She's pressed against a massive oak.
Eyes wide.
Breathing hard.
One trembling hand covers her mouth.
She's terrified.
Not of the fox.
Of me.
Damn it.
Easy.
Take it easy.
My Bear ignores me completely.
Mate.
He pads forward.
Slowly.
Carefully.
She whispers the tiniest little prayer.
“Oh God. Bear. You are a big bear. P-Please don't eat me.”
My heart melts.
Oh, Honey.
The Bear reaches her.
She smells incredible.
Vanilla.
Espresso.
Cinnamon.
Magic.
Hope.
Home.
I lower my enormous head and sniff her hair.
Mine.
Then her cheek.