Spirit Bear

by M J Waverly

  Eli wondered if he would ever see her again. He glanced at his father. It might be for the best.

  His bear roared. "She is our lifemate. I will not live without her."

  James Whitlock stood beside his son. "You have training. Spirit Competition is around the corner. It will keep you focused and off the pain pills."

  "Dad. What I do in my private life is my business? That woman you just insulted is someone very special to me. I'm going after her."

  His father stood there, open-mouthed.

  Eli had made a big mistake by letting Kimber leave. But, she was better off without him. He needed to get out of here and run through the woods as a bear. Center this anger. Center himself, so he could focus on what he had to do.

  "Go after Kimber. Claim her before it's too late."

  We should go after Kimber. I think she plans to leave. We need to let her know our true feelings.

  "Eli. Can we talk?" His father followed and into the kitchen and sat down at the kitchen table. The breakfast dishes remained in the sink. Eli glanced through the open the door to his bedroom at the tangled covers where he and Kimber had sex this morning.

  His bear wept. "We will lose her. And you will lose me if you don't go after her."

  Grief overwhelmed Eli.

  "Dad. I've been clean for six months." Eli "The girl. Who was she?" His Dad asked.

  "Her name is Kimber Gold, and she and her brother own Khione Snowboards."

  His father's voice brightened. "I've heard of them. An up and coming company with an excellent reputation."

  Eli shoved his hand through his hair. "I need to run. I promise I'm fine."

  His Dad nodded. "Call me this afternoon. I just want to know you're okay, son."

  "Lock up when you leave." Eli hiked to the trail, and when he was deep enough into the woods. He transformed into a bear and ran. He wanted to feel freedom. Away from Artemis. Away from his father.

  Images of Kimber flashed in his mind. Her beautiful smile. Her golden curls. He remembered her body pressed against his as they slept together this morning when he'd been filled with hope.

  He found himself in the woods across the street outside of the Grizzly Gulch Motel. He would tell her everything. His body had healed, but not his spirit. And then it would be her decision if she wanted a broken life mate. He sighed. "No"

  It would be better for Kimber if the bear shifter Pavel claimed her. They could help bear shifters in this world. Eli turned around and headed back to his cabin. He had training to do. The Spirit Competition was in two weeks.

  Chapter 8

  Back at the Grizzly Gulch Motel, Kimber packed her clothes. She was leaving. She needed to get back to the real world, where she didn't have to deal with idiot bear shifters. She tried not to cry, but she rubbed her chest where a painful knot had formed.

  If Artemis wanted to talk, she could find Kimber in Oregon. Because Kimber Gold was leaving Bear Bay, Alaska, and not coming back.

  When she tried to book her airline ticket, she wasn't able to get a return flight until the day after tomorrow. Stuck. Frustrated, she called Justin.

  "Hey, Sis. Did you sign Eli Whitlock? I have so many ideas I want to use in promoting Khione."

  "No. He's an ass."

  "What do you mean?" Justin sounded extremely disappointed.

  "He declined our offer. And he wasn't nice about it." Kimber said.

  "Darn. If he wasn't nice to you, then we don't need him. Well, hopefully, the nice lady, Artemis Wilde, will want to invest."

  Relief flooded Kimber when her brother moved on with the conversation. She didn't want to disappoint her brother, but Eli was broken, and she didn't know what would fix his broken spirit. It wasn't her job. Hopefully, his bear spirit would give Eli the strength he needed.

  Kimber wished him the best on his journey, but if he wasn't willing to let her into his life, she couldn't help him. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She tried to keep her voice from cracking from the pain, which wrenched her heart.

  She talked some more to Justin and then ended their conversation. "I'll see you in a couple of days."

  "Enjoy your visit. Go do something touristy and relax."

  "Thanks. I will."

  She didn't want to take a hike because she could run into some bears. Who knew there was such a thing as bear shifters? Well, she was descended from a nymph. She could create snow, and since she'd been in Bear Bay, her magic had grown stronger.

