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The spring came into view. The small pool they had created with their dam was working perfectly, cascading down through the pipes to feed the irrigation system. Philip watched the current with satisfaction, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment.

“Look at that,” he said.

Elsbeth stood beside him, watching the water. “I can’t believe we actually did it.”

“You did most of the hard work,” Philip said, unable to keep the pride from his voice. “I just helped with the technical parts.”

His bear stirred restlessly within him.We have so much more to do,his bear reminded him.So much more to accomplish together.

Like a family,Philip whispered, hardly daring to believe that the future he wanted with Elsbeth was so close.Like children.

It was close enough that he could touch it, could taste it…this dream of a shared life with the woman standing beside him.

Elsbeth turned to him, her expression curious. “Here?” she asked, glancing around the secluded clearing by the spring.

“Perfect,” he said, releasing her hand and stepping away. His heart thudded against his ribs as he put a little distance between them.

“Philip?” She tugged her brows together in confusion as she watched him.

“Trust me,” he said, his voice steady despite his racing pulse. “Trust that I will never hurt you.”

Her eyes searched his, and after a moment, she nodded. “I do,” she whispered.

Philip took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Then he let go of the world, and the air around him popped and crackled with static electricity as his human form disappeared.

For a moment, Elsbeth was lost to him. But then his bear emerged in his place, standing on all fours before her.

And there stood their mate, her mouth open in shock. But she didn’t run. She simply stared at him, frozen in place.

“You’re a bear?” Elsbeth said, then let out a small, hysterical laugh. “You’re a bear. Of course you are.” She shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “I mean, of course, bear shifters are real. Why wouldn’t they be?”

She doesn’t sound too sure,his bear observed worriedly.

Go to her,Philip urged.When she touches you, she’ll know you’re real, that we are one and the same.

His bear took a cautious step forward, then paused, not wanting to frighten her. Then another step. And another.

“You are real, aren’t you?” Elsbeth whispered, her voice trembling.

The bear nodded his massive head slowly.

“How?” she asked, a question for which there was no simple answer.

It just was, just as his love for her just was.

Elsbeth’s hands shook as she reached out toward him, hesitant at first. Philip’s bear stood perfectly still, patient and watchful as her fingers finally made contact with his thick fur. The sensation sent a ripple through his massive form.

“You’re so soft,” she whispered, her touch becoming more confident as she stroked his head.

The bear closed his eyes, savoring her gentle caress. When he opened them again, Elsbeth was staring directly into his eyes with wonder.

“It really is you in there, isn’t it?” she murmured, leaning forward until her forehead rested against his. “Your eyes...they’re still Philip’s eyes.”

She pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head, and a tremor ran through his entire body. Then, as if the simple act of acceptance had unleashed something long buried inside her, tears began streaming down Elsbeth’s face.

“You’re the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen,” she said through her tears. “I never knew... I never imagined...”

The dam within her seemed to break completely. Her shoulders shook with sobs that seemed to come from somewhere deep inside her. The bear moved closer, instinctively rubbing his head against her shoulder in comfort.