Shadow of the Werebear King

They Know

---POV Rosemarie---

Once I was finished with my meal, I left a sandwich for Damon and picked up my cub. He seemed like he was about to get fussy. I didn’t want to worry about that. I rocked him a bit until his whimpers filled the air. “Shhh…my little one. Momma’s here.” I hummed softly, before pulling my chest free and feeding him what I could. I haven’t had a proper meal in quite some time. Producing milk for him has been next to impossible. This time, thankfully, he latched, and I sighed in relief as he started to feed. “That’s it, Joshua.” I whispered again.

He was snoring now, and it was already past sundown. They have clocks here which is quite convenient. It seems to be around 6pm, but you would think it was past midnight for him. The man who is my mate. The next king. I reached out my hand hesitantly before I took the final leap of faith and tapped his arm.

He didn’t move.

I tapped one more time, and he shifted his head to turn towards the small bed Joshua was in. Then, he startled himself awake and turned to look around the room. What was he looking for? The minute he saw me and the baby, he relaxed and plopped onto the stool. Odd. “I didn’t know you were awake. You could have woken me sooner.” He said gruffly, rubbing his hand through his hair. “I…wasn’t expecting to sleep well, at all, to be honest with you. But the room was…calming.” He pulled out a small item from his pocket and I realized it was what humans call phones. They really have evolved since the last time I saw one. “Did you get anything to eat? The kitchens close in an hour. I can go grab something for you. It will only take a minute.” He added before tossing the thing back in his pocket.

Is he really still doting on me?! Oh Goddess. Why does this feel so nice? Breathe Rosemarie. Breathe. “Yes, your mother brought in some sandwiches for me. They were really good, so…I saved one for you?”

He looked up at me and smiled. Standing to his feet, he kissed my head then walked over to the leftover food. “Thank you, Rosie. You’re a lifesaver.” No, ‘that’s it’ or ‘this isn’t enough’? I wanted to say something to plead my case, but his response left me stunned to silence. Strange.

“Maybe his mom was right. He really isn’t what we think he is. Dummy!” My spirit is really laying it on thick! But…maybe she’s not wrong.

He sat back in the stool he was resting on and chowed down. The room remained silent until the last morsel was in his mouth, and he rubbed his face with the napkin. “You’re right. These were good. How’s little Arthur?”

“Who?” I asked, momentarily unaware of my lie.

He smirked and nodded to my child. “How is he?”

I blushed and covered myself before shifting Joshua in my arms to burp him. I forgot I lied about his name and…forgot to tell him Rosie is only a nickname. What’s worse, I exposed myself to him. If having a rogue for his mate didn’t deter him, my lack luster frame and modesty might. I’m not the smallest thing in the world. I may have lost some weight due to the famine, but who am I kidding? The curves were still there and accounted for. “Tell him now. It will be better than later.”

“No.” I shot back to my bear curtly. It’s only been a day. I can keep this up. If only for a little while longer. I’ll tell him later. It’s just a name.

“He’s doing well. S-Sorry, I’m still a little out of it.”

My bear snorted, and I could feel her eyes roll. “Real smooth.”

He nodded and threw away his trash with a flick of his wrist. It landed flawlessly in the bin across the room. “It’s quite alright. However, I need to chat with you about a few items.”

“Items?” I questioned, instinctually holding the baby closer.

“Right. Where you are going to live after the doctor releases you and what it means to be my mate. You know, things of that nature.” He responded matter-of-factly.

“You’re mate?”

Another smile fell on his lips. “Yes, Rosie. We talked about this before. What? Did you think I was going to change my mind?”

“It’s not your mind I need to convince, obviously. There is no way you will be able to keep me.” It fell from my lips faster than I was able to think, and I won’t be able to take that back. I guess I should just get comfortable here. It’s a guarantee that he’ll leave me behind now.

“You really are hopeless.” My spirit grumbled before disappearing into the recesses of my mind, blocking me out again. “Call me when you respect our mate.” She huffed.

The prince, however, laughed shortly and shifted his body to sit on the bed, facing me. His hand reached out and I pulled away. “I won’t hurt you. Remember?” I waited a moment before giving him a nod and slipping my free hand into his. Joshua was shifted back into the crook of my arm and snuggled in for another well-deserved rest. He looked down at my hand and his fingers intertwined with mine. Sighing deeply at the sight. “I don’t know about ‘keeping’ you since you are not an object, but I am more than looking forward to staying with you and building a life together.”

“You are aware you aren’t just any old werebear, you will be king one day.”

“Aye.” Really?! That’s it?! Do I have to spell it out for him? Why is he so dense? And he’s supposed to be the next king?!

“S-so that would make me a…no.”

“No regarding what, Rosie?” He asked, leaning down to meet my eyes with his. Wait…is he taunting me?

Sighing harshly, I pursed my lips and looked him over. “I cannot be queen. If I was on the outside looking in even the title of mistress wouldn’t suit me.”

He froze, and the silence felt heavier than before. “I cannot say there won’t be those who agree with you, but I will remind you as many times as needed. I am the only one you need to justify your standing to. You are my mate, my equal. As such, my queen. Well, princess first. My coronation is not until the beginning of the winter solstice.”

Finding ways to prove him wrong became further and farther in between. He brushed everything off like it was nothing. My hand tightened around his, and I looked down at Joshua squeaking out a small yawn. If I became queen, what will become of him? Benevolence cannot run that deep. “And my son?” I whispered.

“Hopefully our son one day.” The response was just as fluid as last time. No hesitation.

