The Fairy Tales Collection Read Free Page A

through the shoulders like most female grizzly shifters, stared
blankly at him.
    “Good evening, Mrs. Saxby.  My name is – “
    “I know who you are, wolf shifter,” she
said.  “Come in.”
    He stepped into the hallway and the woman
hesitated only briefly before hugging him firmly.  “Thank you for saving my
boy.”
    He patted her back awkwardly as a giant of
a man appeared in the hallway.
    “Conrad,” the woman said, “this is – “
    “Rafe Taggert,” the bear shifter said. 
“Your father and I worked together many years ago.  Come into the kitchen.”
    “Would you like a cup of tea, Mr. Taggert?”
    He shook his head.  “No and please call me
Rafe.”
    He sank into a chair as the grizzly
shifters did the same.  Conrad ran his hand through his short dark hair. 
“Thank you for saving my son.”
    Rafe nodded.  “Honestly, it was pure luck
that I was in the forest yesterday.”
    “Well, we’re still grateful you were there,”
the woman said as she squeezed her husband’s hand.  Tears were beginning to
drip down her cheek and Conrad leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her
forehead.
    “He’s fine, Annette.”
    She nodded and wiped at the tears as a low
voice spoke from the doorway.  “Is she dead?”
    Rafe twisted around and smiled at the boy
standing in the doorway.  “No, little bear.  She lives.”
    His mouth trembled and Annette held out her
arms.  “Come here, Bennett.”
    He climbed into her lap and she rocked him
soothingly, kissing his cheeks as Rafe cleared his throat.  “They gave her
blood transfusions and stitched up her back.  They do not think there will be
permanent damage from the cougar’s claws.”
    “Oh, thank goodness,” Annette said as she
continued to rock Bennett. 
    “I did not tell them that your son was
there,” Rafe said.
    A look of relief crossed Conrad’s face. 
“Thank you, wolf shifter.  We are in your debt.”
    Rafe shook his head.  “There is still a
problem, Mr. Saxby.”
    “What do you mean?”  Annette asked.
    “The girl is awake.  I stopped by the
hospital this morning and the girl was awake and telling anyone who would
listen that your son was there and that he turned into a bear.”
    Annette moaned in dismay and Bennett
clutched at her.  “I’m sorry, mama.  I tried not to shift but I couldn’t help
it.”
    “It’s okay, my love.  It’s okay,” she
whispered as she gave her husband a frightened look.
    “Did they believe her?”  Conrad asked.
    Rafe shrugged.  “I’m not entirely sure. 
They had given her a lot medication for pain so they may believe that she is
not thinking clearly.”
    “For the moment,” Conrad said grimly.
    “Yes, for the moment,” Rafe replied. 
“Still, I don’t think there is much to worry about.”
    “We can’t take that risk,” the grizzly
shifter said.  “Annette, we’re leaving.”
    “Conrad, we can’t just – “
    “We can and we will.”
    Bennett sat up and stared wide-eyed at his
father.  “Papa, I will speak with Mirabelle.  I will convince her to keep my
secret.”
    Conrad shook his head.  “No, boy.  Humans
cannot be trusted, you know that.  She will continue to speak of this and,
sooner or later, another human will believe her.  We leave today.”
    He stood and held his hand out to Rafe. 
“Thank you again, wolf shifter.”
    Rafe stood and shook it firmly as Bennett
slid from Annette’s lap.
    “Papa, I don’t want to leave.  I don’t want
to – “
    “We have no choice!”  Conrad snapped.  Bennett
flinched and his father’s expression softened.  “I’m sorry, son.  We have to
leave.”
    He turned and strode out of the kitchen as Bennett
stared at his mother.  “Mama, please.”
    Her face was pale and she was trembling
lightly but she kissed his forehead and pushed him toward the doorway.  “We
must listen to your father, Bennett.  Go and pack your things.”
    He burst into tears and ran from the room
as Annette smiled wearily at