Ursus Borealis: Book One

by D. L. Lewellyn

  I told her I was happy to provide a nice ride for our special night.

  “Nice ride? Okay, if you want to keep it real, I guess.” She grinned at me, “tell me about the car. What can it do?”

  I was pleased to hear the appropriate level of respect in her voice. So, I obliged, “Its high-performance speed can get up to one hundred and ninety-four miles per hour and it can reach sixty miles per hour in just over three seconds”

  Her eyes glittered, and she said challengingly, “Can you show me?”

  I laughed, “A speed junky, eh? I hadn’t really pegged you as one.”

  Then she knocked the wind from me a little when she offered her trust in my abilities without hesitation. “If it’s you behind the wheel, I’m all for seeing what she’s got. What’s it like with the top down I wonder?” She quirked her brow at me.

  I laughed and clicked the button and the top whirred back over our heads. “It has a wind dampener, so your hair won’t get mussed.”

  I was silent for a time as I let her appreciate the ride, allowing myself to enjoy the feel of my car as her oranges and jasmine scent mingled with the smell of leather, redefining my sensory awareness of my Mercedes.

  “Making a big move like you did must have been hard. But it seems to have suited you. What made you decide on Quincy?” I finally broke the silence.

  “I wanted to get back to a town near where I was born in Siskiyou County. I have a lot of history there. My three times great grandfather was from the Azores, and he came to America on a whaling ship then joined his brother to start a produce ranch that grew so big, the family stories have the brothers trading produce with Captain Jack himself.

  “There’s so much history in a place like that and it fascinates me.”

  I said, “I love that you know your family history and that it all took place in an area that I am familiar with and love as well. I imagine you’re aware of many of the hidden gems that I appreciate about Northern California.”

  “I’m sure I am, but I imagine we might have places unknown to the other that we can share some time. Have you always lived in Quincy?”

  “I was raised in San Francisco, but my work lets me enjoy life in a few of my other favorite areas like Mount Shasta and Monterey.”

  “Both exceptionally beautiful places.”

  Then we were both quiet again as we enjoyed the views of the lake, a lake that I had always thought was one of the most beautiful in the world, and I had seen many to compare with it. My passenger’s beauty only added to the effect.

  Chapter 22

  Selena

  As we pulled up to the valet at Harvey’s, I sincerely hoped that Andras would find a stretch of road somewhere on the way home and open her up.

  “I feel like your girl here,” and I caressed the dash, “was let down. We might have to indulge her a bit on the way back.” Andras grinned over at me then got out and came around to give me his hand.

  As I emerged from the depths of European luxury, I noticed the looks she was getting. I grinned up at Andras, but his eyes were focused solely on me, oblivious to the admiring glances also directed at him.

  I had a great time observing the looks aimed his way however and I did not blame them. In his charcoal grey three-piece suit, he looked like a tall, powerfully built James Bond lightly bearded and eyes piercing, ready to take on any power-hungry villain.

  Soon we were amid flashing lights and a cacophony of energetic sounds as we made our way across the casino to the steak house, where we enjoyed perfectly done steaks in a much more peaceful environment.

  We lingered over our drinks as we watched the sunset light up the water on the huge, beautiful lake, framed by the Sierras with just a hint of snow at the peaks.

  Andras had VIP tickets for the show, and we enjoyed two of the best seats in the house. The acrobatics and impressive illusions prompted me to say, “Some of these performers don’t even seem human.”

  Whispering in my ear and sending shivers down my spine, Andras surprised me saying, “What if some of them weren’t?”

  When I turned to him in curiosity, he distracted me with a kiss. Then the performers caught my attention once again, which was saying a lot about their skills.

  My curiosity about him mounted when he was hailed by more than a few people who felt the need to greet him. He would keep his response polite but brief so that they would be on their way, leaving us to ourselves once again. One such encounter had me raising an eyebrow at Andras letting him know I would expect an explanation later.

