Chapter 21 A bear problem
River
I stand beside Aloria, feeling the tension in the air as we approach our pack’s territory. She’s so eager, her eyes sparkling with determination, but I can sense the impatience brewing beneath the surface. I can’t blame her; she’s just discovered who she truly is, and the weight of her lineage is heavy on her shoulders. The thought of reclaiming her identity, of finding her parents, drives her forward with a fierce intensity.
“River, we need to go to the Lycan castle,” she insists, her voice firm. “I can’t wait any longer to meet them, to find out what happened. I need answers.”
I glance at her, taking in the fiery spirit that glimmers in her eyes. “I understand, Aloria. But we have to be smart about this.” My heart aches at the thought of her facing the unknown, of the potential dangers that lie ahead. “We can’t just rush into a situation without knowing what we’re up against. I need you to be safe.”
She huffs, crossing her arms in frustration. “I’m not a child, River. I can handle myself. I’ve waited long enough in the shadows. If I truly am the lost princess, then I have a responsibility to my people.”
“And I want nothing more than to see you fulfill that responsibility,” I reply, my voice steady. “But we need a plan, Aloria. We have no idea what has changed in the castle or who might be guarding it. You are not just a girl with a mark anymore; you’re royalty, and that comes with its own set of dangers.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but then the air shifts, and I catch the scent of something familiar… and not in a good way. My instincts flare to life as I catch the whiff of wet fur and musk, a scent that belongs to the werebear clan that borders our territory.
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath as I take a step back, my mind racing. “We have a problem.”
“What is it?” Aloria asks, her tone shifting from impatience to concern.
“A small clan of werebears has breached our borders,” I say, already feeling the weight of my responsibilities bearing down on me. “They’re not known for their subtlety, and if they’re here, it means trouble. I need to deal with this before we can think about heading to the castle.”
Aloria’s expression hardens, and I can see the fire in her eyes again. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.” The word comes out more forcefully than I intended, but I can’t let her put herself in danger. “You’ll stay here with Kellan. He’ll protect you. I can’t risk putting you in harm’s way while I’m out there.”
She opens her mouth, probably to protest again, but I cut her off. “This isn’t up for debate, Aloria. You’re too valuable to this pack and to me. I can’t lose you to a rogue clan of werebears. They’re unpredictable, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Aloria’s shoulders slump slightly, the fight leaving her for just a moment. “Fine,” she relents, her voice softening. “But promise me you’ll come back quickly. We need to go to the castle. I need to find my parents.”
“I promise,” I say, reaching out to cup her face in my hand. “But for now, you need to trust me. I’ll handle this, and when I return, we’ll make our plans for the castle.”
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers, and it’s all I can do to keep the kiss quick, knowing the urgency of the situation. Her warmth lingers even as I pull away, and I see a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She knows I’m doing this to protect her, even if it frustrates her.
“Stay safe, River,” she whispers, her voice filled with worry.
“I will,” I assure her, making my way toward the entrance of our territory. “And I’ll be back before you know it.”
As I stride away, I can feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Not only do I have to protect Aloria, but I also have to ensure the safety of our pack. The werebear clan is known for their brute strength, but they’re also territorial. If they’ve crossed into our borders, it means they’re up to no good, and I can’t let them threaten the peace we’ve fought so hard to maintain.
I reach the main pack house, and I spot Kellan waiting, his imposing figure a stark contrast against the backdrop of the forest. His eyes narrow as he sees me approach, and I can tell he senses the tension in the air.
“What’s going on?” Kellan asks, his voice low and serious.
“A small clan of werebears has breached our borders. I need you to stay with Aloria while I handle this,” I explain, my voice steady despite the urgency thrumming in my veins. “Make sure she doesn’t leave the pack grounds. Not even for a second.”
Kellan nods, his expression shifting to one of determination. “Understood. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Good.” I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the confrontation ahead. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Keep her safe.”
With that, quickly gather a small group of fighters that should be enough to handle our bear problem.
Soon we are off, heading deeper into the woods, my heart pounding with purpose. The scent of the werebears grows stronger, and I can hear the rustling of leaves as they likely move close to our territory. We need to confront them before they become a real threat.
As I press on, I remind myself of Aloria’s spirit, of the fire within her that burns so brightly. I can’t let her down. I won’t let her down. She’s the future of our pack, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and help her reclaim her place in the world.