“Are you part of the clan?” Nala asked.
“I suppose by default, yes, but my brother Cullen and I live not far away in a village, far from the reach of the clan. That is, until recently.”
Damon’s fist covered his manhood since he was unable to control his arousal since tangling with the she-wolf, and being in the company of more females did nothing short of making him even harder.
“It must be painful to be hard like that,” Adara said with a laugh as she stared at Damon’s nakedness. “Come to the den where we can find some clothing for you at least, and you can tell us why you’re really here.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Nala began. “If the alpha comes back and sees that we brought a werebear into the den, he’ll be quite angry.”
“Nonsense. Liam will be gone for days, and I’m sure this man will be gone by then,” Adara insisted.
Damon felt out of sorts following the females into the den where he might find a violent end, but he really needed to know if Elaina was here. It wasn’t lost on him that the one called Adara stared at him with hunger mirrored in her eyes, but Damon only had eyes for Nala. Even though she narrowed her eyes at him, Damon was fully aware that she was nearly in season. From her scent that drifted into his nostrils, Damon knew she wasn’t totally unaffected by his rough play with her. He wished the other females hadn’t come along when they had. He’d have to find a way to converse privately with Nala.
As they strode through trees that grew close to the sheer wall of rock, an opening appeared. It was well-concealed for sure, and if he wasn’t shown his way here, he doubted that he’d ever have found the wolf den by himself. At least this way, he might be able to see the inside of the den without a fight on his hands. Or so he hoped, since he was unsure of the werewolves’ motives.
Damon had to lower his head as they entered the den, and was told to stop. He waited with Nala until the others returned with clothing for them, a frock for her and pants and a shirt for him. When he donned the pants, they didn’t fit and were way too short for him since he was obviously much taller than the werewolves.
Nala eyed up his appearance. “Oh, my. Can you at least button up the pants?”
Damon worked the buttons and nodded. “I was hoping that we could speak privately. I’d rather not divulge too much information.”
“Don’t be silly,” Adara said. “We might be of more help to you if we know who you really are and why you’re really here.”
“So you have no plans to murder me in my sleep?”
“Haven’t decided yet if you’ll be allowed to stay the night in the den,” Nala said.
“That’s a decision only the alpha can make, and he’s currently unavailable,” Adara added as she led the group into an open room with boulders and rocks for chairs and makeshift tables.
Damon sat down next to Nala with Adara taking the other side. The other females left when Adara motioned them toward the entranceway.
“Okay, werebear, do you have a name?” Adara asked.
“As I said before, I live with my brother, Cullen. We had a disagreement that resulted in another werebear leaving our village, a female.”
“Disagreement about what?” Nala asked in a suspicious tone of voice.
That’s the last thing, and he wasn’t willing to share with them. “It matters not. She’s gone and I know she planned to find the werewolves’ den and her childhood friend, Liam.”
Adara’s eyes narrowed. “What’s her name?”
“Elaina. I fear for her life since the clan has been searching for her.”
“Why?” Nala asked. “Is she a werebear of some importance?”
“We don’t know the why, just that they are, in fact, searching for her.”
“That’s mighty strange,” Adara said. “The clan hasn’t even been in the area in many years. We’ve lived in peace here since I was a child.”
“That’s not entirely true. The clan has taken most of the males from our village. They have done inspections every year to assure there is no breeding between humans and werebears.”
“Or other shifters,” Nala said. “We werewolves have similar rules against mating with other shifters.”
Damon ran a hand through his hair. “We all know the rules, but the clan cannot dictate their views to everyone. My brother and I have mated with a human and produced offspring that we have hidden so that they can’t be found. It’s important that our line does not die off.” He stared in Nala’s eyes. “If I meet another shifter I desire, I’ll mate with her regardless of what kind, and to hell with what the clan says.”
Nala swallowed hard. “You’re a brave werebear, and possibly a little crazy if you think the clan won’t find out and put you to death.”
