Hidden, Clan of the Werebear Read Online Free Page B

Samson first found her that fateful winter, except for the winters when they had traveled to the south.
    He taught her how to stay hidden, and she needed to use those same skills to survive now. She had to move into another territory, an uncharted one.
    * * *
    Elaina rubbed her eyes when she woke some time later and swung her legs off the edge of the bed, intent on gathering her clothing. Halfway there, she froze, hearing a male voice from the doorway say, “It’s no wonder Liam offered you shelter here. You’re quite attractive, for a werebear. Why is it that most of you are so curvy?”
    Elaina ignored the man, not even turning to look, until he grabbed her arm and whirled her around. “Look at me when I’m speaking to you, bear.”
    Elaina didn’t even bat an eyelash. She just shifted. And as she gazed down at the insignificant man, she roared her dislike of him. He obviously was so shocked that he never shifted. She swiped at him and pinned him beneath her mighty paw.
    Men darted into the room with a pounding of feet, and as the men shifted to wolves, only growls could be heard. Elaina wasn’t about to take them on, but neither was she going to back down. She stretched her mighty head toward the ceiling, letting go of the man under her paw. She motioned with her head for them to clear the doorway, and when they did, she lumbered out the door. Women screamed as Elaina ran down the corridors, becoming quite lost in the twists and turns. When she entered the room of the pups, she backed away. Three women shifted and attacked her. She shook her massive body to shake the wolves off, as one leapt on her back.
    Liam came running onto the scene. “Stop!” he commanded.
    The wolves slunk back and Elaina shifted back to human form, collapsing on the ground. “I’m s-sorry. I meant no harm, but a man came in my room and grabbed me. I was so angry that I couldn’t stop myself from shifting.” Elaina was naked and on her hands and knees now, bleeding from numerous places where the wolves’ teeth had found their mark. “I hope I didn’t scare the pups. I was just looking for a way out.”
    A woman smiled at Elaina, and said. “It’s confusing in here, even I get lost sometimes. We meant you no harm, but we were just protecting our offspring.”
    The woman then helped Elaina back to her bed, nursing her wounds. Elaina lay on her stomach and couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Is this her destiny, to fight for survival? If not in the wolf den, then somewhere else? Werewolves and werebears were not the only shifters in this area. Perhaps she should have just stayed behind under Samson’s protection.
    The kind woman introduced herself. “I’m Nala. I’m the protector of the pups. I’m barren and was chosen to help raise the offspring.”
    Elaina dried her tears on the blanket. “I-I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “Thanks. It’s not all that bad. I so enjoy the children and sometimes some of the wolves still want to rut with me. I come into season like the rest of the females, but I have yet to produce any offspring.”
    “How sad for you.”
    “Thanks. I should get back to the children now. They’ll be full of questions, I’m sure.”
    Elaina nodded. Her back ached horribly. If she was only allowed to stay here two days, surely one was gone now. She half expected them to put her out much sooner, after the events of today. She knew now she had no other choice than to go back to Samson, either that or she needed to find a mate, and fast, for protection. Where she’d find one, exactly, Elaina didn’t know.
     

Chapter Five
    The aging alpha Damien visited Elaina at the beginning of day three. He was quite old and had to sit down when he entered the room that Elaina had called home the last few days.
    “I’ve allowed you to stay a little longer than planned, but I wanted to assure myself that you were on the mend. Jessup admitted that he goaded you that day you shifted. It’s a wonder anyone wasn’t hurt.