Page 6 of A Bunny for the Bear (Beartastic Summer of Love)

Chapter Six

Hutton

I fought against the Alpha hold the other bear had on me. I was furious he and the others were keeping me from my mate.

How dare they?

They had mates of their own. There was no reason for them to prevent me from getting to mine. It was unfair, uncalled for, and had they not been so strong, I would have destroyed them in an instant.

As soon as my mate was tucked away in the car and driven off, the Alpha lowered his hold on me. He shifted back into his human form and threw on his clothes.

“Now then, Hutton, do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on?” he demanded, some of the Alpha power still leaking through him.

I shook my head. “Me? You're the one who just separated me from my mate. How about you explain yourself?”

My aunt stepped between us, her hands pressing against both of our chests.

“You can have all your Alpha posturing later when we aren't dealing with something this catastrophic. Hutton, you just shifted in public without a single ounce of control. I understand that he's your mate; however, if we had been anywhere else with humans about, that would have been disastrous.

“And Nolan, you know I wouldn't invite Hutton into town if he had nefarious motives. Hell, the town wouldn't even let him through if his intentions were bad.”

Nolan's shoulders dropped. “You're right, Souli. I'm sorry. My bear is not a fan of what just went down. I could sense my mate's worry over Ross.”

“Ross?” I questioned, though I knew exactly who he was talking about.

The man who I recognized as Nolan's mate stepped forward and tucked himself into the bear's side. “Yes, Ross. Our friend. You scared him.”

I dropped my chin to my chest and put my hands on my hips. With a deep sigh, I accepted their words. I could feel his fear beneath the mating bond pull as well. I just thought that if I went to him, I could soothe some of that anxiety.

“What can I do to fix this?” I asked after a moment of silence.

My aunt patted my chest where her hand still laid.

Nolan had backed away, and there was no obvious sign to continue to keep us apart.

Her focus locked on me as she answered, "You have to be patient above all else.

There's a lot going on that you don't know yet.

Things that I'll need to tell you later. "

Her eyes cut to the group. She must have information that they weren’t privy to.

My uncle, Champ, came forward and clapped me on the back. "Good to see you still got that hair-trigger temper, son," he joked.

I shook my head and pulled him into a hug. My smile was genuine now. I’d rarely gotten to see him over the last decade. And despite the trouble I was when I was younger, he stood by my aunt's side, never once leaving like I had seen some so-called mates do.

That was yet another reason that forming a bond was something I’d been so cautious about.

I wanted forever with my mate. I didn't want to think that anything I did or said would cause them to want to leave. I didn’t think it was possible when a pair was Fated, yet I couldn’t deny what I’d seen in the past. Some people weren’t meant to be together.

“I really am sorry, everyone. It wasn't my intention to show up and lose control.”

Thinking of losing control, I looked down at my body. My cock was still semi-hard, and my nakedness was slightly uncomfortable. It had been a long time since I had been amongst other shifters or worn my skin so freely.

"Would anyone happen to have a pair of pants?" Sarcasm sat heavy in my voice.

The group chuckled and someone ran off to a car to get me something. As we waited, Nolan eyed me up and down.

"I'm going to be keeping an eye on you while you're in town, especially when it comes to Ross. You cause any type of issue, and I'll make sure you leave and can't get back in."

I raised my brow. "You're the one that controls the wards?"

"No, I'm not," he replied. "But I know the people who do. And besides, Ross is too nice to reject someone outright. I don't even know what he's thinking right now, but I have a feeling it's nothing but panic and worry."

Guilt set heavy in my stomach. I didn't want my mate to worry. He shouldn’t have to fret over things when it came to me. If anything, my goal in life was to make it easier on him.

And I had already failed.

My aunt's hands on my face drew me away from the negative thoughts. "Do not immediately catastrophize things. I know you're pessimistic, and you want to believe the worst, but I told you there was a reason that Fate urged me to convince you to come."

I snorted. "Actually, that's not what you said at all."

"Oh, hush, boy. Let me have my moment of being right. I did tell you that you should come out here. I told you that people were finding their mates and creating a baby boom. Every hint I gave you led to this. So let's make it right."

