Jacob said that he understood why Gage was hesitant to explain the bear shifter and leadership information with me. “Most humans wouldn’t know how to react to the news that they were married to someone who could turn into a bear at will. Every bear shifter has one soulmate. Once he or she has found the soulmate, to lose that person would make the bear shifter die. It literally would kill the soul. The soulmate completes the bear and makes the bear whole.”
I looked at him and narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t going to buy that excuse from Jacob any more than I bought it from Gage. “Don’t you think that if a person was a bear shifter’s true soulmate, then the person would understand and be completely accepting of the shifter’s identity? After all, to be soulmates, the two must love each other unconditionally. Whether they are bears, scorpions, or whatever.”
Jacob pressed his lips together, and the expression on his face said, “I’ve got nothing.”
“I would have understood. Just like I understand now. If Gage loves me like he says he does, then he would have known I would understand his identity and accept him for who he is. Don’t you agree?” My gaze was straight on Jacob’s.
He didn’t answer that question. Instead, he said, “You are the right wife for him. You aren’t afraid to take a bite out of anyone’s behind, are you?”
“Nope,” I said.
Madison and Lanie were laughing. There weren’t too many people who would stand up to Jacob, and certainly not an outsider. He tended to be a little intimidating. They loved seeing someone put Jacob in his place.
“You will have to forgive both of the men,” Madison said. “Although they act big and macho on the outside, inside, they are always scared little boys. It will take them forever to own up to stealing a cookie if they think it’s going to get them in trouble, and it doesn’t matter if they are three or thirty.”
Lanie laughed. “That’s the truth of it all.”
Madison said, “You also have to keep in mind Gage is male. Men are difficult and hard-headed. They also don’t always think clearly. Especially when it has something to do with the fairer sex.”
“Hey, I rebuke that remark,” Jacob said. “And I say that is gender profiling.”
“If the shoe fits, dear brother,” Lanie said.
He just sighed. “I couldn’t win, anyway. There are too many women here.”
“There would be too many women here for you to win if it was just Luka.” Madison laughed at him, slipping her hand into his.
He looked at her for a second before he grinned. “True that,” he said and kissed her on the forehead.
I changed the subject to get more information because I wasn’t sure how honest Gage would be. Not that he would lie to me, but that he would defend his brother, regardless of how much of a pain Amon was being. “With this conflict between Gage and Amon, is Amon dangerous?”
The three shifters looked at each other. Then, Madison said, “I think he is. He was always jealous of Gage. Gage was always a little stronger and a little smarter than Amon. Amon can also be a bully. He is sneaky and doesn’t play by the rules. I think if he sets his mind on something, he will go to great lengths to get what he wants.”
“What about being the leader?” I asked.
Jacob said, “We are watching him closely. We don’t really trust him, and we aren’t sure what he will do. He has to know that even if something happened to Gage, no one would allow him to assume leadership. That role would go to Madison.”
I nodded. “I hate to sound like I have my own self-interests in mind, but do you think I am in danger?”
The three of them exchanged glances again and nodded.
“If he thinks he can use you to get to Gage, he will. Watch your back around him,” Jacob said.
That was what I was afraid of. I looked at the women. “Are there things that I’m supposed to be doing since my husband is the clan leader?”
“There are some duties you will have. But Lanie and I will be there with you, every step of the way, won’t we, Lanie?” Madison answered.
Lanie nodded.
“For now, how about if we go in and say hello to my rascally brother?” Madison asked with a grin.
16
Gage
When I heard Luka talking to some people outside, I knew immediately that my sister, her best friend, and my best friend had come to visit. I had been expecting them. Madison never goes anywhere without Lanie and Jacob attached to her. I silently hoped that Madison and Jacob would admit they were in love and get married soon. They were made for each other.
When they came into the bedroom, Luka sat beside me on the bed and held my hand. That was a good sign. I hadn’t doubted her words when she told me that she was angry with me but still loved me, yet I still enjoyed the gesture. It was reassuring.