Fae-ted to the Bear: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance (The Bond of Brothers Book 4)

by Harmony Raines

  “Is he going to... Are you going to lose control?” Elise’s face paled as she turned to face Caleb, her eyes on the branches above his head.

  “No, I’m in control and even if my bear did come forth, he still wouldn’t hurt you. But the mushrooms smell like heaven to him. If heaven had a smell.” He tried to lighten the mood.

  “You’re saying that the bear wasn’t after me that day, he wanted the mushrooms I’d collected.” She leaned down and sniffed at the mushrooms. “Then maybe I won’t pick these today. But if your bear wants them...”

  “Are they safe for him to eat?” Caleb asked.

  She chuckled. “That depends on if your bear likes getting drunk.”

  “Those mushrooms make you drunk?” Caleb hunkered down next to them. “That’s weird.”

  “The sweet smell is caused by something similar to fermentation,” she explained. “My grandma used to use them to make a kind of mushroom bread.”

  “Mushroom bread, that sounds…delicious.” He screwed up his face.

  “It is. When we go visit her, I’ll ask her to make some for you.” She nudged him in the ribs. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

  “Sorry, it just sounds kind of weird.” He inhaled again. “Although my bear disagrees, he thinks these mushrooms smell wonderful.”

  “Come on, let’s go. If your bear gets free and eats too many of them, he’ll be drunk.” She stood up. “They ferment more in your stomach.” She moved her hand around and around over her belly. “So you don’t feel the effects for a couple of hours.”

  “That sounds fun.” He chuckled. “But a drunken bear would not help win you over. My bear has to prove to you that bears aren’t scary.”

  “Oh, and please don’t mention the bear episode to anyone. I never told anyone, not even Karros.”

  “You didn’t?” Caleb was shocked. “When you got back to your grandma’s house, you never told her?”

  “No.” Elise stood up and turned to face him. “If I had, I doubt I’d have been allowed out into the forest on my own. And I wasn’t ready to give up my independence.”

  “Ah, now I understand.” Caleb slipped his arms around her and pulled her close. “You don’t have to worry about bears or anything else while I’m here. I can sense any living creature for a mile or more.”

  “I envy you.” She tilted her head back and cupped his face in her right hand. “It must be incredible to sense so much around you. I’m good at reading nature, I can tell if it’s going to rain and what direction is north. I can forage for food and I know how to find water. But you see so much more.”

  “When I’m with you, I see only one thing.” His nervous smile took her breath away. “Too much?”

  “No, not at all.” She stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his, running her tongue along his lower lip. He shuddered and tightened his arms around her as their kiss deepened. With Caleb, nothing could ever be too much.

  He groaned and pulled away from her. “We should continue on. We need to set up camp and find something to eat.”

  “You’re more interested in your stomach than kissing me?” Elise’s hands slid to her sides as she let him go.

  “No, I’d stay here and kiss you all day and all night, but in the morning, you’ll have regrets and I’ll feel to blame.”

  “Regrets?” she asked.

  “Yes, we came here to gather ingredients so that you can impress Ivan. That’s not going to happen if our lips are locked together for hours.” He touched his lips as if savoring their kiss.

  “You’re right,” she replied huskily. With a small self-conscious cough, Elise headed back to the trail and continued on in the direction of the place she planned to set up camp. “So, are we far enough away from the mushrooms for you to shift?”

  Caleb chuckled, they had been walking for ten minutes and she suspected his bear would easily find his way back to the mushroom patch if he wanted to. “If you keep walking, my bear will choose you over a few fermented mushrooms.”

  “Glad to hear it.” She half-turned to look at him. “Well?”

  “You want to meet him now?” Caleb looked around.

  “Is there anyone else around?” she asked.

  “No. We’re alone. There’s no one else around for as far as my senses stretch. Unless you count the squirrels in that tree.” He pointed at a large sycombre tree.

  Elise turned around and stared into the tree. “I can’t see or hear them.”

  “They’re in their nest. It’s up there.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly as he guided her attention to the higher branches where two squirrels were nibbling nuts.

  “I’d never have known they were there,” she whispered. “You are a man of hidden talents.”

  “I’m willing to let you see all of my talents.” He kissed her cheek, his breath caressing her skin. “Let’s start with my most impressive talent.”

  “Okay.” She smiled shyly. “I promise not to freak out.”

  “I’m not the same as the bear that chased you,” Caleb reminded her. “I’m still me.”

  Elise nodded slowly. “You inside a bear skin.”

  He tapped the side of his head. “Just like my bear is in here right now.”

  “One and the same.” She inhaled deeply and took a step back. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  Caleb closed the space between them, his lips brushing hers before he stepped back, his eyes fixed on her. “He’s just like me, we share the same bond with you.”

  She nodded and swallowed hard as tears pricked her eyes. As the trees swayed in the breeze, she was reminded of that day so many years ago when the bear had scared her. This was not the same bear, she reminded herself as the air shimmered around Caleb.

  He faded from view and the hair on the back of her arms stood on end as the air popped and fizzed. For a moment he was gone, and she felt his loss deep down inside of her. But the link between them was still there. If she reached out for him, she would be able to follow him out of this world.

