Craved by Bears

Prologue

Prologue

I never thought I'd ever be a mother. Not in this world. I never planned on having children. The Drowning destroyed so many lives and if I'm honest, I'm still worried that it might happen again. The climate hasn't stopped changing yet. There may be more catastrophes in the future. Who knows if the apocalypse is over or not. Having children in this environment seems like a stupid thing to do. Nobody can guarantee them a safe future. One without death and hunger and craziness.

Still, when I look at her, I don't regret it in the slightest. She has her tiny hand wrapped around my index finger, holding on tight, even though she's fast asleep. She did the cutest yawn before she nodded off, and I had to stop myself from kissing her all over. She's the prettiest baby in the entire world and the most amazing one at that. She's a miracle. My own, personal miracle.

If the bear community knew about her, she'd be their miracle as well. The first bear shifter baby in years. She doesn't know it yet, but she's the future of our people. The first in a new generation. I hope there are other cubs being born in the shifter enclaves around the world. I don't want to think about what would happen if not. The end of our species. And a loveless life for little Ruby.

No, she's going to find a mate once she's grown up. She still has a long time until then. I don't even want to think about her being a grown woman at some point. No, I'm going to enjoy every second of her childhood, treasuring her not just because she's the bear shifters' future, but because she's my daughter.