A Bear Love

| Chapter Five |

Wolff parked his truck in front of Winston's Butchers. Neve had been quiet, deafeningly so. She wasn't open like she was last night. Her barriers had gone back up encasing her in an unseen armour. His little human was protecting herself. For that he had fallen for her a little more.

"Well are we just going to sit here?" Maxton groaned from the back seat.

Sighing at the situation Wolff turned around a growl leaving his throat. Maxton threw himself back in his chair Zeke laughing at his side. His third would do well to stay on his good side today. His bear was riled due to his lack of sleep. He was petrified of having a terror last night, he wouldn't risk sleeping with Neve so close.

"Nobody said you had to stay in the car. In fact nobody said you had to come." Zeke shrugged.

"I came to make sure he would let her go." Maxton replied in a snarl. "We all have enough to deal with without having death at our doorstep. I don't remember anybody inviting you either."

"I don't need an invite. I came to say goodbye." Zeke sounded hurt. "I like her. She would have been good for us." He whispered.

"I like you to Zeke, it was nice meeting you." Neve turned to Zeke giving him a small smile. Her overwhelming smell of sadness was gutting Wolff.

"Was it not nice meeting me?" Maxton folded his arms waiting for her answer. Since when did Maxton become so needy?

"Yes." Neve answered, the honestly wafting from her. "Whatever you have gone through, or whatever is eating at you I hope it gets better. I honestly do."

Everything went silent in the car the only sound being the grunt that escaped Maxton. Talking about his past wasn't something he liked to delve into. Wolff smelled Maxtons' bear come forward, his own surfacing ready to protect their mate.

"I haven't went through or are going through anything." Maxton looked stunned.

"I saw it this morning when we were eating breakfast. You push everyone away with your words but when nobody is looking it's hurt and regret in your eyes. You deserve to be happy, not hurt. Everybody does." Neve sighed. "You're a good person, you want what is best for your friends. I don't understand the situation but I understand your intentions."

Wolff watched as Maxton's eyes softened. He looked at her with an open rawness he had never seen him wear before.

"You're right Zeke, she would have been good for us. She would have been perfect for him. I hope you find peace with whatever is eating at you as well, that doesn't mean I like you." He added the last part with a sneer.

Maxton nodded at Neve one last time before he opened the truck door. He left not looking back disappearing into the bar, the door cracking with the force he had opened it. Hopefully nobody saw that.

"I'll go and make sure he is ok. Goodbye Neve."

Zeke didn't wait for her to respond, he was out of the truck faster than humanly possible, the door closing behind him. Wolff could smell his pain, it resembled his own.

"I better go." Neve picked up her bag that was lying at her feet.

"Not yet." Wolff smiled bitterly. "I need to speak with Marline, wait here a second."

Wolff felt like his heart was breaking. He looked at Neve a wave of anger hitting him straight in the middle. The thought of letting her go was terrifying, the realisation of the reasons behind letting her go fuelled his anger. His bear was clawing away inside of him, roaring to be free.

"Will you wait?" Wolff queried his throat feeling as though it was going to close completely. Neve just nodded looking out of her window.

Making his way to the bakers Wolff smiled at Marline. Her shoulder length grey hair was curled today, those warm eyes gazing at him until a frown lit her lightly wrinkled face. She smelled like ginger bread men, the whole shop did.

"What's wrong son?"

Wolff smiled. The woman was human yet had the nurturing instincts of a mother bear. It always intrigued him. Anyone she came in contact with seemed to be taken under her wing. Wolff looked around, the place was empty, thank God. He didn't need anyone knowing his business.

"I need a favour Marline."

"Ok, come sit." She answered without a second thought.

Walking to one of the tables her skirt wafting around her feet Marline waited for Wolff to join. The metal chair creaked below his weight when he eventually made his way over. Sitting across from her Marline took his hands on the red and white checked tablecloth.

"What do you need?"

"I need to rent one of your cabins. Permanently." Her eyes widened in shock before she regained herself.

Pulling out the envelope of money Wolff placed it in her hands when he knew Neve wasn't looking. Marline looked at it with a silent question.

"That is enough for a year just now. I'll pay another year once that is up and will continue to do so." Marline nodded putting the envelope in her pocket.

"What else is it you need son. You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders."

