The Fairy Tales Collection Read online

  “Ben? What’s happening to you?” She moaned.

  His bones cracked and he fell to his knees as the cougar made a soft hissing noise before yowling.

  “Run,” Ben growled as his teeth lengthened and his body swelled. “Run, Mirabelle. Run!”

  She backed away as he shifted completely to his bear form before dropping her backpack and the rose and fleeing. The cougar yowled again and chased after her. Ben roared angrily when the cougar swiped at her. Its claws tore through her t-shirt and blood welled up on her back as she screamed in pain. She was knocked off her feet. Her glasses flew from her face as she landed on the hard ground. Ben roared again as the cougar crouched over her. He leaped onto the cougar’s back, tearing at the back of its neck with his fangs as his claws sank through the thick fur to gouge and tear at its skin. The cougar screamed angrily and shook its large body, dislodging Ben like a troublesome fly. He landed on the ground with a harsh thud and rolled to his feet, growling loudly. The cougar stared at him before crouching. Fear flooded through him but he ignored it and growled again. He had to keep the cougar from hurting Mirabelle. That was all that mattered.

  The cougar’s body tensed and Ben rose to his hind feet. He was going to die but maybe Mirabelle could get away while the cougar attacked him. He roared again as the cougar sprang forward. A gunshot rang out and the cougar’s body landed on him with a heavy thud, knocking him to the ground. Blood poured from a crater-sized hole in its head and he scrambled free of its body, staring wide-eyed at the man standing next to Belle.

  “Shift, little bear,” he said as he knelt next to Belle.

  Bennett shifted with a quiet pop and swiped at the blood smeared across his chest before lunging forward.

  “Is she dead?” He cried as he fell to his knees beside Belle. Blood was pouring from her back and he made a harsh cry of dismay. Belle turned her head and blinked blearily at him.

  “Ben?” She whispered. “You – you’re a bear.”

  A combination of relief and fear flooded through him as the man touched his arm lightly. “Move back, little bear.”

  He watched helplessly as the man removed his jacket and pressed it against Belle’s back. She screamed in pain and he echoed her cry as her eyes rolled up in her head and she slumped against the ground.

  “She’s dead!” Bennett shouted as his bear surged forward.

  “Calm yourself,” the man said before reaching out and shaking him roughly. “She’s not dead yet.”

  He shouldered his rifle and Belle’s backpack before carefully lifting Belle into his arms. “Go home now.”

  “No, I can’t! I have to make sure she’s – “

  The man shook his head. “I’m taking her to the hospital. You need to go home.”

  “I’m going with you!”

  “No, little bear. You have no clothes and no control over your shifting right now. Go home. I’ll keep her safe.”

  Bennett stared wide-eyed at him and the man smiled reassuringly. “Quickly, now. I need to get her to the hospital or she’s going to die. Go on.”

  “Do you promise to help her?” Ben whispered.

  “I promise. Run, little bear.”

  The man turned and, holding Belle’s unconscious body tightly, ran quickly through the forest. Ben, tears streaming down his face, watched him disappear before gently scooping up the fallen rose he had picked for Belle. Holding the stem lightly in his teeth, he shifted to his bear form and raced toward home.

  * * *

  The young man knocked twice on the massive wooden door. It opened after only a few moments and the woman, she was large and broad 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 Rafe. “Thank you again, Rafe.”

  He nodded and she walked him to the door. “Are you certain you should leave? This may blow over quickly.”

  “My husband is a good man but he will never trust the humans. Even a rumour started by a little girl is enough
to make him fear for our safety. It’s better for everyone if we leave.”

  “Good luck,” Rafe said.

  “Thank you. Good bye, Rafe.”

  Chapter 1

  “Ms. Vale? Can you sign here please?”

  The voice was loud and intrusive in the quiet library and she instinctively made a shushing noise before smiling at the courier. He gave her a bored look and held out the clipboard.

  “Sign here.”

  Her hands trembling, she scrawled her name at the bottom of the paper before taking the long, narrow white box. The courier left, his boots clomping loudly on the wooden floor as she set the box on the desk and used scissors to cut the ribbon that was wrapped around it.

