Howl And Roar: Wolf and Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Howl And Growl Series Book 2)

by Cloe Cullen

  And so Bronwen came along, practically skipping out into the light, leaving behind a scowling Lowell, cross armed Finn and grunting Keanu. Jorah gripped Nyssa’s hand tightly as they walked, drawing his courage and energy from her touch. For now, Jorah had to push everything else out of his mind to focus on the walk to the Seers cave, where no doubt a huge crowd would be awaiting them all, and where Dallan would wrinkle his nose at Jorah.

  He just hoped the walk wouldn’t be too long.

  Chapter Twenty-Five: Jorah

  F inally, it was time. Time to call out the Seers once and for all, and to end the laws that could potentially doom their clan for good.

  Nyx led them through the near knee-high snows that blanketed the plateau where the Bear Clan mainly resided. No matter how many trudged through and flattened the snow beneath their hundreds of feet, the winds always brought more. Because Jorah was used to the cold clawing at his feet, he didn’t think anything of it, but he couldn’t help but notice Nyssa’s teeth chattering and Bronwen’s frown as she stepped over the larger chunks of snow. Jorah smiled, finding the small distraction nice and a bit calming before the storm that was the Seers.

  In moments the Seers’ cave was in view, the mouth gaping and inviting, with two bear shifter guards standing outside at attention. They both glanced at Jorah and his companions, but otherwise didn’t make any kind remarks or faces, though they coughed as Bronwen walked by. Inside the cave the passage narrowed and curved to the right until it bled out into a larger cavern, just as Jorah always remembered it. Safely out of the cold, Nyssa stopped her teeth chattering, and Bronwen wore her safe smile once again.

  The interior cavern was filled once again with the remnants of the Bear Clan, or most of the them anyway. Jorah knew many of the faces by name, and when he passed them by they either stared unblinking or set their gazes on the wall across from them. Nyx pushed her way through as usual since there were barely any room for all of them, and single file they shoved their way to the front. Jorah followed behind Nyx first, then Nyssa, with Bronwen bringing up the rear. Many of the bear shifters trembled at the touch of Bronwen’s shoulders or arms, and some even gasped at the sight of her, though of course she remained focused and smiling.

  “A Vampire…” Someone whispered in the crowd, sending the noise ablaze as the group emerged into the small open circle before the nine Seers. Nyx kneeled quickly before them, with Jorah and the others mimicking her. He glanced up at Dallan, who stood front and center, his wrinkled eyes squinting back down at his adopted son.

  When everyone was kneeled, and the Seers ready to proceed, another Seer stepped forward and tapped his staff on the ground, calling on the crowd to quiet. But, because of Bronwen, the crowd had a more difficult time of staying still, with some even opting to scooch towards the curved tunnel just in case.

  “Quiet!” The Seer shouted once more, earning the silence that followed.

  But the silence didn’t linger, as Dallan stepped forward to eye Jorah. “So, I see reclaiming you was a much easier task than I’d originally thought. Who knew that after repelling Nyx’s attacks you’d come straight up to us yourself, and bringing some friends…” He leveled a look at Nyx, who gulped from Dallan’s gaze. “But I’m glad to see you are still alive and unhurt. I feared the ones below would have killed you by now.”

  Jorah struggled to keep himself from spitting on the old man’s boots as he lifted his head to look Dallan in the eye. “As if that would ever happen. The shifters of the Oldwood are friendly and welcoming, and even healed some wounds I sustained on the way down.”

  Dallan shook his head. “Nonsense.”

  With his body aching at Dallan’s quickness to disregard Jorah’s words once again, he didn’t wait to rise to his feet and stare Dallan down. “Enough, Dallan. I have more experience with wolf and cat shifters of the current world than any of you here. None of them are killers, or have the desire to kill any of us. I’ve seen it time and time again.”

  “And is that why they conspire with Vampires?” Dallan said with spite, his veins popping under his complexion. Pointing his long staff at Bronwen, who remained still and cozy kneeling on the floor, Dallan breathed in heavily. “Yes, I recognize the monster you brought with you...sent to destroy us for good, no doubt.”

