His hands go to his hips and he cocks his head at me. There’s no shame in him. He’s proud and I can’t say he shouldn’t be. I step behind a tree and start to undress. I know as soon as I unbutton my shorts, he’s moved so he can see me. I can feel his eyes on me. I keep my back to him, refusing to stop and let my insecurities take over. Pulling my shorts down over my curvy hips, I undress slower than I planned, feeling more nervous than I have in a while.
Once I’m nude, I shift into my black bear. It’s freeing and already I feel stronger and more confident. I turn to face him and instead of Ronan, I’m standing face to face with the biggest black grizzly bear I’ve ever seen.
We stand there on all fours, staring at each other. He walks closer to me and rubs his face along my neck, either nudging me to go or nuzzling me, I’m not sure. He takes off running and I follow behind him.
We run for I don’t know how long, chasing after one another. The only sounds are our gasping breaths and the breaking twigs under our feet. He shows me the land and I have to say it’s one of the best and most freeing experiences I’ve ever had.
Ronan
It’s been a while since I’ve run these hills and felt the freedom I feel right now. With so much responsibility and everything I do with the club, I never take the time to let my bear run free.
I lead Bree back to where we left our clothes and we’re both panting. I shift first, going back to my human form. I don’t walk away to get dressed. I stand there staring at her black bear, daring her to shift while I’m looking at her.
I expect her to go behind the tree and get dressed, but she surprises me by shifting right in front of me. I openly watch her. I couldn’t look away even if I tried. I stand there, eating up every detail of her curvy body. My cock springs up between my legs. Her gaze instantly goes to it and her blush is everything. I should be a gentleman and apologize, but I can’t and I don’t want to. I want her to know what she does to me, how she makes me feel. I’m so hot for her I’m practically panting.
I don’t know who takes the first step. Maybe it’s me but she meets me in the middle until we’re standing toe to toe. I lean down and press my cheek to hers, nuzzling her against me. If she was any other woman, I would have already picked her up and leaned her against the side of a tree and had my way with her. But Bree, well, she’s different. And she makes me different.
I pull back until our faces are only inches apart. She’s staring at my lips and I know she wants them on her. I know she does.
I lean farther down until we’re barely touching, when the sounds of people shouting our names has her breaking away and running behind the tree. I don’t go to my clothes; I stand guard in front of her, not wanting anyone else to see her.
Bruin and Klaus come through the trees, telling me it’s time for church. They’re not surprised to see me standing here naked. All of us find our freedom in these woods.
When Bree comes up behind me, she walks past me and toward Bruin. He’s eyeing her and I’m waiting on him to give her shit but he doesn’t. He walks back with her while I get dressed and follow behind them with Klaus. It’s time for church.
Chapter 6
Bree
When we get to the clubhouse, it seems that church is already in session. I can hear Deator from the hallway and Bruin and I both freeze at his words. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to protect me. When we walk into the room, it goes silent. Lola and a few other women are standing in the corner and I don’t miss the snide look on her face. Looking around the room, hardly any of the men will meet my eyes.
I straighten my back. I’m not going to beg. I can take care of myself if I have to… even against a damn Eater.
Ronan walks into the room wearing his leather vest again and goes to the table, taking the seat next to his dad. I notice that Klaus goes and stands against the wall. There’s a dynamic there, something’s not right, but I can’t bother myself with it now. It seems the fate of my life is in the men’s hands at the table right now.
On the walk here, Bruin already told me that they may have to get to know me better before they agree to protect me, so I’m not expecting much at this moment really.