* * *
Cullen’s lips pulled down into a snarl. “Was that really necessary, Atar?”
“I did you a favor. I’ve had females like Shauna around before and they’re nothing but trouble. Now we can get down to business.”
The old ones clung to one another and Cullen felt powerless to stop the clan if they intended to kill them, too. “What business?”
Atar strode over to Cullen and slapped him on the back. “Finding the missing female. Hopefully, she hasn’t gotten far.”
“Good luck to you, then, as I have not a clue where she’s gone. I was very surprised that she managed to slip away when I was unaware.”
“I find that hard to believe, Cullen. I can’t image you bedding down with a female stricken with the fever and be nonchalant about her being gone the next day. What if she’s with child now? I can’t imagine you wanting to lose another cub.”
“Cub?”
“I know you have a cub; Shauna revealed all to us.”
“And you believe the word of a scorned female?”
Atar grinned. “Yes. Betrayed females are like that, but since she’s no longer alive, we can hardly interrogate her further.”
“Perhaps you should have thought about that before you had her killed.”
“I don’t need her to tell me anything. She told us all we need to know.”
Gerirr and Hectar edged forward in bear form, teeth bared, jaws snapping. Cullen was poised to shift to defend himself if need be, but was stopped when Atar said, “I’ll overlook your transgression of mating with a human and producing offspring if you come along and help us find Elaina.”
Cullen’s jaw ached, trying with all his might not to shift, but his fangs grew in his mouth. “Why is this my problem?”
“You’ve broken the laws of the clan and I’m giving you an easy out. Help us find the female I seek and I won’t have Gerirr and Hectar hunt down your offspring and murder him in his bed.”
“You wouldn’t dare! I have royal blood in my veins, and as such, my son is to be protected.”
“So my grandfather has said, but that’s before you and your brother violated the rules of the clan. I believe your brother also has a son. It would be a shame to murder them, but I will unless you help us find Elaina.”
Cullen’s fury was very near to boiling over. “What of the village? They are innocent.”
Atar stared at the old ones and shook his head. “I’m not in the habit of killing old women, but they’ll have to make do without you. I’m sure whereever Elaina is, your brother isn’t far behind. That is, if they’re not together, which I highly suspect that they might be.”
Cullen was allowed to converse with the old ones as he prepared to leave. “There should be more than enough fish in the stream to keep you fed until I return.”
“When you return? You know as well as I do that if you leave with the clan, you won’t be coming back. They’ll use you to find Elaina and murder you once you become no longer useful.”
“You don’t know that for sure, but not to worry. I’m no fool, and I might be the only one that will be able to save Elaina. If they find her, there is no telling what will happen. I just wish I knew why they really wanted her.”
Hannah gave Cullen a h
ug. “Perhaps we should hide out until you return. There’s a cave not far away that would be a safe place for us to hide until this is over.”
“With your aching body?”
Hannah rubbed her shoulder. “It was but a suggestion.”
“I’m almost sure that the clan means you no harm. Elaina killed a mountain lion when we journeyed to the human lodge, and a cave would not be enough protection. Stay here. Perhaps Damon will come back looking for me.”
“No, he’s with Elaina by now.”
“There’s no way he could be. Damon was angry with me about Elaina leaving. He’s probably cooling off somewhere and will return before long. If he does, make sure he doesn’t search for me. I can handle the clan, but I can’t allow them to harm Damon. I won’t allow them to.”
Hannah offered the three clansmen stew, but they declined. “Like I’d risk you poisoning me,” Atar had said.
Cullen strode into his hut, inhaling Elaina’s fragrance from one of the animal pelts that didn’t smell of Shauna. He cut off a chunk and stuffed it deep in his pocket. He didn’t know how Damon would react when he found out Gerirr and Hectar had killed Shauna, even though they themselves had planned to not long ago. That was much different, but it would have been so much better if they had killed Shauna before she was able to funnel information to Gerirr and Hectar. Cullen had intentionally rutted with Shauna to disperse her scent in his hut. He had hoped that if the clan had shown back up that it would have thrown them off the trail. He never expected for the clan to show up so quickly, and Elaina didn’t have too much of a head start. Cullen would do whatever he had to take them in the opposite direction.
