Page 3 of My Forever Bear

Trees split apart behind me, but I don’t stop. I manage to peek over my shoulder a second later, and my eyes blow wide.Holy fuck!A giant grizzly bear is right on my heels. My breathing turns erratic as my heart nearly pounds out of my chest. My fingertips go numb. I’m going to throw up, or pass out… or both.

This bear is massive, all five-hundred pounds careening right toward me. I dart off the path, thinking I can lose it.

Not the best idea, Wren.The bear doesn’t slow down at all, cutting left off the trail right behind me.

With nowhere else to go, I stupidly back myself against a tree, the snarling grizzly coming right for me. My body trembles uncontrollably as my wide eyes take in its face. Wild whiskey-colored eyes stare at me, its nostrils flaring wide. Is it scenting me?

Its muzzle pulls back to reveal sharp teeth dripping with saliva. I whimper and squeeze my eyes shut, holding my breath as I turn my head away.

Please, please, please, just leave me alone,I plead in my mind.

The bear’s panting breaths warm the skin on the side of my neck. I don’t open my eyes. I don’t move.

Is this how I die?

Aforceful yawn leaves my chest as I stretch my arms over my head, my back cracking and relieving some tension. I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. My feet hit the chilled floor of my bedroom, causing a shiver to race down my spine.

“Morning, dude,” I rasp out loud. My bear snarls before resuming his pacing. I can see him in my mind as he lumbers back and forth, wearing a path in the grass under his giant paws. Glistening teeth bared as his lips pull up in a snarl.

“Fuck, I see you’re in a mood already this morning.” The sky outside my window is still dark; it's too early to deal with a cranky bear in my head.

Normally, he’s calm and quiet, only coming out when I want to burn off excess energy by letting him run through the woods. But, this morning my body is strung tight, all of my muscles carrying the extra tension of an agitated bear. My body vibrates as he paces. His growls ring in my ears.Dude, what is up with you today?He doesn’t respond, huffing a low bark and continuing to pace.

I throw my favorite red-checked flannel over my thermal long johns; heavy Carhartt work pants, and my steel-toed boots complete the look. Stumbling to the kitchen, I stifle a yawn, greeted by the aroma of fresh coffee. Opening the cabinet, my favorite stainless steel travel mug greets me. I fill it to the brim with black coffee before grabbing a mason jar full of apple pie overnight oats from the fridge. Thank you, past Kiernan, for remembering to meal prep.

I’m out the door a few minutes later, tugging on my gray beanie as I head up the path to catch a ride with Reese.

Reese Moore is the resident pack alpha and brains behind our little community in these woods. He, and every other male who lives in Cypress Valley, is a grizzly bear shifter.

Speaking of, the man himself leans up against the side of his rusty old red Chevy Silverado. One booted foot crossed over the other, he takes a sip of his coffee, and nods.

“Yo, Reese,” I call as I approach the truck, flashing him a smile. “Have a good night?”

He simply grunts a non-committal sound in response. Reese is a man of few words, which is A-okay with me. It’s too fucking early for small talk, and my bear’s still rumbling in my ear.

“We headed out by the creek again this morning?” I ask while we hop in the truck and Reese cranks the ignition. The truck rumbles to life, and he shifts into gear. I crank up the heat and try to warm my chilly fingers.

“Fuck, it’s cold,” I murmur, watching the condensation from my breath fog the air. Grizzly shifters run hot, but the mornings are still chilly in the fall. By midday, I’ll be dripping in sweat from physical labor.

Reese gives me a quick grunt of confirmation. We’d be working in the same area as yesterday near a small creek. This particular creek is my bear’s favorite place to run. If he doesn’t calm the fuck down by lunchtime, I’ll have to let him loose in the woods to burn off some aggression.

Reese and I spend all morning felling trees with our chainsaws. The satisfaction grows in my chest with each massive cedar tree we chop to the ground, knowing the lumber will be sold in order to support our pack. We've been making good progress on this side of the mountain. Being a shifter means extra strength and stamina, so a two-man crew of shifter lumberjacks can do the same amount of work as a seven-man human crew.

I wipe the sweat from my brow. The sun beats down on me from high in the sky. Not a cloud in sight and a slight breeze, it's the perfect autumn day to let my bear out for a run.

“I’m heading for a run,” I shout to Reese over the roar of his chainsaw.

He nods once and keeps sawing away at the tree in front of him.

Stripping off my clothes, I leave them in a pile on the tailgate of Reese’s truck. I walk toward the creek, my muscles taut with tension from keeping my bear contained all morning.

Alright, dude. Get your ass out here and calm the fuck down!

My bear rips to the surface and explodes out of me. Skin tightening as my bones crack and my joints pop. Thick brown hair sprouts all over my body. Long, sharp black claws extend from the tips of my fingers. My nose and mouth lengthen to form my bear’s snout. Razor-sharp teeth descend from my gums.

No matter how many times I shift, it still feels weird as fuck. Like my body is going to detonate. Not necessarily painful, but uncomfortable for sure. I’m glad the transition only lasts a few seconds.

Massive paws sink into the wet rock and soil of the creek bed. My bear shakes, ruffling up his thick fur, releasing some pent up aggression. He lifts his snout, sucking in a large breathful of crisp mountain air… then he freezes.

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