"Yes, ma'am," I responded obediently. She might not be bigger than me, but the woman sure could wield some power just the same.

Nolan finally cracked a smile after watching her bring me down a few notches. "Good. I'm glad you've got your aunt to keep you in line. Why don't I help escort you home?"

At his suggestion, Aunt Souli shook her head. "There's no need for all that. I can get him home just fine. Champ will be with me. If his bear comes out again, then we'll give you a call."

"Are you sure?" Nolan asked as Barrett stepped in front of him.

"Absolutely positive," Uncle Champ told him. "Besides, you've got a pregnant Omega who looks like he's about ready to fall asleep standing up."

Our gazes turned to said mate where he was now leaning with his eyes closed on Nolan. He had a soft smile on his face as if already dreaming. My uncle was right.

Nolan scooped his mate into his arms, then turned and left without another word. The other couples departed much in the same manner.

After they were all gone, my aunt and uncle stood side by side facing me.

"You really had to go and do all that?" Uncle Champ teased. "I mean, if you wanted to get some attention, you could have just worn a silly shirt or something. You didn't have to super bear it out."

Aunt Souli smacked him in the chest. "Don't go making fun of this. This is a serious issue."

My uncle shrugged in reply. I pulled the pair into a hug.

"I'm sorry I caused trouble for you guys. I knew my mate was here. I just didn't know that they would appear in my life. In fact, I was going to try to avoid them to give time for everything. I'd heard they were new to town."

My aunt pushed off me and gave me a quizzical look. "How did you find all that information out when you just got here this afternoon? How long were you here?"

"A couple of hours," I admitted. “I had to get unpacked and then I went to grab groceries, which is how I found out about my mate. I could sense him in the store. He works there?"

The last part came out as a question, mostly because I knew my aunt would have all the answers, but also because I wasn't sure if the information the girl gave me was correct.

"He does," she said. "He's a pharmacist of sorts.

Really what he does is he keeps medicines for the few humans we have and then he mixes healing herbs for the rest of us.

Anytime someone has something that's either taking too long to heal or is too intense for their shifter side, he has something for it. "

"Even the pregnant Omegas in town have been flocking to him because he has creams that are helping with the swelling since their bodies are too busy building their pack," my uncle added.

I felt pride at knowing my mate was bringing relief to people of this town. That he had a skill that was so coveted, he had a position upon his arrival in this town. Or maybe he gained it after he was already here. I would get the details on all of it later.

For now, my focus was on correcting the wrongs. "Will you drive me home?" I asked them. “I'm just right up the road at the little blue duplex on Maesely Drive.

They shared a look, then nodded at me. "Sure thing, son," Uncle Champ said as he steered us towards his old beat-up truck.

I hopped in the back since there wasn't any room in the cab for me to be comfortable.

That, and I had a feeling the two of them wanted to talk about me in peace.

I would still hear the muffled sound of their voices even with the wind and noise of the truck, though I could tune them out.

I'd done it for many years while I lived under their roof.

The drive was short. As soon as they pulled up to the house I hopped out. Of course the two of them weren't going to let me off the hook that easily. They followed me to the front door and then inside.

When the door shut behind us all, Uncle Champ propped himself against it as he waved us towards the couch. "You two go sit. I'll stay right here in case things get out of hand."

I took a deep breath, worried that this was how life would be now. I’d had one unfortunate incident. Now everyone was going to walk on eggshells around me.

The scent of my mate filtered through my nose a moment later. I was reminded yet again that he had somehow been here.

My aunt must have seen my confusion because she pressed my shoulder to ease me down, then she sat beside me. She took both of her hands and wrapped them around mine.

I wasn't sure if she was trying to hold me steady or give me comfort.

"I'm about to tell you something, but I need you to remain calm, okay?"

“Sure,” I answered.

She shared a look with my uncle then faced me again. "Your mate lives on the other side of this duplex."

Everything came to a grinding halt.

"He lives here?" My voice was steady as I forced myself to remain calm like she’d asked me to.

Aunt Souli nodded. "Yes, he does. You're not going to go over there right now though. In fact, you're not going to approach him at all."

