Black Bears of Independence: Jase: Black Bears of Independence, #3

By K. R. Hall

Abused and Neglected

 

After years of being held captive and abused by a wolf pack Libby Hoffman takes fate into her own hands and escapes, her sanity barely intact. Desperate for a place to hide she stumbles upon a bear shifter that brings her to stay with one of his friends.

 

Omega of the Black Bear Clan, Jase Stewart's reputation proceeds him. With an appetite for women, he rarely turns down the offer of no-strings-attached sex, especially with a worthy partner. There is more to him than meets the eye though, and as Omega, the weight of the entire clan weighs heavy on his shoulders.

 

When the two of them are thrust together, again and again, Libby does everything she can to stay away from him, not wanting any more trouble. Jase can't seem to help himself, he wants her, even though her scent is blocked from him. She is a mystery he can't unravel, why the secrets?

 

With her safety threatened, Jase has to make a decision, and now that the mystery man has upped the ante with a whole militia to go against the Black Bear Clan, he has to do it fast. Pickens didn't think the Clan would fight back, but now he has pushed too far and is about to find out he was wrong. Dead wrong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. R. Hall
• Release date: Dec 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9798215921630

Book preview

This book is dedicated to my soul mate, my husband, and my best friend, Tom. 

This journey would not have been possible without the support of my husband, mom, and son. Thank you for encouraging me in all my pursuits and inspiring me to follow my dreams.

To my friends, thank you for listening, offering me advice, and supporting me through this entire process. Special thanks to my editor and proofer Cheles, I look forward to continuing our relationship.

To my readers, I hope you enjoy reading about Jase and Libby as much as I enjoyed writing their journey.

A special thank you to Emily-Rose Daphne Ann Brown from my reader's group for her winning cheesy line! I'll give you a kiss. If you don't like it, you can return it.

I want to give a special thanks to Bryce Evans, VA Dold, and Rebecca Royce for allowing me to write about their books, which I highly recommend!

A special thanks to Zhalia Moon, Denise Greathouse Griffin, Donna Antonio, Carmen Ferrer-Torres and Kalie Alinger Cameron from my reader group for the names used in the Ursa Games.

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Prologue

One warm evening many years ago…

"Libby, it is in your nature to heal, for your soul is one of love and laughter. Life is going to be hard for you, so very hard. Libby, I am asking you for a miracle because it is the only way to win this war. You will have to will yourself into a positive cycle of exercise, meditation, and self-care after each injury. The world will tell you that -you are nothing- only because you are so much because they will see the love in your eyes and be afraid, suspicious. They will punish you for being so beautiful, so smart and brave. They will be without mercy. This will be true until you find Jase Stewart because he will resist until he breaks. Only your love can rebuild Jase, make him whole again because he is your true mate.

When you win, you will gain so much. You are more powerful than you can imagine for this is the power of love - infinite, eternal. That's why the world will feel stacked against you, in a way, it is. All who scorn you, who stand in your way with blades of malice or indifference, are the ones who need you to win most. Love does not stand on the mountaintop to conquer, but to offer both hands to those below, friend and foe, spoke the Oracle. Do you accept this task, Libby?"

I accept, and I understand. I am ready to be born and begin my journey, said Libby. We are born to be loved and nurtured and to do the same for others. We are born to be in clans with social bonds that last a lifetime.

In the blink of an eye, Libby and the Oracle were at the Temple of Isis. In the center of the temple stood an alter that held all the ritual tools; water from the Nile in a lotus cup; petals from lotus, lily and rose flowers; Isis incense in a censer; six one-foot pieces of reasonably strong red cord. 

Oh, you Souls of Life, Lotus Dwellers, Breathers, you of the Pure Air from the Wings of Isis, I have come for you. By the Blood, by the Power, by the Magic of Isis, establish yourselves within these petals, said the Oracle. The petals began to vibrate as the Oracle’s eyes turned white. The Oracle placed garnets in the Lotus cup that held the water from the Nile. Next, she puts some of the petals in the Lotus cup.

I know you, you shining flowers. Your name is Life. Your name is Protection. Your name is Peace Bringer, the Oracle said. She placed the pieces of red cord upon the altar and anointed each cord with the Nile water with flower petals in it.

I call the power of the Mighty Mother Isis. I call Her strength to Libby. For I shall knot the cord, the Knot of Isis, and the power and peace of Isis, said the Oracle facing Libby.

