Shadow of the Werebear King

Not...What I Expected

---POV Damon---

What was with the urgency? Usually, my mom is fine taking care of the shelter by herself. No matter who walks through those doors. It’s one of the cool things about her. Taking her past trauma and turning it towards something good. Also, she may be pretty docile, but she is the most protective Luna I’ve ever seen. If she needs us, she may ask, but it’s very few and very far in between. Also, very few werebears actually come in groups. Usually, it’s one or two at a time that darken in her doorway. So, to have enough to say bears…? “Okay, we will be there in an hour. Please let Sam know that the kids will be fine with Grandma Rylee.” I called back peeling off my dirty clothes and tossing them aside, wishing I could do more than a quick shower after a night at the club, but it was good enough. If I wanted more, I should have attempted sleep for the few hours I had between the club and now.

“Sleep when we find our mate!” My bear snapped and I pushed him down again. He’s not kidding. Sleeping is almost laughable at this point. Who do I have to thank for that? Him. I grabbed a fresh pair of washed-out jeans, black boots, and a green t-shirt with a black leather jacket after rushing through the bathroom.

“Thank you, Damon.” She sighed in relief.

“It’s Saturday. I’m forced to have a couple of days off by the two of them anyway. The least I can do is help you in the shelter.” I added with a smirk, and her lighthearted giggles filled my mind. That’s a better sound. I wouldn’t say I was a momma’s boy by any stretch, but I am very protective of her. Since I’m the oldest, I saw first-hand what the past did to her. I miss enjoying her time off together. It was relaxing and distracting for both of us. Also, I know it helped her out a lot, so I didn’t mind.

She is much better now, but when we were younger, she was still struggling a bit. Unlike my aunts, she hesitated about everything, especially having children and, for a while, she made herself okay with it. She was always worried she was going to make the wrong choices and her trauma did present her with many…episodes from time to time, but now that our world is full of light, so is she. We all want to keep it that way. My dads brought me in on everything…in detail…about eight years ago, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy. They told me she will tell others if she felt as though that was needed. If not…. I shouldn’t push it. Our family knows enough, and they want to keep it that way. Within the inner circle.

“Alright then, I will see you soon.” She hummed before the link disappeared.

I walked down the stairs to reveal Gramps throwing the toddlers over his shoulders, Grandma setting down some snacks and dad resting on the couch, watching all this nonsense unfold. Now, we may seem pretty easy to read from the inside, but our family is anything but from the outside. My dad is my dad, Alpha Edon Oden of the Tri-Shifter Pack. Johnathan is directly related to Alpha Conri and the twins are directly related to Alpha Vil. We had three dads growing up, and we didn’t think anything of it, but as the years continued on, we noticed the slight differences. All three of them loved us just the same, but the four of us also felt it fair to know who our actual dad was. They weren't too keen on it at first, but they had to cave once we figured out the differences.

“Dad, Gramps, we need to go.” I called, and Gramps held on to Tommy while Dad looked up over his shoulder.

“Nope, remember I said, no working today. Gramps already had to drag you out yesterday.” Dad said sternly. “You need to chill more often kid. You and Johnathan won’t get that luxury for much longer.”

I walked over to the group and sat on the armchair. Ashley climbed into my lap and screamed happily while I bounced her on my knee. “I’m not working. Mom said there were some werebears at the shelter that we need to meet.”

“Really? Don’t the women usually deal with that?” Gramps said with a grin.

“Don’t the bears usually deal with our own kind, female or not?” Grandma shot right back, and Gramps raised his free hand in playful defeat. Like I said, if there was one thing in this world to calm a werebear - or keep them in check - it would be their mate. Their true mate. She may be his second chance, but Gramps sees her in the same light as his previous mate. We all do. Including mom.

“Yes, we do. She asked for us directly, so I’m sure it’s not just as simple as a girl thing.” I added, and Grandma winked at me approvingly.

“Does that mean you are leaving?” Ashley whimpered.

“Unfortunately, yes.” I said reluctantly. “But we will be back soon. It shouldn’t take long.”

“Promise Uncle Damon?” Tommy huffed. I laughed lightly and nodded.

“Promise. Make sure you take care of your sisters. We will be back soon. Until then, hang out with Grandma.” I said, luring them in with Grandma’s snacks. We all love her food. Even when my brothers and I were kids, everything she made was to die for. We used to hang out with them all summer and mom and dads would think we gained thirty pounds by the time we’d get back. Ha! Thirty pounds in snacks.

“Okay!” Ashley and Tommy said together as they wiggled out of mine and Grandpa’s arms racing for the snack table. I turned to dad and Gramps as they both nodded.

“Okay mom, we are ready when you are. Ask Ravi to send a portal.” I called through the link. The three of us got up and headed outside. Once we made it towards the main courtyard, a large portal appeared, and we nodded to each other before stepping inside.

We knew we had made it when the laughter of kids and moms filled our ears. Many of them raced around chasing each other while the moms looked on from a distance. Some kids were shifted into their animal forms while others stayed as humans. I looked around and sniffed the air. I was looking for my mom while my bear started to stir at an entirely different scent. Faint but very prominent. “What is that smell?” He asked as if I would have the answer.

