Ursus Borealis: Book One

by D. L. Lewellyn

Colin said, “Even the hint that it might be them is alarming. I was hoping Elliott at least, would have some information. I am not surprised that Dare made no effort to attend,” he said scornfully, when referring to the alpha of the Baja Star Pack whose territory bordered mine on the south and stretched into Baja California.

  Dare’s father had died within the last year leaving him to take over a bit too young for the responsibility it seemed. His conduct demonstrated his resentment quite plainly and often with too much media attention, which threatened to bring unwelcome attention to the packs. Something I had been keeping a watch on.

  Elliott was alpha of the Fire Star Pack. His territory bordered mine to the north and covered Oregon and southern Idaho. My territory, as alpha of the North Star Pack, stretched from the Oregon border down past the Bay Area to Monterey and Fresno.

  A deep-seated rivalry existed between mine and Elliott’s territories going back to the times of our fathers who were alphas before us, and who were long dead. Yet, that was how pack rivalries worked. Territorial challenges have lasting effects, and in our case, both our fathers had loved the same woman, the woman that still ran Elliott’s household in Bend, his mother, Chandra.

  There was a long story there, but let’s just say our fathers actively made life for each other a living hell in their day. These days, Elliott and I kept the peace begrudgingly, while keeping our pack business on our respective sides of the border.

  Colin, who was my second in command reported, “Our patrols have been reallocated to bolster the Nevada and Oregon borders. There were two sightings in the last month, one in Modoc County and one in Siskiyou County. The patrol has orders not to engage but to report any signs of activity. The Anurashin are too dangerous, and we need information more than trouble.

  “You know as well as I do, that when they begin making appearances, it is not a good thing for the other races occupying this world.”

  Irritably I said, “And yet this time when they show up, it is in our territory. We need to know what they are after.

  “One thing the assembly did accomplish was to coordinate a data gathering task force on other sightings or encounters. It will help to know if they are focused on this area alone and, if not, what other activities they are engaged in.”

  “Agreed,” he said. Then he rolled his lips and looked at me from under his brow. Colin had been chomping at the bit to say something since he had watched my progress as I passed Selena’s table too closely, yet again.

  I raised an eyebrow inviting his opinion, “What?”

  “Man, I’ve never known you to have it this bad. I saw your face when you met her. How have you managed to keep ignoring the attraction, and why for gods’ sake?”

  Seeing my resolve, he continued in a more serious tone, “May I offer that sometimes, good things must be pursued even when they might come with risks? What can it hurt to get to know her? Deal with problems one at a time when and if they come along.”

  “You never miss anything, do you Kit. I won’t deny there is something about her that is completely unique and damned alluring, but she’s human and knows nothing of the supernatural world. With this new threat hanging over us, I am especially reluctant to expose her to it.”

  His calm eyes looked at me in understanding, “There will always be risks. You deserve a companion as much as any of us, even with the demands on you as an alpha.

  “I suppose I would have the same trepidation. But our kind has had successful relationships with humans for thousands of years, and I believe she just might be worth it.

  When I didn’t reply and just stared into my beer, he continued, “I would hate for you to let her slip through your fingers. Obviously, there is something drawing you to her and it could be important. Having known you all my life, this is the first time you have taken such notice of a female.”

  “You have been giving this some thought,” I grinned at him. “Is that how you would handle it then?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I admit it is getting harder to resist the pull towards her. Still, with this crisis looming, it is bad timing to introduce a human to our world, Kit.” I ran my hand through my hair then leaned on the bar and took a pull from my mug.

  Colin decided to tease me just to shake me up a little. “Hey, if it is too much for you to handle, I would be more than happy to get to know her myself. She is quite stunning, a little thing, but there is steel behind those kind amber eyes, and she’s much closer to my age.”

  I snarled at him, “Not funny young cub.” Colin’s eyes sparkled in a humor he could barely contain while his concern for my happiness was also clearly visible.