Libby read the scroll, the Oracle said handing an ancient looking scroll to Libby. 

Oh Isis, my Mother, I call you! read Libby. 

I call to you with the breath of my body; I call to you with the beat of my heart Libby said touching her chest with her right hand fisted.

I call to you with the pulse of my life. I call to you with the words of my mouth, Libby said touching her wrists then her lips.

I call to you with the thoughts of my mind, said Libby touching her temples. 

I call you, Power. I call you, Life. I call you, Protection. I call you, Isis! Libby commanded.

The Oracle then took each red rope and tied a firm knot and placed one in each corner of the temple. When she returned to the altar, she makes Sign of the Wings of Isis and has Libby do the same.

I thank Thee, Isis, in all Thy names, said the Oracle. She then picked up the Lotus cup and walked closer to Libby. 

"With this amulet, the Blood of Isis, carved from the crystals of garnets in this sacred Temple of Isis in Egypt, you and your descendants are endowed by the mother of all goddesses. You will change shape to soar like the birds of prey soars, run with the speed of mighty cats and gazelles; you will have the strength of bears, the wisdom of wolves and command the sky and earth. Isis brings prophecy through dreams and the voices of the wild places.

You shall not let anyone see the amulet, for there is nothing equal to it. Speaking the words of the scroll over it from time to time will keep it magically alive and active. The Blood of Isis hangs on this sash that hangs down below the loop on two sides. The amulet looks similar to the ankh, the hieroglyph for life except that its crossbar is folded down. Use this amulet to complete the task I have set for you," said the Oracle.

I shall not let you down, nor shall I let the fate of shifters fall, Libby said confidently.

One last thing Libby, the Oracle began If you remain a virgin until your true mate finds you, Libby you will become the strongest seer, and you will be key in helping the bears win the war against Pickens.

Libby nodded.

Then go now Libby and be born, said the Oracle as she waved her staff and sent Libby on to her journey and fate."

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Chapter 1

A few years ago, 

Striker’s violence was in his words. Striker knew everything about Libby, every perceived flaw, every vulnerability and he knew where to put the pressure. Like twisting a finger in a bullet hole, he reminded Libby of her pains, her worst memories, the times she had felt most abandoned. Should she begin to climb higher Striker knocked her down - criticism of whatever propped up her shallow sense of self-esteem always worked so well. In that way, Striker kept control, kept Libby submissive and fearful enough to love him.

Libby thought long and hard about a way out of this mess. If she ran Striker and his wolf pack would catch her if she stayed, she’s as good as dead. The rough bark scuffed at her skin and her heart thudded more loudly that she wished it would, but she reminded herself that this drum was only beating in her ears. Libby paused at the bottom of the tree; there was nothing to be heard. She headed into the nearby woods. After a minute or two, the sound of running water permeated the calm serenity of the woods. She was near a brook. A brook would hide her scent, cover her tracks. 

This was the kind of darkness that robs you of your best sense and replaces it with a paralyzing fear. In the pitch black, Libby sat, muscles cramped and unable to move. Dawn was many hours away. Remaining where she was, was a death sentence, and not a painless one either. Once her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, she got up and began running again.

Lightning crashed, and thunder boomed as the wind pelted large spears of rain against her already sensitive and broken skin, but she couldn’t stop if she wanted to stay alive. Tree branches stretched out in front of Libby, forming a hollow of distorted limbs that seemed to reach out and grab her flesh. A vile pain spread throughout her chest like a deadly infection, and her lungs implored her to stop running. Libby’s knees felt like rubber after continually running for hours, and now she gulped selfish breaths of air. Helpless, she walked on, her feet dragging noisily on the carpet of dead leaves, each step triggering a rush of pain in her chest. Despite her weak condition, her lips curled into a smile as the realization that she had escaped finally struck her. Libby was free from the filthy clutches of Striker and his evil wolf pack.

Her tears were washed away by the harsh rain, and her sobs barely heard over the loud thunder. She thought this would at least be one blessing because the storm would make it harder for Striker’s enforcers to hear her moving and catch her scent. Perhaps the rain storm was useful after all.

She couldn’t break down and give up; she had to keep moving. She came upon a cave that she could hide in until the next day. She knew Striker wouldn’t be able to chase her in the rain. So, the cave and storm would be only her only saving grace.

