Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 99(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 99(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
But then I notice what’s got him smiling. A young boy, probably about four or five, comes running over with felt antlers on his head and a half-eaten candy cane in his hand. He’s laughing—practically bursting with joy—as the man scoops him up in his big arms and puts him on his broad shoulders.
For a moment—just one small, heart-stopping second—something in my chest goes warm.
His mate comes over, hooks her arm around his bicep, kisses him on the cheek and cuddles in close.
My heart thumps strangely.
Like it forgot to do its job for a second and had to reboot.
I swallow, frozen in place as I watch them smiling at each other.
I can’t help but wonder… What would that even be like?
A woman who looks at me like that…
A kid on my shoulders…
A life that isn’t just… silence.
And emptiness.
My grizzly senses the shift in my mood and perks up hopefully. He’s been wanting that for years.
“Nope,” I mutter, yanking my head away and shaking out of whatever that was. I push the strange uncomfortable thought down into the deepest darkest parts of me where it belongs. “Not happening. Ever.”
I force a scowl back onto my face and stomp deeper into the crowd, heading for the tree.
This is what I need. Right here. This is going to be great. This is what will make me happy.
My happiness will come from seeing every last one of these people screaming as they sprint back to their overpriced hotels, packing their cars, and leaving for good. Freedom from all this holiday insanity is what will bring me joy.
I grin as I figure out the logistics.
Microphone feedback fills the air, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Tree lighting in five minutes!” the mayor says excitedly.
The crowd cheers. I can feel the excitement building as everyone gathers around.
It’s time.
My bear is urging me to wander through the crowd. I know what he wants. I know who he’s trying to find. Why can’t he just get with the damn program?
I head in the opposite direction, heading to the dark alley between the barber shop and the new candle store. A whole store. For candles. Candles of all scents and colors. My heart starts thumping with rage just thinking about it. Candles are for utility. For light. Who needs anything but a white candle? It’s ridiculous.
“Focus,” I remind myself, trying to stay steady. I have a job to do.
I slip into the dark alley and hide behind the dumpster. No one notices me here. They’re all looking up at the tree, excited to see the lights come on like they’re caveman who’ve never seen electricity before. Idiots.
I need you on this, I tell my inner bear as I take off my flannel sweater and pull off my T-shirt. You’re going to run into that crowd, roaring your head off.
He just whimpers and sinks down low.
Don’t play with me on this, I warn him as I yank off my boots and socks. We’re doing this. These are your mountains too!
He circles inside, whimpering like he doesn’t want to do it. I can feel the hesitation in him.
It makes me angry.
“I want you roaring up a storm,” I growl as I yank out my belt and pull down my pants. “I swear, I won’t let you out until September if you don’t do this!”
There’s probably about a minute left until the lights come on. Everyone is crowding around. Everyone in town. Every single one of these annoying tourists.
They’re all there.
“I mean it,” I warn him as I yank down my underwear and stand in the snow. “Scare everyone off. Push over the tree. Attack all the decorations and the food trucks. Destroy Christmas.”
I clench my teeth, loosen my muscles, and bring my grizzly bear forward.
A grin hits my lips as I feel the shift roll through me.
Bones crack. Skin tightens. Muscles stretch and burn until they’re twice their size. Fur sprouts out in thick waves.
A deep rumbling snarl vibrates out of my chest as a savage tearing sound rips through the air and I drop down onto four massive paws.
Time to strike.
Go, I urge him.
My giant grizzly lumbers out of the alley and onto the sidewalk.
There’s a little less urgency and roaring for my tastes, but it seems to do the trick.
“GRIZZLY!” a lady screams so loud it makes our ears ring.
A collective scream rips through the crowd as everyone sees us coming.
I grin, feeling better already as people scatter in terror.
Roar, I command him. Let these people have it!
He grumbles instead.
Let’s go!! Roar!
I push him forward, commanding him to sprint into the town square. To give these people what they deserve.
He… sits down.
Don’t even! I snap. Get up!
He huffs.
Some people stop running. They just watch from a distance. Some even take pictures and record, smiling like they’re enjoying this!
Stand up! I roar. You’re embarrassing me!