My thoughts were a mess as I trailed him—half convinced I was about to confirm a secret I wasn’t ready for, half hoping I was wrong, and he was just a good man with a bad habit of secrets.Every shadow looked like it could hold the truth.The real question—was I ready to know the truth?I felt like someone should be screaming at me, “You can’t handle the truth!”
Then I saw movement that pulled me from my insane thoughts.It was the bear!He was huge with golden eyes and what looked like the softest brown fur.I had the strange urge to run my fingers through it to find out if it was as soft as it looked.
He was pacing by the house, radiating that same restless energy I’d seen in Mack all week.My breath caught in my throat.My heart kicked hard against my ribs.
Am I about to confront a real-life monster?If I do, will I finally get the answers I need?
I stepped into the open before I could second-guess myself.“Mack!”My voice shook, but I didn’t care.I was done tiptoeing around the truth.If he expected me to stay here, we were done playing games.
The bear froze.I could see him sniff the air, those intelligent eyes locking right onto me.Every instinct in my body screamed at me, telling me to run—fast.But stupidly, I held my ground.I just fucking had to know.I am such an idiot.
This is probably how I’m going to die.I thought before continuing on with the confrontation.
“I know it’s you,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.“I know the bear is really you.You can stop pretending.”
For a moment, all I heard was my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.Then the bear huffed a sound achingly familiar.With a ripple of magic that almost broke my grip on reality, he shifted.Bones shortened, fur faded, and suddenly Mack was there, breathless and impossibly solid under the moon’s glow.
“Holy fuck!”Thinking it was one thing.Seeing it.Well, that was something entirely different.
“Breathe, Audrey.Breathe.”I told myself over and over.
We stared at each other for what felt like forever.Every fear and hope I’d carried since moving here hung between us.I crossed my arms, refusing to look away.I sucked in a deep breath.I was at a crossroads.
I had two choices.Walk away and never look back, or I could take a leap of faith in the man—the monster standing before me.
I looked deep into his eyes.I swear it was like staring into his soul.Could I walk away?
No.It was as simple as that.I wanted him more than anything.
Now that I had my answer, I knew what to do.
“You could’ve told me, you know.About what you are.About… everything.”
He stepped closer, searching my face.“I wanted to.I just—” he sighed.“I didn’t want to scare you away.I didn’t want you to think you weren’t safe.”
“I overheard you and Levi.That day in your office,” I said, all the tension I’d been feeling spilled out.“I heard you call me your mate.What does that even mean, Mack?Why didn’t you just tell me the truth from the beginning?”
He hesitated, then closed the gap between us.His voice was low and rough.“Because the truth changes everything.Because once you know, you can’t go back.And because I was afraid you’d run.”
I shook my head.“You should have trusted me.I’m not running, Mack.I just want the truth.”
He ran a hand through his hair; a nervous gesture I’d seen a dozen times.“You’re my mate, Audrey.It means you’re the one I’m meant to be with.The one the Fates chose for me.It’s more than love, more than a crush.It’s like I’m built for you.My bear, my other side, he’d do anything to keep you safe, to make you happy.”
The words tumbled from my lips before I could stop them.“So, all this time, you’ve been protecting me.From James, from everything.Not just because you’re a good guy—but because you can’t help it?”
He nodded, the truth of our situation shining in his eyes.“Yeah.I’ve never felt anything like this before.I wanted you to have a choice, Audrey.Even if you said no.”
“I guess if you are being honest about everything, I should be too.”
“What do you mean?”
“I lied about my resume.I’d never done any of that shit before.I needed a job and wanted out of Black Creek.I used Google to learn how to embellish my resume and make myself look better.Like I knew what the hell I was doing.”
Mack laughed at my omission.“No more lies,” he said.His voice suddenly somber.
“No more lies.”I agreed.
I let the silence stretch, the cool night air swirling around us, full of possibilities.I closed the distance between us, drawn in by the wild, aching honesty in his gaze.“I choose you, Mack.Secrets and all.”
