Raene and the Three Bears (The Alder Tales Book 2)

by RS McCoy

  Raene could see where this was going. “Blossom understood.”

  He gave her a brief nod. “She caught me on a hunt once. You know her, never where she’s supposed to be. It was our secret for a long time.”

  “I thought you didn’t like secrets.” Too late, Raene remembered the one he still kept for her, that night with the elk.

  “I don’t, but there was no other way.” Parson’s shoulders sagged as he let out a heavy sigh. “Your uncle took the one person who bothered to try to understand. There was no one else. It was just me.” He sucked in a long, slow breath before he added, “And now you.” Parson offered her something like a smile. “You have it. You killed two dozen innocents in a few hours. You hunted and stalked and killed without question. There’s no way you don’t have it. You’re a hunter. A huntress. And you—” His gaze fell away with his voice. “I’m not sure how to explain it, but what you did for Blossom—”

  Raene only lowered her eyes and replied, “Was far less than she deserved.” Even that felt like saying too much, but the weight of it pressed on her heavier than ever. She couldn’t withstand his gratitude while hiding what she’d done.

  Parson’s arm was across her shoulders a second later, pulling her against his chest. There was no way Parson could have known Kaide and Olin and even Norsa had offered her that same comforting motion hundreds of times. There was no way he could have known how the firm muscles beneath his shirt would give her the closest thing to home she’d had since she arrived in the Alderwood.

  And unlike the taller Kaide and the shorter Hale, Parson was exactly her height. It was easy to melt against him, to wrap her arms about his waist and linger there, her face pressed to his shirt. Each breath carried the scent of him with it.

  Parson’s voice was quiet as he continued. “When Blossom left—I just, I was angry. I’m still angry. I’m never going to be not angry about it.” His words skated across her ear where he held her tight. That same hand pushed up into her hair, and his nails lightly raked her scalp, just enough to make her close her eyes and savor the comfort of it. “But she’s gone, and you’re here. That can’t be for nothing. It can’t be.”

  Raene didn’t know what to say to him. Squeezing tight to Parson, hearing those words, breathing in the rugged sweat-soaked scent of him, Raene felt herself give in. She reached a hand under his shirt, running her fingertips along the defined musculature of his torso. She liked being close to him despite how she knew it would complicate her already-messy life.

  This conversation had gone nothing like she thought it would. And now Parson was saying things that made too much sense. It would have been easy to turn him away, but now that she understood, she couldn’t. She had to give him a chance.

  He’d put her in a terrible position.

  She stepped back, forcing his hand out of her hair, enough that she could think clearly for a moment. “I can’t. Hale—”

  “Doesn’t have a claim on you—not yet. If you want him, I’ll walk away. I won’t interfere. But if there’s a part of you that wants something else, then tell me. Give me this chance. Let me deal with him.”

  There wasn’t just a part of Raene that wanted something else, there was her entire totem. It had been three long days since she’d gone hunting, since she’d even had a piece of meat. Hale and Gemini were distracting, but there was still that pulsing need to kill, bubbling below the surface. That part of her wanted something else entirely.

  “Hale’s not going to like it,” she finally said. Nothing was official yet, but they had an understanding. Hale wouldn’t take kindly to this.

  Parson pulled away and grasped each of her shoulders in his big hands, a stupid, happy grin on his face. “Does that mean—”

  Raene nodded and started to laugh. She didn’t know exactly what it meant, but she was at least going to try it out.

  Parson’s smile darkened a moment later. “Raene, I want to be clear. I’m not my brothers. I’m not gentle or kind or articulate. I’m a brute with an axe, and I stick my foot in my mouth every chance I get. I—”

  “Why don’t you let me decide what you are?” Raene put her hands to his chest and pushed. He may have talked her into getting to know him, but that didn’t mean she had to let him talk his way right back out of it.

  Parson’s eyes gleamed with mischief and admiration before he outright laughed. “Whatever you want.” And then his hands were on her, pulling her into him with fervor. This time, there was no tree to keep her locked in place, only his strong arms, but Raene didn’t fight him. Her mouth gave in to his. She refused to struggle. With already one kiss ruined, she wouldn’t let this one suffer the same fate.

