A Bear Love

| Chapter Four |

"You can't keep me here." Neve seethed.

"You need to calm down." Wolff retorted holding up his hands before her.

Neve's eyebrows rose the anger inside of her out of control. How dare he? It was a mistake to come here.

"Calm down? Right now, this is me calm Wolff. Trust me, I'm completely calm." Neve rushed the steam practically coming from her words.

Turning on her heels she walked to where she had left her bag, threw it over her shoulder and with her head held high stormed past him until the chill of the air hit her from outside. He was an imbecile, a hot, rugged, sexy imbecile.

"Wolff, come on man. Didn't anybody ever tell you the first rule about women?"

Neve kept walking as Zeke berated his friend. She could hear Wolff at her back, his large strides keeping him straight behind her.

"No?" Zeke shouted when nobody answered. "I'll help you then, I'll tell you what my father bestowed upon me. Women are like a rubber and not the latex kind." He chuckled.

Neve stopped turning to Zeke with a bewildered expression. Wolff did the same the two of them looking as dumbfounded as each other.

"One wrong statement like 'you need to calm down' could mean they erase you from their life completely. You wouldn't poke a bear when it's angry. You should have tried it like this."

Zeke walked over to Neve. Her anger had quietened probably due to Zeke's goading which was somewhat entertaining. The air around him wasn't as heavy as it was with Wolff.

"My sweet little firecracker." Zeke smiled showing his perfectly straight, white teeth.

Batting his eyelashes like a five year old girl asking her parents for sweets he tilted his head looking at Wolff a flicker of something passing between them.

"Zeke you better step back from her." Wolff demanded his hands turning to fists by his side.

"Give the bear some honey. Oh wait, he's found his honey pot." Zeke laughed.

Wolff's reaction was automatic his fist landing on Zeke's face. The sheer force of it threw him to the dirty ground in a second.

"What is wrong with you?" Neve gasped, Wolff didn't seem to be listening.

Leaning down to help Zeke up Wolff gripped her arm turning her to face him. His eyes were a deep green, like two swimming pools of liquid danger. Shaking off his hand Neve stepped back from him. The air was so tense, so suffocating. It felt like she couldn't breath.

"I want to leave now."

This was how she felt when...shaking her head her eyes filled with tears. She didn't like the fear coursing through her, fear was what landed her here. She didn't like admitting it but fear made her run.

"I leave you all for five minutes and look what you've all done. The smell of her fear hit me all the way out in the woods." A voice of dismay aired.

Neve turned to a woman. She was pulling her long brown hair into a tight pony tail a sad smile on her lips as she placed her hands on Neve's shoulders.

"It's ok, Wolff just has some issues. Nobody is going to get hurt, nobody will hurt you, especially Wolff." The woman soothed.

"I'm Fleur."

"Neve, I need to go." She rushed.

She didn't like this situation. It was making her feel vulnerable like her inner scars were being exposed.

"Fleur you need to step back from her, I can't..." Neve froze at the grating edge to Wolff's tone.

Blinking back to reality Neve looked around her. Zeke was at her side, Maxton at the other, Wolff behind and Fleur in front. There was another man standing next to Fleur an uncomfortable expression taking over his young face.

"Jesus dimwits. Why are you surrounding her? Get lost, he wouldn't hurt her." Simultaneously they all turned leaving them to it. They didn't go far, just to the logs each of them looking on edge.

"I need you to do something for me Neve." Fleur coaxed. "I need you to turn around and tell Wolff something, can you do that?" She continued calmly.

"I'm a grown woman. You don't need to talk to me like I'm a child."

If there was one thing Neve hated it was people treating her as if she was a fragile woman. Once yes, she was. Now, no, she gave up that girl a long time ago.

Fleur smiled. "I like her."

"I like her to." Zeke agreed. "Shame we can't keep her."

"She leaves in the morning." Maxton affirmed giving everyone a pointed stare that Neve didn't understand.

"Aw man, you want her to stay till morning." Zeke placed his hand over his heart gasping in mock shock.

"Well contrary to popular belief I don't particularly like the idea of a young shaken woman walking about herself with nowhere to go." Maxton rolled his eyes as Zeke hugged him tight.

"I always knew you had a heart." Zeke pulled back tapping his friend on the back.

"A heart of stone." The young quiet man piped in.

"Anyway." Fleur sighed. "As you can tell, we aren't the most normal bunch of people on the planet."

"Fleur." Wolff barked a grumble coming from his throat, he sounded like he was in pain.

"Ok, turn round and tell Wolff that you don't want to speak to him like this. He needs to go, take a run and come back when he has calmed down." Her tone was unyielding.

Neve stared at Fleur like she was insane. Gazing at everyone with wide eyes she sighed turning towards Wolff hesitantly taking a step back as she did.

Something wasn't right here, something wasn't normal but for now she would play along.

"You need to leave and come back when you are calm. Go take a run, I don't want to speak to you like this." Wolff grinded his teeth together his shoulders stiffening. He looked like he was going to explode.

Something inside of Neve relaxed at the sight of him. He wouldn't hurt her, she could feel it in her heart. Besides she had to be brave, her grandmother wouldn't be proud of her weakness.

