“You mean from when you were a child?”
“Yes, and that’s not all. That day when I came back to the den, I could understand every word the wolves were saying.”
“You mean when we were howling the warnings?”
“Yes. I don’t understand how it’s possible. I’ve never understood it so perfectly until now. Who am I really, Liam?”
“I don’t know, but possibly you learned it from when Samson raised you?”
Elaina shook her head. “No, it wasn’t until only recently. This has me really concerned. I won’t take no for an answer from Samson. He knows more than he says. I feel it.”
“I believe he does, too. But there has to be a very good reason that he has concealed it all of these years.”
Elaina fell silent as they entered an area closer to the mountains where the Mountain Hemlocks grew, towering way above their heads. She breathed in the piney fragrance and a déjà vu feeling came over her. Yes, they’re close now. She was coming home, and she hoped that this wasn’t a mistake but a new beginning. She recalled all too well what it felt like to grow up in the cabin near the mountains and how well Samson had always protected her. Would he welcome her back, or would he be angry that she had left the way she had?
“What are you thinking, Elaina?”
“What, me? What makes you think that I’m thinking anything?”
“Because it looks like you just lost your best friend.”
“I kinda have. I mean, how can we simply go back to being just friends after what happened yesterday?”
Liam sighed. “How true you are, but let’s not think about that right now. We need to deal with Samson. We have no idea what our next move will be unless he gives us some kind of information.”
“If he doesn’t chain me up, you mean.”
“I made a promise and I intend to keep it. You’re not alone here, Elaina. I’ll stay with you to see this through to the end.”
* * *
After a few hours of walking toward the mountains in silence, they stopped abruptly as branches swayed back and a tall, thin but strong man surfaced from between trees. The man wore jeans and a plaid shirt, and a determined look on his face. Samson stared at Elaina for a few moments before centering his gaze on Liam with a raised brow. He smoothed back his all-gray hair with a hand, and asked, “Why, Elaina?” When she didn’t answer, he narrowed his eyes at Liam. “You should know better than to bring her back here. Have you not listened to anything I told you, Liam?”
* * *
“Is there a reason why you are helping us?” Cullen asked Nala.
“I like Elaina and she’s now with our alpha, Liam. I know Damon is concerned about Elaina’s whereabouts. What of you?”
“The clan forced me to find Elaina. They’ve threatened to kill my son if I don’t lead them to her.”
Adara exchanged a look with Nala. “We can’t lose our alpha,” Adara said. “Elaina seems important to the both of you, and since the clan is searching for her, you should both leave to find her and Liam before they do.”
Cullen nodded. “What of you? If the clan awakes and finds us gone, they may harm you all.”
“Unless we detain them for you,” Nala said.
“You can’t simply chain up a werebear. They’ll easily be able to break their chains when they shift and you’ll all be killed in retaliation,” Cullen insisted.
“Don’t worry, we can handle it,” Nala assured them.
“If we’re gone, they might find our sons and murder them like they have threatened. They already killed Shauna.”
Damon’s eyes grew wide and glassy. “What? Why would they do such a thing when she gave them information about Elaina?”
“Atar said it was because she had betrayed her own. I tried to stop them, I swear. I can’t help but be concerned about what they may do when they find Elaina. If they find Liam with her it might mean his death, too. They’ve been fighting rogue werewolves in the north.”
Damon shook his head. “I shouldn’t have left. Shauna didn’t deserve to die.”
“Oh, no? Not even after she stabbed you Damon?”
“That was jealousy. She didn’t mean to do that. She was just jealous that we were paying Elaina so much attention.”
Adara smiled. “Oh, so have either of you bedded down with Elaina?”
Cullen and Damon exchanged a look. “It’s not important now. When Elaina fled, I knew she wanted to find about her past. I’m sure they’re searching for her protector as we shall,” Cullen told them. “I’m concerned about your pack when we leave. Where are the males of the pack?”
