Page 5 of A Bunny for the Bear (Beartastic Summer of Love)

Chapter Five

Ross

My nerves took a bit to calm down after everyone made the initial introductions. Despite us not openly talking about our shifter sides, I knew there was more than one large animal in the group.

In the past, I’d been intimidated by those types of people. I’d only ever experienced hatred from them. It was new for me to be welcomed and included in their jokes.

As time passed, I relaxed more and more. I found myself smiling, even sharing a bit about myself when I felt comfortable to do so. This group actually embraced who I was without question. I appreciated that more than words could say.

About an hour into our fun, Souli’s phone rang. She stepped to the side to answer, though that didn’t really matter. Shifter hearing was impeccable. All of us knew who she was talking to and what was going on even as we continued to chat amongst ourselves.

I really liked Souli. She might have been my favorite of the group, aside from Barrett. The human who didn’t act all that human was excited to chat about recipes with me. Apparently, the baby he was carrying this time loved vegetables, and he was clueless on how to prepare them.

Souli wrapped up her call by telling her nephew she was eager to see him again. For some strange reason, my heart skittered with her words. Was I ready to meet yet another person? Would he be as accepting as his aunt?

I had a feeling she wouldn’t let him be outright rude. That didn’t mean he couldn’t throw snarky glances my way or treat me differently when she wasn’t around.

Clynt’s voice drew me back to the conversation and away from my inner thoughts. “What about you, Ross? How do you like Collier Cover? Is it a lot different from where you lived before?”

Taking a deep breath, I answered him honestly.

“It’s been a bit of a dream. Most of you can probably tell I don’t have the best history.

Let’s just say I’d be considered prey to most of the bigger shifters.

My former home had no other people like me, which kept me singled out often.

I faced hatred, bullying, and even some very unfortunate incidences that got violent.

Collier Cover is a breath of fresh air in comparison.

And you all have been so kind today. I… I actually feel like I’m home. ”

The group was silent for a moment before the three Omegas promptly broke into tears. My eyes widened at the coordinated movement.

“Oh, shit. The waterworks are here,” Champ stage whispered as he pulled Arisha close. She was also wiping away tears, though she hadn’t made a noise in her despair.

“I’m sorry for upsetting everyone.” Pressing a hand to my chest, I fought to contain the emotions tumbling through me.

Were they all upset on my behalf? Was this someone finally expressing empathy for what I’d been through?

I hadn’t meant to say all that when they asked.

There was even more I could share, yet I held back a good portion of it all.

Partly because I didn’t want to burden them.

Partly because trauma dumping on a first-time friend group experience seemed wrong.

I was already dangerously close to oversharing territory.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it,” Souli said as she pulled me into a hug.

“Your story is not your fault. Those fucking idiots don’t know the gem of a shifter they had in their midst. I’m so glad you found us, that you came here.

We’ll be your family from now on. You won’t have to worry about anyone hurting you ever again. ”

As if Fate decided to test her words, a second later, we heard the same voice from the phone call earlier call out, “I’m here, auntie!”

The group turned to greet the man. My eyes widened upon seeing him. While I’d grown up around large shifters, I hadn’t seen a man of this stature since entering this town.

His large frame had to tower over everyone else’s by a few inches. For me, it would be over a foot. I knew it even though he hadn’t reached us yet. He was thick all over with muscle. His shirt practically fought to keep the seams intact with how it was stretched over him.

And his face.

Oh, Fates. His face was so handsome. A thick beard covered his jaw. He had two bushy eyebrows and a mustache the same brown as the long hair he had pulled back in a tight bun. Brown eyes managed to sparkle despite the darkening evening sky.

“My baby is here,” Souli cried as he reached the group. She stepped away from me to hug him but stopped short when a growl tore from his lips.

I took a step back at the sound. His eyes swept across the group as if searching for an enemy. Somehow, I knew it was me he was looking for. I couldn’t explain it. Maybe call it intuition. Or maybe a fear response.

Either way, my flight instincts told me to hide NOW. Shifting behind Nolan was simple with everyone’s attention on the snarling man.

Souli’s voice rose. “Enough of that, son. What is wrong with you?”

“Where is he?” the man replied. “Give him to me.”

With each word, I felt my body heat. It was like my fear wanted to mix with desire because of how attractive I found him.

No. Bad body. Run from big man, don’t fuck him.

As if the man could read my thoughts, his gaze found me where I peeked out around Nolan’s side. His eyes flashed a bright gold a second before all hell broke loose.

The air shifted as his clothes burst from his body. I recognized the shift for what it was. I’d seen plenty of them happen in my old pack. They didn’t care about clothes being damaged or what was going on around them. If their beasts wanted free, then they’d let it come out.

In place of the man, a large bear stood on its hind legs. He roared at the group, which created a flurry of reactions from them all.

Souli was the most vocal. “Hutton Reyson! You put that bear away right fucking now, young man. Get control of yourself!”

Champ stepped in to grab his mate when it was obvious there was no reasoning with him. This Hutton person didn’t want to hurt her, yet they also weren’t backing down.

Nolan took a step forward, leaving me defenseless. I whimpered, only to find Barrett's hand slipping into mine. “Let my mate handle it,” he said softly. “He’s trained for this type of stuff.”

I sucked in a breath and nodded. I’d forgotten Nolan was the sheriff and a bear shifter himself. He’d be the best fit to get things back in line.

