Discovered, (Werebear Shifter Romance) (Clan of the Werebear)
Page 7
“Do you love him?”
“I-I don’t know. I mean I’ve known him most of my life and I’ve loved him as a friend, but he probably has a mate by now.”
Klesa winked. “It doesn’t matter. If he’s meant to be yours, none of that will matter. I have a feeling that your werewolf will not be able to refuse you anything if you ask the right way.”
“I just wish that were true. I’m just not sure I can convince him to mate with me as it’s forbidden.”
“Forbidden? Who makes up these rules, the clan? Why do you have to live by the rules made by some clan that lives in the north, far from here?”
“It seems that the werewolves also live by those rules, or have rules of their own pertaining to different shifters mating.”
“Hogwash is what I say. Follow your heart and you can’t go wrong.”
“What about you and Ethan?”
Klesa tapped her fingernails on the table. “He’s kind to me and the boys, and I’ll allow him to mate with me in time, but not until I’m sure he’s the man for me. I won’t settle like I had to back in the village. Don’t get me wrong; I have feelings for Cullen and Damon. We share children together, but I knew it wouldn’t be wise to put my heart into it. I have put all of my heart and soul into raising my boys.”
“I can see that, and they couldn’t have a better mother if they tried. I hope things work out for you here.”
“Me, too. If not I’ll find a man who doesn’t mind raising my boys.”
“One who isn’t freaked out that they’re shifters.”
“He’ll have to be trustworthy, too. We’ll see. I haven’t given up on Ethan just yet. I like mating with shifters. They take a woman like no human can. Once they take you in the throes of passion, you’ll never go back.”
Todd interrupted their conversation, which was just fine as it had run its course with Elaina. She had much to think about. She would continue to tell Cullen that she wished to remain here. Perhaps he would relent and listen to reason. There’s no reason that he should allow the clan to attack the village and risk them killing them all. There had to be a better way. It might be time for them to live amongst the humans. There were plenty of ways that they could earn a living such as hunting or lumbering. This was Alaska, and it was quite possible to live off the land, but closer to civilization, and far from the reaches of the clan.
That’s when Elaina thought about Liam again. How would she then find him again if she stayed here, if they did? No. It was too foolhardy to believe that Liam cared for her at all. By now he most likely was an alpha with a duty to find a mate among his own kind, but Elaina vowed that she’d find a way back to him somehow, if only to say goodbye.
Elaina went in search of Damon and the boys outside and brought them back to the table, but Cullen was nowhere to be seen. All through dinner, Elaina tried to remain calm. There was something about Cullen’s absence that rattled her. She tried her best to enjoy herself, but her gut twisted inside as if she were sensing something bad was about to happen.
She spooned in a cheesy soup with chunks of potatoes in near ecstasy. If this is what it was like to live among the humans, Elaina was loving it. The next course was chunks of meat in gravy with mashed potatoes, and served with baby carrots. Klesa explained that is was roast beef, and Elaina gobbled it down with the biscuits that were served to accompany it. She also slurped down a red liquid in a pedestal glass that she was told was wine. Before long, she felt lightheaded and giddy, laughing at the boys’ antics at the table as they learned how to shoot carrots at one another with their spoons.
Damon helped Elaina back toward their room, but instead took her down a long hallway that led outside. Once the fresh air hit her, Elaina turned to ask Damon why he brought her outside, but he noticeably frowned, apologizing. “Please forgive me, Elaina.”
Elaina next felt the air leave her lungs in a whoosh as Cullen appeared and threw her over his shoulder, dodging deep in the forest. She tried to shift, but he held her so tightly that she could scarcely breathe. As she was knocked against his shoulder repeatedly, she slumped forward and passed out.
Chapter Ten
Elaina woke up in Cullen’s hut with Hannah, the old one, applying a cold cloth to her forehead. “Silly girl. You finally awaken.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “And you stink from that human brew you ingested back at the lodge.”
“I wanted to stay at the lodge with Klesa and the boys.” Elaina tried to sit up, but her stomach churned inside, so she relaxed back.
“You can’t do that. You belong here in the village with us. With any luck, you’ll soon be with child since you’ve been mating with Cullen and Damon when your fever was raging.”
Elaina touched her forehead. It felt very cool and it wasn’t just because of the cloth that had been applied. The fever had passed, and with it the dull ache between her legs was gone. She was burning up inside, more angry than she had been before at Cullen. How dare he cart her back here when he knew she wanted to stay at the lodge?
“Where is Cullen?”
“By the stream bathing, I believe. Rest for a while until you feel stronger.”