  What she needed was a coffee? The only thing open was the Broken Toe Diner. They had really great French food. Kimber deserved some carbs.

  At the Broken Toe Diner, the three older gentlemen, who had been here the other day, sat at the end of the counter, reading their newspapers.

  Kimber sat down at the table and ordered a black coffee and a French croissant with homemade jelly. She really wasn't hungry. She pulled out her charm and traced the snowflake symbol on the bear. Her chest tightened and

  The nice waitress, Olivia, brought over another cup of coffee. "Here, you go, sweetie. You look like you could use this."

  "Thanks."

  "What a pretty necklace? May I see it?" Olivia asked.

  Reluctant to take it off because it was her connection to Eli, Kimber removed it from around her neck.

  "What an unusual symbol? It's different from mine." Olivia removed her necklace and beamed when she held it out. She had the same bear charm, but her bear had a heart on the side.

  "I don't understand." Kimber looked up.

  "Artemis gave this to me," Olivia said. "And it led me to my lifemate."

  Jacque popped his head through the pass-through window. "Oui, my amore."

  The blood drained from Kimber as she gripped the edge of the table. "You're the bear I spoke with along with the other bear."

  "Oui. And we need Eli. He needs his lifemate." Jacque grinned from the pass-thru window.

  Kimber choked out the words. "He told me to go. He's so confusing."

  "It's only because he's been through a difficult time after his injuries. His body has healed, but his spirit hasn't." A woman said next to Kimber.

  Kimber startled. "You keep doing that."

  It was Artemis, and she gave a mischievous grin. "That's what I do." She wore her purple hair in a thick bun, and she held a large martini glass. "We're going to help you, my dear. Eli will soon need you more than you know."

  Chapter 9

  Two weeks later.

  Spirit Competition

  Eli warmed up with several runs that morning. He had to be ready for his next competition, which took place in a few minutes.

  His inner bear hadn't revealed himself in the past two weeks when Eli walked away from Kimber. Spending hours in the woods, training, snowboarding the trails up and down Mount Boreas, Eli had been a training machine. Always thinking about Kimber. He'd wanted to contact her, but what would he say?

  He unstrapped his snowboard and removed his helmet. A white owl zinged past him and landed upon a tall pine.

  "I heard Ethan Selvik's board is from an up and coming company. He loves new technology. I think it's a Khione Snowboards, Kimber and Justin Gold's company. Didn't they ask you to represent them?"

  Eli whirled around. Artemis stood before him dressed in a white leather jacket and a sparkling white snowsuit.

  "What are you doing here?" I thought something like this was not enough nature for you." He removed his gloves.

  "I like being out among people, and love events like this. You should see the Saturn Run when Thor takes out his sled."

  "Thor?" Eli arched an eyebrow.

  Artemis waved her hand. "Ignore me. Just like you have done with my advice."

  "I intend to contact Kimber after the competition."

  "No, you won't. You'll put it off thinking you're not worthy. Too broken. You won. You defeated your addiction with the help of your bear. Your body has healed. Your spirit will be whole when you claim your life mate."

  Eli stuttered, trying to find words to repl
y to the goddess.

  She held out her arm, and Minerva, the owl, landed on her wrist. "I warned you that you would lose your life mate and your bear if you didn't claim Kimber. Your bear has petitioned to be free. To seek another human to contain his spirit."

  "What?" Eli's dropped to his knees. "He hasn't spoken to me."

  Artemis smacked Eli on the back of the head. "Because you've been a damn fool."

  The announcers called out Eli's name. He turned and then looked back at the goddess. "I have to go. Stay here. And we can talk when I return."

  "Talk is over, Eli Whitlock." The goddess snapped her fingers and disappeared.

  Eli took the ski lift up to the black diamond run, reaching out to his bear. "Can you hear me?"

  Silence.

  His bear wanted to leave him. Eli would be nothing but a shallow man. Empty. A dark shadow passed over his heart.

