“I know. I’ve just never killed anything before, but I didn’t have much of a choice. I’d never let harm come to either of you boys.”
“My brother is right. Let’s get moving,” Damon said.
Backpacks were slung over shoulders and soon they were heading down the trail. “How long will this trip take?” Elaina asked nobody in particular.
“A half a day’s walk if we keep at it,” Cullen said.
Elaina did her part and carried a bag, walking alongside Klesa, who remained silent. She couldn’t blame her as it must have felt bad that she was suddenly thrust on Ethan as her new mate. What if Klesa didn’t like him? It hardly seemed like she had any choice in the matter. Is that how it would go for Elaina, too?
Hawks circled overhead and Elaina wondered if they had spotted the lion carcass. The last place she wanted to be was anywhere near it and hoped it wasn’t anyone she had seen at the Bear Claw Pub, not that she had more than a chance at a brief glance at any of the shifters there.
* * *
When the sun had passed from the east to now the west, Elaina knew they had to arrive at the human lodge soon. Cullen hadn’t said a word to her since they’d come back to camp other than to keep moving. How was that man capable of being so tender earlier, to showing only indifference now? It didn’t give her any hope of a future with him. Was it only about mating for him? Not that she didn’t enjoy it; she just wondered if she should continue to live in the village with them. Was it really her concern that they had gotten into trouble with the clan? That’s when Samson’s warning came back to her. The clan was dangerous and possibly searching for her. Perhaps it would be better for her to leave, but where to? Back with Samson? No, that wasn’t even a possibility for her now.
All day, Elaina wondered if she’d be able to find her way back to the werewolves’ den. She couldn’t let that sway her, but she’d give Cullen one last chance to make good on his earlier promise to go there himself. If not, she’d make the journey herself. While it wasn’t her war, she didn’t have anywhere else to go. That is, unless the brothers refused to resolve their stupid views of mating with anyone they choose. How long could that be entertaining for them? With Klesa and Shauna now gone from the village, surely they’d have to change their views. Or would that put more pressure on Elaina to satisfy the lust of the brothers?
The urges to mate for Elaina waned with each passing day. How much longer would this fever last, and would she still want either brother when it did? Was the fever the only reason she longed to mate with them? Elaina wished she could find someone to talk about such matters. Klesa was human and she wasn’t the one to go to for answers. Perhaps she’d question the old one back at the village for insight. Who else could she question, as she hadn’t met another female werebear?
As they rounded a bend in the trail, Cullen motioned them to stop.
“The lodge is not far away. We’ll all go in together and ask for assistance. The owner was very obliging the last time we were here. I’m sure he’ll take Klesa, Ethan and the boys in,” Cullen said.
“How are they to pay for their lodging?” Elaina wanted to know. “You have no funds or animal pelts to pay your way.”
“I can work,” Ethan said. “I’m sure they’ll have something that I could do that would be of assistance for them.”
“Like cutting wood?” Klesa asked. “Everything else is too technical for any werebear who has lived in the wilderness all his life to do. They have electricity and modern appliances.”
“You mean like for refrigeration?” Elaina asked. “That’s what they have back at the Bear Claw Pub.”
“Yes. I can’t wait to see the look on your face, Elaina, when you soak in a real tub with warm water from a faucet.”
“She’ll do no such thing,” Cullen demanded. “There’s no sense in getting used to luxuries when there are none in the village.
Elaina shot Cullen an aggravated look, her hands on her hips. “Now listen here. I’ve had a bath before at the Bear Claw Pub and I’ll take a bath if I want one. You’re not my true mate; not yet, you’re not.”
Ethan smiled. “It might be better if we let the girls and children go in first. They might not be so inclined to help us men folk.”
Elaina nodded. “He makes sense.”
Cullen shoved a palm through his coarse hair. “Fine, but we’ll show up by nightfall if you don’t give us the signal to join you.”
“What signal?” Elaina asked.
