Chapter Two

Rock

"Are we really going to let her stay there?" I hear Cal ask, once we are at a safe distance from the girl.

I don't reply anything at first. She's a human. As such, she shouldn't be our concern. I told her to go back to Pinehaven. In other words, I told her to go back to her own kind, for her own safety. It's her own fault for being too stubborn for her own good.

"Rock?" Cal's voice brings me back to the present moment, as we're walking through the woods. For us, it is not a place of danger. On the contrary, these woods have always been our home. It is a place we have grown our roots in, the place that has birthed us, and seen us die for generations. Now, a new danger looms on the horizon, threatening to destroy the only life we knew, threatening to make us slaves, instead of what we've always been, and that is the masters of our own fate.

"You're not here, are you?" Cal speaks to me softly, as I turn to him. "You're thinking about them, aren't you?"

I nod. He's always been able to read me like an open book. Sometimes, it is a good thing. Most of the time. But other times, you want to be able to keep at least some of your private thoughts private.

"They're still too far away," I assure him. "The girl is safe."

"Elena," he corrects me, but I am still lost in my own thoughts.

"What?" I ask, frowning, not sure what he said.

"Her name," he explains, as he bends down to walk underneath a particularly low branch, flowering in thorns. As he does so, he urges me to do the same. I silently bend down, then emerge unscathed on the other side, where our path continues. "It is Elena," he adds, as we're once again walking side by side.

I turn to him with that same look of incomprehension. "Her name is irrelevant."

"Is that right?" Cal is seemingly unable to resist chuckling and the woods echoes with the sound of his voice. It will slowly start to get dark in a while, but the woods are still a beautiful place. As darkness enshrouds them, they become a completely different place. To some, even unrecognizable.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"You showed yourself to her," he pointed out. "You didn't want to allow me to have some fun."

Cal's idea of fun was frightening unsuspecting humans in his bear form and making them run or cower in fear. It was funny only to him, but that never stopped him.

"Think about it, Cal," I inhale deeply, as we're approaching the cave, which is actually a secret passageway towards our small village, where we have been hiding for ages from the humans. Actually, it could be said that we've been right under their noses the whole time, but humans rarely know where to look. "She's not from Pinehaven, but from God knows where. You could have frightened her to death."

"Or away," Cal tells me.

"Hm," I ponder. "I haven't considered that option."

"I don't know," he shrugs as we instinctively linger at the entrance of the cave. "I could have frightened her away, but you had to interfere. Maybe, you don't really want her gone."

I frown at him. Of course I want her gone. I don't want any humans here, other than the ones from Pinehaven we already have to endure. With them, we know where we stand. They, of course, have no idea that we are bear shifters. One of our ancestors made the mistake once of revealing that to someone from their town, and long story short, we will never make that mistake again. Still, the people from Pinehaven belong here… in a way. Just like we do. We've adjusted to them, and they've adjusted to us, thinking we are just a small village of people, just like them. We don't go there often. Not often enough to stir any suspicions, but still often enough for them to be assured that we're just like them. No more, no less.

"Of course I want her gone," I speak my thoughts loudly this time. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt, that's all."

"But she's a looker, you gotta admit that," he grins as he turns to me.

"What do her good looks have to do with this?" I wonder.

Yes, what does her luscious, fiery red hair have to do with this? Or her doe-like eyes? Or her body that belongs to a goddess? Absolutely nothing. It doesn't matter. None of it does.

"So, you've noticed?" Cal seems to be having a blast with this.

"I'm not blind, you know," I huff, as I walk into the cave, past the overhanging vines and moss-covered rocks. He follows closely behind.

As we venture inside, the narrow passage leads us into the heart of the mountain. The air becomes cool and damp, and the only sound is the distant echoing drip of water from unseen stalactites.

"I can't remember the last time you've noticed anyone of the opposite sex," Cal continues with this incessant topic. "I was beginning to think you died inside." He chuckles at his own words, not even waiting for my response.

"You're a real smartass, you know?" I reply, hiding my own grin.

The passage twists and turns, occasionally narrowing and then widening again, as if nature itself carved a mysterious labyrinth. As we progress deeper, the walls of the cave are adorned with shimmering mineral deposits, casting a faint, ethereal glow. The ground beneath our feet is uneven, worn smooth by the footsteps of all those bear shifters who have passed through this passageway before us.

"And that's why you love me," Cal continues playfully. "Admit it."

"Never," I reply, as the darkness around us begins to yield, and a soft light filters in, gradually revealing open space ahead. As we emerge from the final curve of the passage, the cave opens up into a breathtaking clearing bathed in natural light. Sunbeams stream through a large opening in the cave ceiling, creating a play of shadows on the rocky floor.

