Free Big Bear Blunder: BBW Werebear Shapeshifter Suspense Romance (Sweetwater Brides) by Anya Nowlan, Rory Dale

tapping into my bear’s strength while still remaining mostly human. I won’t reach my full potential until I shift completely,” Everett continued, letting the change rip through him at a slower pace than usual.
    Fur rippled through his skin as his body shivered and transformed. He felt more connected to the earth beneath him as his feet were replaced by huge paws. Shoulders widening, face shifting, Everett’s senses expanded until he could both hear and smell all the little creatures mingling around beyond the tree line.
    Growling softly, Everett planted his two front paws on the ground and carefully plodded towards Sara.
    She was staring at him in awe, turning to look at Everett from both sides, as if she expected the man to be hiding behind the bear.
    “You can still understand me, right?” she asked, starting to reach out but pulling her hand back at the last second.
    Everett nodded, accompanied by a short little growl. Sara giggled, clamping a hand over her mouth as she did. Everett sat down, staying still so Sara could explore the new him.
    Sara edged closer until she was just inches away and reached her hand out to touch him. It was almost swallowed by the grizzly’s thick, brown coat. Her small hands roamed across the bear’s nape and head, stopping to play with his ears.
    Everett’s bear rumbled approvingly, now more a purring housecat than a wild animal. Everett felt so comfortable and calm, he could have stayed like that all day, letting Sara play with him as if he were a teddy bear.
    After a while, Everett nudged Sara backwards with his muzzle, earning a little yelp when his cold, wet nose touched her. He tugged on the control he had on the bear – the strands of primal power that let him turn between animal and man. His paws returned to hands and feet, the fur was replaced by smooth muscle. Everett cracked his neck as the final vestiges of his alternate form left his face.
    Sara stood in front of him, mouth slightly open, eyes round like saucers.
    “That. Was. Amazing,” she said, rushing over to Everett and running her hands over his face. “I mean, you were a bear a minute ago and now…” Sara continued, transfixed.
    “I’m still just me,” Everett said, wrapping his arms around Sara and pulling her close.
    “I know. I could tell, even after you shifted. I felt like I could recognize you anywhere. So weird,” she agreed, still holding Everett’s face in her hands.
    Everett could hear a faint buzzing coming from the cabin.
    “I think my phone is ringing,” he noted, disentangling from Sara with a rueful sigh.
    “I don’t hear anything,” she said, straining her senses.
    Everett raised a brow.
    “Oh, right, bear hearing?” Sara asked as they made their way back inside.
    Everett answered the phone, his face growing grim at the information flowing into his ear.
    “What’s wrong?” Sara queried, instantly alarmed.
    “My brother’s been hurt,” Everett replied, his hands balling into fists.

Fifteen

Sara
    S ara didn’t ask any questions as she and Everett hopped into his pickup and drove to a two-story house at the end of a remote gravel road. Everett was silent the whole way there and Sara followed his lead. He clearly had enough on his mind without her shooting off questions.
    A blond woman opened the door as they pulled into the driveway and ushered them into the house. On the living room couch lay a young man, his foot covered in bandages. He looked up at the sound of footsteps, groaning as he saw Everett.
    “They dragged you into this too? I’m fine, just a scratch, will heal in no time,” the man said, propping himself up on his elbows.
    “And you’ll heal even faster with all of us here,” Evan said sternly.
    An imposing man with raven black hair stood from a nearby armchair.
    “Listen to your brothers, Zeke,” he said, giving the man on the couch a look that said this particular conversation was over.
    A redheaded woman standing at Evan’s side walked over to Sara