Chapter 7
“AREyour legs ready to give out yet?” Marci nodded at Elaine’s next dance partner. As Lex’s band launched into a cover of “Careless Whisper” by Wham, Bart Cairo kissed his wife, Charlotte, and made his way toward them.
The guys had been so good, making sure Elaine never had to stand alone during any of the slow songs. So far, she’d danced with Ryland, Anton, Jani, Soren, Killian, Byron, and Percy. Even young Gunnar had taken her for a spin. Her feet were sore, but she appreciated it. They knew how much Lloyd loved to dance with her. Not having him here was sort of like being an unpopular girl at the high school dance again, wondering if anyone would offer to spin her around the floor.
In fact, her first dance with Lloyd had been in high school. He’d just arrived in Lake Gemini when they were in their junior year, and all the girls had taken note. Elaine had never dreamed she’d grab his attention. She’d been the quiet girl who always felt out of place. He was an enigmatic stranger with a secret.
Lloyd had first approached her at the Christmas dance. She’d been part of the decorating committee, a convenient cover. Her committee activities allowed her to look busy. If she spent her evening fussing over the balloons and ribbons, no one would notice she wasn’t dancing.
Lloyd had noticed, though.
He’d walked toward her through the crowd, like the sexy bad boy in a John Hughes movie, and Elaine could have sworn heads turned. After all, what on earth would the hottest guy in school want with her? He’d reached for her hand with no preamble. No introductions. He didn’t smile. Instead, his gaze had penetrated, as if ripping a layer off her skin, leaving her raw and wondering.
He’d guessed at her loneliness because he understood it.
“The balloons are fine. You should be dancing.”
She’d never had such a swoon-worthy moment. It had changed her life. They’d been an item ever since. He was her first love, the one who would open her up to a new world, helping her see things she’d never noticed. Lloyd had been her introduction to love, to sex, and to commitment.
Lloyd had also introduced her to the existence of shape shifters.
He’d brought her to the woods one day, a few months after they’d begun dating. He had been nervous all day, and her emotions had followed suit.
They’d reached a sunny clearing, and he’d stopped walking.
“Did you bring me here to break up with me?” she’d asked, readying her young heart for devastation.
“Break up with you? Damn, Elaine. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“I don’t know. You’ve been acting weird since first period.”
“I’m sorry, babe.” He’d cupped both her cheeks. “I love you. You’re my girl.”
“I love you, too.” Her heart had almost burst from relief.
“But I need to show you something. It’s a huge secret. I don’t feel right keeping it from you. No one knows about it except my family.”
“You can trust me. With anything.” She’d meant it. She would rather have endured festering boils than betray him in any way.
“I know I can, but I don’t want to scare you. What you’re about to see…it’s still me. I promise it’s still me and I won’t hurt you. Okay?”
Her pulse had ratcheted up a few notches. She wasn’t sure what he meant. Did he have an illness of some kind? Some sort of disfigurement? She’d seen every inch of his body, and it had always looked perfect to her.
After removing all his clothes, he’d shifted into his brown bear. Majestic and strong, the animal had towered over her, but she’d felt no fear because its gaze remained gentle and troubled. Lloyd’s kind eyes shone as clear as day from the bear’s face.
She’d put out a tentative hand. With lumbering movements, he’d lowered himself and bumped his head against her hand.
He’d been afraid of frightening her, but she’d never been more in awe.
He was her very own teddy bear, and in mating with her a few years later, he’d turned her into his lady bear.
And she’d never dance with him again.
Lloyd had put the stars in her sky, but when he died, those stars extinguished forever. Her world had been so dark without him.
“Elaine?” said Marci. “If you’re too tired, I can tell Bart to wait.”
“Who’s tired?” Bart appeared in front of them, handsome in his dress pants, vest, and pocket watch. “The party’s just getting started. Besides, you’re doing me a favor. Charlotte hates this song whereas I adore Wham.”
