“That’s how he knew,” I whispered. How else would he have known I was a bear shifter in the fire? I held my head in my hands. He had yelled at me toturn back.HeknewI had another form.
I swallowed hard. My heart raced. Suddenly I understood my intense attraction to him, more than anyone else I’d ever met. He must have been trying to hide it, but unlike humans, my shifter nose was strong enough to pick it up – the pheromones of another bear shifter.
Stumbling to my feet, I ran to the bedroom. I had to know for sure. I crashed into the bed and picked up a fistful of the comforter on Victor’s side of the bed, pressed it to my face and took a deep drag of the scent.
There it is.
My heart thudded so hard I thought it would burst. The recognition of bear shifter scent sent sparks flying through my brain. I shook my head, then put the comforter down, then smelled it again just to be sure. There was no mistaking it.
But all the sniffing was suddenly giving me a headache. I must have been lightheaded from getting up so quickly and running.
The door shut and I perked up. I heard the sound of keys sprawling across the counter and I knew Victor was home.
“Liam?” he called.
“I’m here,” I said, running out to meet him, but I was still dizzy and almost fell backwards.
“Careful,” Victor grunted. Moving like lightning, he caught me by the waist and held me steady. I fell against his chest.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. Victor grunted and stroked my hair. I took another deep whiff of his smell. This time it was mixed with smoke and wind. “How was your day?”
“Fine. Same as always.” He paused. “Couldn’t wait to get home to you, though.”
My heart thumped. “Well, you’re here now.”
“I am.” He took my face gently in his hand and kissed me. I melted into him. His thick scent bombarded my senses, blocking out the world around me. There was only Victor.Hewas the world.
A low throbbing pain jabbed my skull. Suddenly I hissed, jerking back from Victor.
“Liam?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, my head just keeps hurting out of nowhere,” I said with a groan.
“You said it keeps happening,” Victor said, putting his hands on my shoulders. “How long has this been going on?”
“Just recently,” I muttered. He led to me to the couch and we sat down. His brows were knitted together in concern. “It – this is embarrassing, okay? So don’t laugh. But it started when I was – ” I sighed. “Smelling your side of the bed.”
Victor couldn’t hide the smirk at the corner of his lips. “Really?”
“I said don't laugh!”
“I’m not, I’m not.” The serious expression returned to his face. “But why would that that cause your headache? Did you forget to breathe?”
I shook my head. “It’s not really light-headedness, it’s something else. Like a weird pain.”
Victor grunted and pressed the back of his hand to my forehead, held it there for a moment then removed it. “You don’t have a fever, and you don’t look sick. Did you forget to eat again?”
“No. And I don’t feel sick, either.” I shrugged. “Anyway, it’s not a big deal. I’ll tell you if it happens again.”
He nodded solemnly.
I fidgeted my fingers together, not knowing how to ask my next question. “Um,” I began. “There is something I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?” he murmured, leaning closer to brush his cheek against mine. I shuddered. Despite my desperate want to shut up and let him continue whatever he was about to do, I steeled myself.
“Victor, you’re…” I trailed off. My throat tightened and felt thick. Victor’s gaze was narrowed in concern now. The longer this went on the harder it would get. I breathed deeply and forced it out like an exhale. “You’re not human, are you?”
He paused, suddenly looking guarded. I couldn’t read the expression on his face. Then finally he said, “Why do you ask?”
