Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Rance

H e stretched out beside her, covering her with his body before trailing kisses from her mouth down her torso. He suckled at her turgid nipples, pulling them into his mouth and laving them with his tongue before nipping at them and sucking again. He reveled in how she responded, moaning and running her fingers through his hair.

Spreading her legs wide, he settled himself between them before putting his mouth on her sex, kissing her labia, and nuzzling her clit. She was more than ready for him. She was wet, ripe, and he was sure, delicious. Her arousal was intoxicating, and it was all he could do not to give in to the need to claim her and do so in a frenzied rut.

He covered her with his mouth, feasting on the honey he found there, spearing her with his tongue again and again. She was driving him mad and doing absolutely nothing other than responding. Amanda arched up as she came—trembling before she went stiff and then relaxed completely.

Slowly, he worked his way back up her body. "Wrap your legs around me."

Amanda smiled softly, her eyes soft and yet needy as she clung to him. He slid his hard length over her clit to lubricate his cock. As he moved into position to claim her, he realized that while the bear-shifter in him didn't give a damn about birth control or safe sex, it wasn't something they had discussed. There were so many things they hadn't discussed, and he didn't really care.

He started to pull back, and she smiled up at him. "There are things we should talk about."

She laughed softly. "I'm clean. No sex since my last physical and I've been on birth control for years. And you?"

"Same… well, not the birth control part, but you know what I mean."

"I do, indeed; now why don't you fuck me?"

"We're going to have to have a long talk about the male dominance in the bear-shifter community."

"Can we have that talk after you fuck me?"

"God, you're going to be a stubborn, willful mate, aren't you?"

"You betcha. Now fuck me, please?"

Maybe it was time to let his actions speak louder than words. Slipping his hands beneath her, he grasped the globes of her ass and thrust up into her—hard and true, making her gasp. He withdrew slowly before thrusting back in, making her hiss. He wasn't sure if it was pain from his size or the pleasure she derived from it, and he didn't much care.

Kissing her, he settled into a rhythm that seemed as natural as breathing. Every moan, every sigh, every kiss, every touch connected them in a way he'd never thought possible. Amanda's pussy contracted around him as she called out his name. Ensuring she found pleasure from their first coupling had been important to him, and now that he was assured she had, he let loose his control.

Over and over, he pounded into her in a relentless, dizzying rhythm that made her cling to him and tremble beneath him. Each time he drew back, her pussy spasmed around him, trying to keep from losing him. He angled down, giving her more of his weight as he drove into her repeatedly with a savage need.

When she came a third time, Rance let his eyes roll back in his head as he thrust into her, deep and hard until he came, filling her with his cum. Wave after wave as he ground himself against her and her pussy clamped down, milking his cock for every last drop. He collapsed on top of her, loving the way her soft body cushioned his as if she'd been made for that purpose.

He rolled from her body, dragging her up against his. She sighed contentedly and settled close to him. For the first time since Reykjavik, Rance slept without being disturbed by the memories of that awful place. Instead, his sleep was peaceful and undisturbed.

Rance lay sprawled across the bed, his body sated and warm from the afterglow of their time together. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a golden light across the room. Amanda had gone to the kitchen to get some food, but he could sense her restlessness, even from a distance. It was as if the energy within her was too much to be contained, her new nature thrumming beneath the surface and demanding release.

He listened to her soft footsteps as she moved around, the sound of dishes clinking faintly reaching his ears. She was trying to settle into her new reality, but the bear inside her was restless, urging her to embrace the wild side she had only just begun to understand.

When Amanda crossed back over to the bed, carrying a tray of delicious-smelling food, Rance saw the tension in her movements, the way her eyes darted around the room, unable to focus on any one thing for too long. She set the tray on the bedside table and glanced at him; her brow furrowed with uncertainty.

"You're restless," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I can feel it."

Amanda nodded, biting her lip as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel… like I'm about to jump out of my skin."