  Nyssa suddenly shot to her feet behind Jorah, fists clenched. “She is no monster! If she’s so hellbent on destroying your people, then why is she just kneeling here instead of going on a rampage?”

  Bronwen, not wanting to miss out on the all the fun, nodded along. “She makes a good point, old one.”

  “Neither of you will speak in our home!” Another Seer shrieked. “Your very existence harms us, Vampire.”

  “Any who side with one are our enemy,” another said triumphantly.

  “They are devils,” a third spat out from a croaking voice.

  “Really?” Jorah said, opening up his arms to the room around them. “Who is it that ordered innocent shifters of the Oldwood dead simply because they knew we still existed? Who had Nyx carry out plans to start conflict in a land that has known peace between them and the Vampires for years now? Only one Vampire has ever shed their blood, and yet more than ten members of the Bear Clan almost killed not only the shifter I love, but also their leader. Do you even realize how attacking their home, unprovoked, would earn their ire? Start a war that could see our people nearly destroyed, all because you Seers were too stubborn to listen to reason?”

  Jorah’s words echoed around the walls and in the voices of the bear shifters encircling them, all whispering and questioning each other about whether there was truth in his speech. Dallan and the other Seers appeared taken aback at first, as if they hadn’t expected Jorah to suddenly burst into a speech that condemned their actions.

  “You forced our hand…” Dallan said quietly.

  “No, I did not,” Jorah replied calmly. “You Seers chose to risk our people by targeting those who had nothing to do with us. You Seers are the ones who keep us locked away from a healthy relationship with the clans of the Oldwood.” Seeing the shifters all around him, and even some of the Seers, latch their attention on to him, he went in for the kill. “Even the Vampires want nothing less than peace. For two years now Bronwen here, and the rest of her kin, have been pushing for things like trade and traveling between the Oldwood and Blackwood for both races.”

  Finally rising to her feet as well, Bronwen, cleared her throat. “What this boy says is true. There’s nothing I can say to excuse what happened those fifty-some years ago, but the destruction of your clan is not what we want. Not now, not even another fifty years from now.”

  Stunned the room went quiet, until Nyx got to her feet as well. Curious as to what she was going to say, Jorah blinked at her. “I concur,” Nyx said, shooting her eyes over at Jorah. “I’ve partially seen this coexistence, and so far it seems...almost natural. I think we should abolish the isolation laws.”

  “Unthinkable!” A fourth Seer said. “The isolation laws-”

  “Are killing our people,” Jorah finished, earning the furrowed brow of the Seer who spoke. “Times have changed, for the better now. We have a chance to make things right, to start making our lives better by interacting with those your laws are keeping us from. Please, revoke the laws, and let us be free.”

  At first, there was silence among the crowd, among Jorah and his companions, and among the Seers. Each Seer appeared to stroke their beards or pinch their temples or rub their bald head or do whatever it was while they thought, until they all rested their eyes on one Seer in particular: Dallan, who remained resolute in staring Jorah down. Apparently, they were looking to Dallan to make the final call, unsure of themselves. Time seemed to slow, with every breath and movement tempered and cautious.

  Finally, Dallan sighed, his face relaxing. Jorah, smiling, felt a wave of relief. He believed Jorah! Or at least, was ready to truly listen to him for once.

  But then Dallan’s eyes came back to Jorah, and he parted his lips to
speak. “Folly is what this is,” he said. “No, the laws will not be revoked, and instead your judgement will now be passed on you all.”

  Stunned, Jorah trembled as he and the others in the room gawked at Dallan. Finding one last bit of energy, Jorah took a step forward. “If that’s your will, then I challenge you Seers to a contest of strength!”

  A few gasps in the crowd and the gaping mouths of the Seers showed he was heard clearly.

  Darkening his face, Dallan stared at Jorah. “You understand what you are saying, boy?” Dallan said. “Your life will be at risk.”

  Jorah easily nodded. “Oh, I completely understand. You cannot refuse.”

  “Folly,” Dallan said once again. “But you are right, we cannot refuse. But we are allowed to pick someone to fight for us, you realize?”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Then the contest of strength will be held tomorrow at dawn,” Dallan said. “You’ll have a full day to rest up for the fight. If you win, then we shall revoke the laws and not punish any who wish to leave or venture down into the Oldwood. Now, Nyx, lead them back to the prison cave.”

