Exposed Memories

by Sienna Aylen

  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t get that pleasure. When he’d asked Emma what had happened, she told him she’d gone back to her village as soon as the old Council had passed. Her entire village had been razed to the ground, Morighan included. Damien was glad it hadn’t been a peaceful death. They deserved what they got and more.

  He was going to give Emma everything her tribe hadn’t, starting tonight. He was planning to announce their mating to the entire Clan at the celebration. She would become their Alpha female before the day was out.

  The mating mark only cemented her position by his side.

  The giant black paw print on her right butt cheek looked suspiciously similar to the paw prints he left on the ground when he was in bear form. It was similar in coloring to her Council mark. They both had the look of professionally done tattoos. He was incredibly turned-on by it. Anticipation was eating him alive—he couldn’t wait to see her reaction to it.

  Once they’d stepped out of the shower, Emma had left to make breakfast. Turning back to the mirror, he’d noticed she’d marked him as well. He’d had to lean close to see it because it looked as though it had been done in white ink. A star flower that matched her own, right there on his hip. The grin he’d sported the entire morning couldn’t be hidden.

  “So, we’re here at your disposal. What needs to be done before the games tonight?” Hunter asked.

  Shutting down his computer, Damien stood up. “Lots of stuff, and you’re on point with the minors. Gather up the teens and meet me out in the clearing by the lake. We’ve got work to do.”

  * * * *

  The day passed as Damien worked alongside the rest of the Clan to prepare the outdoor space for the evening’s festivities. The Annual Bear Games were a tradition that occurred every spring, right before the heat of the summer months.

  No one was sure exactly when the first Bear Games had occurred but they had started as a way to celebrate the species’ survival through the harsh winter months. Every year, the families and lone bears in each region would gather right before spring ended. They tested their strength and cunning against one another in tournaments. It had been a way for his ancestors to mingle with others of their kind, and more than one pair of mates had found each other at the games.

  An entire afternoon and evening filled with games, dancing and drinking. It was the highlight of their year.

  “Let’s put it right here.” Damien lowered the edge of the wooden picnic table, making sure Dimitri had the other end steady. They placed it next to the others, forming a semicircle around the giant pile of wood that would make up the bonfire once the sun went down.

  The clearing they were using this year was on the north edge of the lake. When the sun set, they would get a spectacular view of the rays making their fiery display across the crystal waters.

  To his right, Hunter and a group of boys were helping put up one of the obstacle courses with Gene. There would be one on land and then another in the water. Besides the obstacle courses, there was a small ‘arena’ that was basically a dirt circle with a barrier of stones around it. Wooden benches were placed around the outer edge for the spectators. The main event of the night would be in the arena. It was the one game that had never been changed throughout the years. Men and women, old and young, would step forward and challenge one another to duels. It was the spectacle of the year and some of the men and women had been training for months just for this night.

  Over by the dock, some of the women were bringing their rowboats back to shore after assembling the floating obstacle course in the water. Others were in the kitchens, preparing the feast for the festival.

  A rough hand slapped Damien on the back. “Where’s this mate I’ve heard so much about?”

  Turning, Damien smiled and shook Aaron’s hand. “She’s around here somewhere, helping out. The gossip grapevine reached Germany already?”

  Their species spanned the globe, with communities scattered throughout the west and the south. One by one, they had added their names to the Clan registry, profiting not only in connections to distant family but also in business opportunities. Aaron and Damien had gone to school together before Aaron had met his mate and left the country. He now ran their real estate sector in Berlin and had flown in with his family for the Games.

  “Oh, yeah, news of our new Alpha female has spanned the planet. I just heard about it yesterday. Congrats, man.”

  “Thanks. Hey, where’s Elsa? I owe you congratulations, too. I hear you guys are expecting sometime next month.”

  “She said she was going to help in the kitchens, but I’ll bet she’s gossiping with your mother. I’d better go find her. I’ll catch you later.”