Klesa fished out a whistle from her pocket. “It’s a dog whistle. It drives dogs and shifters nuts.”
“Works for me,” Elaina said with a wink.
Elaina took the hands of Peter and Ivan, and alongside Klesa, they followed the trail that led to the lodge. Large logs held the lodge together and it looked very much like the cabin that Samson had raised her in, but much bigger. The closer they came to it, Elaina noticed the large, circular object behind the lodge, and when she asked Klesa what it was, she was told it was a satellite dish for television viewing. Elaina had no idea what a television was, but was excited to find out firsthand; that is, unless they weren’t given a room.
When they walked into the lodge, a portly man wearing denim pants and a plaid shirt held the door open. His clothes reminded her of the lumberjacks that she had seen a few time in the woods, the same ones that Samson had chased off his property in wolf form. At the time it was quite humorous, but that’s when Samson warned her of the dangers of humans to their style of living. He also told her that timber was a vital part of Alaska’s economy, and that in time, he wouldn’t be able to stop them from taking timber near the cabin.
Elaina knew her style of living would come to a halt sooner or later, but she never in a million years thought that she’d be in a real human lodge with large lights near the ceiling in multi-colored facets of glass that showered them with light. They walked up to the counter and Klesa asked for the manager.
Within ten minutes, a thin man dressed in denim and a button-up, western style shirt greeted them. He took one look at their disheveled appearance and ushered them into a dining room with large circular tables sitting amongst the long rectangle ones. They were motioned to sit and the man pulled a pair of glasses from his pocket, placing them on his nose and taking a more serious look at them.
“How can I be of assistance, ladies,” the man asked. He wasn’t much older than Klesa, and Elaina couldn’t help but smile shyly at him. The blood pounded in her ears and she knew the fever still had her in its grip.
“I was on vacation with my family and we were lost in the woods for quite some time. We had to take up residence in an abandoned cabin just to make it through the winter,” Klesa explained.
“However did you not starve to death?”
“There were cans of food left in the cabin, and we ate beans most of the winter.” Klesa made a face. “Yuck. I don’t think that I’ll ever be able to eat beans again.”
“You poor dears. Do you have anyone we could call?”
“No, we’re all alone, except for my husband and some kindly mountain men. I hope that won’t dissuade you from offering us assistance.”
“Not at all. I’d be happy to give you rooms and food. If your husband is handy, I sure could use some help around here, and you as well, ladies. We usually hire servers and cleaning ladies during the summer. We’ll be swamped with tourists soon.”
“Waitresses?” Elaina asked.
“Yes, they serve customers who order food,” Klesa explained to Elaina. “Poor dear has lived in the backwoods all of her life.”
“I’m Todd Barkwood and would be happy to show you to your rooms once I figure out if I have any in the domestic wing. That’s where our hired help stay. The rooms are a little on the small side, but you’d be quite comfortable, I’m sure.”
“Do these rooms have a bathtub?” Elaina asked.
“Yes, a full bath with shower.”
Elaina was almost giddy. “Wow, that sounds great! I’d love a hot bath.�
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“Well, you certainly came to the right place. Fetch your husband and the mountain men and I’ll be sure that you’re all fed. I’ve been down on my luck before and know how bad it can be.”
“Sure,” Klesa said. “After you show us to our rooms. This young lady wants a bath and now,” she laughed.
* * *
Elaina soaked in the tub with the hottest water she could tolerate. There was plenty of soap and shampoo that smelled like flowers, which Klesa explained was lavender. She admired the circular bowl that she knew served as a toilet that had a silver handle that you could move down and the water disappeared down who knows where.
She stayed in the water until it cooled and her fingers and toes wrinkled. There was a rap at the door; Klesa waltzed inside and set clothing on the closed toilet seat. “You’d better get out before you turn into a prune,” she giggled. “I must admit that I miss taking a hot bath myself. You should try the shower next time.” She motioned to a large circular head attached to a silver pipe with tiny holes in it.
“What does that do?”
