I swear I didn't mean to claim the first human who's ever hiked into my life, but my bear took one look at her sunshine smile... and decided she was ours.

She arrives at my lodge all bright colors and curious eyes, and I hate how fast my control cracks.

Humans are off-limits. Especially ones who make my bear restless.

Then the storm traps us together. She slips, I catch her, and the bond slams into place before I can stop it.

I try to stay distant. Impossible. She tidies my chaos, talks to my bear without fear, fills every quiet space like she belongs here.

I fix her broken gear.
She softens my edges.
I shift for her, and she looks at me like I'm worth choosing.

That's when I fall-fast, reckless, and completely doomed.

Because rescue arrives... and so does the offer that could take her away forever.

Worst case?
She walks off this mountain-and my mate bond breaks with her.