Just do it. Like ripping off a bandage. Once and it’s over.
“I’m not a human.” As Tristan blinked, I continued. “I’m a bear shifter.”
His eyes were unreadable. He shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true. Why would I lie?” I said.
Tristan backed away from the steel bar and crossed his arms. “I don’t believe you. Show me.”
It was evening but there were still people around. “Not here.”
“Fine. Let’s go somewhere else.”
We went to the closest alley where no one could see us, although Tristan clearly thought this was still an elaborate prank on my end. I wished now that it was.
The building walls towered over us, drowning out the streetlights. Tristan leaned against the brick and looked at me as if I’d promised the tooth fairy was going to visit him. “Well?”
My throat suddenly felt tight. I swallowed. “It really doesn’t bother you?”
“What? That you say you’re a bear?” Tristan shrugged. “I don’t see one in front of me right now. I just see you.”
“Not a bear. Bear shifter.”
“Whatever, Vic.” He kicked off the wall. “Listen, let’s just go home, alright? It’s getting late.”
“You don’t believe me,” I said.
“No, I don’t.”
I should have let it go. I shouldn’t have showed him. But I did.
As Tristan watched me with wary eyes, I let my bear come to the surface. My body grew, my limbs contorted. My chest bulked out, as did my muscles. My fingertips became thick black claws, and my palms became paw pads. My face stretched out into a muzzle full of teeth. Thick brown fur erupted over my body into a shaggy coat.
I shook myself off and tried to look noble and strong. In front of Tristan, where his boyfriend had been, was now a 700lb grizzly bear.
“Well?” I spoke, my voice human but tinged with a bear’s growl.
Tristan stared, his eyes blank. For a moment he barely breathed.
“Tristan?” I said.
His breath caught in his throat. He stumbled backwards, tripping and falling onto the concrete.
“Tristan, are you okay?” I asked, stepping towards him. But he threw up his hands.
“Don’t come any closer!” he yelled.
I stopped dead in my tracks. My ears pinned back. “Tristan, it’s me. Victor.”
Tristan shook his head. “No. The Victor I know is a human.”
Frustrated, I pawed at the ground. My claws clacked against the concrete. “Tristan, I told you. I’m a bear shifter. I’mnothuman.”
“No, you’re not,” Tristan muttered. His body trembled and his next words came out shakily. “Are you gonna kill me then?”
“What?” I gasped. “No! Tristan, I love you!”
He said nothing. He backed up before getting slowly to his feet, never once breaking eye contact with me.