  “Andras Johns! Good to see you.” A suave looking man with a beautiful redhead on his arm stopped as he came upon us on the casino floor. He looked at me curiously, then at Andras waiting for an introduction, and manners dictated that we oblige him.

  Andras tucked me close, “Jonathan Bellamy, Sheila, this is Selena Aires.” I put out my hand, “Nice to meet you both.”

  Jonathan took my hand and bowed over it respectfully and my eyes widened slightly. Sheila, who had been watching us curiously, smiled slyly and said, “It’s about time, Alpha.” Alpha? They went on their way, and I gave that look to Andras. He said, “Soon, little dove.”

  I forgot the encounter temporarily as Andras led me to the roulette tables. I had never played before and started out with beginner’s luck then broke even, but it was all fun, though I nearly lost my place at the table when I had to excuse myself for what was not even ten minutes, to come back to Andras surrounded by females pressing close to watch him play.

  Not just a few of the faces were openly gaping at him in…well, I’ll just call it admiration. I stood back to admire for myself his towering form and gorgeous face that was determinedly focused on the wheel.

  When I squeezed in next to him, he looked down at me in relief and pulled me to his side eagerly, placing our bets. I grinned to myself when those admiring faces turned on me with envy. I marveled not for the first time at the way Andras had kept me close to him almost protectively and focused on my enjoyment. His attentiveness was addictive.

  We finished the night in a lounge listening to a fabulous blues singer. Thrilled again that we loved the same music, I asked him, “Who is your favorite blues singer of all time?” He sat back crossing one arm over his chest propping his hand on his strong jaw, thinking about my question.

  He looked so hot just then I wanted to fling myself on him in an extremely undignified manner. I refrained, but barely. I caught him stifling a grin when he saw my heated gaze devouring him.

  “I have loved the blues since Etta James, but today I think I would have to say Susan Tedeschi.”

  “I love Susan Tedeschi! You really do get my music!” Then the other thing he said hit me. “Wait, what do you mean you have loved the blues since Etta James?”

  He leaned over the table towards me engulfing my hand in both of his, “Would you believe me if I told you I was born in nineteen forty-three and that I was her contemporary?”

  My heart thudded hard in my chest and something cold like shock threatened to take hold. I pulled my hand away sinking back against my seat to gape at him, “I…I don’t understand. How can you be nearly eighty years old? That cannot be what you are telling me.”

  He leaned back again, sighing, “It’s true and it has to do with what I am, Selena. There is more to this world than human existence, a myriad of diverse races that you are unaware of.

  “After giving our situation much thought, especially after our day yesterday and my promises to you, I’m convinced you’re ready for what I need to share with you about myself. From your questions yesterday, you have been thinking along these lines, have you not? Are you up to hearing about it on the way home?”

  Staring hard at him for a few minutes, I thought furiously on all the odd bits and pieces that I had been saving up about him for the past weeks. “Does this have anything to do with Sheila calling you alpha?”

  He nodded at me and took my hands again, this time brushing his lips over my knuckles sending shivers
through me. I loved it when he did that, and his entreating look was hard to resist. I stood, “Let’s go then.”

  By the time we wound our way through the casino, my swirling thoughts had coalesced somewhat, and now as we stood at the valet stand, I tucked myself into his side wrapping my arms around his waist to hug him close, “Thank you for an extraordinary time tonight, Andras. And whatever I am about to learn, one thing I’m certain of, you’re a fine man worth any baggage Red tells me you might come with.”

  Smiling at the rumbling laughter in my ear, I nestled my face against his chest. He said, “Red warned you off then, eh? Good for him. But I’m glad you’re giving me a chance despite his efforts. You might want to reserve judgment though until you hear everything.”

  Even as he uttered his warning, he sounded upbeat and it was clear he had confidence in me, in us. His arm pulled me in tighter, and sometimes I thought we could not get close enough.

