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She couldn’t hear the birds chirping or the breeze blowing. Only the thud, rush, and gush of blood in her ears.
She took a step back as Timber the bear looked at her, his mouth open and rugged face now fully covered with hair.
He really was a bear shifter. He hadn’t been joking with her all this time.
Every insinuation had become true in mere seconds.
Lyra took another step back and then another and another until the bear lunged at her, and she felt herself falling. They landed on the ground, Timber back in his human body.
Timber helped her to her feet, staring into her eyes.
He must see something there. Something was deterring him from making another move.
Thoughts rippled through her mind, unbidden.
And at the same time, Lyra was remembering every legend about the woods and mountains of Missoula.
She was remembering every whispered conversation her mother, grandmother, and aunts had about the hidden depths of Montana and what went on in the wilderness.
Lyra had scoffed at the idea of shapeshifters and men who had two faces … one animal and one human.
She had assumed they were just legends and myths or old wives’ tales.
But it was all true. All of it.
She sucked in several shallow breaths as human Timber guided her back into the cabin, where she sat on the couch, too frazzled to think of anything else to do.
After a short conversation about what happened outside and Marigold’s mother, the baby cried out from her crib.
She hurried into the room and lifted Marigold into her arms, and the little girl easily laid her head on her shoulder.
Lyra was careful with her, but she needed something to hold onto at that moment. The baby would have to do.
And then, more emotion rippled through her, almost violently.
Because Lyra realized that Marigold, little baby Marigold, was growling.
And she had been doing it ever since Lyra had stepped into Marigold and Timber’s lives.
The sound lingered somewhere between a purr and a howl and came from deep within Marigold’s chest.
She did it when she was upset, when she was hungry, and when she was happy.
Because she’s a little bear shifter. She is just doing what feels natural to her.
Lyra pushed the thoughts away as she finally turned to face Timber.
“So,” Lyra said. “What now? What do we do now?”
Timber took a hesitant step toward her.
Outside, the wind had picked up. Leaves and thick, rich patches of soil blew around in gusts and spurts.
The air had smelled wet and ripe, as though it was about to rain.
“I want you. Only you,” Timber said. His eyes were sincere … sincere enough that Lyra believed him. “More than anything. But I have to ensure that the council approves of our relationship first.”
“Why?”
