A Heart to Bear (Bear Creek Forever #4)

Chapter Twenty – Dougray

We just let our mate drive away with another man. Dougray’s bear moaned.

Worse, Dougray said. We just let our mate drive away with her ex-fiancé.

Dougray took a step forward, the air around him shimmering as he fought not to shift and run after the truck that was taking their mate away from them.

Then he sucked in a deep breath and let it go slowly, letting go of the tension in his body. He trusted her. Tammy was his. She knew it. He knew it.

She’s only left with Peter to get him away from here, Dougray’s bear said. Now the red fog that had filled his mind had begun to disperse.

Yes, she wants to put some distance between Peter and the lion. Dougray locked his senses on Tammy as she drove away. But he could not afford to stand here and wallow in the misery of watching her leave with Peter.

No, she had gone with Peter to buy the lion sometime. And now Dougray had to act. Fast.

He rushed to the clinic door and slid it open. The lion was still there; he looked as if he hadn’t moved. However, Dougray knew better.

When Peter had been outside, talking to Tammy, the lion shifter had stirred, listening to the conversation. And, if Dougray’s senses were right, and they usually were, the lion was coiled, ready to make a run for it if there was a risk he would be discovered.

Well, running past Peter would have been one way to be discovered, his bear said.

Yeah, I don’t think this guy is thinking rationally, Dougray replied.

He closed the door behind him and stepped closer to the lion. “Hey there.” Dougray did not want to startle the injured shifter. “I know you’re awake. And I know you’re scared. But I’m here to help you.”

The lion’s ears twitched, and his eyes slowly opened, revealing a mixture of fear and wariness. Dougray could sense the tension radiating from the big cat’s body, muscles coiled and ready to spring despite his injuries.

“Easy now,” Dougray said, his voice low and soothing. He took another careful step forward, hands held out in a non-threatening gesture. “My name’s Dougray. I’m a bear shifter, so I know what it’s like to shift.”

The lion’s eyes widened slightly at Dougray’s words, a flicker of recognition passing through them. He let out a low rumble, not quite a growl but not a purr either.

Dougray nodded, understanding the unspoken communication. “That’s right. We’re not so different, you and me. Now, I know you’re hurting, and I want to help. But first, I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

The lion’s gaze darted around the clinic, assessing his surroundings, before settling back on Dougray. For a long moment, neither moved. Then, ever so slightly, the lion’s massive head dipped in a small nod.

“Good. That’s good,” he murmured, taking another careful step forward. The scent of fear and pain emanating from the lion was almost overwhelming, but beneath it, Dougray could detect something else—a hint of hope.

“I’m going to need you to help me out here,” Dougray began. “You were seen on the mountain, and it’s drawn attention. But if we can get you to shift back to your human form, then there won’t be a lion to find. Do you understand?”

The lion let out a low moan and lowered his head to the ground.

That does not sound good, his bear said.

“Can you shift?” Dougray asked.

The lion shook his head and moaned again.

“Because you are hurt?” Dougray asked.

Did he shrug? Dougray’s bear asked as the lion hunched his shoulders.

I don’t think he knows why he can’t shift, Dougray replied, which made things a whole lot harder.

Someone is coming. Dougray tensed, and the lion tried to get to his feet but slumped back down.

“Relax.” Dougray put his hand on the lion’s shoulder. “You don’t want to pull out that IV. It’s only Gavin, the other veterinarian, who treated you last night. He sat and watched over you for a few hours to make sure you were okay. He’s a good man.”

“Dougray?” Uncle Gavin slid the door open and peered inside. “I thought I heard a truck, but it’s not out front.”

“It wasn’t my truck.” Dougray stood up and went to Gavin.

He doesn’t know anything about the lion sightings or Tammy’s ex-fiancé coming to town, his bear reminded him.

“Where’s Tammy?” Gavin looked past Dougray to the lion, who was sitting up, his weight resting on his elbows. “He’s looking better.”

“Gavin,” Dougray didn’t want to worry the older man. “A lot has happened since you went to bed.”

“Is Tammy all right?” Gavin asked quickly.

“She is fine,” Dougray said, although the same could not be said about Peter if he hurt one hair on her head. “But Peter is in town.”

