Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Arion smiled. “That’s very helpful, Little one.”
Khloe sucked in a sharp breath. Her eyes fluttered rapidly as if she were seeing something in her head. A second vision in such a short time couldn’t be good news.
Amber turned her attention back toward the bear settlement and moved her head all around as she scanned the area. She leaned into Isaac’s ear and whispered. “Thorn and Surge are on the way back this direction. Bear form. Running but not with extreme urgency.”
“Now I smell fear,” Rylee added.
“They aren’t talking at all, not even in their heads,” Molly stated. “Whatever it is they need to tell us, they don’t want me to listen to it before they get here.”
Isaac wasn’t surprised. It had to be disheartening for the two bear shifters to know nothing they said or did or even ate or felt was sacred any longer.
“Three minutes,” Rylee announced.
Amber nodded absently. Isaac knew she was learning how to discern various distances. She was still watching the two bears approach, keeping her gaze locked on one spot in the distance even though she seemed aware of what others were saying around her.
Isaac was glad she had the ability to stay focused with one foot firmly planted in her physical location while she gave so much of her attention to a spot in the distance. At least she wouldn’t likely fall and hit her head or become so disconnected that someone could sneak up on her.
Olivia and Khloe shifted and began to pace in front of all of them. With her size, Khloe could easily intimidate anyone who approached, while Olivia might be able to communicate with the bears ahead of their arrival. Or at least dig into their brains. But if Molly wasn’t hearing anything, it was doubtful Olivia was either.
Amber suddenly gripped Isaac’s neck tighter. She jerked her attention subtly to the left. “Two more are coming.”
“Bears?” Isaac asked.
Molly responded. “Yes. They’re running faster. I think they’re trying to catch up with Surge and Thorn. They’re communicating telepathically.”
“They’re angry,” Rylee added. “Furious.”
“Yes,” Molly agreed again. “They don’t like this alliance Thorn and Surge have with us. They think we shouldn’t be involved in their business. I don’t think they know that we already are involved. I wonder what Thorn and Surge have told everyone else.”
Thorn and Surge burst into the clearing.
Surge shifted midair. “We’re being followed,” he announced as soon as his feet hit the ground. “Tell them nothing.” As fast as he’d shifted, he switched back to his bear form.
“Olivia,” Damon shouted. “Shift back.”
Olivia obeyed immediately. It left her disoriented, but Damon grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to his side instantly.
Two new bears bounded into the clearing next. They growled loud enough to send small animals and birds fleeing the area.
Khloe stood far too close to them for Isaac’s taste, and he sensed frustration wafting off Felix in droves. She was large, but she was no match for these bears. She barred her teeth as if she could shred them each at the same time, though, and her howl of warning was louder than any other noise.
The two new bears sauntered toward Khloe, eyes narrowed. They looked menacing, but Isaac didn’t think Surge and Thorn would let anything happen to any of the wolves. It would ruin their bourgeoning relationship.
“Khloe,” Felix ordered sharply.
She continued to growl, but she stepped back slowly, putting some distance between herself and the newcomers.
Surge and Thorn flanked them and shifted to human form. “Stand down,” Thorn yelled. “Now.”
The two growled louder before taking a step back and shifting.
One was tall with dark skin and a black beard. His head was shaved. He scowled at Thorn. “Watch it, Thorn. You’re not in charge of me.”
“Oh, but I am. Surge and I were assigned as liaisons with the wolves. You’re overstepping.”
The dark man smirked. “Your precious alliance is creating a rift among our own people.”
Thorn leaned into the guy’s face. “Our alliance could mean the survival of both of our communities,” he hissed.
The dark man chuckled sardonically. “From who? Lions? We don’t even know those were really lions. And besides, they haven’t been seen in weeks. Maybe they decided we were too formidable for them.”
Isaac cringed. These two were in denial. Perhaps they were power hungry.
Isaac stroked his mate’s back, pleased that she remained tightlipped. All of the wolves were silent, letting this unfold. Surge had warned them. They would heed his advice for now. This squabble was among the bears. It didn’t include the wolves. Yet.
The dark man turned toward the wolves and scanned the crowd. The only shifted wolf was Khloe. He paused, his attention on her. “Good heavens. Are they all this large?”
No one answered.
He glanced at his friend, a blond man with pale skin. He’d been a much lighter color bear before shifting, too. “Have you seen any of them up close, Cane?”