“Fuck off!” He snarled, marching towards the truck and Evan. Evan stared uncertainly at his near doppelganger, remaining silent until Dakota pulled himself into the driver’s seat. “Sorry. That’s the guy that’s been stalking me.” Dakota growled, turning the key in the ignition and backing out of the driveway. The man shifted just out of the way of the truck, and smiled toothily at Evan as the truck backed away, past him. There was something eerie in his smile, something that Evan couldn’t quite put his finger on. As if the other man knew something he should not. Breathing a sigh, Evan remained silent for the duration of the truck ride, trying not to fidget at the obvious irritation that permeated the atmosphere.
“Are you okay…?” Evan muttered, reaching out to rest a hand on Dakota’s arm. Dakota glanced towards him, smiling uncertainly.
“He just said some stuff that got me really riled up. Said some bull about you smelling especially fertile, and I just… didn’t like the way he said it.” Dakota groused, driving at a leisurely pace in the direction of the diner. Evan’s eyes widened, and he drew his lip between his teeth.
“..Fertile?” He managed. Dakota laughed it off, focusing on the road ahead of them.
“Supposedly, a werebear and their mate can reproduce regardless of physical sex. He seems to think we’re going to end up with a bushel of cubs. That’s just old legend, though. No proof to it.” He said casually. Evan laughed awkwardly, unable to ignore the sudden sinking sensation in his gut. It was impossible by normal human standards, but for a werebear…
He shook off the thought. There was no need to panic. This was clearly some elaborate joke that Dakota was trying to pull on him. The larger man was just pulling his leg. There was no such thing as werebears, and a man could certainly not bear another man’s children. As they pulled into the diner, he had nearly managed to dispel the traitorous thought. However, a few hours later, as they finished their meal and the sun began to set, the unsettling feeling was growing in his gut once more.
There was something about Dakota’s demeanor that was changing as the sun sank in the sky, something almost feral in his mannerisms and actions. Halfway through their drive to the forest, the larger man pulled the truck over.
“You drive the rest of the way.” He barked out, leaving no room for argument as he passed Evan while circling the truck. He bypassed the passenger side entirely, hopping into the bed of the truck and thumping the top of the cab to signal that he was ready to move once more. Evan was beginning to think that the trick, or prank, or whatever was dragging on just a bit too long. Once they were near the woods, he pulled the truck over, fully prepared to give the larger man a piece of his mind. However, as he looked out towards the bed of the truck, he was not met by the tender gaze of his best friend turned lover. Bathed in a backdrop of moonlight, a massive brown bear stood hunched in the bed of the truck, watching Evan with a hungry expression. Evan stared. Blinked once. Twice. Then, all went black as he promptly fell unconscious; in a dead faint.
When he next awoke, it was to the sound of the shower running in the master bathroom of Dakota’s trailer. He snorted, dismissing the night before as a bizarre nightmare before rising out of bed and slipping into the bathroom, intent upon joining Dakota. He drew the curtain back, a shriek spilling past his lips as he took in the sheer amount of blood that still covered his lover’s body. It spilled off of him in waves as the clean water from the shower cascaded over him, and Evan stumbled back, clutching his chest in an attempt to soothe his pounding heart. Dakota looked towards him, baring his slightly pointed teeth in a hesitant smile.
“Oh my god.” Evan managed. Dakota hesitated before moving to draw the curtain closed once more.
“I’ll be out in a few, just gotta get all this mess off of me. Fish guts. Bleh.” He called out, and Evan inhaled shakily, internally trying to reassure himself. Fish guts, Dakota had said. It seemed like a lot of blood to come from fish, but perhaps there was some truth to it. Perhaps…
He shook off the thought, stepping away from the shower, the idea of showering with the bear man feeling less appealing. In fact, it set a rather significant amount of nausea brewing in his gut. Feeling it wash over him in an abrupt wave, he lurched towards the toilet, retching into the bowl. He noticed Dakota peeking out of the shower, but could say little between bouts of spilling his guts into the toilet bowl. A nagging thought made itself known in the back of his mind, making a single phrase appear in the forefront of his mind, unbidden: Morning Sickness. As impossible as it seemed, it seemed equally impossible for werebears to exist. Though it seemed too soon to be experienced the symptoms of a potential pregnancy, he didn’t exactly know the werebear protocol. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he continued to retch into the toilet, sensing more than seeing Dakota slip out of the shower and stand behind him.