"Seriously now," Cal nears me as we continue to walk past the quaint cottages, constructed from a blend of timber and fieldstones. The pitter-patter of small feet is heard nearby and then, a mother's laughter. I know what he will tell me. I know, because he's not the only one mentioning it. "What if she stays and they come?"

I inhale deeply, raking my fingers through my hair. I know what he means. She is indeed in danger if they come. But they aren't close… yet. We have only been warned. Not attacked.

"We've warned her," I remind him, as I notice the thatched roofs adorned with wildflowers and ivy. It's the female touch in the village, of which there has been so little lately. Finding a mate has never been more difficult than in this day and age.

We reach the communal square, at the very heart of the village. There are a few bear shifters there, in their human form, nodding to us as we pass them by.

"Rock?" one of them addresses me. I never liked formal address and preferred us all being on a first name basis. "I need to talk to you. Can I come by this evening?" He seems worried.

"Of course," I nod, stopping to pat him on the shoulder. "My door is always open."

"Thank you," I smile in a way that makes him feel reassured, but I know that he is scared, just like everyone else, because they don't know what will happen. In all honesty, not even I know this. But I know that I will protect them all with my dying breath.

Cal and I continue walking past an old bubbling fountain, sculpted in the likeness of mythical creatures. Its waters reflect the dancing sunlight. A few children are playing, as their laughter echoes through the air. We pass several other houses, each with its own small garden, where those who live there cultivate numerous vegetables and herbs, exchanging them with others.

"I doubt one warning will do," Cal reminds me of something I myself know already.

We reach my home and stop in front of the door. The entrance is framed by intricately carved wooden bear statues, symbolizing strength and resilience, standing guard on either side. The cottage itself, though not large, exudes an air of both authority and comfort.

"Do you want to come in?" I ask.

"I promised I will help Willow with her roof," Cal explains, shaking his head. "It's been leaking for the past two days."

"Good," I nod. "Will you need anything from town?"

"Not yet, I think," Cal replies. "We still have some supplies, but probably soon."

"All right," I acknowledge. "We'll organize a small group and go… next week?"

"Sounds fine," he answers. I wait for him to go, but there is obviously something bothering him.

"Something on your mind?" I ask, narrowing my gaze at him. He's usually not shy about expressing his opinion on anything, so this is a surprise.

"The girl," he admits. "She was really scared when she saw me. What if a bear stumbles onto her? I mean, not one of us, but just a bear. He won't be able to stop himself from hurting her."

"All the more reason for her to go home, or at least to Pinehaven and stay there, if she wants to take these stupid photos."

"You know she wants to take photos of us, right?"

"Of course I know," I frown. "I'm not that stupid."

"Just saying," he shrugs.

"I've got enough on my mind with everything that's going on," I remind him. "I have the whole village to look after. A human girl who's decided to come to the middle of the woods on a photography whim is none of my concern."

"If you say so," he shrugs, but the grin on his face lingers for much longer than I'd like it to.

Before I can say anything else, he turns around and walks in the direction of Willow's cottage. I turn the knob to my door and enter my little haven, closing the door behind me. Upon stepping inside, a warm hearth dominates the main living space. The walls are decorated with bear pelts and tribal tapestries. The scent of burning pinewood and fragrant herbs lingers in the air, and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. This scent has always managed to put me at ease.

A plush rug, woven with earthy tones and bear motifs covers the wooden floor, providing a soft contrast to the sturdy furnishings. In the corner, a handcrafted wooden table serves as a focal point, with carved runes depicting our clan's history and achievements. I walk over to it and caress it with the tips of my fingers. A map of the surrounding wilderness is spread across its surface, marked with strategic points and territories under the Ursidae clan's guardianship. My own chair, crafted from dark, polished wood and covered in bear fur, occupies a prominent position at the head of the table.

As in all the other cottages, my sleeping quarters are tucked away behind a woven curtain, just a large bed with a bearskin quilt and intricately embroidered pillows. One of the females who have crossed over from another clan, marrying into ours, is a skilled seamstress, and her gift for the entire village were embroidered pillows of all kinds, sizes and colors. There is a small sturdy wooden dresser by the bed, and on it, tribal jewelry and ceremonial artifacts displayed alongside a small collection of my books that I have gathered on my travels to the land of humans.

I've always tried to keep us separated, but it seems that our paths have been destined to cross. My mind wanders back to Elena. Of course, I remember her name. I remember much more about her than I'm willing to admit, even to myself. I know this is all risky, too risky. But I know that Cal is right. Something is telling me I have to keep her safe… at all cost.