“I don't intend to, but Fate’s asshole, this is really fucking ridiculous.”

"Hey!" my uncle shouted. "Watch your mouth around your aunt."

"She curses a lot more than I do," I told my uncle. "She just plays innocent around you."

Aunt Souli pressed both hands to her chest after releasing me suddenly. "How dare you betray me? This is a criminal offense.”

Her dramatics had us all laughing. It eased the tension in the room, but it was quickly brought back to life when she pulled out her phone.

"Give me a second," she said as she typed away furiously on the screen.

I kept quiet because I had a feeling I knew what she was doing. I had been aware enough to hear her tell Ross to give her his number. And she had said she needed to check with him before she told me some things.

A minute later, she nodded and tucked the phone back away.

"Okay, Ross said that I could tell you what he shared with me. What I'm about to say is privileged information. Champ doesn't even know it yet."

My uncle nodded at me. "She's right. The woman always has all the juicy details before anyone else, and this time she was sworn to secrecy."

“I understand what you're saying, Aunt Souli. Whatever you're about to tell me, I'll listen, and I'll do my best not to react. My bear is pleased to know that our mate is close by. I think it's enough for now to keep him at bay.”

"Good," she told me, voice firm.

Then she went on to damn near break my heart.

She told me about my mate's old pack, about the way he was mistreated and bullied, how they basically tortured him for years, making him feel like he didn't deserve any sort of peace or happiness. She told me about how he didn't think he would have a mate, yet he came all this way just to try.

She also explained that he was a small shifter, though she didn't tell me what type. I had a few guesses in mind. My bear wasn't bothered in the slightest either, which was good news.

It wasn't that I was a predator, and he was prey. If Fate deemed him to be mine, then there was no question to it. I would love him and protect him through anything. Even his past wouldn't get to haunt him as long as I was around.

Speaking of which, I asked my aunt, "Do you know the pack's name?"

She shook her head. "I don't, and I suggest you don't try to find it, Hutton. These people, whoever they are, will get their own karma. Fate does not let things like that go without punishment."

While her words should have comforted me, they didn't, because I wanted to dole out their punishment. I wanted to see them suffer. I wanted to know that my mate was safe.

I vowed to myself that I would get the information in some way, shape, or form.

After she finished explaining everything, I let my body collapse against the back of the couch. All the adrenaline from earlier poured out of me in an instant.

“After hearing that, I can see where I really fucked up,” I said.

I knew they both agreed with me, because no one had a word to say about my language. Not even a single joke.

"It might have been bad," Aunt Souli told me, "but that doesn't mean it's forever broken. He told me he wasn't rejecting you. I think it's just a matter of timing. If you can keep your bear patient, then we can fix this, I think."

“How do we fix it, though? Whatever it is, I'll do it. Just tell me."

My uncle came over and sat on the coffee table. He faced us, and we created this triangle of sorts, each sharing looks with one another. We understood that it was time to figure out all the details. We would work together like we had in the past to come to a resolution.

Uncle Champ was the first one to suggest something.

“I think you should treat this more like a hibernation than you usually do.

Don't go out. There's more of a risk of running into him if you do. We can deliver your groceries or run any errands you need. Anytime we want to see you, we can call ahead and then stop by. Is there anyone else you wanted to see while here?”

I shook my head. “I didn't come here to visit people. I came because this woman demanded it.”

Aunt Souli flicked my ear. I jumped back at the touch, which amused her greatly.

"You be happy that my annoying ways got you here, son.

Your mate is living right on the other side of that wall.

And he's open to the idea of being with you.

Give it time. Give him space. The more he sees that he can trust you and that you're not going to fly off the handle like you did earlier, the better it will be.

Ross is a kind soul, but he's hurt. He's been broken, but he's not beyond repair.

Together, I think the two of you will be amazing together.

I'm willing to do whatever I can to help, just like your uncle said.

Slow and steady. That's how you win his heart.”

I gave a firm nod at her words.

Slow and steady.

Okay, I could do that.

I would take it piece by piece. And eventually, my mate would be in my arms. Then we would build a family together.

I would have him forever. He would be worth it.