Remy had to admit that the Montana wilderness, what little he could see from his window, was actually quite beautiful in a wild, raw, way that was completely different from the shimmering skyline of his urban home. Here, bare tree branches danced by the thousands, swaying in a spring breeze beneath a sky that was a mottling of neon pink and navy blue, streaked with orange and yellow. Here, the clouds were clouds and not airplane chem trails or inner city smog.

He’d noticed it while he was out with Tara, the cleaner smells, the fresher air, but now it was the view from his window that was taking his breath away.

Even though the Council was planning a large ceremony for the full moon, Remy still changed into sweats and a loose shirt, foregoing socks completely. Comfort and ease of shifting was far more important tonight than appearances. Besides, ceremony or no, they’d be bear a lot longer than they’d be human.

Remy wandered through the garden. Off to the side he could see the chess set and he hurried on, not wanting to admit to himself how much he was missing Tara’s company. Daniel and Marnie were making him feel guilty about Tara, but he still hadn’t returned any of her messages.

I told Daniel I’d think about it, and I will. I just need some time. I just want to plan out what I’m going to say so I don’t look like a fool.

They were meeting just beyond the edge of the trees, out of sight of the resort. It was safe here but no one wanted to take any chances. It was cold now, as the sun was setting, but in the last few days most of the lingering snow had disappeared. There were no buds on the trees yet but the forest was beginning to smell like spring.

It was strange, being out in the woods. Remy had never once in his life shifted out of doors. The closest he’d come was that fight in the warehouse when his clan had been kidnapped by The Human Order. He could hear birds and crickets and could imagine how much more alive it would become once he was a bear.

Is this why Jane seems so restless all the time? Does she miss this? I wonder if there’s a way we could make arrangements to shift somewhere out of doors every few months.

---

Because Charles was not yet on the Council, he and Tara were not invited to stand up in front of the other Chiefs doing the ceremony. Tara was relieved; she’d had enough of being stared at these last few days. She was the youngest woman here, and the only one that wasn’t married to a Chief. Dimitri had been the worst of it, but she’d told him off.

Beside her Charles stood practically at attention, his back was so straight, and his face was serious. She knew how badly her father wanted a seat on the Council, how hard he was trying, and that he would view this evening as a slight towards him. Traditions be damned, she knew he felt he was owed a spot up there with the Council just because of the amount of work he’d put into this conference on their behalf.

Thankfully Dimitri was standing some ten yards over with a group of Chiefs from the West Coast. He was paying attention to the Council but just as she glanced in his direction, he happened to glance in hers. He smirked at her and then winked. She looked away. She’d hoped he’d get the message but now she wasn’t so sure.

You told him off once, you can do it again. And if he emails you then you can block his account.

The Council members took turns each reciting one of the blessings of the moon. Then any Chief who had come to power in the last five years was called forward to speak a promise to protect not only their clans but the entirety of the North American werebear population. Every female Chief was called forward and Tara could hear her father muttering under his breath.

When the formalities were over, the head of the Council stepped forward. “We’ve tied markers to the trees marking the edges of the safe area. Please try to keep your bears within this area, we do not want any accidents.” When he was sure his words had sunken in, he went on. “Now, as the full moon rises we come together, the leaders of our people, to shift together in solidarity before the moon.”

The sun had dipped below the trees and most of the pink had faded from the sky, giving way to hues of dark blue. The full moon was large and clear tonight and offered a pale light that filtered down between the tree branches. Tara could imagine all the leaves out in the summer, creating a thick canopy that would leave the woods in near-complete darkness. This was spooky enough for her liking.

They broke off into smaller groups, going with people they knew and were comfortable with, and took off their clothes. No one was naked for long. The cold night air was more than enough motivation to grow a fur coat. Tara was doubly thankful now that she wasn’t anywhere near Dimitri.

Charles stood to his full, impressive height, a full-grown male grizzly, and looked around. Next to him Tara stretched. She was much smaller but the same rustic brown with smudged black markings around her nose and up her spine.

It was hard to recognize anyone by sight, she’d never seen any of these people in their bear form before, but she could smell them. Nearby she could smell Mabel for sure, and the Council of course. Then, over the smell of fur and forest, was the irresistible smell of comfort.

