A Werebear Scare by Nova Nelson

Author:Nova Nelson [Nelson, Nova]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FFS Media
Published: 2019-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Ruby walked with Zax on her left and Clifford on her right as they made their way up the mountain toward Treetop Lodge.

Breathe through the nose, Ruby reminded herself over and over again. There was no reason for her to be in shape, but that didn’t mean she wanted to make it clear to Zax that she was out of shape. And focusing on her breathing allowed him to do most of the talking on their walk, which she didn’t mind.

Unfortunately, he was focused solely on the case, rolling through the facts, mulling over conjectures. When he finally paused for a moment, she asked on a quick exhale, “How does someone become head of the werebears?”

He seemed to like that question, but most everyone she’d ever met liked talking about themselves, so it was her time-tested strategy for derailing a conversation. “It involves a solid reputation and good fighting skills,” he said. “When Montel Fontaine stepped down, I was only twenty and foolish enough to think I could take on any bear in the sleuth in claw-to-claw combat.”

“Foolish? But didn’t you win?”

“Well, yes, but it was through sheer luck. I was an idiot to think it could have happened any other way. I was up against Linton Stormstruck in the final match, and he stepped in a small hole at just the right moment. Well, the wrong moment for him, but the right one for me. He stumbled, and I leapt on him and managed to pin him with claws pressing against the skin of his throat.” He looked down at Ruby. “We don’t fight to the death. We’re somewhat civilized.” He returned his gaze to the ascending path. “Anyway, that’s how I became the leader. Well, that, plus the rest of the bears approved my leadership. But that always happens for the combat victor. The vote is just a formality.” He paused. “I wouldn’t be leader if it weren’t for a little bit of luck. I never let myself forget that. Linton was a fierce fighter, and he would have beaten me ninety-nine times out of one hundred. All the Stormstrucks are fierce fighters.”

“Swamy included?” Ruby asked.

“From what I’ve seen, yes. Which is why I’m almost ready to believe that Taurus is running around in the Silent Reach. Only something that fierce could have overpowered a bear like Swamy without leaving a trace. Perhaps a lesser being could have snuck up on Swamy and dealt a quick death blow, but for there to be no blood or trace of death means that Swamy would have still been alive when he was taken. And I can’t imagine him not putting up a fight if he remained at all conscious.”

“That is a disturbing prospect,” Ruby replied. “I understand you were involved in the search party yesterday?”

“Sure was. Deputy Titterfield put me in charge of organizing the search in the middle third of the Reach. We combed all the way to the creek. One of the volunteers was a werewolf, and his nose picked up a scent of Swamy, but we lost it at the creek.

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