Page 107 of Trusting Her Bear

“You really think the people here will welcome me?” he asks.

“You’d be surprised with what they will forgive,” I say softly. “Don’t you remember building the bed with me, with the lions sitting calmly watching? They have already accepted you; just give in.”

“Are you taking your own advice?” Health walks closer. “I remember not long ago, you didn’t want to reveal your past, afraid of judgment.”

“Do you need to hear that you were right?” I snap. “I get it. I should have known Bash, at the very least, would understand what I have done.”

“I like being told I’m right,” Heath mentions lightly.

“Don’t push it,” I warn, and he nods. “Everything is changed now.”

“I am happy for you, brother,” Micah whispers. “You are a very lucky man. I wish you nothing but happiness,” he says sadly. I recall our conversation days ago and his fear of never finding a mate.

“It will happen,” I say firmly.

“I doubt there is a woman out there that can handle all of this.” He motions down his body. “Or all this.” He taps the side of his head.

“I didn’t think I would find a mate either,” I confess. “Anything is possible.”

“We’ll see.” Micah’s smirk comes back quickly. “Are we all brothers again?”

“We never stopped being,” I say, looking at Heath, who raises an eyebrow. “I know, I forgot that for too long.”

“I am not moving here yet,” Heath says. “But I won’t forget to come back once in a while,” he concedes.

“Good.” I turn to the door. “Now leave us the fuck alone for at least two weeks.”

Heath laughs. “I love being right.” I turn my head, questioning. “Remember when I came to the office? I knew you didn’t have a mate because you would be home fucking her.”

“Do you want to die?” I ask, glaring.

“Not today,” he replies. “I’ll keep in touch.” The tap of his cane echoes as he walks down the stairs.

“My good deed is done.” Micah taps his palms on the rail on either side of his hips. “I’ll be on my way. Bash has graciously allowed me to sleep in one of his spare bedrooms until I find a place. It won’t take long because he followed that up with, find one quickly.” He pushes away. “Be happy, brother.” He waves low and blurs away.

I shake my head as I open the door, ready to go back to my mate.

This town should prepare.

More monsters are coming.

It’s been a week of having my mate to myself. We haven’t left the house, lost in each other. Breeane has been supplying food and leaving it on the porch. I left Bash in charge at work, and he was pissed when Micah decided to hire himself, but I don’t have the interest to care. Bash loves to bitch, but I think he is enjoying having another vampire in the mix. Bishop and Laken decided actually come to work since I haven’t been there. They have been on the payroll, on and off, for months. I heard Ryker is thrilled his old friend is staying. His little girl is growing by the day, and I’m sure we will see more of him soon.

Sally is in heaven—her words. Most people would be afraid to work for two of the oldest vampires in the world, but she is not a normal shifter. She has taken Gabby under her wing—-again, her words. Gabby joins her most days at the office. Her reasons are similar to Sally’s, except she likes to stare at Kade and Cash as much as possible. Kade finds it annoying since he thinks of her as a sister figure. Cash thinks it’s funny as fuck and flirts back.

The brothers are working with Bash and Micah for now. With the four of them working on the side of good, cheaters and abusers don’t stand a chance. I know Micah continues to do his work outside of the investigation firm, and Bash never stopped. I don’t ask questions and know the world needs men like them to do the dirty work.

Heath went back to his businesses but keeps in touch. He told me he is downsizing and getting rid of the men he doesn’t trust. He is a work in progress, but I have a feeling he will be back.

I had a hard conversation with my dad and my siblings. For a moment, I thought it would be easier to keep the truth hidden and let them go on without knowing what happened. I thought of how that would make me feel if I was in their place and decided against it. My dad deserved to know but he already felt the difference within himself. He wasn’t surprised, just sad and surprisingly understanding. My heart aches from the loss and for him. My siblings are angry. They wished they would have been able to see her. My brothers got over their anger quickly, taking my word about her condition and mindset. My sister is pissed. I don’t expect her to call me anytime soon. I understand, but it hurts. I know she just needs time. I will give it to her, as I don’t want to lose her, too. Everyone decided to come here to meet my mate in a couple of months. I hope by that time, my sister will come with them.

I have flashes of my mom's face when I was young, and I have chosen to remember her the way she was then. It is a struggle. Luckily, I have a woman who loves me and will be there for me every step of the way.

Steph has talked to her family numerous times and they have showered her with relief. They had hidden their worry about the move, but knowing she had found her place and her mate helped them relax. All of them were ready to storm the place days ago, eager to meet me and see for themselves she was alright. Thankfully, she talked them out of it. I don’t want to deal with her four bear shifter uncles, a bear shifter brother, and two parents to round out the bears. That is way too many bears in my area of the woods.

Gabby is staying. Her mother isn’t happy. Her uncles weren’t happy. I wasn’t happy with the call I got from them expressing their disapproval. They were startled by my defense of my new sister and her right to choose her path in life. I assured them she would be looked after and to leave her the fuck alone. She was an adult. She made her decision.

I think they respected my bluntness.

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