Atar strode into the hut and ordered Cullen out. “Time to get moving.”
Cullen gazed over at him. “Why do you think I’ll be able to find Elaina?”
“You have imprinted your scent on her. You’ll be able to find her without any trouble. I have faith in you.”
Cullen gritted his teeth, but remained silent as he led the way from the village, with the two bears pulling up the rear. He sighed as he led them opposite from where he knew the wolf den would be located.
* * *
Hours later, Atar asked, “Where are you leading us, Cullen?”
“There’s a cave not far away. Elaina or Damon might be hiding out there.”
Just then a bear walked by, knocking Cullen to his knees. “Try to lead us in circles further, Cullen, and our first trip will be to murder your cub,” Atar spat.
Chapter Nine
Elaina ran from the sound of branches being torn aside as two grizzly bears pursued her, deep in the forest. She arched her back to shift, but couldn’t. She thrashed in her dreams and with a cry awoke, panting in her human form.
As Elaina gazed up at the silver wolf she had snuggled up next to, he shuddered and shifted into human form. Liam’s eyes softened as he said, “Bad dream?”
“Yes. There were two bears chasing me in the forest, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shift.”
Liam took Elaina into his arms and kissed her softly on the forehead. “It’s okay. I’m here now and I promise I won’t let anything happen to you, ever.”
“You can’t promise me something like that. When we find Samson, I have visions of him locking me in chains.”
Liam caressed the side of Elaina’s face. “I promise I won’t allow him to do that.”
Elaina sat up, her lips close to Liam’s. “You won’t be able to stop your grandfather from doing that.”
“When I make a promise, I keep it.”
“There’s only one way I can see to assure that Samson won’t lock me away.”
Liam’s brow shot up. “I’m listening.”
“You must imprint on me. Once I carry your scent, he’ll have to see reason.”
Liam removed his hand as if burnt. “It’s forbidden.”
“By the clan.”
“Werewolves also have many of the same laws.”
“It’s forbidden, but Cullen and Damon mated with a human without repercussions. Samson also has mated with a human, Marla. I refuse to live by the rules made by others.” She pressed a hand against her chest. “All I know is how I feel about you. You’ve been in my heart for a long time now, and I see no harm if we are together as only a man and woman can be. Do you not understand this?”
Liam’s eyes closed for a moment ... and he took her lips with his in a searing kiss that left her panting after it stopped. Electricity shot between Elaina’s legs and the floodgates between her legs opened.
He smiled down at her slyly, touching his tongue to first her upper lip and then lower, sucking it into his mouth. She jerked as he bit her gently, but as the blood trickled its way into her mouth, she became even more hungry for this man.
She palmed his chest as his lips took hers and they writhed against each other, skin against skin. The friction was almost more than Elania could bear. She reached for Liam’s hard member, and he chuckled low in his throat. When their lips parted, he breathed into her mouth. “You’re certainly not the Elaina I remember. I much rather like it, though.”
He cupped one of her generous mounds and squeezed it playfully. “My, Miss Werebear, what lovely breasts you have.”
“The better to tempt you with, Sir Wolf.”
He dipped his head and took a nipple into his mouth, tormenting it with his tongue and teeth until Elaina felt a wave building. She gripped the back of his head and tried to thrust the peak into his mouth further. He shifted his head and found her other breast, trailing his fingers down her stomach.
Elaina gasped, wanting, waiting to feel Liam’s strong fingers work magic between her legs, but instead he ran his fingertips ever-so-softly down her thighs, causing goosebumps to appear. His mouth came off her nipples and he moved above Elaina, straddling her.
