“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?”
“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.”
“I’ve heard the stories. They’ve been protected from the clan, so why did the clan take the men?”
“To fight against the werewolves in the north.”
“How unfortunate. And where are these werebears now? You could use help if you plan to find those remains and face down the clan at their fortress.”
“I fled their village, so we’re on our own now.”
“I’ll go along with you. I won’t allow you to make the journey without some added protection.”
Elaina hugged Samson. “I wish you’d have told me sooner who I really was.”
“But you were too young to be able to accomplish such a task.”
“Do you think the clan intends to find Elaina to murder her?” Liam asked.
“Certainly. The clan knows the danger Elaina poses if she figures out who she really is and that she’s destined to stop the war. There are people amongst the clan that would rather see the war continue.”
“But why?”
“It’s a way to control not only the werebears, but all shifters of the area. Fear is a powerful weapon.”
“But what of the pact between the werewolves and the clan? If they’re at war with the werewolves, why leave them be here?”
“They aren’t related to the ones in the north, and the clan figures that they’re no threat to them. Plus, that pact came with assurances that no mating between werebears and werewolves happened, which was agreed upon willingly.”
“If I’m half bear and half wolf, where does that leave me? I can only shift into bear form, but can understand the werewolves. What if I have children? What would they be?”
“They could either be a werebear or werewolf.”
“That might be hard to figure out if I’m pregnant already. I’d have no idea whose baby I carry.”
Liam sighed. “It matters not. If you are pregnant now, I’ll stand by you even if the boy or girl is all bear. I understand that I’m not the only shifter to take you to bed, but there’s also the chance that you carry my child now.”
“I pray for us she’s not with child at all for the journey will be hard enough without dealing with a nauseous female.”
Samson insisted they stay put while he went fishing, which left Elaina to her dark thoughts. She truly wished that she didn’t remember seeing her mother struck down by the clan. She recalled all too clearly the screams of her father in the series of howl she couldn’t quite understand at the time. Although, being half wolf had to have its upsides, like being able to be Liam’s mate if they survived this ordeal.
How did Samson think they’d be able to just waltz into the clan’s stronghold without being immediately killed? With the clan now in heavy pursuit, she might never be able to get to the fortress at all, and even if they were to make it there, what made Samson believe that they’d even listen to her? No, there was simply no way that she’d be able to stop the war, but she had no choice but to try and do as Samson suggested. If it was her destiny to stop the war, she’d do whatever was necessary, even if it meant that she’d lose her life in the process.
Chapter Thirteen
Cullen and Damon went back to the wolf den to both assure themselves that the clan hadn’t been able to dig themselves out yet, and to make sure their most recent scent led in the opposite way from their village. It would just kill Cullen to think that the werewolves would come to harm since they had come to bat for them.
When they arrived at the Bear Claw Pub they were barred from entering, but Marla came out a few minutes later, listening to their story of why they needed to find Elaina and Liam, and how the clan was on their trail.
“The werewolves helped us and in return we want to make sure that their alpha isn’t harmed. This war has already taken its toll, and for another alpha to be murdered by the clan would only fuel the war,” Cullen explained.
“This war has been never-ending, but I certainly don’t want to see it brought to our doors. I’ve had to bar all werewolves from the pub just so that if a clansman comes in they don’t cause a fight inside the pub.”
“So you’ll tell us where we might find this Samson?”
“Who told you the name of Elaina’s protector?”
“She did not long ago. I was shocked that she had lied about being raised by a werewolf, but I see now that I have misplaced my alliances.”
“As many of us have.” Instead of rattling off the directions to Samson’s cabin, she took them by car.
Cullen and Damon held on as the tin machine took them down the road. Cullen had never experienced riding via a car, but could certainly see the appeal. It would save them an entire day of walking.”
Marla dropped them off and told them they only had to follow a pathway to reach the cabin. Cullen felt out of sorts and wobbled up the path.
“What’s wrong, Cullen? You act like you have just learned to walk.”
“I’ve just never been in a car before. I worried for a moment if Marla was taking us to the right place.”
“She’s in a difficult situation. She likes to play nice to all sides. Who can blame her, really?”
“How do you feel about Elaina traveling with the alpha, Damon?”
“I’ve resigned myself to the fact that she’ll never accept our way of life.” Damon grinned. “But I’ve met a shifter I’d give up all the females for.”
“A werewolf, no doubt. Let me guess. Nala?”
“How did you know?”
“I couldn’t help but notice how you looked like you wanted to rip Gerirr’s throat out when he swatted Nala’s buttocks. So did you get the chance to bed her yet?”
“Tried, and failed miserably.”
“Ah, what werebear wouldn’t want a challenge? It makes the conquest more tasty.”
“Nala wouldn’t be a conquest at all, but she’s also barren, so I’ve been told.”
“That’s never stopped you before, Damon.”
Damon led the way, and they strode into a
clearing and made way toward a cabin just as a gray-haired man walked up carrying two trout. “Can I help you?” the man asked warily.
“I hope that you can. Are you Samson?” When the man’s jaw tensed, Cullen went on to say, “We’re looking for Elaina and the alpha, Liam. Marla told us this is where they were heading.”
The man dropped the fish, his eyes wide, fists clenched at his sides. “If I was this Samson you seek, what makes you think I’d tell you anything?”
Before Cullen had a chance to respond, Elaina burst through the door with hands on hips. “What are you two doing here?”
“Elaina! Go back inside,” the man demanded.
“Samson, I’m not a child any longer, and this is Cullen and Damon, the werebears I stayed with.”
Samson took ahold of Cullen’s shirt, his fangs raised as he choked out, “You dare to come here to seek Elaina out after how you have treated her? She told me how you shared her with your brother.”
Culled tried with all of his might to contain his anger at being handled so roughly. “It’s our way, but I assure you I haven’t come here for any other reason than to warn her that the clan is on her trail. With the help of the werewolves, they are contained for now.”
Samson released his hold on Cullen. “How so?”
A thin but fit man joined them on the porch of the cabin. The sun-kissed highlights of his brown hair glistened in the sunlight. He was quite handsome, too, which bothered Cullen to no end. So this was the competition. Liam was certainly not what he expected and had an air of boyish charm about him.
“What of the den and the werewolves?” Liam asked.
“The clan forced me to find Elaina and the trail led there, but Nala and Adara helped us by drugging the clan. They put their evacuation plan into play, and three clansmen are now trapped in the den.”
“And there was no other way out of it?”
“Not unless someone has a serum that would prevent a shifter from being able to shift,” Cullen said. “The clan threatened to kill our sons, and once they insisted they go into the den, there would be no way out of it. Had Nala not drugged them, the well-being of the entire pack would have hung in the balance.”
Clan of the Werebear, The Complete Series Page 20