Gavin’s expression clouded, and his usual jovial demeanor vanished. “That good-for-nothing scoundrel? What’s he doing here?”

Dougray sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Well, that’s the other part of the story.”

“Go on,” Gavin ground out.

“There was a sighting of a lion.”

Gavin’s eyes widened, darting to the injured lion on the clinic floor. “Oh, hell’s bells. This complicates things.”

“You’re telling me,” Dougray said. “And a photo of a lion paw print is circulating online.”

“And Peter is here for the story,” Gavin finished.

“That’s about it,” Dougray said. “Although he did try to make out like he was here to see Tammy.”

“Ah, she’ll see right through him.” Gavin placed a reassuring hand on Dougray’s shoulder.

“I hope so.” Dougray pressed his lips together and looked down at his feet.

“She left with him?” Gavin asked.

“She…” He glanced toward the lion.

“She went to protect our guest.” Gavin rolled his shoulders and stepped away. “Well, I think it’s time someone gave that man a piece of their mind.”

“Gavin…” Dougray followed Gavin outside.

“It looks like you have everything under control here,” Gavin said. “So, I am going to drive into town and make sure Peter leaves.”

“What about your ankle?” Dougray asked.

“I don’t plan to kick him,” Gavin said as he got in his truck. “I plan to punch him in the nose.”

Let him go, Dougray’s bear said. He’ll be able to handle Peter while I handle things here.

Dougray nodded, watching as Gavin’s truck kicked up dust as he drove away. His bear was right. Tammy and Gavin had done all they could for the lion. Now it was his turn to help.

One shifter to another, his bear said.

Dougray turned back toward the clinic. He had to act fast, but also carefully. The lion’s inability to shift was a major concern and time was not on their side. The longer the big cat remained in his animal state, the more danger they all faced.

If the lion was discovered and captured, and somehow, he shifted in front of…

Don’t think about it, his bear said.

Dougray re-entered the clinic, his voice low and soothing. “All right, big guy. We’ve got to figure this out.” He knelt beside the lion, close enough to offer comfort but far enough to give the injured shifter space. “I know you’re scared and hurting, but we need to get you shifted back. Can you tell me why you’re having trouble?”

The lion’s eyes, filled with a mixture of pain and frustration, met Dougray’s. He let out a soft whine, his tail twitching nervously.

“Okay, let’s approach this differently,” Dougray said, his mind racing. “Can you remember the last time you were in your human form? Focus on that memory.”

After a moment, the lion’s eyes refocused on Dougray, a flicker of recognition passing through them. He let out a low rumble and nodded his massive head.

“Good, that’s good,” Dougray encouraged. “Now, I want you to concentrate on that memory. Feel what it was like to be in your human skin. Remember the sensation of your fingers, your toes, the way your lungs expanded with each breath.”

The lion closed his eyes, his breathing becoming slow and deliberate. Dougray could sense the intense concentration emanating from the big cat. For several tense moments, nothing happened. Then, ever so slowly, the air around the lion began to shimmer. Dougray held his breath, not daring to move or speak for fear of breaking the lion’s concentration.

The shimmering intensified, and the lion’s form blurred. It felt like the longest minute of Dougray’s life as he waited for the lion to disappear.

But when he finally did, it seemed like an eternity until finally, where the lion had been, a teen, no more than fourteen lay curled on the clinic floor, his body trembling with exhaustion. Dougray quickly grabbed a blanket from a nearby shelf and draped it over him.

“You did it,” Dougray said with relief. “You did it.”

The kid’s eyes fluttered open, revealing a deep amber color that still held a hint of his lion’s wild nature. He opened his mouth to speak, but only a hoarse croak emerged.

“Easy now,” Dougray soothed, reaching for a bottle of water. “Here, drink this.”

Do you think that was his first shift? Dougray’s bear asked.

That would be the most plausible explanation, Dougray agreed.

“Steady,” Dougray warned as the teen gulped down the water. “Why don’t we get you inside?” He wrapped his arm around the teen’s body and helped him to his feet. “Are you okay?”

The boy nodded and leaned heavily on Dougray as they made their way slowly toward the house. But with each step, he seemed to regain a little strength, and his ragged breathing eased.

