“I’ve heard the stories. They’ve been protected from the clan, so why did the clan take the men?”
“To fight against the werewolves in the north.”
“How unfortunate. And where are these werebears now? You could use help if you plan to find those remains and face down the clan at their fortress.”
“I fled their village, so we’re on our own now.”
“I’ll go along with you. I won’t allow you to make the journey without some added protection.”
Elaina hugged Samson. “I wish you’d have told me sooner who I really was.”
“But you were too young to be able to accomplish such a task.”
“Do you think the clan intends to find Elaina to murder her?” Liam asked.
“Certainly. The clan knows the danger Elaina poses if she figures out who she really is and that she’s destined to stop the war. There are people amongst the clan that would rather see the war continue.”
“But why?”
“It’s a way to control not only the werebears, but all shifters of the area. Fear is a powerful weapon.”
“But what of the pact between the werewolves and the clan? If they’re at war with the werewolves, why leave them be here?”
“They aren’t related to the ones in the north, and the clan figures that they’re no threat to them. Plus, that pact came with assurances that no mating between werebears and werewolves happened, which was agreed upon willingly.”
“If I’m half bear and half wolf, where does that leave me? I can only shift into bear form, but can understand the werewolves. What if I have children? What would they be?”
“They could either be a werebear or werewolf.”
“That might be hard to figure out if I’m pregnant already. I’d have no idea whose baby I carry.”
Liam sighed. “It matters not. If you are pregnant now, I’ll stand by you even if the boy or girl is all bear. I understand that I’m not the only shifter to take you to bed, but there’s also the chance that you carry my child now.”
“I pray for us she’s not with child at all for the journey will be hard enough without dealing with a nauseous female.”
Samson insisted they stay put while he went fishing, which left Elaina to her dark thoughts. She truly wished that she didn’t remember seeing her mother struck down by the clan. She recalled all too clearly the screams of her father in the series of howl she couldn’t quite understand at the time. Although, being half wolf had to have its upsides, like being able to be Liam’s mate if they survived this ordeal.
How did Samson think they’d be able to just waltz into the clan’s stronghold without being immediately killed? With the clan now in heavy pursuit, she might never be able to get to the fortress at all, and even if they were to make it there, what made Samson believe that they’d even listen to her? No, there was simply no way that she’d be able to stop the war, but she had no choice but to try and do as Samson suggested. If it was her destiny to stop the war, she’d do whatever was necessary, even if it meant that she’d lose her life in the process.
Chapter Thirteen
Cullen and Damon went back to the wolf den to both assure themselves that the clan hadn’t been able to dig themselves out yet, and to make sure their most recent scent led in the opposite way from their village. It would just kill Cullen to think that the werewolves would come to harm since they had come to bat for them.
When they arrived at the Bear Claw Pub they were barred from entering, but Marla came out a few minutes later, listening to their story of why they needed to find Elaina and Liam, and how the clan was on their trail.
“The werewolves helped us and in return we want to make sure that their alpha isn’t harmed. This war has already taken its toll, and for another alpha to be murdered by the clan would only fuel the war,” Cullen explained.
“This war has been never-ending, but I certainly don’t want to see it brought to our doors. I’ve had to bar all werewolves from the pub just so that if a clansman comes in they don’t cause a fight inside the pub.”
“So you’ll tell us where we might find this Samson?”
“Who told you the name of Elaina’s protector?”
“She did not long ago. I was shocked that she had lied about being raised by a werewolf, but I see now that I have misplaced my alliances.”
“As many of us have.” Instead of rattling off the directions to Samson’s cabin, she took them by car.
Cullen and Damon held on as the tin machine took them down the road. Cullen had never experienced riding via a car, but could certainly see the appeal. It would save them an entire day of walking.”
Marla dropped them off and told them they only had to follow a pathway to reach the cabin. Cullen felt out of sorts and wobbled up the path.
“What’s wrong, Cullen? You act like you have just learned to walk.”
“I’ve just never been in a car before. I worried for a moment if Marla was taking us to the right place.”
“She’s in a difficult situation. She likes to play nice to all sides. Who can blame her, really?”
“How do you feel about Elaina traveling with the alpha, Damon?”
“I’ve resigned myself to the fact that she’ll never accept our way of life.” Damon grinned. “But I’ve met a shifter I’d give up all the females for.”
“A werewolf, no doubt. Let me guess. Nala?”
“How did you know?”
“I couldn’t help but notice how you looked like you wanted to rip Gerirr’s throat out when he swatted Nala’s buttocks. So did you get the chance to bed her yet?”
“Tried, and failed miserably.”
“Ah, what werebear wouldn’t want a challenge? It makes the conquest more tasty.”
“Nala wouldn’t be a conquest at all, but she’s also barren, so I’ve been told.”
“That’s never stopped you before, Damon.”
Damon led the way, and they strode into a clearing and made way toward a cabin just as a gray-haired man walked up carrying two trout. “Can I help you?” the man asked warily.
“I hope that you can. Are you Samson?” When the man’s jaw tensed, Cullen went on to say, “We’re looking for Elaina and the alpha, Liam. Marla told us this is where they were heading.”
