Page 56 of His Omega Bear

As I ran, I gave into the transformation. My human thoughts faded, replaced by the simpler, more immediate concerns of my bear form. The forest became a blur of scents and sounds, the rustle of leaves and the scent of pine filling my senses. I pushed through the undergrowth, my powerful limbs propelling me forward, away from the pain of my human life.

I knew my brothers were calling my name, their voices tinged with worry and desperation. But I ignored them, focusing instead on the rhythm of my movements, the pounding of my heart. I let the bear take over, revelling in the freedom it offered. In this form, there was no heartbreak, no betrayal, no crushing weight of loss. There was only the forest and the instincts that guided me.

I reached a dense thicket and paused, listening for any sign of them coming after me. But the forest was quiet, except for the distant calls of my brothers. I had lost them for now. I pressed deeper into the thicket, finding a secluded spot where I could rest.

As I lay there, hidden from the world, I let the bear’s instincts soothe me. The ache in my chest lessened, replaced by a sense of detachment. In this form, I could forget, if only for a little while. I could leave behind the pain of Jaxson’s betrayal and the emptiness that followed.

But even as I embraced the bear’s mind, a part of me knew I couldn’t stay like this forever. My brothers wouldn’t give up. They would keep searching until they found me, driven by their love and concern. And deep down, I knew for our baby in my belly I would have to go back.

I could feel the baby inside me, a tiny, precious life that was the result of love and passion, but also of betrayal and heartache. The thought of our child stirred conflicting emotions within me, both a fierce protective instinct along with a deep well of sorrow for the family that had been torn apart.

As I lay there in the thicket, the sunlight filtering through the leaves above casting patterns on my fur. I closed my eyes and focused on the bond with my unborn child. It was a connection unlike any other, a tangible link to my mate. The man who had once been my everything.

Still is!

Despite everything that had happened, despite Jaxson leaving and my chest feeling like there was a crater where my heart used to be, I couldn’t shake the love I still felt for him. It was there, just like the ache in my chest, mixed all up with the raw pain of their absence.

But love alone couldn’t mend what had been broken between us. The trust that had once bound us together… could it?

I had no answers and none seemed forthcoming.

So I allowed myself this escape. I let the bear take over completely, pushing away the remnants of my human thoughts. I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of the forest, and let the wildness envelop me.

Tomorrow, I would face my brothers. I would face the pain and the heartbreak. But tonight, I was just a bear, free from the burdens of my human life. And for a little while, that was enough.

It had to be.

Chapter 25

Jaxson

The next morning, I arrived at the ranch with a sense of determination mixed with dread. I needed to see Rhys to try to make sense of everything that had happened. When I arrived at the ranch, I headed straight for his house. He had shown me which one was his the first time we came over for dinner at Gabe’s place. I knocked and called his name, but there was no response. The silence made my heart pound with anxiety.

I had no choice but to call Hunter, hoping he could help.

We met up at his house, and it didn’t surprise me when all the brothers showed up: Gabe, Austin, Hunter, and Graham, each with their mates—Kian, Nash, Sage, and Cooper. The tension in the air was palpable. All the mates shot daggers at me with their eyes, but I ignored them, my focus solely on finding Rhys.

“Where’s Rhys?” I asked, my voice tight. “I— we need to talk.”

Hunter stepped forward, his expression serious. “He ran off into the woods. He’s in his bear form, and hasn’t turned back. We’re worried he might go feral if he stays that way too long.”

The gravity of the situation hit me hard. Rhys could lose himself completely if he didn’t return to his human form.

“I need to talk to him,” I said. “I need to make this right.”

I didn’t know how or if there was a way, but I had to try, right?

Gabe nodded, though his eyes were filled with suspicion. “We’ll take you to where we last saw him. But you need to understand—this isn’t just about you and Rhys anymore. If he goes feral, it’s dangerous for everyone.”

I understood their concerns, but knew I had to try. Emilia was in my arms, her little face peaceful in sleep. Kian stepped forward, offering to take her.

“Are you one of them?” I asked, my voice edged with unease.

Kian shook his head. “No, but I am a parent to one, as are you.” His words reverberated through me, hitting hard. He was right. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me as I handed Emilia over to him, realizing the depth of my prejudice and how it had clouded my judgment.

We headed into the woods, a silent procession led by Rhys’s brothers. The forest was dense, shadows dancing between the trees. My heart raced with each step, the urgency driving me forward. We reached a dense thicket where they had last seen him.

“He’s in there somewhere,” Graham said quietly.

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