CONVERSATIONS

She gripped her hands into tight fists. Her lips pulled into a straight line, and she inhaled sharply.

“If you're not going to be honest with me, then I'm not staying. I told you I wasn't going to watch after your kid day in and day out. I'm the nanny, not the mother."

She turned on her heel and marched toward the door. He quickly pulled himself out of bed and reached for her hand, stopping her.

"Stop!" Elena yelled, but he didn't.

"Just give me a second to explain," he whispered, making her pause.

He knew she wouldn't believe him unless she saw with her own eyes, so he turned them toward the door and walked her out to the backyard.

The grass was wet, and it smelled like it had recently rained. He turned toward her on the deck and took a few steps back.

"Now, you can't say I didn't warn you," he said, watching her look at him confused.

He relaxed his muscles and allowed himself to shift into his bear form. His bones moved, and his muscles contracted. And then she screamed.

Elena's eye