Ten Reasons NOT to Fall in Love With a Bear

Reason #4

Reason #4

            I tried not to let my tears fall as I laid back and rolled over so I wouldn’t have to face him. “Just get out,” I muttered. “You don’t have to leave but I don’t want to be around you right now.”

            He whimpered but complied. The door slammed shut behind him. I listened, waiting for his footsteps to disappear. When they finally did, I let the tears flow. In less than a day, Joey had managed to muddle up my emotions. It was actually quite impressive. The last time I had been so confused, I had been that upset was when I had gotten in a fight with my best friend then had my dad tell me that I was never going to change. That had only been a month before… and it had been an absolutely terrible day.

            I buried my head in my pillow.

            He claimed to be my true mate, something that was so rare for shape shifters. They did happen though. What didn’t make sense was that I wasn’t a shape shifter. It couldn’t be possible! It shouldn’t have been.

            All too soon, I fell asleep.

*                                                           *                                                           *

            I woke up to someone screaming. It was very high pitch, amused female. I jumped out of bed and ran into the hall way, almost tripping in my haste to get down stairs.

            In the living room, Joey was cowering on the floor with his hands clasped over his ears. Mom was screaming her head off and dad was running in with his shot gun.

            “Who are you?” He demanded as soon as mom stopped screaming.

            Joey glanced back at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stepped in. “Dad, put the gun down. Mom, calm down. This is Joey. He’s a shape shifter.”

            Dad immediately lowered the gun. “Why is he in our house?”

            “Because he’s homeless, hungry, and without memory,” I made my way toward the boy and stood next to him. “I let him in, fed him, and let him spend the night. He’s fine dad.”

            “You should’ve called us and warned us,” Dad sighed. “He scared the shit out of your mother.”

            I cringed. “Yeah, I noticed that. It was quite painful.”

            Mom smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, hon.”

            “It’s fine, Mom.” After a week, it was nice to finally embrace her. It was nice to have them home. “I’m happy to see you!”

            “It’s good to see you too, hon.” My mom squeezed me tightly and let me go. “So, Joey, where are you from?”

            Joey gave her a sheepish smile. “I’m still working on that. I’ll tell you as soon as I know though.”

            My father chuckled. “So you’re a shape shifter. What’s your animal?”

            “I’m a bear.”

            “A bear?”

            “Yeah.”

            “Those aren’t very common.” He snickered.

            “Laugh all you want, you just hate me ‘cause I’m awesome.” Joey laughed good naturedly.

            “If you believe it,” My dad replied.

            They started talking about…man things while mom dragged me off. “Spill,” she demanded, dragging me off to my room.

            “Spill what?”

            “There had to be a reason he’s here.”

            I sighed. “I told you. He was homeless and hungry. I couldn’t just leave him out there to die, mom.”

            “Was he human or shifted?”

            “Shifted, but he was too friendly to be a normal bear.” I leaned back against the wall.

            “I know there is something about him, May. What are you keeping from me?”

            I was silent for a moment, listening hard to see if Joey and my dad were still talking. They were. I glanced at mom and sighed. “He said he’s my mate. I’m not sure if I believe him.”

            Mom’s face broke into a smile and she squealed. “Finally!”

            “Mom, quiet down. I don’t want dad to find out.”

            “Why not?”

            “Because he’ll force us together,” I sighed.

            Fourth reason not to fall in love with a bear? It’ll over excite your father… too much.