I smiled, leaning back into the cushions, letting my head rest on his shoulder. “No more secrets,” I echoed. And for the first time, it felt like maybe—just maybe—I’d finally gotten it right.
Holden paused, his gaze catching mine. I could see the question lingering there, like he was still trying to gauge if I really wanted to see everything. If I was ready to know every part of him.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Do you want to meet him?” he asked quietly, his voice just above a whisper.
I frowned, tilting my head in confusion. “Meet who?”
“My bear.” The words left his lips carefully. And in his eyes, I saw it—that same vulnerability, raw and hopeful, like he was waiting to see if I’d accept this part of him too.
I blinked. “Your... bear.” The words felt strange on my tongue, like trying to speak a language I didn’t fully understand yet. But then it hit me—of course I was saying yes to all of him. Holden wasn’t just a man; he was a bear too. A part of him I hadn’t truly met yet. A part he wanted me to see. A part he needed me to accept.
Slowly, I nodded. “Yeah, I think I do.”
He gave me that look—half smile, half something softer, like he was teetering between hope and uncertainty. Then, gently, he took my hand and led me toward the back of the cabin. We stepped through the door and into the clearing beyond. The air felt still, like the world was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
Holden released my hand, taking a small step back. “Just... stay right there, okay?” His voice was careful, like he was still bracing himself for me to freak out or change my mind. And I hated that. I gave him my best reassuring smile.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said softly.
He exhaled, relief flickering in his eyes, though the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease entirely. His gaze held mine, steady and searching, as if locking onto me for the courage he needed.Then, with a nod and a slight shift in his stance, his jaw set with quiet determination.
And then… he changed.
I’d seen Noah shift before—or technically, I had—but this was different. This was Holden.MyHolden.
His body twisted, reshaped, bones cracking in ways that should have sounded painful, though he didn’t flinch. It was like watching the most surreal, beautiful transformation—human skin and bone melting into something primal and wild. And suddenly, the man I knew disappeared, replaced by a massive bear.
His fur was deep and dark, almost black, and it shimmered slightly beneath the moonlight filtering through the trees. But his eyes—those were still Holden’s eyes. Soft, familiar, and steady. They held the same gentleness, the same hope, as if asking,Is this still okay?
For a moment, all I could do was stand there, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. But there wasn’t fear—not exactly. There was awe. This was Holden—every part of him.
And without even thinking, I took a step forward.
Holden—the bear—made a low, rumbling noise, like a warning. But I didn’t stop. I took another step closer, then another, until I was standing right in front of him. My hand hesitated for just a second before I reached out, my fingers brushing against the thick fur on his shoulder.
It was softer than I expected, warm beneath my palm, and the touch sent a strange sense of comfort washing over me. He made another sound—a softer one this time, almost like a sigh.
“Hey,” I whispered, my voice a little shaky but steady enough. “It’s okay. I’m not scared.”
And I realized, in that moment, I wasn’t scared. Not even a little. Because this was Holden. Whether he stood before me as a man or a bear, he was stillhim. Still the same person who lookedat me like I mattered, who made me feel like I finally belonged somewhere.
And I wasn’t going to let a little thing like fur and claws scare me away.
I let my hand glide over his fur, feeling the power thrumming beneath it—the raw strength I knew he held. Holden turned his head, nudging my shoulder gently with his nose, and a surprised laugh escaped me, light and breathless.
“You’re huge,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief. “Like, seriously. Wow.”
He huffed, a sound that was almost like a chuckle, and I grinned, my heart feeling lighter than it had in days. This was real. This was us. And it was perfect, in its own crazy, messed-up way.
“You’re incredible,” I murmured, my fingers sinking deeper into his fur. “All of you.”
Then, just like that, the fur receded, and his body shifted back into the familiar human form I knew so well. Suddenly, Holden stood before me—naked, vulnerable, with his eyes locked on mine, his expression raw and open.
“Mylo,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. He stepped closer, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing tenderly over my skin. “You’re not afraid?”
I shook my head, holding his gaze. “No. I’m not afraid of you, Holden. I never could be.”