“Wait, our?” I couldn’t help it. He continues to stun me as if this is a fun little game for him. Why does he want to appease me so bad? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t I be graveling at his feet? Everything about him was wrong. He is supposed to be domineering and cruel. Rule with an iron fist and all that. His mother really was right. Why is he kind and understanding?

A flash of a man I hadn’t seen in many years ran across my mind and a gasp fell from my lips. It was my father. The man who loved my mother and I with absolute resolution. He protected us from everything that came our way and provided safety when worry was the only thing we could see. He was nothing like the men I’d met after my parents returned to the Goddess. More like the man in front of me…. He was my center.

A flash of a woman came shortly after, and the tears became lodged in my throat. Is that what it feels like to mourn? I always used to think that their loss was what we had to deal with. Attachment and love were just as fleeting and predictable as the seasons. Short-lived and always expected to change. Maybe that wasn’t what I was taught. Maybe that is what I forced myself to believe.

It was how I chose to cope with my loss. How I chose to cope with being alone. Maybe that is why I cannot fully open up to the prince. Not because he’s a prince. It’s because I cannot lose another person that I will hold dear. That will hold me close as my true protector. Like my parents.

“Listen, I know you don’t trust me yet and, to be honest, I’m glad that you aren’t so easily swayed one way or another. Life as a royal is not all that it is cracked up to be. Not everything is the persona that the family promotes. It’s difficult and many more are keen on seeing you fail than succeed. However, be clear, I will not be one of those people. One of these days, I will know you in your greatest accomplishments and even your most embarrassing weaknesses, but that will go both ways. Until then, I will wait. I will give you time.” He turned to look at the clock and stood to his feet. “That includes giving you some space. Thank you for letting me rest here. I think that’s the best sleep I’ve gotten in many years. If you need anything during the night, please do not hesitate to call the nurses. I have a meeting I need to prepare for. Please get some rest, Rosie. If you need me, I will come when you call for me.” He bowed once and headed for the door, adjusting his shirt.

“Wait!” I called. I don’t know why I called, but seeing him leave me was harder than I ever thought possible. The prince froze at the door and turned to look over his shoulder. “Please wait. I…I don’t want you to disappear. I’m just a bit overwhelmed, is all. Please…please don’t go.” I huffed as if my breath was leaving with him.

He turned to fully face me and folded his arms. “I do not want to make you uncomfortable, and I know your friends would like to see you as well. It might be better if I’m not in the room. I know I can make people feel…well let’s just say I don’t see people’s true selves often.”

I shook my head. “Please take a seat. I don’t want you to leave without me telling you something first.”

He slowly crossed the sterile room full of beige and white before he was back on the stool he’d positioned next to the bed, looking directly at me. Giving me his undivided attention. “I’m all ears.” He encouraged.

I pursed my lips. My bear is right. I cannot lie to him. I cannot be one of those people who wears a mask around him. He deserves more. If he is willing to be my mate, knowing my circumstances and my unfaithfulness to the bond, then I will do my best to empower his decisions. “My name is Rosemarie Anders. I am twenty-three years old, and I am a rogue werebear from the great Alaskan Wilderness. The father of my son’s name is Parker. He does not have a last name, but he is a brown bear with a scar on his right shoulder and left cheek. I had…um…” I paused, waiting on him to be angry or start shouting about the loss of my firstborn to some random man, but he continued to sit there silently listening to me.

“That’s because he’s our mate. You better not stop now.” Bear to the…rescue again. If you want to call it that.

I shook my head and turned my eyes back to his. Focusing there, made me feel better. “I had…Joshua eight months ago and we have been on the run to escape the famine raging on the western side of the continent for the last couple of months. I’ve never been in an official pack or sleuth, but I will do my best to become accustomed to the traditions that your family requires. I’m sorry I lied about my son’s name. I was worried about his safety, but one thing I know for sure is you are not lying to me. That contempt and malice I’m so used to seeing from Parker or other members of our group…. I don’t see it with you. So…so don’t think I’m shutting you out. As long as you still want to be with me…I’ll stay.”

The words just fell from my lips. I know my bear is the full cause of all this honesty, but everything about the conversation I had with him earlier reminded me that there can still be good in people. That…my parents weren’t an anomaly. He may be the prince now, but he isn’t the one from my childhood nightmares. That should count for something. I cannot say they are the same. When they aren’t. That’s not fair to him or to our bond. A bond I am hopeful will flourish. I can do this. I just need to have a little more faith in miracles.

The prince reached out his hand slowly, but he didn’t take mine. He waited for me. I closed the space between us, and he sighed in relief. “Thank you for being honest with me, Rosemarie. I have faith in your ability to succeed and to trust me. The Moon Goddess would not have paired me with you if we couldn’t handle it. My family is a prime example of just that. My mother has three mates, and they make it work. If they can, I think we can too.”

Three mates?! I guess that didn’t register to me. Maybe because I only heard of the one they called Edon? “Okay.” I said, agreeing with his optimism instead of questioning it…again.

He raised my hand up to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I just need to get some reference material, and I’ll stay here tonight, but I will be gone quite early in the morning. Please do not let that stop you from getting some rest. Fair?” He added.

I nodded quickly, and I couldn’t help the smile that formed. “I think that sounds fair. From what I can see, I’m in good hands, so I’ll see you when you get back. H-Hopefully soon?” Press down the fear. He said he’d be back.

“I won’t even be long enough for you to miss me.” He kissed my hand once more and reached over to tap Joshua’s nose before walking out the door. This time when I saw his large frame disappear through the door, it felt different.

This time, I was eager for his return.