“My grandfather made me realize bravery comes in many forms and they all deserve respect. You claim you aren’t brave but from where I am sitting, you are. From everything I’ve learned so far, you are one of the bravest if notthevery bravest man I’ve ever met. At fifteen, your parents sent you away to a sadist and yet, according to Jackson, your first thought was of Theo…not yourself. And for three years, you did everything possible to make sure Theo survived.
“To be brave one must be selfless because it goes against our nature to put another person ahead of ourselves. When the mother ran into the burning building, she wasn’t thinking of herself but of her child. My friend wasn’t chicken when he refused to jump over the ravine; he was honoring his vow to his mother to not put himself in danger. And even when I called him a name, he refused to break his pledge. That’s the essence of bravery and you have it in spades. In prison, you put Theo first, whether it was giving him your food, or giving up your turn to shift so he could do it more often. And there were many other sacrifices you made for him.”
Smokey paused for a moment, noticing the blush on Norm’s cheeks. It was obvious his mate wasn’t used to compliments but that would change—he would make sure. “I have seen many things from my time at the agency, but trust me when I tell you, I’ve never seen anyone as brave as you. I’m in awe of you, Eagle Feather, and just so you know, it was your bravery that gave me the courage to tell you both the truth about me.”
Chapter 31
“You gave me your food?” Theo whispered, staring at Norm.
“He did,” Smokey said.
“Why would you do that?” asked Theo. “Ki always told me he made sure everyone ate.”
His blush deepening, Norm finally answered, his voice so low it was almost impossible to hear. “I knew you were hungry…and Ki told me Arald made sure there wasn’t any extra…so I told him to give you mine.” Looking down at his hands, he flexed them and then formed them into fists, wishing there was an opportunity to punch Arald for all the suffering he inflicted on Theo. “I didn’t want you to know because then you wouldn’t eat it. Ki promised not to say anything to you.”
“He didn’t,” Theo replied, softly. “Thank you pooh bear…or should I say Eagle Feather. Smokey’s right, you are very brave.”
Uncomfortable with compliments, Norm wanted the focus off him and onto Theo. Glancing at Smokey, he asked, “Why did you name Theo ‘Shining Star’?
“Because of the light shining inside of him,” Smokey replied, smiling tenderly at Theo. “It’s filled with kindness and goodness…and its brightness reminded me of the North Star which shines brighter than any other star in the night sky.”
“You see it, too?” murmured Norm, staring at Theo.
“Yeah…how can anyone not see it?” Smokey asked softly, keeping his eyes on Theo.
Seeing the love on both of his mates’ faces, Theo rose and flung himself at them, wrapping his arms around their necks. “I love both of you…very, very much.” It took only a moment before Smokey and Norm joined in, putting Theo in the center of the group hug. Inhaling their mingled scents, Theo’s smile grew bigger, feeling awash with love. It was better than any romance novel he’d ever read and he couldn’t wait to tell Q. Then, cupping his mates’ cheeks, Theo’s eyes shifted between them, making sure they both would hear him. “I love my new name…it’s the bestest.”
“I’m glad,” Smokey said huskily as the three of them broke apart. “Because I plan on using it often along with Eagle Feather.”
“Good,” Theo replied. “Now, tell us the name you were given.”
“My grandfather named me Golden Sun,” Smokey muttered. It was a name he never wanted anyone to use and certainly didn’t think he deserved, but it was the only name his grandfather would call him.
“Golden Sun,” Theo said dreamily. “What a beautiful name.”
“Why did he choose it?” asked Norm. “What does the sun represent in your culture?”
“My mother’s people regarded the sun as the guardian of earth, since without it the earth would cease to exist. It represents great power, including healing and the creation of life.”
“That’s so cool,” Theo said. “Why did he use ‘Golden’? Is it because of the sun’s color?”
“No, it’s because of me,” Smokey replied.
“You mean a Manetu…right?” asked Norm.
“Yeah…because of that,” Smokey said. Then taking a deep breath, he slowly let it out before continuing. “Remember when I told you we left my mother’s tribe and moved to the far north?”
“Yup…because it was safer for you,” Theo replied. “Though I don’t understand why it would be safer than living where you were.”
“It has to do with who I am,” Smokey said, knowing that once revealed, it might tear their mating apart. “A long time ago, the Great Spirit selected one member of my mother’s tribe to become the first Manetu and from that point on, there’s always been one. But each was always a Black Bear shifter from the tribe.”
“Let me guess…your mother’s people didn’t take kindly to having a California Grizzly as their Manetu,” growled Norm.
“Nope, they didn’t,” Smokey said. “It was my grandfather who first suspected I was the next one when I was born, but before he informed our Alpha, he met with an oracle to confirm his suspicions. Unfortunately for me…and my parents…my grandfather was correct. As you can imagine, it didn’t go over well.”
“What happened?” Theo whispered, enthralled with Smokey’s story.
“There were lots of discussions…many of them quite heated, according to my grandfather. Some didn’t see any problem with me being the next Manetu…others were undecided, but a small group viewed it as a sign from the Great Spirit that he was displeased because the tribe had allowed a grizzly in. Finally, our Alpha decreed the tribe would accept me as their Manetu, which only angered the faction opposed to it.
