Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

A lena's heart raced as she ducked into the backroom of the diner, her shaking fingers already dialing Zane's number. It had been several days since their tryst and they had both kept their distance. But she could no longer stand it. The events of that night played on a maddening loop in her mind— his solid arms around her as they rode through the streets, his tender touch, the electric brush of his skin against hers, and then of course the mind-blowing sex.

God, I hope you know what you're doing! But despite the danger and risks, her bear purred contentedly within her. Sneaking around with a dragon, letting him practically claim you… it's madness! She thought briefly of how reckless she had been but pushed it out of her mind. It had taken a few days to realize, but the truth was it had just felt so right. Besides, it was the right time in her cycle for that kind of thing.

Whatever.

What a glorious reckless madness it was. Alena couldn't bring herself to regret a single moment spent in Zane's arms, consequences be damned. He made her feel alive in a way she'd never known possible, like every nerve ending was alight with joy and purpose.

"Alena," Zane's deep voice rumbled through the phone, sending a shiver down her spine. "I wanted to call you ... but ..."

"You don't need to say anything... I understand," she said.

It was like they didn't need words to communicate.

"Is everything all right?" he asked after a moment.

God, she felt a surge of pleasure in her nether region just at his voice.

"Yes. I mean, maybe. No? I don't know," she admitted, pressing her forehead against the cool brick wall. "Zane, what do you think about the other night. Did we..."

"It was glorious, Alena. But we have to be careful."

In every way.

"Are we making a mistake?" Alena whispered, hating the pleading note that crept into her voice. Her bear whined pitifully at the thought of being separated from their mate. "I hope not, Zane, because I don't think I can stay away from you any longer. No matter how hard I try."

There was a beat of charged silence before Zane exhaled sharply. "I feel it, too. This pull between us. It's like gravity."

Alena's heart soared at his words, a giddy laugh bubbling up in her throat. "It's pointless to fight it. Zane, what we have… it's special. Rare. Whatever we have to do is worth it to be together."

"You make it sound so simple," Zane chuckled wryly. "But our families, our clans… they'll never understand. They'll do everything in their power to keep us apart. We have to use our heads. It seems no one can see past this stupid rivalry or feud or whatever the hell has a hold of our clans."

"I've been thinking about that, too. Maybe we don't have to do it all alone."

"What are you talking about?" Zane asked, his voice sharp with curiosity.

"I… I can't say yet," Alena hedged, not wanting to betray her confidence with Kiki. "It's a long shot, but I will take a long shot over no shot. There is something, or someone, who may be able to help. That's all I can say right now. Please bear with me. I gave my word on it, which means something to me. I don't know that it will end the feud, but it might at least bring some level of sanity to it. It could be a start. I just need a little more time."

Zane was silent for a long moment, and Alena could practically hear the gears turning in his head. Finally, he blew out a breath. "It's hard to imagine what could do that, but okay. I would love to know what you are talking about, but word is bond. I respect that. Regardless, anything would help at this point." He paused for a moment before he changed topics, addressing the obvious heat that arose between them, even over the phone. "God, Alena, last night… I don't know… that is… it was…"

"Incredible," she finished, a flush heating her cheeks at the memory.

"I am not going to be able to go very long without seeing you again."

"I know, Zane. I feel it, too."

"We didn't even make it official. I mean, the claiming. The…" He trailed off, seeming to dismiss the thought as irrelevant. "I want to see you again. Tomorrow night," he said. It was more statement than question.

She felt a rush of excitement shoot through her core again.

God, I can get used to this.

"Yes," she answered simply. "This is getting out of hand, but yes! We are going to have to figure something out. Rules or something, I don't know."

"We will. I don't know about ‘rules,'" he said with a little laugh, "but we can talk in person about it," he finished with what she was sure was a smile in his voice.

"Very convenient how that works," she purred. "That we just have to see each other. For logistics, of course.''

He uttered a soft chuckle. "You caught that, huh? Where, though?" Behind the mirth, she could hear the longing in his voice, matching her own. "And when? If I didn't have other business to attend to tonight ... It is taking everything not to come pluck you up right now. Regardless, tomorrow, it has to be somewhere discreet."

And with a soft bed…

But she fought that urge.

This is about business. Right? Sort of… not really.

Alena got her mind back on track and thought for a moment before inspiration struck. "I know, right beneath the Grand Lodge," she said, excitement thrumming through her. "Around on the other side from the ruins we were at. Abi told me about a hidden spot beneath the foundation. We could meet just across from it and go there, away from prying eyes. I get off at nine tomorrow and that will be discreet ... and close."

