As I rounded the cabin to head toward the pond, I saw three bears there—one large bear, who was almost the same size as Gage, and two smaller bears.
I froze in my tracks. I didn’t know them, and I wasn’t sure if they were friends of Gage or if they were friends with Amon. I really didn’t need to go through any more drama right now. I was completely worn out.
Finally, sensing that they didn’t mean any harm, I approached.
One of the smaller bears met me halfway. “My name is Madison. I am Gage’s familial sister. It’s nice to meet you.”
She held out a paw to shake, so I took it. Then, she looked down and must have realized that she was still in bear form, because she said, “I’m sorry,” and hurriedly transformed.
She opened up a pack that she had laid down near the pond and took out a dress similar in style to Dr. Ursa’s. After slipping it over her head, she said, “I wanted to come and meet you, but I wanted to give you and Gage some time alone, first.”
The other two bears transformed. I realized I had become desensitized to random nudity because seeing the man and the woman standing by my pond completely nude didn’t phase me in the least. After they put on clothes, the other female introduced herself as Lanie, Madison’s best friend. The male introduced himself as Jacob. He was one of Gage’s best friends and also served as the lead soldier for the group of bear shifters who protected the clan.
“How is my brother?” Madison asked.
“He is doing well. He would be doing a lot better if he hadn’t tried to get out of bed earlier and tore open his stitches. Other than that, he seems to be healing quickly,” I told them. “Dr. Ursa has been here twice. She came yesterday to fish the bullets out and today to glue his skin back together. She is an amazing woman and a wonderfully talented doctor.”
“She is a wonderful person. She is very giving. Even when she treats humans, she’ll take care of someone regardless of whether they can pay her.”
“The world needs more people like her. Whatever she did for him was top-notch work. He really is healing very well after being shot twice.”
“That is one of the traits of the bear shifters. We can heal from most things pretty quickly.”
“I guess I have a lot to learn about the culture and the bear shifters as beings.”
“You’ll do great. You have to be pretty outstanding to be Gage’s soulmate,” Lanie said, a little wistfully.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said.
“Lanie’s been in love with Gage forever,” Madison teased.
“Have not,” Lanie denied hotly.
“It’s okay,” I said to Lanie. “There is so much about him to love.”
Jacob stepped up to me. “Tell me about these men who came. Amon was telling everyone, rather loudly, that at least one of them saw Gage shift from bear form to human form.”
“I imagine he did,” I sighed. “Amon probably told everyone it was my fault, too.” I shook my head.
I explained who Jason was, how I broke up with him, and what was going on when Gage and I got married. I also told them about Jason seeing Gage shift back because of the wounds he sustained while trying to get Jason and his goons away from here.
“Jason does not take losing very well,” I said, “and I’m pretty sure that Gage humiliated him that day when he threw Jason across the yard like he was nothing. Jason said he would be back. I knew he would be. I just didn’t think he would show up drunk, with friends, and with guns. I didn’t even know he had access to guns.”
“It isn’t your fault. Everything that happened was Jason’s fault. Don’t forget that,” Madison said. Jacob and Lanie nodded in agreement.
I smiled at them. “Thank you. It’s nice to have friends.”
Madison said, “We’re all going to be great friends.”
Lanie said that I looked upset when I came out of the cabin. She wanted to know what was wrong.
“It was one thing to find myself married to a guy I had only seen for about a second. I didn’t even know his name. However, he didn’t tell me he was a bear shifter. I found out yesterday after he had been shot. Then, he didn’t tell me he was the clan leader, even though I asked him if there was anything else important I should know. He assured me there wasn’t.”
Both Madison and Lanie nodded sympathetically. They both agreed they would be exceedingly hurt and angry, as well.
“You’re not going to leave him, are you?” Madison asked.
“No, I don’t think I could ever do that. Even though he has aggravated me more in the last few days than any other man has during my entire life, I still love him. I’m still in love with him. I could no more leave him than I could leave my arms and legs behind.”