  “Gods, this will be fun, having something to goad you with, old man. The mighty Andras Johns imperturbable for decades, facing countless foes, only to be sideswiped by a tiny human female who barely reaches his chest.”

  Letting him enjoy his amusement at my expense, I tried to keep my lips from curling in response to his dramatic pronouncements, as I thought about his advice.

  Then, I focused on my beer and the music by the Record Company that was piping out through the Starlight’s sound system, letting it sooth my mood that had me brooding over what to do about Selena Aires.

  I would need to decide soon. This prevarication would not do for much longer. It was not fair to me, or her, and guilt at craving her smiles while giving her nothing in return was starting to eat at me.

  ✽✽✽

  The rest of the council had arrived, and we were settling into our beers before we began talking business, but before we had gotten far, we were alerted to an altercation. A nod to Sam had him moving to the table where a situation was escalating, and as was our policy and with little fanfare, he had it quickly handled.

  It was yet another spat between a pair of mated wolf shifters who needed reminding occasionally not to get carried away in front of the humans. Jason would go home now, and his wife would follow later, and they would likely spend the next hours making up.

  Though the couple fighting was a routine occurrence, and normally warranted very little thought, tonight my mind went to the making up part, picturing a dimly lit bedroom and tousled bed sheets. But the occupants were myself and a little human whose eyes drew me in, and whose curves made my mouth water.

  I mentally chastised myself. Thoughts like these were not helping.

  When Sam returned, Colin filled in the other three on the too little information we had regarding the Anurashin. My council was comprised of four of my most loyal and dedicated friends, trusted advisors, each with their own unique skill sets.

  Sam was my enforcer and spoke next in his deep, quiet voice, “I will pull in some favors from my human law enforcement contacts to keep tabs on any unusual criminal activity. It’s a long shot but something might stand out if I keep the lines of communication open.”

  “Thanks, Sam.” Samuel Harrison got things done, without fail. I had saved his life once long ago, and he had pledged his loyalty to me ever since. He had more than paid me back over the long years with his lethal cunning and deep well of resources.

  He had allies that I was only vaguely aware of, connections that went far back into his obscure history, a history that even I as his alpha, knew nothing about, just that it had to do with whatever had planted him in my path many years ago, when I had found him wounded and near death in the forest stabbed by a witch’s hexed blade.

  Ramsay Sinclair spoke next, “I have started researching the history of the Anurashin. It is quite interesting. There are a lot of speculative accounts that must be sorted through to discern the facts. I’ll have a summary within the week.”

  “That would be excellent Ramsay.” Ross and Ramsay were twin brothers, the youngest on my council, and were invaluable for their ability to hack into anything with stealth. Their skills in disassembling a piece of technology into its most basic bits, and creating something new from the knowledge, was legendary.

  As we enjoyed our beers, I gave into the inexorable pull to
a certain table, taking in the sight of the brunette head bent over an art journal, while a small hand wielded expertly a charcoal pencil.

  Chapter 3

  Selena

  Bringing her upbeat energy, Gemma appeared at my table, and asked if I was ready for another beer. “I love seeing you sketching away in this corner, Selena. Something about that swooshing pencil laying down your observations makes me look around this place with new eyes, like something exciting could happen any minute.”

  Gemma was tall and willowy with jet black hair reaching down past her waist, streaked dramatically with an electric amethyst tint, giving emphasis to her energetic movements, especially when she had it pulled into a long ponytail for work. Her hair would swish with her as she moved from table to table as she was now. To contrast with her dark tresses were a pair of violet-blue, starkly intelligent eyes.

  My artist eye detected something a little deeper, and maybe it was also a bit of my newly flexed friendship muscle that recognized it, but I saw a hint of worry that never left her, underlying her upbeat charm, and I had the thought that there was more to her story, something she did not want revealed.

  Being the friend that she felt comfortable enough to unload on someday was my hope, but for now, I did my best to let her know I was here when she was ready.