"Your niece is just full of surprises, isn't she?" Zane chuckled, a warm sound that made Alena's heart flutter. "And I will see you at nine-o-one, then.

"You have no idea, and yeah. Don't you dare be late," she replied, shaking her head. Her little niece's preternatural knowledge still caught her off guard sometimes.

"All right." Zane's voice was low and intimate. "Tomorrow night, beneath the Lodge. I'll be counting down the minutes."

Alena bit her lip, desire and anticipation swirling through her. "Me too," she breathed. "I can't wait to—"

"Alena!" Archer's gruff voice cut through the moment, making her jump. She peeked out to see her brother stomping into the diner, frustration etched on his face.

"I have to go," she whispered hurriedly into the phone. "I'll see you tonight."

With a quick goodbye, Alena hung up and shoved her phone into her apron pocket before stepping out to face her brother.

"What's got you in such a tizzy?" she asked, trying to keep her voice light.

But then Archer was off, launching into a frustrated rant about how the noise from the bikers was driving away customers. She couldn't blame him on that note.

The issues just seemed to be piling up. None of this was helping to make her believe things could get better any time soon.

But she had to try.

Her bear rumbled its agreement, restless and eager for night to fall so they could once again lose themselves in their mate's embrace. Just one more day, Alena told herself firmly. And then, no more hiding. No more secrets.

One way or another, she would find a way to unite their clans and claim her happily ever after with Zane. Her dragon. Her destiny.

With that thought bolstering her spirits, Alena took a deep breath and stepped back out into the diner to face whatever challenges the day might bring. Come what may, she knew one bone-deep truth: she would never let Zane go. Not without a fight.

The next night, after meeting across the street as planned, Alena's heart raced with anticipation as she and Zane approached the back side of the Grand Lodge, the night air thick with the scent of pine and the promise of forbidden romance. Her bear paced restlessly within her, eager to be close to their mate once more.

"Are you sure about this?" Zane asked, his brow furrowed with concern even as his eyes sparkled with barely contained desire. "Maybe we should have just gone to my place."

She laughed. "You're the one who said you couldn't wait! Besides, where's your sense of adventure? I just felt like this is the place to be tonight. I don't know." She reached out her fingers to lace them with his. The simple contact sent a jolt of electricity up her arm, making her shiver. "Abi's never steered me wrong before."

Zane chuckled, shaking his head in apparent appreciation. "That niece of yours is quite the adventurer. Especially for a seven-year-old."

Alena grinned, feeling a swell of pride. "She's always had a nose for mischief, if that's what you mean. Guess it runs in the family."

Together, they picked their way through the overgrown underbrush, searching for the hidden entrance Abi had described. After several minutes of fruitless hunting, Alena was beginning to doubt her niece's instructions.

"Maybe we should just—" she began, but then Zane let out a triumphant whoop.

"Found it!" He grinned, gesturing to a weathered oaken door hidden among the rocks.

Alena's bear rumbled with approval as they slipped inside, the musty scent of earth and old stone enveloping them.

The narrow passage opened up into a small, dimly lit chamber, the crumbling walls adorned with faded murals depicting scenes from Misty Vale's history.

"Wow," Alena breathed, running her fingers over the old artwork. "I had no idea this was down here."

Zane wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back against his solid warmth. "It's like our own private world," he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "No bears, no dragons. Just us."

"We are doing the right thing, aren't we?" she asked, even though of course she knew the answer.

"Alena," Zane murmured, low and intense. "As if we have a choice," he laughed as he kissed her. "But we do have to be smart about this…"

"I know," she sighed, leaning into his warmth. Her bear rumbled contentedly, reveling in their mate's closeness. They clung to each other for a long moment, their heartbeats syncing as one. Finally, Alena pulled back, her eyes searching Zane's face in the dim light. "We'll figure it out, we just have to have faith," she promised, as much to herself as to him. "But first, we…"

She trailed off, her bear suddenly on high alert. Voices echoed from deeper within the ruins, muffled but growing louder. Zane tensed, his dragon instincts no doubt picking up on the potential threat as well. He motioned for Alena to stay quiet, and together, they crept forward, straining to make out the conversation.

"…keep playing them off one another," a gruff male voice was saying. "These dragons and bears, they're too busy fighting each other to see what's really going on."

"Easier to manipulate than a pack of drunk puppies," another voice chimed in, chuckling darkly. "We keep ‘em distracted, and soon enough, this whole town will be under our control."

Alena and Zane exchanged a wide-eyed look of shock and anger. The Forsaken Riders. They were using the ongoing feud between the bears and dragons to further their own nefarious agenda.

