Bear My Babies

“Well, at least you’re doing this for the right reason.”

“I’m sorry, I’m still not following you.”

“Listen, Thomas. You’re in some serious trouble. When my parents found out you were a successful were-bear, they wanted me to get to know you and eventually marry you, extending the were-bear lineage.”

Thomas leaned back on the recliner. He whistled at the revelation she just shared with him. “Whoa. I hope I didn’t get you in trouble with your parents. I really liked you. Melissa kind of snuck up on me.”

It was true: he really did like her and that was the reason he’d wanted to take her out. His emotions had been so confusing lately it was hard to figure out what he was feeling. He felt bad he’d been leading her on. It was dumb to think he could focus on more than one woman at a time, even if he wasn’t romantic with both of them.

Hilary smiled at him and shook her head. “It’s not me that is in trouble with my parents, it’s you and Melissa. As you are aware, it is against the were-bear law to impregnate a human. You are in a lot of trouble with the higher ups.”

“What are they going to do, fine me?” Thomas was getting upset at how his life choice seemed to be getting Melissa in more trouble than he thought he was worth to her. If he had to pay some sort of restitution, then he would gladly do it.

Hilary let out a laugh and it sounded ominous. “If it were just a fine, I would pay it for you. By impregnating a human, you could be punished by death. And as for Melissa and the baby, a witch doctor will be called in to remove the baby, and erase her mind of you. Which is probably best for Melissa.”

“Death? What kind of backwards justice system do we have? And are you telling me there are a lot more were-bears in New York?”

“There’s a whole community of us. Your father had some kind of falling out with the council and that’s why you’ve never heard of it. It’s a lot to explain, just trust me, you are definitely in a lot of trouble.”

“What do they care who I impregnate? It doesn’t sound like it should be anyone’s business but my own.”

“Humans can’t normally handle the birth of a were-baby and die during delivery. That is why it is forbidden. They are afraid that a human will grieve the loss of their daughter for having a were and out us to the rest of the world. We would be in danger if the world knew about us.”

“Bullsh*t. I don’t care if it is the master bear or whatever the hell he is called. Nobody is going to touch Melissa or my baby. Where have these elders been? From what I’ve been taught, we are a dying race; there shouldn’t be a council out there to tell me what to do. What if you’re making it all up?”

“I promise it’s true, for whatever reason your father had a falling out with the council. It’s not even something he’s shared with your mother. She never knew there was a governing body and a large population of us in New York, but your father does.”

“Why wouldn’t he tell me?” He was completely blown away that his father would keep something like that from his family. Especially if there were other were-bears out there he could have mated with.

Thomas launched out of his seat and started pacing the floor. He had enough money to take Melissa and disappear forever if he needed to. His brother would just have to own up and start taking care of the family business.

“I need to go get Melissa. I need to get out of here.”

Thomas searched for his phone so he could call Melissa and tell her he was coming to get her. He cursed when he remembered it was crushed.

“Yes, that’s probably a good idea.”

“Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Melissa and mine got smashed when I almost got ran over after you left me at the restaurant.”

“What? Thomas, they aren’t going to stop. We need to get you out of here. I’ll drive you and we will go pick up Melissa. There is a place in Chicago that may be able to help you two.”

“Thank you.” Thomas wanted to talk to Melissa immediately, but he figured they would be at her apartment soon enough and he could talk to her then. He needed to have her safe by his side, and after this she was going to be his and he would protect her for eternity.

“Why are you helping me?” he asked as Hilary got off the couch and they walked to the door.

“I liked you, Thomas. You were always nice to me. I also like that you were true to Melissa. There were many times you could have had s*x with me, but you didn’t. There aren’t very many men out there that are faithful to the ones they love. I hope to find that someday.”

Thomas put his arm over her shoulder. “You will.”

Thomas let go of Hilary so he could lock his door. He heard her scream, and when he turned around to see what was happening, he saw the two men that threatened him earlier that week. One of them had his arms wrapped around Hilary as she clawed at her captor.

“What the fu*k do you want?” he asked; his bear was begging to be released, and he was about to give it its wish.

He felt his body start to shimmer as his muscles and bones stretched and popped.

“None of that,” the other one said pulling out a Taser that he didn’t see.

He heard Hilary scream his name before everything turned black.