Hidden, Clan of the Werebear Read Online Free Page A

“I thought if the werebear left the pub that you’d be free of her spell.”
    “You slipped the key under her door?” Liam asked with his hands balled up into fists.
    “No, but I told someone else to do it for me.”
    “You fool. What if you were discovered?”
    “I wasn’t, but I did protect Elaina from a drunken shifter. Surely that must count for something.”
    “And why did you do that?” Elaina asked.
    “I wanted you gone, not dead. If you died, you’d forever be between Liam and me. He’d never be free of your memory.”
    Elaina glared at Adara. “That’s silly. There’s nothing between Liam and me. Werewolves and werebears are forbidden to mate. We’re just friends.”
    “I know what the rules say, but he has an emotional attachment to you.” She sighed. “The simple fact that you’re here now is against the rules. If the alpha, Damian, finds out, she’s as good as dead,” Adara pointed out.
    “Silence, woman,” Liam snapped. “I’m not the fool you take me for. Damien knows all about it. I’d never would have brought her here without his permission. I’m in line to be the next alpha, as you know, Adara. Damien has given me permission to make decisions since he’s been ill.”
    “You brought her here before you had the chance to ask him.”
    Liam took ahold of Adara’s frock. “How dare you challenge me like this. I’m going to be the next alpha. It’s not like she’ll be staying forever.”
    She whimpered until he let her go and she ran from the room.
    Elaina couldn’t help but be curious and a little surprised at his harshness with Adara. “Is she your mate?”
    Liam whisked a palm through his hair. “Not on your life. She’s too mouthy, for one. She’d do well to learn her place.”
    “So, you’re just rutting with her, is that it?”
    “Why do you even care? We’re just friends, remember?”
    Elaina shifted, uncomfortable now. “That’s all we can be. How long will I be allowed to stay here?”
    Liam didn’t immediately answer. He gazed into Elaina’s eyes and finally said, “I’m giving you a few days, but if you haven’t recuperated by then, I’ll be putting you out of the den.”
    Elaina’s eyes widened. “But I thought you were my friend?”
    “Yes, and that’s why I brought you back here so that your injuries could be attended to, but I had never planned to allow you to stay here more than a few days. I have an obligation to the pack to abide by their rules.”
    “I see. Well, how safe is it for me to be here now? Adara seems to hold a grudge against me. I won’t feel safe being here now.”
    Liam moved to check Elaina’s forehead. “I won’t allow anyone to harm you.” He then made an observation. “You seem much cooler. Perhaps the fever has passed.”
    Elaina nodded, but she knew better. The fever had moved to another part of her body and sitting so close to Liam wasn’t helping it a bit.
    He made way for the door. “Please, rest. You need your strength for your journey in a few days. I just hope you know where you’re going.”
    When he left, Elaina was faced with the truth. It didn’t matter that she was forbidden to mate with Liam, she felt an attraction that she just couldn’t deny. It’s the fever, that’s all , Elaina told herself. It was also clear to her that her childhood friend had changed and he was already assuming the role of a dominant alpha.
    Elaina was now faced with the seriousness of her situation. She had to form a plan. Where would she go that Samson wouldn’t find her? She could travel to the west. Most of the wolf pack must be traveling back here since the weather had broken, but that was still too deep in werewolf territory. If only she could go to the cabin in the mountains, but that would be the first place Samson would search for her.
    It saddened her heart that she had to leave the protection of Samson’s watchful eye. Her childhood had been a happy one. They spent most of those days in the old cabin since