Ursus Borealis: Book One

by D. L. Lewellyn

  She said as she continued watching my eyes closely, “I enjoyed our conversation and the invigorating ride home. It really is a beautiful night.” Looking at her lovely face, I knew her moon drenched eyes would be what I saw when I remembered this time together.

  I could only stare down at her a moment before speaking again, “The pleasure was all mine, Selena. I look forward to our next ride. Sleep well, little dove.”

  Seeing her blushing at the endearment sent a jolt of happiness through me and I could not stop myself from pulling her in for one last kiss on top of her soft hair.

  Handing her through the door, she closed it quietly behind her, while I waited on the porch for a bit to make sure all was well, my palm resting on the wood, needing that last bit of connection. I could sense that she lingered with me, on the other side of the door.

  Chapter 12

  Zigan

  As I watched Selena and her bear saying their goodbyes on her front porch, satisfied that my soul bonded was well on the path to her destiny, I wondered when he might reveal himself fully to her.

  Even before our encounter in the woods, I had been watching out for her, watching the woman I had dreamed of for one hundred and eighty years, watching her even more closely since I had marked her as my soul bonded, entwining her destiny with mine.

  When I had encountered her in the woods after she was nearly attacked by the wild cougar, I made the decision to allow her to see me, which also allowed me to experience looking closely for the first time at the form and face of the woman destined to fulfill the current cycle of a prophecy that had been in existence for over seven millennia.

  It pleased me that she had not shied away from me even after witnessing my tiger defending her from the wild beast.

  Only once before she was grown had I needed to come to her aid, when her adolescent form merely hinted at the woman she would become, which was fortunate because too much contact before she was ready was a risky thing when it came to prophecy.

  To see the mark that offered proof of who she was, a woman grown into a stunning beauty now, not just physically but in spirit, was worth the early introduction. I was not disappointed. She radiated the qualities that made her stand out from her kind.

  Andras Johns was a good alpha, strong and wise, and his struggle with his decision to bring her into the supernatural world showed good character, and his primal instinct to protect her. It also pleased me to witness Selena’s intelligence and her fighting spirit. She will need all these things.

  Looking down at the two bodies of the Anurashin that I had just dispatched, I hoped again that the princes themselves were still ignorant of the existence of my marked maiden and were only after the bear. I grabbed a body with each hand and called my mist to me.

  Chapter 13

  Selena

  It had been a while since my best friend and I had a good long chat over our favorite chicken salads at Jean’s, and I had been looking forward to it all week.

  However, it was still early morning and I munched down some yogurt mixed with granola and frozen berries at my little kitchen counter, before heading out for my walk.

  Sipping my juice, I stared out my kitchen window as I considered again the care that Andras had demonstrated on the ride home last night, and his toe-curling but charming kisses at my door. The image of him through the window as he lingered on my porch warmed my insides, then I grew warmer at the thought of his strong arms enveloping me.

  Heading out the back door, I picked a trail that I did not often take because it bordered a park for motocross riders and it was often loud and dusty, but it was shorter, and I did not want to be late for lunch.

  When I rounded a bend, I heard the high pitch whine of a motocross bike and drawing closer, I saw two big males at the end of one of the tracks watching another slightly less big male riding a dirt covered motorcycle, coming around the track fast. My attention was drawn to the men watching the rider and I gasped when I saw it was Andras and Colin.

  Not used to seeing them in cargo shorts and tanks, their muscles glistening in the sun, I let myself admire them for a moment, or a little longer than a moment if I were honest with myself. Nothing but towering muscles, those two. Jeez.

  Collin had tattoos as well that I had not noticed before. A bear in pine trees with jagged mountain peaks were clearly etched over his massive right shoulder, covering his shoulder blade, and disappearing into his back.

  Then, the rider caught my attention as he rounded a corner, jumped a berm, dipped down a hill and jumped another berm. I wondered if that was Ryan. He was flying that thing skillfully and I got lost in the moment watching him. But then, he must have hit a rock or a hole wrong and when he came down his back tire started slipping sideways.

  He was able to put his leg down to catch the wobble, and just when I thought he was getting it back in control, he hit another rock and the bike flew right out from under him. It went flying in one direction and he flew in the other, headfirst through the air and towards a rock.

  Cringing in anticipation of his headlong crash, I did a double take when Colin plucked him right out of the air and Andras did the same for the flying bike, like they were nothing more than tennis balls being lobbed at them. Did I just see what I thought I saw?

  They had quickly set both rider and bike down and were now clapping the rider, who appeared quite young, maybe sixteen or seventeen, on the back laughing like it was all fun and games.

  Thinking they should have their moment without an awkward interruption from me, as I would have no idea what to say to something like this anyway, I ducked into the trees and turned around to head home, marveling at the thought of the strength it took to catch objects weighing nearly two hundred pounds hurtling through the air, at who knows what speed. The questions were piling up.

  Back at home, I finished getting ready for lunch and stood in front of my bathroom mirror after a quick shower, dabbing on some light make-up, and I found myself taking a hard look at my naked body. I was way below average height, not even reaching five foot four and too curvy, at least to modern standards. I had generous breasts, generous hips, and a small waist. At least my neck was slender, and my legs shapely. Men had seemed to like my legs.

