Free Hidden, Clan of the Werebear by Madison Johns Page B

time came that she would figure out which of them to choose.
    She made her way outside, as her bladder was about to explode, and she relieved the pressure. It was only then that she heard loud voices coming from the center of the village. Elaina made her way there and she saw Shauna chained to a pole. Tear coursed down her cheeks as she cussed up a storm at the other women who were shouting at her.
    “You dared to murder a true blood!” the old one shouted.
    “No, I didn’t. I tried to kill that newcomer. I swear.”
    Klesa prevented me from venturing closer. “Don’t. That’s one fight you don’t want to get in the middle of.”
    “Fight? I don’t understand.”
    “Shauna has broken the laws of this village and she’ll be judged soon enough.”
    “Cullen told me the village would make the decision about her punishment. Is that right?”
    Klesa glanced away, never a good sign. “Yes, but there’s really no choice. She tried to murder Damon and that can’t be forgiven. He’s one of the two true bloods. Only Cullen and Damon remain. Shauna had her place of importance as Damon’s favorite, but now—”
    “She was only jealous that he came to see me last night,” Elaina explained.
    Klesa shifted. “Oh, did he?”
    Elaina gazed at Klesa. She knew that she had to have feelings for both Cullen and Damon. She had given them both sons that would hopefully go on to lead the village as their fathers had. “Damon heard me scream. I was having a nightmare. He was checking on me, is all. I didn’t know Cullen had left.”
    “Oh, I see.”
    Klesa wandered over to the fire pit and threw on a few more logs, watching the embers shoot up. “I know how hard it was for Shauna seeing Damon with you. It’s hard to deal with sometimes, but Cullen and Damon make it very clear that they will mate with the other females. It’s expected.”
    “Yes, you’re right. Cullen told me that the first day. I wonder how I’ll be able to handle it myself, if it comes to that.”
    Klesa gave Elaina a look. “You mean Cullen hasn’t mated with you yet?”
    Elaina walked to a nearby log and sat down. “No. I’m not sure how humans are, but I have the mating fever and I feel like I have a weight between my legs that won’t go away. Cullen says it will feel better if I mate, but—”
    “You’re not sure.”
    “No. I haven’t mated with anyone before, but I know this won’t go away until I do. It’s all very confusing, and a little scary.”
    Klesa took ahold of Elaina’s hand. “Don’t be frightened. Cullen will be gentle. I know it. He’ll also make you feel so good. It’s very pleasurable to have a man inside you.” She laughed at Elaina’s facial expression. “I know you’re a shifter like them, but the first time will be fine. He might even impregnate you on the first try. It would be so good if that happened. My children are only half-breeds.”
    “What does it matter?”
    “Well, they have a target mark on them if the clan finds them.”
    “How would they know for certain?”
    “I’m not sure. I just know that Cullen has told me that we’ll have to go into hiding very soon.”
    “And that worries you?”
    “Yes. I’d hate to leave the safety of the village. If we leave, we’ll be all alone. It’s going to be hard to keep the boys hidden. They’re used to roaming the village at will, not being secluded in some damp cave somewhere. They’re quite willful.”
    “Yes,” Elaina agreed. “It was that way for me, too. When I grew up, I mean. They are still shifters though, right?”
    “Yes, but they haven’t been allowed to shift unless they’re with either Cullen or Damon. Cullen and Damon have worried that if they do, they might get into trouble, or find their way out of the village. Cubs aren’t safe to be wandering around in the wilderness.”
    Elaina knew exactly what she meant and she felt as much a bear cub as they were. She was also prevented to shift by Samson. Elaina changed the subject