“Most of them have gone hunting,” Nala said. “The one left behind is no help at all.”
“It’s Jessup,” Damon informed Cullen. “He’s the same one who kidnapped and abused Klesa before she came to our village.”
Cullen’s hands balled up into fist. “Where is he now?”
“He ran off, the coward,” Nala said. “Right before you came, I was about ready to finish him off myself.”
“Why would most of the males be off hunting, leaving behind a bunch of defenseless females?” Cullen asked.
Nala and Adara’s hands went to their hips and in unison said, “We’re not defenseless, we’re werewolves.”
Damon nodded. “I can attest to Nala’s abilities. She certainly was about to kill Jessup for sure, but werebears are quite powerful. How were you planning to contain them?”
“We’ll have to do an evacuation,” Nala began, “The problem is that we need someplace to hole up until this is all over. We have a booby trap that you could help us release, which will keep the clan locked in here. They’ll probably be able to dig their way out in time, but it will give you a jump start to find Elaina and Liam.”
“Promise me you’ll keep Liam safe,” Adara implored them. “We’ll be lost if we lose another alpha so soon since Damien died from old age.”
“Is he your mate?” Cullen asked.
“Yes.”
“No,” Nala said. “But she’s right. We can’t afford to lose him. Liam is a kind and fair alpha, but we’ll have to gather the pups up before we’ll be able to leave.”
“You could take refuge in our village,” Cullen suggested. “Only our old ones are there now. They’re a bit crabby, but they’ll do as I say and allow you to stay there.”
Nala and Adara rounded up the children, carrying two large bags with them outside. Cullen and Damon followed Nala up the rock wall to the top of the den. She showed them a ridge where a log was inserted into a hole. “You’ll have to shift to move the log, but it will send rocks and boulders to fall and cover the entrance of the den.”
Cullen yanked off his clothing and shifted, he bumped his large body against the log numerous times before rocks flew down with a large rumble and scattering of dust, while Damon set the rocks into motion covering the escape route. They shifted back to human form and, once clothed again, they descended back to the ground, leading the werebears and children toward their village.
“Where are we going?” asked one rather robust boy.
Cullen put a finger to his lips. “We’re taking you to our village, but you must all be very quiet. I’d hate for a mountain lion to decide that you’d make a good meal.”
The children fell silent and marched up the trail that led back to the village.
* * *
Hannah ran to meet Cullen as he led the group into the center of the village. “What have we here? Tell me they’re not werewolves.”
“They are, and they’ll be taking refuge here until I say otherwise. I’ll have no talk of your distrust of werewolves. Damon and I are the leaders of this village, and as such, will tolerate no insolence from you.” Cullen put a hand on Hannah’s shoulder. “I respect you very much, Hannah, and I know how you feel, but they have helped Damon and me escape the clutches of the clan.”
“We’re heading back out to find Elaina before the clan finds her,” Damon added.
“And our a
lpha, Liam,” Adara added. “Right?”
“Yes, they both will be in grave danger if found,” Cullen said. “In two moons, if we don’t return you are to leave this village and hide in the caves to the east. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Cullen,” Hannah said. She smiled at the children. “Come and let us find a place for you all to sleep. I have so missed having Peter and Ivan here.”
“Who is that?” Nala asked.
“Damon and Cullen’s sons. They were sent away for their own safety. They’re half-breeds and wouldn’t last a day if the clan were to find them, nor would their mother.”
“I see. Well, thanks for your help. We’ll help you out any way we can. Both Adara and I are good hunters.”
“Great to hear.” Hannah hugged both Cullen and Damon briefly. “Please be careful. You both are like my sons. I mean no harm, really.”
“I know this,” Cullen said. “I’ve grown quite attached to you since our mother died. That’s why I trust you to keep the werewolves safe. They will also be able to protect the village while we’re gone.”
“What of the clan? Will they return while you’re gone to enact their revenge?”