"Those bastards," Zane growled, his eyes flashing with draconic fire. "We have to stop them."

Alena nodded, her bear snarling in agreement. "But how? Your family won't listen to you, and Archer's too stubborn to see reason."

"We need proof," he whispered urgently. "Something concrete we can bring to our families."

"Right." Alena's heart swelled with newfound determination.

The voices were growing fainter, the Riders moving away from their hidden alcove. Still, for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope that they might actually be able to bridge the gap between their clans. This might actually pose an opportunity for them.

She thought she heard a shuffling off to their left in the darkness. Or was that her imagination getting the better of her?

As if reading her thoughts, Zane spoke. "I am thinking we cut this short. I need to get back and go over the accounts again. See if there is anything I missed. Regardless, we need to leave."

"No argument here," she replied.

"I am thinking our biker friends may be overplaying their hand," Zane said as they made their way toward the oaken door and the night beyond.

"I was kind of thinking along the same lines," she agreed.

Hand in hand, they exited into the moonlit night. Come what may, they would face it side by side.

As Alena lay in bed that night, her mind raced with possibilities. There had to be a way to expose the Riders' treachery, to make their families see that they were being played for fools. But how?

Getting Kiki to come forward was obviously top priority. Perhaps her confession could set the stage for the families to finally listen to them. They had been beyond patient with Kiki. It was time for her to talk.

Filled with renewed purpose, Alena drifted off to a fitful sleep, her mind alternating between thoughts of her strong mate and her doubts about their uncertain future.

The next morning, Alena cornered Kiki in her shop, determination etched on her face.

"Kiki, you have to tell them. The bears, the dragons, everyone. They need to know the truth about what really started this feud all those years ago."

Kiki sighed, sinking into a plush armchair. "I know, my dear. But the timing—"

"The timing is now," Alena insisted, her voice ringing with conviction. She began to pace, her bear's restless energy propelling her forward. "The Forsaken Riders are trying to turn us against each other, to weaken us so they can take over. We have to stand united against them."

Kiki's eyes sharpened, a flicker of anger sparking in their violet depths. "Those wretched bikers… I knew they would bring nothing but trouble to our town."

Alena nodded emphatically. "Exactly! But the bears and dragons are too busy rehashing old grudges to see the real threat. If you come forward, tell everyone how this whole mess started… maybe it will shock them into putting aside their differences. At least long enough to deal with the Riders."

For a long moment, Kiki was silent, her face unreadable. Alena held her breath, her heart pounding in her ears.

Please, she prayed silently. Please let this work. For all our sakes. For Zane…

Finally, Kiki looked up, a small smile curving her lips. "You are correct, I have dallied enough. I need to keep my word and tell the truth as I promised. I will do it for the town, but also for you and your dragon," she said, giving Alena a wink. Alena's eyes widened, a flush heating her cheeks.

"H-how did you…?"

Kiki waved a dismissive hand. "Please, dear. I've been around far too long not to recognize the signs of a mating bond. You and Zane positively glow with it."

Joy and relief surged through Alena, so strong she thought she might burst with it. Her bear roared in triumph, celebrating this first victory in their fight for a brighter future. She threw her arms around Kiki, hugging the slender fae with all her might.

"Thank you," she whispered fiercely. "Thank you for giving us a chance."

Kiki returned the embrace, her voice warm with affection. "You and Zane may just be the key to bringing peace to Misty Vale at last. Your love is a powerful thing, Alena. As a matter of fact, why don't you put some of that love to work?"

"Put some of it to work? What are you talking about?"

"I see how you are full to bursting with it. I don't know exactly how… I am just getting that your town could use some of that love. It could be the smallest thing… I don't know, maybe it is nothing. Just a notion that came to me. A feeling that it could act as an unlikely push in the right direction."

"I will think on it. I am not sure what I have to give, though. And what direction? I don't understand."

"Nor do I. That is what I am getting at. Something will come to you," Kiki replied with a subtle smile. "And remember, one good act leads to the next. All things are connected. That is all I can say."

"I will take you word for it, Kiki," Alena relented with a smile. "But I swear, sometimes your words are clear as mud."

Still, she practically skipped out of the shop, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years. Everything was finally falling into place. Kiki would reveal the truth, the bears and dragons would unite, and she and Zane would be free to love each other openly.

For the first time in her life, Alena dared to hope for a happily ever after. Her bear pranced with joy, thoroughly convinced they had taken the right path of destiny.

Their love would be the stuff of legends. In the back of her mind, she let the idea of what she could offer the town simmer.