Page 4 of A Bunny for the Bear (Beartastic Summer of Love)

Chapter Four

Hutton

“You have reached Collier Cover.”

The automated voice of my custom-made GPS echoed through the rental car. I let out a bitter laugh at having to use something I’d made to get me back to the place I once called home. It had been so long that I couldn’t remember the way.

With the way this town was warded, a normal human GPS wouldn’t register it. I didn’t want to deal with the hassle, so in the hours after talking to my aunt, I rigged an old device I had for tracking shifters to be more location based in general.

There was a bunch of other tech related stuff to it. I’d rather not go on and on about it. I’m on vacation after all.

Or rather, as close to a vacation as I’d get this year. With meddling family involved, it likely wouldn’t be all that relaxing.

The town looked the same as it always had. It was idyllic with all the old brick buildings and welcome signs lining damn near every inch of the road. It was a wonder anyone got anything done. I just knew the gossip mill here was stronger than ever.

At the head of the pack of nosy folks was my mom and my aunt. Those two were thick as thieves, and they never let me forget they knew everyone’s business.

As I drove through town, I took it all in with an assessing eye. Last time I'd been here, I was much younger. The illusion of the town and all its wonders had stuck with me then.

But I was older now, and much wiser. I wouldn't fall into the same trap I had before. Everyone here had that same spirit. I could sense it. They believed in Fate and destiny. They thought the universe had it all planned out.

I was much more pessimistic. My life had not been perfect, even when I lived here. After I left to find my own way, I discovered that Collier Cover was the exception.

The real world would spit on you in a minute. It would beat you up and throw you out. You had to fight for every scrap, every morsel.

I had done it. With time, I built myself a comfortable life. Being back reminded me of a time when I didn’t have myself in order. It reminded me of how weak I’d once been.

As a bear shifter, people expected us all to be big and aggressive. They saw me and my size, then made their own assumptions. Even the humans who saw me thought I would go off the handle at any little thing. I've been told I have roid rage. Or that I needed to chill on the pharmaceuticals.

Meanwhile, I didn't take any type of medicine whatsoever. I ate a healthy diet. I worked out regularly. The rest was thanks to shifter genetics.

None of them knew that of course. No one ever cared to know.

My mood soured the further I got into town. Just thinking of the past would do that.

Breezing past all the activity going on, I took the turn down Maesely Drive towards the house I'd rented. The GPS kept giving me instructions until I pulled up to a baby blue duplex.

I could admit the color wasn’t all that appealing. Aside from that, it looked cozy. It had beautiful white flowers surrounding both front entries, and planter boxes in the windows with fresh herbs.

My aunt would love them.

I made a note to snap a picture later to send to her. I paused. Or I could just invite her over for dinner.

If I didn't go see her soon, she would find out I was here anyway. I saw more than a few familiar faces as I drove through the center of town. While I had filled out more and grown, my face was the same. I had no doubt they'd be telling her of my arrival any minute now.

I parked the rental in the drive and climbed out. The keys were under the mat, just as the landlord had instructed me they would be. I unlocked the door, stepping inside to get a feel of the place.

The space was pre-furnished, a win in my book. It also had notes of a tempting scent I couldn't place. It was intriguing. My bear even came to the front wanting a whiff.

I walked around the home, taking in every detail. I made sure to know where all the entry points were, as well as noting if there was a stable internet connection via the app on my phone.

Both of those were crucial pieces of information for my sanity during this stay.

When I felt confident about the home, I went back out to unload the few bags I'd packed. I would need to stock up on food and supplies here in town, which meant a trip to the local grocery store. I’d left my other supplies behind since it seemed like too much to pack up.

Plus, I knew I’d nervously eat it all on the drive and make myself sick.

I would need to go shopping before I contacted my aunt. Me not having food was one of her pet peeves. I had no doubt she’d probably invite me over to stuff me full of whatever she had on hand.

Not that I would complain. The woman was talented in the kitchen. I just needed a minute of breathing room before she went all matchmaker on me.

Because though she hadn't truly said anything about having someone in mind for me, the tone that my aunt gave was enough indication.

When I had all my bags unpacked, I took another deep breath to settle myself. Everything I brought was either in the dresser or the closet, tucked away until I needed it. I was meticulous about my things. Even a two-month rental required organization.

As I stood there, the scent I’d gotten hints of earlier returned. Part of me questioned if it was from the landlord. It would make sense for me to note their scent in the home. Or maybe it was from a cleaner. The space did look newly refreshed.

I might have to find a way to meet them. My bear seemed to strongly like whatever their scent was.

I shook my head, then took off downstairs. I grabbed my keys from where I'd left them and got back in my car. The grocery store would be closing soon, meaning I didn't have near enough time to truly load up like I wanted, but I did need dinner.

As I drove through town, I saw a large group of people gathered in the park. It was strange for them to be out this late but that was Collier Cove for you. People did things on their own time in their own way.

Ignoring the strange setting, I parked near the front of the grocery store in one of the few empty spots left. For a town that shut down pretty early in the evening, there sure were a lot of people out tonight.

Several heads nodded my way, and a few hands waved too as I made my way to the entrance.

I returned the motions, though my face remained carefully blank.

If I smiled even a touch, then they would approach me.

They’d want to have a conversation, maybe even relive old memories. Neither my bear nor I wanted that.

Inside the grocery store, I scanned the area to see where everything was.

It had changed a bit since last time I'd been in town, which, to be honest, was shocking.

There was also a new face at the register.

Rather than old man Kobb, a young girl stood there with a large pink bubblegum bubble in front of her face.

It popped a moment later, revealing my presence. Her eyes widened. She took the gum back in her mouth and then coughed.