“Currently, they are buried in the wolf den. It will take them some time to dig their way out and then they will be hot on our trail. We’ll be lucky if we make it a day ahead of them, which is why we must hurry.”
Chapter Twelve
Samson’s face tensed, his jaw muscles twitching. “I’ve told you how dangerous it is for Elaina to be here, and now you bring her back?”
Elaina was confused. “I don’t understand. I thought you would be happy to see me again.”
Samson listened as a roaring in the distance came closer. An ATV surfaced and Samson led them into the cover of the trees. When the vehicle left the area, he wandered back to his cabin.
Elaina waited until after they walked inside, and then asked. “Where is your car?”
“I left it back at the Bear Claw Pub in case the clan is monitoring my whereabouts.”
“Why would they be if I’m what they’re looking for?”
Samson whiffed the air. “Why have you bedded down with Liam? You know it’s forbidden by the clan.” He shook his head. “You can’t stay here. You need to leave Elaina before the clan finds you.”
“They are already trailing me. Please tell me about your past. I just can’t fathom that you found me by accident in the wilderness that day long ago. I need to know who I really am, and soon, as the clan is hot on my trail now. I might not have long before they find me.”
Samson sat on his rocking chair and began to rock, squaring his jaw. “I just can’t, Elaina.”
Liam approached his grandfather. “You can’t just warn us our entire lives and expect not to divulge all that you know. If you ever loved Elaina, you have to help her now.”
Samson pounded his fist on the arms of his chair. “I do love her, but she escaped from me when I tried to protect her, and I had hoped that she’d have found a mate of her own kind, not you, Liam. You promised me long ago that you’d never be with her in that way.”
Elaina went to her knees before Samson. “I did find a village of werebears, but they don’t mate with only one female. They share them. When the fever raged the highest, I was okay with it, but that’s not what I want. I want to find my one true mate. I only reconnected with Liam when I found out that the clan was coming for me. I know I don’t have too long.” One tear escaped and Elaina whisked it away with the back of her hand. “I might only have that one night with Liam. Don’t judge me for it. I just can’t believe all of these rules are followed, and why? Because the Clan of the Werebear says so? I say to hell with what they say. Why was I brought here as a cub and not murdered?”
Samson motioned Elaina up and waited until she was settled in a chair opposite him. “I left the pack many years ago. I wasn’t willing to go along with the rules set forth by the pack. Damien is a fool to believe that the clan will allow him to live in peace forever.”
“So you had a disagreement with him?”
“Not only once, but many times. When I refused to sign the pact, I left before Damien had the chance to ask me to leave. I’ve never looked back or desired to be part of the pack since.”
“What were you, the alpha?”
“I was in line for it, but I just didn’t want that kind of responsibility. Damien is a good werewolf and I knew they’d be fine without me.”
“He was a good alpha. He died not long ago,” Liam informed Samson.
Samson sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that. Have they selected another alpha?”
“I’m the alpha now,” Liam said. “There wasn’t anyone to challenge. Damien wanted to hand-select the next alpha before his death. He made me agree to abide by the pact and the rules set forth, which included not mating with another type of shifter or human. I’ve done that until last night, but I can’t deny how I feel about Elaina. I’m not only a werewolf, but a man with overpowering urges like all men have. But I know I can’t ever take her as my mate.”
Elaina’s chest throbbed at hearing that, but understood. Life was not all about what she wanted, it was about Liam honoring his responsibilities to the pack. She’d always have that one night with Liam, and she’d cherish it to her grave, even if she was killed by the clan.
Samson nodded. “Wise thinking, but an alpha should not be far from this den. You’re responsible for the pack and their safety.”
“They are not helpless. Each werewolf in the pack is deadly if pressed. I promised Elaina to seek you out to find out the truth about who she really is, and why the clan searches for her.”
“And why is it that I can understand the howls of the werewolves?” Elaina asked.
