Archaic (Reverse Harem 2)

“What are you doing here? Where are the others?” I ask.

“I come in peace, but if you keep me out in the cold it won’t be peaceful for long,” Chief says.

“I thought Bears liked the cold,” Sebastian growls.

“My scent. The fire you’re burning will conceal my scent so I can talk with you.”

I step off to the side and usher him in before I shut the door to the cold. Toshi shoots me a quizzical look, and I shrug my shoulders. I know the Chief isn’t here to retaliate, but I also know he isn’t happy.

And the look in Sebastian’s eyes tells me he’s not moving an inch away from Clarissa.

Which, contrary to my breaking heart, is for the best.

“You lied to us,” Chief says. “You told us she was dead.”

“Because it was the only way for her to live a normal life,” I say. “That was what she wanted, so that was what we were after.”

“You lied to the Council. After everything that has happened with you, and the special requests your clan leader granted, and the private audiences you’ve had with me—you lied, Theo.”

“Surely you can understand,” I say flatly. “Especially given the sins of my tribe.”

His eyes turn back to Sebastian, and I see Clarissa peeking out from beyond his legs. Warm by the fire but curious as to what’s going on. I can see recognition pour over her face, and she backs away. Scrambling for the wall as Sebastian backs up with her.

Keeping the wall up between her and the Chief, and ready to try and kill the most powerful Bear alive to protect her.

For all Sebastian’s roughness, he’s a good man.

When he wants to be.

“Her existence won’t be tolerated,” Chief says.

“She saved you from the warriors that killed her husband,”

Sebastian says.

“After attempting to slaughter all of us.”

“After you put her in lead chains depleting her of her energy stores and her abilities,” he says.

“I’m not here to debate who was wrong first,” Chief says. “I’m here to deliver a message to all of you.”

“Why?” Toshi asks. “You’re one of the ones she attacked. I can tell by the way you’re limping.”

“She’s strong,” Chief says. “But she’s an abomination.”

“You take that back,” Sebastian growls.

“Project Eden was an abomination. A faction of Cats that split from their entire race to do what they thought was necessary to protect their race. Not all of ours. That was simply the mirror they used to project the image and protect what they were doing.

Hundreds of human females, slaughtered to find a way to preserve us. It wasn’t right.”

“And neither is killing her,” Toshi says.

“I’m not saying I agree with the Council,” Chief says. “Not with what the prophecy says. But I can assure you, the Council will come after her. Despite her efforts to save us when those clan of miscreants descended on us, she will be hunted.”

“Prophecy?” Sebastian asks.

“What prophecy?” Toshi asks.