Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

A lena held her breath as the world around them shimmered and warped, the memory bubble enveloping their group in a dizzying rush of light and sound. Her bear whimpered within her, unsettled by the strange sensation of hurtling through time itself.

Protect cub , the primal instinct thrummed, even as Alena clutched Zane's hand tighter, drawing strength from his solid presence.

As the vortex settled, they found themselves standing in the heart of Misty Vale, the town both familiar and foreign. While much of the architecture was familiar, overall, this was a far quainter village than what stood back in their time. Alena gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of the original Grand Lodge, resplendent and whole, its fa?ade unmarred by the ravages of many seasons.

"Whoa," Dash breathed, his usual bravado replaced by awe. "This is some trippy shit."

Beside him, Striker nodded mutely, his gaze apparently fixed on the bustling streets.

Alena couldn't help but notice the air felt lighter. She imagined the bears and dragons mingled freely here. There was also an air of laughter that was distinctly missing in their own time.

Archer let out a low whistle. "Hard to believe we were ever like this," he mused, shaking his head. "All buddy-buddy, working together."

"Indeed," Byron agreed, his voice gruff with emotion. "The difference is striking."

"And look, everyone isn't staring into their phones," Smith commented.

"That evil is yet to befall Misty Vale as well, though," Byron, of all people, replied.

Kiki cleared her throat, drawing their attention. "The memory bubble will show us the key events that led to the fracturing of this unity," she explained, her expression somber. "Prepare yourselves, as I get the feeling that what we're about to witness may be difficult to process."

Alena's stomach twisted with apprehension, her bear pacing restlessly within her. She glanced at Abi, who stood calmly beside her adoptive mother, Rainbow clutched to her chest. The little girl caught her eye and smiled, a picture of serenity amidst the rising tension.

As if on cue, the scene before them shifted, the colors bleeding together in a dizzying swirl before coalescing into a new setting. They found themselves in a dimly lit room, the air thick with the cloying scent of incense and dark magic. In the center, an old woman hunched over an ancient leather-bound volume of some sort, her face twisted in grief and rage.

Alena almost gagged at the fetid air.

"That's Henry's grandmother… the old lady," Kiki murmured, her brow furrowed with pain. "It was my fault her grandson, my poor Henry, went up to Widow's Peak that day to duel with my dragon lover. My fault he died. It's what I told you. This is the woman who came to me."

"She's the one who cursed you all those years ago," Ruby practically whispered.

"Yes…"

"But we know all this," Archer said. "You spoke of it in your diary."

"Not all of it. Rainbow says to keep watching," Abi murmured cryptically.

Alena's heart clenched as they watched the crone at work. She lit black candles and arranged little effigies of bears and dragons in opposition. Alena got the sense she was casting some sort of dark spell, channeling her pain and bitterness through this ritual. With growing horror, she witnessed, along with the rest, as the old woman gestured wildly in the air. Dark shadows came and went in the inky blackness that began to form around her.

"She is weaving a spell of chaos and division," Kiki intoned, "Manipulating the very fabric of fate. I had no idea. How did I not see it? She cast a curse not just on me, but on the whole of Misty Vale."

"We haven't even gotten to the fire yet!" Abi said excitedly.

And just like that, the air around them swirled again. In the new scene, they were in what seemed to be a sort of clubhouse room. There were banners on the stone walls—dragon banners.

Alena noticed Byron looking around before he spoke. "This is the old Dragon gentlemen's club room. It was part of the original Lodge. I've seen photographs."

The old woman again came in, quickly going to the walls and lighting fire to first one and then another of the banners.

"How dare she," Byron muttered under his breath.

"No," Alena whispered, tears stinging her eyes as the memory bubble shimmered once more to now show them the entirety of the Grand Lodge engulfed in flames, the once- majestic building slowly being reduced to ash and ruin. "How could she do this? All because of a broken heart?"

"Unprocessed pain can make monsters of us all," Kiki said softly, her gaze distant and haunted.

"Guess she had a shit ton of it then," Dash quipped.

Alena ignored their banter, her attention fixed on the unfolding drama. For the next few minutes, they moved rapidly through a handful of different scenes. They watched as the aftermath of the fire tore the community apart, suspicion and blame festering like an open wound. Bears turned against dragons, once-friendly neighbors now bitter enemies, all thanks to the machinations of a vengeful old woman.

"I can't believe it," Archer mumbled, rubbing at his chin. "All this time, we thought it was just some stupid accident. But it was her, manipulating us like puppets on a string."

Byron's eyes flashed with anger. "Her actions set in motion a century of strife and discord. The repercussions of her curse have haunted Misty Vale for far too long."

Zane squeezed Alena's hand, his voice low and determined. "But now we know the truth. We can break the cycle, heal the wounds she inflicted. Can't we?"

