To Tame a Bear

by Emilia Hartley

  Dom’s brow furrowed. She thought he would argue with her, but what he said surprised her.

  “I hate to tell you, but I can’t dance.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Even though it had been her idea, she made Dom plan the date.

  Aimee hoped he would be inspired to give her one last hurrah, something so great that not even he would be able to leave it behind. She’d gone out and bought a slinky dress to wear, even though the temperatures were dipping too low for her to bare much skin. It was blue velvet and clung to her curves like a second skin, a thin gold chain wrapping behind her neck to hold it in place.

  All dressed up, she marched downstairs. Her steps were halted when she saw the bouquet of flowers like a beacon of light on the counter. They stood in a glass vase near her notebook full of recipes. Atop it was a black box.

  Taped to the top of the box was a small note: Sorry I can’t be what you deserve.

  She gripped the note tight, crumpling it in her hand while her heart ached. While tears blurred her vision, she opened the box. Inside was a nest of perfectly shaped chocolate bonbons. Their shining surfaces were dusted with gold leaf or splattered with bright colors. She ran her fingers over them, breathing deep to try to scent their fillings. When she came across a raspberry bonbon, she popped it into her mouth.

  This was the night that she would make her mate realize that he was more than she deserved. Dom was the only thing in this world she wanted more than her own dreams. She’d dressed herself up to be irresistible. In her mind, all it would take was one look and he wouldn’t be able to walk away from her again.

  Yet, when Dom arrived to pick her up, he wore his work clothes. In his hand was a bag. She hoped he didn’t think that eating in was an option, because they did that every day. Maybe they didn’t do it together, but the inside of the cabin had become stale. She’d hoped he would take her some place exciting.

  Though she couldn’t hide her disappointment when Dom opened the door, he still stopped dead at the sight of her. His eyes roved over her hungrily. They took in the soft tan color of her legs and the gentle curve of her exposed neck.

  “As much as I like…that,” he said, gesturing to what she was wearing, “I think you need an outfit change for where we’re going. I don’t want you to freeze.”

  She opened her mouth to ask questions but felt them become barbed with her irritation and snapped it shut again. It was her idea to let Dom plan the date. She couldn’t be angry when he’d actually planned a date instead of running away from her again.

  The bag he handed her was plush, filled with warm clothing instead of the Styrofoam take-out containers she’d expected. Instead of leaving the room, she undressed in front of him. His gaze was hot on her skin as she stripped. Aimee wasn’t about to let him forget what he was trying to give up.

  His footsteps were slow, one by one as though he were fighting against himself. The blue velvet dress fell to the floor before she looked up. Dom stood before her, lips slightly parted. She couldn’t help the grin of satisfaction that overtook her expression.

  Aimee was about to ask him if he liked what he saw, but before she could speak Dom claimed her lips. His fingertips were gentle on her chin, tilting her head so that his tongue could delve deeper. She could have sworn he’d brushed against her soul. She leaned into the kiss, desperate for more.

  He was air and she was suffocating without him.

  “While I hate to put clothing on something so stunning, I’d also hate to see tonight go to waste.”

  She bit her lip. “There’s always time for dessert after.”

  His gulp was audible as she reached for the bag of new clothing. One way or another, she was keeping him. She would lure him through his stomach or his cock. Whatever it took to keep this man in her arms. He was too good to let go. He cared for her in a way no one else in her life had.

  Perhaps not even Callie.

  Her best friend loved her, but not the way Dom could.

  From the bag, she pulled a pair of fleece-lined leggings, flannel shirt, winter coat, and snow boots. There were also a cute set of gloves with a matching hat. One by one, she tugged them on. The flannel shirt was plaid, but not the boring kind. Instead of plain blue or red, it was layered with bright purple and green. The pom-poms of the knit hat matched the flannel shirt.

  “Did you pick this out yourself? I’m impressed.”

