Page 52 of The Grizzly Situation

“Right now, Brent isn’t able to speak coherently. And it might take a while before he can.”

“Fine!” Uly huffed.f

“I think maybe the best way to explain is to start with the boys. When you woke up and found them curled behind you, did you notice anything different?”

“No, I was too worried about bears being in the house and the kids being alone.”

“Admirable,” Benjy said gently. “But think back to the bears. Focus on them. Were they aggressive?”

“No, they were asleep.”

“Okay. Did they seem at all wary? Nervous?”

“Like I said, they were asleep.”

“Haven’t you wondered why they were in bed with you?”

“Of course I did!”

“It’s because they went through a change that left them a bit freaked and needed the person they felt safe with. They needed you, Uly. Those bears were the boys.”

“Oh, that’s bull….” He must have noticed Eddie staring up at him, all smiles and wide-eyed wonder. “I mean… No, it can’t be.”

“And yet, it is. You saw the evidence with your own eyes when they assumed human form again. Everyone in the town, with the exception of you, is a bear shifter. That’s what we call ourselves.”

He scowled, but stayed where he was. I did notice him tighten his grip on the boys a bit. Meanwhile, I was still mostly zoned out, riding the waves of the scents pouring off Uly.

“I… I can’t deal with this,” he said softly. “It’s too much. Things like this don’t happen. Ever.”

The stress in his voice nearly undid me. He was far too pure to be hurting like this. And what made it worse was it was my fault.

“This is on me, Uly. If I hadn’t invited you here, none of this would be happening.”

“Why did you invite me? Why not Jamie and Deb?”

And that was the question no one had asked yet, and one I hadn’t even considered. I turned my gaze to Chaim, who smiled at me.

“You already know the answer.”

Because he was my mate? How did that even make sense?

“Your bear pines for Uly. It needed him to come home where it could keep watch over him, ensure he was safe. That’s why Benjy and I are rarely apart for more than a few hours. It took years before talking on the phone or connecting some other way worked. Before that, we physically couldn’t be. Our bears would get riled up and need to go find their mate.”

“And it’s also why the boys have imprinted on you,” Benjy added. “You smell similar to what their mother did, and that’show they view you. In time, they’ll come to understand that you’re not their mother, but as they’re so young, it might be a while.”

And still, Uly sat there silently.

“Uly?”

He tilted his head and looked up at me. His lashes fluttered, his gaze soft and sad. “Yeah?”

“You okay?”

He nodded, but there was no conviction there. “So the only reason anyone cares for me is because I smell like someone they lost?” he asked, his voice nearly broken.

“Absolutely not,” Chaim said, his tone harsh and unforgiving. “The scent might have opened the door, but it isn’t the only reason. I mean, we never knew her and just met you and we’re already taken with you too. You exude sunshine. You’re cute and kind and sweet. Seeing you with the boys tells us everything we need to know. You’ve been nothing but patient and caring. You are perfect for them and for Brent.”

It was telling that Uly didn’t deny being attracted to me.