by Aubrey Rose
“I'm sorry, James,” I whispered to myself.
A big hand fell on my shoulder. I jerked backward, and then jerked again when I got an eye full of his huge body, barely clad in a nice black robe open at the chest. He held another robe out to me.
“Sorry for what, beautiful?”
I shook my head, forcing a smile. At least the robe's thick, fluffy fabric was comforting.
It hurt to recoil at his touch. Last night I'd loved his hands all over me, but now it reminded me I was a ticking time bomb.
A time bomb in love with the man I was supposed to destroy.
“Nothing. I think I cooked too much caribou,” I muttered.
Gods, it's hard enough to tell him one little white lie. What the hell am I supposed to say? I gave him the truth last night, but I can't spill this one!
I imagined how it would sound and wrinkled my nose.
Oh, hi, James. Next week my father and his men are coming to kill you if you don't vacate the land you've had for generations and surrender it to Tiger Bay. Our marriage isn't a sham – it's a weapon.
I imagined the silly words and cringed a second time, quickly hiding my shudder from him.
Either way, I was screwed. I could tell him the truth, and then risk having him throw me out and wage war on Tiger Bay anyway.
A bear's temper was a ferocious thing, especially when they were surprised. If James knew what my father was planning, the Denali bears had a good chance of ransacking and conquering my people in a preemptive strike.
Or I could go running back to my father, plead with him to stop the attack. But I already knew that wouldn't work. I'd have to convince him instead, something just shy of admitting I'd broken every taboo our people had by mating with a bear.
I clenched my teeth. My tiger was up and about inside me, pacing angrily as he sat down next to me with a big mug of coffee.
When he stopped gulping down the hot brew, I rested my hand on his, squeezing the fingers that had brought me so much pleasure last night. James looked up and smiled.
His eyes were full of affection for his new wife. Make that his new two-faced wife with a really bad hangover.
I'm going to make this okay. I have to.
IV: These Painful Truths (James)
I was out on the balcony a couple days later when I heard her come up behind me. Laura wrapped her pretty hands around my abs and squeezed. I held my breath and exhaled slowly.
Right there, little tiger. You can give me a bear hug anytime.
“You've been out here all evening, James. Is something wrong?” Her warm breath poured into my ear, sending a fiery tingle straight to my cock.
It jerked in my pants. I tensed fists at my sides to dampen the desire so I could face her like a normal human being. Or at least a normal werebear.
“Been doing a lot of thinking, baby. Same thing weighing on your mind, I'm sure.” I stared at her, hoping she'd say it first.
Her face softened. The sweet smile disappeared and her eyes got a little darker. It hurt like hell to see what happened when she thought about being away from me.
“The future...you're wondering what's going to happen with us?” she asked quietly.
Her words were arranged like a question, but there was some real certainty in her voice too. Of course, she was absolutely right on too.
Damn it. I'd never put much stock in old wives tales about fated mates sharing hearts and minds, but the way she read me was too weird to ignore.
“Yeah. In here, it's heaven with you. I wouldn't trade the last few days for anything.” I wrapped my big arms around her and pulled her to my chest, right where she belonged. “Can't hide forever, though. My clan's gonna figure it out sooner or later. So will the tigers.”
Fear sparkled in her eyes. “And what then? You told me there was another couple once.”
“Joe and Lydia. It didn't end well. Everybody says it was heartbreak over losing their cub, but I think the fucking prejudice was what really ruined them. They tried to live and love in secret, and it didn't work.”
Laura shook her head sadly. She didn't want to believe we were heading for anything less than bliss, especially after all we'd been through.
“What's going to happen to us?” she asked, sharp desperation in her words.
“We're gonna make it. I don't give a fuck what my fellow bears say. The Elders can strip me of my Alpha post for all I care. Long as I have you, everything's worth it.”
I squeezed her tighter. She nuzzled into my chest, shaking her head, on the verge of tears.
