Page 5 of The Right to Bear Claws
"Doesn't matter what she looks like." Elias hefted a stack of lumber with more force than necessary. "She needed help."
"Course not," Thorin agreed solemnly, but his mouth twitched. "Just wondering why you look like someone stole your favorite hammer."
"I look normal."
"Brother, you look like you're about to murder someone with your bare hands," Finn said cheerfully. "Which, granted, isn't that unusual, but there's a particular quality to your homicidal glare today that's got us all curious."
Magnus cleared his throat. "Boys, we've got the Simonson’s kitchen renovation to finish. Save the interrogation for lunch."
Grateful for the reprieve, Elias threw himself into work with single-minded determination. Physical labor had always been his refuge, the steady rhythm of hammer and saw drowning out everything else. But today, even framing walls couldn't quiet his bear's restless energy. Every few minutes, his attention drifted toward town, toward the inn where Kaia was probably charmingMiriam with that bright smile that didn't quite hide the shadows in her violet eyes.
The way she'd tried to downplay her trauma, insisting she was fine when she clearly wasn't, had tied his stomach in knots. He'd seen enough broken people to recognize the signs. But instead of curling up to lick her wounds like most trauma survivors, she'd smiled and thanked them for their kindness like she couldn't quite believe it was real.
It made him want to find whoever had taught her to be grateful for basic human decency and have a very pointed conversation.
"All right, that's enough." Finn appeared at his elbow during their morning break, holding two cups of coffee and wearing his most innocent expression. "You just nailed that board to the wrong stud three times in a row. Spill."
Elias accepted the coffee gratefully, using the moment to gather his thoughts. His brothers were going to figure it out eventually. The Vane clan was close-knit, and secrets didn't last long when you worked together every day.
"She's my mate," he said quietly.
Finn choked on his coffee. "Your what?"
"You heard me."
"Holy shit, Elias." Finn stared at him with wide eyes. "Are you sure? I mean, how do you know? Did you tell her?"
"I'm sure. And no, I didn't tell her." Elias ran a hand through his hair, frustration bleeding through his voice. "She doesn't even remember her own name or where she came from clearly, Finn. The last thing she needs is some stranger claiming ownership over her."
"Ownership?" Thorin joined them, having caught the tail end of the conversation. "That's not what mate bonds are about, and you know it."
"Tell that to my bear." Elias's laugh held no humor. "Every instinct I have is screaming to claim her, mark her, make sure everyone knows she's mine. But she's fragile right now. Traumatized. She needs time to heal, not some possessive shifter breathing down her neck."
Magnus approached with his own coffee, expression thoughtful. "The bond goes both ways, son. If she's your mate, she'll feel the pull too, even if she doesn't understand what it means."
"Assuming she's supernatural," Thorin pointed out. "Human mates don't always feel the bond immediately."
The possibility that Kaia might be fully human had occurred to Elias, though something about her scent suggested otherwise. There was an otherworldly quality to it. But whatever she was, she deserved to make her own choices about their future.
"Either way," he said firmly, "I'm not pushing. She'll come to me when she's ready, or she won't. But I'll be there if she needs me."
"Course you will," Finn said with a grin. "Question is, can you handle waiting? Because you look like you're about two seconds from charging back to town and camping outside her door."
Before Elias could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Lucien Vale emerged from the tree line, moving with the liquid grace that marked him as a predator even in human form. The panther shifter owned the local bookstore, but his real job was as a night hunter for the Council. If he was here during daylight hours, it meant official business.
"Elias," Lucien said by way of greeting, his dark hair catching the October sunlight. "Need a word."
The Vane brothers tactfully retreated, but Elias could feel their curious gazes as he followed Lucien to the edge of the worksite. His friend's sharp green eyes held a seriousness that made his bear tense with anticipation.
"Council meeting last night," Lucien said without preamble. "There's been some unusual supernatural activity lately. Nightmares, restless spirits, shadows moving wrong. Varric thinks it might be connected to your lake rescue."
Elias's hands clenched into fists. "She's done nothing wrong."
"Didn't say she had." Lucien's voice remained calm, but there was understanding in his expression. "But something dark came to town with her, whether she knows it or not. The Council wants answers."
"They can want all they like. I'm not handing her over for interrogation."
"Easy, brother." Lucien raised his hands peacefully. "No one's talking about interrogation. But she might have information that could help us figure out what we're dealing with. And if she's in danger..."