  So Raene held tight around his neck and dug her fingertips into his shirt, willing him to kiss her faster, longer, deeper—and unlike Hale, he didn’t pull back. Parson dove into their kiss with a cavalier enthusiasm, and Raene couldn’t help but to return his zeal. Her breath mingled with his until she couldn’t tell one from the other. He tasted of sweat and work and wine, and Raene was altogether sure she’d like to kiss him forever.

  Without a hint of struggle, Parson picked her up only to lower her to the ground a moment later. He settled over her, his hips on hers and a hand clutched around the bare strip of skin at her waist. Raene ran her hands through his hair and didn’t for a moment apologize for how dirty they were. She could taste his hunger—not for meat, but for her. Raene could have exploded under such energy.

  Then a shrill whistle broke the silence of the Alderwood.

  Parson pulled away, scanning the periphery for any sign of someone, but there was nothing. They were alone. “Da’s calling,” he grumbled. For a brief moment, Parson sank against her and kissed her desperately, as if he might not get the chance again. His hand dove into her hair, surely a mess by now, before he peeled himself away and rubbed a hand over his stubbled chin. He grabbed her hand, pulling her off the ground and in the direction of camp.

  Raene needed several seconds to catch her breath, to get her mind around what had just happened. Had it not been for the whistle, Raene was confident she would have lay entwined with him for hours. It was dumb, it was stupid, and they were going to get caught, but Raene nonetheless knew what she wanted.

  “Wait, we’re going back now? What are you going to tell him?” Raene was glad to be spared the job of telling Hale of their new arrangement, but she didn’t want him to be hurt. Hale had been nothing but kind to her. The last thing she wanted was to have him thinking it wasn’t enough.

  “I’m not going to tell him anything. Not for a while. It’ll only upset him.” Each of his fingers slid between hers until their hands were interlaced.

  “Parson, no. You have to tell him.” Raene pulled on his hand to get him to stop, but he barely slowed. “I’ll tell him if you won’t—”

  “No, you won’t. I see the way he looks at you. If there’s a chance this isn’t going to work between us, then he doesn’t need to know. Not yet.”

  “Wait, what?” Raene dug her feet into the soil, refusing to take another step with him. “What do you mean? You’re not sure? You came all the way out here and—”

  It was then Parson stopped. He spun on her so fast, she nearly tumbled back. His emerald eyes shimmered with something like anger. “I’m sure. I’m entirely sure. But I’m difficult and moody, and I say all the wrong things. You might find that’s not what you want. Maybe you like backrubs and soft beds and going slow, but that’s not what I’m offering you. And until you’ve made your decision, I won’t risk my brother getting hurt.” Parson ran a hand through his chestnut waves before he said, “You’re not the only one who has to make a choice here. You know he won’t talk to me? For kissing you the first time…”

  Raene withered under his intensity. Anger and protection and devotion all rolled into one impressive gaze that was set right into hers.

  “He’s not angry about that. We talked and—”

  “And he came to the cut and told me to stay away from you. If he fi
nds out about today, then I’ve lost a brother. Please don’t make me do that until you’re past the point of doubt.” As his anger faded, Parson’s features shadowed with pain.

  Raene knew then that Parson was serious. He was willing to sacrifice his relationship with Hale for the opportunity to marry her. Raene wondered if anyone had ever risked so much for her.

  When Raene could form no response, Parson stepped close enough to thread his fingers low into her hair as he whispered, “Trust me. I know my brother. If he gets word of this, it’ll crush him. He won’t want anything to do with you after that. And then if we—”

  Raene shook her head. She got the idea. She hated it entirely.

  “Look, you’re doing what the agreement said. You’re getting to know each of us and making a choice. That’s all you need to worry about. It’s my fault about Hale, so let me handle him.” Parson tilted his head up and pressed his lips to her forehead. Raene savored the feel of him so close, his hand curled in her hair.