There was no other way to describe it. She didn’t know who or what she was smelling, just that it relaxed her, set her at ease, and called to her. She scented the air and wandered off in the direction of this enticing smell.

---

The forest was alive. Remy could hear bugs and birds and skittering feet. And the smells: bear and grass and the warm earthy smell of last autumn’s leaves decaying. In this form it didn’t matter that there was little light. The bear could see just fine. Around him the other bears were moving off in different directions but Remy just wanted to stand there and take it all in. How had Jules described the bear? A giant furry hippy? Remy was certainly feeling some of that laid back, be at peace, stuff tonight.

A new scent caught his attention, something familiar. There was the scent of bear, of course, but something else too, something he’d definitely smelled before.

A small brown bear was walking in his direction, her nose snuffling in the air. He watched her as she came ever closer. With wary curiosity, she came close enough for him to swat at her, if he chose to, but he remained still. She was a stranger, yes, not a part of his clan, and yet his bear recognized her as safe. She was sniffing his shoulder now, her nose practically buried in his fur.

Then she pressed the top of her head against his shoulder, nudging him once, and stepped back.

---

She found the source of the scent – a brown bear nearly as large as her father. She sniffed him a few times, trying to place his scent. There was the faint smell of familiar cologne and shampoo under the smell of fur and the forest around them. She breathed in deep and as she let it out the thought came to her. He smells like Remy.

She nudged his shoulder and stepped back, watching him. When he did nothing but stare back, she cocked her head and whined. Still nothing. She stepped forward again and licked his nose.

---

Was it possible? She smelled so familiar and seemed intent on getting his attention. He lowered his head and brushed it against hers, trying to identify her. Was it possible this was Tara? She whined again, nudging against him. It had to be Tara. Daniel was much larger and Marnie would not show this kind of affection towards him.

Marnie would likely just swat you for making her so frustrated.

He nuzzled against her, his body relaxing. Yes, this must be Tara. She made him feel safe.

She nudged him and bounded off a few paces, looking over her shoulder at him and huffing. Inside he smiled and followed her into the trees.

It was easy for the two bears to avoid everyone else. The space they’d been given for the full moon was quite large. They romped and rolled, knocking into each other and wrestling across clearings. As the moon’s power waned with the approaching dawn, he nudged her back in the direction of the resort.

They were the first two back to the clearing and they shifted back to human form, finally confirming what they both knew each others’ identity.

They blushed and turned away, each going back to their pile of clothes. Even their now human ears could hear the footfalls of other bears headed back. Once they were dressed, Remy took Tara’s hand and they hurried back towards the resort.

“This way,” Tara whispered, tugging him towards the chess board.

They settled on the bench and Tara snuggled in close against Remy’s side. Back in human form, now they could feel the cold and could see their breath clouding in the pre-dawn air.

“I knew it was you,” she said. “Our bears recognized each other instantly.”

“I guess they did.”

“Remy, why have you been avoiding me?”

“Because I love you and I was afraid you only wanted to talk to me to reject me. The longer I put off talking to you the longer I could pretend there was some hope for us.”

She reached up and touched his chin. “Do you really mean that?”

“That I was afraid?”

“That you love me.”

He wrapped his arm around her and squeezed. “Is it crazy? We met again for the first time in twenty years only a few days ago but I’m drawn to you.”

“Maybe it’s not crazy at all. I’ve heard other werebears say they were drawn to their spouse, almost as if they were fated to be together. A lot of werebears I’ve heard of had very short dating periods before they got engaged.”

“Are we just trying to rationalize this now?”

“Maybe a little. I can hear others coming.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Take me to your room.”

---

The resort was almost deserted with most of the staff off duty for the day and most of the guests still outside at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Still, Remy and Tara hurried through the lobby to the elevator. Remy, impatient, almost suggested taking the stairs but just then the elevator dinged and the door opened.

He wanted her so badly that he was ready to push her into the corner of the elevator and start kissing her there and then, but he stepped back, giving her, and himself, space to breathe. As badly as he wanted her, he also needed her to feel safe.