  The beautiful Mercedes pulled up to the curb and he soon had me settled into the dreamy interior, and I let myself be distracted by this sleek mode of transportation once again. We spent the first bit of the ride just holding hands and enjoying the feel of the Mercedes as it edged along the lake, while I thought about what was coming.

  A nervousness was building in me at the implications of all he had said so far, which was causing my imagination to run a little wild. I tried hard not to dwell on the fact that he was nearly three times my age, and what that fact could possibly mean.

  We were just leaving Kings Beach and starting along the Brockway Summit highway to Truckee when he spoke, “I can hear your heart beating, Selena.” I jumped. Was my heartbeat that loud?

  “I wish I could explain these things without causing you distress. Last night I told you that you were becoming precious to me. That hardly describes my feelings.

  “When I first laid eyes on you with your arm tucked into Joseph’s listening happily to his story, and probably not for the first time, I suspected that you might have this effect on me, and I tried hard to stay away, not wanting to expose you to my challenges on top of what you already deal with as a human.”

  He squeezed my hand and looked at me askance, “But you my dear Selena, were just too hard to resist, especially when you bloodied the nose and kicked the balls of one of Mad Mulligan’s meanest guard dogs.

  “After that, well I began to see that you might be able to handle the things you are going to learn about the world. A world that has a few more layers than what you’re familiar with.”

  “Mad Mulligan?” I said with trepidation.

  “Yeah, an extremely dangerous alpha from the Carolinas who has little regard for territorial boundaries. The owner of the nose you bloodied is his second in command and one of the most vicious of our kind.

  “You can be sure that Mulligan has already started talking about the North Star Alpha’s woman. Another reason you need to learn about me sooner than I had planned.”

  When he took his eyes off the road to look at my face, he gripped my hand and continued, “I am an animal shifter, Selena. When I refer to the pack, I’m talking about supernatural beings who can change into animals, giving us abilities beyond those of humans, including a longer lifespan. We have a dual nature so to speak, a primal spirit in addition to our human spirit that drives our conduct and our society.

  “I’m the alpha of my territory, which is like the head of a supernatural organization we refer to as a territorial pack. Like the CEO of a large corporation mixed with the lord of a medieval fiefdom. Our interests are apart from human interests but sometimes they overlap. It can be quite complicated, but it has been going on for centuries.”

  Realizing I was still gaping, I shut my mouth, swallowing hard, then asked, “So, you and the guys at the Starlight?”

  His warm eyes crinkled at the corners. “They are my council, and we work together at managing my territory, keeping peace, and overseeing its interests. And yes, they are all animal shifters like me.”

  Facing my window, I mumbled under my breath, “So that’s why you’re all so hot.” Andras burst out in laughter. I blushed and said ruefully, “I take it you can hear better than regular humans as well?”

  He looked at me intently and nodded. “All of our senses are enhanced. There is a whole magical world out there Selena. Shifters are only part of it, but the magic is what drives us all. I suppose you could compare it to the mysterious life force that drives humans, that energy that animates life. Only we tap into two realms of energy, two planes of existence, first the human plane, then a magical one.”

  “Magic is not the best way to define the force I’m talking about. It’s not necessarily derived from only this planet. It goes beyond it to the universe, to other planes of existence, forming many races unknown to the general human population, but living within plain sight, especially the kingdoms of the shifters.

  “My kind is best known in the supernatural world for integrating our interests with humans and human governments, allowing me for instance to appear as a normal human businessman or Harley rider.” He smiled at me encouragingly.

  This was making a sort of sense, and I cast my mind back to life in Quincy over the past months where many things were now taking on a different meaning, then I began to get excited as my imagination took off.

  “So then, are vampires real? What about witches? Or wait! Dragons and fairies?”

  I half believed he would scoff and tell me none of that existed. But he laughed, “All real. Probably not like what you’re familiar with in human fairytales, but you would be amazed to discover the diversity of life on this planet, in its fullest sense.”

