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When the sky was fully dark, scattered with millions of glittering stars, the first meteors began to streak across the blackness. Laith gasped in delight, squeezing Tillman’s hand.
“Make a wish,” Tillman murmured.
Laith smiled, closing his eyes. I wish this moment could last forever. Just the two of us, together.
He opened his eyes to find Tillman watching him softly. “What did you wish for?” Laith asked.
Tillman grinned. “Can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”
Laith chuckled. “You’re no fun.”
“Patience,” Tillman teased. “Good things are worth waiting for.”
They fell into a comfortable silence then, heads together as they watched the meteor shower paint the sky. Laith couldn’t imagine a more perfect evening. Here, tucked against Tillman’s strong, warm body, he felt like he’d found his place in the world at last. Like he was finally home. “I get that. I can understand why staying here would call to you, especially with a view like this.”
As the meteors streaked across the sky, they both oohed in wonder.
The next couple of hours flew by as they lay there together, sipping hot chocolate and pointing out stars. Laith felt a contentment seep into his very bones that had never been there before. He was... He was happy. So damn happy.
Tillman’s hand found his, entwining their fingers together. Laith squeezed gently, a smile on his face.
They were just finishing the last of the hot chocolate when a twig snapped in the forest below them. They both went on alert, Tillman already flipping on the flashlight and grabbing his rifle off the ground where he’d lain it.
“Stay here,” he ordered softly, though Laith had no plans on moving.
“It’s just an animal.” He tried to convince himself, but deep down, he knew it wasn’t.
Tillman left the light on, sweeping it around the trees beneath them. “Hey! Show yourself!”
Laith swallowed hard as a voice carried back to them—a voice he didn’t recognize but sent shivers up his spine nonetheless. “Suit yourself.”
“Fuck,” Laith cursed under his breath. “Tillman—”
But it was too late. Three men emerged from the trees below them, their guns trained on Tillman and Laith.
Laith gasped. Two of the men were from the night before. They’d returned and had brought a friend with them.
Laith’s heart hammered as the men advanced, their guns glinting in the moonlight. He reached for Tillman’s hand, gripping it tightly.
Tillman let out a low growl, stepping in front of Laith protectively. “What do you want?” he demanded, his voice rumbling deep in his chest.
The largest of the men, a burly bald brute, sneered up at them. “Unfinished business. Your friend owes us for what you did last night.”
Laith’s breath caught. They were here for revenge. They didn’t recognize Tillman because he’d stayed in his bear form last night. Clearly they remembered Laith, though.
Tillman’s shoulders tensed, his body coiling like a spring. Laith could feel the bear in him rising to the surface. “I suggest you turn around and leave now,” Tillman warned, his voice dropping an octave. “Before you regret it.”
The men laughed. “I don’t think so. In fact, I think it’s you who’s going to regret messing with us.” The bald man raised his rifle, taking aim at Tillman’s chest.
In a blur of motion too fast for Laith to follow, Tillman shifted forms with an enraged roar. Fur and muscle exploded outward as he became an enormous grizzly, towering over the hunters.
The men stumbled back in shock and terror. The bear swiped a massive paw at the leader, sending him flying into a tree with a sickening crunch.
Gunshots rang out as the other two men opened fire in panic. But their bullets went wild, missing Laith as the furious grizzly charged them.
Laith could only watch in stunned awe and horror as Tillman made short work of the hunters. When it was over, three broken bodies lay strewn on the forest floor.
Tillman turned back to Laith, panting heavily. Blood dripped from his claws. Slowly, almost painfully, he shifted back to human form.