  He rode the ski lift up and then gazed down at the people as he tried to process what was happening to him.

  He saw her. He almost jumped down. Kimber. Her golden curls shone. She was here. She hadn't given up on him. His chest went kablooey when his heart expanded four hundred times. She looked up, and their eyes locked. He had been a fool. He'd had the world, and he'd sent her away.

  He had to get off this lift. He had to run after Kimber. He had to tell her he wanted her in his life. He needed her in his life. Did he dare say it? He loved her.

  "Yes. Tell her." His bear growled as if waking from a long hibernation.

  Eli shouted out to Kimber. "Meet me at . . ." But the announcer called out three more snowboarders' names.

  She pointed at her ears and then lifted her shoulders up in-a -I don't-know-gesture.

  He'd find her when he came off the mountain.

  Eli prepared for his run. He had to do this. He had to find Kimber.

  He prepared for a jump, but out of nowhere, a bear with a rune on its side appeared. Pavel. It was that damn bear that had followed Kimber when they'd been snowboarding.

  Eli veered to the left, and when his board hit the edge of a rock. He turned, his leg went in one direction. He screamed with pain as it exploded through his leg.

  And the world went dark.

  The next thing he knew, medics loaded him into an awaiting ambulance. People talked above him as snowflakes drifted down on his face.

  "Kimber," Eli called out.

  "Where can we find Kimber? Is she your girlfriend?" The nice medic with glasses asked.

  "No, she's my lifemate."

  The medic frowned. "Okay. We'll see if we can find her."

  The pain ripped through his leg and radiated up his spine.

  "Kimber. Is it too late?"

  "No. Eli. It's not."

  He opened his eyes. Kimber. His beautiful Kimber gazed lovingly down at him.

  "I was going to meet you at the finish line."

  "I'm sorry. Please don't go. I love you." Eli couldn't embrace her because his arms were bound by the straps.

  "I love you, too." She placed her hand on his leg. A blue light shone from her fingertips, and soft cold sensation like Christmas snow flowed through his leg.

  "Sleep and have dreams of snowboarding on Mount Boreas.

  They'll take care of you, and I'll be waiting." Her blue eyes shone.

  The world darkened, but Eli wasn't human but in his bear form. He ran through the wildflowers until he reached the mountain.

  Standing in the flowers, surrounded by butterflies, was Kimber.

  The golden sun shining down on her as if she'd descended from the light.

  "Kimber." He stopped. His heart filled with love.

  She smiled. "Eli."

  "Don't ever leave me. Stay with me in Bear Bay. Stay with me in the sanctuary. We can help the other bears."

  He woke up before he could hear her answer.

  A bald man with gold-rimmed glasses looked over a chart. "Mr. Whitlock, you are a very lucky man. According to the medics, you had a broken leg. According to our x-rays, your leg is bruised and sprained but not broken."

  Eli blinked. "What?"

  "Most mysterious." He winked. "I think it does help to have a life mate with healing powers."

  A nurse with purple hair entered the room. "Dr. Zeus, You're needed in labor and delivery on the planet, Olympia."

  The man removed his glasses. "Thank you, my dear."

  He disappeared just like Artemis.

  "How are you?" The goddess asked.

  "Better. Where's Kimber?"

  "She's waiting for you. I wanted to talk to you about an employment opportunity for your father, which will provide him with a lucrative job and work satisfaction."

  "What is it?" Eli asked.

  "He will be taking care of my estate in Hawaii."

  "Hawaii?"

  "Yes. He will manage my estate when I have out-of-town guests."

  "Dad has always wanted to live in Hawaii."

  "Wonderful, and you young man will help manage the Bear Bay Sanctuary. There is a young bear named Sam, who will need your guidance."

  "What about Kimber?"

  The goddess waved her hand, and the door opened.

  "Eli." Kimber

  He reached for her hand and pulled her to him and kissed her sweet lips. And from deep within his spirit felt so light and free. And whole.

  She broke free of his kiss. "You need to rest."