  I mulled this over for a minute, then I thought of Zigan and wondered how he fit into this. He obviously had magical abilities. Did he truly shift into a tiger? I asked Andras, “So Mulligan and his goons are animal shifters? Was Terrance one and what about Jean? She always makes me think of fairies.”

  He snorted, “You’re correct on all counts, Selena.” I looked at him wide-eyed. I had to stop this line of thought, or I would not get past all the other questions that were piling up in my brain.

  As I started to ask one more, I noticed him looking in the rearview mirror. A scowl of concentration took over his face, and I looked behind us to see a big dark SUV approaching fast. “Is something wrong?”

  He said, “Are you okay if I open up the throttle?” That could only mean one thing, speed equaled safety and I had no problem with it.

  “You do what you need to do.”

  “That’s my girl. Sit back and hold on.” The engine roared to life and the scenery became a blur.

  Chapter 23

  Selena

  This time of night, this mountain highway was nearly deserted. It was also full of curves and dark. Only a half moon showed tonight. At an alarming speed, Andras drove expertly around each bend.

  He gritted out while focusing on his driving, “I think what’s coming at us is one of the main hazards I’ve been trying to keep you from. But rest assured, I will get us through it, okay?”

  “Okay.” I looked back again and saw that the SUV had dropped behind. But suddenly, another SUV was coming at us head on, then another vehicle shot out of nowhere from the left on Andras’s side. The three SUVs worked in unison to force us off the road.

  But Andras continued to expertly maneuver the Mercedes until we came up on a side road exiting right. He sailed the car off the highway taking us in about one hundred feet, whipping us around a dirt turnoff to face the road. He expertly skidded us to a stop against a backdrop of pines, then engaged the car phone telling it to call Sam, “Sam here.”

  Andras quickly relayed, “I'm on highway 267 with Selena. Three SUVs forced us off the road. I'm taking a stand on a side road, Martis Peak. Call the CHP for a diversion and be ready.”

  “On it,” Sam’s clipped voice said, and the call ended.

  “I’ll need to change now, Selena. Please know that no matter how unbelievable it will seem, and likely terr
ifying, I would never, ever hurt you. My main purpose in life is to keep you safe. Do you understand me?”

  “Y-yes,” I said tremulously.

  “Do you know how to fire a gun?” he asked next.

  I was firmer this time. “Yes Andras. I’m a good shot, too.”

  He nodded and gestured to the glove compartment, and I found an automatic Walther PPK nestled within. I quickly drew it out of the cubby, pulled back the slide to be sure it was loaded and engaged the safety. I noted more cartridges in the compartment. When I looked at Andras, he was looking at me with a brow quirked.

  “Hey, it’s all part of my self-defense obsession. What can I say?”

  He nodded his approval then said, “Here goes. Please don’t be afraid. I wish we could have talked more about this first, but you are going to get a crash course. I know you can handle it, my little dove. No matter what you see it will still be me. Can you cover me?” I nodded.

  He got out of the car to stand next to it, rapidly stripping off his clothes, and my date was now standing naked next to his Mercedes parked off a California highway, his clothes piled on the driver’s seat. Oh my god.

  Electricity shimmered where he stood. I gasped. It was real. I think part of me had been in denial about all that he had been saying, but something magical was happening to him.

  A furry figure expanded and elongated, growing over ten feet tall. It was a huge brown bear! A grizzly? Of all the things I had pictured when he told me he changed into an animal, I had not thought of a giant bear, though with his tattoo I should have.

  My mind tried to grasp the vision standing on the other side of the car. He was fearsome and awe inspiring. He was massive. Magnificent! Deadly. I wanted to keep going because I could hardly find enough words.

  While gaping in awe, I still felt an urgent need to clench my bladder. Everything below my waist wanted to loosen up as I watched him, processing this new reality. I turned my attention to what was coming. Focus, Selena. You can do this.