Rance smiled, recognizing the signs of her she-bear pushing to the surface. "It's the bear inside you. She wants to run, to be free. It's natural, especially after everything you've been through."

She looked at him, her eyes wide and filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "I don't have the first idea how to shift. It's not like I was born a shifter. What if I can't do it? What if she won't let me shift back?"

Rance reached out, taking her hand in his. "You can do it, and you'll be in control the entire time. You will experience everything she does, as she will with you. I'll be with you every step of the way. If you can believe it's possible, it's not nearly as difficult as you think. Just let go, and let your bear take over."

Amanda hesitated, her gaze searching his as if looking for reassurance. Rance squeezed her hand gently, his touch firm and steady. "Come on, Amanda. Let's go for a run. You'll feel better once you've shifted and let her out."

She took a deep breath, nodding as she made her decision. "All right. Let's do it."

Rance rose from the bed, pulling her up with him. He led her to the center of the room, where there was enough space for her first shift. "Close your eyes," he instructed softly. "Focus on the bear inside you. She's there, just beneath the surface, waiting to come out."

Amanda did as he said, closing her eyes and taking slow, deep breaths. Rance watched her closely, feeling the energy in the room shift as she began to connect with her bear. He could see the subtle changes in her body, the way her muscles tensed and her breathing quickened.

"Feel her," Rance murmured, stepping closer to her. "She's a part of you now, as natural as breathing. Let her come forward. Let the bear take over."

Amanda's brow furrowed in concentration, and Rance could see the struggle in her expression. But he knew she could do it—she just needed to trust herself, to trust the bond between them.

"Imagine yourself shifting," he continued, his voice a soothing guide. "Feel the change in your body, the way your muscles expand, your bones shift. It's not painful—it's freeing. Let go, Amanda."

As she focused, a soft mist began to form around her, swirling at her feet and slowly enveloping her entire body. Rance watched in awe as the mist grew thicker, wrapping around her like a cocoon. He could sense the power within her, the bear straining to be free.

She stood still for a moment, seemingly adjusting to the weight and strength of her new body. Rance took a moment to admire her—she was magnificent, her presence commanding, and yet there was a hint of uncertainty in her posture. She was powerful, but she was also new to this form.

"Oh, one thing you should know: when you shift your clothes disappear. No one knows why, but just know when you shift from she-bear to human, you will be naked."

Rance didn't hesitate any longer. With a deep breath, he let his own bear come forward, the shift happening seamlessly as he transformed into his Arctotherium form. His body expanded, muscles rippling beneath his thick fur as he became the bear that had always been a part of him. He let out a low, rumbling growl, a sound that conveyed both reassurance and encouragement.

Amanda's bear turned to him, her eyes locking onto his. He could see the mixture of fear and excitement in her gaze, but there was also a spark of recognition—a realization that she was where she was meant to be.

Rance stepped closer, nudging her shoulder with his massive head. The gesture was one of camaraderie, of shared experience. Amanda hesitated for a moment before she responded, pressing her head against his in a gesture that mirrored his own. It was as if they were communicating without words, their bears understanding each other on a primal level.

With a final huff of encouragement, Rance turned and lumbered toward the door, pushing it open with his shoulder. Amanda followed him out into the cold night, her heavy paws sinking into the snow as she took her first steps into the wild.

The forest was silent and still, the trees towering overhead like ancient guardians. The moon cast a silvery glow over the landscape, illuminating the snow-covered ground as they began to move through the trees. Rance led the way, his powerful muscles propelling him forward with ease. He could hear Amanda behind him, her steps growing more confident with each stride.

They ran together through the forest side by side, their massive forms cutting through the snow like a pair of titans. Rance could feel Amanda's exhilaration as she embraced her new form, the freedom that came with being a bear. She reveled in the power, the sheer physicality of it, and he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched her.

Amanda's bear was fast and agile, her movements fluid and graceful despite her size. She bounded ahead of him at times, her energy seemingly boundless as she explored the world through new eyes. Rance stayed close, matching her pace and letting her set the rhythm of their run.

