Page 21 of Awakened By the Guardian

The van stopped, and Gary jerked his head upright. Margaret was staring at him, concerned.

“I’m fine,” he growled.

“No, you’re not. And I’d feel a whole lot better about this if you quit the macho shit and talked.”

He arched a brow. “Now you want to talk?”

She sighed. “Not about m⁠—”

“I know,” he interrupted, then forced his tone to soften. “You want me to talk? Okay, I admit it. I’m spinning.” He arched a brow. “Get it? Spinning? A wheelchair joke.”

She groaned, in no way amused, but his father chuckled while opening the van door. “Becoming a shifter is a lot to handle.” He started unclipping Gary’s wheelchair. “But I can’t say as I regret you making this change. Feels like I can finally talk to you.”

“We could always talk,” Gary countered. Though his parents divorced when he was young, his father had been at ball games and graduations, had let him tag along on plumbing jobs and even paid for his tux at prom. They’d talked about the birds and bees and safe sex—way too early for Gary’s taste.

His father hit the button on the wheelchair ramp. “We could talk,” he agreed, “but I couldn’t tell you everything. Like, who I am. Who you are. Now I can show it to you.”

His father’s joy was palpable and a stark contrast to Margaret’s worry. Gary extended a hand to her, and she took it, keeping pace with his wheelchair as his father pushed.

“Margaret—”

“Just swear you’ll tell me before you do anything. You don’t have to listen to my advice, but…just let me know.” Her expression was level. “I know more about your medical situation than anyone but you. If you’re going to leap before you look, at least let me try to catch you.”

It was true. She did know more than anyone about his condition. He’d shut out his mother because she hovered too much.

“Deal.” He squeezed Margaret’s hand. “No major decisions without talking to you.”

She returned the squeeze then hit him with a zinger. “In return, I’ll forgive you for bringing up my issues while in the middle of yours.”

Ouch. Had he really focused on her sexual issues rather than handle his own hope for a miracle? Maybe. “Fair enough,” he said. “But don’t forgive me too much. I’ll make time for your issues again as soon as I’m through with mine.”

He saw her grimace in acknowledgment, but she didn’t argue.

The front door of the hardware store was shoved open by a handsome Hispanic man. “Sorry,” the guy said, looking surprised.

“Hey, Mateo, meet my son Gary. He had his first shift last night!”

Mateo’s eyes lit up as he noticed who was speaking, and then he looked down at Gary. “Congratulations! Your first shift? You’re a little old for it, though, aren’t you?”

Gary’s father shrugged. “It was the water. Kicked him over into full bear.”

“Ah. You were drinking the water? Shouldn’t do that. Not until we figure out how to end the stinkies.”

“He’s not a hybrid,” his father said, a little harshly, and Gary was having trouble taking it all in. “He turned full grizzly. He’s one of us now.”

Mateo blew out a low whistle. “Welcome then!” He held open the door and gestured inside. “Alyssa and Simon are out, but Vic’s here.” He made a face. “Bring your gas mask. He’s full stinky.”

“I heard that,” came a grumbly voice. “And I’ve got the smell under control!”

Mateo shook his head and raised his voice so it carried. “Look for the ugly one, then.”

“Everyone’s a comedian,” said a tall black man from inside. At least, Gary thought the guy had probably begun as a tall black man. It was hard to tell since his head and arms were furry. Bare feet and hands—er, paws—too. But the man’s torso and legs were normal. His hips seemed enlarged, and the basketball shorts—the only thing he wore—looked a little too tight.

“Ever stare too long at a Picasso?” Margaret murmured, and Gary almost laughed. This guy really did seem like a jumble of man and grizzly parts. And yet, everything seemed to work.

“What are you doing here, Ray?” the guy asked, his voice slightly distorted by his grizzly bear–like mouth. “You’re no good to me until after you’ve rested.”

“I brought my son. He went through the first shift last night. Gary, this is the Griz beta. Name’s Vic.”