Page 5 of Taken Home By the Grizzly

I stand on my porch, watching as he hightails it all the way to the big house. Good. Hope that’s the last I’ll see of him.

I pace around my cabin. I’m all riled up. My beast is busting to go run, clawing at me from the inside. But I can’t take the risk right now, in case those humans see me.

At some point, I must’ve fallen asleep. Happens a lot during the winter months. It’s an uneasy sleep, full of nightmares from the past. I toss and turn, and twitch on my mattress. Something’s coming after my clan with a gigantic hammer. Beating, beating at the ground. My eyes fly open. No, not a hammer. Someone is knocking at the door.

It’s pitch dark outside now. I grab my rifle. After everything that happened to my family, I can’t be too careful. I flip on the porch light and yank open the door. There he is—human man, standing right on my doorstep. Stupid fake smile plastered to his face.

But at the sight of me, his smile drops and his mouth falls open. Guess I’m a sight for sore eyes in my human form. Haven’t had my hair cut or trimmed my beard since who knows when.

“What do you want?” I growl.

“Uh, I’m sorry, I didn’t—” He turns, like he’s about to leave.

I take a step closer. There’s no way he’s leaving until I find out the truth. “Now you’re on my property, you’re gonna tell me what you’re doing here.”

“Oh, my little boy, Todd, said we had a neighbor. I thought I’d come introduce myself. But I can see we’re bothering you. But…” He keeps looking me up and down.

Yeah, I’m holding a gun, and I’m naked, as always. But what did he expect? My grandaddy’s last words are inked on the nape of my neck—Shouldn’t have taken claws to a gunfight—and it’s not a credo I’m gonna forget in a hurry.

“Is there a problem?” I growl.

The dude puts his hand to his throat, like he’s choking. “I don’t think it’s, uh, appropriate that you’re naked and all, in front of my son.”

A roar bursts from my lips, and he jumps. “Your son was staring through my window like a peeping Tom. Maybe you should ask him about that.”

He blinks behind his expensive-looking glasses. “He’s just a little kid.”

“Who needs better parenting!” I bellow. “This is my property. I was living here in peace, until you folks turned up. If I want to be goddamn naked, I will be. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll teach your kids not to trespass.”

The man has turned real pale. He doesn’t say anything else; he just turns and scurries away. Like a scared little rabbit.

That’s the last I’ll see of them, I tell myself. And the thought rises up in me, clear and strong:

No way am I leaving this place.

No way am I getting chased out of here by a bunch of self-righteous humans. I’m going to stand my ground, do right by my family. I’m the only one left from my clan. And I’m not gonna be the one to run.

3

Zoe

Michelle, my brand-new boss, is hurtling around the house like a tornado. There’s an expensive-looking duffle bag slung over her shoulder, and she’s shouting instructions to her hubby as she goes. Kinda get the impression she’s eager to get out of here.

“What about bedtimes?” I call. I’m sitting on the edge of the couch, smiling at the three kids encouragingly. Not that they notice. They’re running around the house like they just necked super-size sodas.

“Huh?” She stops and scowls at me.

“I said, what time to they each go to bed?”

“Oh…” She flaps a hand, irritated. “Whenever they’re tired.”

Okay.Another non-specific answer to add to my list. So far, she doesn’t have any rules on screen time, bathtimes, or bedtimes. She doesn’t mind what they eat, and they don’t have any allergies that she’s aware of,but who knows with kids?

“When will you be back?” I ask.

“In a coupla weeks…”

I goggle at her. “Wha?—?”

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