Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

HANNAH

S tanding there, gripping the table, the realization of what she'd done—they'd done—washed over her. She knew she should have regrets, knew there was so much that needed to be said, and yet all she could feel was a primal satisfaction in feeling him lodged deep inside her. When he withdrew, there was only loss, and a need to have him again.

As he stepped back, she straightened and turned to face him, but before she could say anything about the way she was feeling, Rick swept her up in his arms and took her to his bed. He settled her under the covers before stripping out of his clothes and joining her there. He pulled her to him, seemingly content just to hold her, although the state of his hardening cock said that wouldn't last long.

"There are things you should know," he started. "Things I should have told you before now, before…" he nodded toward the table, "… this. For the record, I just had my annual check-up, and I'm clean."

She nodded, rubbing her head against his chest. "Me, too, and I've been on birth control for years."

"I'm not exactly sure how to start this, and I think it goes without saying that what I'm about to tell you is secret, and if you tell anyone, it could endanger us all."

Confused, Hannah sat up and looked at him. "Secret? Endangering people?"

"I can explain," he said, getting up to light a fire in the huge fireplace and pulling on his jeans again.

He came back to the bed, scooped Hannah up, wrapped her in what appeared to be an antique quilt, settling them both in the large, comfortable leather chair.

The storm outside battered the cabin with relentless force, the wind howling and snow piling up against the windows. Inside, the fire crackled warmly, casting a comforting glow over the rustic interior. Hannah sat in Rick's lap, her mind still reeling from the events of the evening. Rick's insistence on bringing her here had been infuriating, but now, wrapped in the thick quilt, she felt a sense of security she couldn't deny.

Rick was restless beneath her and finally rose, putting her on the couch so she could draw her legs up underneath her before he went to lean against the stone chimney. Straightening, he began to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He seemed more agitated than usual, a storm of his own brewing behind his eyes. Hannah watched him, curiosity mingling with her frustration. Why hadn't the sense of peace and rightness of being together cast its tranquility over him the way it had for her?

"Rick, what's going on?" she asked finally, her voice breaking the tense silence. "You're acting weird. We've been friends ever since I came to Kodiak. If what happened earlier was a bridge too far for you, it can be just a one off..."

He growled as he stopped pacing and looked at her, a mix of resolve and uncertainty on his face. "Hannah, there's something I need to tell you. Something important."

She sat up straighter, sensing the gravity of his words. "You can tell me anything. What is it?"

He took a deep breath, the firelight dancing in his eyes. "I've been keeping a secret from you, but so have a lot of other people. It's... not easy to explain, but you need to know. Especially now."

Hannah's heart pounded in her chest. "Rick, you're scaring me. Just tell me."

He stepped closer, squatting down in front of her, taking her hands in his, his gaze unwavering. "I'm a bear-shifter, Hannah."

The words hung in the air, almost surreal. Hannah blinked, trying to process what she'd just heard. "A... what?"

"A bear-shifter," Rick repeated. "I can transform into a bear. It's something I was born with, a part of who I am."

"Prove it," she said without thinking.

"Fair enough," he replied and stepped back.

A swirling mist seemed to come up from the floor without warning. It was like a contained, localized kind of maelstrom complete with thunder, lightning and shards of color all spinning around him, completely engulfing him. When the mist dispersed just as quickly as it had appeared, she was left looking at a very large black bear.

The bear took two steps toward her and she retreated two steps. It made a soft, chuffing noise which was surprisingly soothing before advancing again. This time she held her ground and the bear nuzzled her affectionately.

"Rick?" she whispered, and the bear nuzzled her again before stepping away from her.

Once again, the cloud of color, sound and electricity surrounded what she was quickly having to accept was Rick. When it fell away this time, where the bear had once stood was now a very naked Rick, with a very hard cock.

Looking down, he grinned. "Byproduct of the shift: your clothes are gone and normally, especially if you're a guy, you're very aroused."

Hannah wrung her hands together. Shock rippled through her, a myriad of emotions swirling within her. Confusion, disbelief, and a strange sense of intrigue. She searched his face for any sense of humor, there was none. "You can just shift from one to the other?"

He nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes. I didn't want to tell you like this, but with everything happening, you need to understand…"

"You can just shift into a bear? Does it hurt? Do you have any control over it?"

He smiled. "Yes. No. Most of the time. Don't worry, the only thing I'll be wanting to eat is your pussy, and yours is the only honey I'll ever want again. We're fated mates, Hannah. You need to understand that. It's part of the reason I'm so protective of you."

Hannah's mind raced, memories of their time together flashing through her mind. His uncanny strength, the way he always seemed to sense danger before it happened, his deep connection to the wilderness. It all started to make a bizarre kind of sense. "So, all this time..."

"I've been trying to keep you safe," Rick finished for her. "I care about you, Hannah. No. Scratch that. I love you, Hannah, more than I can put into words. And being a shifter, it makes me more protective, more... attuned to danger."

She looked into his eyes, seeing the raw honesty there. The shock began to ebb, replaced by a profound understanding. Rick had always been there for her, always looking out for her. Now she knew why.

"This is a lot to take in," she said softly, her voice trembling. "But... it explains so much."

Rick reached out, his hand warm and reassuring as it took hers into his. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was afraid of how you'd react. But you needed to know, especially now."

Hannah took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. Despite the strangeness of his revelation, she couldn't deny the sense of belonging that settled over her. It was as if a missing piece of the puzzle had finally fallen into place.

"I... I don't know what to say," she admitted. "But I do know that I've always felt safe with you, Rick. And now I understand why."

He pulled her into his embrace, his strength enveloping her like a protective shield. "That's all I wanted. For you to feel safe. To know you're not alone. To know we belong together."

As the storm raged on outside, Hannah rested her head against Rick's chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her in this new reality. She had a million questions, countless uncertainties, but for now, she let herself be held by the man who had always been her protector.

In the warmth of the cabin, with the storm a distant fury outside, Hannah began to accept the extraordinary truth about Rick. And with that acceptance came a deep, unspoken bond that neither of them needed to put into words, so she said the only thing she could think of to say.

"I love you, too, Rick."

Rick had carried her back to bed and made sweet, romantic love to her, nuzzling her neck and whispering words of love and sex as he'd thrust in and out of her. She'd brought her legs up to wrap around his waist, and he made her come over and over again.

By morning, the storm had calmed, leaving a pristine, snow-covered landscape bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. Hannah stood at the cabin window, dressed in her jeans, sweater and mukluks, marveling at the beauty outside. The previous night's revelations still swirled in her mind, but there was a strange tranquility in accepting Rick's true nature.

Rick approached her, his expression serious but warm. "Hannah, there's something I want to show you. Something I think you'll find incredible."

She turned to him, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"Come with me," he said, holding out his hand.

Rick was still naked as he led her outside onto the porch, leaving her there as he stepped into the deep snow that covered the landscape. The morning air was crisp and cold, and the snow crunched beneath his bare feet. Rick stopped a few yards from the cabin. "I'm going to shift. Don't be afraid, okay? Just remember, no matter what happens, I'm still me."

She nodded, trying to steady her racing thoughts. "I trust you, Rick."

He gave her a small, reassuring smile before stepping back. He took a deep breath, his gaze lifting to the stormy sky. The air grew colder, and a low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance. Hannah watched, her breath catching in her throat, as a swirling mist began to envelop him, thickening and rising like a spectral curtain. Rick's form blurred, the lines between man and beast beginning to merge. Lightning flashed within the mist, although the sky overhead remained clear.

Hannah's eyes widened as she saw his muscles ripple and shift beneath his skin. She wondered if she'd ever get used to seeing this. His limbs elongated and thickened, his fingers curling into powerful claws. It didn't look painful, and Rick seemed calm and at peace with what was happening. The mist whirled faster, wrapping around him like a cocoon, obscuring him from view. Another crack of thunder split the air, vibrating through the ground beneath her feet.

The mist suddenly parted, revealing a massive figure emerging from its depths. Rick's human features were gone, replaced by the formidable form of a giant black bear she'd seen when he'd shifted previously. His fur gleamed in the flickering light, a rich, inky black that seemed to absorb the maelstrom's energy. His eyes, though now those of a beast, still held the familiar kindness she knew so well.

