Amaya looked down into the deep chocolate eyes of her companion. He seemed so incredibly human and his eyes were a big part of that. There were streaks of fire in the chocolate orbs. It was clear he understood her.
She would love to bring him home and take him on walks. Amaya was peaceful with him around. She'd like to repay the kindness and make sure he was taken care of.
Amaya took a close look at her new friend. He was very big. His sandy-brown fur was thick and soft. He looked well fed and didn't seem to have bugs of any sort. He was obviously getting food somewhere.
She considered what it all meant. Bear was probably a pet who was given free reign. Whoever fed him obviously loved him and trusted him to come back and stay out of trouble. It was probably for the best. There's no way she could afford to feed him and her neighbors might not be too appreciative of her new friend hanging around, maybe frightening their children.
But oh! how she wished he would follow her home and become part of her life.
Seth saw regret in Anne's eyes. She was obviously getting attached to this form of his. But she was probably wondering how she could afford to feed him. It took every ounce of self control he had learned over the years for him not to simply transform and tell her everything but his wolf wanted to protect her and Seth knew he had to understand why she was afraid before he could do a decent job of it. She would never tell him anything as a man. So he waited in silence.
"It's getting late. I need to head home. You're welcome to join me if you like." Anne stood up and Seth's tail wagged at the invitation. He led the way. Anne chuckled and caught up to him, resting her hand on his back and burying her fingers in his thick fur.
Amaya easily kept up with Bear's steady pace in the dark. His wide shoulders kept her on her feet when she stumbled. He led her directly to her own front door where he paused to sniff the air before he moved aside to let her unlock the door. He went in first and explored every room - even the closets, and came back to her looking very satisfied with himself.
"All clear?" he dipped his head like he was agreeing to her and then made himself comfortable on the floor with a deep sigh of resignation.
Amaya took her boots off by the door and hung up her coat. She surveyed the dog. "I feel like breakfast. Are you hungry?" Bear lifted his head and licked his chops as if in anticipation. "All right then. Good thing I bought groceries."
Amaya set about getting everything she needed for pancakes and sausage and eggs. Bear watched from beside the bar. He was very well behaved for a creature she had found in the woods.
"Sometimes I wonder if you're more than a wolf. Then I wonder if I'm more insane than I previously thought. So, if you ever feel like talking to me, just make sure I'm sitting down and don't have anything hot in my hands." Amaya waited for him to respond but he just tilted his head to one side and panted at her.
She shook her head and got back to the food. Sausage cooked as she mixed the pancake batter and scrambled some eggs.
Seth sat patiently as Anne flitted around the kitchen. She moved so gracefully, like every move was part of a dance and she was a bird flying through the steps. Seth could sit and watch her for eternity.
He gave an appreciative sniff and barely stopped himself from drooling all over the floor. Seth gave an inquiring whine and Anne gave a chuckle. "Just a minute, Bear. I'm almost done." Seth watched her fill her plate with a generous helping of everything before she put the vast remainder into the bowl she had mixed pancakes in.
Anne turned with the bowl in hand and said, "I wonder if you know any tricks? Let's see, can you shake?" Seth wanted to be outraged but even more he wanted to please her. He put his huge paw lightly into her outstretched hand. Her smile lit up the cottage. "Lay down." he did. "Stand." he rose up on his hind legs and licked her nose. She laughed and Seth thought he was in heaven.
"Wait." she set the bowl down and turned to grab the syrup. "Want some?" Seth wagged his tail and gave a little yip. Anne laughed at his excited dance and drizzled warm syrup over the whole heaping mess. "Okay Bear, you've been very good; dig in."
Seth didn't lunge for the bowl exactly but his enthusiasm was to be admired. "I hope you like it. Try not to make too big a mess." Seth and Anne ate in silence for a while. He decided this really was his idea of heaven. Anne was an excellent cook. She could have been more liberal with the syrup, but he was sure she didn't want to make her "dog" sick with too much sugar.
When Seth finished eating he made certain he left no mess and spent some minutes licking leftover syrup from his muzzle. Afterwards he lay down beside the stool Anne occupied as she ate her own food at a much more leisurely pace. Seth dozed off.
Amaya considered her situation as she ate. Bear would need a lot of food and a lot of attention. If he chose to stay with her. She hoped he would stay. For the first time since she started running she felt safe. Bear would protect her.
The large creature sighed in contentment and settled his head in a more comfortable position on his giant paws. Amaya couldn't help but smile. It had been a long time since she'd had a friend.
She finished her food and took the dishes to the sink. Bear followed her and tried to lick her plate. Amaya laughed and let him clean the dishes before she washed them with soap and hot water. Amaya remembered her first meeting with Seth where they had shared a meal and washed dishes side-by-side. So similar to this night. But she had been on edge with Seth so near her, clearly male and very attentive. Now she stood with Bear pressed right up against her and she was smiling and relaxed.
Dishes finished, Amaya looked at the clock. "It's getting pretty late, Bear. I'm going to bed. Do you need out first?" Bear sneezed and shook his head before standing and walking into the bedroom. Amaya followed with a smile on her face.
She started stripping as she made her way to the bathroom. She was definitely in need of a shower. "Stay off the bed until I come back. I am not going to fight you for the covers."
Seth sighed as the bathroom door clicked shut. He heard her open the bathroom window before turning on the shower. He turned in a circle and curled up on the floor facing the bathroom. Anne started singing.
-Hey Seth, what's that?
-=-Sounds like an angel. You lucky dog.
*Sorry I can't patrol for a while guys.
+We understand Seth. We can handle things for now. You focus on Anne.
*Thanks Jake.
+Do me a favor and listen for an emergency. We will need you with us if something comes along.
*Are we expecting something to come along?
+Not yet.
-Stop being paranoid, you two.
-=-I can't wait to meet a real vampire.
*You've met the Cullens.
-=-They don't count, they're broken. What kind of scary monster is as cuddly as the Cullens?
Seth shut out the voices of his brothers as Anne shut off the water. She kept singing. Her voice rose and fell through octaves with beauty and a purity Seth hadn't expected. She really did sound like an angel but her song was sad. Agonized.
She emerged in nothing but a towel with another in her hands working on her dripping hair. Seth would have blushed in his human form. Of course, his heart was beating so hard and fast he couldn't have shifted if he had to. She was still singing.
Hold me close Hold me tight
Keep me warm in the winter night
Beware the dark Behold the sight
Keep me safe til morning's light
Seth was completely entranced. her voice was so agonizingly beautiful but it lacked the hope the lyrics were meant to instill. Anne sang of someone keeping her safe with no conviction that there was anyone able to protect her and make her feel secure and loved. Seth prayed for the chance to prove her wrong.
Amaya smiled at Bear curled up on the floor at the foot of the bed. She dropped her towel and laughed when the canine turned his back on her. "Well, aren't you a gentleman? How silly of me to be relieved by it. You can turn around now, I'm decent."
He shook his head and sneezed. Amaya turned in a circle in her boxers and tank top with a smile on her face, arms outstretched. "You don't approve?" Bear sneezed again. "Well tough. I forgot to get anything warmer to sleep in. Tomorrow is going to be a long day and I'm going to bed."
She did just as she said and quickly climbed under the covers. Bear stood and put his giant head on the edge of the bed. He gave a soft whine. "Get up here then. You can be my heater." Her new companion didn't hesitate to jump up and make himself comfortable by stretching out at her side and taking up way more than his share of the bed.
"No snoring Bear, I mean it." Bear gave an indignant sniff and put his head on the pillow beside her. Amaya and her protector were asleep in moments.