She had other ideas.

His space was quickly invaded as she stood on tip toe and pressed her lips against his. The kiss tasted of desperation and passion, and he wrapped his arms around her. Her nose and lips were cold but the rest of her was hot to the touch, even through their clothing. The tips of his ears were stinging a little as they warmed up so he was sure his nose was just as cold as hers.

When the elevator reached his floor and the doors opened, they stumbled out together. He took her hand and led her down the hallway, his face flushed, his body tight with need.

He stopped at his room and fumbled in his pockets for the key card. She rubbed his arm with one hand and caressed his ass with the other, distracting him from the task at hand. When he finally got the door open, they surged into the room, nearly tripping over each other in the process. They managed to stay upright and Remy got the door closed behind them.

Then the passion took over. He pulled her close, kissing her hard. They moved together towards the bed, tumbling into it when the back of her legs hit the mattress sooner than either expected. She giggled but kept kissing him.

They were both dressed for the full moon, which meant loose, simple clothing and no underwear, so they were naked and stretched across the bed in no time flat. They were both trying to catch their breath, and they took the moment to look at each other.

The full moon shone through the window, casting a soft white light over the room and leaving them both deep in shadow. Still, Remy could see the curves of her body, soft and supple and smooth. He reached out and ran a finger down her arm and her side and over her hip. She was smiling at him. Her dark hair was tousled already and spread out over the blanket.

His touch made her shiver and she wanted to crawl over to him, to close the gap between them, and warm herself against his skin. She’d dated before, human and werebear, but never a man as large as he was. His shoulders were broad but the muscles were lean and subtle, not body-builder defined and bulging. His skin was darker than hers, even in the shadows she could tell. He had a patch of dark hair on his chest that narrowed as it dipped lower, leading her eyes down past his navel.

Her fingers followed her gaze, running down his chest, over his stomach, making his shudder under her touch.

They leaned in towards each other and kissed, gently this time. He reached around her and pulled her closer until the length of her naked body was pressed against his. He sighed, his cheek resting against her forehead. He looked down at her as she looked up at him and he kissed her. Slowly the passion of that kiss built between them increased. Their hands slip up and down each others’ arms, then their sides and backs, their legs intertwined.

Her hand slipped between them and she took hold of his penis, squeezing it. He moaned against her mouth. She worked her hand up and down, slow strokes becoming quicker as his body stiffened and his breathing became ragged with need, his reaction urging her on.

He rolled her on her back, kissing her deeply, his tongue tracing her lips. He kissed her jaw and down her neck, stopping to bite her shoulder. He took her breast in his mouth, playing with her nipple as her body arched beneath his and she moaned in pleasure.

She wrapped an arm around his head and nibbled on his ear for a moment before dropping her head back to the mattress, panting.

He kissed her lips again. “I want you,” he said. Another kiss. “I need you, Tara.”

“Yes.”

“Tara.”

“Remy. Yes. Oh gods, yes.”

He sat back a little and took himself in hand. He rubbed the tip against her slit and then pressed gently against her. They stared into each others’ eyes as he guided himself into her, slowly, gently, until there was no space between them.

They moved together, a constant dance of hips and hands and kisses punctuated by gasps and moans and whispered words of encouragement and pleasure.

They rolled over and she sat up, riding him while he caressed her thighs and breasts. She ran her hands through her hair, lost in the pleasure. He laid back and watched her while she enjoyed herself. Her body was taught and she moved with abandon

He sat up and she wrapped her legs around him. Their movements were limited like this, but he could feel her skin against his and could taste her breasts again so he didn’t care for the moment that he couldn’t easily pump in and out of her.

They were sweaty and gasping for breath, their kisses hurried and passionate. Both had lost track of the time, forgotten the place, and had stopped caring about the fact that they’d met only days earlier. All that mattered at this moment was the connection between them, the building of pleasure that each touch and kiss added to.

He flipped her on her back again and started thrusting into her. She dug her fingers into the back of his shoulders, gasping with each thrust. Her eyes were shut and her chin was tipped up, her legs still wrapped around him.