  Smiling as Aaron walked off to find his petite wife, Damien looked around. Minors and adults worked side by side to put things together. Even the youngest were helping out by setting tables and doing smaller tasks. In the arena one little redhead in a green sundress was dutifully picking up any stones that littered the ground and moving them outside the circle. Belle.

  Walking to her, Damien stooped down next to the toddler and helped her grab one of the heavier stones. When they were done clearing the circle, Belle lifted her arms up and Damien obligingly picked her up, raising her high above his head just to make her squeal and giggle. When he brought her back down, she rewarded his efforts by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek.

  Emma watched as Damien lifted Belle into the air, spinning her around before bringing her back down. Time and again she had pictured what her Fated would be like and none of those dreams came close to the real thing. Every time someone needed help, he would drop what he was doing and assist. It didn’t matter if the job was putting together large beams for the gazebo or helping a toddler pick up small stones. He gave an equal effort to both.

  Through it all, he somehow always found time for her. Her bear was still wooing her, even though she’d already said that she would stay. He was stealing her heart, one gesture at a time. Earlier, when she had been helping out with the baking in the kitchens, he’d snuck in for a kiss and to present her with two wildflowers.

  When the other women had seen the small gifts tucked into her hair, they’d smiled knowingly. All the Clan members she’d met so far had accepted her, treated her as one of their own. She felt as if she belonged. Like she was meant to be here, with these people. With Damien.

  As she opened the wooden folding chairs, Emma could feel the weight of the carving nestled between her breasts. Her bear. Raising a hand, she waved as Stella walked over carrying another set of chairs for the table. Next to her was a heavily pregnant woman Emma hadn’t met before.

  Stella dumped the chairs on the grass and pulled Emma into a hug. “I hear my son is responsible for that dreamy smile on your face. I’m so happy for the both of you. I can’t wait to see the look on my cousins’ faces when they find out I have a Council member for a daughter-in-law. They’ll be so jealous. They’re distant family, twice removed, so I put up with them on the holidays but that’s about it. I came out here to warn you they’re going to be here today, and to introduce you to Elsa.”

  “Don’t worry about me, Stella, I can take care of myself.” Emma met the shorter woman’s gaze with a slight twinge of jealousy. Elsa’s petite frame was overwhelmed by the bulging stomach in front of her. Her stretchy tank top and sweatpants were paired with work boots.

  Seeing Emma’s eyes wander to her stomach, Elsa nodded and smiled. “I know, right? And it’s only one baby, though, everyone teases that I must be having twins. It’s all Aaron’s fault. He impregnated me with a giant. I swear I’m going to knock someone over with this thing.”

  Emma chuckled. “Congratulations. Boy or girl?”

  “It’s a girl. Aaron’s ecstatic. I have no idea what to do with a girl. With our two boys, it’s easy, hunting and outdoor games rule the day. I don’t see myself playing with dolls and buying tutus.” Elsa nodded at a man entering the side door of the recreation building. “I’d be
tter go get Aaron before he tears apart the kitchens looking for me. It was nice to meet you, Emma.”

  Once Elsa had waddled off, Emma scanned the area to find Damien. He’d moved to help Bleu raise one of the towers for the obstacle course. He’d stripped off his shirt again and had a smile plastered on his face. Emma sighed wistfully. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve him, Stella, but I’m going to keep him. He makes me really happy.”

  Stella whipped one of the chairs out and slid it underneath the table. “As he should. I love him dearly but that son of mine can be completely dense at times, and if he ever makes you unhappy, you come and see me. He may be Alpha of the Clan, but I’m still his mother and I’ll smack some sense into him if it’s needed.”

  Laughter bubbled up as Emma placed the last of the chairs around the table. “Thanks, Stella. I’ll keep that in mind.” When she glanced up, a group of three women were making their way toward them.

  Stella looked at Emma and rolled her eyes while mouthing, “Here they come.”