“Hutton,” Nolan barked as he kept moving toward the large dark brown bear.

I realized as I watched that his fur was the same color his hair had been. For a split second, I felt the urge to run my hands over it. As quickly as it came, the desire fled, replaced by fear.

“Shift!” The demand rippled around us. “Stand down!”

Each word Nolan spoke came out with more Alpha power than I was used to. This man held an authority I hadn’t ever come across. To know how gentle he’d been earlier with his mate while we ate, I almost couldn’t believe it was the same person.

Yet it was.

I knew he was.

My brain worked overtime to put this new information together. It was a struggle because I’d only known what it was like in the old pack. This new place brought up all kinds of contradictions I’d never considered possible.

“I’m not sure he’s going to understand you. Something's wrong,” Souli said, her voice wobbling.

“Something set him off. You probably need to shift to show your dominance.” That suggestion came from Maklihn.

As the oldest bear shifter of the group, he held a certain level of knowledge the rest of us couldn’t. Had he seen something like this happen before?

Nolan grumbled for a minute. “Fuck. Alright, nobody get too excited.”

I turned to Barrett, who wore a smirk that didn’t seem fitting for the situation at all. When he realized I was waiting for him to explain, he said, “He’s going to strip to his underwear before he shifts. The man hates to ruin perfectly good clothing.”

A few people around us managed to laugh at the words. It broke a bit of the tension, despite the large, riled-up bear facing us down.

Once Nolan was down to his underwear, he stood tall and let the shift come over him. It was amazing to watch the control he held. Where there’d once been only one bear, there were now two.

I whimpered as memories came to me unbidden. While neither of these men were focused on hurting me, terror still sat deep in my gut. I’d seen the evil of the shifter world. I couldn’t bear it if Collier Cover turned out like them.

A rumble came from the Hutton bear a second before Nolan let out a growl so loud it had me dropping to the grass. His Alpha power was unmistakable. Everyone around us had done the same, either falling to one knee or sitting on their ass completely.

Time stood still as the two bears came to a standoff. The power crackling around them was stronger than I’d ever felt. Even the strongest Alpha in my old pack didn’t have this level of authority.

Nolan’s jaw widened, and he let out another intense roar. Hutton’s bear couldn’t withstand it. At least, that’s what I think happened. In a flash, the human version of him returned, though his bear was still on the surface if the glow in his eyes was any indication.

“Oh, shit,” Kris called out. “Um, I might know his issue.”

Several of us turned to look at him. He took a moment to clear his throat before pointing to his crotch and then to Hutton.

The connection was rather obvious now that he said something. Hutton’s cock was erect and leaking. Even his knot pulsed. Everyone knew this type of thing only happened when someone met their?—

“MATE!” Hutton’s deep voice said the word we were all thinking.

“Everyone here is already mated,” Judy said softly.

Greenly huffed. “Not everyone.”

All eyes turned to me. In that single moment, my life shattered and reformed. I hadn’t realized anything was different aside from my joy about meeting this group. There was no dramatic moment of understanding based on a scent exchange or a single touch.

I’d been too scared of the bear’s appearance to notice anything else. And yet now that it was being pointed out, I immediately knew Greenly was right. I was the only unmated shifter close by. For Hutton to have this reaction, it had to be me.

I was his mate.

Oh, no.

I couldn’t be. Fate wouldn’t put me in this predicament. Not so soon after escaping the life I’d been stuck in.

Was I ready to be someone’s Omega? And could I submit to a bear who didn’t have control of his shift?

This was a recipe for disaster. A mess in the making.

“No,” I said.

Souli’s eyes went wide. She rushed over to me. Dropping her voice, she asked, “Are you rejecting him? We might have to contain him if you do. I don’t know how his bear will react.”

I appreciated the evenness of her voice. Despite this being her family, she would be willing to let me make my own decision. She wasn’t going to force me to accept a mating bond like the people of my past might have.

“I’m not… it’s just a lot. Too soon after it all.” I waved my hand to fill in the blanks of what I hadn’t said.

She understood instantly. “Let me handle him then. Why don’t you let Maklihn and Clynt drive you home? Get some rest, and I’ll call you tomorrow, yes?”

“But I don’t have your number,” I replied instantly.

It was an important part of this process. I hated the idea of leaving without having everything in place.

I recognized it as a small part of me wanting to have a way to reach my mate. Even if I was terrified of the idea, my bunny craved him. He wanted to know what this Hutton man was like beneath the bits we’d seen so far.

Souli smiled as she pulled out her phone. “Put it in here, then text yourself. And trust that everything will work out. Fate is never cruel in who it connects. There is a reason it chose Hutton for you.”

The way she said that—Hutton for you—gave me chills. It made me the more dominant focus in a way. Because if he were chosen for me, then I had to be important, right?

After giving her my number, I followed Maklihn and Clynt to their vehicle. I could hear Hutton snarling in the background as Nolan continued to growl to subdue him. Souli, Greenly, and the others also spoke as if to calm him down.

I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I had to get some breathing room. My mate needed to see me at my best. Not after I nearly had a panic attack in the park after seeing him shift for the first time.

Most of all, I needed to figure out how to tell him I was a bunny shifter. While I might not have rejected him, nor did I intend to, he might reject me once he learned my animal form was more prey than predator.

I guess we’d have to wait to see what hand Fate truly dealt us.