  Thoughts of those sensual lips devouring mine last night flared, and I watched the flush spread over my skin. It had been a long time since a man had touched me, and never a man who made me feel things like Andras did.

  I headed to my wardrobe and rummaged around to find then don my favorite ripped jeans, Aerosmith t-shirt and nicely broke-in houndstooth Vans, then combed out my still damp hair and French braided it to hang down my back. I grabbed my phone clutch, locking my door behind me, and walked a couple blocks to one of the best cafes in California, Jean’s.

  ✽✽✽

  I really loved this cafe and not just for the delicious food. The structure was incredibly old and started out life in the town’s gold rush past, but only part of the building had that claim. The original section had apparently been the old jailhouse with a small, rectangular footprint about ten by twenty feet.

  But Jean and Randy had bought the crumbling old building, restored it structurally, leaving the aged stones and historical elements intact, and then built out from it an all-glass enclosed patio, designed like a greenhouse.

  The original jailhouse section had become the kitchen and bakery. And Jean had arranged lovely seating all through the greenhouse, which shared space with a variety of gorgeous plants. It was a sunny and cozy place to have intimate luncheons with your besties or a hot date, as the plants were arranged so that some privacy could be had at each table.

  Jean was perky and petite with short cropped blonde hair that spiked out at random angles and was tipped in bright green. She currently sported a baby bump, but still managed to zip around gracefully like a burger hop roller skating teenager, making sure everything was perfect.

  She often made me think of a fairy flitting about her greenery, hair spiked like arcs of energy dan
cing around her head.

  The business thrived because she had a husband who was just as energetic, and one twenty-year-old and a fourteen-year-old, both diminutive in stature like their mom, who dedicated much of their free time after their studies to running the café with their parents.

  Gemma, of course, was already seated at our favorite table under the huge bamboo palm tree nestled in its big green and purple pot. Two steaming premium coffees were on the table, and I knew she had already ordered our absolute favorite chicken salads.

  She had on a sunny yellow summer dress that emphasized her tan, and her shiny black hair cascaded down her back.

  Almost as soon as I sat down, Sandra, Jean’s oldest was bringing our food. Jean used all farm-to-table produce and local, organically raised chickens. The salads were graced with sugared pecans and dried cranberries. The blue cheese dressing was also fresh-made and some of the best I have ever had.

  I know this already sounded like a bounteous meal, but much to my groaning delight, there was more, as one of our favorite sides was Jean’s fresh baked pumpernickel bread. Dark, rich, and dripping with fresh butter.

  Gemma and I caught up on things from the last few days while we forked succulent pieces of chicken surrounded by fresh greens and dripping dressing, into our mouths, trying to be polite and talk between bites, but still managing most of our conversation with our mouths full.

  Gemma loaded her recent photos on her phone and shared with me pictures of her last two hikes, the one on the PCT and the one she had just finished on the Discovery Trail along the Feather River.

  “I spotted bear tracks on this trip. The prints were huge! Bigger than the average black bear for sure, which is strange for these parts. But I saw no other sign of the animal that made them. I was able to get photographs also of a pair of bald eagles and came across a den of foxes. It was amazing.”

  I said, “These photos are fabulous. Look at the little baby foxes! And I’m surprised at the variety of wildflowers. How beautiful. But don’t you get scared knowing predators are nearby?”

  She scoffed, “Human behavior scares me more than any animal I might come across on the trail. I know what to expect from them.”

  I gave her an odd look, then said, “Well, I can’t wait until we can do a hike. I would love to sketch some of the things you get to see out there.”

  The usual niggling worry crawled over me that Gemma’s survival skills were more than just for recreation. She was truly prepared to bug out at any minute, and I thought she might just up and disappear on me someday.

  Putting my hand on hers, I said quietly, “You know that you can count on me if you ever need help with anything, big or small. I mean really serious stuff, whatever it is. I used to work for a family law firm, and I know how to find things out and be discreet.”

  A flash of surprise showed on her face. Then her eyes warmed, and she said, “Thank you Selena. I just might take you up on that sometime. So far, things are working out. I’ll tell you about it someday. I promise.”

  She looked at me for a moment as if mulling over a decision. Then she got an odd look in her eye and asked, “Have you had any more ideas to explain the mysterious Mulligan visit? What do you think it was about?”

  I thought it was odd how she put the emphasis on the word you. Like she already had an idea but wanted to see if I was picking up on it.

  “No clue, other than an obvious clash of the Titans. I mean, I knew those five had an unusual dynamic, but the way they banded together and faced off with Mulligan, it was like watching a showdown on the African Savannah, with wild beasts circling each other and snarling over territory.”

  Gemma sat back and baffled me even more when she said, “You summed it up exactly.” She sipped on her coffee, and I waited but nothing further was said on that topic.

  Instead, she tweaked the subject in a new direction, looking at me with a smirk. “I told you he would come around when he had things figured out. I think you bloodying that thug’s nose helped him decide. I can’t tell you how many times I caught him watching you like a man starving. I sort of had a bet with myself on how long he would hold out. When a man like that makes up his mind…” She waggled her eyebrows at me.