Hannah's heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight before her. The transformation was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a raw display of power and nature's primal force. She felt a surge of awe and a deep connection to the man within the beast. She leaned back, opening the door and reaching for her parka. She pulled it on and closed the door.

Rick stood tall, his bear form radiating strength and majesty. He looked at her, a low, rumbling growl emanating from his chest, not of threat but of acknowledgment. Hannah stepped forward, her fear melting away, replaced by a profound sense of understanding and acceptance.

Lightning flashed again, illuminating the skies all around them in a brilliant white light. The world seemed to be holding its breath in the wake of the transformation. Hannah reached out, her hand trembling, and touched his fur. It was warm and surprisingly soft, a tangible link to the man she cared for.

Rick's growl softened, and he lowered his massive head, allowing her to stroke his fur. Storm clouds rumbled in the sky above, but in that moment, they were a world unto themselves. Hannah felt a deep sense of belonging, a bond that transcended the extraordinary nature of Rick's shifter identity.

Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck, her heart full of wonder and love. "Thank you for sharing this with me," she whispered. "It still amazes me. Do you ever get used to it?"

He made a low, rumbling sound, a bear's equivalent of reassurance. Then, with surprising gentleness, he lowered himself, inviting her to climb onto his back. Hannah hesitated for only a moment before carefully settling herself between his broad shoulders, her hands gripping his thick fur.

With a powerful lunge, Rick started moving through the snow, his movements smooth and effortless. Hannah held on tightly, exhilaration coursing through her as they raced across the snowy landscape. The world around them blurred into a winter wonderland, the cold air invigorating against her cheeks.

As they ventured deeper into the woods, Rick suddenly slowed, his head lifting as if catching a scent on the wind. Hannah felt the change in his demeanor, a tension that hadn't been there before. She followed his gaze and saw a glint of sunlight reflecting off metal, partially hidden by the snow-covered trees on the ridge above.

Before she could react, Rick veered sharply, taking them behind a thick copse of trees. She heard the sharp crack of a gunshot, the sound echoing through the silent forest. Her heart pounded as she realized how close they had come to danger.

Rick's movements became more urgent, his powerful strides carrying them swiftly away from the threat. He navigated the terrain with remarkable agility, keeping to the cover of the trees. It wasn't until they were far from the source of the gunshot that he finally slowed, coming to a stop in a secluded, sheltered glen just across a small open field of ground that ended at his cabin. He waited until she gripped his fur tightly and then made a run for the front porch.

Hannah slid off his back, her legs trembling with adrenaline as she flung open the door and slammed it behind him as he entered. She'd wondered about the size of the door and now understood that it was larger than normal to accommodate him when he was in his bear form. Rick shifted back to his human form, his expression grim. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

She nodded, still catching her breath. "Yes, thanks to you. What happened back there?"

Rick's jaw tightened. "Someone was out there with a gun. I don't know who or why, but they were aiming for us." He shook his head. "Not us, you."

The gravity of the situation slapped her in the face, staggering her and mingling with the lingering fear. "But how did you know? How did you see it?"

"Bear senses," he replied as he drew her into the safety of his arms. "I saw the glint of metal, heard the click of the safety. We were lucky."

Hannah's mind raced with questions, but above all, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and trust. Rick had saved her, using his extraordinary abilities to protect them both. The depth of his care and vigilance struck her profoundly.

"Thank you, Rick," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "For everything."

He stepped closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "I'm your mate, Hannah. I'll always protect you. No matter what."

In the quiet safety of his cabin, Rick made sure they were no longer in immediate danger and then used a satellite phone to call Asher Wells to tell him what had happened.

"Is Asher a bear-shifter too? Nicole?"

"Wolves," he said distractedly and then seemed to realize what he'd said. "Not everyone in Kodiak is a shifter, just some of the people you know. Shifters tend to stick together when living alongside humans. My place is technically outside of the police's area of coverage. It'll be easier to track whoever this is if shifters are doing the looking."

"Looking for what?" she asked.

"For whoever it is that wants you dead."