Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) (14 page)

CHAPTER

15

Her parent’s stayed a week. Soon her father began rumbling about farm chores and leaving her brothers in charge- Hannah could see he was anxious to get home. Her mother wasn’t comfortable either. The staff disarmed her even more than they did Hannah. At least Hannah was more or less used to not doing her own cooking and tidying anymore, but Rebecca barely restrained herself. So they left, sad to part from their daughter, but relieved to be getting back to familiar ground.

“You come visit before you get too big to travel,” Daddy said.

“I’ll bring her soon,” Andrei promised. “Will you consider my request?”

Rebecca’s lips pursed. “We’ll think about it.”

“What request?” Hannah asked Andrei when her parents had gone.

He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, drawing her through the private airport. “I gave them a laptop so you can video chat.”

“Andrei-”

“I understand about your beliefs regarding technology. I made a request, not a demand. If they feel comfortable they’ll use it, if not it will gather dust.”

Hannah wondered how they would figure out how to use it.

“I had my aide type up detailed instructions,” Andrei added. “With screenshots.”

Hannah sighed.

The next day a woman she recognized as one of Andrei’s junior aides, escorted Lord Wadim into her sitting room. Hannah rose, startled.

“Lord Wadim, Andrei isn’t here.”

The older Bear regarded her, expression grave. “I came to speak with you.” He gestured and the aide placed a thin tablet in his hand. He dismissed her and approached Hannah, pausing to bow. She stared, uncomfortable. Miahela was still tutoring her in the etiquette involved in being a Princess, but it all was still so foreign.

Lord Wadim rose from the bow and she gestured that he should sit.

“How can I help you?” she asked.

“I'm a direct male,” he said. “So I won't waste your time. The Assembly asked if you had any concerns from your past that could rise up and tarnish the Sahakian name.”

Hannah took a long moment to consider her response. “You asked, and I answered. There is nothing in my past you should be concerned with.” She paused. “And if there were, I would think Queen Izobelle, as head of the Sahakian line, would be the one to address any
concerns
with me.”

He considered her, opening the laptop. A few keystrokes later and he it so the screen was visible. “Watch this, Lady Hannah.”

Curious, a little irritated but unconcerned until a familiar face appeared on screen, Hannah stiffened. It was a media clip. She knew because Miahela had insisted she familiarize herself with certain television programming in order to understand references Mia made. So Hannah recognized the show- a weeknight tabloid that reported on the movements of celebrities.

“Yeah, I been knowing Hans for a while now. She and I had some good times, you know? She liked to come to my place and watch movies and just kick it, you know? Real friendly girl, always down for a party if you know what I mean.”

The interview continued for another three minutes during which he spouted all kinds of foul innuendoes. The reporter signed off with a tawdry quip about the new Sahakian Princess.

Hannah slammed the lid of the laptop closed, furious. “You must not have anything better to do than bring me cheap gossip to watch. How do you want me to respond to this? So some worm of a man makes a few insulting comments to a trashy reporter to make himself look big, and you take it as something serious? Is this the intelligence of the Assembly?”

“I'd like an answer to that, Wadim.”

Hannah hadn’t heard Andrei enter, proof of her own temper. She turned, body clenching when she saw the cold fury in his eyes.

“Oh, don't huff at me, boy,” Wadim said, rising. “Be glad it was me asked to come here and not Fiora.”

The cold-eyed woman in brown and gold who looked at Hannah as if she were old, chewed gum on the bottom of her shoe.

“You're still standing there because of our friendship,” Andrei replied, unmoved. “If Fiora had
dared...
”

Wadim grimaced. “You Sahakian's always claw first and reason later. You can't keep the girl sheltered forever, Andrei.” He turned back to Hannah. “You keep that bit of spine, Princess. You didn't cry or wring your hands- that’s good. But this is the least of the scrutiny you'll be subjected to.”

When Wadim left Andrei approached, folding her in his arms. “I can kill him for you,” he said, brushing lips over her cheek.

Hannah pulled away, aghast. “You can’t kill a Lord of the Assembly!”

Andrei frowned. “Not Wadim. The odious little human speaking falsehoods.”

She leaned her forehead on his shoulder. “Oh, Andrei. Really? Some men offer their women jewelry, candy, fancy dinner dates- you offer to kill a slug for me.”

He laughed. “It's more fun.”

***

“Hannah.”

She looked up, setting her tablet on the couch. Andrei stood in the threshold, an envelope in his hand, expression neutral. Shortly after the conversation with Wadim, Andrei took her to a specialist who extracted DNA from Hannah’s womb in order to determine the genetic makeup of the baby. It was at that appointment that Hannah learned she was gestating quicker than normal for a human, which explained why her uterus was already the size of a woman six months along.

“Bear cubs are full term at six months,” the obstetrician explained. “Human women carrying Bear children tend to follow shifter gestation periods. It doesn’t mean the cub will be dual-natured, though.”

But they hoped and waited.

“Is it... the testing came back?”

“Yes. I haven't read the report. Nor the Queen.”

