Step Bear

I’ve always been nothing more than the girl behind the bar. Years back, Chase entered my life and we grew up side by side.

Everyone always said we were thick as thieves, but I’m only just starting to learn about what’s hiding behind Chase’s easy smile.

What’s growing between us now is stronger than blood and far more wild. . .

This 6,300 word story contains graphic language and wild shifter pleasure. Intended for MATURE AUDIENCES 18+ only!

“Are you born a werebear, or is it something that happens to you?”

Chase went still, staring at the case of beer that he’d just put down. “It’s something that happens to you.” The silence grew between us as I waited for him to elaborate. “I was sixteen. It was just a couple months after my Dad died, and I was out in the woods. I saw a bear. It swiped at me and scratched open my leg.”

I searched my memory, trying to recall if Chase had ever come home clawed up from anything, let alone a bear, and coming up blank.

“I didn’t tell anyone. Bears don’t live out here. I figured everyone would think I was crazy, and I was still afraid I might get sent away.” Chase sighed, and I hated how alone he looked in that moment. “I cleaned the wound and bandaged it up. I thought I was fine until the next full moon rolled around.” He laughed, a harsh bitter noise that sounded so unlike him. “I woke up naked and covered in scratches out in the middle of nowhere. It took months before I could get enough of a handle on it to stay myself when I turned.” He paused. “Remember when I taught you about the throwing knives?”

I nodded. It was still one of my favorite memories.

“I wanted you to have a way to defend yourself if I ever. . .” Chase trailed off. There was no need to finish the sentence.

“You wouldn’t have hurt me.”

Chase sighed. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but back then I had no idea what I was or what had happened to me. I was becoming this THING.” Chase scrubbed angrily at his eyes, forcing back the emotion that had sprung forth. “If I had ever hurt you, I couldn’t have lived with myself.” After a long pause, he added, “I still couldn’t.”

***All characters are over 18 and fictional***