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

now.”
    “First,” Damon said. “As in untouched by man or beast?”
    Elaina’s heart beat so hard now. She didn’t think being innocent of the matters of the flesh would matter.
    “I’d be happy to volunteer to be first,” Damon said with a wink. “I’ll be gentle, unlike that brute of a brother of mine.”
    “That’s not going to happen, brother. I saw her first.”
    Both men faced each other, their faces equally taut with clenched fists, their fangs exposed enough that Elaina could see them. Were these fools serious? They continued to argue amongst themselves, ignoring Elaina completely like she had no say in the matter.
    “She’s mine!” Cullen shouted.
    Damon shot back with, “No, she’s ours!”
    “I’m standing right here,” Elaina said, pounding her fists at her sides. As the brothers gave her a strange look, she darted back to the village.
     
     

Chapter Eight
    Elaina was livid and felt more alone than she had in days. She wished that she were anything but a werebear right now. If she wasn’t, the wolf pack would have allowed her to stay. She missed Liam so much that it hurt. He was her best friend and she sadly missed all the good times they had had. He teased her mercilessly at times, but most of her childhood they had frolicked in the forest in shifted forms without Samson’s knowledge.
    Almost the opposite of Liam, Cullen seemed like a brute, one who obviously couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted her or not. If only he didn’t make her heart pound so when he glanced her way. If that wasn’t enough, she was convinced that butterflies had inhabited her stomach. She had to quit gazing directly into his eyes, or admiring his muscular body that held the promise of many nights of pleasure.
    For her own sanity, she had to focus on the issue at hand. When she calmed down enough, she’d ask Cullen what he knew of the Clan of the Werebear? From the looks of it around here, this certainly wasn’t it. What really happened to most of the men here and why were Cullen and Damon working so hard to repopulate this village? It certainly couldn’t be to defend it, as it would take many years before cubs reached maturity. To be certain, Elaina wanted to see first hand where the cubs were to make an educated guess on what really was happening in this village. It was impossible for two bears to protect them all.
    Elaina made her way toward the back of the village, led by the sounds of laughter. Two boys close in age and possibly twins wrestled on the ground as a group of women watched. Shauna was one of them, but also two strikingly beautiful women with blond hair. Most of the stories Elaina had been told were that most female werebears were dark haired.
     Shauna strode over and said, “You shouldn’t be here. Leave.” She pushed Elaina back the way she came.
    “Are those blondes humans?” Elaina asked. Her eyes were on the two boys again. They jumped and leapt on each other with enthusiasm and looked to be around the age of seven.
    “There are no humans here, Newcomer.”
    “I was told the redhead was human and had given birth to two cubs, one for Cullen and for Damon.”
    “Whoever told you that lies.”
    “Damon told me. And are you calling him a liar?”
    “Half-breeds are of no matter, and soon, both Cullen and Damon will realize that.” Shauna’s eyes darkened as she pulled out a knife from her frock. “If you mate with Damon, I’ll cut your heart out.”
    Elaina took a step back. “I-I wasn’t planning to mate with anyone. It might be better if I left.”
    “Great idea, Newcomer, but you might want to do so before nightfall. I can show you the way out of our encampment.”
    Elaina wasn’t about to trust the word of Shauna. She’d most likely kill her to assure her place in the village as Damon’s favorite.
    Cullen’s nostrils were flaring as he walked toward Elaina. “Come woman, now.”
    The children stopped their wrestling and ran to Cullen. “Papa,” one of the boys