Page 26 of Rehabilitated

We’ll do this right, I tell my bear.

He growls reluctantly.

“I think I’ve got it!” Ever calls.

I snap out of my dirty thoughts and focus on my girl.

Ever shifts first, and I grin as I watch her little brown bear bound across the yard, chasing butterflies with complete determination, even though she never catches one.

I shift a heartbeat later, and the instant our bears see each other, they run together. We wrestle in the grass, splash through the creek behind the cabin, and race between the trees until both our bears are breathing hard. Every few moments, Ever’s bear bumps against mine simply because she wants to.

My bear thinks it’s the greatest day of his life.

She likes us. No, she loves us. Mark her. Claim her.

Soon, I answer.

I can’t help smiling all morning. Eventually, we both shift back, and Ever laughs as she steadies herself.

“I think she’s happier than I am.”

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

She looks over her shoulder at me. “You’d be surprised,” she mumbles.

The breeze catches her hair and sends her scent to me. For one dangerous second, I forget how to breathe.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

The full moon hasn’t even risen yet, but every instinct inside me demands I pull her into my arms and claim her.

Not yet, I tell my bear and myself.

My bear grumbles loudly.

The afternoon passes in a blur. We eat lunch, then try to read, but neither of us makes it through a single page.

We play a board game, but halfway through, we forget whose turn it is because we’re too busy smiling at each other.

By evening, the moon climbs the sky, and the pull between us becomes impossible to ignore. Every heartbeat seems louder, every glance lingers, every accidental touch becomes intentional.

Finally, Ever sighs dramatically. “I don’t think we’re accomplishing much today.”

“I’ve noticed.” I laugh.

“I think I’m going to go take a shower.”

“Okay. Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.”

“I’ll get started on dinner.”

I watch as Ever heads upstairs before I head into the kitchen. I glance at the clock as I enter and breathe a sigh of relief. Just a few more hours until the full moon. We can make it.

I hope.

The sound of the water running overhead does absolutely nothing to help my concentration, but I try to focus.