A Promise To Bear (Second Chance Shifters 4) by Meredith Clarke Page B

just started yelling at the police officer. “Arrest that man! He tried to kill me. And he just admitted that he killed my parents.”
    Lauren’s eyes widened. “Paul? Wait, is this why you called me? You hurt Twila?”
    “I was only taking back what was mine.”
    “What the hell? I knew you had problems, but this? Why?”
    “She and her family ruined my life. They ruined my clan!”
    The detective held out his gun, but he didn’t know whether to point at the bear or at the man who was starting to crawl his way back to the woods.
    “Get him!” cried Twila. Her uncle started to take off, but his wound was too big, his pain too excruciating. The detective had him in handcuffs in under a minute.
    “And the bear?” the officer asked.
    “He’s with me. It’s fine.”
    “I’m going to take him in for questioning. But we’ll need your statement. I’m guessing this has to do with the missing money as well?”
    Twila nodded while Lauren put her arm around her, holding her close. “All of it’s tied together. Everything.”
    Lauren and Twila watched the detective pull Paul up the side of the ridge. Jasper continued to pace back and forth in front, a growl rumbling deep from his chest.
    After they were out of sight, Lauren turned and looked at Twila. “Are you hurt?”
    “No, I’m okay.”
    “And the bear? Jasper?”
    Twila cocked her head. “Did you know?”
    Lauren chewed on her lower lip. “I had an idea. Grace let something slip once. But it wasn’t my place to ask. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
    She hugged Twila, squeezing her against her chest. “I’ll leave you two alone to talk.” She gave a little wave and started to walk up the ridge. Twila turned around and sat on the rocks, Jasper coming up next to her, nuzzling her face. She looked into his deep brown eyes and once again felt safe. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. He wanted revenge, and I had no idea how far he would go. Apparently he’s my uncle.” Jasper’s big brown head cocked back and forth in confusion; clearly, he didn’t know that Twila had an uncle either. “I can’t believe my family hid this from me. I didn’t even know that Elizabeth existed. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have just told me the truth.”
    Jasper wandered behind some bushes for a moment, and Twila could hear the cracking of bones and a yell of agony that subsided quickly. Jasper, the man, walked back out only moments later, completely naked, but otherwise unharmed.
    “Does that hurt?”
    He shrugged. “Not as much as being away from you. I was so worried.” He sat down next to her and cradled her body in his big arms.
    “So was I. Thank you for coming back.”
    He turned to look at her. “I will always come back. I will always take care of you. I promise you that.”
    She snuggled into his warm chest even further. She knew he was telling the truth. She and Jasper were forever.

Epilogue
    O ne Year Later- Twila
    Twila stood in front of the mirror admiring herself. Her dark auburn hair was in stark contrast to the white lace that nearly covered her body. Mia stood behind her fixing the train. She was her only friend from Montana that had stayed in touch with her since she had moved to Bear Lake. Mia traveled a lot, so she wasn’t around much since Twila’s parents died, but she had reconnected with her after Gram had passed. She’d come in specifically for the wedding.
    “You look amazing!”
    Twila took a strand of her dark hair and curled it around her finger. “You don’t think it’s too much? I mean, it is an outdoor wedding.”
    Mia shook her head. “Definitely not. It’s exactly the look you should be going for. A rose among the thorns, or whatever they say. Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t still look beautiful.”
    Twila nodded, agreeing. “I mean, with the lake in the background, it’s going to be gorgeous. And at sunset? The most romantic way ever to get married.”
    Lauren walked in