“What did you do to me!?” He demanded, choking out a sob as Dakota gathered his hair up, keeping it from getting all the mess on it.
“I didn’t…” Dakota murmured, hesitated, then sighed. “I didn’t think we could actually have cubs.” He finished.
“I can’t believe this. How am I even supposed to…” Evan trailed off, another gag shaking his body. Dakota rubbed his back gently, exhaling an unhappy sigh.
“I’m not sure. There are other werebears in the area, maybe they’ll know more than I do.” He offered, helping Evan to his feet and flushing away the mess once the smaller man had nothing left to spill past his lips. Evan leaned heavily against the man at his side, fury the predominant emotion he felt, though he dare not mention that there was a certain sense of wonder to the situation as well. He clutched his stomach as the two stepped out of the bathroom, taking wobbly strides towards the couch and all but collapsing onto it. He could feel Dakota’s worried eyes upon him, but felt little need to comfort the larger man. It was his fault they were in this mess, after all. “I’m gonna go get dressed. You can… watch some tv…” Dakota offered, receiving a withering glare in response. Evan kept his gaze on Dakota until the man was out of sight before reaching for the remote, clicking on the tv and flipping through the channels before settling on a local news channel. He watched with little interest as the news anchors reported on petty subjects-- along the lines of who had won the best teacher award for the week. He yawned, unhappily rubbing his stomach and wondering how long it would be before he got fat, the hormones already seemed to be having some effect on him. He closed his eyes, idly listening to the news.
“Breaking news! A recent string of deaths, as reported last week, have been identified as bear maulings. The local wildlife experts advise…” The female news anchor announced, though the rest of her statement fell into obscurity as Dakota yanked the remote away, clicking the television off.
“Hey!” Evan growled, leveling a glare at the other man. Dakota met his gaze unwaveringly, bearing his teeth in a snarl and throwing the remote across the room. Evan flinched as the electronic device smashed against the wall, falling to pieces on the floor.
“You shouldn’t be paying any mind to local news. It’s just going to stress you out, and the baby could suffer.” Dakota rumbled. Evan considered the taller man, eyes widening as the reality of the news story settled in on him. He pointed an accusing finger at the man he called his lover, hand shaking as he spoke.
“What… what did you do?” He demanded, trying to sound firm but falling just short. Dakota quirked a brow, seeming confused for a moment before narrowing his eyes upon the smaller man.
“What are you talking about!? You think I killed those people?” Dakota demanded in a loud snarl, the sound resonating through the room. Evan cowered away, drawing his lip between his teeth and looking uncertainly towards the front door. “Evan. You can’t be serious. You think I killed those people? Why on earth would I do something like that?” The werebear implored, in that same insistent tone. Evan hesitated, and Dakota seemed to finally sense his unease. The man bear exhaled shakily, shaking his head and slipping towards the door.
“Where a
re you going?” Evan called out, shifting off of the couch and moving to trail after the other man.
“Out.” Dakota replied simply, grabbing his keys and swinging the door open. Evan stared plaintively at him, grabbing him by the arm.
“You’re just going to leave me here, alone?” He demanded. Dakota smiled bitterly, shrugging off Evan’s hand and taking another step away.
“I’d think you’d be happy, considering what you seem to think of me. How could things have changed so much, in so little time…” Dakota muttered, trailing off. Evan opened his mouth, prepared to argue, but fell silent as he went ignored, settling to simply watch Dakota get in his truck and drive away. He wanted to shout after the other man. He wanted to curse his childhood friend’s name. He wanted… somehow he just wanted things to go back to normal.
