Lately the elders had been turning over more and more responsibility to this younger group of Alphas. In the past few weeks, the elders had met with several of the recently mated and made it clear that they trusted the newly mated Alphas to take charge of this most unusual recent development. The younger generation would report in, but unless it seemed like a life-or-death situation, they could and would make decisions among themselves without consulting the men who in many cases were their own fathers.
Arion cleared his throat. “One at a time. He looked toward Molly first. What did you hear?”
“Like Khloe said, there are six bears arguing about what to do with Drow. He’s unhinged. They disagree about disposing of him, but they don’t have an alternative idea. I switched to listening in on Drow where he’s being held. He’s grumbling and talking nonsense about the future of the bear shifters depending on the elimination of the wolves.”
Isaac winced, though he wasn’t seriously concerned about one unhinged bear shifter’s thoughts. Unless the rogue bear escaped and came after all of them.
“Amber?” Arion asked, shifting attention to her.
Isaac’s chest tightened as his Little girl perked up. He was extremely impressed and proud of her. She’d only been up on the mountain a week. She was so new that she barely understood the dynamics. And yet she held her head high and assumed her rightful position among the pack. A position that came into existence about five seconds ago.
Amber cleared her throat. “I could see the six men. They’re older. I assume they’re the head council or group of eldersor whatever governing body makes decisions among the bears. They’re pacing, pointing fingers in each other’s faces. It looked like they were split three and three. I also switched my attention to the cage. Drow is pacing much like the elders, but he’s salivating as if he hasn’t eaten in a while, or he’s out for blood. There are still four guards surrounding him. They’re in human form. They seem to be ignoring him.”
“Rylee?” Arion asked next. “Did you scent anything that could be important?”
Isaac glanced at Rylee. She was slightly pale. “I don’t know,” she murmured. “It’s so hard to pinpoint. I have trouble understanding when I scent emotions. I can scent anger and frustration from the six men, but that’s not a surprise. The only thing I think that might help is that I do not scent death like I did right before Drow killed Firat. Hopefully that means something.”
Arion smiled. “That’s very helpful, Little one.”
Khloe sucked in a sharp breath. Her eyes fluttered rapidly as if she were seeing something in her head. A second vision in such a short time couldn’t be good news.
Amber turned her attention back toward the bear settlement and moved her head all around as she scanned the area. She leaned into Isaac’s ear and whispered. “Thorn and Surge are on the way back this direction. Bear form. Running but not with extreme urgency.”
“Now I smell fear,” Rylee added.
“They aren’t talking at all, not even in their heads,” Molly stated. “Whatever it is they need to tell us, they don’t want me to listen to it before they get here.”
Isaac wasn’t surprised. It had to be disheartening for the two bear shifters to know nothing they said or did or even ate or felt was sacred any longer.
“Three minutes,” Rylee announced.
Amber nodded absently. Isaac knew she was learning how to discern various distances. She was still watching the two bears approach, keeping her gaze locked on one spot in the distance even though she seemed aware of what others were saying around her.
Isaac was glad she had the ability to stay focused with one foot firmly planted in her physical location while she gave so much of her attention to a spot in the distance. At least she wouldn’t likely fall and hit her head or become so disconnected that someone could sneak up on her.
Olivia and Khloe shifted and began to pace in front of all of them. With her size, Khloe could easily intimidate anyone who approached, while Olivia might be able to communicate with the bears ahead of their arrival. Or at least dig into their brains. But if Molly wasn’t hearing anything, it was doubtful Olivia was either.
Amber suddenly gripped Isaac’s neck tighter. She jerked her attention subtly to the left. “Two more are coming.”
“Bears?” Isaac asked.
Molly responded. “Yes. They’re running faster. I think they’re trying to catch up with Surge and Thorn. They’re communicating telepathically.”
“They’re angry,” Rylee added. “Furious.”
“Yes,” Molly agreed again. “They don’t like this alliance Thorn and Surge have with us. They think we shouldn’t be involved in their business. I don’t think they know that we already are involved. I wonder what Thorn and Surge have told everyone else.”
Thorn and Surge burst into the clearing.
Surge shifted midair. “We’re being followed,” he announced as soon as his feet hit the ground. “Tell them nothing.” As fast as he’d shifted, he switched back to his bear form.
“Olivia,” Damon shouted. “Shift back.”
Olivia obeyed immediately. It left her disoriented, but Damon grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to his side instantly.
Two new bears bounded into the clearing next. They growled loud enough to send small animals and birds fleeing the area.
Khloe stood far too close to them for Isaac’s taste, and he sensed frustration wafting off Felix in droves. She was large, but she was no match for these bears. She barred her teeth as if she could shred them each at the same time, though, and her howl of warning was louder than any other noise.
