Chapter Twenty-Five

Elena

I watch in silence as the guards usher Cal back into his cell. I've been so worried about him, and now, his presence brings a strange mix of relief and concern, relief at seeing him seemingly unharmed, at least not more than he had been, and concern because I see the deep lines etched onto his forehead. He has found something out, something monumental. I can tell. My heart races with a million questions, but before I can voice any of them, Cal reassures me.

"I'm fine, El," he says, his voice a hushed whisper. "There is much to talk about, but not now."

The urgency in his words doesn't escape me, and I nod in understanding. However, our brief exchange is cut short as the guards abruptly turn their attention toward me. The heavy footsteps approach, and I feel a knot tighten in my stomach.

One of the guards unlocks my cell door and walks over to me, grabbing me by the upper arm. He proceeds to take me outside and the other one follows closely.

"Where are you taking her?" Cal shouts after me, but no one replies.

I want to ask the same question, but I know that it won't serve any purpose. I need to bide my time and see where they will take me. Fear is making it increasingly more difficult to breathe properly. We walk in silence, and I realize that they are taking me back to the surface, instead of deeper underground.

We walk out, and the soft glow of the moonlight welcomes me back. I inhale the sweet fragrance of pines, allowing it to wash over me. We pass a few small groups of shifters in their human form. They all eye me weirdly, curiously. I refuse to look away from any of them. That is the little dignity and bravery I have left.

Finally, we stop in front of a tent, with its makeshift doors closed. The tent stands tall and proud, its dark fabric blending with the shadows of the night. It is adorned with tribal symbols and patterns, intricately woven into the material, reflecting the notion that whoever dwells inside has both authority and status. The entrance door is marked by a set of hanging beads that rustle gently at the onslaught of the wind.

The guard who has been holding me pushes me forward, gesturing that I am to enter on my own, without them. I swallow heavily, wondering what will happen when I enter.

I take a step without thinking, and the hanging beads graze against my skin gently as I pass through. Inside, the tent is more spacious than it seems on the outside. The walls are decorated with more symbols and trophies. The air carries the scent of burning incense, creating an atmosphere of both mystery and reverence.

In the very center of the tent, there is a makeshift, throne-like chair, adorned with furs and feathers. There are various artefacts surrounding it, each telling a story of their own. And there, on the chair, a man is sitting. I can immediately tell that he is the leader of this clan. His presence looms large, even with him seated.

I turn to my left, noticing a makeshift bed, crafted from a large bearskin rug. I shudder at the thought that he killed one of his own. The bear's face is wild and primal, its mouth open wide.

"You must be El," he tells me, getting up.

He is quite the specimen, large and muscular, his face square and his eyes deep. But there is a menacing nature to his presence, undeniably so.

"Yes," I nod, thinking that perhaps it wouldn't be a good thing to provoke him from the onset. First, I have to see what he wants.

"So, you are the one who has charmed my brother and the leader of the other clan," he says, walking up to me. There is a certain scent about him, unpleasant and heavy, almost animal-like. I try to breathe through my mouth so as not to inhale too much of it.

"Your brother?" I echo, not understanding.

"Cal," he reveals.

Suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The look on Cal's face, his words that there is much to discuss, but not now. This has to be it.

"He is your brother?" I ask, needing confirmation of this.

"Yes, but that doesn't concern you," he says, cupping my chin with his fingers to make me look up at him. "What does concern you is the fact that the entire Ursidae clan will no longer be in existence."

I gasp at his words, pulling away from his touch, as if he scorched me. He grins, but he doesn't touch me again, remaining dangerously close.

"You can't do that," I say defiantly.

"I can and I will," he assures me. "As for you, you'll be happy to hear I have other plans for you."

My eyes widen in shock. "What other plans?"

He goes over my entire body with his gaze, and I feel absolutely gross, as if he's managed to lick me somehow, without even touching me.

"I have to say, I can't see what makes you so special that they both wanted you as their mate, but I guess I'll have to find out for myself," he tells me.

Outraged, I lift my hand to slap him, but he manages to catch my wrist in time to prevent my hand from reaching his face.

"Feisty," he murmurs through that wicked grin. "I like that."

He retains hold of my wrist, lowering my hand down, then gently twisting it behind my back, rendering me almost helpless.

"I like it when you are feisty, but it is important that you know your place," he tells me and I feel his scent overpowering me completely, suffocating me, grabbing me by the throat and making it impossible for me to breathe.