  “That’s the first thing you’ve said that has made any sense.” Raene knew Parson was right. Kaide had set them up for failure with the specifics of his arrangement. She was responsible for choosing a Frane son, and no matter how this worked out, one of them would be hurt. She might as well wait until she knew which one it would be.

  Satisfied this new development would stay between them, Parson led Raene back to camp only to find a celebration well under way. The central fire pit raged, and already most of the clan had gathered with food and drink. “What’s going on?” Parson asked Cresta as she passed with a decanter of amberwine.

  “Go and see for yourself,” the woman replied with a grin. Parson groaned and continued on toward the central pit. He’d given up holding Raene’s hand at the edge of camp, so she trotted behind him, intrigued to see what was worth celebrating.

  They found Da and Lathan not far from the central pit, toasting their already-full goblets of wine. Parson approached them, but Raene didn’t get the chance. Hale appeared at her side and stroked the smear of dirt on her cheek.

  “Look at what a mess you are,” he teased, his smile warm and bright. His tunic had gold embellishments embroidered along the edge of each sleeve and around the collar. His fingers were even more heavily ringed than usual. Hale was dressed up, she realized.

  Raene smiled back to cover her shock. She’d forgotten all about her appearance, and the sight of him shot fear into her gut. Why was he so formally dressed?

  Back in Hale’s tent, she let him smooth a damp rag across her face, wiping away the muck one stroke at a time. “There, you look like yourself again.”

  There was that look in his eye that made her stomach churn with guilt. Hale was a good man, and she liked him—they liked each other. There was no reason to mess that up for Parson.

  “There are fresh clothes on the table. I’ll be outside.” Hale leaned in and kissed her cheek before disappearing out the tent flap. Just another small kindness he offered her, never asking for anything in return and never trying to press or hurry her. Hale was content to take his time, to let her keep some measure of distance between them until she was ready.

  Guilt churned up anew. She shouldn’t have even considered Parson’s offer.

  Upon inspection, Raene found Hale had left her a matching set of clothes, embellished with the same gold design. He would be disappointed when she didn’t wear it, but she wasn’t Terra. Someday, Hale would understand she wasn’t going to change her mind.

  Raene moved to get dressed before she realized the horrible truth of it. She was wearing her last Pyro outfit, and it was covered in dirt. The knees of her black pants were nothing but big brown patches. She couldn’t wear such clothes to a celebration.

  Otherwise, she only had the scarlet gown with the beaded bodice—hardly appropriate for sitting around the central pit in her Alderwood clan.

  Raene had no choice but to change into the Terra clothes. The outfit was delicately detailed, and far lovelier than her previous borrowed clothes, but still she disliked it. Her hands and neck were the only bit of her body exposed under the moss-green tarp she now wore. The fabric felt heavy and suffocating, but at least it was clean. She would make sure to wash her Pyro clothes first thing in the morning.

  Before leaving the tent, Raene rolled her sleeves to the elbow, granting herself that one small freedom.

  She didn’t want to do this, to see Parson and Hale together, to be the source of their rift. When she was with Hale, it was easy to find comfort in their relationship. When she was with Parson, she wanted his intensity. When they were together, she had no idea how she’d feel, who she’d be drawn toward. Raene was tempted to rip off her Terra clothes and flee into the woods.

  But Raene couldn’t run from this. She held her head high and stepped into the clearing. The evening light was already fading, and the central pit threw long amber shadows across the Bear Clan. The same trio of musicians strummed their instruments at the edge of the crowd while the rest of them talked and ate and mingled.

  Raene didn’t know where to start. There were so many people she still didn’t know. And she didn’t see Hale. A part of her wondered if Parson had pulled him aside, if he’d changed his mind and decided Hale deserved to know.

  But Raene knew better.

  Thankfully, Gemini rushed to her side, dark hair hanging loose over the shoulders of her own embroidered tunic. “Look at you, all Terra! And here, you forgot your shoes.”

  “What’s going on?” Raene asked, clutching her forgotten shoes and refusing to acknowledge that she was really wearing Terra clothes out in public.

  “Didn’t you hear? By the Mother, it’s exciting. Tasia’s pregnant! They just told us today, and of course, you know Da—”

  “Has to have a party for everything,” Raene said with a laugh.

  “Asla bought some wine. Want some?” Gemini tilted a small goblet toward her, and Raene eagerly accepted. It would never be sweet enough for her taste, but it was welcome all the same.

  “Anything to eat?” Raene asked, looking about the clearing.

  “Yeah, over there.” Gemini pointed and took back her goblet, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder as she did. “I’ll be over in a few. I want to find Asla.”

  Gemini trotted away as Raene went to make herself a plate, ignoring the watchful eyes of the Bear Clan. Everyone stared, though none were obvious about it, and it took all her effort to pretend she didn’t notice.

  It was all she could do to collect a rabbit leg and some fruits on her plate without eating it all at once. She was starving, and the aromas of roasting meat filled her nostrils. Her mouth watered with anticipation as she found an empty seat and set her full plate in her lap. She had just lifted the rabbit leg to her lips when she heard, “Raene?” Hale stood over her, looking down with concern. “You know that’s not a good idea.”

  Raene dropped the rabbit and nodded. No meat. Hale’s cure for a violent totem.

  But it smelled so good. Not as good as a fresh kill, but it was still earthy, savory meat. And she wanted it.

  Raene wanted nothing more than to sink her teeth into it and tear away the muscle fibers, chomping through them with her sharp canines, to fill her stomach with the heaviness of meat, rather than the light, sweet fruit she’d had these last few days.

  The wafting smell of rabbit was getting to her.

  Before she could argue, Hale collected her plate from her lap. He returned a minute later with a fresh plate of fruit and rolls. “Try that,” he offered with a sweet smile as he sat beside her.

  Raene filled her mouth with berries to keep from voicing her frustrations. She couldn’t say Hale’s method wasn’t successful—after all, she’d kept to her human form for three full days—but it wasn’t exactly comfortable. The longer she went without meat, the more the urge to transition filled her thoughts. And now, with thoughts of Parson swirling in the background, she was more conflicted than ever.

  It wasn’t Hale’s fault, she reminded herself.
He’d done nothing but be supportive in the only way he knew how. Raene couldn’t ask more from him.

  “Better?” Hale asked, his eyes dampened with worry.

  “Yes, thank you.” She smiled to reassure him.

  But Hale could see through her better than that. “I have a violent totem, as well,” he reminded her. “The longer you can go, the easier it gets. You’ll be able to eat meat again someday. I promise, it won’t be like this forever.”

  Raene nodded, hoping he was right.

  “And you look amazing tonight.” He kissed the shoulder of her Terra tunic top and smiled up at her with sparkling green eyes.

  “So do you,” she admitted. His dark hair was smoothed back in a way that made him look more handsome than usual. In another life, Hale might have made an excellent contribution to the wealthy circles of the realm. Here in the Alderwood, his easy confidence and charms were all but wasted. He could have been so much more if he had been born somewhere else.

  “Did you know about Tasia?” Raene asked, eager to change the subject.

  Hale shook his head. “They’ve known for a few weeks, I guess. It’s good for them.” His smile was contagious as he said, “It’ll be good for all of us. We haven’t had a new baby in years.”

  Raene had to admire his conviction to his clan, his devotion to giving them a good life. Even if the child wasn’t his, Hale was proud to welcome it into his family.

  “Why haven’t there been any new babies?”

  Hale shrugged like it was nothing unusual. “No one of age, really. Lathan was the first to get married. Parson’s made no offers in the last few years. Even in the lesser families, there weren’t any couples. Gemini and Asla will be next, I imagine.” Hale inclined his head to the far side of the clearing where Gemini hung on Asla’s shoulders and smiled up at him with those big wide eyes of hers. “And then us.”

  If Raene had had any food in her mouth, she surely would have choked on it. While she’d been admiring the romance between Gemini and Asla, Hale had been thinking of their future together, a future in which they had children. Raene knew it was bound to happen eventually, but even so, the sudden mention set her on edge.