  Dom didn’t say anything. He smiled patiently, clearly eager to get the date started. She wondered what he could have planned that would require such warm clothing.

  “If the snow gets too thick wherever we’re going, can I ride on your back?”

  Dom laughed and scooped her into his arms. She couldn’t help the bubbly giggles that escaped her. This was what it should have been like from the beginning. It was a taste of the happiness they could have if only Dom would let her help him. Their troubles weren’t so great that they couldn’t conquer them together.

  Especially if this was what awaited them on the other side.

  It was worth it. Every moment.

  She snuggled into his arms and savored the time they had. There was no way of knowing if Dom would be convinced tonight. This could be the last night she spent with him. The thought tightened her throat and brought tears to her eyes, but she shoved it away. It was not a night for fear, but for all the things they hadn’t allowed themselves to have.

  Outside, it was snowing. Fat flakes drifted from the sky. It wasn’t enough to obscure their vision, but just enough to fill the night with a magical splendor. A flake landed on Dom’s nose, and Aimee reached to lick it. He shook his head, surprised.

  “Oh, look. We’re here!”

  Aimee straightened and looked around. Her first thought was that they were only in the back yard, but it had transformed since she last saw it. Lights dangled from tree to tree, illuminating the space with a soft glow. A small tent hung over a wood table. Music drifted between the trees.

  She had no words.

  No, she had a few.

  “When the hell did anyone sneak past me to do all this?” She was in awe, truly surprised that Dom would do something like this just for her.

  He set her on her own feet. When she turned to face him, she found the look in his eyes that she’d been craving for weeks.

  Love.

  She didn’t know what to do with the feeling in her chest, so she turned to humor. “No, seriously. Who did this? I need to know how you all got past me.”

  “The lights are Orion’s. They’re from the thanksgiving cookout. He brought the tent, too. As for how he got past you, do you think you might have been a little preoccupied with shopping?”

  Her cheeks warmed. “I might have been. We both know that blue dress was worth the money, though.”

  This time, she caught the subtle darkening of his cheeks. There was no way she would recreate the strip-tease outside in the snow, though she wanted to tear her clothes off for that look.

  He gestured toward the table. “Have a seat. I brought dinner from town. While it won’t measure up to your cooking, I think you’ll enjoy it.”

  The thick fleece-lined leggings kept the cold at bay when she sat. Candles lined the middle of the table, not only glowing with an ethereal light but emanating warmth that she wanted to lean into. Dom knelt and reached under the table, revealing take-out containers.

  “If this is some bland roast chicken from a shack down the road, we’re going to have to talk.” Already, she could smell the intense flavors hidden inside the take-out boxes. Her jaw dropped when she recognized the scents. “Where did you get authentic Korean food?”

  Dom grinned, but kept his secret to himself. She narrowed her eyes, prepared to needle it out of him if she had to. There had been no Korean restaurants when she’d visited the town at the base of the mountain. It’d been bland and boring as far as she could tell.

  She smiled and rested her head in her hand. This was nothing like what she expected. In her head, she’d thought he w
ould take her out for a night on the town. She’d been ready to use it as proof that he wouldn’t break down every time he stepped near a human. This threw a small wrench in her plans, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

  At the very least, she knew he’d gone to town for the food. Dom was stronger than he gave himself credit for. His own fear threatened to cripple him when he was capable of so much more. Aimee knew that with her by his side, he would continue to heal. There was no way he would be the man he was when they first met, but no one ever stayed the same.

  He would come out of this stronger. She wanted to make sure of that.

  Dom heaped black bean noodles onto her plate. She groaned, the scent reaching her nose. It reminded her of the early days, beside her grandmother when she was still loved. Was she reaching too hard to find that love with Dom?

  She glanced up from her plate, wondering if she was pushing him too hard. Aimee realized she was desperate for the kind of love that mate bonds offered. Dom was struggling through pain and confusion. Her need to push him into accepting the bond might not help the way she thought. She even began to fear it was backfiring.

