Page 10 of Hunny and the Bear

She tried not to take it personally. Typically, lone shifters like herself were exiled from their packs, nests, etc. for committing crimes, or for other nefarious reasons. It wasn’t common for someone to leave on their own; there was safety in numbers andshifters craved physical touch and care, the nurturing of their pack or clan.

As humans didn’t know of their existence, a structured supernatural pack was important to a shifter’s health and wellbeing. They were social creatures with an appreciation for a familial presence.

“Could be,” Tank agreed. There was a beat of silence before he added, “I’ll talk to her.”

“Good.” Murphy opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. “Mom wants you to stop by the den later for dinner.”

“Not tonight.”

“Alright, Tank.” The door clicked shut behind Murphy, leaving her and Tank alone.

Her ears pivoted toward the front door, straining to hear any movement from her companion as she hid out of sight. After a few seconds, and feeling incredibly nosy, Hunny moved back to her previous spot, peeking her head out once more.

She saw the door. But Tank was gone.

What? When had he moved? She hadn’t heard a thing.

Suddenly, the table lifted, and Hunny was plucked up from the floor, squawking in surprise.

“Gotcha,” Tank announced, lifting her up by the scruff of the neck until she was eye level with him. She tucked her legs in close to her body defensively. Before she even had a chance to hiss at him threateningly, he tucked her against his chest, placing an arm under her body to keep her steady. Warmth enveloped her, along with his woodsy scent, his chest hairs tickling her whiskers.

I can’t believe he’s manhandling me like this, she thought irritably. No one had ever picked her up in her rabbit form and justheldher. It was frankly disrespectful. At least, it should have been.

Right?

She should just bite him—it would serve him right for treating her like an actual damned animal. Instead, she leaned in against him, soaking up his body heat.

He was so warm. And cozy.

Maybe this wasn’t so bad, actually.

“You plan on shifting back anytime soon?” Tank asked. “Looks like you already did to heal. Can’t imagine you plan to stay like this forever.” Rather than answer, Hunny smashed her head against his chest, shuddering in delight. Yeah, this wasn’t bad at all. And no, she didn’t plan on shifting in front of him. Then he’d ask questions, and she’d likely end up word vomiting her troubles all over the place. She never could help herself; always preferring to talk things out, sorting it out in her own mind by doing so, if for no other reason.

Besides, as soon as he found out she was a lone shifter, he’d likely send her packing, and she wasn’t ready to face the rest of the world. Not on her own. Not again. Not after she’d believed she’d finally found a pack, a family to call her own, and then had it all ripped away from her.

She’d give it another day to wallow in self-pity with this bear shifter, and then she’d gather her resolve and leave.

Tank walked over to the front door, opened it, and stepped onto the porch with her in tow. “Guess you’ll need to use the bathroom out here, then.”

Oh. Ugh! She hated peeing outside, but he had a point.

As soon as he set her down, she hopped down the porch steps and into a nearby bush to handle her business. She heard him moving around to the side of his house, loud enough so she could tell where he was. Like he wanted her to know where he was, perhaps so she didn’t think he was trying to sneak a peek at her, which was hilarious when she was a foot long and covered head to toe in fur.

Gentlemanly, though, she’d give him that.

Once she finished, Hunny hopped out from under the bush, moving toward where she could still hear Tank. Rounding the corner of the small cabin, her eyes widened as she saw him lifting a giant log before dropping it down onto a flat tree stump. An axe was stuck in the ground beside it, the handle facing toward the sky.

Was he about to chop some wood? Without a shirt on? Her mouth watered once more at the thought, a small bit of drool running down her chin before she quickly wiped it away with the back of a paw.

Get ahold of yourself!

Tank spotted her, stopping his task and moving toward her. Her nose twitched in disappointment until he bent down, plucking her off the ground and back into his arms.

“Time for breakfast.”

Right then, her stomach rumbled in agreement. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was.

Grunting, he walked back into the cabin, shutting the door behind him and moving into the kitchen. Turning on the sink, he grabbed a dish towel and wet it. “Paws up, bunny.”

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