"Hello… um, welcome."

I grunted, then grabbed a basket and moved down the aisle. As quickly as I could, I stocked up on canned goods, fresh meat, seasonings, and even a few snacks that might come in handy later. I wasn't a big sweets guy, but I did love a few things.

As the stereotype would suggest, honey was a weakness of mine. I also really loved brown sugar. They had a pack of cookies labeled with both on it. I'd never had a honey brown sugar cookie, yet I already knew I would love them.

With all my items in hand, I went up to the register. The young girl avoided eye contact as she rang me up. After I paid with my card and she handed over my bags, I left in a rush. No need to delay her getting home for the evening, I told myself.

Before I could make it out of the door, that scent hit me again. This time it was stronger. I froze and spun around. My bear nearly went feral.

It wanted whatever the smell was.

Could it be?

I froze at the thought. It couldn't be my mate. I had no clue what finding a mate felt like, but I’d bet this had to be damn near close to it.

I set my bags back on the counter, then moved towards the back of the store. “Hey! Where are you going?!” The girl shouted after me.

I shook my head and held up a hand. “Stay,” I rumbled. I didn't have to look back to know that she wasn't moving. The Alpha command in my tone would have kept anyone still. Even another Alpha.

In the back of the room, I found what looked like a medicine counter. There was no one there though. When I stepped into the open space, the scent permeated every inch of my being. My body lit with need, and I nearly collapsed from the overwhelm.

Yes! This was my mate. It had to be.

This type of scent reaction couldn't anything else.

I ran my hand over the countertop and closed my eyes. My mate had been here. They had also been in my home. I had to find them.

My bear paced restlessly in my mind. The beast wanted to be set free. Wanted to roam and hunt.

Part of me wanted to let him. He would find my mate much quicker than the human version of me would. But at the same time, a wild bear on the loose, even in a shifter community, would cause major complications. It was only my first night. I didn't need to create problems.

I went back to the front and grabbed my bags. The girl eyed me cautiously.

"Who works in the pharmacy?" I asked.

She bit her lip and looked me up and down. "Are you going to hurt them?"

I shook my head quickly. “Not hurt. I would never harm them.”

Something about the way I said it must have given her a clue as to what was going on. Her mouth formed a small "O" and then she smiled at me.

“It's a new guy. I don't know his name since he’s not originally from here and has been a bit of a hermit since he arrived. I know he's a shifter, though. Like us. He doesn't work tomorrow. Maybe check back the next day. I'm not really sure of his schedule. He's just part-time.”

While her words were helpful, they also gave me pause. If he was new to town, then he was probably trying to get settled. Finding a mate right away might not be something he wanted. It definitely wasn't something I wanted.

At least not this way.

I never wanted to be a burden on someone else. I never wanted to cause them any type of strife. With someone getting established in a new place like she’s saying, a mating bond would do just that.

But at the same time, I couldn't deny what Fate had coordinated. I would just have to be careful. I needed time to think about what was going on. Maybe if I did that, I would have the answers I needed.

I thanked the young woman and then left. There was nothing else I could say to her. No other answers she could truly give me.

I drove back to the duplex in somewhat of a stupor. No matter what came next, I knew that things were going to change. I was in the same place as my mate. If they had just moved here, then they probably wanted to stay in Collier Cover long-term.

But I didn’t live here. Not anymore.

They might have even found people in town that they wanted to be around. Were they in a relationship already? Was that what brought them here?

The self-deprecating thoughts ran through my mind one after another as I unloaded my groceries. By the time I was done, my appetite had waned. I made a sandwich and then dropped onto the couch and ate it slowly.

I needed to see my aunt soon. And eventually I would need to see my mate.

The latter would all have to wait a while. I needed some time to get myself together. To get my heart prepared for what came next. Because as rare as it was, a mate could reject a bond.

They could say that they didn't want to be with me. I had every belief it was possible.

I mean, just look at me. I wasn't a prize to most people. To be honest, I hadn't dated anyone in so long, I didn’t really know what anyone would think of me. I based it all off my interactions in everyday life.

When I was done eating, I locked the house up and went upstairs to shower. I wanted to let the water wash away the despair I felt. By the time I climbed out and dried off, I knew that delaying things further wasn't going to work.

I picked up my phone and dialed my aunt's number. She answered with a laugh. "Oh sweetie, I was just thinking of you. When will you be getting to town? Tomorrow, right?"

I sighed. “Actually I'm already here.” The noise around her picked up as she went silent. Wherever she was sounded quite busy.

“Can you repeat that for me?” she said, her tone taking on a hint of frustration. "Because I think you just told me that you made it into town and did not come straight to see me. Where are you?"

The way she spoke had a smile coming to my face. As much as the woman drove me mad, she was also family.

“I can come see you now if you want. I just took a shower so I'm clean. No funky car smell or anything.”

She tsked at me. "You're the only one who thinks things like that. I don't care how stinky you get. I raised you, remember?"

I grunted an acknowledgement of her words. She was right. She had raised me, stinky teenage boy stage and all.

"Tell me where you are, and I'll be there."

She replied, "I'm in the park with a bunch of friends."

I groaned as the memory of my judgment of the group came back to me. Of course she was with them. I should have known.

"All right, I'll be there in a few. I won't even have to drive since you're that close."

"This is perfect. I can't wait for you to get here. I have so many people I want you to meet. It's been ages."

At her words, I fought back the urge to tell her we could meet up later. Even if I got to see her alone first, she would be trying to push me off on her friends. Better to get it out of the way now.

Besides, it wasn't like I had anything else on my mind. I could hold off the hunt for my fated mate until I could give it the appropriate amount of focus.