If only she knew. Wolff smiled looking out the window to the truck where Neve was now staring at him with those curious yet guarded blue eyes. He smiled sadly looking back to Marline. It was hard to breath with his bear gnawing away inside him.

"I need you to hire a friend of mine. I know she likes to bake. She has lost her way a bit and needs a friend."

Wolff wished he knew more about her, the truth was the more questions he asked the deeper the bond became between them. He couldn't let that bond form completely, it would kill them both.

"Ok, I could use the help if I'm honest. These legs aren't as young as they used to be." Wolff smiled at her teasing tone.

"She can't know I'm paying for her home." Wolff hurried knowing that Neve wouldn't accept it if he did. She was a proud person, strong. He didn't know a lot about her but he knew that she was independent.

"Son, I am a smooth talker. I could sell stale bread if I so wished."

"I don't doubt that Marline." He didn't, the woman was a master at selling her cakes. She had the longest running business in the town.

"Go get her then." She rushed.

Wolff turned to Neve, she was still staring at him. He lifted his hands motioning for her to come into the bakery. With a nod Neve left the car, her red hair looking almost golden in the light. She truly was the most breathtaking creature on this planet. A growl came from Wolff's throat. He coughed it down smiling at Marline.

"You summoned?" Neve questioned.

"Neve this is Marline."

Wolff stood motioning behind him. Marline was already walking past him to introduce herself.

"Wow, with a beauty like you in my bakery I'm sure the cakes will be flying off the shelf. I'm Marline sweetie." Wolff watched the natural, stunning smile that transformed Neve's face.

"I'm Neve."

"Wolff here says you're looking for a job." Neve blinked several times the confidence on her face disappearing for a moment.

"Yes?" She answered more in a question her quizzical eyes meeting his.

"Zeke said you like to bake. Marline has been looking for help for a while." Neve looked shocked then turned to Marline with a hopeful smile.

"So, you are hiring? Do I have an interview?" Her nerves wafted up his nose. "It's been a while since I baked." She worried with a frown.

"Hmm, it's like riding a bike, you never lose it." Marline dismissed with a wave. "And to answer your question no, you have the job."

"Really? Thank you." Neve answered in a stunned rush.

"Yes sweetie, really. You can thank Wolff though, it was his idea."

Her breathtaking smile nearly knocked him off his feet. He would do anything to see that smile on her face everyday. Knowing he was the reason she was looking at him right now with such a happy expression made him feel like the luckiest bear on the planet.

"Thank you." Neve whispered.

"Any time Neve." He let out a shaky breath not knowing if he was going to be able to leave this shop.

"So sweetie, where are you staying?"

Her eyes went wide at the question. Marline turned her hand clasped at her front waiting for her response. An uncomfortable cough left her throat as she began to speak.

"I..."

"Well that answers that question." Marline smiled. "You can have one of my cabins. They are minimal, I'll just take the rent out your wages. Does that sound fair?" Marline leaned on the counter smiling at them both.

"Yes, I won't let you down. I'm a good baker, it's just been a while." Neve smiled a determination in her eyes that Wolff was instantly proud of.

"Here is the key." Marline fished into her bag bringing out a key with one simple key ring. "It's number fourteen, Wolff can show you where it is. You start tomorrow at half six, don't be late." She warned a sternness to her tone.

"I won't. Thank you again, I honestly won't let you down."

"I know you won't sweetie. I know a good egg when I see one." She winked leaving the two of them as she went into the back.

Wolff followed Neve out of the shop after mouthing a thank you to Marline.

"It's this way." He smiled motioning down the street.

"I have a job." Neve mumbled stunned.

"Yes you do." He smiled satisfied with her happiness. He knew he would live for that now.

They stopped at the cabin Marline was renting her. Neve unlocked the door the two of them entering.

The cabin was much like Wolff's a deep wood smell washing over them as soon as they entered. A couch and TV were in a sitting area, a small bathroom and shower, kitchen and a bedroom with a large double bed inside. Neve squeaked her excitement. The furniture was worn, the cabin small and the place had no personal touches. With the way she was looking around her it was like Neve had just walked into a mansion.

"I have somewhere to stay. I have a home." She whispered in awe.