The man dropped the fish, his eyes wide, fists clenched at his sides. “If I was this Samson you seek, what makes you think I’d tell you anything?”
Before Cullen had a chance to respond, Elaina burst through the door with hands on hips. “What are you two doing here?”
“Elaina! Go back inside,” the man demanded.
“Samson, I’m not a child any longer, and this is Cullen and Damon, the werebears I stayed with.”
Samson took ahold of Cullen’s shirt, his fangs raised as he choked out, “You dare to come here to seek Elaina out after how you have treated her? She told me how you shared her with your brother.”
Culled tried with all of his might to contain his anger at being handled so roughly. “It’s our way, but I assure you I haven’t come here for any other reason than to warn her that the clan is on her trail. With the help of the werewolves, they are contained for now.”
Samson released his hold on Cullen. “How so?”
A thin but fit man joined them on the porch of the cabin. The sun-kissed highlights of his brown hair glistened in the sunlight. He was quite handsome, too, which bothered Cullen to no end. So this was the competition. Liam was certainly not what he expected and had an air of boyish charm about him.
“What of the den and the werewolves?” Liam asked.
“The clan forced me to find Elaina and the trail led there, but Nala and Adara helped us by drugging the clan. They put their evacuation plan into play, and three clansmen are now trapped in the den.”
“And there was no other way out of it?”
“Not unless someone has a serum that would prevent a shifter from being able to shift,” Cullen said. “The clan threatened to kill our sons, and on
ce they insisted they go into the den, there would be no way out of it. Had Nala not drugged them, the well-being of the entire pack would have hung in the balance.”
“And what of the pack?”
“They’re hidden at our village with instructions to hole up in a nearby cave if we’re not back in two moons. I take their safety seriously. Nala has said that all the men were gone hunting except for Jessup, who ran off when the clan showed up. Is it typical to leave the den so unprotected with you gone?”
Liam shook his head. “The females are quite resourceful, but with me gone, it seems that the werewolves have taken leave of their senses. I’d never have allowed most of the men to be elsewhere. It’s routine that only two werewolves be off hunting at a time.” His lips curled up into a snarl. “I’ve always known Jessup is a coward, but I never thought he’d run off like that. I’ll deal with him when I get back.”
“He’s used to picking on defenseless women. He kidnapped and abused the mother of our children before we found her battered and bruised in the wilderness,” Cullen informed Liam. “If I ever run across this Jessup, he’ll never be able to abuse another woman again.”
Liam shook Cullen’s hand. “I’m Liam, and alpha of the werewolf pack you found. Thanks for protecting the pack and giving them a safe place to stay.”
“I’m Cullen and this is my brother, Damon. It seems that we all have something in common.”
Elaina’s face reddened, but it didn’t take much for Cullen to know she’d laid down with the alpha as he took in the scent that wafted over to him. “Yes, hatred of the clan.”
* * *
Hours later, Cullen and Damon sat quietly as Samson informed them of Elaina’s past, and their next move.
“So you plan to find the remains of her parents and present them for proof that the clan had indeed murdered one of their own?” Cullen asked. “Wasn’t it already against the laws of the clan for a werebear and werewolf to mate, and punishable by death?”
“Yes, but Elaina’s mother was the daughter of a clansman elder. After the death of Anna, I don’t believe her death would have been ordered even if she had mated with a werewolf.”
Cullen rubbed his chin. “I’m not so sure about that, but it’s sure coincidental that both sisters fell in love with werewolves.”
Samson sat back and rocked in his chair. “We can’t know the particulars. All we can do is find the remains and present them as proof that someone in the clan was responsible for their deaths, not a werewolf. Their power to keep this war going hinges on the belief that the werewolves were responsible for the murders. If a werewolf’s remains are also found with that of a werebear’s, the clan will have to end the war.”
Elaina leaned against Liam’s shoulder. “Not if the same ones who murdered them are still alive. One of the elders might be responsible and they won’t be so inclined to admit to what they’ve done.”
“You need to be brave, Elaina. It’s foretold that a female that is half wolf and half bear will stop the war.”
Elaina vehemently shook her head. “It can’t be me. I’m not strong enough.”
Cullen placed Samson’s book down on the table with a thump. “You don’t have a choice and you’re stronger than you realize. When I first met you, you followed us meekly, but in time you rebelled against me. You even escaped me to seek out Liam for help. You traveled all the way here to discover the truth of your past, and I’ll be damned if you wallow in misplaced doubt.”
Elaina couldn’t believe her ears. Was Cullen actually suggesting she was capable of stopping the war? She stood and admitted, “But I’m afraid. I don’t think I can do this.”
“We all fear things, Elaina,” Liam said. “But you have to muster up all of your strength and do this. It might be our only opportunity to see the war end during our lifetime. Think not of fear, but of the future and of how many lives you’ll be able to save in the process.”
