Free Bearly Holding On by Danielle Foxton

the prickling sensation in the area informed him that he was already healing; it was one of the perks of being an immortal cursed bear.
    “Is everyone alright?” he asked Keme quietly.
    “They’re just a bit shaken up, I think,” Keme replied. “Let’s go make sure our women are safe.”
    They jogged back to the house, Mati swiping a pair of pants from a clothesline along the way.
    Once there Awen bolted out of the house, enveloping her father in a tight hug. Aiyana wasn’t far behind, embracing her husband once Awen had released him.
    Awen moved over to Mati, pressing her head against his chest and wrapping her arms around his torso. “I heard you crying out,” she murmured into his skin. “I was so worried.” Her fingers grazed fresh blood. “You’re hurt!” she stated.
    “I’m fine now,” he reassured, wrapping her small frame in his arms. “I heal very quickly.” He kissed the top of her head and tightened his embrace.
    “Patamon’s boy was attacked by the shed,” Keme explained as they walked inside. “As soon as I hit one of the wolves they all ran off. A big one got Mati on the scruff pretty good but other than that nobody was hurt.”
    “It’s so strange that the wolves would attack Ouray,” Awen mused, grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge. They all sat down at the kitchen table. “There are plenty of chickens and livestock around that would have made easier prey.”
    Her father nodded. “And generally wolves stay away from humans. At least until the snow comes and game is scarce.”
    Awen popped the caps off of the beers and handed them out to Mati and her father. Aiyana declined, saying she had already had too much wine at dinner.
    Keme took a swig from his bottle. “At least everyone is okay. Just in case, we should stay in tonight.”
    Awen grabbed Mati’s hand under the table. He clearly did not want to stay, though he wouldn’t say anything. “I’ll be fine,” she commented. “Mati will take me home, and I live in the city so I doubt I’ll be at risk of attack there.”
    Aiyana screwed up her mouth but didn’t argue. “We’ll walk you out.”
    Awen hugged her parents on the porch and her and Mati descended onto the driveway. Keme stood on the porch with his rifle, waiting until they had pulled away.
    Awen drove down the bumpy reservation drive until they reached the main road, keeping her eyes steadfastly directed in front of her. Once they were about halfway down the road she slowed down, pulling over to the side and stopping. She turned off the engine.
    Just as Mati gave her a questioning look, she unbuckled her seatbelt and slid over the console, coming to rest on his lap. She straddled him and bent her face to his, leaving a trail of light kisses from his cheekbones to his jaw.
    Mati rested his hands on her legs, smiling. “What are you doing?”
    “Checking for bite marks,” she said playfully. “I'm just so glad you're alright.”
    Mati inhaled sharply as her teeth lightly grazed his earlobe. “I see…”
    Awen giggled and kissed him deeply. She sucked on the tip of his tongue and a low growl settled in Mati’s chest. He pulled her hips harder into his, enjoying the pressure created by her grinding on his lap. Her hands began to wander downwards, lightly brushing the button of his jeans.
    Mati stopped her. “Not like this.”
    “I trust you, Mati,” she said softly, kissing him again.
    He nearly let her continue unbuttoning his pants. His control slipped ever so slightly when she bit his bottom lip and pressed her chest flat against his—but in the end Mati had to do what was right.
    He pinned her arms to her sides and gave her a stern look. “Awen,” he chided. “I don’t know what would happen. I’ll find the end of this curse and, when I do, I will love you for a lifetime and more.”
    With that, Mati planted a brief but tender kiss on Awen’s lips.
    The mention of the “L” word, however indirect, erased all her frustration, and she