“I feel strong now.” This time Elaina buried her fists in the pelts and slowly stood up, ignoring the dizziness. Eyeing a pitcher of water, Elaina made her way toward it and slugged it down, wiping the water that had dripped down her chin with the back of her hand. “That’s better.”
Elaina stomped her way to the stream where Cullen was frolicking with a dark-haired woman, but when she turned, Elaina saw that it was Shauna, Damon’s favorite. Instead of being angry, it solidified the fact that Cullen would never be hers alone, that she’d always have to share him.
Shauna strode from the water, shaking the drops from her naked body, and with her head held high, she made way for the village.
“Oh, so Shauna’s back. It wasn’t long ago you sentenced her to death.”
Cullen splashed water over his muscular body. “That was before the problems with the clan. We need her now. She’s an experienced fighter; not like you, Elaina.”
“I can hold my own, if need be.” Elaina’s fang grew in her mouth. “Why did you bring me back here when I told you I wanted to stay at the lodge?”
“Because I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”
Elaina’s eyes felt about ready to pop out of her head. “Oh? So it’s all up to you then? I refuse to stay and help you fight a war with the clan that I’m not involved in.”
He laughed. “That’s not true and you know it. The clan very much wants you. You don’t think that your escape in the wilderness as a cub was an accident, do you? You were allowed to live when the clan killed your parents.” He made his way from the stream, his erection obvious. “Not to worry, though, as I plan to protect you from them. I won’t allow Atar to use you as his breeding whore.”
Tears blurred Elaina’s eyes, as she choked out, “But how did they find me?”
“They knew you would be taken in by Samson. They were waiting until you came into your mating fever. When they tried to take you, your little werewolf friend got in the way, but they marked you so that they’d be able to find you again.”
Elaina slumped to her knees now. “How do you know all of this?”
“Shauna told me. She had met up with the clan’s inspectors when they left and told them about the female newcomer. They allowed her to go about her business for the information.”
“That means nothing to me. Just because I’m a newcomer doesn’t mean I’m the same one they have been searching for.”
“Ah, yes, but they smelled you easily enough in my hut. They have been tracking you ever since Samson took you from the cabin to the Bear Claw Pub. I imagine they were tracking you when you left there, too, but I found you first.”
Cullen took Elaina’s face between his hands. “I told you not to worry. As long as you stay here and mate with me, I’ll continue to protect you from the clan.” He attempted to pull Elaina’s frock off, but
she whirled away seeking the safety of the village. It was too dangerous to stay so close to Cullen now when all she thought about was ripping his throat out now. How dare he assume she’d couple with him now, especially since he was in cahoots with Shauna. For all she knew, Cullen would simply hand her over to the clan to save his village. It sure didn’t seem plausible that the clan would simply leave if they were indeed searching for her. She was quite sure that Shauna gave her up to them, and at any moment, they might show up, dragging her back to their encampment.
Elaina had no choice now. She had to leave this village at first light before it was too late. She would make her escape and find the werewolves and Liam. He had to take her in; she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She had to resolve the questions that rattled her brain, the biggest one of them being whether or not Liam was her true mate.
About the Author
http://madisonjohns.com
When Madison Johns began writing at the age of forty-four, she never imagined she'd make it onto the USA Today best-selling books list with her first cozy mystery, Armed and Outrageous, as an independent author. Sure, this book is an Amazon bestseller, but USA Today?
Although sleep-deprived from working third shift, she knew if she used what she had learned while caring for senior citizens to good use, it would result in something quite unique. The Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths mystery series has forever changed Madison's life, with each of the books making it onto the Amazon bestseller's list for cozy mystery and humor. She’s now adding paranormal romance to her resume with the Clan of the Werebear serial.
Madison is now able to do what she loves best and work from home as a full-time writer. She has two children, a black lab, and a hilarious Jackson Chameleon to keep her company while she churns out more Agnes Barton stories with a few others brewing in the pot.
She is actively involved on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Goodreads. She is always willing to chat it up with readers, or give advice and support other writers whenever she can.
Also by Madison Johns
(Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Apple)
Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery series in order:
Armed and Outrageous
Grannies, Guns and Ghosts
Senior Snoops
Trouble in Tawas
Treasure in Tawas
Bigfoot in Tawas
Agnes Barton/Kimberly Steele Cozy Mystery
Pretty, Hip & Dead
Romance
Pretty and Pregnant (Kimberly Steele novella)
Redneck Romance (Kelly Gray Standalone)
Paranormal Romance
Hidden, Clan of the Werebear (Serial)
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten