Bear Shifters (Book 3)

Chapter 4-Kai

Watching Star Wars with Max was probably one of the best things to do. Instead of actually watching the movies, I would watch Max. Her entire face would light up as she watched them. I could see different emotions flicker on her face as she remembered parts of her childhood.

She was beautiful, and it was really doing something to me. We ended up watching all six of them in one day, somehow.

"You hungry?" I asked just as the credits on the Force Awakens finishes.

"Yeah, do you need any help?" she asks, hoping up from the couch.

"Nah," I shrug, but smile nonetheless.

She followed me into the kitchen anyway, taking a seat on one of the bar stools as I get out some ingredients to make pasta.

"So when am I going to officially meet the pack?" I hear Max's small voice ask from behind me just as I dump the noodles into the boiling pot.

"When do you want to meet them?" I respond, turning back around to face her.

"I don't know...I-I think I need a few days or so, but then I want to meet them, and then...I think...I think I want to go back to see my old pack and family, just for a little bit," she says quietly, looking down on the counter.

"Max, baby, you can do whatever you want, okay."

"Okay," she agrees smiling up at me.

The rest of the night passed in innocent talk and getting to know each other better. She told me a few stories from her childhood and I told her a few of mine. When she started telling me more about her time in the Basement, it was hard for me to control my anger, but I knew it was her opening up to me, and showing me that she trusted me, so I kept myself under control.

"Tired?" I asked, rubbing Max's arm as she leaned up against me.

"Yeah," she yawns, closing her eyes.

I smile at her sleeping form, tucked into my side. I kissed the top of her head, before scooping her up into my arms and walked towards the steps. She was so light and small that it felt like I was carrying nothing.

I placed her down gently on my bed and pulled the covers up over her petite form. As I walked away to head to a guest bedroom, her hand latched onto my wrist.

"Stay," she whispered, releasing my arm.

"Are you sure?" I asked cautiously.

I didn't want her to get scared like she did earlier. She gives me a tired nod, making me turn out the lights and peel off my shirt before climbing into the bed beside her. I try to keep some space between us, so that she won't be startles, but she moves and snuggles into my chest, making me smile to myself.

"Goodnight, Max," I whisper, kissing the top of her head.

+++

"No! Stop! Leave me alone!" I hear screaming beside me

I open my eyes and look around frantically, but see no danger. Max's screams and cries sound from beside me, making me turn to her thrashing form. She was still sleeping.

"Max, baby, wake up," I grip her arms, but she won't open her eyes. "Max, it's just a dream!"

Her eyes fly open, glistening with tears. She lets out a small shriek and pulls herself away from me, falling onto the floor, and scooting into the corner. She hugs her knees to her chest, just like this morning.

"Max?"

"I'm...I'm sorry," she sobs into her legs.

I slowly crawl out of bed and move to sit beside her. She doesn't move away from me, but rather, she leans into me. I rub her white hair gently, as she finishes crying.

"Don't be sorry. It's okay, you are safe. I will never hurt you and I will protect you with my life. Nothing is going to happen to you as long as I'm here," I assure her.

"Okay, I trust you," she sighs, leaning up to kiss my cheek.

The small kiss makes me smile, and my wolf, howl. I look back down at Max, only to find her tear stained face looking up at me. She smiles shyly at me, before scooting closer and moving her face towards mine.

Before I can comprehend what's happening, her lips brush against mine, making my wolf purr. I stay still as her lips move against mine, in shock. At my lack of a reaction, she slowly pulls away, but I grip the back of her head and bring her lips back onto mine, snapping out of my daze.

After a few moments of kissing, we pull apart to catch our breaths. She smiles at me, revealing her straight white teeth.

"Wow," I whisper, making her laugh.

"Come on, let's get back to bed," Max smiles, pulling herself up.

I follow after her and climb into bed. I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her back to me so that her back is pressed against my chest.

"I think I can meet the pack tomorrow," Max whispers, playing with my fingers on her flat stomach.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can't stay locked away and scared forever. If I want to move on, I have to try," she says, bringing my hand to her lips and placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles.

"We can do whatever you want. If you think you are ready, you can meet them tomorrow. They're going to love you," I smile to myself.

"Okay, goodnight, Kai."

"Goodnight."