  Nodding, Nyx motioned for Jorah and the others to follow. The crowds parted as best they could to let them through.

  The last thing Jorah saw as he turned to leave was Dallan’s glare of scrutiny as he turned to the wall, unable to watch as Jorah left his sight.

  Chapter Twenty-Six: Nyssa

  A s Nyx led the trio back out into the frigid cold, Nyssa grabbed hold of Jorah’s hand once again, lacing her fingers through his, her skinnier bones exchanging heat with his meaty hands. Normally Jorah would have turned to look at her and smile at her touch, but now all he did was stare straight ahead and follow after Nyx as they crossed the snow drifts.

  Nyssa was sure he was mulling over what had just happened in the Seers’ cave, about how quickly he had challenged the Seers to the contest of strength, or trial by combat, or whatever he wanted to call it. This fight would be a big deal, and she needed to make sure he was ready for it.

  “Hey,” Nyssa said, snapping her fingers at Jorah as they walked. “Listen to me, okay?” Looking her way, Jorah blinked. “I know we agreed to use the challenge as a last result, but now we can only focus on making sure you win! Whatever you need from me, just say the word, yeah?”

  Caught off guard by her devotion, Jorah let loose and chuckled, his laugh causing both Nyx and Bronwen to stare at him. “Man, I can always count on you, huh? Alright, then yeah, I’ll think of something for you to do to help me. But don’t worry, I’m not planning on losing. Count yourself lucky that I’m the one taking the challenge. It doesn’t matter who they throw at me, because either way I’m going to win and force those laws to disappear forever.”

  Seeing his confidence back, Nyssa smiled, and the group continued along until they got back to the prison cave. The two guards standing outside yawned as Nyx approached, but promptly moved the large stone blocking the entrance to allow the trio back inside. Surprisingly, she went in with them, whether to speak to them or just Jorah she wasn’t sure. With the cave entrance wide open and the sunlight streaming in, Lowell, Finn, and Keanu covered their eyes with their hands and recoiled. Finn took a few steps back, hissing. “Are you here to take us away too? Just like you did the other three? I’ll get revenge for whatever you people did to them!”

  “Relax, Finn,” Nyx said, sighing as they four entered the prison cave. “They’re all still here, alive, but we do have some news for you all.”

  “News?” Lowell asked, finally able to lower his hand, his eyes squinting in the light, and stepping forward a bit.

  Nyx nodded, but it was Nyssa who spoke next. “Yeah, we have a way to end to the isolation laws of the Bear Clan for good...and the responsibility rests solely on Jorah.”

  “What do you mean?” Finn asked, glancing at Jorah.

  Sighing, Jorah came forward, sitting on the ground, which had dried up considerably since the night before. Nyssa, Nyx, and the others followed suit, sitting in a wide circle around Jorah, giving him enough room to explain. “Well, we tried to convince the Seers to revoke the law, but ultimately Dallan decided it was a foolish idea, so I resorted to an idea I had originally. I invoked the contest of strength tradition.”

  Sighing heavily, Keanu crossed his arms, but Finn and Lowell each glanced at each other, unsure of what to make of Jorah’s words. “What’s a contest of strength, again?” Finn asked.

  “Oh, come on,” Nyx said. “I can understand if Lowell doesn’t know, but at least you should, Finn!” Blushing and scratching his head, Finn, mumbled something under his breath and looked away.

  “So, then, want to explain it?” Lowell asked. “I’d like to know what we’re all hedging our bets on. I mean clearly it’s all on Jorah, but what does he have to do?”

  “It’s pretty simple, really,” Jorah began. “The contest of strength tradition goes as far back as the beginning of our clan. As you all know, we’re led not by one shifter, but by a group of wise elders...well, at least they used to be wise, before the Vampires invaded the Blackwood.” He glanced at Bronwen briefly, who simply shrugged at the comment. “Typically, the Seers make all the laws, but of course there’s always a few who the laws greatly affect, or a few that simply don’t like the laws. So, a contest of strength was set up for any who wished to challenge the Seers. All the challenger had to do was enter a ring made in the dirt, or snow, in our case, and wrestle or fight to shove either a Seer or Seer representative out of the ring. Whoever is last in the ring wins the contest and can choose what to do with the law on hand. It’s a tradition, because typically this contest affects everyone.”

