Page 38 of Bred By the Beast

“I can’t imagine having to go through any of that. I mean, I went through puberty, and I guess I could be a bit of a monster. Most women are at least once a month.”

Wilder laughed.

“I feel like it doesn’t compare to, well, you know, the whole body shifting.”

“The first time I can remember, it wasn’t fun. I hated it. It hurt,” Wilder said. “I remember after it, I didn’t fully transform, and it’s known that some shifters struggle, and it takes several days to transform completely, to shift. For others, it could take the process of months.”

She winced. “What was it like for you?”

“About three days in my first months. Every single day, it hurt like hell. It’s what I imagine hell is like.”

She frowned. “Do you want to talk about this?”

“Poppy, you’re not running away screaming.” He put the hammer he’d been using down on the dresser he’d also repaired.

She didn’t pull away, because she wasn’t afraid of this man. He protected her, even when he didn’t know her.

“You’re the only one I want to talk to about this. Three days, and each time, it seemed to hurt worse than the time before. I remember coming to, and the house was trashed. I wasn’t expecting it, and I couldn’t remember a damn thing. The pain was all I could remember, and that was when I got to work in advancing the room my parents had already started.”

“Your parents started that room?” she asked.

He nodded. “They were planners. They planned for me to be ... strong.” He reached out and took her hands.

Poppy waited for fear to settle in. Panic. Nothing. She didn’t feel any worry or stress, as Wilder held her.

She’d ran away when she saw that room. Ran at any sign of danger, and yet, as she stared into his eyes, it was like she knew with every single fiber of her being, she was ... home.

“You’re not afraid?”

“No, you’re not going to hurt me.” She reached up and cupped his cheek. “I know that.”

Wilder pressed his face against her cheek.

“You’re not going to run and try to sell my story for money?”

Poppy burst out laughing. “Please, they’d have me committed. There is no way anyone would listen to me, and besides, I like my life here with you. Bees don’t sting me, and you’re an amazing cook, and do you hear that?” she asked.

They were both silent.

Silence.

Resplendent quiet.

“It’s so peaceful here, and you’re right, humans suck, and I should know, I’m one of them.” She laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

“You’re different, Poppy. You always have been.” He reached out and stroked a curl behind her ear. “I know this is a lot to take in.”

“It’s fine. I just have to get used to the fact you’re a bear ... shifter?” She smiled and frowned. “So, you don’t use that room anymore?”

“No, I never lose control.”

“This is probably good.”

“Do you want to run away?” he asked.

“No, I want to understand you more, and it makes so much sense. Like I said, it explains the bees and the way animals react to you. It kind of all falls into place, and makes me think everything is a little less weird.”

“Are you tempted to take a picture and send it into the press?” Wilder asked.