My words weren't convincing. I believed them, sure, but I couldn't blame her for doubting it.
Then the realization hit me.
Maybe I couldn't tell her with absolute certainty what lay ahead. There was somebody who could, though.
I settled her on the ground and wiped the small tear from her cheek. She looked up, smiling and scared.
“Come on inside. Let's get to work on dinner and turn in early tonight. Tomorrow I'll show you somebody who can read what fate has in store. We'll both know then.”
“But how?” Laura whined.
“You'll see. Trust me on this. I can't guarantee it'll be what we want to hear.” I paused, sliding the door behind us shut. “And if it isn't, I don't give a shit. We'll know what's coming, and if Fate decides to be a cruel bitch, I'll grab her by the throat and knock her on her ass. You're mine, baby, and nothing – and I mean nothing – has the tiniest chance of changing that.”
We were deep in the forest, carefully stepping over the broken trees and muddy patches left by the flood. The last few days had been a bit warmer, giving the whole woodlands a thick, dusky, slightly sour smell.
It was half a day's trek through the thick brush to get to the Shaman's cabin. Old Spark lived outside the clan, a bear who'd been born with a limp and a strange mind.
In the old times, when the first settlers came to Denali, the Elders forced female bears to test their cubs by sending them out into the wilderness for a week. Those who weren't hearty, the gods took.
No one alive then expected Spark to return alive. But he came back all right, many weeks later, speaking in a cryptic way that declared him gifted or insane, depending on who you talked to.
Since he'd taken off into the woods alone for good, he'd assumed the Shaman's role. We came to him for prophetic advice or to drop off food and offerings.
His appetite certainly hadn't slowed in old age either. The pack on my back was filled with nearly a hundred pounds of choice caribou and salmon steaks. I hauled it through the treacherous woods, calling on my bear's strength to deaden the burn in my muscles.
“James!” Laura's voice rang out behind me.
She gestured to the stream and we stopped. I watched as she filled her canteen, trying not to get hard when she bent down, giving me a perfect view of her full, sexy hips.
Gods, this woman made me burn. Last night was no different than the ones before.
Going to sleep early had been a dream once she was under me, moaning in my ear as I ravaged her deep, reminding her who'd taken her heart.
Shaman Spark had better confirm what I already knew in my blood. Laura was mine, dammit, and no walls made by Nature or politics would divide us ever again.
She took a long drink from her canteen, refreshing herself after the long journey. When she paused and looked around, deep in the forest, I stepped up next to her.
“What's out there?” I asked.
“You ever feel like you're being watched? I can't shake it...like someone's peeking out at us.”
I shook my head, letting a low growl slip. She wasn't totally wrong, and it was frustrating that the huge flood prevented us from smelling anything besides the dank, wet earth.
“Probably just black bear or birds. Alaska's waking up this time of year. Folks from Denali rarely venture this far out. We're safe here.”
She nodded, grabbed my hand, and squeezed. I had her trust, no matter how much paranoia nipped at us.
Several more miles, and we were on the half-faded paths leading to Spark's stomping grounds.
A tremendous crash rang out behind us. Laura gasped.
I spun, just in time to see several huge trees flattening. Instant thunder formed in my throat, and all my senses were on alert.
My skin prickled, ready to sprout fur and claws if I needed to defend us. Grizzly attacks from real bears were rare, but nothing was impossible this season, when they were coming out of hibernation. Especially when I was hauling enough meat any bear could smell for smile.
Laura screamed. I didn't have time to calm her down, standing face to face with six hundred pounds of big, furry bear. My knees bent, ready to fall to the ground and shift, when I saw the flicker of recognition in the animal's eyes.
Not a wild one. This bear's one of mine.
The bear stepped forward slowly. No limp, so I knew it wasn't Spark.
“Whoever the hell you are, you better put your bear away now. Where the fuck do you get off startling us way out here?”
The bear shifted quickly. Soft skin threw itself at me, replacing the furry flesh and sheer size that had been so menacing before.
