Chapter 7

B etsy

Betsy stood in a small clearing, as naked as the day she was born, and wondered if she had finally lost her mind. The forest around her buzzed with life—birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the occasional squirrel stopping to give her a judgmental look before scampering away.

"Yes, I know," she muttered to a particularly disapproving chipmunk. "This isn't exactly my finest moment. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and honey, I am desperate."

It had been five days since Chase had unceremoniously dumped her back at the cabin. Five days of fumbling through the forest, trying (and mostly failing) to identify plants that would work for building up her herbalism business. Five days of replaying their passionate encounter in her mind, each memory more vivid and frustrating than the last.

"This is what you wanted, right?" Betsy asked the forest at large, spreading her arms wide. "To become one with nature? Well, here I am, nature. One with you. Extremely one. So one that I'm pretty sure I've got moss growing in places moss has no business being."

She took a few steps, wincing as a twig snapped under her bare foot. The forest floor was a minefield of pointy rocks, sticky pine needles, and what she desperately hoped wasn't poison ivy. Again.

"Note to self," Betsy grumbled, gingerly making her way across the clearing, "next time you decide to go au naturel in the woods, maybe bring some flip-flops. And bug spray. Definitely bug spray."

As she walked, Betsy's mind wandered back to Chase. The memory of his touch sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cool forest air. She could almost feel his massive hands on her skin, could practically taste the wild sweetness of his kiss.

"Get it together," she chastised herself, shaking her head vigorously. "You're on a mission here. Operation: Seduce the Sasquatch. Although really, it's more like Operation: Get the Sasquatch to Acknowledge Your Existence and Maybe Explain What the Heck is Going On."

Betsy paused in front of a large oak tree, placing her hands on her hips in what she hoped was a pose of determination rather than ridiculous nudity.

"All right, Chase," she called out to the seemingly empty forest. "I know you're out there somewhere, probably brooding majestically and doing whatever it is magical forest guardians do when they're not sweeping unsuspecting women off their feet. But enough's enough. We need to talk."

The forest remained stubbornly silent. Not even a sympathetic breeze answered her call.

Betsy sighed, shoulders slumping. "Great. I've been ghosted by Sasquatch. This has got to be a new low, even for me."

Just as she was considering admitting defeat (and maybe investing in a lifetime supply of cold showers), a twig snapped behind her. Betsy whirled around, her heart leaping into her throat.

There, looming at the edge of the clearing like a particularly furry thundercloud, stood Chase. His dark eyes widened as they took in her naked form, a mixture of confusion, concern, and something decidedly hotter flashing across his face.

"Betsy," he rumbled, his deep voice sending a thrill through her. "What are you doing?"

For a moment, Betsy forgot how to speak. All the sassy remarks and clever explanations she'd rehearsed in her head evaporated like morning dew. She was acutely aware of her nudity, of the way Chase's gaze seemed to caress every inch of her exposed skin.

Then her brain kicked back into gear, and she straightened up, chin lifted defiantly. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm communing with nature. Embracing my primal side. Going full-on Earth Goddess. Take your pick."

Chase's brow furrowed, creating an adorable crease between his eyes that Betsy had to resist the urge to smooth away. "But why are you not clothed?"

"Oh, you know," Betsy said, waving a hand airily and trying to ignore the blush creeping up her neck. "I figured if I'm going to be a forest hermit, I might as well go all in. Who needs clothes when you've got leaves? And pinecones. So many pinecones."

Chase took a step closer, his nostrils flaring as he caught her scent. "This is a human mating ritual?" he asked, sounding genuinely perplexed.

Betsy couldn't help it. She burst out laughing. "A human mating—oh honey, no. Although I suppose Naked and Afraid does have a certain dating show vibe to it."

Chase's confusion only seemed to deepen. "I do not understand. You are naked and afraid?"

"No, it's a TV show where—you know what? Never mind." Betsy took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. It was now or never. "Look, Chase. I'm here because we need to talk. About us. About this whole mate bond thing. And yes, okay, maybe I thought being naked might help get your attention. Sue me."

Chase's expression softened slightly, a flicker of something like longing passing through his eyes. "Betsy," he said, his voice gentler now. "You do not need to be unclothed to have my attention. You have had it from the moment I first caught your scent."

