Her Reluctant Bear: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves, and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 5) (11 page)

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J
illian felt terrible
at having scared the crap out of Brian. The poor man had been traumatized growing up, and what she’d just done might make him relapse. If that happened, Elana would never forgive her.

How could he not know he was a shifter? One of his parents had to have been one. Only which one? And why hadn’t they told him? As much as she needed to find the answers, she had to do it safely and gently.

Oh, crap. She’d forgotten to tell him not to say anything to anyone, though she doubted he would, especially to Elana. When she found out what Jillian had done though, her friend might not want to speak with her again. Jillian’s only choice was to confess her sins and pray for forgiveness.

It was only a little past six, and most likely Elana would be home, assuming the hospital had released her as promised. The problem was that Jillian didn’t know where her friend lived, but Dalton did.

As she rushed to her car, the chill went right to the bone, but she’d gladly stand naked for an hour in this weather if she could take back her bold move. Stripping then shifting had been stupid, but she’d been desperate. Hopefully, when she explained what happened, Elana could find a positive side to the reveal.

After Jillian started the car and turned up the heat, she called Dalton.

“Hey, I thought you’d be home for dinner by now,” he said without preamble.

“Me too. Listen, I decided to have a talk with Brian about something, and I stayed longer than planned.”

“I thought he didn’t like you, which was why he kept running away from you.”

Perhaps telling Dalton everything hadn’t been smart either. “I wanted to change his mind, but then things got a little out of hand.”

“You slept with him?” Anger laced his tone.

She wasn’t going to take any of his shit. It didn’t matter that her brother had been wonderful and let her stay at his place. “No, but even if I had, it would have been between consenting adults.”

“You’re right,” Dalton admitted after a long pause.

“Besides, having sex wouldn’t have caused this problem,” she said.

“What did you do or rather say?” Now he sounded like the exasperated brother she was used to. “You didn’t tell him Elana was a shifter did you?”

“Worse. I shifted in front of him.”

“Oh, Jilly, why?”

Her pet name almost made her cry. “It’s a long story. I need to explain a few things to Elana, and when I return to the house, I’ll give you all the gritty details. Can you give me her address?”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

There was no way she’d be able to give any details about her being naked in front of Brian. However, since she had shifted, it kind of implied it. “No, thanks.”

Once she had the directions, she headed for the shifter compound. Too bad, her stomach was tied up in knots. Normally, she would have called instead of just showing up at Elana’s door, but explaining something like this over the phone wouldn’t have been good.

Following Dalton’s instructions, she found the home easily. It was situated on a nice piece of land. With the house lights on, it looked so cozy, like her home, but she refused to dwell on what she’d left behind. Unless Whitlaw was caught, Los Angeles would be too dangerous to be in right now. Not to mention that after what happened there, her house might never be cozy again.

Once she parked, Jillian figured both Kalan and Elana knew they had company. The borrowed car would not be given high marks for being quiet.

Kalan answered on the first knock. “Jillian, what’s wrong?”

Why did everyone assume something bad had happened? Perhaps it was because the first time she’d met him, something had. That or she had the look of tragedy on her face. “I’m sorry to barge in, but I need to speak with Elana.”

“Come in. She’s in the back with Aiden. I’ll get her.”

Jillian should turn around and leave, but this was too important. “Thanks.”

A minute later, Elana came out from the back wearing a maternity top with a clean diaper over her shoulder. She looked down and plucked it off. “Sorry.”

“I just came from Brian’s. We need to talk.”

She stilled. “Is everything okay?”

“More or less. Can we sit and chat?”

“Sure.” Elana took the lounge chair and propped up her feet while Jillian sat in the comfy leather chair across from her.

For some reason, Jillian was more nervous telling her tale to Elana than when she’d approached Brian. “There are a few things that I think you should know about your brother.”

Jillian explained her theory as to why Brian had left the party at Teagan and Kip’s house. “I’m not trying to be egotistical, but I think he was attracted to me and didn’t know what to do about it.”

“That’s possible. I don’t think he’s dated a lot. Certainly not since he’s moved here.”

Elana didn’t seem upset with the idea of Brian liking her, but Elana wasn’t pleased either. “However, my reaction to your brother was much stronger. In fact, it was so intense that I’m convinced he’s my mate.”

Heavy footsteps sounded down the hallway. Kalan must have been listening. “Your mate?”

Great. Now she had a true disbeliever. “Yes. It wasn’t planned. You know how it is.” She glanced from Elana to Kalan. “When you first saw Elana, weren’t you surprised when your body went haywire around her?”

He glanced away for a moment. “Yes. I really thought the goddess would have paired me with another shifter, but I thank her every day for giving me Elana.”

At least they seemed to understand that mates were pre-destined. “You can imagine my surprise when I found out my mate was Brian. But here’s the thing. Because I’m his mate, I could sense that he is also a shifter.”

“What?” they said in unison.

Jillian held up her hand. “I sensed it, only I had no idea that Brian didn’t know he was one.”

