The damn bear huffed in amusement and I had to fight back a growl.
“You know I’m a shifter, yeah?” Trent nodded, so I continued. “Well, last night my animal got a little naughty and broke out while I was sleeping.” I shook my head in mock outrage, making the kiddo laugh. “Anyway, since he’s being naughty, I’m wearing a warded silver band so y’all don’t suddenly end up spending the day helping him find honey instead of finishing your classwork.”
“I didn’t think that happened to adults.” Trent pulled his own left hand out, showing me a thin silver band nearly identical to mine. “I, um, sometimes have that problem,” he whispered. “It’s so embarrassing.”
Patting his shoulder, I gave him an understanding nod. “I know it is, but it’s not just you,” I assured him. “It happens to lots of shifters, adults, too. It just means your animal side is stronger than average and being strong is a good thing, yeah?”
“Um, I guess so. Thanks, Mr. Eades.” Trent grabbed his notebook and headed back to his desk, looking the most cheerful he had since he’d been at the center.
I guess the goofy beast had at least helped someone through his freaking hijinks.
~*~
For the first time since the day Shelly had come to stay with me over five years before, I was dragging my feet when the time came to finish for the day and head home. Not because I didn’t want to see him -I doubted that would ever happen, regardless of circumstances - but because I’d pieced together enough of the bear’s thoughts to realize I’d all but stalked my friend the night before. Obviously, I owed him an apology, but I wasn’t sure he’d accept one.
Or even give me a chance to get one out, if recent days were any indicator.
Hoping to pad my odds, I swung by the grocery store on the way home and picked up the ingredients for braised short ribs and creamed potatoes, one of his favorite meals. At home, I promptly set to work even though I couldn’t be sure he’d be there for dinner.
Everything was done and keeping warm in the oven when I heard Shelly’s key in the lock.
“Smells good in here,” he commented as he closed the door behind him.
I perked up a little at the compliment. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I could definitely eat,” Shelly said quietly, “but you know you don’t need to do stuff like this for me. I don’t expect you to take care of me.”
Even though I didn’t think it was meant as one, it struck like an arrow to the heart. “Oh, yeah. I know you don’t need that,” I muttered, unable to meet his eyes. “But it was the least I could do seeing as I was apparently stalking you last night.”
There was a long silence that Shelly finally broke when he walked over and tapped the silver bracelet. “Is that why you’re wearing this? Bear’s grounded?” To my amazement, Shelly sounded almost amused at the thought, not angry.
“Yeah. I went to bed early and it seems he decided his..you shouldn’t be out without protection, so he went on an unauthorized excursion. Sorry about that.”
Shelly shook his head, his eyes softening slightly. “Then I guess I owe Bear a kiss for caring the next time I see him.”
The stupid bear perked up and chuffed, which came out verbally and made Shelly snicker.
“Yeah, whatever,” I groused as I pulled the ribs out of the oven, secretly pleased that Shelly and I seemed to be on the road to friends again. “You’re just encouraging his bad behavior.”
Chapter Nineteen
Mitchel
It took four therapy sessions over five days for me to come to terms with theDanesituation, but when I came home after the fourth one and found my favorite dinner waiting for me I was finally in a place where I thought I would be okay.
It probably helped to kill that last spark of hope to find out that not only was Bear the one who had been concerned for my safety the night before, but that Dane had taken to wearing a shift deterrent to be sure it couldn’t happen again.
Fantasy properly dispelled and all that.
After that, Dane and I settled into a truce of sorts. Not really a close friendship like we used to have, but more of a traditional roommate situation. So, while we occasionally got together with friends, there were no more shared meals or nights snuggling on the couch.
And that was fine.
Really.
After all, it pretty much had to be.
Determined to get myself back on track, I focused my spare energy and time on ensuring that the applications for the adoptable puppies and kittens were processed and I celebrated as each fur baby was released to their new forever family. And once that was done, it was time to start looking for families for the two dozen fainting goats which were, unsurprisingly, harder to locate homes for in the relatively urban area.
