Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
The other two bears—Drow and Firat—gasped. Drow spoke. “She’s a threat to us.”
Khloe’s heartrate picked up.
Felix stiffened and shouted, “She is no threat to anyone. Khloe is a gentle soul.”
“She is huge, and she can sense us coming,” Firat growled. “That is a threat.”
“It is not,” Damon argued, his voice equally loud. “Those are simply character traits. Unless you pose a threat to us, we pose no threat to you.”
Thorn turned to look at Surge. “Tell them.”
Khloe’s breath hitched. The bears had something to say, too. That’s why they were here.
Surge stepped away from Olivia and approached Khloe. “It seems I can sense you, too, Little one.”
“That’s why you came…” Khloe murmured.
Surge nodded. “I didn’t understand what I was experiencing, but I knew there was a new mate among you, and she had powers.”
Khloe licked her lips. “You argued with several bears about coming to find me, and finally the four of you decided to come.”
“And I tracked you down to right here,” Surge confirmed. “You stopped running before I arrived because you knew I was upon you.”
Khloe nodded. Why would she share such an odd trait with a bear?
Surge stepped back and included everyone in his next words. “I do not believe this is going to cause a problem. I suspect Nature has a hand in this. She is providing our two species with a connection.”
Firat growled menacingly. “She is providing these far less advanced canines with a way to sneak up on us. This wolf needs to be eliminated.”
Khloe’s nostrils flared.
Felix tucked her behind him again. “Are you threatening my mate?”
Surge stepped in front of Firat and glared at him. “You will not harm these shifters. It is not your place to decide who or what poses a threat. I’m telling you she is no threat to us, and if she becomes a threat, I will know. You will take my word and leave her and her family alone.”
Firat scowled before taking a step back, shifting, and turning to gallop away. Drow followed him.
Surge turned back to Khloe. “I’m sorry. I will do my best to control those among my people who do not trust your intentions. Please know that if anyone threatens your species, I will personally come to warn you. You will know I’m coming.”
Khloe nodded. She couldn’t breathe.
Surge turned to the others. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, bears by nature do not live in close knit packs like wolves do. We have come to this territory as a group, but we tend to spread out and occupy a space that is beneficial to sustaining life. I realize that we have moved into an area too close to where your pack as well as other packs have lived for a great long time, and most among us do not wish to upset your way of life. However, there are some who believe it would be better to chase you off.”
“We would never allow that,” Ezra stated. “We are grateful to you for repeatedly coming to warn us of impending issues, but our numbers are strong. Alpha Protectors are abundant and living all around this mountain, protecting the valley below. It is the same among the other wolf packs you have encountered in this region. If any of your kind dares to attack us, we will do whatever is necessary to protect our own. Do not think for one moment that our smaller size will hinder us.”
Surge nodded. “Understood. Though Thorn and I are not the leaders of our clan, we are the declared messengers responsible for communication with your pack and others. It cannot be an accident that your new mate and I share a bond.”
Khloe could feel the tension wafting from her mate. He did not like Surge referring to the communication open between him and Khloe as a bond. When she glanced up at her Daddy, she found his nostrils flared and his teeth bared.
Surge flinched as he met Felix’s gaze. “Forgive me. Poor choice of words. Let’s call it an open line of communication.”
Khloe spoke up again. “I can’t control it. I can sense when your kind is present in the area, even from a great distance, but I can’t control the visions. I’m not sure they will always occur every time you approach.”
“I suspect they will, Little one. I can be no more certain than you because I, too, have only had a handful of experiences so far, but I suspect we will both have advanced warning when we’re being approached.” He stepped back and looked toward Thorn again. “We will take our leave. I’m sorry for the interruption and for the behavior of some of my kind.”
Ezra stepped forward. “Our elders will meet to discuss this. I cannot guarantee what they will decide, but I can assure you that the protection of our pack is our number one priority. Noone will be permitted to threaten us.”