“What's she doing with you so far out, Alpha? She's up to no good. I can sense it.” A feral growl left Hannah's throat.
She clawed at my chest, completely naked, wet strands of hair tangled over her shoulders. I held her back. Fuck, there was that urge to shift again.
I wanted to go full grizzly and knock her in the mud. Too bad I was like three times her size. It was too easy to do serious damage by accident.
An Alpha only used his full force when he had to, and this dumb creature didn't deserve it, no matter how annoying she was.
Didn't like the way she was looking at Laura over my shoulder, though. Not one fucking bit.
“Stop it!” I growled, grabbing her by the shoulders and giving her a good shake. “What the hell's gotten into you? You really think she brought me all the way out here to kill me?”
Hannah pushed away, still snarling with hatred. “You're an amazing man, but you can't see it like I do. She's nothing but trouble. You were paired with her to keep the clan safe...now she's threatening us all by scrambling your head. Can't you see she's drawing you into something unnatural and evil, James?”
I bared my teeth. Using my name rather than my title wasn't appealing to anything, and more than a little offensive coming from a fellow bear.
No doubt about it – Hannah had completely lost her fucking marbles.
“We came to see the Shaman, actually, and it's none of your business. I'm gonna give you three shakes of the claw to turn around, shift, and head back to Denali village where you belong.”
Laura snickered behind me. I was glad her fear faded, but I was deadly serious.
I held up one hand and threatened to begin the count.
“Gods! You really can't see it, can you?” Hannah pointed an accusatory finger straight through me at Laura. “This stupid cat's going to ruin our clan!”
“One...two...” My fingers went up, one by one.
Hannah's wide eyes bugged out at me. Then her face curled in on itself, a sour sneer, and she jumped into the brush, throwing her hair over shoulders. Her shift came so fast and hard she growled.
I didn't turn back to my girl until I heard the sound of twigs breaking under big bear feet.
“What was that all about?” Laura rubbed my shoulders.
“She's fucking nuts. Jealous. Ever since you showed up. She's wanted me to claim her for years, but Hannah's just not my type. Way too paranoid, for one thing...”
Laura's eyes were filled with tension. I wondered why she looked so uneasy, like she was trying to hide her fear.
But the kiss she pushed to my lips a second later wiped away those thoughts. My tongue plunged into her mouth and I pulled her flat against my chest, growling when my hands went to her ass.
Took all my discipline to break away. Nothing would've been finer than throwing her down here in the brush and having my way with her.
“Don't tempt me, baby. Spark's cabin's in sight. Save the honey for later.” I pointed.
She followed my finger to the decrepit looking wooden house just beyond the tangled trees. At a glance, it would've looked uninhabited to wandering human eyes.
I led the way, stopping at the cracked door to announce my presence.
“Shaman? You in there? It's James, the Alpha. I've brought a guest and an offering...”
Total silence. Laura looked at me with curiosity brimming in her eyes.
I pushed the door open, almost wincing at the loud creak. It looked empty, but the thick smell of an old bear told me otherwise.
Spark was deep in his cluttered den, sleeping in the corner near an old stone fireplace. He was in bear form, and didn't flinch when I dropped my bag loudly a couple feet from him. The big furry ball smacked its lips and continued to slumber, snoring like a wood mill.
“Shit. Can't believe the old timers were right. Looks like he really does hibernate...”
Laura smiled. I watched as she stepped past me and crouched down near the bear, speaking softly into his frayed ears. Years of frostbite out here in the harsh Alaskan winters had taken their toll on his body.
“Wakey-wakey. We've come a long way to find out the truth...”
Her soft, feminine voice must've hit a bell inside the old man's head. The furry lump beneath her suddenly jerked awake, towering up to the ceiling on two legs, one of them slightly crooked and deformed.
Sparks let out a deafening roar. I threw myself in front of Laura, reaching into the bag for the salmon.