  “Another beer would be fabulous, thank you. The drama does tend to pop up now and again, doesn’t it? Did you see how Andras had the mysterious hooded guy intervene in the beer toss altercation with Jason and Liv?

  “I can’t help but think there is more to the five of them than a business relationship. Sometimes, I get the impression they are more like a military unit and Andras is the commander. Is it just me, or do you know what I mean?”

  She winked at me, and said as she flounced away, “I know exactly what you mean. Your beer will be right up, kiddo.” I had hopes of getting more of her take on it later.

  When she came back and set another cold brew in front of me, I told her, “Andras did that weird thing again tonight.”

  She cocked her head, “You mean when he can’t seem to stop himself from angling his path near your table on his way to the bar? Did he nod at you again?”

  “He did. It’s as baffling now as it was when we met outside with Joseph, and he had watched me like I was some new species that had just made an appearance on this planet. What, more than a month ago now? Is there something about me that scares him?”

  “Only scary beautiful, girlfriend. When I see that kind of struggle in a man, it usually means he has a powerful reason for keeping his distance, but the desire always wears them down. I think we will soon find out what Mr. Johns has on his mind about you.”

  My smile followed Gemma as she headed to her next table. It was nice having a friend I could ask these types of questions of. Before, I had assumed it was me always scaring the men away. But having Gemma to run things by, gave me a better measuring stick, one less critical than my own.

  Then a tingling like an electrical current moved down my spine, and it felt like someone had thrown a switch to a powerful magnet…pulling my gaze around.

  Andras Johns was at the bar casually leaned back on his elbow and staring intently, chestnut eyes gleaming…right at me.

  ✽✽✽

  Tuesday’s highlight of course, was my cribbage night with Kenny, who was now ensconced in his favorite overstuffed chair across from me in my living room, in front of the fireplace.

  This time of year, I had a cozy potted geranium sitting in the middle of the hearth rather than a cozy fire, the filtered light of the stained-glass lamp shades casting a warm glow around us instead of warm flames.

  After our first two rounds, Kenny brought up what I knew he had been waiting to get into all evening. “So, what’s up with the radical giant Harley dude? He’s into you, I can tell. You plan on doing anything about it?” I really tried not to, but I blushed like a teenager.

  Kenny was satisfied with my reaction, but then said in a cautious tone, “I don’t know much about him, other than the sick vibes he sends out. Never seen him with anyone there but his dudes.”

  I said, “He can’t be that interested since he always seems focused on meeting with his guys. I doubt I would make a fascinating enough diversion for a man like that.”

  Kenny didn’t let me off the hook that easily, “You really have no idea why that last statement is so wrong, do you? You are one of the most fascinating people I know. Plus, do you ever look at yourself in the mirror? You could give Andras Johns a run for his money, no matter how sick the dude is.”

  “Thanks Kenny. That was a nice compliment.” I went to the kitchen and mixed our next round, and said when I came back, “I won’t deny that he intrigues me, but I haven’t decided yet what I want to do about it. He seems complicated.”

  Settling into my cushy chair with our two drinks and handing one to Kenny, I smiled at the beautiful face of a poet across from me. Okay, it was poetry inspired by the easygoing surf culture, but it still stamped his blue-eyed face with depth and wisdom.

  He had the typical southern California complexion, golden hair, golden tan, and was nearly six feet tall with a surfer body to die for. One of those guys that caused heart palpitations in females as they watched him walk out of the surf backlit by the sun, carrying his longboard.

  But even if he sounded like a surfer dude with a penchant for thrill sports who only thought about the next wave or packed powder, when he spoke, you knew he had thought first about what he wanted to say.

  Despite his striking looks, the two of us had managed to settle into a mutually satisfying friendship free from any awkward romantic notions. We could talk about anything and everything, and I valued that a great deal.

  “Well, if you are interested, there’s no reason not to make the first move. He would be a lucky dude.” He cleared his throat then grinned at me.