Samson leaned forward, his eyes widening. “No, that’s not possible. How long have you had that ability?”
“Since just after the mating fever passed. I figured at first that it was kind of fluke, like a suppressed memory. I’ve been recalling things from my past, little by little. I remember my mama bear quite clearly, the soft feel of her fur against mine, but that’s when it gets confusing. Since Liam and I were together, I also remember something else.”
“Like what?” Samson asked.
“You first. Did you find me on accident that day, or—”
Samson retrieved a book and carried it back with him as he sat. “It’s foretold of a werebear who needed protection, and our family was chosen long ago to be protectors.”
“Why? Who are they supposed to have been protecting?”
Samson’s lower lip turned down into a deep frown. “Half-breeds.”
“Half-breeds?”
“Yes. There is one that can change the course of the war, and it’s not a male.”
He showed Elaina the book and the image of a female noted by breasts, and—
More images came into Elaina’s mind like a whirlwind, of her mama bear and her violent end. “It can’t be, but it makes sense. I was hiding up a tree when the bears came that day, but I also heard the howling of a wolf. Not a pack of wolves, but one who tried to save my mama bear.” Tears coursed down Elaina’s cheeks. “The werebears killed my mama bear and the wolf who howled in agony. Not when they killed him, but when my mama bear was taken down.”
Elaina stared again at the book and the image of the half-bear, half-wolf girl that had her arms and hands extended. Bodies of both bears and wolves were strewn about. She turned the page and the scene was completely different. In this one, the wolves and bears mingled together in peace.
“This is just a fairy tale. This can’t happen. You don’t expect me to believe that I’m this woman, that I have the power to stop the war between the werebears and the werewolves.”
Samson took Elaina’s hands in hers. “I might have had differences with Damien, but he came to me with this. He heard the rumblings amongst the shifters at the pub and told me that there was a plan to murder a werebear and werewolf that were mates and hidden in the mountains. They had
two children, one of whom was you. The other one, the clan must have murdered, which is why they’d have murdered you if you’d been found, Elaina.”
“The same werebear and werewolf that started the war to begin with?”
“Your mother was the sister of Anna, the first werebear to lose her life for the sake of love. She did not die at the hands of the werewolf like was thought, but murdered by one of the elders of the clan. This time, the clan was much more careful and covered their tracks. The bodies of your mother and her mate were hidden in a cave under the North Ridge, but I believe they were both murdered by the same man, meaning that whoever murdered both female werebears is both an elder and up in years.” He moved the hair off Elaina’s face. “You have the power to stop the war. The elder would be quite up in age now, and if you can provide the proof in the form of the remains of your parents, it might be enough to halt the war in its tracks. The only one who’d show any resistance is the elder responsible for your parents’ deaths.”
“Who is he this elder?”
“I don’t have the name you seek, but it will all play out once you find the remains. I’m sure of it.”
“Where would I have to take the remains?”
“You’d need to journey to the north where the clan has a fortress. It’s there they’ve managed the war since it began.”
“No,” Liam said. “There has to be another way. And why is the clan really searching for her?”
“They are quite aware that a cub was missing, but they were unable to locate you since I sheltered you. They waited until Elaina came of age and entered her mating fever phase. It would be much easier for them to find her with her enhanced scent. They’ve been scouting near here for the last few years, but after you escaped from me and I came back here, there were no longer signs of them, which means that they knew you weren’t here. Someone might have seen you leave the pub, or got a whiff of you in the wild. Are you sure the werebears you found weren’t part of the clan?”
“Not entirely, but I’m fairly certain that they’re not. The clan has been inspecting their village every year and slowly taken all of the men except for two, Cullen and Damon. They’ve told me that they are of royal blood and their family crossed the ice from Russia to escape certain death.”
Betrayed (Werebear Shifter Romance) Book 3 (Clan of the Werebear) Page 6