The council bears laid out furs and pillows, inviting Hank and Helen to sit in front of the fire. Aurora stepped into a small adjoining room and returned with two cups. Handing them to Hank and Helen, she told them, “Drink this. It’ll help restore your strength.”
“Do you know what’s wrong with us?” Helen asked.
“It’s simple, really. You’ve been living in the lower regions, too far from our ancestral homeland. It’s amazing you survived as long as you have.”
“Maybe it helped that we did travel farther north in the summer months. But yes, we’ve been sick for a long time,” Hank said.
“Rest here, for now. The drink will make you sleepy. Tonight, the real healing magic begins. Same for you, Adam, if you want to be healed.”
“Healed? What the hell are you talking about? And I have no intention of staying here overnight if that’s what you are suggesting.”
Aurora stepped over to the door and opened it. “Come, Adam. Let’s walk together.”
Adam followed her out the door, but he was already beyond annoyed. After all, he wasn’t the type of man to tiptoe around the subject at hand. It was no wonder that Aurora’s mysterious, roundabout approach rubbed him the wrong way.
“I imagine this place looks much different than when you saw it last,” she said.
“That would be an understatement. What happened?”
“The clan had enough. Enough of the corruption, the extortion, the cruelty. Several bears got together and took it upon themselves to overthrow the alpha. It wasn’t easy. The old council supported him, and they attempted to raise an army. We were on the brink of a civil war. Weeks later, after much blood had been spilled, the alpha and his council were dead. That’s when the real work began. We had to create a functioning clan with a council that worked for the betterment of everyone. You must have noticed that we are no longer nomads. We have a year-round home here.”
“I’d say you’ve been very successful. Congratulations. Now tell me, how do you know who I am? Be straight with me.”
“I am a shaman and a seer. It’s my nature to know every bear of the clan. You’ve been gone a long time. Be thankful you didn’t go as far as Hank and Helen. You can see the effects it has had on them.”
“What is this about Joy? How do you know her?”
“I told you, I know all the bears of the clan. Her mother was once one of ours. She left the north slope with a human man after she found out she was pregnant. Because they moved far south, she too lost her ability to shift, and she became weak. She was so weak that when the time came to give birth, she couldn’t survive it. The baby was fine. A little girl, who was named Joy.”
“Her mother was a bear shifter? Then why wouldn’t she know about shifters? Because, I’m telling you, she literally passed out from shock when she learned about us. And wouldn’t she also get sick?”
“Because she was born far away from the power of the polar region, she never shifted. Her shifter gift was never activated. For all intents, she was just human. But she isn’t. What do you think called her to move here? It’s because this is her ancestral home.”
“Joy is a bear? Are you sure about this? Because I am having a hard time believing it. If you haven’t heard, she bailed out of here quick. She had zero desire to stick around. So much for your call of the wild theory.”
“Remember, she is just as much human as she is bear. Until she shifts for the first time, she’ll always be pulled in between two worlds.”
“So that’s your plan? Force her to shift? I can’t imagine anything more cruel. She would lose her mind.”
“Of course not. And I doubt she would ever agree to it if she knew it was an option. You, on the other hand, have a choice.”
“A choice? Of what? What are you rambling about?” he asked, growing more frustrated by the minute by the non-answers and shaman magic shit.
“You know she is your mate. And she wants nothing to do with you. That pain will only increase, eating you alive until you die a painful death from a broken heart. Since forcing her to mate is not realistic, the only option is to wipe your memory of her. That is something I can offer you. It will erase that pain you feel.”
“Yeah, at the cost of never remembering her. And never finding my true mate.”
“Exactly. But there is an upside. The clan needs bears like you. Good men. We have open seats on the council.”
“I’ve noticed. And how painful would it take for me to go through this?”
“All it takes is just a moment of magic. In fact, we could do it tonight when we cure Hank and Helen.”
Adam walked silently with her. Approaching the sea, he stared out at the waves breaking on the shore. He couldn’t believe he was actually considering her offer.
Sensing the storm in his mind, Aurora turned to him. “Come to the main lodge tonight. Meet with the council. Give us your decision then,” she said, walking away.
Adam nodded and set off for a quiet walk along the shore. The pain he felt was beyond anything he’d ever known.