Gods, I hoped he hadn't gone senile and let his bear take complete control over his human side. It rarely ever happened to old bears, but it was possible.
“Shaman! Forget about her. Do you recognize me?” I stepped up to the old bear's drooling snout and held out the fish.
He lowered his face, growling and sniffing my hand. A couple long seconds passed.
The bear shrank slowly, transforming into a withered old man with a bad leg. Spark snatched the salmon packet from my hand with surprising strength, swept low to the ground, and threw his furry blanket on. He crouched on the floor, ripping through the plastic and feeding big fistfuls of pink meat to his lips.
“Is he okay?” Laura asked, an oddly amused smile on her face.
“Dunno yet. It's been a good two seasons since anyone from the clan came out here...he's not getting any younger.”
That was the fucking truth. He looked like a man and ate like bear. If Laura wanted the brutish, bad mannered bear all tigers expected, then she'd found him in this beast.
Spark looked up, smacking his lips. His brow creased angrily and he stood after swallowing the last big bite.
“Careful, boy!” he thundered. “I was sending real grizzlies to the gods when you were in diapers. Why've you stolen my sleep?”
“We've come to seek your advice, Shaman. Need to know what the gods are telling you about my mate.” The last word sent frustration, love, and fear rippling through my blood at once. “There's plenty more where that salmon dripping down your chest came from...”
I unzipped the bag, pulled out the packets, and began throwing them up in a stack one by one. Spark watched with greedy eyes.
No, the old man wasn't totally crazy. He knew how to command a steep price. Everybody who came out here for his wisdom said the offerings had only increased over the years. Several travelers who showed up with anything less than thirty pounds of fine meat were turned away with nothing.
He started to shake. I reached out to steady him, but he bent to the little nest, and picked up an old cane with a large silver orb at the top.
My ears rang with the sound of him tapping it loudly on the ground.
“Your offering is sufficient. Ask your question.” Spark stared at Laura, his pale gray eyes holding a little of bears and men simultaneously.
“Should I?” Laur
a looked at me, worry lining her face.
“Do it. Our Shaman's a lot of things, but he isn't a judgmental bastard like all the others. He'll give you an honest answer. That's what we're here for.”
Laura swallowed something hard in her throat. “I...I'd like to know what the future has in store for James and I. What's our destiny? Can you see?”
Spark rapped his cane hard against the old floor. He closed his eyes tightly, his skinny arms trembling as the heavens reached into him. Denali people said he gave part of his soul each time he communed with otherworldly forces.
“I see sin! A sick, unnatural sin!” Spark spat the words loudly.
Laura smoothed one hand over her pretty face and clutched my arm. “I thought you said he wouldn't judge?” she whispered.
“No!” Old Spark cut me off before I could answer. “Tigers...bears...skinwalkers...they're all the same. All children of the gods, brothers and sisters with men. You want to know your fate – your blasphemy?”
He opened his eyes and looked at us. They were paler than ever, glowing with a strange energy brighter than an angry bear's.
“We're ready,” I said, giving him a nod.
My muscles tensed up something fierce. So did the hold my little tiger had me on. It was easy to laugh and dismiss the Shaman as a senile nut back in the village, but here, in front of him while he was working his magic...this was some serious shit.
“Your love confounds the heavens. It's unwritten! White as the frost and snow!” he bellowed. “Destiny is never a certain thing, and neither are fated mates. Your destiny is infinite, blinding to our creators and to me. The Gods are fickle, fickle, fickle...”
Laura gasped. The Shaman's nearly white eyes rolled up into his head.
His shaking stopped. I watched as his wrinkled face rolled on his chest. His cane tapped loudly on the floor and then he was falling backward.
I barely rushed forward in time to catch him before he went crashing to the floor. The old man was hot, clammy, like he had a bad fever.
Laura helped me steady him on the mattress where we'd found him. She brushed his head while I covered him with the big furry blanket he'd used as a cloak.