“Not right now. We need to talk to mom.” I huffed back and he growled at me. I winced and rubbed my eyes.

“You alright, son?” Dad asked, and I turned to see the worry on his face. It wasn’t unwarranted. My bear has felt…off if that was the best way of saying it. He always seemed furious or really depressed depending on the day. It’s been going on like that for the last three years, and I’ve stayed clear of this place - and majority of my family - because of it. He’s starting to give up hope and I think anything that’s female and smells remotely alluring was grounds for a mate in his book. That thinking is not safe in a place like this.

“I’ll be fine.” I pressed through my teeth and started heading towards the offices. It’s a safe bet to start looking there and apparently I cannot trust my nose anymore. Once we said hi to a few of the women who remembered us from the last time dad and Gramps visited, we made it to the office. My mom was pacing, and dad’s first instinct was to comfort her, so she was in his arms in seconds. She gasped at the sudden movement and wrapped her arms around his neck while he rested her on his arm.

“What’s wrong, princess?” He asked and she blushed lightly.

“There are nine of them in total. They came here last night, and Sam found out about it when she came in this morning. Johnathan’s with her right now. Ravi, Em, and Lena are trying to talk to the women, but they are not interested in chatting, they just want to know if this is a safe place for their cubs. Even though we've told them many times that it is.” She said.

“It is a safe space for them, but we need to know more information. Are any of them underage without a guardian?” I asked.

“No. All are over eighteen and even though they are rogues, they came with the proper paperwork and documentation. They said their males thought it was imperative to keep on hand. However, many seemed to have been living wild their whole lives. They look really uncomfortable in their human forms.”

“Did any of them have a true mate when they left?” I continued to question.

She sighed again and shook her head. “One of them was marked, but she said it was forced, and she doesn't want to go back to him. I was thinking about calling in Zyair for her, but I cannot do anything until they talk to us.”

“Strange group.” Gramps said.

“Why are you not moving?!” My bear shouted, making my ears ring.

“Shut it.” I growled lowly.

“I need to know where that smell is coming from.” He snapped back, just as agitated.

“I need you to cool off. If you scare any of these women back into regression, I will suppress you so far in my mind, you’ll need Uncle Rollo or King Zyair to pull you back from my subconscious.” I warned, and he finally backed down.

“I agree, but we could have a conversation with them and see what happens. No promises though. If they are running from their males, it’s probably because of the previously barren spring running rampant throughout the States at the moment.” Dad said.

I was hoping that wasn’t the case, but all signs lead to that, and we are finding a lot more single mothers this year than before. I leaned on the back wall while they continued conversing about this. Doing my best to stay calm. “Johnathan.”

“Brother! What brings you into my mind link?” He asked with a chuckle. This is why everyone thinks Edon is his father, and I was born from Conri.

I sighed quietly and folded my arms. “Where are the women that came in last night?” My bear yipped with joy, and I pressed on him again in warning.

“They are in the east wing with our aunts and Ravi. I don’t know how we are going to get them to open up, but this is serious dude. They won’t even let me near them, and I’m the comedic relief!” He said with a sigh.

“I’ll go.”

“Wait, really dude?! You have dad’s genes. Do you think they are going to be okay with a Kodiak bear rolling up in there?!”

“I’m not hungry.” I said with a smirk.

“Not funny bro.” He snorted.

“Alright, alright. I need to see if they need anything. We –”

“We need to see if one of them is the cause of that delicious scent!” My bear shouted, no longer able to control himself.

Shaking my head, I focused back on my brother. “We cannot help them if they won’t talk. Dad and Gramps are here too, and they are talking with mom. Thanks to my spirit, I tuned them out already.” I answered honestly this time.

“Okay…I mean it’s worth a try.” He reluctantly sighed.

I pushed off the wall and headed toward the east wing. This was where the new tenants received all their medical needs as well as we received proof of age, name, and historical background for their safety and to meet with the guidelines of the city. I took a deep breath and there went that scent again. It was stronger now though. The question is why it was drawing us in so aggressively. I opened the door to the main meeting hall and was engulfed in the smell of rosemary and lilacs. I froze as the audience stared at me in shock. Some…in fear. I have to get it together. I cannot come running in here shouting, mate, just because of a smell. I need to wait and assess the situation. “No, we definitely need to start sprinting! I knew it! Mine! Finally, I have what’s mine!” My bear shouted.

“Hey Damon!” Em called, and I nodded to her before walking towards the group, placing an airtight mask over my face as my senses went into overdrive. Many of the women hid their children behind them and I tried to relax as to not seem so intimidating. It’s obvious I am also a werebear. I’m sure they could smell it. That, and like my dad, I’m not small in any way. I tower over them.

“Ladies, this is the next king of the werebears in Bodhi Cora. My nephew, Prince Damon Oden.” Lena called and their shock grew.

However, the thing that came next shocked us all. “Mate.” Someone said and it wasn’t me. It was one of them.