Betsy's heart did a little flip. "Okay, that's good to know. And also kind of sweet, in a weirdly olfactory way. But Chase, you can't just drop the whole 'we're mates' bomb on me and then disappear. That's not how this should work."

She took a step towards him, emboldened by the intensity of his gaze. "I get that this is complicated. Trust me, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm apparently Sasquatch-sexual. But I'm here, Chase. I'm not running away. And I want more than just mind-blowing forest sex. I want to understand you, to be a part of your world. If I'm your mate, then be my mate. In every sense of the word."

Chase stood silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he closed the distance between them. Betsy's breath caught in her throat as he reached out, his massive hand gently cupping her cheek.

"You do not know what you ask," he said softly. "My world is not for humans. It is dangerous, filled with magics and creatures beyond your understanding."

Betsy leaned into his touch, her skin tingling where it met his. "Then help me understand," she whispered. "Teach me. I'm a quick learner, I swear. And I make a mean cup of herbal tea. Well, when I'm not accidentally poisoning myself."

The ghost of a smile tugged at Chase's lips, and Betsy felt a surge of triumph. She was getting through to him, she could feel it.

"It will not be easy," Chase warned, his thumb tracing a gentle arc along her cheekbone.

Betsy grinned up at him, all sass and determination. "Honey, I'm standing butt naked in the middle of the forest, covered in bug bites and probably at least three types of rashes, trying to seduce a mythical creature. I think I can handle 'not easy.'"

For a moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath. Then Chase let out a rumbling chuckle that Betsy felt down to her toes. "Very well, little one," he said, a new warmth in his eyes. "We will try."

As Chase shed his own coverings and pulled her into his arms, Betsy sent a silent thank you to whatever forest spirits might be listening. Operation: Seduce the Sasquatch was officially a success.

CHASE

Chase enveloped Betsy in his embrace, her small form fitting against him with a rightness that both thrilled and terrified him. The scent of her, an intoxicating blend of herbs and sunshine, filled his nostrils, threatening to overwhelm his senses. For a moment, he allowed himself to revel in the sensation, to bask in the warmth of her skin against his fur.

But even as his body responded to her presence, Chase's mind was in turmoil. The weight of centuries pressed down upon him, reminding him of his duty, his purpose. He was the guardian of this forest, the protector of ancient magics and delicate balances. He was not meant for this and especially not with a human.

As Betsy's fingers traced patterns through his fur, sending shivers of pleasure racing along his skin, Chase grappled with a confusion unlike any he had experienced in his long life. This mate bond that he could feel thrumming between them like a living thing, had only been told of in stories around the fire.

Fear gripped him, cold and insistent. What if this bond, this unexpected connection, somehow endangered the very forest he was sworn to protect? The magic that flowed through the ancient trees, that whispered in the rustling leaves and bubbled in hidden springs, was complex and often capricious. Could his union with Betsy somehow destabilize that delicate equilibrium?

And what of Betsy herself? She was human, fragile and fleeting compared to his own long lifespan. The forest was no place for her kind, filled with dangers both seen and unseen. By allowing her to stay, by nurturing this bond between them, was he not putting her at terrible risk?

Chase's massive frame tensed, his arms tightening around Betsy instinctively. He was a protector, not a partner. His duty was to the forest, to maintain the balance and keep the old magics safe. He had no right to indulge in personal desires, to risk everything for the sake of this unexpected, overwhelming feeling.

And yet...

As Betsy nestled closer, her heartbeat a steady, comforting rhythm against his chest, Chase felt something shift within him. The forest around them seemed to pulse with a new energy, as if responding to their union. The very air tingled with possibility.

Could it be that this bond, far from endangering the forest, might actually strengthen it? Betsy, with her quick wit and boundless curiosity, brought a fresh perspective to his ancient realm. Her presence seemed to awaken something long dormant, breathing new life into the woods.

Still, the fear of abandonment nagged at him. Humans were notoriously fickle, their lives a mere blink compared to the lifespan of the forest. What if Betsy, once the novelty wore off, decided to return to her own world? The thought of losing her, of feeling this newfound connection severed, sent a lance of pain through Chase's heart. If she left him, it would be the end of him and the forest would no longer have its guardian. Could he risk that?