  The women all wore designer jeans and had their hair professionally cut, styled and dyed. The oldest stepped forward and extended her impeccably manicured hand to Emma. “Hello. I’m Lucinda, that’s Mary and that’s Clarice. We’re Stella’s cousins from Cranston. And you must be Emma.”

  Emma could feel the daggers that were glared her way when the women gave her outfit a once-over. Her grungy shorts, stained T-shirt, tennis shoes and gloves were comfortable and to her liking. When their stares weren’t getting them the reaction they were obviously looking for, one of the women sneered, “Nice outfit.”

  “It amazes me, really, that Damien stooped so low as to mate with an outsider but then again…you did the same, Stella.” Lucinda’s mouth formed a practiced pout that Emma would bet she had spent hours perfecting in front of a mirror.

  Emma waved Stella away when she would have offered a defense. If she was to be the Alpha female of the Clan, she would have to handle this on her own. The women could hate her all they wanted behind closed doors but they would respect her position within the Clan. She was Damien’s mate and a Council member whether they liked it or not.

  Waving a hand, she remarked, “Really, ladies, compared to how long I’ve been on this planet, the three of you are mere children and you’ve obviously taken to acting as such.” Tapping her lip with one finger, she looked off as though thinking, then suddenly exclaimed, “I know where you can help out! Some of the toddlers are putting together paper chains to string up as decorations. They’ll need help handling the staplers and you’ll fit right in. You won’t mess up your manicures or strain your aging selves in any way. They’ll be starting in ten minutes in front of Lysa’s house.”

  Their open mouths said it all. Sputtering, Lucinda responded, “You bitch! How dare you speak to us in such a manner—” The attempted tirade halted when Emma raised a hand in an imperious gesture.

  Tsking, Emma shook her head sadly at the women and spoke in a very calm voice. “See, there you go again. I’ll give you a sage piece of advice. If you want to be treated like an adult, then you need to stop whining and act like one. If you can’t be respectful guests and behave properly, then I’ll be happy to escort all of you off the property. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”

  “You wouldn’t dare!” Lucinda stepped forward as if to strike Emma while the other women looked warily at each other. Right then Elsa, Presley and Rosalind stepped in front of Emma to face Lucinda with their arms across their chests.

  Elsa stared down Lucinda. Slowly she asked, “Is there a problem here?”

  “Move out of my way. This little witch needs to be taught a lesson. She has no right to come into this Clan and order us about as though she owns the place.” Lucinda moved forward but the women wouldn’t let her pass.

  Emma placed her gloved hand on the back of Elsa’s shoulder. They were gaining quite the audience. When Elsa would have protested, Emma stepped around her. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt her, just escort her to the exit.” Emma raised one finger in the air and, as her finger moved higher, Lucinda’s feet lifted until she was hanging suspended six inches off the ground.

  “I think it’s time that you and your little friends left.” Emma ran her gaze over the other two women. “You have a choice. Start walking or I will levitate your asses out as well.”

  They started walking, fear apparent in their faces.

  Depositing a miffed Lucinda next to their Jeep, Emma met her gaze squarely. “You will only be invited back when you start acting like grown women. When you learn some respect, come and see me, but until then I don’t want to see your faces around here. Understand?”

  The redhead was ballsy, he’d give her that. She had kicked three of the most vicious women in the Clan out of the Annual Bear Games. He hadn’t been sure she would have the guts to do it, especially without Damien’s okay, but she had. She’d made a spectacle of it as well, which was all right with him. Now he knew she had the power of telekinesis, and knowledge was power in the games he played.

  It was too bad she’d kicked them out. He’d been hoping those old biddies would be around to watch the show. Especially the oldest, Lucinda. The condescending cow. He had special plans in store for her.

  Just a few more preparations were needed then everything would be in place. Carrying his bundle of tools, he stopped and said hi to a few of the minors who were stringing up lights. He held the ladder steady for one of the cubs who was hanging lights in the lower branches of the trees. By nightfall the entire clearing would be lit up with the twinkling beams.