Liam’s member jutted out and was both long and thick, with a curvature. Elaina touched the head and Liam’s eyes closed with teeth gritted. Elaina wrapped her hand around it and gave it a hard tug. Liam’s eyes snapped back open and he brought his member to rest against Elaina’s full lips. Reaching behind and finding her folds, he worked a finger between them. She trembled as a wave rippled over her and a sigh escaped her lips, but instead of giving in to the sensations, Elaina concentrated on pleasing Liam by licking the head of his manhood with enthusiasm. As Liam rocked his hips forward, Elaina took him into her mouth. He didn’t go deep, just enough to create a good rhythm, one that Elaina was quite comfortable with until Liam pulled his member out.
Liam’s pupils were slits now as he took a knee and parted Elaina’s thighs. He pulled them wide apart and parted her folds. He wet a finger and touched her clit ever-so-gently, working it alongside her bud. Elaina screamed as she came hard, bucking wildly against him. “I want to feel your fingers inside,” Elaina begged.
“Not until after I taste you.” He dipped low and tongued her until she took a handful of his hair in her fist, bucking against his face. He laughed for a moment, but worked her into a frenzy while his fingers found her saturated canal.
Elaina was taken to a place she had never been before as wave after wave crashed over her and she tightened around his fingers that continued to pump in and out of her in a frenzy.
His tongue left her and he pinched her clit between his fingers, working Elaina up a bit more. Only then did he position himself above her, and squeezed his thick member into her tightness. Elaina’s eyes widened slightly, but she enjoyed how he filled her, even though it pained her a bit.
Elaina’s hips rose and fell to each thrust, crying out as an orgasm hit her. She found the flesh of Liam’s shoulder, but before she was able to mark him with her fangs, he pulled out and away.
He turned her away from him, finding her wetness once again. He pumped into her and Elaina began to shake uncontrollably in pleasure. He took her round bottom into his hands and used it to impale her with his hardness.
Liam alternated from taking her slow, to hard and fast, to slow again
.
Elaina enjoyed every stroke and loved it best when he pulled himself almost out, and slammed back in to the hilt, but she also loved feeling him move it slowly in so that she felt every glorious inch of him.
He moved her to her side, lifting one leg over his hip, and found her channel once again. This way, he took his time as his hand found a breast and he kneaded it in his hand, pinching her nipple until it was a stiff peak. His fingers then found her engorged clit and he stimulated her as his manhood continued to work inside her. Her love channel tightened as an orgasm ripped through her, sending her soaring to the other side of the clouds.
Liam pulled out and helped her to her feet, leading her to the wall of the cave. He pushed her against the wall, pulled her hips slightly away and took her hard and fast. Elaina’s palms were against the wall, her fingers spread wide. She was pounded against the wall with Liam’s aggressive thrusts and Liam’s thickness got even thicker as he drained his seed into her.
She fell, and Liam caught her and scooped her up into his strong arms, carrying her back to where they had laid on the floor of the cave. He laid her head against his shoulder and after Elaina caught her breath, she asked, “Why wouldn’t you allow me to bite you?”
“It’s too soon for you to decide who will be your perfect mate. For me, I’d much rather be the one to mark my true mate when I decide I have found her.”
Elaina tried to absorb that. “I see. So if we’re not to be mates—”
“Shhh, let’s not speak more of this for now. I have imprinted on you and Samson will know it. He wouldn’t dare lock you away now.”
“Is that all it was?” Elaina wanted to scream, but she remained silent. Liam was probably right. It wasn’t time to speak of these matters. There was so much they didn’t know yet and needed to before either of them would be able to decide what the future held.
Chapter Ten
Damon stared deep into Nala’s eyes. “So you fear my death at the hands of the clan?”
Nala shifted under his stare. “Not at all. Why should I care?”
Betrayed (Werebear Shifter Romance) Book 3 (Clan of the Werebear) Page 4
