Bear Protector - Bella Love-Wins Page 0,5
action and the unexpected. Never mind her enjoyment of seducing men just for entertainment.
The Chancellor just stared at the two of them. He could probably read the reluctance that overtook her mind. He had powers Kiera could only hope to one day possess. Acting like an immature and impulsive child today of all days would not serve her well. Finding her composure, she smiled and nodded. “I have every faith this will be the first of several fruitful and beneficial meetings with the Commander.”
“Excellent. It’s rare for him, meeting with the Chosen witches of my coven, as you know,” he reminded her for what felt like the hundredth time. “Keep your words brief and as to-the-point as possible. He is strong-willed, so persist in reminding him of his place. You have the authority. He may be the leader of the Regional Protection Unit and alpha of his kind, but shifters will never rise to the same level as witches, or even to that of normal humans.”
Kiera nodded. She did not agree, but knew to keep her opinions to herself. It always struck her as odd and unfortunate to hear the Chancellor say such things. It was the Chancellor who cast the first spell to transform all men with the 236-k gene into Kodiak bear shifters so they could serve on the Regional Protection Unit. This gene was only found in a select number of people, and the spell used to transform them would only turn them to Kodiak bear shifters. The Chancellor’s core coven of witches had worked with scientists years ago. They had found that the presence of certain genes could turn men and women into different types of shifters, but only the presence of the 236-k gene allowed a person to be transformed to a Kodiak bear shifter.
For the Chancellor, these shifters in particular were crucial to our world. They were the difference between life and death. Only Kodiak bear shifters had the physical strength, ability to swim in icy waters, and defensive characteristics required to fight the destroyers. As individuals, witches and humans were no match for the destroyers. Not even the Chancellor or his personal guards could take them on. These shifters were the saviors of the region, strong, skilled and fearless, putting their lives at risk every winter to defend the region against the destroyers. Yet in the Chancellor’s eyes, the act of becoming warriors for all those living in the region had relegated Xander Oslo and his men to nothing short of sub-human status.
“Best of luck to you, Kiera,” the Chancellor offered in closing.
“Thank you, your eminence.”
Taking a step backward, Kiera took her leave of the Chancellor and returned to the kitchen with Coco.
“You handled yourself well,” Coco said, patting Kiera on the back.
“Except for the little outburst when he mentioned you. Sorry about that.”
“He is right, though. I will make sure your time with Xander is a success…even if it means slathering on the charm.”
Kiera stopped in the middle of the kitchen and turned to Coco, frozen with newfound fear. “Goodness, please do not do that. We cannot afford a catastrophe today. Promise me you will remain professional.”
Coco smiled demurely. “Relax. I will behave…nicely. I promise.” She looked at the table where they had been eating breakfast. “It appears that the staff put our food away. Are you still hungry?”
“No. I will be all right. I think we should leave now.”
“Fine with me. Let’s go.”
Aleena had already brought their winter cloaks from upstairs, so Kiera and Coco headed to the main doors of the fortress. Their five guards were already waiting. Two of them led Kiera and Coco to the horse-drawn covered carriage outside, and three followed behind. It was a cold day, with a distinct chill in the air, the sort of chill that packed its own bite and promised a long, icy, treacherous winter. Kiera shivered with dread just from that prospect.
One of the guards helped them aboard, and then joined the others who climbed up on the outer seats at the back. With a click of the carriage driver’s tongue, the horse took off at a slow trot, passing human villagers and a few children in the market beyond the fortress walls. Crossing a large clearing, they took the shortest route to the Great Hall, a wooden bridge over the shipping canal.
The Great Hall was a large brick and plaster rotunda, usually reserved for community events, town hall gatherings, weddings, funerals, and the annual shifter transformation ceremony. Today, only Kiera,