8. Levi

8

Levi

“ W e need to subdue her,” Kellan said. “We need to tranquilize her or try one of Nora’s spells.”

“No,” Levi said, far more harshly than he’d meant to.

“I know you don’t want to, but there are humans that come to my ranch, my mate included. They’re due back tomorrow. We cannot have a bear running free, especially if she’s this unpredictable.”

Levi lunged forward, growling.

Then he deflated. Fuck. He’d almost attacked his friend.

He rubbed his face. “God, Kellan, I’m sorry.” He took a step back. “You’re right. I know that. I don’t know why I did that.”

Kellan’s eyes were watchful, but he wasn’t angry, not like most male shifters would have been, after being challenged like that in their own homes with members of their family nearby.

“I think I might know,” Kellan said.

“I’ll take care of it,” Levi said. “I’ll find her, and I’ll get her off your property.”

“You don’t have to do that yet. But once my wife gets home, then we’ll have to take action.”

“I understand.” Levi touched his arm. “I’m going to get control of myself, I promise.” No matter how calm and collected Kellan was right then, once his human mate was home, he would not tolerate any more of Levi’s outbursts.

“Good luck,” Kellan said, with far more empathy than Levi had any right to expect.

“Sorry. Before I go, can I take some supplies?”

“Of course.”

Levi grabbed two bottles of water, a bowl, and a sheet. He had the idea that maybe they could have a camp out of sorts once he found her. He didn’t think of what he’d do if he couldn’t find her. He raced from the house, not willing to waste any more time.

He walked past Kellan’s big swimming pool, the one that had its own lazy river. He went past all the playground equipment and past a small lake. He checked the barn and the chicken coop. Nothing. He looked through the trees where they’d slept the night before but came up empty handed. He walked the property, trying not to run. He made himself take his time, so he didn’t overlook a clue to where she was. He didn’t even know her name, so he had nothing to call out. It felt far too odd to say, ‘Hey, female bear.’

Then finally, he caught her scent. She smelled like raspberries and honey. She was pressed up against the wooden fence, the one at the very edge of the property.

He nearly collapsed with relief. Now he just had to stay with her. “Hey,” he said. Thankfully, she didn’t seem alarmed to see him. “So, you ran, huh? Did something happen?”

She looked away. He had to hope she understood him. “I brought some food and water in case you’re hungry or thirsty.” He put the bowl down and poured some of the water in. He put the ham on a plate so that she could eat if she wanted to.

She looked at him for a long time, then dipped her head down and took a drink.

He would consider that a victory.

He held up the blanket. “I brought a blanket too. I thought maybe we could camp out tonight. This time on purpose.” He felt like an idiot. But he wasn’t going to give up. “So, I was thinking, you’re in your animal form. I’m a shifter as well. Maybe if I showed you my animal, we’d be on equal footing.”

She was staring at him now and appeared to be listening. “If you didn’t realize, I’m a dragon shifter. So, when I change, I will be a dragon. I’ll have wings and a tail and scales and yellow eyes. I’m going to shift and if you don’t like it, then just growl really loud, okay? If you growl, I’ll change back.”

He was pretty sure she nodded her head.

He started stripping off his clothes. He tried to step out of the moonlight a little bit, but her eyesight was probably pretty decent. He wasn’t going to hide though, because he wanted her to see the transition. He wanted her to understand that he was the dragon, just in case she was confused.

He dropped the rest of his clothes on the ground and let the change roll over his body. He felt the welcome spread of scales over his skin, and the feeling of his wings expanding as his body got bigger.

Unfortunately, the appearance of his dragon did not seem to comfort her at first. She pressed her body against the fence and trembled. He couldn’t use his voice to speak but maybe he could send her a message telepathically. They weren’t mates, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to try.

Hi. I don’t know your name yet. But I’m still Levi. And I’m going to hang out with you tonight on the ranch.

She jumped a little.

Had she heard him?

He tried to make himself look smaller. A dragon looked more intimidating than other animals. Not that wolves and bears couldn’t be predatory too, but dragons were the biggest shifter that he was aware of. And they breathed fire. Keeping all of that in mind, he dropped to the ground and curled his wings around his body, attempting to look less threatening. He was never going to be soft and cuddly with his glowing yellow eyes and his green scales and his claws. But maybe he might look a little more friendly if he was on the ground. He looked up in time to see her watching him.

Her body was no longer trembling, but she watched him with suspicion.

He moved closer, and she did not move away. Every thirty minutes he would move another foot closer. Was there any way that she might consider letting him get close enough to touch?

I think you might have heard me earlier. I’m going to keep scooting closer. I’d like to end up close enough for us to sleep back-to-back, or side to side. How does that sound ?

She didn’t startle this time, but she cocked her head to the side, as if listening to him.

Maybe it was working! If it worked, then they were mates. There was no way around it. Not that he needed to bring that up to her. God, that would terrify anyone.

But could she be his mate? He could hardly let himself consider it. He pushed it out of his mind and concentrated on his task.

A few hours later, he was finally close enough to touch her. She hadn’t run away again. All he had to do was reach out one wing, and they’d be touching.

I’m going to cuddle up next to you now, so we can sleep next to each other. Most dragon shifters like being together. I hope bears are like that too.

He slid his wing over, letting the edge curl protectively over her back. As soon as his skin touched hers, a current of electricity surged through him. God, it felt good to be close to her. He didn’t have time to examine it too closely. He didn’t want to push her, but he didn’t want to lose what progress they’d made.

He moved over until his side was pressed against hers. Then he ducked his head and inhaled, taking a deep breath. She shuddered once, and then relaxed.

Oh hell. She wasn’t running away. They were actually lying together. He tried to stay calm and keep his breathing even so that he didn’t freak her out. Eventually, he felt her fall asleep. And not long after, he joined her in slumber.