Lifting her pale hand Neve placed it on Wolff's tanned cheek. His face leaned into her as he closed his eyes tilting his head to the side kissing her palm, those soft lips erasing her fear completely.

"You need to go just now. I need you to go."

Eyes as green as the blades of grass all around them met hers. A grumbling left his mouth, his chest vibrating with the sound.

"Feed her."

Wolff wiped the stray tear that had escaped her eye a look of regret transforming his features. Before Neve could comment he turned leaving her standing there. Her eyes followed his back until it disappeared deep into the woods a hollow feeling gripping her chest until it was almost painful.

"Let's get you fed before he comes back and eats us." Fleur took Neve's arm leading her to the logs the others were now sitting on.

"He listened?" Neve frowned.

"If only you knew the power you have over him." Fleur whispered low, she assumed she wasn't supposed to hear.

"So firecracker. What I was going to say before my back hit the deck was..." Zeke coughed clearing his throat as he came to stand before her.

"Here we go." Maxton grumbled.

"My sweet little firecracker. Will you gift us the pleasure of spending the night as we would be delighted with the company. My friend Wolff has some deeply integrated issues the same as my other dear friends however I am completely sane and shall keep you safe." Zeke bowed coming to sit beside her.

"Besides the roads here are very dangerous and it's going to rain. That is not a good combination." He added.

Neve shook her head looking at the clear blue sky. "It isn't going to rain."

"OK, in the next hour if it rains you stay. If not then I'll drive you away myself." Zeke held out his hand.

"Fine." Shaking his hand Neve sighed, hopefully she hadn't just made a big mistake.

"Soups ready." Deon stated handing out the bowls quickly scattering away to eat himself in the corner.

Neve took it thanking him. Her stomach growled as she took her first spoonful. It was taste bud exploding goodness. The lentil soup slipped down her throat soothing her stomach instantly.

"I can't sit here. She is a bad omen for all of us, she will bring us death." Maxton stood walking to the furthest away cabin, the door slamming at his back.

"There is the Maxton we all love." Zeke chirped filling up his already finished bowl of soup.

"He really hates me." Neve laughed.

"Maxton doesn't hate anyone but himself. He just wants what is best for us, he cares more than you would think. We all love him even though ninety percent of the time we want to strangle him." Zeke shrugged filling his bowl with soup for the third time after guzzling what he had, how could he eat that fast?

"You eat a lot."

"You see this." Zeke lifted his top up to show his eight pack. "I need to feed this beautiful machine or all the ladies will be disappointed."

Neve raised her eyebrows admiring the view. Zeke was handsome with his dark hair and eyes, he was every woman's wet dream. Letting her mind wander Neve thought of Wolff. He would look breathtaking with a shirt off, he looked gorgeous with it on. Shaking her head she smirked.

"You are clearly letting yourself go." Neve laughed at the frown that covered Zeke's face.

"Fleur, is this not just the most beautiful body you have seen." He queried.

"I don't have time to feed your ego, I have to go. It was nice meeting you Neve." She waved.

"You too."

Fleur went into one of the cabins coming out with a sleeping bag. "Don't bother shouting me for dinner." With those parting words she disappeared.

"She likes camping." Zeke shrugged as a response to Neve's questioning stare.

"Right."

"So, where are you from firecracker?" Sipping her soup Neve squirmed under his intense gaze.

"Where are you from?"

"My mothers depositary box." Zeke retorted with a smile.

"That's gross."

"I know but it's true." He shrugged.

"Ok, nothing personal. Tell me something interesting about yourself." He looked at her like he was solving an intense puzzle.

Neve took some spoonfuls of soup until she was full leaving half the bowl. Before she could place it to the side Zeke had taken it from her hand downing its contents.

"Wasting food is a sin." He shrugged. "So, tell me something interesting."

"I'm a government spy sent here to establish where you have hidden the dead bodies." Neve laughed at his smirk.

"No dead bodies. I like this game. My turn. You are surrounded by shape shifters. When we so wish or sometimes don't we turn into big, huge, scary bears."

Neve burst into a fit of laughter as Zeke brought his hands up making claws and growled. There attention went to Deon as he coughed on his soup.

"I'm fine." He dismissed.

"So what you are trying to tell me is that I'm next. You are going to kill me." Neve gasped. "I had so much to live for." She mocked.

"If you tell me something true about you then I'll spare your life." Zeke sighed. "You're too young to die."

"I love to bake." She admitted. That was her one passion in life, or it had been.

"Your life is definitely spared, only if you make me cake." He wagged his finger as if scalding her.

"It is a tough price but obviously I have no choice ." She shook her head in defeat making Zeke laugh.

"I like your humour firecracker."

A wave of awareness pricked Neve's back. Wolff was coming. How she knew that she would never know.

"Really?" Wolff queried walking towards them. "Shape shifters? Bear shifters?"

Neve was once again stunned by his beauty. He was so tall, over six foot. His arms were bulging from his T-shirt his denim encased thighs bursting from his jeans. If only his clothes would pop right off

"Oh my god." Neve stood shaking her head.

