Meet Me By The Lakes

Eight years have passed since the fires took Keme’s home—and his people. Today, we’ve returned to the Great Lakes not just to see what remains, but to lay his grief to rest.

My brother-in-law carried that loss like armor for years. Seeing him begin to let it go, it matters. Violet, my sister, watches him with soft eyes. She’s never loved anyone like she loves Keme. And somehow, that makes all of this feel a little less heavy.

Max, my twin, walks beside me. Though Violet’s older than both of us, Max and I are the siblings closest to her. She and Keme were a guiding force when we shifted.

The tribe lands still carry scars—burnt earth and broken trees, but life fights back. Green shoots peek through ash. The bear clan has taken stewardship of the land, nurturing its recovery. The bears are the strongest in number, though. Someday, they’ll need this space again. The eagles that are left refuse to come back. It’s too painful. They are happy in the Wolf Lands with us.

I think of Kiana this morning—Uncle Robert’s mate. Keme asked her to come with us and visit the bear clan she once lived in.

“Why would I?” she replied, crossing her arms. “This is my home.”

She never truly belonged to the clan, only to herself. She couldn’t wait to live in our tribe. She was never really part of a group here, an outsider like Talon.

We climb the hill that overlooks the lakes, sunlight blinding as it crests the trees. As my eyes adjust, I spot bears by the waterfall, swiping trout from the rushing water. Children splash in the shallows, and families gather along the shore. They don’t hide in the forest like we do. They live in the open—only their magic stays hidden.

It’s beautiful here. Different. Bold.

“Keme,” I hear Max groan beside me, “Please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.”

Too late. “Chief Calian invited us for lunch,” Keme says, pointing toward a boat rowing steadily toward us.

I sigh. “Of course he did.”

Socializing sets my nerves on edge. In school, I was nicknamed Maisie Mouse—quiet, awkward, always one step from retreating behind someone braver. Max tolerates people better than I do, but politics? He’d rather chew bark.

“Oh, come on,” Vi says, nudging us. “It might be fun. Maybe we’ll find something awesome to explore!”

“Your ‘fun’ always ends in disaster,” I mutter remembering the time we almost drowned in a sinking canoe and got chased by a snake.

“She’s right, Wildcat,” Keme chuckles, and Violet just grins like that’s a compliment.

We climb into the boat, the water so clear I can see turtles and fish darting beneath us. The men rowing us beam with pride.

“These waters are some of the cleanest in the states,” one of them says. “Our clan protects them.”

And they should be proud. It’s like floating through glass.

We dock at the sandy beach. Chief Calian greets us with warm words and shrewd eyes. As predicted, the moment we sit down for lunch, the probing starts.

“We would welcome the eagles again,” the chief says, passing Keme a plate.

“With respect, Chief Calian, our home is with the wolves now—under Chief Talon and Hope,” Keme replies with grace.

Some of the children brings us bracelets made from shells. I smile at the little girl who ties mine to my wrist.

As we tour the grounds, I realize how diverse the clan has become. Many outsiders have intergrated and genetics make this place more diverse than home. The bear shifters and their mates work in harmony, the land vibrant beneath their care.

We start our return to the dock after lunch, laughter fading as a group of ten large bears descends the hill. My stomach tenses as the strength they carry radiates through our bones.

“Who are they?” Max asks as the group shifts.

“The Protectors,” someone answers. “They guard against poachers, wanderers… threats.”

They look like a military unit—towering, stone-faced, powerful. Different from the sweet faces we have been seeing all day.

“I forgot the bracelet the kids made me!” I gasp and dart back toward the picnic area.

I barely register the man in front of me before I collide with something solid. Muscle. Heat. Power. I stagger, but a pair of arms close around me like steel traps. His eyes bore into mine.

“Let me go, you brute!” I cry, feet leaving the ground.

A low voice rumbles, “I don’t think so, little mate.”

My blood freezes. His nose is buried in my hair. Keme, Max, and Violet rush toward us. Max looks ready to tear someone in half.

“Put her down or I will end you,” Max snarls.

The man turns slightly. “Who are you?” He rumbles, raising a brow.

“Her brother,” Max spits. “We’re twins. Are you blind?”

The man flips me to face him. I dangle like a rag doll, cheeks burning as a crowd gathers. His eyes bore into mine—hazel and wild, giving me the once over.

He’s tall, broad as a train, tan, and gorgeous. His blonde hair cut in a military style. His eyes piercing. He’s the kind of guy who is too handsome. When guys looks that good their personality is always defective.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

“None of your business, Violet shouts. I glare at her, at him, at the entire situation, but my mouth doesn’t move.

His eyebrow arches up at her as she rants. Then, he sets me down and shifts his body protectively in front of me. The other bears form a circle around me.

Are they… guarding me?

Max shoves the man. He doesn’t even flinch.

“She’s my mate,” the bear growls. “She’s not leaving.”

“If she wants to leave, she will,” Keme says calmly, voice like steel wrapped in velvet.

The bear—Kuruk, someone whispers—bares his soul. “If she leaves, my bear will rampage. I won’t be able to stop it. I’m a Protector. I’m wired to protect what’s mine. I will slaughter anyone who tries to keep her from me on instinct.”

Violet turns ashen. She believes him. “Kiana warned us about bears…”

“She told the truth,” someone mutters, maybe Max. I can’t see anything to be sure. Kuruk towers over me as do the other men surrounding me like a human cage. Max and I were born prematurely and have always been runts.

Vi steps forward, going toe to toe with the bear. “She doesn’t even like you!”

Kuruk turns and looks straight at me. “Do you hold rank in your tribe? I’m second here. If you outrank me, I’ll step aside.”

I look down at my shoes. No. I’m just Maisie. No alpha. No title. No escape.

“Then it’s settled,” he says.

“I don’t want this.” My voice cracks. My lip trembles. And I am embarrassed.

Kuruk’s voice softens. He lifts my chin gently. “I’ll take you back to visit next week. Will that help?”

I nod. A tear escapes, and he brushes it away with surprising tenderness.

“If she’s staying, so am I!” Max declares, stepping beside me.

The chief studies him. “The twin may stay while she adjusts this week.”

“You don’t have to—” I start, but Violet barrels toward us, grabbing us both in a hug.

“If I leave, he might hurt our people,” I whisper. “I can’t risk that.”

“I’ll figure this out,” Violet says fiercely. “I swear.”

“Tell Mom and Dad not to come. I don’t want them getting hurt. Have them call me. I’m so sorry…”

As their boat pushes off across the lake, my heart sinks.

At least I have Max.