  There would be a feast, dancing, games, duels and fireworks. The festivities always lasted until the wee hours of the morning and everyone in the Clan would be there…well, everyone but the old hags. Emma had made certain of that. If circumstances were different, he would’ve thanked her for giving those witches a taste of their own medicine.

  Dusting off his hands when the cub finished, he said his goodbyes and picked up his sack. Moving at a quick pace, he made his way up the mountain to the overhang. He had fireworks to assemble.

  The Bear Games were going to go off with a bang this year.

  Chapter Twelve

  #xa0;

  Sweat gleamed against his forehead and he wiped it away with his wrist before circling his opponent. The rivals orbited each other in an elaborate dance, parrying blows while using intricate footwork to try to gain an advantage in the mock battle. Both were evenly matched, having been trained together. When one would strike, the other would dodge.

  Emma watched the muscles in Phil’s stomach contract just the slightest bit. He was building up for a strike but the rest of his body didn’t show it. Only his abs gave it away. She’d seen the same move performed by their ancestors in the world wars. Their opponents never saw it coming until it was too late.

  Gwen was standing next to Emma, watching the combat with interest. Popping a small chocolate ball into her mouth, she chewed before observing, “It’s over, he just doesn’t know it yet. Remember that move, Emma? The last time I saw that one was when that bear eviscerated Hitler. Two more seconds, just two, and his weird moustache would’ve been mine.”

  Sure enough, with the grace of a ballerina, Phil turned at the last second as Ray charged him. He reached out with one hand and shifted at the same time his fingers made contact with the bare skin of Ray’s back. He stepped away as Ray fell to the ground, a trickle of blood seeping from the shallow cut between his shoulder blades.

  The crowd went wild, cheering and bellowing in equal measures. Money exchanged hands from those who had made bets and the victor did a lap around the arena before reaching down to help his friend stand back up.

  Emma felt warm arms wrap around her from behind. Hot air tickled her ear when Damien leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You’re all anyone’s been talking about today after what happened earlier. I’m sorry you had to deal with the old cow alone. But I’m slightly disappointed, Em. All that time we spe
nd in bed and you never told me you could move things with your mind. I can definitely come up with some interesting ways for you to use that particular gift.”

  She chuckled. Emma was so distracted by Damien’s roaming hands she almost didn’t notice Gwen taking off her jacket and stepping out of her shoes. From the arena Phil roared, “Is there no one left to challenge me?”

  Oh, boy.

  She wouldn’t.

  Who was Emma kidding? Of course, Gwen would.

  Emma smacked Damien’s hand to get his attention. Once she had it, she pointed to where Gwen was making her way to the edge of the arena. Outfitted in a sundress, and barefoot, she looked like a fairy princess. Not like the warrior Emma knew her to be.

  Jumping over the rocks into the arena, Gwen placed her hands on her hips and challenged him. “I think I can take you down a peg or two.”

  Phil reared back and burst out laughing. “But you’re wearing a dress.”

  Gwen picked up the edges of the dress and tucked it into the waistband of her shorts, smirking. “Yeah, so? If you would like to forfeit, you should do it now, otherwise I’m going to wipe the floor with you.”

  Damien chuckled in Emma’s ear. “Is she really going to challenge him?”

  “It looks like it. I feel like I should probably warn you she’s going to make your friend look bad when she takes him out. Not just bad, but completely incompetent,” Emma replied innocently.

  Rough whiskers bristled against her cheek as he chuckled. “All right, I’ll take that bet. What do I get when I win?”

  Emma patted her lips with one finger. “Oh, when you win? I think we should talk about what you’re going to give me when I win.”

  Damien trailed one hand down her stomach, stopping right before he made it to the band of her shorts. “Let me see… You know, instead of letting our bet hinge on the two of them, we could always have a go in the arena ourselves when they’re finished. Winner owes the loser a home-cooked dinner and dessert, served naked.”