But as they continued deeper into the forest, Rance's instincts began to prick at him. There was a shift in the air, a tension that hadn't been there before. He slowed, his ears twitching as he listened intently.

Then, he heard it—a low, menacing growl that sent a chill down his spine. Rance turned his head and saw it emerging from the shadows—a massive Kodiak grizzly, its eyes fixed on Amanda. The bear was territorial, and it clearly saw her as a threat.

Rance's protectiveness flared to life, a primal need to defend his mate. He let out a thunderous roar, charging at the Kodiak bear with all the force his powerful body could muster. The two bears collided with a bone-rattling impact, the force of the collision shaking the ground beneath them.

The Kodiak bear was a formidable opponent, its claws slashing through the air as it tried to assert its dominance. But Rance was larger, more powerful, and driven by something far stronger than instinct—he was driven by love, by the need to protect Amanda at all costs.

They clashed in a brutal fight for survival, their roars echoing through the forest as they grappled with each other. Rance's claws raked across the Kodiak's side, drawing blood, but the bear retaliated with a powerful swipe that sent him staggering back.

For a moment, Rance felt the sting of the Kodiak's claws, but he pushed through the pain, his determination unyielding. He charged again, this time aiming for the Kodiak's vulnerable throat. His jaws clamped down on the bear's neck, and he used his immense strength to drag the beast to the ground.

The Kodiak thrashed beneath him, trying to break free, but Rance held on, his grip unrelenting. He could feel the Kodiak's resistance weakening, its roars growing more desperate as it realized it was losing the fight.

Finally, with one last effort, the Kodiak bear broke free, backing away with a series of huffs and growls. It eyed Rance warily, blood dripping from its wounds, before turning and lumbering off into the forest, defeated.

Rance stood there for a moment, breathing heavily as he watched the Kodiak bear disappear into the trees. His body ached from the fight, but the sight of Amanda, safe and unharmed, brought him a sense of relief that overshadowed everything else.

He turned to her, his bear form still imposing despite the battle he had just fought. Amanda's bear approached him slowly, her eyes filled with a mixture of awe and concern. She nudged him gently, her massive head brushing against his shoulder in a gesture of gratitude.

Rance let out a soft huff, reassuring her that he was fine. He nudged her back, guiding her toward the cabin as the adrenaline from the fight began to fade.

Once inside, they shifted back to their human forms, the process seamless and familiar for Rance. He watched as Amanda struggled for a moment, but with his guidance, she managed to reverse the transformation. The mist formed around her once more, swirling before dissipating to reveal her human form, her body trembling slightly from the exertion.

She looked at him with a mixture of amazement and relief. "I did it," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, or I will be. Shifters heal remarkably fast. The cuts look worse than they are." Looking at her, he smiled. "I'm so proud of you. You did it. You were incredible out there."

Amanda took a step closer, her eyes searching his as she asked, "You mentioned that our kind were protectors. That we've been guardians of something for as long as anyone can remember. Is that true?"

Rance's expression softened as he thought back to the stories he had been told as a child. "Those are the legends I grew up with," he said. "Our kind is rare, but we've always been connected to the land, to the natural world. Some say we were chosen to protect it, to be guardians of the wild places. Others believe it's simply in our nature, a part of who we are."

Amanda's gaze held his, her eyes filled with curiosity as she pulled on one of his sweaters, handing him his jeans. "And what do you believe?"

Rance hesitated for a moment, then shrugged slightly. "I believe there's truth in those stories. I've always felt a deep connection to this land, a responsibility to protect it. But I also believe that we're not just guardians of the land—we're guardians of each other. You and I, Amanda—we were meant to find each other, to be together. And now that we have, I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Amanda smiled, a warmth spreading through her at his words. She stepped into his arms, resting her head against his chest as he held her close. The bond between them was stronger than ever, forged in the heat of battle and the intimacy of shared secrets. She was his fated mate, and he was hers. There was nothing in this world—or the next—that could tear them apart.