Tate hurried to the boat to grab the rest of the supplies. It was already pitch black outside. He could feel the wind bringing in the harsh cold from the north.

When he set the last of the things on the table, he caught a glimpse of Ella and the baby out of the corner of his eye. He turned to them, staring.

He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life. They both slept soundly on the bed. Ella’s pretty face peeked out from under the blankets. She was as lovely as ever. Her tawny brown cheek and slick black hair rested on the white pillowcase.

His inner bear stirred, rumbling with anger and anticipation. He wanted to claim her now. The frenzy in his brain deafened him to his external senses.

Tate squeezed his eyes closed and put his palm to his forehead, trying to make his bear quiet. It was no use. The beast had woken from the stupor Tate had forced his animal into over the last year and a half.

His bear wouldn’t be silenced now. He backed up, his bear clawing at the backs of his eyes.

The images of pressing his lips to Ella’s filled his mind. He could see himself caressing her cheek, running his hand down her body and cupping her sex in his hand.

Without thought of propriety or what was normal for humans, he saw himself climb on top of her and take her. The image of sinking his teeth into her neck to claim her as his, forever, sent such a fever through him, he could barely keep himself from doing what the vision compelled him to do.

“No,” he growled.

Ella groaned and turned on her back. The blankets fell away and her breasts rose in soft mounds under the tight fitting sweater she wore.

He swore and turned to the door. He couldn’t just sit here and be tortured by the sight of her. The sweet smell of her.

He stepped outside and closed the door behind him. Snow fell in big white clumps. The wind began to howl over the water. This storm would be bad, but not as bad as the storm raging inside Tate.

If he stayed here, he was afraid of what he might do. He gritted his teeth and pulled off his clothes. He was a bear, he could weather the storm. Shivering from the bitter cold, he charged into the piling snow. Jumping into the air, he shifted into his bear form and fell on his four wide feet into the snow.

He growled, his breath as foggy white as the falling snow. He could see better in the dark in this form. There were forests beyond the cabin and a cave where he knew he could bed down for the night.

The bear charged into the pine forests, smelling the snow and the crush of needles. The salt water of the ocean was not far off.

He cantered up a small rocky rise where he could see a view of the mainland on a clear day. The cave was just down in the ridge from there.

The wind blew harder, turning into a powerful force. This storm was worse than he’d expected. The boat crossed his mind. The animal resisted any thoughts except going back to the woman and shoving his throbbing cock inside her wet pussy.

The boat would have to make it through the storm on its own. Being even that close to Ella could be a mistake right now.

The beast was in control. The little part of Tate’s human mind that still had control, had to keep the bear as far away from Ella as possible. He carefully padded down the ridge, the snow cold and slippery over the rocks. He made it to the base of the cave, huffing and puffing as the snow blocked his vision.

It piled up quickly, even as he made his way inside the cave. At the very back, he could keep himself warm from the storm. Ella would have to make it through tonight on her own. It was better for both of them if she did. He curled up into a ball in the corner and closed his eyes to sleep.

When he woke, the world was still and dark. His inner clock knew it was morning. He roused and stood, stretching.

At the end of the cave, he could see the snow had piled outside the door, blocking out the light. Not good.

He growled and charged through the snow. Seven hundred pounds of grizzly bear burst through the avalanche that had covered the exit and came out the other side. He shook his fur, sending a splay of ice all around.

The world had turned white. The trees and ground were covered in a thick layer of snow. His human mind worried for Ella’s safety, and so did the bear.

He charged up the ridge. From the rise, he could see the cabin, piled with snow. Out at the end of the dock, the boat had tipped and now lay in the shallow water on its size.

Tate roared and ran down the hill to the door of the cabin. He had to make a decision. He shook his head and shifted. There was no time to be bashful, he had to know she was okay.

He burst through the door. Ella jumped and screeched, her breasts exposed as she sat beside the fire with the baby.

His eyes grew as wide as hers. She pulled her shirt down over her nakedness and brought the baby away from her breast.

“What are you doing?” she demanded, standing from the chair. She turned away, not wanting to look at him. “Where were you?”

He grabbed his clothes and began to pull them on.

“I had to get out of here last night,” he said, buttoning his flannel shirt.

“Why?” she said, turning back to face him.

“I couldn’t stay here with you.” Her face fell and she held Andrew away, defensively.

“I’m sorry you’re still so angry, but you didn’t have to go sleep in the woods during a snow storm on my account.”

“It wasn’t because I was angry,” he said, sitting to put his boots on.

“It wasn’t?” she asked. He didn’t want her to know it was because his bear would probably take her, no matter what she said, if he’d stayed.

“The boat’s capsized. Looks bad,” he said, changing the subject.

“Oh my God,” she moaned, sitting down on the bed. She looked terrified. “Can you fix it?”

“I’m a gardener, not a shipwright.” Ella looked even more worried. “But I know enough about boat repair that I can probably fix it. I’ll call Brock on the CB radio, and let him know that we’re stranded.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she whimpered.

He went to her and sat beside her on the bed. The smell of her body wafted around him. She smelled sweet and luscious. His eyes rolled back in his head for a second as the scent hit him.

He patted her back, every impulse in his body demanding he put his arms around her and give her comfort. She looked up at him with the most innocent, trusting eyes. He never expected to see that look from Ella again.

When they were kids, she’d looked up to him. They’d been best friends and eventually lovers. They’d practically grown up together. She’d trusted him as much as he’d trusted her. Or so he’d thought.

Having her so close again, depending on him like this, it sent a thrill down his spine. He had to prove to her that he could handle it. He had to prove to himself.

Her cheek looked so soft. He wanted to kiss her. Her shoulder was softly curved under his hand, and his dick grew hard just from touching her there.

“It’s going to be all right,” he said, in a choked voice.

She glanced over at him and down at his lap, looking away quickly. Damn. She saw. She stiffened a little but the trusting look didn’t leave her face.

“I’m so scared. We need to take care of the baby. I can’t stand the thought of him in danger.”

“I’m going to check on the boat. Do you need anything?”

“No. There’s some sausage on the stove if you want to eat.”

He stood and grabbed a link, shoving it in his mouth as he went to the front door. He looked back at her briefly before going out into the cold. She looked like an angel sitting there with Andrew. They were both so beautiful, his heart could barely stand it.

As he closed the door, the thought crossed his mind that they could all be a family now. If she could just give herself to him, they could have it all.

He growled at himself for even thinking about it. Now was not the time for such musing. He had to take care of them, even if she didn’t choose him. He couldn’t be distracted by wishful thinking.