Lily’s heart wedged in her throat. “It’s just...I’ve never…”
“We don’t wear it on our sleeves,” he said. “And most of us stick to Mountain View Crest. That’s where you are now. You’re safe here.”
She’d heard of the town, but because it was a few over, never paid much attention to it. And with it being in another county, it rarely made her own news. Sure, rumors...but she figured it was a hoax. Or...maybe she pretended it wasn’t real because it was easier to accept.
“Are you ready?” He nudged her. “You need to understand my truth.”
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“I know, baby. But you have nothing to be afraid of. Jett is your protector, the same way that I am.” He stroked his hand through her hair. “It’s going to be okay.”
She nodded.
“Jett,” Phoenix said, and then asked him to show his bear.
Lily scrunched up her face and squinted her eyes, as if she was watching a scary movie, almost afraid to see what was about to happen. Phoenix wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. She felt better in his arms.
As Jett slid from his human form to his bear from, his body hair changed to a thicker, denser fur, his nose elongated, his teeth took shape as they lengthened, and his entire body filled in as he dropped down to all fours.
Lily couldn’t breathe. All the air rushed out of her lungs. She started to hyperventilate. A real(,) live bear stood in the room before her. A bear that used to be a man. A man that guarded her first at the hospital and now here. And he said Hunter was one, too. A man that was in her hospital room night and day. Lily’s entire body slumped into Phoenix’s arms as she fainted.
Chapter 21 Phoenix
He felt Lily’s body go limp in his arms. Shit.
“Do you think it was too much, too soon?” Jett asked.
“She has to know.” He turned as she slowly stirred.
“Did...did that just happen?” She could barely speak. She looked around the room quickly. Jett was a man. She was hallucinating. Sure, Phoenix said something, but...Phoenix stared at her.
“Are you okay?” He knelt beside her, his hand stroking her hair. “You’re safe.”
She looked at the men and slowly sat upright. “What just happened?” She saw it with her own two eyes, but she almost didn’t believe it.
Phoenix stood and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “You need to know. If you’re going to be a part of my world, you need to know my truth.”
“No. No. I’m not in love with some animal. You’re a man. I can see you with my own two eyes. How is this even possible?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’ve seen you.” She hesitated for a moment. “I’ve seen all of you. When you tore off your hospital gown...you were all man.”
Phoenix closed his eyes. “Lily, when I was broken, I was too weak to transform. The night I left the hospital, I crashed through a window. I’d finally been able to let my bear come out. I wouldn’t have had that much strength as a man.”
“That’s not true. You’re big, you’re strong. You’re built like an ox.” She wanted to make excuses. It was so much easier. Easier than believing he was some mutated person.
“I’m sorry I had to ruin the illusion. There’s more to me than you’ve seen with your eyes.” He hated to do this, but he needed to show her. He was afraid she’d never look at him the same way again-- with adoration and love, with longing and hope for a future together, and with a full heart.
Phoenix let his face start to turn, his nose elongating...his teeth…
“Stop! Don’t do it!” She was crying. “I can’t. I can’t see this.” Terror filled her veins.
Phoenix’s heart broke seeing the look in her eyes. She looked at him like he was a freak of nature, not like the man she’d fallen in love with. He knew this might happen, but it was a chance he had to take. She would no longer be his. It was obvious by her expression. Horror laced with confusion slid across her face.
“I’m sorry.” He sat down, feeling like a beaten man. She would be leaving. There was no way she could stay. She could barely look at him. Just moments before, love poured from those very same eyes. Now all that was left was shock.
“I’m scared,” she choked out. “I want to love you. I do love you, but…” she couldn’t say the words. They were too painful.
He looked away. And just like that, the woman he wanted to build his entire life around had shut him down.
“I can’t do this.” She started to back away. “I can’t...I’m sorry. Phoenix, I’m confused.”