  “It is something to consider, and you are making me blush. So, your turn now. I saw you at Jean’s the other day with a cute redhead who seemed to be hanging on your every word. When do I get to meet her?”

  His golden tan took on a rosier tint. “Yeah, I’ve asked Hannah out a few times. I met her at Coppervale. She teaches Cross Country at Lassen Community.” Okay, definitely something there. Good for him.

  We played another three rounds of cribbage and gossiped more about the quirks of our friends and the happenings in town, as the sinking sun cast a rich amber light around the cozy space, and I proceeded to turn up all the right combinations of fifteen, while we got even more tipsy on my whiskey sours.

  Then I packed up the leftover snacks and handed him the bundle at the door, kissed him on the cheek and watched him sway slightly on his long legs down my drive to make his way home, walking not driving. He lived only a couple blocks away.

  Chapter 4

  Selena

  “I’m going to call it a night Gemma. Let’s meet at Jean’s soon, okay?” I was packing up my journal and pencils to head home after a rather anticlimactic evening at the Starlight.

  It was after ten and the mountain air was cool, as it often was in the Sierras in June, and I pulled on my light hoody and was zipping it up as I walked out onto the porch, when I noticed Terrance, one of the Starlight’s rare regular drunks, following close behind me. Too close. I looked at him in alarm and stepped back to gauge his purpose.

  He was a few inches taller than me, wiry and had pointy, sly features. Then I noticed his eyes were not quite focused. Yep, he was drunk again. He lurched towards me slurring, “How’s about you let me take you home on my Harley, sweet thing?”

  Ugh…My eyes watered. Onions as well as lots of beer. He staggered a little and reached for me, but I blocked his hand and stepped back.

  “No thank you. You’re drunk, and I am not interested. In fact, I’m going to go see if someone can get you a ride. You’re in no condition to operate a vehicle, let alone with a passenger.”

  “Ah…Come on. You’d love riding behind me on my Hog. It will
feel so good.” I was not getting through…and, eew.

  Holding on to my patience I said, “No. Now let’s go back in and find you a ride home.” Then his look turned mean after slowly processing my rejection in his alcohol-fogged mind, and I grew alarmed.

  Reacting to my assessment that he had turned the corner from harmless drunk to aggressor, I did not hesitate to discourage his aggression.

  As a vice-like grip covered my upper arm, bruising me, I arced my arm out of his grip and struck him hard in the face with the heel of my other palm, then rapidly followed with a strike to his shoulder and chest that had him staggering backwards off the curb, while he held his bleeding nose.

  I heard a muffled snarl that sent a chill up my spine. Was that sound from him?

  Quickly picking up my bag from the walkway, I turned to go back inside, but came to an abrupt halt to gape at the sight of Andras Johns leaning against the door with his bulging arms crossed over his impressive chest.

  His gaze roamed over me with concern lighting his beautiful chestnut eyes, assessing me for damage, then I winced when another light flamed in those depths, green and gold flecks dancing in them, and a look of pure menace was aimed at my assailant.

  “I don’t want to see you around here for a while, Terrance. You’ve been warned before. There won’t be another warning.” The calm authority in his voice sent chills down my spine.

  Terrance on the other hand was suddenly sounding sober and backing away towards his bike, “I-I didn’t mean any harm, Alph…uh…Mr. Johns. I’m sorry. Won’t happen again. I’m leaving right now.” He tripped over himself in his haste to get to his Harley, then he jumped on and roared off.

  Turning my attention back to Andras, I found him standing closer to me, my gaze level with his broad, defined chest, and I became acutely aware of every rope of muscle in his arms and the heat emanating from his body as he towered over me.

  Trying not to gulp at the impact his nearness had on me, I trailed my eyes up, lingering first over of the bear paw under his shirt, claws curving over his collar bone, a tattoo that had intrigued me to no end. I wanted to see the rest of it desperately.