Chapter Fifteen

Antoine

The painting took longer than expected because I had to paint not only West but his bear. It was an entirely new experience and one I didn't expect to share with another model. Since I could feel the bear and almost see him in human form, that was what I wanted to share with anyone who came to the gallery and whoever eventually bought it.

And wasn't that the problem. As the polar bear reared up in my dining room and I added the shadow form I envisioned, I realized that this work would never be able to be sold. It was too intimate to part with. I did not have time to paint a second canvas before the showing, but I could do something I'd never seen before. The work would go to the gallery, but it would be marked artist's private collection; not for sale . Of course, that sort of notice only made something more desirable, and I would have to let the gallery know that no amount of money would change my decision.

The bear was magnificent, looming over the chair my alpha had posed on, as gorgeous in his way as West was in his. I used all the whites and grays and even reds and browns to bring in all the hues I picked up in his fur, painting the individual hairs then blurring them to create the effect I actually saw.

Hours later, exhausted, I slumped into a chair. "You can shift back anytime. I got what I need, and the rest I can do on my own."

But instead of the shift I expected, the bear dropped on all fours and padded over to me. Liquid eyes looked at me, wanting something… It couldn't be food. Animals generally hunted if they wanted something, although maybe a bear would like some honey or something?

"Are you hungry?"

He bumped me with his nose, but I didn't think that was a yes.

"What do you want?"

Run with mate.

That was not the bear but my fox. "Oh. Of course." The bear was out but had been standing around all this time, and of course he wanted to run. My exhaustion lifted at the idea of it, and I was gladder than ever not to live in the middle of town. Behind my house were acres of woods where we could let our animals out and play.

Energized, I led the way out into the backyard then stripped down and shifted. I'd almost done it inside then remembered my fox wasn't great at opening doors and the bear would probably have to just knock it down.

I held still while the bear circled us, sniffing and rumbling and nuzzling. When he'd finished, I darted out of the yard and toward the trees, followed by the polar bear. I had never run into a human back here, but wouldn't they be surprised to see the big white animal running along the pathways.

Most would think he was faster than me, but a fox, or at least this fox, could run and maintain a higher rate than any bear I'd ever heard of. But it was close enough that we could race side by side and have a great time. The animals were thrilled to be together, and their joy spilled over until, when we got back to the house and shifted back, we fell into one another's arms, laughing.

"That was amazing," West said. "Although not as amazing as my bear being willing to pose for all those hours. Patience is not one of his best characteristics."

I stepped into my shorts and led the way back inside, holding the rest of my clothes. His were in the dining room where he'd undressed. "My fox enjoyed it so much. He is completely enchanted with your bear and insists we do that again soon."

West set down his shirt and came over to gather me to him. "Every time we're together is better than the time before. Can I see the painting now?" I hadn't showed it to him yet, wanting him to see it finished. "I've never seen my bear."

My heart squeezed. "Not even in a mirror?"

"He doesn't fit in the bathroom very well."

"Then of course. I actually saw my fox in a photo once. It was really special to me. Maybe we could get someone to take a picture of our animals together?"

He turned away from the canvas. "Is that how we look?"

"Well, pretty much. You can see it's kind of shadowy because I wanted to show how I experience him with you even in this form."

"Wow." He turned back to the painting. "I've seen enough photos of my human form to know this is a special interpretation of my human form as well." He held up a hand when I moved to protest. "Oh, it's the right arms and legs and everything else, but there's a glow I've never seen before."

"I paint what I see."

"You're so talented."

The moment seemed right to ask him something important… "West, why don't you just move in? We're together most of the time, and I miss you when we're not."

From his startled stare, he hadn't seen it coming.

"It's just a suggestion," I said. "How we are now is good too."

"As the alpha, I should be offering you my home, but it's just a house I bought recently. This place has history for you, your studio is almost done, and I would be honored to move in, if you're sure you want me to."

"Want to come to our bedroom and see if you need any changes, then?" I took his hand and tugged him away from the dining room.

"No changes I…oh." He followed me, grinning. "I'll be glad to inspect."