Taking a deep sturdy breath Wolff's bear began to claw at his skin. She turned to face him, her natural beauty capturing all of his attention. She pulled her hands through her strawberry hair her eyes sparkling with joy. He had to go, she was safe now yet why was his feet unyielding.

This was going to be the hardest thing he had ever done in his life.

"I have to go." He chocked the words past his lips. "I have to go." He whispered again so low that Neve wouldn't be able to hear.

"Oh." Neve whispered.

He wasn't prepared for it, Neve's arms wrapped around his waist, her head resting on his chest. Closing his eyes Wolff hugged her back trying to be as gentle as he could. Burying his nose deep in her hair he committed her unique smell to memory.

Taking Neve's arms he untangled himself from them. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty, she didn't know what was happening between them, she never would.

"Goodbye Neve." He growled his bear rattling inside of him.

"Goodbye." She whispered.

Before he reached the door she called his name. Grinding his teeth together Wolff turned towards her.

"Thank you, for everything." The sincerity in her eyes was clear.

She was a good little human, his good little human.

Taking the envelope of money out of his pocket he placed it on the unit beside the door while she wasn't looking. She would need money to get herself on her feet before her first wage.

Wolff took a deep breath as he left the door closing at his back making him feel completely empty inside. His animal was going to erupt from within his bones. The agony brought him to his knees.

"Wolff, you can't change here." The voices felt so far away like a dream. "Wolff." Zeke repeated.

"Get him to the truck." Maxton rushed panicked.

Wolff felt himself being lifted. None of that seemed to matter, only Neve. The bear wanted his mate, so did Wolff. A roar left his lips as his bear pushed for his skin.

"He is going to change." Zeke panicked.

"Just drive." Maxton pushed. "Get us as far out of town as possible."

"It wouldn't be so bad if his bear wasn't so volatile. His bear is a bigger part of him than any of ours. His control is never one hundred percent." Zeke worried.

"It's because of his past."

At the mention of his past the memories filtered into his mind. Each one was like a sharp knife digging into his soul. He tried to grip onto his humanity for a little longer, the bear inside his skin was having none of it. His spin jerked backwards a scream of pain leaving his mouth. The change was happening whether he liked it or not.

"We are going to die, we are going to die, we are going to die." Zeke chanted, his heart thundering in his chest.

"Zeke open your eyes. The reason we are going to die is because you drive us into a god damn tree." Maxton's heart was beating just as fast.

Wolff felt his claws lengthen, they tore into the leather seat ripping it to shreds as his teeth descended piercing through his lips.

"Pull over." Maxton wailed in a panic. "Now."

Wolff hit the wet grass with a thud his control slipping. The bear took his skin a roar of terror leaving its mouth. Running, his paws thundered off the ground. Zeke and Maxton ran alongside him in their bear forms their worry strong.

Maxton grunted at his side trying to get him to slow down. He couldn't, he had to get away from her scent, her home, her life. The further away from Neve he was the safer she would be.

The council wouldn't kill them now. She would live a long happy life.

They arrived at Our Wood in a bluster of chaos. Wolff halted pushing his bear for control. Once he was standing in human form the turmoil seemed to hit him like a fist in the face.

"Wolff. It's going to be all right." Zeke whispered his voice uneven as he tried to catch his breath.

"You know nothing." Wolff seethed. "It will never be all right." He spat. "You don't know how this feels, you can't possibly imagine."

"No." Zeke agreed. "I can't but the minute you claimed her she became part of this Clan. She may not be claimed completely but she is still our responsibility to keep safe. We all felt her loss because you did."

Wolff stormed away from his Clan deep into the dense woods. He wished the Council had killed him when he was fourteen. They had ruined his life the day they came and took him. He lived with them for four years, four torturous years until they granted his freedom by allowing him to have a clan. Now, they had taken his only chance of happiness.

Stopping his aimless wandering Wolff leaned against the tough bark of an old tree his shoulders shaking with his pain.

Loneliness, he had never understood the concept. He had his Clan, his friends, he thought that was all he needed. Now he understood that they were just five people living amongst each other going from day to day.

Each of them were lonely, isolating themselves from the world as well as each other. They were together because it kept them safe.

His Clan were all living an illusion. It had taken meeting Neve to see the truth and it was terrifying as now he would just have to live with that empty realisation.

His life was meaningless, worthless and completely hollow without his mate.