  "I don't need to rest. I need you."

  Epilogue

  Kimber sensed the Zeal as she and Eli hiked to the sanctuary.

  As a bear, he lifted his nose in the air. "Pavel is near. I will need to talk to him."

  After his injuries after the Spirit Competition, Eli remained as a bear for a few days, which speeded up his healing. He would be able to snowboard in a few weeks. However, it hadn't stopped him from making love to Kimber all hours day and night.

  "Do you sense the Zeal?" He asked.

  She pointed. "Two hundred yards to the North."

  This area would be protected for the bear shifters to be bears. They could help protect wildlife in the area.

  "Are you meeting with Barron and Jacque tonight?" Kimber asked.

  He nodded. "Artemis has requested we meet her upon Mount Boreas during the full moon. Something about it's easier to transport from the edge of the galaxy from some bar. I don't think it's the edge of the galaxy."

  Kimber laughed. "With Artemis, you never know."

  She reached down and touched the earth. Pulses of light emanated from her fingertips as energy pumped into the invisible barrier.

  Eli jumped up and down on all four legs. "I can feel the increase in power."

  Kimber rose, and then stumbled forward. Using this much energy drained her. They had to be careful that she didn't get the Spins.

  "Climb up, Kimber. It's time to go home."

  She clung to Eli as he ran back home.

  Back at the cabin, a bright light flashed. A human Eli swept her up in his arms. She pushed against his bare chest. "Put me down."

  He laughed. The next thing Kimber knew, he lowered her onto their bed.

  Kimber had healed his body. And his spirit. He was whole. Both as human and bear.

  Afterword

  I hope you enjoyed Spirit Bear, the third book in the Charmed Bear series.

  If you enjoy dragon shifter books, check out Run From the Dragon available on Kindle Unlimited.

  Chapter One

  Astria Castle on the world of Wyvareth

  Seven days ere the celebration of the Winter Solstice

  Thunder boomed in the sky overhead as lightning forked over the horizon. The crystalline adder thrust its fangs deeper into dragonlord Rigel Maddoc’s forearm. It’s slick scales slithered against his skin. He collapsed to his knees. Venom tore through his body as fire burned in his muscles.

  Let the snake deal with a dragon. A red hot fire seared his bones. The dragon-within roared with fury. When nothing happened, panic filled him. He summoned his magic to begin the shift as
he inhaled the salty sea air.

  “A pressent for the Lord Maddoc from my massster Exergence.” A mottled green-skinned imp stood between two crenellations. Its round, orange eyes drank in Rigel’s pain, and the creature lapped its three-fingered hands in delightful jubilation and snapped its jagged teeth. Despite his pain, Rigel gagged at the stench of the imp.

  The torches illuminating the high tower cast an eerie glow around the evil creature. Its foul stench tainted the air. Behind the imp, the Maddoc banner emblazoned with a blue dragon flapped in the cold winter wind.

  The snake squeezed harder around Rigel’s hand. With his left hand numbed by the poison, he had to get the snake off—now. Never dropping his gaze from the imp, Rigel slammed his arm against the castle wall.

  Shards of the crystalline adder penetrated deeper into his skin. The top half dangled by its head, and the snake’s fangs burrowed deeper into Rigel’s skin.

  “Too late, the poissson will kill you.”

  Rigel turned away from the imp. He rammed his left upper arm harder against the wall. The impact at last shattered the snake’s head. A large section of the snake’s underbelly sliced his skin. Warm blood rushed down his arm, the coppery tang replacing the stench of the imp in his nostrils.

  He ignored the pain.

  He pulled his sword sticky with his blood from his scabbard. With his remaining strength he whirled around. He had one chance. One chance to stop Exergence. One chance to stop the dragonlord that threatened High King Sauris. Rigel’s boots crunched on the snake’s remains. He faced the imp, his muscles straining and swung the broad sword with both hands. In one fail swoop, the imp’s severed head splatted onto the stone floor of the castle tower, and its body landed in the sea.