He climaxed quickly and rolled off her, panting, suddenly aware of how hot and sweaty he was. She was lying beside him, smiling and running her hands up and down her body as the last tremors of pleasure shivered through her.

He shivered too as the air, moved by the fan, quickly cooled his skin. “Want to grab a shower?”

She nodded. “Are you going to come with me?”

“I’d like that. Sure.”

He paused to kiss her and then he helped her out of bed. They didn’t bother with clothes but he handed her the complimentary bath robe to keep her warm while they waited for the water to warm up.

The shower felt tiny with both of them in there together. They took turns under the spray, letting the hot water rinse away the sweat and the chill. They took turns scrubbing each other with the cloth, and washing turned to touching and soon they were kissing again, the water pounding down on his shoulder blades, the spray getting in their faces and neither of them caring one bit. He backed her up against the shower wall, loving the feel of her skin, slippery and smooth under his hands.

It was too soon for him to go again but she was obviously enjoying herself so he kept on touching her and kissing her. His hand dipped between her legs and she opened herself to him.

He rubbed her clit and slid his fingers in and out of her, all the while kissing her, sucking at her breasts, and caressing her with his free hand.

She had one hand pressed hard against the wall and the other arm tight around him. Her knees felt weak and in the steamy air it was hard to breathe, but his touch was electric and she couldn’t get enough of it. There was a heat and a tension building inside of her, she could feel it radiating out from where his fingers continued to fuck her, down to her toes. She was afraid she was going to slip and fall, make a fool of herself, but somehow she stayed upright.

Her moans were getting louder and little ‘oh’s and ‘ah’s of pleasure escaped between her lips. She encouraged him, begged him with her words, and with the squirming of her hips against his hand.

“Oh God,” she gasped.

It was all the warning he got.

Her body tightened as she said, “Oh God,” again, and her arm tightened around him. Her back arched, her head tipping all the way back, and her body shook. And then her knees seemed to buckle and he caught her against his chest.

She was breathing heavy, but there were little chuckles slipping out. She tried to stand and then leaned against him again.

“My knees don’t work.”

“You’re welcome.”

She slapped his shoulder, still breathing hard.

“Are you done?”

“Oh fuck yes.”

“I meant the shower,” he said, kissing her forehead.

“Yes to that, too.”

“Okay then, out you go before you slip and fall.”

“So I’m not the only one worrying about that?” He helped her out and she leaned against the counter. The mirror was completely fogged over. She reached over and restarted the fan while he turned the water off. He was dripping wet and gorgeous as he stepped out of the shower. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

He handed her a towel and then wrapped one around himself, breaking the spell. She dried off, toweling her hair as best she could.

“Do you want to crawl into bed? Finish drying off there?”

“You looking for more sex?”

“Just touch. I can’t get enough of you.” He closed the gap between them and kissed her.

“Okay. For a little while. I should get back to my own room at some point.”

“There’s nothing planned tomorrow morning.”

“I know. I’ll come back in the morning and we can talk about all this. Okay?”

He really didn’t want to let her go but he had no right to keep her here, so he nodded. “Okay. Sounds like a plan.” He held her close for a moment and then let her lead the way back to the bed. They pulled the covers back and crawled in, snuggling in close to each other for warmth and comfort.

---

She hurried through the halls. The lights, warm and just bright enough that she didn’t feel like she was stumbling around in a horror film, cast circles of yellow on the walls and tossed her shadow along the carpet, a silent companion to her passing.

As she approached her room, she went as quickly as she dared. She had her key card at the ready. She placed it over the reader and the lock clicked.

The door beside hers opened. “Tara?”

“Hi, Dad.”

“I was worried.”

“Sorry. Shifted back late, you were already gone and I stopped for a drink. Everything’s fine.”

“Hmm. I thought you shifted before me. I didn’t see your clothes.”

“Maybe. I didn’t see yours either.”

“You didn’t answer your phone.”

“Dead battery. I’m exhausted, okay? I’ll look at the messages in the morning.”

“All right. Good night.”

As soon as she was safely on the other side of her door, she breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled. She was safe. He didn’t suspect a thing.