Unfortunately, things were too far gone to return to any sense of normalcy. At least, in the sense of what normal used to be.
“This is a mess.” Evan muttered, lingering at the door frame and glancing back into the house he had come from. Perhaps living with Dakota had been a mistake. Living in a home with parents who hated him was beginning to look the better option, compared to a man who seemed as if he would snap at any moment. Exhaling slowly, he stepped out the door, pulling it shut behind him. It had been some time since he’d walked the streets of the small town alone, but it wasn’t as if he had a ride to his parents’ house. He gently touched his hand to his stomach, whispering a prayer to a God he wasn’t quite sure he believed in anymore. Then, he started off in the direction of his parents home.
He hadn’t spoken to his parents in two years at least, and they had been… less than receptive of his idea to temporarily cut off contact until he had his degree. It didn’t help that it was a degree his parents considered useless. He had someday hoped to teach high school level English classes, but his dream was becoming increasingly distant. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked, wondering if the slight pudge he noticed on his gut was actually there, or if he was imagining it.
Which led to the even bigger question. How would he explain to his homophobic parents that he was not only gay, but potentially pregnant with some sort of… man bear creature. It broke the very laws of nature.
The streets he was walking down grew increasingly familiar, and he soon found himself standing outside his childhood home. He hesitated, glancing towards the treehouse that he and Dakota had spent countless hours in when they were younger. It was falling to pieces, but it was no small wonder that his parents hadn’t had the tree cut down altogether. As he walked up the walkway, the front door was flung open, and he was met with the worried eyes of his mother. He smiled awkwardly, offering a little wave. Suddenly, she lunged away from the door, gathering him into her arms and burying her face in his shoulder.
“My baby.” She mumbled, her tears staining his shirt. “I’m so happy to see you home.” She wept. Evan tried to smother his own tears, pressing the back of his hand against his eyes. He wound his free arm tightly around her, kissing the top of her head, where her roots were beginning to show the faintest hints of grey.
“I missed you, ma.” He muttered, and she drew away just enough to fully take in his expression. Her worry did not seem to dissipate, and she rested a hand against his cheek, turning his head from side to side.
“You don’t look so good, sweetheart. You’re pale. Where did you walk from?” She inquired softly, tousling a hand through his short hair. He hesitated, tears springing forth to his eyes once more.
“I… was with Dakota.” He muttered hopelessly, preparing for the hate he was certain he would see in her eyes. Instead, she gathered him sympathetically in her arms once more. “I… mom, there’s some things I really need to tell you.” He sighed, receiving a soft laugh in reply.
“If it’s about your infatuation with that boy, I’ve been waiting for you to come out for years.” She said gently, smiling at his look of shock. “I’m not the happiest person in the world about it, especially with the bad crowd he fell in with some years ago. But you’re my baby. I’ll always love you, no matter what.” She smiled, brushing his hair away from his eyes. He glanced to the house, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.
“I’m worried about what dad might think.” He admitted. The older woman stiffened, and she inhaled shakily, taking her son by the hand. Evan tilted his head curiously, confused by the suddenly solemn expression she wore. “Where is dad, anyway? I should at least say hi.” He said, trying to restore a bit of pep to the conversation.
“Honey… your daddy’s not here anymore.” The elder woman said softly. Evan recoiled as if he had been struck, looking to his mother with wide and uncomprehending eyes.
“He left you…?” He said haltingly. She shook her head, wiping a tear from her eye.
“No honey. He’s with the lord now.” She corrected him sadly. Evan stared at her, waiting for her to laugh off the situation as some sick joke… it was unlike her, but his father being dead was impossible. There was no way it could be true and he didn’t know about it. He slipped past his mother, rushing towards the doorway of the house and darting inside. He felt more than saw her slowly trailing behind him, and he felt as if his heart crashed into his gut as he took in the large and elaborate urn sitting on their mantle.
“H-how? How did I not know?” Evan gasped out, reverently approaching the mantle and tracing his fingers along a picture that was displayed to the right of the urn. It featured himself, as a bright eyed and bushy tailed child. He could remember when the photo was taken, recognizing the smudge of dirt on his nose and being from a game of football with the neighborhood boys. His father always walked him to the park to meet up with Dakota and their other friends when he was young.
“We… he had been sick for some time, dear. He took a turn for the worse when you left for college, and we didn’t want you to worry yourself with it. I wanted to tell you, right before you broke off contact with us, but he wouldn’t allow it. He so badly wanted to see achieve your dreams.” She said carefully, resting a hand on his shoulder. Tears spilled down Evan’s cheeks, and an inhuman wail spilled past his lips. He dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself and nearly choking on his sobs. His mother crouched at his side, gently wrapping her arms around him as well and attempting to soothe him.
“I was so selfish! I didn’t even get to say goodbye! He didn’t get to see me graduate! He won’t see…” Evan paused, squeezing his eyes shut against the pain he felt. “He won’t get to meet his grandchild.” He whispered. His mother tightened her grip on him, a gasp spilling past her lips.
“You met someone? But… I thought you and Dakota…?” She inquired hesitantly, receiving another pained wail in response.
“We are, mom. But… things have spun out of control and… I never thought my life would come to this. I didn’t even think it was possible.” He stammered out, touching a hand to his stomach. His mother watched him with shock in her gaze, gently pressing her hand atop that of her son. “Dakota… he’s… not like us.” Evan muttered.
“You can’t mean--” His mother started, cut off by a bitter laugh.
“I do. I’m pregnant, mom. As impossible as it seems… and believe me, I know it seems impossible…” He trailed off. His mother drew away from him, looking uncertain. Tears spilled more furiously down his cheeks, and he was certain he had lost the remaining family he had left.
“...I believe you.” She said after a long moment. He exhaled a bitter laugh, not believing her for a moment. All the same, he allowed her to draw him to his feet, tugging him towards the couch-- the one his father had loved so dearly. He fell bodily onto it, the once unpleasant odor having become achingly familiar. “I’ve seen some things that no one else would believe, should I have told them…” She trailed off, sitting on the couch beside him. She allowed him to rest his head on her lap, running a hand comfortingly through his hair like she had done when he was a child.
“Like what?” He implored weakly
, looking to her from the corner of his eye. She laughed faintly, looking to the window at the front of their house.
“If you were anyone else in the world, I would not tell you-- for fear of being put in the loony bin.” She started as something of a preface. He watched her face carefully, looking for any hint of dishonesty as she spoke. “I once… saw a man turn into a bear.” She admitted. Evan’s eyes widen, and it was with a sinking feeling he realized she was being entirely honest with him. He hesitated, taking her hand into his own. She laughed, averting her eyes before clearing her throat. “I didn’t think you would believe me, even with all this--” She started, cut short by her son giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“I believe you too.” He offered. It seemed time to put everything on the table, but before he could begin to explain himself, there was a pounding at the door. He sat up, staring towards the door with fear shining in his gaze.
“Evan!!!” Dakota shouted from the other side of the door, and Evan shrank away, curling into his mother’s lap. She stared at the door, gently nudging her son out of her lap. She approached the mantle, standing on her tiptoes to reach high above it and grasp the shotgun that her husband had displayed there before his passing.
“M-mom!” Evan sputtered, reaching towards her. “Just wait for him to go away. There’s no telling what he’ll do.” He sniffled. His mother considered him for a moment, and he could do little more as she shook her head, approaching the door with the shotgun aimed and ready to go. Evan watched with fear shining in his gaze, even as Dakota’s voice grew more desperate.
Arrested by the Dragon: Gay Police Paranormal Romance Page 16