  “Oh!” She put her hands over her mouth as a large shape loomed before her. Slowly the edges of the shape become more defined, and the bear’s features filled in as if someone was painting him on a canvas. With each brushstroke, he came to life. Each hair that made up his thick luxurious coat glistened in the dappled sunshine filtering through the trees. Tinged with silver, she longed to run her hands through it and bury her face in the soft fur.

  Her nerves were gone. As she locked eyes with the bear, she read the message he silently sent her. He wouldn’t hurt her. He could never hurt her.

  The loss she’d felt as Caleb disappeared was gone. Her mate was here right in front of her.

  “Hi there.” She lifted her hand and waved self-consciously. How exactly were you supposed to say hello to a bear?

  The bear shuffled forward, his head low, then he stopped, his eyes on her as if waiting for Elise to make the next move. He didn’t want to scare her away.

  “It’s okay. I’m not going to run.” She held out her hand and stepped forward.

  The bear responded by sticking his head out as far as possible and sniffing her hand. His whiskers tickled her, and she smiled. The smile was replaced by a giggle, and then laughter erupted from inside her.

  “I like you a lot.” She stroked his short muzzle, trailing her fingers over his broad head before stroking his back.

  The bear made a face and shook his head as if to agree with her.

  “Shall we go?” She cocked her head in the direction they were heading.

  The bear turned around and then stepped forward, his massive paws making barely an imprint on the ground as he padded after her. He was light on his feet, perhaps he’d learned to hide his tracks when he explored the mountains above Wishing Moon Bay. Although, she doubted anyone hunted bears or any animals in the mountains when there were so many shifters around.

  It was one of the many questions she had for Caleb as they walked side by side along the forest trail.
Perhaps when they were seated around the campfire tonight, he’d answer them all.

  She smiled softly. But if not, they had the whole of the rest of their lives to find out all about each other.

  Not that she had a lot to tell. She might be a fae, but she was boring compared to the bear shifter beside her. Perhaps that was another reason why her people didn’t like shifters. They resented their ability to shift, to become something else.

  Where did that something else live when it wasn’t in this world? Where was Caleb’s human form now, stuck in some kind of limbo between worlds?

  So many questions.

  She wound her fingers through the bear’s fur almost subconsciously. The bear turned his large head and looked at her unblinkingly. As she stared back at him, she finally understood the connection between them. A connection that was deep and unbreakable. And eternal.

  Chapter Sixteen – Caleb

  His bear accompanied Elise as she gathered various herbs and picked leaves from shrubs as they walked through the forest. When she stopped and knelt down to sniff the ground, he’d watched in amusement before digging in the ground with his large paws to uncover some truffles.

  “I know what I’m going to cook for Ivan.” She patted him on the head before leaning forward and kissing him. “Thank you.”

  His bear stared at her for a long moment, she was perfect in every way. And she was theirs to love and protect. Maybe I should sleep next to her tonight, his bear announced. I can keep her warm and safe from anything that might try to harm her.

  We’ll keep a fire burning, but if there is any hint of danger, I agree, you should sleep by her side. Caleb wanted to be the one to protect her, but he realized his bear could do a much better job. They had to think about what was best for their mate.

  “Okay, here we are.” Elise placed the woven bag she’d used to store the items she’d foraged carefully on the ground. “I’m going to need Caleb, the human Caleb, to come back now.” She hunkered down next to the bear and cupped his head in her hands. “Thank you. I’ve loved spending time with you.” She kissed him on top of the head, and he shivered at her touch.

  He loved her. She was their mate. He rubbed his cheek against her thigh before huffing and walking backward, his eyes never leaving her face.

  When he was five feet away, he stopped and stared at her for one long moment before he let go of the world around him. The air popped and fizzed and then he was gone.

  Elise didn’t move as she watched Caleb rematerialize. “That’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “My bear? Or the shift itself?” Caleb stepped toward her.

  “Both, I guess. How exactly does it work?” Elise’s eyes shone brightly as she placed her hand on his arm and squeezed it as if checking that he was real and not a mirage.

  “I don’t know exactly. It’s something that just happens when a shifter reaches puberty. Then we must try to control it. It gets easier as we begin to understand the two halves that make us whole.” He took the pack off his back and placed it on the ground. “We should build a fire, it’s getting late.”

  “It is.” She looked up at the sky. “Your bear and I lost track of time.”

  “It’s a good thing I don’t get jealous of him,” Caleb joked.

  “Why would you when you are part of each other?” Elise asked.

  “I was joking. Although we’re going to fight each other to spend more time with you. My bear wants to sleep next to you tonight and keep you safe,” Caleb confessed.

  “He doesn’t think I can look after myself?” she retorted as they began setting up camp.

  “No one can protect you like my bear can,” he replied.

  Her shoulders sagged forward a little and she looked around the clearing where they’d stopped. “I just hate feeling like I did all those years ago. I hate feeling scared, as though I’m not in control.”