Hope fluttered in Alena's chest, even as doubt niggled at the edges. Was it really that simple? Could witnessing the origins of their feud truly mend the rift between their clans?

"Knowledge is power," Zane said, as if reading her thoughts.

Everyone turned to face him, even as the memory bubble began to dissipate, the images fading away like a half-remembered dream.

As the group blinked back to reality, the familiar surroundings of Kiki's shop materializing around them, a heavy silence descended. Each was lost in their own thoughts, grappling with the magnitude of what they had witnessed.

After a moment, Kiki spoke. "Yes, knowledge is indeed power, Zane, but I'm afraid that in this case, it may not be enough. There is more at work here."

"What are you saying?" Zane immediately queried.

"It was a really, really nasty curse, is what she means, and it's still making everyone kind of grumpy with each other," Abi piped up.

"Grumpy, huh? Well, there's an understatement if I ever heard one," Alena sighed as she felt her hopes waning. "But there must be a way to clear it, right?" she added, a tinge of desperation in her voice.

"Of course there is," Abi said. She spun around and made a whooshing sound as she flew Rainbow around her. "We can do a heart-mend."

"A what?" asked Kiki. "What sort of wizardry is that?"

"I don't know." Abi she shrugged her shoulders. "But Rainbow says it's easy. It might take a bit, though. We have to heal the whole town, you know."

Alena felt a surge of determination wash over her. "But you're saying that if we do this heart-mend thing, we can end the feud?"

"I mean, all you adults will still probably want to talk about things, too, but that will only work after we heal the heart of Misty Vale."

"Who are we gonna blame then if we can't blame bears for all the problems?" Dash quipped.

"I was about to say the same of you dragons," Brandon quickly retorted.

"Settle down, boys," Byron said in an understated tone. "That little bubble trick was most impressive. If I could endure that, then I can handle some heart ceremony, I suppose."

Alena's heart was swelling. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road!" she said, prompting Kiki.

"Don't look at me, this is Abi's show… er, or Rainbow's," Kiki quickly asserted.

"But we'll need your help, Kiki," said Abi.

"I should hope so. I was starting to get a complex."

Alena watched in awe as Abi and Kiki huddled together. It was fascinating, charming, and maybe a little unnerving all at once, seeing Abi gesturing and Kiki struggling with taking directions from a seven-year-old. Rainbow was propped up, apparently so she could give input.

Alena wasn't about to question it.

Archer walked up beside her. "So what is ‘Rainbow,' anyway? Another part of her? Or some guide or fae? Any bets?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm afraid to ask," Alena laughed. "All I know is she's good. That's all that really matters to me."

"Right," Archer said. He wandered off to join others in hushed conversation as they prepared themselves for whatever might come next.

Kiki and Abi were still talking in hushed whispers, their expressions serious as they discussed the next steps in the heart-mend ceremony. Alena's bear rumbled with pride, seeing her young niece blossoming more than anyone could have imagined, right before their eyes. What she had done in sniffing out Kiki's meddling with Archer and Ruby had been incredible, but this… this was next level.

Finally, the pair turned back to the assembled group.

"We need to go to the Grand Lodge!" Abi declared, her eyes sparkling with determination. "It's pretty much the center of everything here."

"It's the heart of Misty Vale, where everything began. That's where we'll break the curse!" Kiki clarified as she began to gather an assortment of crystals and amulets.

"How all this mumbo jumbo works is beyond me," Brandon stated.

"I could have said the same thing." Dash nodded in agreement.

"Is that for ‘channeling energy' or something?" Striker asked, looking uneasily at the crystals.

"Hell if I know," Kiki answered. "I'm just gonna bring everything I can carry. Can't hurt to have a little extra mojo on our side, right?"

Alena felt a flicker of amusement, even as tension coiled in her gut. This was it. The culmination of all their efforts.

Just then, Abi called everyone's attention before they were to head to the Lodge.

"And one more thing. Rainbow… well, me and Rainbow both think you should bring those you love most, okay? The more love, the better," she instructed, as if it were plainly obvious that they should bring their mates.

At that, Alena huddled up close to Zane, reveling the feel of his strong arms as she held onto him.

For the moment, all thoughts of telling him her secret were most definitely on the back burner.

A few short hours later, Bears and dragons alike were gathered outside the lodge. None other than Byron Livingstone had suggested they should meet down in the original belly of the building. In the foundations. Abi had lit up immediately.

"You're so smart, Mr. Livingstone!" she had said. "That is perfect. As a matter of fact, I know exactly where!"

Alena was sure she heard Ruby mutter, "Oh, no, I hope we don't have to crawl through the cupboard."