  “He kissed me again last night at my door after bringing me home on his Harley.”

  “And when were you going to tell me this?”

  I laughed, “I just did.”

  “And?” She said encouragingly.

  “He was a prince, a toe-curling prince, yes, but a true prince.”

  As we were finishing up our meals, I nearly choked on my coffee when Andras and Colin walked in and headed to the bakery counter, all changed out of their sexy workout clothes and now wearing cotton shirts open at the collar, sleeves rolled up, jeans and the ever-present biker boots. They were so tall their heads nearly brushed the low ceiling.

  Gemma looked in concern at my sputtering, then saw where my eyes were directed and followed them to the counter. “Ah…the Great Kisser has arrived.” She teased me.

  Cursing the flush that I could not stem as the guys turned around and spotted us, I smiled brightly in a greeting. Smiles erupted across both their faces, and they headed to our table, coffees, and a newspaper in hand.

  “Well, what a pleasant surprise. Selena, Gemma,” Andras nodded to her as well.

  Noticing other diners staring at us now, I could hear the gossip mills gearing up. I imagined the five gorgeous biker regulars at the Starlight were a source of never-ending fascination. In fact, I nearly laughed when I spotted a table of women ogling them openly. I did not mind. This sort of intrigue was the lifeblood of our little town and I enjoyed partaking myself occasionally.

  “Let’s get you some seats,” I said, pleased with this unexpected opportunity to visit with Andras outside of the bar.

  Gemma excused herself for a moment to get us coffee refills while the guys pulled over a couple extra chairs and made themselves comfortable.

  Colin, looking fresh and sexy in a dark blue shirt that made his eyes look even more like sapphires, stood back up when Gemma returned and politely pulled her seat out for her. She blushed and I winked at her.

  “Did you enjoy your lunch?” Collin asked as he sat back down.

  We both nodded enthusiastically, and I pushed over the rest of the pumpernickel bread. “This will be fabulous with your coffee. Help yourself.”

  Colin grinned, “Happy to. Thanks.” He soon had a piece nicely buttered. Andras followed suit and I watched him reach for the bread with a muscled arm, admiring the brown of his shirt that made his eyes glow.

  He scooted his chair up close enough for our knees to touch and I could feel the heat from his big body, which rather than causing me to be shy, made me relax comfortably, and I settled in to enjoy the addition to our party. We sipped our coffees while Andras spread out the newspaper to share with us.

  One of the articles had him frowning and when I looked, I saw it was about a local spotting the freshly made prints of a large bear near Portola. The article was warning folks not to feed the bears, or they would become a nuisance, and nobody would win in the end. It also noted the particularly large size.

  I remarked, “Wow, Gemma was just telling me she came across huge bear prints on her hike. Check this out, Gemma.”

  As she and I both peered at the paper in front of Andras, I wondered why he looked so unhappy. When he saw my concern, he just said, “I hope no one is foolish enough to put out food, and the bear stays free in the wilderness.” Gemma and I both nodded our agreement.

  He folded the paper back and looked at the bottom quarter. “They’re having a pancake breakfast Saturday to support the volunteer fire department. We should all go. Want to?” Andras looked hopefully at me and around the table.

  Cocking my head at him I could not help a huge grin from overtaking my face. This big bad biker dude was eager to attend a benefit breakfast on a Saturday morning. Hell yeah, I wanted to go. He took in my grin and unabashedly grinned back,
then winked at me.

  I said, “Sounds fabulous, who can say no to heaps of pancakes.” We all clicked our coffee cups together on the plan.

  Colin started telling us about his morning with his cousin and Andras on the motocross track. Andras added, “We really enjoy the kid when he’s here for the summer. He’s on his way to college early, so we are keeping him on track with that while letting him play. He’s no less crazy about engines than Colin or I.”

  I bit back many of my questions and simply said, “That’s the park near one of the trails I hike on. It’s pretty rugged from what I understand.” Andras said smoothly, “That’s the one.” And I gave him the side eye.

  Then, I swear it was to distract me as he reached for my hand under the table and settled our joined hands on my thigh. It worked, as the warmth from the contact seeped through me relaxing me even as these few points of contact were felt down to my toes. How could a man both excite and calm me at the same time?

  Andras asked Gemma more about her recent hike, and Colin turned to me and asked about my sketching. “I noticed your sketchpad at the bar is getting fat. You must have dozens of images by now and I’m really curious to know what captures your attention.”

  I smiled at him, “Faces are what appeal to me the most and they can reveal interesting bits of truth when put down on paper with a bit of charcoal. For instance, did you know that Red has a secret crush on Olivia, and she has no clue?”

  Colin had a calm, attentive way about him that made a person feel instantly comfortable. Like Andras he exuded power but kept it dialed back so that he could put people at ease. I suppose when you were closer to seven foot tall than six feet, it was a necessary trait.

  “Really? I would never have spotted that.” He said modestly because we both knew that he had. Then he looked worried. “Hmm…Makes me wonder if I’ve let out any secrets you managed to capture in that book.”