  Yet, he was still there. He hadn’t disappeared. If anything, this was a step forward from the cold distance that had been between them since the fight. She’d thought he had finally come to her when they made love on the front lawn. When he ran from her, she didn’t know if she could handle him leaving again.

  “I’m sorry,” she blurted out.

  Dom’s head snapped up. He was eye level with her while he knelt on the ground.

  “What do you have to be sorry about?”

  She shrugged, trying to put her fears and emotions into words. It was a struggle. They were tangled like a set of earbuds in her pocket and she didn’t know where to start.

  “I’ve been pushy. You don’t need me making demands of you all the time. It isn’t going to make the situation any better. I can scream at the sky all I want, but it won’t make the snow stop falling. You know?”

  Dom was silent. She didn’t know what button she’d pressed, but she wished she could un-press it. The warm moment from before was gone, replaced by an awkward weight she’d dragged onto the table. It was the weight of everything they’d been struggling with. Each had their problems. If the battle hadn’t left Dom struggling with his beast, they would have had to deal with Aimee’s fear of being unloved eventually.

  Together, their problems had created a storm. She hoped they could work through it and find their way to the other side. She didn’t want to be alone for the rest of her life, but more importantly, she wanted to be with Dom.

  “I still think that I’m going to hurt you.” Dom stared at the plate in front of her. “I’m not so worried about physically hurting you. It’s the strife. I don’t want to put you through that. Mates should be happy.”

  “I’m starting to think that’s some fairy-tale boloney. What if there is no relationship in the world that doesn’t require some kind of work?”

  Dom looked up at her, a grimace marring what should have been hope. Her stomach fell.

  “How much work is too much, though? When do we give up?”

  This was a heavy conversation for what was supposed to be a fun night. Aimee desperately wanted to backtrack and take back all that she’d said, but she also knew these things needed to be dealt with. They would get nowhere if they kept hiding behind their issues.

  She reached out and took Dom’s hand in her own. Immediately, she felt more grounded. The feeling of his skin against hers helped clear her head. It was the simplest proof that no matter what, they could make this the best thing that happened to either of them.

  “Get up off your knees,” she whispered. “You look like you’re trying to propose.”

  The words hurt her. She’d never thought of herself as the kind to marry, but as she said it, she realized that was what she wanted. Perhaps not right then, but eventually. The thought of that kind of commitment warmed her. She wanted to be claimed, not only as his mate, but in every other way.

  Dom let out a huff of a laugh. It was emotionless, empty. She wanted to summon the playfulness they’d had moments ago, but when he took his seat across from her and their eyes met, she knew not every moment had to be perfect.

  She smiled, letting the warmth fill her chest.

  The cold tried to creep into their date, but the glow of the candles and the heat in her chest kept it away. Aimee couldn’t help the smile that curled over her lips. She looked down at her plate, amazed at the effort Dom had gone through for her. This wouldn’t be the last date they shared.

  Not if she could help it.

  “I didn’t think we’d want to talk all night, so I dug out a projector.” Dom lifted a small remote from the table and pointed it behind them.

  There was a soft whirring noise before light flickered over their heads. The twinkling lights strung overhead dimmed, as if controlled by someone else. She suspected Orion was still behind the scenes. Maybe he was living vicariously through their relationship, his beast quiet while he watched Aimee and Dom work through their issues.

  She hoped it gave the fool some hope. If she and Dom could work through the horrors that sat between them, then Orion could find a mate that would love him just as much. Maybe she wasn’t here. Maybe she was waiting for him in the next town the crew went to.

  Aimee turned toward the sheet hanging from two tree branches. The light brought to life the opening scenes, recorded voices pouring from the projector behind them. Aimee lifted the first forkful of noodles to her mouth, content for the first time in weeks.

  ***

  Seeing her smile lifted Dom’s spirits. Her determination was unshakable. As much as he wanted to keep running from her, a useless effort to keep her safe from his wild beast, things were so much easier when she was around.