  “Well, that doesn’t sound too bad,” Lowell admitted, glancing from Jorah to Nyssa. “I mean, all you need to do is overpower whoever the Seers throw at you, right? Honestly it doesn’t sound all that different from our Alpha challenges back at Gray Creek…”

  Keanu grunted. “It’s not that easy.”

  “He’s right,” Nyx interjected. “The ring is the most troublesome part.”

  Seeing his chance to pick up where he left off, Jorah continued. “The ring is drawn to be small. Small enough to where if, let’s say, I want to shift into a bear to suddenly swipe my opponent out of the ring, I could easily step out and lose the match.”

  “It’s all about who is thrown out or steps outside first,” Nyx said, glancing towards the exit, at the two guards watching them. “I remember my sisters telling me tales of matches that went on for days, simply because neither opponent could get the other one to step out of the ring.”

  “One could be knocked unconscious, but if they aren’t thrown out of the ring the contest won’t end.”

  “Talk about brutal…” Bronwen said. “Though it’s nothing compared to Vampire games.”

  “Yeah,” Jorah said. “It’s nothing short of being downright frustrating, especially when you and your opponent are evenly matched.”

  “Then I suppose you have a battle plan to win the contest?” Lowell asked. “Knowing you, I’m sure you’ve been thinking of something, at the very least.”

  Jorah groaned, glancing at the floor. “Of course, I have, but like we’ve mentioned, at the end of the day I need to overpower whoever I’ll be facing. And since I probably won’t know who I’ll be wrestling out of the ring until tomorrow morning, then I can’t come up with anything concrete just yet.”

  “Wait, this contest isn’t until tomorrow morning?” Finn said. “Ugh! We have to spend another entire day in this stuffy cave? I think I might just pass out from boredom.”

  Everyone laughed, their chuckles bouncing off the walls. “Well, do you want to change places with me?” Jorah asked playfully. “I’m sure you’ll do fine in the contest.”

  “As if!” Finn shouted, causing another chorus of laughter to ring out.

  Rising to her feet, Nyx’s smile softened a bit. “Well, I need to go, but I wish you luck in the contest, Jorah.” Jorah also got to his feet, throwing her a smile.
“I hope you know...that I’m sorry about how I reacted to you leaving. I’ll be rooting for you.” With that, Nyx jogged out of the cave, calling back to them. “I’ll have others bring by food for you in a bit, okay?” Then she was gone, out of sight, and the two guards rolled the large boulder back over the entrance of the cave, subjecting them all to darkness, the only remaining light being that of the two torches and of the few rays that wiggled through the cracks of the boulder.

  “She really is a good person,” Nyssa commented, watching Jorah’s expression. She meant it, truly. Before now, Nyssa had trouble thinking about how Nyx would be able to move forward, knowing she’d never truly be with Jorah the way she wanted to. But the female bear shifter had just proved her wrong twice now.

  “Yeah, she is,” Jorah said, sitting back down and sighing. “She’s strong, so she’ll be able to move on with her life one way or another after the outcome of my contest tomorrow.”

  Grabbing his hand again, Nyssa peered into his eyes. “You mean after you win, tomorrow.”

  Smiling weakly, Jorah nodded. “Yeah, after I win.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven: Jorah

  T o wait an entire day for a contest of strength was beyond excruciating. The hours they spent in the cave felt like eons.

  To pass the time, they told stories to each other, tales from each clan present. Nyssa and Lowell each told a story they learned from their parents, each a tale mostly about scaring children about the dangers of wandering the Oldwood forest alone. Jorah found himself entranced by Nyssa’s words, her voice, the way she mused and rambled on, using her hands to make various symbols to help move along her story.

  He found that listening to her speak calmed him more than any hopeful thought he came up with. The blazing fires from the torches amplified her and Lowell’s stories, each casting dancing shadows on the curved cave walls.