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with this. The stranger offered him a hand up, but he instead stumbled to his feet and launched himself through the gate and out into the neighborhood.
     
    The stranger sighed, turning towards me. “You should go back inside.”
     
    “I need to thank you,” I blurted out. The bears seemed docile now, slumping onto their rumps and gazing around. “What happened? There were...four of you, and now...these bears, why are they following you?”
     
    “We really should get going,” he grinned at me, and began walking towards the woods.
     
    I stepped in front of him, placing a hand against his firm, hot chest. “No way. Tell me what the hell is going on.”
     
    “I wouldn't do that if I were you,” a voice mentioned from behind. Pulling my hand free, I whirled around to face the new stranger, who had the same general features as this one.
     
    He must have been one of the others in the woods , I thought to myself.
     
    “These bears aren't acting normal,” I observed. “That guy was right. Something weird is going on. And I just want to know what it is.”
     
    “Are you sure?” The first stranger asked. “Perhaps it would be best for you to go back inside and pretend that none of this ever happened...”
     
    “Look...whatever is going on, I'm incredibly grateful. You just saved my life. But if I don't get some answers and all of you leave right now, I'll wonder about this for the rest of my life. And it's going to drive me insane ,” I confessed. “Surely you can spare me that, too?”
     
    “So demanding ,” the last man to leave the woods answered.
     
    “...I'll allow it,” the first stranger replied. I turned to face him. “My name is Harrick. These are my brothers.”
     
    There were only two of them, plus the two bears. “Is that counting the...” I gestured towards them. They looked lazy now, observing with some distant curiosity. I was still reeling from the idea of two bears sitting bored in my backyard, let alone all the insanity that had just happened.
     
    “Boys, it's time.” Harrick spoke, his eyes still locked onto mine. The two bears rose up, and within seconds they were glowing brightly, their bodies starting to contort as the air shimmered around them…and within seconds, I was facing a two more handsome, rugged strangers.
     
    All four of the men stepped into line to the side, unthreateningly removing themselves from between the door and myself. “As I said, my brothers,” Harrick explained. “We are the Checker's Grove shifter pack. Either in our bear or human forms, we watch from the shadows of this town, protecting all who enter. As the newest member of the town, we were keeping an eye on you...until we spotted that man in your house, holding you at gunpoint. He won't be causing you any more trouble.”
     
    “ Shifter pack? ” I was stunned. “How long have you been here?”
     
    “In town? Generations,” Harrick explained.
     
    “I...have to sit down,” I spoke, clutching my head. “Why don't you guys come inside? I just need a moment to think...”
     
    *              *              *              *
     
    The four shifters, still as shirtless and handsome as ever, stood around my living room as I leaned against the counter. They looked exactly like the men in my dreams…and I figured that that was no coincidence, although I didn’t bring it up.
     
    I was sipping a drink. God knows I needed something a little more hardcore than iced tea, so this time I hit the vodka and poured myself a screwdriver.
     
    “So, you guys…the two elderly folks that owned this house before me…they knew about you?”
     
    “Ben and Gertrude, yes,” Harrick thought aloud. It was clear that he was the talker of the group, as the others sort of lazed about. “We have been friends with them for a long time. I was sad to see  them go – our father grew up with them before leaving to lead his life in the woods.”
     
    “Your