  She held her breath as she lifted the lid of the box and unwrapped the tissue paper. A rose, its crimson petals as dark as blood against the white tissue, was nestled in the box and she lifted it carefully before pressing it to her nose.

  “Ms. Vale? I can’t find a book.”

  She placed the rose in the vase of water she had filled this morning and smiled at the little girl. “What book this time, Valerie?”

  Valerie studied the piece of paper in her hand. “Little Women.”

  Mirabelle smiled again. “That’s a very good book. I’m glad you’re going to read it, Valerie.”

  “Mama says it’s a classic,” Valerie said solemnly.

  “It is. Follow me.”

  She moved around the desk and led the little girl to the children’s section. She scanned the shelves quickly before pulling the book. “Here, honey. Take it to Mrs. Simpson, she’ll check it out for you.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Vale!” Valerie grabbed the book and scampered back to the desk as Mirabelle followed more slowly. She passed by the computers, tugging self-consciously at her cardigan as one of the young men working at the closest computer glanced up at her. His gaze wandered over her plump body with vague disinterest before he returned to staring at the screen in front of him.

  She sighed and adjusted her cardigan again before moving behind the desk. Her glasses slid down her nose and she pushed them up irritably. Man, she really needed to remember to pick up her contacts tomorrow. She supposed she should go tonight but she was meeting Ella at Gaston’s Bar and Grill after work. She’d have to put up with her glasses for another day.

  Speaking of which, she glanced at her watch, ten minutes until closing. She hurried around the desk and shelved the last of the books as the head librarian, Mrs. Simpson, announced the closing of the library. She smiled to herself as people gathered their things and headed to the door. She loved working at the library and she knew how lucky she was to have gotten the job. The economy was the shits right now and she was still surprised that she had managed to find her dream job in her small town.

  As Mrs. Simpson ushered the last of the patrons out the door and locked it, she returned to the desk and gathered up her jacket and purse. She picked up the vase with the delicate rose, another little beat of pleasure going through her. As the day ticked on, she had worried that perhaps this year would be the year that no flower appeared. For the last eighteen years on this exact day, a rose had been delivered to her without fail. The scars on her back throbbed suddenly and she winced before touching the rose’s soft petals.

  “Belle?”

  She smiled at Mrs. Simpson. “It was busy today for a change, huh?”

  “Yes.” The older woman looked distinctively uncomfortable and Belle gave her a worried look.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sorry, Belle, but I’m going to have to let you go.”

  Belle blinked at her, certain she had misheard. “I’m sorry?”

  “I have to let you go. There just isn’t enough work to support two of us right now and the town has slashed our budget again. We have to cut costs wherever we can.”

  Belle sank into the chair behind the desk and stared numbly at the rose she still clutched. “I – are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry,” Mrs. Simpson said with a heavy sigh. “I wish we could afford to keep you on. I’m going to miss you.”

  Belle blinked back the hot tears that were threatening to fall as Mrs. Simpson patted her shoulder with one thin hand. “I’m so sorry, Belle.”

  She nodded and rose unsteadily to her feet. “I guess there’s some paperwork I need to fill out.”

  “It’ll only take a minute,” Mrs. Simpson said. “If you’d like, you can come back tomorrow and – “

  “No,” Belle said. “I’d rather do it now.”

  Mrs. Simpson sighed again. “Okay.”

  * * *

  “Belle! Over here!” Her best friend Ella waved at her and Belle joined her at the booth. She placed the rose in the vase on the table and shrugged out of her jacket, tossing it into the booth before sliding her chubby body into the booth. Ella leaned forward and smelled the rose.

  “I see your mystery man sent you your annual rose again.”

  “He’s not a mystery man,” Belle said absently. “I know exactly who he is.”

  “Are you sure it’s Bennett Saxby, Belle? No one has seen his family since that day.”

  “It’s him, Ella,” Belle said. “I know it is.”

  “You met him once when you were seven years old. You’re twenty-five now. Do you really think it’s been him sending you a flower every year? Eighteen years is a long time, honey.”

  “I know but who else would it be?”

  Ella shrugged before taking a sip of her drink. “Maybe you have another secret admirer.”

