Chapter Seventeen – Tessa #2
The bear—Matt—gently rubbed his head against her thigh, the gesture so tender it made her heart ache. Tessa laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep and joyful inside her.
“This is incredible,” she whispered, running her fingers through his fur again, marveling at how it felt both coarse and soft at the same time.
Overcome with wonder, she flopped down onto the damp grass before him, not caring about her sundress or the chill of the evening.
Matt’s bear seemed delighted by this development.
He dropped to the ground too, then rolled onto his back, massive paws kicking playfully in the air like an oversized puppy.
Tessa couldn’t contain her laughter at the sight of this enormous predator behaving so adorably. “You’re still you,” she said, watching him with amazement. “I can see you in there.”
She reached out to scratch his belly, and the bear’s eyes closed in bliss. They stayed like that for what felt like hours, but was probably only minutes—Tessa exploring every inch of his massive form, while Matt’s bear soaked up her attention with evident delight.
“You know,” she said softly, running her hands through the thick fur at his neck, “I never imagined I’d be petting a bear tonight.” She laughed. “I’m so happy to meet this part of you. It’s like I see the real you for the first time.”
The bear rumbled contentedly, his eyes—Matt’s eyes—watching her with unmistakable intelligence. There was something profoundly intimate about this moment, more vulnerable than if he’d been naked before her. This was his true self, his secret self, and he’d shared it with her.
When she finally stood, her legs stiff from sitting on the cool ground, the bear rose too. Even standing on all fours, his shoulder reached her chest. Tessa reached out, cupping his massive face between her hands. The contrast was striking, her small, human hands against his powerful, wild form.
She stared into his eyes, searching for and finding the man she knew within the beast. Those dark eyes, framed by thick fur, held the same warmth, the same gentle intensity that had drawn her to Matt from the beginning.
“Could I draw you like this sometime?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’d love to capture this side of you.”
The bear nodded, the gesture so human it made her heart squeeze with affection. Impulsively, Tessa leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, the fur soft against her lips. The connection felt sacred somehow, a promise between them that transcended words.
The bear stepped back then, and Tessa knew what was coming. She watched in awe as the air crackled once more, the bear’s form shimmering before her eyes until Matt stood there again, his expression vulnerable yet hopeful.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rough with emotion. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”
Tessa nodded, stepping closer to him. The evening air felt cool against her skin after the warmth of his fur, and she found herself missing the contact. “I’m more than okay,” she said. “I’m... amazed. Thank you for trusting me with this.”
Matt’s shoulders relaxed, tension draining from his body as he reached for her hands. “I was so afraid,” he admitted. “Afraid you’d run. Afraid you wouldn’t believe me. Afraid you’d believe me but wouldn’t want...” He swallowed. “Wouldn’t want me anymore.”
“Oh, Matt.” Tessa squeezed his hands, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his eyes. “I want you more now than ever. You trusted me with your truth. That means everything.”
She shivered slightly, the night air finally registering through her wonder. Matt immediately pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her with protective warmth.
“You’re cold.”
“So what happens now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she burrowed into him.
Matt’s gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes. “Now,” he said slowly, “we go back inside. We can talk more if you want. Or...”
“Or?” Tessa prompted, heat rising to her cheeks despite the cool night air.
“Or we pick up where we left off,” Matt said, his voice deepening. “But only if you’re sure. Only if you want this—want me—knowing everything.”
Tessa considered his words carefully. This wasn’t just about physical attraction anymore. It was about accepting Matt completely—bear and all—and stepping into a world she hadn’t known existed until minutes ago.
But hadn’t she already been looking for a new direction? A new purpose? A place to belong?
She reached up, tracing the line of his jaw with gentle fingers. “I want to know everything about you, Matt Thornberg,” she said softly. “The man and the bear. And I think I’d like to start tonight.”
He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers. “You’re incredible,” he murmured. “Do you know that?”
Tessa smiled, her heart fit to burst. “Take me back inside,” she whispered. “I’m getting cold out here.”
Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they walked back toward the warm light of his cabin. “I’ll keep you warm,” he promised.
And Tessa believed him. Whatever this new reality meant—shifters and mates and bonds she didn’t fully understand yet—she knew one thing with absolute certainty: Matt Thornberg would keep her safe. Would keep her warm. Would give her the time and space to find her place in his world.