"My place is as far away from you as possible," I hiss at him. "I'll never be what you want me to be, never!"

He completely ignores my words and looks down in a way that sends shivers down my spine.

"First, I have to check you," he says. I don't like the sound of that. In fact, I hate it.

At that moment, his other hand starts unbuttoning my pants and I try to push him away with my free hand.

"No! No! Leave me alone!" I shout as loud as I can, but I know that no one will come to my aid.

He is too strong for me to do anything. I can't fight him off. All I can do is endure whatever it is he wants to do with me. Grunting silently, he proceeds to unbutton my pants and without any warning, he shoves his hand down my panties, between my legs.

"What are you doing??" I shout at him, trying to squirm away, but he's got his other hand around my waist and behind my back, keeping me steady and in place.

"Shhh," he finally says.

I feel his fingers between my thighs, and for a moment, I think he wants to take me. My mind is a total blank. Tears start streaming down my face as I keep fighting him with all my strength, but that is not nearly enough.

At that moment, he pulls out his hand, and I feel a tidal wave of relief wash over me, although I know it is far from over. He still has his hand around me, and he could do this same horrible thing again and again if he wants to.

He brings his fingers to his lips and licks the ones that have just touched my most intimate flesh. He tastes me, not taking his eyes off of me, clicking his lips in a satisfied manner.

"Yes," he finally says after what feels like a whole eternity of this torture. "You are fertile. We can do it now."

"Do what?" I gasp in horror.

Then, he lets go of me. "But I don't want you in these human rags."

He walks away from me, towards a small chest positioned near the entrance of the tent. With deliberate motion, he opens it, revealing an array of carefully folded clothes. I can't see them clearly. All I can see is the shimmering fabric of the dress he selects and takes out. It isn't like anything I've ever seen before, exuding a sort of a tribal charm, its fabric adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

He turns towards me, holding the dress with a commanding gaze.

"Wear this," he orders.

"Why?" I ask boldly.

"It would be wise to ask less questions," he advises me.

"Or what?" I demand, unafraid at this point. He already said that the entire Ursidae clan is doomed to die at the hand of his own clan. What else can he do to make me listen to him?

"Or I will make Cal and the leader of your clan suffer so much that they will wish they are dead," he explains slowly, in a way that assures me he means every single word of it. "But death won't come, and it will be all your fault. Now, if you piss me off some more, I will glue your eyelids open and make you watch the entire thing, knowing that you caused it, but it is too late to change anything."

I shiver with fear in front of this monster. I dare not even say animal, because not even animals kill with so much joy. For him, killing has become exactly that. I can hear it in his every word.

"But if you do as I say, I promise that I will make everyone's death swift and as painless as possible," he tells me solemnly, in a way that I can almost glimpse at the human side of him. But that is only for a brief second, and then it's gone again.

"How do I know that you will keep your promise?" I ask, still refusing to accept the dress. Once it is in my hands, I know that will seal the deal.

He obviously doesn't like my question. He frowns at it, then he steps closer to me, looking down, because our heights don't allow us to be on the same eye level.

"All those who have questioned my word have not lived to tell about it," he reveals, and I know he's telling the truth. "But I will forgive you for this transgression. My word is my honor. It is the honor of every bear shifter… or at least, it should be."

With those words, he hands me the dress and I know this is the moment I have to accept it. It feels silky soft in my hands, but I tremble at the touch of it.

"Put it on and wait for my return."

He doesn't wait for me to reply to that. He simply walks around me leaving the tent, obviously giving me some privacy to change.

I refuse to admit defeat. Not yet. I hurry toward the exit of the tent, a surge of urgency fueling my every movement. However, as I reach it, I discover that two guards are standing watchfully in front, with weapons in their hands. Leaving unseen would be an impossible task. Just as one of them is about to turn toward me, I hide back inside the tent.

The seconds tick by, and I know the leader will be back any moment. If I'm not in that dress, I fear that he might remain true to his word and start with Cal, who is already here. Without a second thought, I start taking off my clothes and putting on the dress. There is no mirror anywhere around, but I don't want to see myself like this. The sight might make me burst into tears.

The thought of what will happen makes my entire body tremble. But his promise of doing horrible, unspeakable things to Rock and Cal forces me to be brave, to endure everything… for them.