  Belle rolled her eyes. “You know I don’t. I couldn’t get a date in this town if I tried. No one wants to date the crazy fat girl.”

  “You’re not fat,” Ella protested. “You’re deliciously plump.”

  She glanced down at her own chubby body. “It’s not your size, Belle. I’ve had plenty of dates and we’re the same size.”

  “No, I’m bigger than you,” Belle said. “By about three sizes.”

  Ella rolled her eyes and Belle sighed. “It doesn’t matter. There’s still the crazy part.”

  Her best friend remained silent on the subject of crazy and Belle couldn’t help but grin. “Thanks for your support.”

  “You’re not crazy,” Ella said firmly. “But you had a lot of blood loss that day and you were attacked by a cougar. It’s not surprising that you thought….”

  She trailed off as a group of young men walked by their table. They didn’t spare a glance at either of them and Belle stared intently at Ella. “Bennett Saxby turned into a bear that day, Ella. You’re my best friend – you’re supposed to be on my side.”

  “I am,” Ella protested. “It’s just – you have to admit that thinking a person can turn into a bear is, well…”

  “Crazy,” Belle sighed.

  “You know what’s crazy?” Rowan with her red hair gleaming in the lights, slid into the booth beside Ella, jingling the change in her apron minutely. “You dressing like a librarian just because you work in a library.”

  Belle touched her dark hair that was swept back in a ponytail and pushed up her glasses as Rowan eyed her cardigan and shirt with distaste. “Maybe you could unbutton just one or two of those buttons, Belle, what do you say?”

  Belle smoothed her shirt self-consciously. “Yes, because flashing a bunch of kids and old men at the library is totally professional.”

  Rowan laughed. “You’ve got great tits, Belle-baby, there’s nothing wrong with showing them off. God, I’d kill to have a rack like yours.”

  She eyed her own small breasts as she stretched out her legs and propped her feet on the seat beside Belle.

  “Yeah, well, I’d kill to weigh a hundred and fifteen pounds,” Belle said.

  Rowan rolled her eyes. “Men like curves. I’ve got hips like a damn boy.”

  “Whatever. You’re gorgeous and you know it,” Ella said with a laugh.

  “Not as gorgeous as you, my sweet,” Rowan said before kissing her cheek. “You want your usual, Belle
?”

  Belle hesitated, tempted for a moment to have something stronger, before nodding. “Yes, please, Rowan.”

  “Rowan!”

  Rowan rolled her eyes as the bartender shouted her name. “Oh God, here we go.”

  “I’m not paying you to visit with your damn friends!”

  “Yeah, yeah, shut your piehole, Kevin! I’m working!” Rowan shouted back before sliding out of the booth. “God that guy’s a douchebag. Do you know he hit on me the other night?”

  She started to turn away, calling over her shoulder. “Like I’d ever date an asshole like him. He’s got – oh!”

  She stumbled back as she ran into the solid chest of the man standing behind her. She stared up at him and Belle watched, a little amused, as a flush covered her pale, freckled skin.

  “Hello, Ms. Jameson.”

  “H- hello, Mr. Taggert.” Rowan’s usual brash personality had disappeared completely and she licked her lips nervously as the man smiled politely at her.

  “Rowan! Get your ass over here and serve some goddamn drinks!”

  She jumped at Kevin’s shout and the man instinctively reached out to steady her. He stopped just shy of touching her and they both reddened. Rowan hurried away as Belle slid out from the booth.

  “Rafe! It’s good to see you again.”

  “Hello, Ms. Vale.” Rafe smiled at her and she laughed before hugging him firmly.

  “How many times have I told you to call me Belle? Will you join us for a drink?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t. I just popped in for a minute but thought I would say hello. How are you?”

  “I’m good.” She smiled happily at the man who had saved her life. “Are you sure you can’t have one drink with us?”

  “Unfortunately no. But perhaps another time?”

  “I’d like that. I feel like it’s been a very long time since you came to town. Don’t you get lonely living out in the woods?”

  “I enjoy my privacy,” he replied.

  Rowan was returning with a glass of wine and Belle watched as Rafe’s gaze flickered over her face and body before he looked away hastily. “It was good to see you, Belle. Take care.”