“Almost there,” Dougray encouraged, supporting most of the boy’s weight. “Just a few more steps.”

The boy grasped the door frame as they reached the door and straightened up, taking a couple of steps on his own.

“Why don’t you take a seat?” Dougray guided the boy toward the table in Gavin’s kitchen and then went to the fridge. “You will feel better once you have eaten. And had a drink.”

He’s probably dehydrated, Dougray’s bear said with concern. He’s so young. Why isn’t someone looking for him? Why hasn’t someone missed him?

I’ll call Brad and give the sheriff’s office an update and a description, Dougray said as he took out a carton of orange juice and reached for a glass. For all we know, someone is looking for him.

Let’s hope it’s for the right reasons, his bear said.

“Here.” He set the glass of orange juice in front of the boy. “Drink this slowly. It’ll help with your energy levels.”

The teen reached for the glass with shaky hands, bringing it to his lips and taking small sips. His eyes, still wild and wary, darted around the room, taking in his surroundings.

“I’m going to make you an omelet,” he said, moving to the stove. “You need protein after a shift like that.”

The boy nodded, his eyes following Dougray’s every move. As Dougray cracked eggs into a bowl, he heard a soft, raspy voice behind him.

“Thank you.”

Dougray turned to face him. “You’re welcome. What’s your name, son?”

The boy hesitated, his fingers tightening around the glass. “Finlay,” he finally whispered. “Finlay Easton.”

Dougray nodded, turning back to the stove to give Finlay a moment of privacy. “Well, Finlay, you’re safe here. No one’s going to hurt you.”

As he whisked the eggs, Dougray could hear Finlay shifting in his seat, the chair creaking slightly. “I...I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I didn’t know what was happening to me. One minute I was…like this and the next minute I was a lion.”

Dougray turned back to face the boy, his expression softening. “It’s okay, Finlay. Your first shift can be scary and confusing. It’s not something you can control or predict.”

Finlay’s eyes widened. “You...you know how to control it?”

Dougray nodded, pouring the eggs into the pan. “I do. I’m a shifter, too. A bear.”

“I thought I was a freak. That if anyone found me, I would be locked up and experimented on.” Finlay’s voice cracked.

“You did the right thing keeping yourself hidden.” Dougray turned from the stove, his eyes filled with compassion. “You’re not a freak, Finlay. You’re part of a community, a heritage that’s as old as time itself. There are more of us out there than you might think.”

Finlay’s shoulders sagged with relief, and he took another sip of orange juice. “I...I didn’t know.”

Dougray’s brow furrowed as he plated the omelet and set it in front of the boy. “Your parents didn’t tell you?”

“I…” Finlay glanced toward the door. “I don’t have any parents.”

That explains a lot, Dougray’s bear said, his heart aching for the teen.

It sure does, Dougray agreed. Shifting for the first time is scary enough when you know what to expect. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to shift for the first time with no knowledge of what is happening.

Dougray’s family was everything to him. They were there for him, no matter what. To be alone in the world with no one to depend on must be incredibly scary.

And lonely, his bear said, miserably.

“Someone’s coming!” Finlay was half out of his seat.

“It’s okay,” Dougray soothed. “It’s Gavin and Tammy. They’re the ones who treated you. This is Gavin’s home.”

Finlay still looked as if he were about to bolt for the door, but then Dougray placed the omelet in front of him. The aroma of eggs and cheese filled the air, and Finlay’s stomach growled audibly.

“Eat,” Dougray encouraged gently. “You need your strength.”

As Finlay hesitantly picked up the fork, the front door opened. Tammy entered first, her face flushed and her eyes bright with worry. Gavin followed close behind, looking equally concerned.

“Dougray, we—” Relief covered her face as she saw Finlay sitting at the table. “He’s here.”

“This is Finlay,” Dougray introduced the teen with an arched eyebrow.

“Hi, Finlay, it’s good to finally meet you.” Tammy stepped into the kitchen and Gavin followed close behind.

“This is a relief.” Gavin pulled out a chair and sat down heavily.

He looks tired, Dougray’s bear said.

It’s been a long couple of days, Dougray said.

Now that Finlay was human, it was time to dispel the rumors of a lion roaming the mountains.

And Dougray might just have an idea of how to do just that.