They did not. The cave-like room was accessible through the ruins.

If Alena had had any worries that there might be Forsaken Riders lingering about down there, they were quickly dispelled. Besides, they would've been no match for all the bears and dragons that had assembled.

Soon, they had all found places around the large half room, half cavern.

"This is where I found Kiki's diary," Alena heard Abi say to Archer in what was meant to be a whisper.

It was almost too much to take in, seeing both packs together like this. Alena smiled as she saw Dash's daughter Nora seated on the dusty floor alongside her mother Amelia, her laughter a balm to the lingering tension.

Despite some grumbling, mostly from the males, Kiki had convinced them all to form a seated circled on the floor. Abi had then explained how they should all link hands before she began to guide them through what they had begun to call the heart-mend meditation, her voice clear and strong.

"Think of the things that fill you with the most love and happiness," she instructed, "and envision it traveling to every heart in town. Then imagine it filling up the whole lodge!"

Alena closed her eyes, picturing Zane's smile, the warmth of his embrace. As she did, she was aware of a fierce heat and energy building between them. She felt incredibly draw to him and was distantly aware of sighs and gasps coming from the rest of the assembled crowd.

Whereas the room had been dimly lit, she was aware, even through her closed eyes, that a light was building.

She opened her eyes, and she was astonished to be looking out through a brilliant violet light. No, it was pinkish… and then a deeper red…

She could feel it consuming Zane and her as they sat side by side. With an exhilarating shock, she realized that she and Zane were the source.

For a moment, she felt they were spinning together. She looked down at their bodies and saw rays of light shooting out in all directions from their hearts. For a split second, she and Zane locked eyes, and a feeling of his love for her filled her to bursting.

"Its's so beautiful," she heard a woman's voice murmur under her breath.

The room was full of ‘oohs' and ‘aahs' as the light intensified.

Alena gasped as the brilliant light pulsed and swirled around her and Zane, their love radiating out in dazzling waves. She felt the energy building to a crescendo, the room vibrating with the power of their connection.

Mate. Love. Protect , her bear rumbled, reveling in the intensity of the moment. As the glow slowly faded, Alena blinked, taking in the awestruck faces around her. Abi and Kiki exchanged knowing smiles, nodding in satisfaction.

"Whoa," Brandon breathed, a stunned but softer expression on his face than she had ever seen before. "That was some serious mojo."

"Their love," Kiki exhaled, her voice soft with wonder. "It was the key to healing the town. The curse is broken."

Murmurs of disbelief and cautious optimism rippled through the group.

Amelia and Ruby beamed, pride and a certain knowingness shining in their eyes.

Dash shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Never thought I'd say this, but maybe a dragon and a bear falling in love was exactly what Misty Vale needed."

Alena's heart soared, even as nervousness fluttered in her belly.

Okay. If there was ever a time to tell him, it's now. This is beyond ridiculous.

Mustering up her courage, she turned to Zane, determined to finally share her news. She was aware she had already let this go far too long. But finally, it felt right.

If that light, and all this, isn't a sign…

"Zane, I need to tell you something," she began. "I'm—"

But he was deep in conversation with Striker, their voices adding to the rising cacophony of excited conversation that filled the chamber.

"Zane!" Alena tried a second time. But again, her whispers were drowned out by the steady increase in volume.

Though everyone seemed to be in a bit of an altered state, the "here and now" energy was quickly coming back into the room. A little louder this time, Alena cried, as she tapped him on the shoulder, "Zane!"

But he just kept on talking. Everyone appeared to be engaged in one animated discussion or another as they each seemed to be finally taking in the gravity of what they had achieved.

This is ridiculous.

It was turning into dinner-party-loud after about ten drinks—shifter drinks. This time, Zane was going to hear her.

Alena raised her voice just enough to be heard over the din. "Zane! I'm pregnant!"

But much to her horror, the words left her lips just as an ill-timed lull fell over the group's conversation. Silence immediately descended over the room as her words carried full and clear to every ear. All eyes widened in shock as they turned to the newly announced couple.

"Well, things seem to be progressing quite rapidly," Byron quipped in a rather deadpan voice.

But then, right on the heels of that, Abi squealed, bouncing on her toes. "Yay! Did you hear that, Rainbow? She finally told him! I told you everything always works out!"

Confused laughter erupted, the tension shattering like glass. Zane swept Alena into his arms, his eyes glistening with tears of joy.

"Huzzah!" someone cheered, the sentiment echoing through the chamber. Had that been Byron Livingstone? Sure had sounded like him.

As her mate peppered her face with kisses, Alena felt a sense of peace wash over her. They'd done it. Against all odds, they'd found their happily ever after.

Now it seemed all that was left was to deal with those pesky Forsaken Riders.