Her scent tickled through his nose again and Chase made a decision. Yes. He would allow himself this chance, this opportunity to explore the mate bond with Betsy. But he would do so cautiously, always mindful of his duty to the forest.

"Betsy," he rumbled, his deep voice vibrating through both their bodies. "There is much you need to learn about this world, about the magics that dwell here."

Betsy pulled back slightly, her green eyes shining with curiosity and something deeper, something that made Chase's breath catch in his throat. "I'm all ears, big guy," she said, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well, all ears and a fair bit of naked skin at the moment, but you get the idea."

Despite himself, Chase felt a chuckle building in his chest. This human, with her irreverent humor and indomitable spirit, never ceased to surprise him. Perhaps that was exactly what he—and the forest—needed.

"I will teach you," he said, his tone softening. "About the plants that heal and harm, about the spirits that dwell in stream and stone. But you must understand. This is not a simple thing. The magic that binds me to this forest, that now binds us together, is ancient and powerful. It cannot be taken lightly."

He paused, steeling himself for what he needed to say next. "There will be limitations. You may leave the forest for brief periods, but anything longer than a day will cause pain. For both of us. The bond between us, between you and this place, is not something that can be stretched indefinitely."

Chase watched carefully as Betsy processed this information, fear and hope warring within him. Would this be the moment she realized the magnitude of what she was taking on? Would she run, leaving him and the forest behind to die a slow death?

Her face scrunched up in thought for a moment before smoothing out into a determined grin. "All right, Fuzzy Wuzzy," she said, poking him gently in the chest. "You've got yourself a deal. I'll be your part-time forest nymph, as long as you promise to be my full-time Sasquatch sweetheart. And who knows? Maybe between your ancient wisdom and a satellite dish, we can figure out a way to have the best of both worlds.

Relief and a tentative hope flooded through Chase. He pulled Betsy close once more, marveling at the way she fit against him, as if she had been created to fill the spaces he hadn't even known were empty. As Chase looked down at this impossible, wonderful human who had stumbled into his life and turned everything upside down, he felt something he hadn't experienced in centuries: hope. "Then let us begin," he murmured into her hair. "There is a whole world for you to discover, little one. And perhaps, in teaching you, I too will learn something new."

Chase stood up, gently pulling Betsy to her feet. "Come," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I will show you something few have ever seen."

He led her to the entrance of the den, where the early morning light filtered through the leaves. Chase placed his massive hand on the trunk of a nearby tree, closing his eyes in concentration. For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, slowly, the forest around them began to change. The leaves on the trees started to glow with a soft, ethereal light. Flowers that had been tightly closed moments before began to bloom, their petals unfurling in a dance of color and life. The very air seemed to shimmer with an invisible energy.

Betsy gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "Chase... what's happening?"

Chase opened his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "I am showing you the forest as I see it," he explained. "The magic that flows through every living thing, the energy that connects us all."

As they watched, a nearby stream began to sparkle, its waters taking on a silvery sheen. Small creatures—squirrels, birds, even insects—emerged from their hiding places, drawn by the pulsing energy. They approached without fear, some even coming close enough for Betsy to touch.

"This is... incredible," Betsy breathed, reaching out to stroke a deer that had wandered up to her. "I had no idea..."

Chase nodded solemnly. "This is the true nature of the forest, Betsy. It is alive in ways most humans have forgotten. And as its guardian, I am connected to it all. Every tree, every creature, every drop of water—I feel them, just as they feel me."

As the magical display slowly faded, returning the forest to its normal state, Chase turned to Betsy. "This is what I protect," he said softly. "This is what our bond now ties you to, as well. Do you understand the magnitude of it?"

Betsy nodded, her expression a mix of awe and determination. "I'm starting to," she said. "And I want to learn more. Teach me, Chase. Teach me everything. Next lesson though needs to be how to make a decent cup of coffee using nothing but twigs and positive thinking. Because let me tell you, big guy, if I'm going to be a forest dweller, I'm going to need caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine."