“Why is this bear so obsessed with you?” East asks.
I shake my head, having no clue. “It’s the one and only bear I’ve seen in my life. And I have no idea why it’s after me.”
“Let’s get you home and in bed. You look exhausted,” River says
I nod. “I feel exhausted.” I look at my hands, the ring I found in the box seems to glow, the wolf paw imprint bright white.
*
A few days later, as we walk to the pack meeting, my stomach is a jumble of nerves. I clench my fists, over and over, never having been the center of attention before and scared of what it might entail.
“We don’t have to do this,” River assures me.
Cal takes my hand and my heart pounds, knowing that this really matters to him, and not wanting to fuck it up. Images of me, getting angry and Ray being flung across the room flash through my mind. Not wanting to cause a scene tonight is high on my list of priorities. Keeping my head down seems like the best bet.
The meeting hall is a large building set deep in the woods. It has a shingled roof, with moss and ferns growing from the roofline, and a large chimney with billows of smoke wafting from it. It’s rustic, but still charming. Much like the cottage we call home. Outside there are groups of people milling about, getting beer from a keg and smoking cigarettes. Someone is playing a guitar and the bluegrass music gives the gathering an ambiance I wasn’t expecting.
What was I expecting? I don’t know, maybe a bunch of men with mullets, ripping off flannel shirts and howling at the full moon. I know, not very original, but my experience with anything otherworldly is incredibly limited.
“Hey, Cal,” a man calls, lifting a hand in greeting. Cal nods back. River and East are at our sides. East takes hold of my other hand, and if they were attempting to make a statement, they clearly are.
I feel women turning their heads, eyes locked on our held hands, and I tense, knowing they are making judgment calls as I pass them and walk into the meeting hall. Everyone from outside begins to enter the hall as well, the meeting about to begin. Benches are set up in rows, and several people have already taken seats. Up front, there is a man in a leather jacket, tight jeans, and motorcycle boots commands the room. “Sit, everyone, find a seat,” he calls, and everyone listens, taking his orders. He doesn’t see us enter since we moved with the pack inside.
My men lead me to a seat in the row furthest back, and I relax a little, knowing that people are looking forward, not behind. “You okay?” East asks, squeezing my hand.
I raise an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because when the general assembly shares announcements, Cal plans on marching you up front and presenting you as ours.”
“Good,” I say feigning indifference. It still seems impossible—that Cal and East and River want their pack to know they have claimed me. Part of me is trying to push the thought out of my mind because every time I latch on to something good, it is taken from me.
What if I express to Cal and River and East that I am not only theirs, but they are mine? What if I say that and then everything is ruined? Just. Like. Always.
I’m protecting my heart… not believing anything so good is truly within my grasp.
“It’s okay to be nervous, Rem,” East whispers. “Malik is intimidating.”
My eyes follow his and land on the leader. Malik is telling everyone gathered about a new patrolling protocol, hands rise as he fields questions about the territory and their partnership with the local police department.
“There was a recent death on the outskirts of our territory,” Malik explains. “A man was killed; his neck was broken. He had placed a call to 9-1-1, reporting an intruder, and when the police arrived, he was dead.”
My back goes rigid, I clench my teeth. Ray.
“Was anyone with him?” a man in the crowd asks. “Do they have a suspect?”
“The woman living with the victim says a woman broke in, demanding money, and the intruder fought him, and ultimately killed him.”
Another hand is raised. “So, a killer is on the loose?”
Maxon nods. “Yes, the police force is on high alert, and they have met with me, to explain the situation since we take tourists out in the woods, where a killer may be hiding.”
The room roars to life, everyone talking amongst themselves. Beside me, River shakes his head. “That’s why Rem can’t go out alone.”
“Agreed,” East says, running a hand over my back.
“Another item on the agenda is the situation regarding the grizzly,” Malik tells the room once it has quieted down.
My ears perk up at the mention of the bear. Sitting up straight, I hone in on Malik’s words.
“While I haven’t seen the grizzly myself, she has been spotted by dozens of pack members. Surprisingly she has not posed a threat to a single person, in human form, or in wolf form. In fact, she was seen this morning helping Lucas Grant’s youngest boy from a tree where he had gotten stuck. And last week she let Mark Day’s daughter, Lilia, ride on her back, of all things.”
The room is abuzz, and I turn to the men, frowning. “What the hell?” I whisper to Cal. “Who would let their kid get on the back of a bear?”
“In full disclosure,” a man says, standing. “We did not condone Lilia to get on a bear’s back! She was outside, and we saw her from the window. It was a shock to us, to say the least.”
Malik waves his hand, quieting the room. “If there are further reports of this bear, or any bear in our territory, please notify a patrolman immediately so we can take control of the situation. But in the meantime, as far as we know, there is no reason to be alarmed.”
My throat is dry—the bear has come after me three times. Never in a gentle way.
I can’t not say something—I need to warn them.
Standing, I push my hand in the air. Callum tugs on my other hand, urging me to sit, but I can’t just stand by, hearing about children playing with bears.
Clearing my voice, I say, “Excuse me. I have a report to make about the bear.”
Chapter 18
Remedy
Malik narrows his eyes and everyone in the room turns to look at me. I feel my face grow hot, but I can’t be shy now. Now is the time to speak up, use my voice for good.
“And who might you be?” the pack leader asks, drawing closer to me.
My ring finger seems to burn suddenly. I’m sweating and anxious, meeting the pack leader is intimidating. “I’m, um, I’m Remedy.”
“And who brought you here?” he asks, stepping closer.
I look over at my men. The men who have claimed me as their mate, who took me into their fold. “Callum and River and East.”
My men choose this moment to stand, and I’m grateful. The calculating look of Malik is nearly too much to bear.
Malik nears me, his eyes gritty and demanding—nothing like the eyes of the wolves I have run through the woods with. Those wolves had eyes that penetrated my very soul.