“If I show you, you’ll never want to leave.”
Elaina bit her lip in thought. “I don’t want to leave for real. I don’t see why I have to.”
“Because you have two mates that want to take you any way they can.”
“They just like to rut is all. I’m sure they’ll be able to find someone else to do that with.”
“I thought you like Cullen and Damon.”
“I do, but sometimes I wonder if it’s all about the fever.” Elaina stood and took the fuzzy towel Klesa offered. “I mean, even that manager guy, Todd whatever his name is, made me hot.”
“I’m all human so I can’t say, but he sure looks good compared to Cullen and Damon.”
Elaina giggled. “I won’t say that. I kinda think both Cullen and Damon are very rut-worthy. I’ve just never seen a man with his hair combed and smelling of perfume.”
“It’s aftershave or cologne, and he seems quite nice, but you do know that Cullen won’t allow you to stay here. I’m surprised he let you come in here with me.”
Elaina sighed. “I suppose, but he can’t stop me if I choose to stay. Besides, he’s not the only man on the planet that I’d like to get to know better on a personal level.”
Klesa plopped down on a nearby chair and handed Elaina her clothing. “Do say.”
“I was raised by a werewolf, you know, and my protector had this grandson, Liam. We were raised together and were the very best of friends. He’s about the only other person I had contact with besides Marla who owns the Bear Claw Pub.”
Klesa laced her fingers together and leaned her chin on them. “I’m listening. Was he also a werewolf?”
“Yes, and this one time right before I came to the village, I kissed him.”
Klesa sat upright now. “Really? Is that all that happened?”
“Y-Yes. My protector caught us. At the time, I already had the mating fever and I thought that was the only reason I had kissed him, but—”
“You wanted to kiss him way before that,” Klesa interjected.
“Yes. Is that bad?”
“No, it’s romantic. What happened to this Liam? Were you ever able to mate with him?”
Elaina tugged on the jeans and shook her head. “Oh, no. And my protector told me I wasn’t ever allowed to see him again.”
“Not fair. Was that it?”
“Yes, I’m afraid. It’s complicated and impossible. Werebears and werewolves are forbidden to mate with one another.”
“That’s why it would be good if you got the chance. Perhaps you’ll get the chance one day.”
The door slammed open. “Get the chance to do what?” Cullen demanded. He stared at Elaina’s naked breasts and she hastily covered them with her shirt as she put it on.
“Stay here longer. Please.”
“Out of the question. Why would you even want to?”
“Because there’s running water and bathtubs,” Elaina whined. “And I can stay if I want.”
He laughed. “You wouldn’t last very long. There’s no way you’d be able to hide the fact that you’re a werebear.”
Elaina folded her hands across her chest. “That’s so not true. I’ve concealed that for a very long time. You could say that I’m pretty good at remaining hidden.”
“That was before you were stricken with the mating fever. You can’t just start mating with humans like you have Damon and me.”
“He’s right,” Klesa said. “That type of behavior is frowned upon unless you find a human to marry you or keep you around more than one night.”
Elaina didn’t want to let this drop. “You could help me fit in, Klesa. And I could help you out by looking after the boys for you.”
Cullen palmed his forehead. “Out of the question. You’re coming back with us. We have the clan bearing down on us, don’t forget.”
“Perhaps it’s time you leave the wilderness and live amongst the humans yourself. The village would all benefit from living far from the reach of the clan. They wouldn’t dare venture here.”
Cullen began to pace the small room. “I said no. You’ll do as I say and that’s that.”
Elaina was angry now. “No, I won’t do anything you say. I have been doing what you and Damon have said for far too long, but now I have a choice. Your battle with the clan is your own, not mine.”
“If the clan is indeed searching for you, they’ll find you here.”
“They wouldn’t dare! I’m old enough to take care of myself. You saw how I protected the cubs.”
“Yes, I did, and that might not be so easily understood among the humans. Certainly you were warned about how dangerous it would be for you if the humans discovered who you really are. In my experience, it’s hard to contain yourself and remain hidden.”