She was going insane. Men couldn't be trusted or certain men couldn't. She was all messed up, he was making her all muddled.

"What?" Wolff worried stepping towards her his large hands landing on her shoulders, he was so warm.

"I'm fine." Neve squeaked.

"Ok, do you want some water?" Neve shook her head declining his offer, it was hard to think with him this close.

"So, I have to go for a run, you coming Deon?" Zeke pulled Deon from his seat before he gained a response.

Looking up into Wolffs' pale green eyes Neve stepped back lifting his arms. She cut him, he would need it cleaned, she could at least do that for him. After all he did let her shower and have a hot meal. Neve couldn't even remember the last time someone had been nice to her.

"I cut you. Where is the cut?" She fretted looking all around his arm.

"You didn't cut me." Wolff took his arms from her tucking the hair behind her ears.

"I know your lying. Something isn't right here, I can feel it." She knew that she had, she felt the blade hit skin.

Neve's heart melted with his smile, it was perfect just like the rest of him. Leaning down he kissed her cheek with those soothing warm lips, his forehead landing on hers.

She was completely confused.

"Earlier I was scared then I looked at you and it all seemed to melt away. It was like I knew you wouldn't hurt me. I don't understand what is happening." Neve sat down on the log, Wolff kneeling before her.

"Look at me." Neve met his eyes in an instant. "I know you don't know me, I know none of this makes sense but please trust me. When I was gone I had a chance to think things through."

Wolff took her hands in his making her fingers look tiny. He looked sad, like his world was ending.

"You have been brought into something that is beyond both of us. I live in a different world with different rules. I live in a world where you don't belong." He admitted quietly.

Wolff's words stung more than they should, more than she would ever admit. Taking a deep breath Neve nodded.

"I...this is so much more complicated than you will ever understand but tomorrow I'll take you into town. I can't be part of your life and you can't be part of mine. I care for you Neve, that is probably something you can't comprehend because I'm a stranger but I care and I always will. You want honesty and I can't give you everything. What I will say is that you are a danger to my Clan, my friends. They need me and I can't let them down."

He looked broken. It was like his pain was hers, his sadness seemed to be ingrained into her heart. Neve felt like she knew him which was impossible, they had only just met. How she was a danger she would never know, that was just one more unanswered question she had been given since this morning.

They were still staring at each other when the rain started in slow drips soon turning to a heavy downpour. Neve laughed bitterly as she shook her head.

"I think Zeke might be able to see the future. I guess you will get what you want, a deal is a deal so it looks like I'm staying."

Running to Wolff's cabin Neve gripped his hand. Shutting the log cabin door at their back to barricade them from the chill of the air Neve shuddered trying to heat up her body faster than was possible.

"Can you do something for me?" Wolff queried in a gruff whisper his hands rubbing her numb arms.

"It depends what that is?" Neve remarked dryly.

"There is that sarcastic tone." Wolff smiled. "For the rest of the day can you just pretend that nothing here is out of the ordinary." Wolff plead.

"Ok." Neve agreed smiling as his shoulders relaxed. "My mind hurts trying to make sense of something that I can't anyway."

For the rest of the day Neve relaxed with Wolff by her side. At dinner he cooked chicken and rice grunting at her when she left more than half her food. She hadn't eaten properly in weeks her stomach was probably the size of a peanut.

He stared at her most of the time they were together, like she was the most intriguing thing on the planet. Neve didn't comment, she didn't want to ruin the moment. After tomorrow she knew her life would go back to what it had been. It was nice to feel like this, for one night she could imagine herself being part of something instead of an outcast.

"I'm tired." Neve sighed when the adverts came on from the cooking programme they were watching.

"Come on then." He stood taking her hand.

Neve's heart galloped in her chest as he pulled her towards his bedroom. He handed her one of his shirts turning his back so she could put in on.

"I'm decent." Neve aired.

Turning around to face her Neve watched as Wolff's jaw dropped. He stared at her bare legs a rumbling rippling from his chest.

"It's..." Clearing his throat Wolff started again. "It's cold, go on in under the covers.

Neve buried herself in the warm duvet, cocooning herself in Wolff's earthy smell. His green eyes followed her every movement.

"You make me feel different." Neve frowned. "I don't know if that's a good thing but I suppose it doesn't matter after tomorrow." Neve shrugged.

Wolff came over to the bed the mattress creaking under his weight as he lay beside her. When his warm arm lifted Neve took the invitation resting her head on his chest, the steady, soothing beat of his heart relaxing her.

"You feel right." He whispered harshly. "So, incredibly right."

She wanted to tell him that she felt the same but her lips remained sealed. This wasn't Neve, she wasn't this girl or hadn't been in a long time. Wolff seemed to shatter her barriers. Maybe it was a good thing that after tonight she wouldn't be in his life.

"Goodnight." Neve whispered an uncertainty in her voice.

The moment felt too real, it felt important.

As she slowly drifted to sleep Neve felt his lips brush her hair.

"Goodnight Neve. I'll keep you safe, I'll always keep you safe."

Those were the last words Neve heard before sleep took her. She drifted to darkness knowing that she was right, the moment was important - to her.