“That’s impossible,” Elana said.

“Is it? Were your parents so in love that one of them couldn’t have had an affair? Or perhaps they adopted Brian. Do you know the real story behind your brother’s birth?”

Elana looked up at Kalan. “I guess not, but he looks like my mom. He has her nose.”

That wasn’t conclusive evidence. She explained about the hearing and sight tests she’d given him. “He passed with flying colors.”

“Did you mention shifters to him?” Kalan asked.

Now came the hard part. “Worse. I showed him.”

Their wide eyes said it all. Elana placed her hand over her heart. “How did he react?”

“About how you would expect. He was shocked, stunned, and disoriented, but he seemed to accept the reality, though it would have been kind of hard not to when I shifted into my tiger form and then turned back again right in front of him. The part he wouldn’t accept was that he was a shifter too. He just laughed at me when I told him.”

“That sounds like Brian. Maybe I should see how he is,” Elana said, slipping her legs off the lounge looking as if she planned to drive over to his place right now.

Jillian raised a hand. “I think he needs time to sort through everything. Before I realized he didn’t know about his heritage, I asked him why he hadn’t told you he was your half-brother. Brian didn’t like that question and tried to throw me out.”

A small smile lifted her lips. “He’s come a long way. The longer he’s here, the more convinced I am that he really does care about me.”

“He cares a lot. You’re all he has. Since I was the one who poked the hornet’s nest so to speak, what do you think I should do?”

“Are you positive Brian’s a shifter?” Kalan asked. “I never sensed anything.”

“Dalton said the same thing. I think his inner animal is hidden so deeply inside him that only a mate could sense it.”

Elana reached out and clasped Kalan’s hand. “I’ll speak to him tomorrow,” she said. “It’s time I tell him the truth about us anyway. In a way, this might be a good thing. It’s been hanging over my head for months, but I was afraid he’d become unglued and never recover.”

Jillian hoped that wouldn’t happen. “I’m not sure Brian will forgive me. If we really are mates, I’ll have a steep hill to climb.”

“Be careful,” Elana said. “All he’s known is disappointment. I hope he doesn’t have a setback.”

“Me too, but if he didn’t realize he was a shifter, it might explain why he acted out growing up—or so he told me.”

“How would knowing have helped him?”

“Without being aware of his heritage, he would have become increasingly frustrated by all the shifter hormones in his body. He’d have no idea how to handle the strange feelings.”

“Jillian might be right,” Kalan said. His support helped.

She faced Elana. “Do you know what really happened to him growing up?”

“Not really. But it’s Brian’s story. He needs to tell you. I don’t want to put any more strain on our relationship.”

“I totally understand. I just need to find a way to reach him without doing any more damage.”

Once she filled Dalton in on this conversation, she hoped he’d be able to offer sound advice.

*

Despite taking more
medication, Brian couldn’t fall asleep for the life of him. At least this time, he understood why he was so restless. It wasn’t every day a person saw another human being change into a tiger then turn back again. His worldview had definitely been altered, and he wasn’t sure for the better. What other crazy things hadn’t he’d known about? If tomorrow Jillian came to him and proved that aliens existed, he just might have to dig a hole and hide in it for the rest of his life.

All night, he debated whether he should contact Dr. Patterson about changing his meds, but what would he say?
Doc, I think I need a different drug because I truly believe this woman I have the hots for is an animal in disguise?
Yeah, no. They’d come for him with a straight jacket, ASAP.

At first, Brian had dismissed everything Jillian had said about him being a shifter, but then some old memories came floating back that could prove her right. His only childhood friend, Danny Reverlo, and he loved to play hide and seek. Brian always won because Danny was noisier than ten squirrels fighting over a nut. They’d often play late into the evening and Brian could never believe his friend hid where everyone could see him. Looking back, Brian found Danny because of his excellent hearing and eyesight. But that alone didn’t mean he was a different kind of freak—one who could shift.

Jillian was right about his ability to smell. The moment she’d arrived at Teagan’s party, his interest had piqued—okay, his body had gone crazy—when her scent had seeped deeply into each and every pore. Even now, he could smell her lingering scent, but he wouldn’t tell her that. She held enough power over him.

The big question that had him tossing and turning all night, was what was he supposed to do now? Jillian seemed interested in him, and it would be a shame not to see where that could lead. If she decided he wasn’t the person she imagined, or rather the animal she believed him to be, at least he’d have spent time with her. He had no doubt that time would be highly enjoyable while it lasted.

He smiled. Dr. Patterson sure would be proud at his willingness to risk his emotions—to grab the ring as his therapist liked to say. Knowing how strong-willed Jillian was, she’d probably pester him over and over again to get him to shift. He wouldn’t, of course—or rather, he couldn’t because he was human—but it might be fun to try playing her little game. His whole life he’d been hesitant to go after a woman as beautiful as Jillian, but she’d been the one to put the moves on him. So why the hell not grab that brass ring?

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