“Cullen has a point. It could be dangerous here for you. You can’t trust the humans like you can the people at the village.”
“They’re not even my own people. I don’t even know who my own kind is, or where I really came from.”
“Another reason to stick close to me,” Cullen insisted.
Elaina rolled her eyes. “Of all the nerve! All you want to do is share me with your brother.”
“I don’t want to share you. It’s just how it’s always been done at our village. Perhaps in time—”
Elaina threw her hands skyward. “You’ll never call me your mate without changing your mind right afterward. I have never met a more indecisive man in my life.”
His brow shot up. “Oh, and how many men have you known other than your protector, Samson? Your body was untouched when I first thrust into you.”
“You’re disgusting and I won’t stand here another moment listening to you.” Elaina stomped her way to the bathroom door, shirking off Cullen’s hands when he tried to stop her. “I’m not leaving and that’s final!”
Chapter Nine
Elaina sat next to Peter and Ivan, listening intently as Klesa instructed them on how to use the proper utensils for dinner. Peter stared at the dinner fork like it was gonna bite him. “I don’t see why we can’t eat like we usually do, with our fingers.”
Klesa slapped the table with a fork. “No fingers allowed. Pick up the fork, boys, and hold it like this.” She took it between her thumb and finger. “See, it’s not that hard.”
Peter grabbed the fork and tried to mimic his mother’s movements, but it went clattering to the table. “Ugh, this is impossible,” he muttered as he folded his arms.
Elaina felt for the boys and helped them position the fork in their hands again.
“So I take it, Elaina, that you grew up using silverware to eat.”
“Yes, Samson made sure I learned the ways of the humans, but I’m not so used to having more than one fork and spoon. Having a salad fork and soup spoon makes it twice as confusing to learn when you’re not used to it.”
“This is going to be a tough transition for the boys, but in time, ho
pefully they’ll catch on. It’s important that they fit in; it’s important that we all do.”
Cullen narrowed his eyes as he stared across the table at Elaina until she finally refused to look in his direction.
Klesa jumped when Cullen stroked her cheek. “Stop, Cullen. I’m Ethan’s mate now, remember?”
“It might look odd if our hosts saw you touching her,” Elaina added, still not looking at him, but she did see him touch Klesa as she was sitting directly across from her. “Imagine what he would think?”
“She’s right, Cullen,” Klesa said. “Think of the boys. You told me to take them to live amongst the humans, so behave. Rumors swirl fairly fast, and I’d hate for us to be put out just because of your arrogance.”
Cullen pounded his fists on the table and the glassware on the table rattled as he stood and his chair flew back, landing on the floor. He stomped away, narrowing his eyes at Elaina who finally gazed at him, shocked at his actions.
When he left, Klesa righted the chair and sat back down.
The room was empty except for a few servers who gave them a wary glance, but went back about their work of setting up the tables for dinner.
“He’s not going to let you go, Elaina. He’s staked his claim on you now,” Klesa said in a somber tone.
“He can’t just order me around like this. I’m beginning to think that if it weren’t for—” Elaina stopped speaking abruptly as she glanced at the boys. “Perhaps I shouldn’t speak my mind like this. Peter and Ivan don’t need to hear all this grown-up talk.”
“Boys,” Klesa began. “Go back up to our room and wait until I call you down for dinner.”
Damon whisked by and said, “I’d be happy to take the boys outside for some fresh air before dinner.” His face was a bit tense, but he smiled all the same. “I know how Cullen can get sometimes. Don’t let it bother you, Elaina,” Damon said as he led the boys away.
Elaina took a hold of Klesa’s hand. “I just wonder if it wasn’t for this mating fever, if I would have even found Cullen so appealing.” She cleared her throat, taking a drink of water, and continued, “or Damon either, but I did that more because I was angry that Cullen mated with you. I’m sorry. I know how bad that must sound.”
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