Hannah rose. It was still easy enough to get to her feet unaided, but her balance felt off. Maybe she would take Andrei up on his offer to hire a full time doula. It had seemed so... spoiled... when he'd first suggested it. The community women worked through their pregnancies- many of them tending to multiple children as well. They didn't have doulas, other than other wives and elder daughters to help them around the house.

But she was starting to change her mind. Another woman to talk to, a simple woman, would be nice. Hannah walked towards him, taking the envelope he held out. She tore it open with her finger under the flap, unfolding the single sheet and scanning the terse, medical language. Re-read, slowly, to make sure she fully understood. And raised her eyes to Andrei's.

“The baby is human. A girl,” she added.

He said nothing for a long moment. Then arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. “A daughter,” he said, lips brushing her earlobe. “As beautiful as her mother, I hope.”

It was all he said, but her heart sank. “Andrei-”

He put his finger on her lips, expression hardening. “As beautiful as her mother.” But they both understood the Assembly would never approve her status as Princess now.

“They’ll want you to find another mate,” she said, stomach twisting.

“They can want if it pleases them,” he said. “It will never happen.”

She took a deep breath. “I know you say that, but Izobelle said they could force you to abdicate.”

He laughed. In her face. “They can’t force me to abdicate, sweet.”

Hannah’s expression tightened. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“I don’t want you to worry about it.”

“Because I'm a delicate pregnant human, right?” She
struggled
to keep the majority of the sarcasm out of her voice.

“No, because you’re young and emotional and it isn’t your problem,” he snapped.

Hannah jerked away, stung. She turned away, hands curling into fists and strode to the far window. Tried to let the distant snowy mountains cool her burst of unexpected temper. For a moment something in her wanted to just… jump on him. And not in a carnal way. Andrei moved behind her, again wrapping her in his arms, pulling her against his chest. She held herself stiff.

“We’ll have to tell your parents,” he said after a while.

“That you can’t marry me.”

His arms tightened. “I meant about the baby. And you’ll find, sweet, that I really hate that word can’t.”

“If that’s true, then why have we been waiting?”

“It was simpler.” He sighed. “Don’t worry about anything, Hannah. This is a fight they won’t win. There is nothing they have that I want more than I want you.”

But Hannah wasn’t so certain. Law was law, and if the law prohibited a royal from wedding a human or a commoner and barred their child from inheriting the title- unless the law was changed, what could he do about it?

She waited, exercising patience, trying to hold onto faith in her mate. And she did- she had faith in his love for her, and his good intentions for their family. But as the days passed and his grim expression- when he didn’t think she was watching him- didn’t abate, hope began to dwindle. She sat in her garden, asking herself hard questions. Was she willing to live with him without marriage? Yes. Their matebond felt real- felt permanent and she could only believe in her heart that if God hadn't wanted Bear shifters to form unions in this way, then He wouldn’t have made them to mate.

But life in the palace was different. She felt swallowed, placeless. No foot of house or land truly belonged to her- she had a hard time even getting the staff to leave their apartment alone. She could make her own bed, by God. And the boredom… She knew that eventually she would have to find some kind of meaningful work to do in order to justify the use of his extravagant wealth. True, her main focus would soon be their new baby, but she needed something more. Mothers worked, either in the hoe or outside, but good moral women had things to do. Well, Andrei didn't need her to cook or clean or manage a budget or grow their kitchen vegetables.

She had the option to continue her education. And there were the classes in town. But ultimately a royal life wasn’t what she wanted for herself. Wasn’t what she wanted for her baby. She wanted a modest house of her own, wanted to raise her baby with her mate to live a normal life and grow into a responsible, moral person. She didn’t like the media spot light- didn’t like that other men were able to dictate something as personal as her marital status due to politics.

Hannah waited until she knew her mate would be closeted with the Assembly and arranged for a car to take her to the airport. She would go home, visit her mother, think. Decide what the best thing was for her and the baby. She wasn’t leaving her mate- she just needed space to think.

She wasn’t happy. She wanted to go home.

Anxiety stewed in the back of her mind. She recalled the creeping pain the last time she’d been separated from Andrei. But the trip would give her enough of a breather to make some decisions. She purchased a ticket, went through the process of leaving the country, a little surprised at how easy it was. She had her passport, of course, and certain documents Andrei had provided that explained her status in Casakraine. Political things she left to the officials to go through.

When the plane left Casakraine air space, she picked up her cell. And texted Andrei.

CHAPTER

16

It took the pull of his mother, as his Alpha, to halt his rampage. For the second time within the last few months he'd been unable to contain the rage of his Bear. His mate left him.
Left
him.

He blamed the Assembly.

They were lucky he didn't kill them all.

Izobelle's roar echoed through the deserted halls, challenging his own. She rose on hind legs, teeth flashing, ire strong through their clan bond- but it was her concern that penetrated the haze of his bloodlust. He wanted so badly to punish someone- but he needed to go after Hannah. Bring her home.

He shifted, ignoring his nudity and the disaster he'd made of his surroundings, and strode to his suite. His mother joined him several minutes later, dressed in jeans and a knit blouse- after shift clothing easy to pull on in a hurry. If only the media could see their elegant Queen now.

“Where are you going? You gave orders to the staff to pack for you.”

