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“Words are one thing, but actions are the real proof of someone’s loyalty,” he explains. “My closest allies and friends have all had to prove themselves to me.”
“By taking lives?” I ask incredulously.
“Of course,” he nods. “That is the bear shifter way.”
“It is not,” I shake my head. “You choose your own way.”
“Spoken like a true coward,” he grimaces in a disgusted manner at me. “A hero has only one choice and that is to fight. Cowards give themselves more choices, allowing them to choose the easier one.”
“It is easy to kill,” I snarl back at him. “It takes courage to be merciful.”
“It seems we don’t see eye to eye,” he concludes. “I have to say I’m a bit disappointed. You have our blood coursing through your veins, but you have been softened beyond repair by these human lovers.”
“I have not been softened,” I correct him. “I have been taught real values, something you obviously can’t understand.”
“The bear shifter way is nature’s way,” he clarifies. “Only the fittest survive. If you aren’t that, you will get eaten up alive. And no one will eat me up alive, trust me.”
Something assures me that he’s right. He can’t understand mercy and morals. I realize that whoever took me from their clan and brought me to the Ursidae has done me a lifelong favor.
“You are no brother of mine,” I tell him, showing him the scar. “This means nothing. Rock is more of a brother to me than you could ever be. He knows that nature nurtures, it heals, it saves. It does not destroy. Even if it has to, it is only to leave a new form of life in its wake.”
“Bah!” He waves his hand dismissively at me. “I don’t even know why I bothered with a weakling such as you!”
“If I am a weakling, why did you chain me up?” I ask boldly. “Are you afraid of what a weakling might do to you?”
He frowns. “I have given you a chance to survive the bloodshed that is to follow. But now, you will die with the rest of the bear shifters you chose to call family.”
“I would rather die the worst death by their side than live a million lives by yours!” I exclaim theatrically. Now, it is my words echoing throughout the chamber.
“Good,” he grins menacingly. “You can die knowing that I will take your mate for my own. I have to say, I kinda like her.”
“You bastard!” I shout at him, but at that moment, the doors swing open, and the two guards appear, grabbing me by both arms. They proceed to take me out and back towards my cell.
I keep shouting louder and louder. “You won’t get away with this! You’ll see! Rock will come and when he does, you will be fucking sorry!”
I know he can hear me, and I hope that he underestimates Rock, so Rock can show him what the Ursidae clan is really capable of when you decide to poke the wrong bear.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Elena
I watch in silence as the guards usher Cal back into his cell. I’ve been so worried about him, and now, his presence brings a strange mix of relief and concern, relief at seeing him seemingly unharmed, at least not more than he had been, and concern because I see the deep lines etched onto his forehead. He has found something out, something monumental. I can tell. My heart races with a million questions, but before I can voice any of them, Cal reassures me.
“I’m fine, El,” he says, his voice a hushed whisper. “There is much to talk about, but not now.”
The urgency in his words doesn’t escape me, and I nod in understanding. However, our brief exchange is cut short as the guards abruptly turn their attention toward me. The heavy footsteps approach, and I feel a knot tighten in my stomach.
One of the guards unlocks my cell door and walks over to me, grabbing me by the upper arm. He proceeds to take me outside and the other one follows closely.
“Where are you taking her?” Cal shouts after me, but no one replies.
I want to ask the same question, but I know that it won’t serve any purpose. I need to bide my time and see where they will take me. Fear is making it increasingly more difficult to breathe properly. We walk in silence, and I realize that they are taking me back to the surface, instead of deeper underground.
We walk out, and the soft glow of the moonlight welcomes me back. I inhale the sweet fragrance of pines, allowing it to wash over me. We pass a few small groups of shifters in their human form. They all eye me weirdly, curiously. I refuse to lookaway from any of them. That is the little dignity and bravery I have left.
Finally, we stop in front of a tent, with its makeshift doors closed. The tent stands tall and proud, its dark fabric blending with the shadows of the night. It is adorned with tribal symbols and patterns, intricately woven into the material, reflecting the notion that whoever dwells inside has both authority and status. The entrance door is marked by a set of hanging beads that rustle gently at the onslaught of the wind.
The guard who has been holding me pushes me forward, gesturing that I am to enter on my own, without them. I swallow heavily, wondering what will happen when I enter.
