Daniel set his fork down, gathering courage. He turned toward Holly, who was staring into her coffee as if it might contain answers to questions she hadn’t asked.
“Can we talk later today?” he murmured, leaning closer. “At lunch? Somewhere private.”
Holly straightened, her eyes meeting his. Something flickered across her face—hope, unmistakable even to him—and Daniel’s breath caught in his throat.
He had no doubt she was ready to learn the truth, ready to accept him for who he was.
“Pine Hollow Lookout,” he continued, naming the place he’d chosen carefully. The quiet ridge above town was isolated enough that he could safely shift and show her the truth without fear of discovery. “It’s beautiful up there, and we’d have privacy.”
“I’d like that,” Holly said, with a slight tremble in her voice. “I can meet you there after I pick up my car.” She offered a smile that was equal parts anticipation and nervousness.
“Your car.” Daniel’s heart stuttered. What if she were picking up her car so that she could leave town?
No,his bear said firmly.She is staying.
Before Holly could elaborate, there was the usual thunder of footsteps on the stairs that meant the kids were awake and on their way downstairs. Maisie appeared first, her hair still mussed from sleep, followed closely by Teddy, who was somehow wearing his shirt backward.
“PANCAKES!” Teddy shouted, climbing onto a stool.
“I hope you like them.” Holly rose to help the kids with their breakfast.
“I love pancakes,” Maisie said.
“Me too!” Teddy agreed. “With maple syrup.”
“Of course.”
Daniel watched as she gently turned Teddy’s shirt the right way around, as she helped Maisie with the syrup, as she seamlessly fit herself into the morning chaos of their family.
This was how it should be. This was how it would be, after today.
Daniel pictured them at Pine Hollow—Holly’s face as he shifted, her awe, her acceptance. He’d explain everything, about how bear shifters recognized their mates instantly, about how rare and precious that connection was. He’d tell her how the children already loved her, how she’d carved out a space for herself in their lives that no one else could fill.
Everything in him said:This is our turning point.
But then, his bear bristled, a low growl rumbling through his chest. Daniel froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. Something was wrong. He sensed it before he could name it—someone outside. Footsteps crunched up the snowy path to the front door.
His heart sank even before the knock came on the door, a sense of impending doom settling over him. He rose from his stool, anxiety churning in his gut.
“I’ll get it,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended.
He moved to the door, aware of how rumpled he looked, of the stubble on his jaw, of the sleep still clinging to the corners of his eyes. His bear paced anxiously within him, sensing a threat.
Daniel pulled open the door, subtly positioning himself to block the view into the house, to shield the children from whatever—whoever—waited on the other side. The protective instinct rose in him like a tide.
A man stood on the porch, tall and polished in a way that seemed out of place against the snowy backdrop of Bear Creek. He wore an expensive coat and leather gloves, his shoes were clearly not made for the weather.
“Hi,” the stranger said, his breath clouding in the cold air. “I’m Andrew. I’m looking for Holly. Someone in town told me I could find her here.”
Daniel wanted to say no, to claim this man had the wrong house, to shut the door and return to the warm kitchen where Holly was pouring syrup for Teddy, and everything was perfect. But before he could speak, he felt Holly’s presence behind him.
“Andrew,” she said, her voice so different from how it had sounded minutes ago. “What are you doing here?”
Andrew exhaled slowly. “We need to talk, Holly.”
Daniel felt Holly move past him, felt the brush of her arm against his as she slipped on her red coat that hung beside his on the rack. The sight of it there had given him so much joy just yesterday. Now it felt like a reminder of how easily she could leave.
“Teddy, Maisie, have a good day at school,” Holly said, her voice gentle but strained. She glanced at Daniel, her expression unreadable, a mask that hadn’t been there before. “I’ll meet you later,” she whispered to him.
