Chapter 2

Talia (9 Years later Part 2)

When we wake, it is dark out. I look around and realize I have a raging headache. I reach up and feel something warm and wet in the back of my head. ‘Someone shot us in the head. I had to wait to bring you back or they would have seen you shift back to human.’ Soteria whimpers out. She is in pain to but is now healing us both. ‘Thanks Love. Its okay. Take your time, I’ll get us something to eat.’ I respond back. Death toll 10. I search for food and a place to sleep. I can still smell the victims nearby, but with the smell of blood I lost, I need to recover first. Good thing the moon goddess gifted Soteria the ability to heal. Once I find our meal for the night, a deer, and Soteria fully heals me I let her take over.

She studies the deer and goes to make a move when we spot a Bambi. We decide to let mother be and find another big animal that Soteria can eat. Our strength is dwindling, but we find another animal. A bear. ‘No way Soteria, you are not strong enough yet.’ I remind her. She doesn’t respond but instead lays on her back. ‘What are you doing? Get up!’ The bear moves behind a tree, and we hear bones cracking and popping back into place. ‘Soteria, you knew?’ I asked her. ‘Yes, the Moon Goddess said he will help get the victims out. We cannot do it alone. I saw a vision of them looking for us now. We need to stay hidden.’ She responds. The man that was once a bear comes into sight and waves. ‘Okay, WAIT you saw the future?!?!’ I ask Soteria and her response was to shift back into me.

“Um, hi I’m Talia.” I say to the man. He just smiles and points back to where the bunker is. I look and see them moving the victims out of the bunker. Damn, I’m late and have no time to gain my strength back. “I’ll distract them, if you lead them to the safe house about 20 miles from here. That’s where my clan is. Okay Wolf Girl?” Was his response. I look back at him and nod my head. He moves back behind the tree and I back away, so I don’t accidentally look in his direction as he takes his clothes off to shift.

Once shifted I look at his bear form. It is so majestic and beautiful. With his brown and red fur, cute white beans for toes, and there is even a white stripe going across his back. Strange I think that a bear looks different than most, but no different then Soteria with her red eyes and white fur and black toes. Maybe shifter bears are gifted as well? He runs to the bunker, scaring the victims and the traffickers. I hear a few say get the tranquilizer. I immediately run to the bunker from behind, and get the attention of the victims by throwing a few rocks there way. Once I wave them towards me to indicate that I’m safe, they follow hurriedly.

I take them the way that bear shifter said to take them. We had to stop a few times to pick the smaller pups and children who couldn’t keep up. We all took turns carrying them. It’s been awhile since we left that bunker now and I’m starting to see a house. I slow down and tell the victims to stop moving. I sniff the air and let Soteria through a bit to help enhance my scent. I think I smell that its clear, but I hear roaring as well. ‘What do we do?’ I ask Soteria. I feel her smiling when she says, ‘Trust him. Then call brother to let him know the mission is done so we can find our mate again.’ I take the victims closer to the house.

As we approach the house, I see that it is more of a cabin type. Like the ones that blend into the environment but much homier. The exterior had weathering steel and the roof had a natural canopy. We get to the porch and I knock three times. I strained listening, but heard absolutely nothing. Hmm must be soundproof walls. After a few minutes I go to knock again when….. “Its my house just go inside.” We all jump looking for the mans voice. ‘Behind the tree closest to the house to your left human’ Soteria instructed. I look over there and the same man that helped distract the traffickers appeared, only this time he had on a hunter outfit on. A cowboy hat, with the overalls, shirtless and he had a hunting knife with him. “Come in. I’ll make everyone something to eat,” he looks at me, “ I believe you have a phone call to make Wolf Girl.” He winks then walks into the house.

“You know you have my name, right?” I asked annoyingly. “I know.” He says walking into his home. I call Thallium and tell him of my status report. I told him of the bear shifters help and how he refuses to give me his name. Thallium said he’ll call around to figure it out or I could just snoop around. He knows what Soteria said about him, so I’ll keep our peace and leave him be for now. Bear Shifter, yeah that’s what I’ll call him for now, and my brother Thallium will arrange transportation for the victims to either get home or to live among our trusted allies. Now to find my mate again and hopefully have a life with him.