Page 26 of Beary In Love

"After how many mistakes?"

"Since when do mistakes bother you this much?" His fork clinked against his plate as he set it down. "The Serena I knew would've been excited about discovering new effects."

She tensed. "Well, maybe the Serena you knew was naive. Maybe she needed to grow up and realize that making mistakes has consequences."

Logan's bear growled, anger rising at whoever had convinced her that perfection was the only acceptable outcome. He had a feeling her ex-husband had a lot to answer for.

"You know what I saw today?" He leaned forward, holding her gaze. "I saw a talented witch who didn't give up. Who kept trying until she got it right. That's not making mistakes - that's learning."

Color bloomed in her cheeks. "Logan-"

"And anyone who made you think otherwise was an idiot who didn't deserve your time."

Serena poked at her salmon, her shoulders slumping. "I do miss experimenting with potions. In the city, my ex..." Shetrailed off, adjusting her glasses. "Well, let's just say he thought it was childish. Said I should focus on real medicine."

Logan's bear snarled at that, and he gripped his fork tighter. The metal bent slightly under his fingers. "Sounds like your ex was an ass who just didn't like magic."

"He was human." Serena shrugged, but Logan caught the hurt in her voice. "The condo was too small anyway. Couldn't exactly brew experimental potions with neighbors on all sides."

Logan straightened, his bear perking up at the opportunity. "Use my workshop."

"What?"

"My workshop. It's yours whenever you want it." He gestured toward the building. "Got plenty of space, proper ventilation, and the only neighbor who might complain is that grumpy squirrel who lives in the oak tree."

"Logan, I couldn't-"

"You can and you will." His tone brooked no argument. The bear in him needed to provide for her, to give her this space to be herself again.

A spark of the old Serena lit up her eyes. "You really wouldn't mind?"

"Mind?" Logan laughed. "Hell, I'm looking forward to seeing what other accidents you can create. Maybe next time you can make the fence taste like cotton candy. So, what do you say?"

Serena bit her lip, but he could see the excitement building. "I'll think about it."

"Good." His bear preened at providing something she needed.

The wind shifted, and Logan's nostrils flared at the familiar scent. His bear surged forward, hackles rising. Silas.

"Get inside and stay out of sight," he ordered Serena, already moving between her and the fence line.

"What? Why-"

A massive form slammed into the reinforced fence, making the metal groan. Logan discreetly discarded his clothes as his bear took over, bones cracking and reforming as he shifted. Dark brown fur soon rippled across his body.

Through bear eyes, he watched Silas shake his head violently, pawing at his snout. The other Kodiak bear's movements were jerky, uncoordinated - Serena's headache potion doing its work.

"Logan?" Serena's voice trembled from behind him.

He growled, nudging her back with his massive head before Silas could see her. His bear demanded she get to safety, away from the threat. Every protective instinct screamed to keep her safe.

Silas rammed the fence again. The metal held, but Logan's bear roared a challenge. The sound echoed across the sanctuary, sending birds scattering from nearby trees.

"I'm not leaving you out here alone," Serena insisted, her hand buried in his fur.

Silas paced the fence line, shaking his head every few steps. Even with the potion affecting him, he wasn't backing down. Logan's bear's muscles coiled tight as he tracked every movement.

Another charge at the fence. This time Silas reared up and his massive paws slammed against the metal. The reinforcement potion sparked, sending visible ripples of magic across the surface.

---