“You’re all right. I must think about more than myself. Peace is important. Stopping the war is important and changing the laws set forth by the clan is most important. Werebears and werewolves as a whole should not have to fear death for loving who they want and mating with whom they choose; even mating with a human should not be banned.” Her hands clenched into fists, Elaina continued. “If the elders responsible for the deaths of my parents still live, I’ll take my vengeance myself. For as long as they continue to thrive, there will never be peace. But I can’t do this alone I need help.”
Damon stood next to Cullen and nodded. “Yes, we’ll help you all we can.”
“You can’t. You’re both of royal blood.”
“Yes,” Cullen said. “Our children are safe now and will carry our bloodline, but if we don’t help you, the future of all shifters hangs in the balance. One power should not stand over the others. We must unite and stop the tyranny.”
“We’ll leave at first light,” Samson suggested.
“We don’t have time to wait. It won’t take long for the clan to dig themselves out with three of them. We need to move on before they catch up with us,” Cullen suggested. “How far away is the North Ridge from here?”
“A day’s journey. If we leave soon, we’ll only have to camp overnight. We could travel shifted to make better time, but if we do, there will not be any way to carry supplies. We’ll need boxes to carry the remains when we find them,” Samson said.
“Bags will do. We can also carry clothing that way. We won’t be able to enter the fortress in shifted form. They’ll have guards posted.”
“We might be able to get in by asking for refuge,” Elaina said. “Or we could say that we’re there to join forces with them. Once we get inside, we’ll be able to present our evidence.”
Cullen nodded. “Sounds like a good plan.”
Chapter Fourteen
Liam stared at Cullen in a new light. He was both tall and muscular and most likely would be a strong and able warrior bear. He tried not to think about him or Damon bedding down with Elaina. Both men were ruggedly handsome and he couldn’t help but notice Elaina’s admiration for Cullen when she spoke to him. He wouldn’t allow himself to dwell on it right now. Liam knew Elaina had wanted to claim him as her mate, but he still had some hesitation. Now that he knew she was both part bear and wolf, he wondered if she’d be accepted as his mate by the pack. Even if they made it through the next few days, he’d not be rash when it came to choosing a mate. When he made his decision, it would be for a lifetime, not for days, weeks, or months. Was Elaina truly old enough to really know what she wanted?
* * *
Armed with six bags between them, the search party of two werewolves and three werebears left as the sun was directly overhead. Elaina ran alongside Samson and Liam with Damon and Cullen pulling up the rear.
Elaina had never felt more of a werebear than today. Gone was the uncertain girl of weeks past, or even the smitten woman of yesterday. Today, she had an important mission at hand. Armed with her escorts, she’d find the evidence they so dearly needed and present it to the clan with a good result, hopefully. She was optimistic, but realistic. This would not be an easy task, but one she was willing to attempt. Her life was no longer one of only girlish thoughts and dreams, but of a woman hell-bent on procuring a happy future for all shifters, no matter the type.
They crossed a river and slowly swam to the other shore just as the sun headed toward the west. Soon, it would be nightfall, and Elaina vowed that she’d stay in shifted form. It was too dangerous to be so close to three dreadfully handsome shifters. When Cullen and Damon had shown up, she was both surprised and torn. They came to warn her and that meant something. If only Cullen hadn’t treated her so badly. If only her heart didn’t ache for Liam. What if neither of them wanted her? Yes, she had to see through the next few days and re-evaluate her true feelings, and prayed that she was able to make the right decision. Elaina wasn’t sure that any of them would survive to see next week, but how would she feel if one of them lost their life protecting her?<
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Samson howled and gave the order for them to make camp. None of them shifted back to human form, and Elaina opted to hunker down next to Samson. After all, he had protected her since the first day he found her.
Elaina felt the presence of the other shifters close by and that, too, gave her comfort. One more day, that’s all they needed. Certainly it would be at least that long before the clan caught up to them. Cullen hadn’t gone into detail of who exactly was searching for her, but Elaina feared the worst. Would they be able to stop this madness before they all were murdered?
* * *
Elaina stretched when she woke up and didn’t see anyone until she caught sight of the men gathered in human form near a stream. They were also quite naked and she was wise to stay clear of them. Seeing Samson in that state just wasn’t something she needed to see.
When Liam strode in her direction, he was dressed and brought clothing to Elaina. “We’re going to scout out the North Ridge before we decide where we should start our search.”
Elaina shifted and dressed, and when she turned, Cullen stood there, an unreadable expression on his face. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you can remember how to shift.”
“What? I already know how.”
“I mean into wolf form.”
“I’m a bear, not a wolf.”
“You’re half bear and half wolf. In Russia, there was talk of special shifters that can shift into more than one animal.”
“That’s impossible. It’s a myth and I’ve never been able to shift into a wolf.”
“Not any more of a myth than what Samson’s book of images displays. If you are expected to be able to stop the war, there has to be something more special about you. More special than any other shifter. It might be the only way you can prove who you really are when the time comes.”
“I might be able to understand what a wolf is saying when it howls, but I most certainly can’t shift into a wolf. I’m not a werewolf. I’m a werebear.”
Betrayed (Werebear Shifter Romance) Book 3 (Clan of the Werebear) Page 7