  His beast was settled, nearly asleep, while they ate in comfortable silence. Dom was starting to think that Aimee was right. Together, they could do anything. He didn’t want to put his woes on her shoulders, but she made them seem impossibly light. She bore them with a grin and a kiss.

  A future unrolled before Dom, one filled with days laughing in the kitchen and devouring midnight snacks in the glow of the open fridge. His heart clenched, and his breath caught, hope swelling inside him.

  This could work, he told himself again.

  Dom wanted to wait for the movie to finish before he asked her to help him, but halfway through, a scream split the air. Both shifters leapt out of their seats. They shared a look before racing toward the cabin.

  A roar cut through the night, followed by another. Morgan and Orion. Soon, Callie’s roar followed. Chaos crashed in every direction. Callie’s roar died in a feminine groan, as if her change between forms had been halted. Beside him, Aimee sped up.

  He called after her, but his words fell on deaf ears.

  The beast in him woke. It surged through his body, filling him with rage and fire. They knew what was happening. Their heads had been buried in the sand, Dom distracted by the turmoil inside of him when he should have been worried about the Den.

  Aimee and Dom ran around the front of the cabin. Orion’s beast was struggling with an unfamiliar shifter, the scent of bear on the blood in the air. Dom leaned toward his friend, but his mate ran for the door of the RV parked in the lawn. When Orion knocked the unfamiliar shifter to the ground, Dom chased after his mate.

  Inside the RV was dark, only Aimee’s short silhouette visible. Callie’s cries were gone. He searched the shapes in the shadows for a sign of Morgan. He reached out, and Aimee jumped at his touch. He mumbled a soft sorry. All he wanted was to make sure she wasn’t too far away.

  Last time the Den had visited, she’d been hurt. He couldn’t fail her again. The bear inside Dom growled that it could keep her safe. It raked claws down Dom’s consciousness. The beast would keep tearing at him until he let it out. Dom wasn’t sure if he should. The RV was cramped, no place for a bear to fight.

  “She’s n
ot in here,” Dom whispered, tugging at his mate.

  He couldn’t lose her. He would take her and run if he had to. She was the only thing keeping him from becoming nothing more than a beast on a rampage. He pulled her to his body. She pushed against him, but eventually gave in when she accepted that the RV was empty.

  Outside, Orion’s beast sat on the unfamiliar Den shifter. The man grunted and pushed, but Orion was immovable. Aimee broke away from Dom and moved to crouch near the shifter’s head.

  “Where did they take her?” Aimee’s voice was a growl.

  Dom’s heart pounded in his ears. The beast inside him thrashed, making his shoulders flare with pain. He couldn’t help but wonder if the pain that filled his body every waking moment was from the ongoing war between him and his beast. The beast demanded that they shift, but Dom held on tight.

  He wanted to keep his wits about him, especially while Aimee stood so close to the unfamiliar shifter.

  The man beneath Orion snarled at her. “Rodent. Richard never should have let you into the Den.”

  The man spit at Aimee, the wet mess hitting her cheek. Dom growled, body tensed to attack, but Orion shifted his weight onto the man’s throat. He gasped and gagged. Orion pretended to be oblivious while the man struggled for air.

  Dom approached his mate and wiped the spittle from her face. This close, he could see the tears that had joined it.

  “If you keep this up, your face will be covered in icicles before you know it.” He was trying to be gentle, but the hopelessness in her eyes broke him.

  The beast slammed against his walls. His whole body shook from the force of it. Aimee reached for him. Her hands curled in the front of his shirt. He gave her a nod, trying to tell her he was okay even if he wasn’t. Smart as she was, the frown on her lips told him she didn’t believe it.

  “Go inside. Stay near Orion while you call the others. I’ll go find Callie and Morgan.”

  He moved to step away, but she stopped him. “There’s no way you’re going to leave me behind. I’m coming with you, and you can’t argue.”