  “You were in control,” he told her. “You didn’t panic, and you figured out how to get yourself out of danger.”

  She stood up straight and put her hands on her hips. “I suppose you’re right. I did escape. I always thought I was lucky.”

  “And now?”

  “I came up with a plan and I executed it.” She nodded firmly.

  “In the same way, you came up with a plan and executed it when you wanted a job with Ivan.”

  “That was more luck. If Flora hadn’t met Aiden, I wouldn’t have had a chance. I used her as leverage.” She hung her head for a moment.

  Caleb came closer and slipped his hand around her shoulders. “No, you saw an opportunity and you used it to your advantage. You used it to help execute your plan.” He massaged her shoulder. “I believe that you would have found some other way to set your plan in motion even if Flora hadn’t met Aiden.”

  “I like the way you believe in me.” She nestled into him. “I really do.”

  “That’s what I’m here for, to believe in you and make your dreams come true.” He wrapped his arms around her, and they stood still, caught in a moment as the late afternoon sun shone down on them.

  He turned his face to the sun and felt its warmth, but the heat spreading through his body was not taken from the sun. Even the bright disk in the sky couldn’t warm him in the same way his mate did.

  “We really need to get a fire going.” She shivered and wrapped her arms around him, her movements in opposition to her words.

  “Shall I go gather the firewood while you unpack everything else?” he murmured against her hair.

  “That sounds like a good idea.” She didn’t loosen her hold on him.

  “I like this, just the two of us.” He breathed in her scent.

  “I like it, too.” She clung to him as if she never wanted to let go, and he tightened his arms around her. A growl from his stomach ended the mood and she laughed and pulled away. “Go get the firewood so I can cook for you.”

  “My stomach apologizes for ruining the moment.” He bowed his head and she giggled, pushing him away.

  “We can share plenty of moments once we’ve set up camp and eaten.” She turned her back on him and crouched down next to the pack.

  Caleb watched her, his eyes lingering on her face as he pushed his senses out, ensuring there was nothing close by that might threaten her safety.

  Happy there was nothing but a few birds in the immediate area, he left the clearing and gathered wood. He also gathered some dried leaves and moss blown into a hole in the foot of a tree, it would make good kindling.

  “This should be enough for now. I’ll go get more once we’ve started the fire.” He put the pile down on the ground next to a ring of stones Elise had gathered and arranged to contain the fire.

  “Perfect.” She placed a large flat stone on the ground inside the ring of smaller stones. “The fire will heat the larger rock. I can use it to keep the food warm once it’s cooked.”

  “Okay, do you want me to light the fire?” he asked.

  “I can do it.” She picked up the small pile of kindling and set it down on the ground before glancing up at him. “You don’t need to watch me. I can do it.”

  “I know I don’t need to watch you, but I like watching you.” He smiled softly as she blushed. “But I can go sort out the sleeping bags and set up the tent.” He looked up at the sky. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to rain. But if it stays dry, we can just sleep under the stars.”

  “You didn’t check the weather forecast before we left?” Elise asked.

  “I could check the Wishing Moon Bay weather, but I figured the weather here would be different since we’re in another world. You did see that we crossed worlds?”

  “Is that attitude I hear?” Elise teased.

  “I suppose that as much as you have questions about shifting, I have a lot of questions about your world. And you.” He came to her, kneeling beside her and stroking the tip of her ear. “We’re so much the same and yet so different.”

  “But fate has chosen to bring us together.” She looked
down at the ground before raising her eyes to meet his. “You make me want to sacrifice everything I’ve worked for. Being with you makes me realize how much I want a family. Children to love and care for.”

  “Why does that mean you have to sacrifice everything you’ve worked for?” Caleb asked.

  “Because there’s no way I can work in a restaurant and care for our children. The hours are long...” He put his fingers to her lips, and she swallowed down her emotions.

  “You’re not in this alone.” He placed his hand on his heart. “I promise I’ll be there by your side every step of the way. Your career, your hopes, and your dreams are important to me. Somehow, we’ll work it out.”

  She arched an eyebrow and his heart ached for her. “You’re saying I can have it all?”

  “I’m saying we will find a way together.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “We’re a team, a partnership. In everything. And in case you didn’t notice, I have a big family and there are going to be a lot of babies soon.” He smiled softly at the thought of the next generation they would soon raise. The boys adopted by Valerie would know what it was to be fathers. “We have always helped each other out and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

  Elise leaned her head on his chest and took a shuddering breath. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” He slipped his finger under her chin and tilted her head up.

  “For coming into my life. For being you.”

  He chuckled. “Luckily, I’m good at being me.”

  “Don’t ever change.” She kissed him, her lips hot against his as the late afternoon rays bathed them in sunlight.

  “I don’t plan on changing,” he assured her. “Now, we really need to get this fire going. If we don’t eat soon, the forest will be filled with the sound of my stomach growling rather than bird song.”

  “I thought when you were in love, you lost your appetite?” Her cheeks flushed pink, and she covered her face with her hands. “I didn’t mean to imply...”

  “That I’m in love with you?” He let her go and held out his arms. “Do you want me to shout it out loud?”