? Tired?”
I nodded. With the water streaming down my face, he couldn’t see the tears threatening to fall, but that didn’t stop him from rubbing his thumb under my cheeks. “Let’s hurry. The quicker we get to Tajah’s shop, the quicker we can get this thing out of you.”
By the time we reached Tajah’s shop, the sun was nearly set. It was a nice-looking town, small with coffee shops, a bookshop, grocery store, apartments. Overall, quiet.
The streets of the town were mostly deserted except for the side of town where the Iron Fang bar sat. The bar was the only area that looked animated at night, with the lights glowing around it. The door was old and wooden. It gave it a tavern look and was rather large to look like a bar. But I guess that was because there was a whole compound in the back that housed the clinic where I stayed. It was much more than just a biker bar.
Anaki helped me out of the truck, squeezing my hand as I jumped the last step out.
Motorcycles revved and parked in their designated spots a few blocks down from Tajah’s shop. They lined the streets. There had to be at least thirty bikes all in a row.