So she wasn’t going to threaten to detain him this time? Wise. “Hannah left.”

“I know that.” She stared at him. “What did you think the girl would do? She's human and hell bent on marriage.” Izobelle made a face. “If I thought she’d listen, I could tell her not to bother with it.”

“I expected her to stay and face our problems together,” he replied through gritted teeth.

Izobelle waved a hand. “The girl has held up surprisingly well. She's changed her entire life for you, Andrei. She needs time to adjust.” Izobelle paused. “Don’t be angry with her, son. She probably isn’t feeling very secure right now.”

“Not secure?” he roared, whirling to face the female. “We're mated!”

Flat eyes stared him down. “And that is a crappy attitude. Go after your mate, soothe her, bring her home. But hurry, Andrei. I can’t afford for you to be gone long.”

Andrei boarded a private jet, each hour spent away from her stoking the burn in his gut. Left behind with his aide was a document to be presented to the Assembly at the appropriate time. For a brief moment he felt sorry for Miahela, but then the pity was gone. Scoured away by a tumultuous mixture of anger, hurt, worry. He made a note to bring before him every male who participated in her flight- what had they been thinking at the airport to clear her exit without even a call to the castle? No one wanted to argue with a female, true. Much less restrain her… respect for females was too well ingrained in their culture. But they could have called
him as a courtesy, male-to-male.

He arranged for a car to meet him at the airport and he drove himself another two hours to the small rural town she called home. There was nothing but cornfields, and pastures full of cows. Every once in a while he spotted an old, worn but well-kept house hiding in the rolling hills, as if the owners didn’t want the modern world to know they were there.

When he pulled into the town, a place time forgot. The architecture was different than Casakraine- and the look of the people different. But the feel was the same- people going about their day. He saw several women and girls in long, plain dresses, folded square scarves over their heads.

Andrei parked a block from a small farmer’s market, watching a group of women at a stand piled with produce and home goods. He had Hannah's home address- but GPS seemed to think it didn't exist. Exiting the car, he approached the stall slowly, trying to look as harmless as possible. He had a brief moment to congratulate himself that he'd chosen to don jeans and a button up shirt in a somber color and plain cut. He’d tried his best to emulate the clothing he’d seen Jeremiah wear.

“Excuse me, ladies,” he said, stopping in front of the stall.

An older woman with a round, stern face turned towards him. The sternness he felt was more a force of habit- her eyes were kind. She eyed him, curiosity well concealed.

“Can I help you? We have fresh garden grown produce, handmade soaps and candles.”

Courtesy demanded he spend a few moments perusing goods, and choose a fat yellow candle with flecks of green. The citrus and herb scent was pleasing. She placed it along with several mini loaves of sweet bread into a small brown bag.

“Thank you for the business,” she said. “Those loaves taste best warm with a bit of butter.”

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m actually in town visiting relatives- can you direct me to Hannah Fisher’s home?”

She looked him up and down.

Andrei blinked, innocent. “Relatives by marriage.”

“And whose marriage would that be, young man? Believe me, I’m aware of every marriage in this county- and no few of the marriages outside of it.”

Just how insular
were
these people? It was charming- but frustrating. Andrei sighed. “Hannah and I are newly... wed.”

She continued to stare at him. “I didn’t know Hannah Fisher was married.”

Bear rumbled. “We met in college. It's only been a few months.”

“Well... I suppose I could have one of the boys take you. Strapping young men.”

“I would appreciate that.”

The strapping ‘boys’ turned out to be a trio of young men with the builds of wrestlers. Pleasant demeanors, who nonetheless made it quite clear they would not only guide Andrei to his mate, but interfere with him should he interfere with her. He approved of the security in a philosophical sort of way.

The buggy drove him crazy, though. At any other time the clop of the horses would have been charming. But with his Bear riding him to get to his mate, the peace and beauty of the countryside left him cold. The young men- not very chatty for humans- turned off the main two lane highway onto a gravel road that led to a house. Two stories, frame, a well-worn but loved porch. It could use a fresh coat of paint, but the flower boxes and bright red porch swing were cheerful.

“Stay here,” one of the men said shortly. “I'll see if Mrs. Fisher is accepting company.”

Andrei was not accustomed to following orders. Bear sniffed, disdainful, but was more interested in not offending Hannah with a lack of manners- so Andrei stayed put. Let the men think him tame- it cost him nothing to sit quietly.

Rebecca came out of the house, wiping hands on a towel. Her gaze narrowed in on Andrei immediately.

“Well,” she said. “Come on down then, let's get you settled. Figured you'd be by sooner or later.”

Andrei leapt out of the buggy.

“Jeremiah use a hand, Mrs. Fisher?” the young man next to her asked, watching him.

“No, he's got Jessa's boys with him today.” Rebecca snorted. “This is Hannah’s husband, don't ya'll worry. He’s a lamb.”

Andrei smiled at the man, revealing white teeth. Dark eyes narrowed, but the human male shrugged and returned to the buggy.

“Come in, come in. Hannah is out visiting, she'll be back soon, but that gives us time for a little talk, hmm? You know how to peel a potato?”