She ducked into the cave and ran as far into its darkness as she could. Something large and hard caught her feet, and she stumbled over it; face first, into the dirt floor. Just as she started to push herself up, she heard it; at first soft, then an ever-growing rumbling of a growl. She turned her head and saw the large, yellow eyes looking back at her. Oh no, that wasn’t a rock. She stumbled over, but a large animal, possibly a bear. She remembered all the television shows where they warned people if approached by a bear to play dead. In her frightened state, Libby wasn’t sure if this was a shifter or a real bear.

It came close to her as she lay still, watching it as best as she could, in the darkness. She felt its muzzle on her, sniffing her. Then she didn’t feel anything at all; she couldn’t even see its eyes. Did it leave? Then suddenly a man’s face was in front of hers. Thankfully, not the face of Striker, but his eyes glowed yellow, and he looked just as evil.

Who are you? is all she heard of his snarly voice before her world went black.

Sterling grumbled and picked her up. He laid her on a bundle of blankets and started a fire. The unknown woman was shivering from the cold. Sterling kept her near the fire, deeper in the cave, while he slept near the entrance in his bear form.  No one would bother a sleeping bear.

Rise and shine miss, Sterling said. The sun is shining, and it promises to be a dry day.

With a moan, Libby began to wake up. She looked around trying to remember where she was and how she got there. Slowly the night before came into her memories. She was giddy to be free of Striker and his pack finally. Then she remembered the bear shifter as he shifted into his human form and her world going sideways. Libby snorted, great first impression.

Libby remembered that the man was a bear shifter from when she saw him shift the night before. With her seer senses, she could tell he meant her no harm and that she could trust him. Sterling entered the cave with some berries he gathered for their breakfast. Libby hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she started eating.

Woah slow down there miss, said Sterling. It’s not going anywhere, and neither are we until we figure out some things. First, my name is Sterling. What’s yours? He thrust his hand out for her to shake.

My name is Libby, she said shaking his hand. She gave a tentative smile.

Well Libby, what were you doing way out here in the middle of the night during a thunderstorm? Sterling asked. When he saw the fear in her eyes, he added It’s okay. You’re safe with me.

 I escaped from the San Francisco Wolfpack and their alpha, Striker. Because of him, I lost everything that was important to me, Libby said, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

The San Francisco Wolfpack is in Lake Merced Park. My home backs up to Junipero Serra Park, said Sterling. It’s a little over twelve miles; you must’ve been running all night. 

I got the chance to run last night while Striker was out doing only God knows what, Libby said as her tears dried up. 

After putting out the fire and helping Sterling put his supplies away, they walked to his home. As they walked, Sterling explained to Libby that he didn’t live in the cave, but in a house not too far away from it. 

That cave is on my property. I like to go there sometimes to unwind as my bear. Sterling said. You know to get away from it all for a bit. I was running in the woods when the storm started. The cave was closer than my home, so I went to the cave to wait out the storm.

I recently remodeled my home, except for the kitchen and downstairs bathroom, Sterling said. It two bedrooms, one full bath upstairs, a downstairs bathroom, an office, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and mudroom. The windows are large providing lots of natural light.

Sterling suggested Libby clean up while he made breakfast. You need to get some real food in you, Sterling said as he showed Libby where the bathroom was. Place your clothing outside the door, and I will wash them. You can use my robe until your clothes are cleaned and dried.

Breakfast was quite a meal with Sterling’s huge bear appetite.  He had coffee, orange juice, pancakes, eggs, sausages, ham, and hash browns.  Libby couldn’t eat that much, so she settled for coffee and pancakes. Their conversation filled the air until the time to part arrived. 

This woman has lived through quite an experience of her own. Sterling thought as he locked up his home.

Libby and Sterling took the nearest transit station to the airport. Sterling acted as Libby’s bodyguard trying to get her as far away from San Francisco and the wolfpack that had held her captive as they could. They took a plane to Colorado; Sterling knew his old friend Benjamin would keep Libby safe. 

Libby asked Sterling a few times why he stayed with her for so long when it would’ve been better for him to let her go. Sterling always answered, You are special. When I look at you, and I see something I have never seen before. I feel that because of you that, one day, life will be better for all of us, shifters and humans alike. I look at you, and I see hope, Libby.

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Ben, I had another dream about the girl, and she’s missing, Sabrina said as she woke Benjamin up. 

The dream must be wrong! We must figure out what they mean, and who the girl was. She was definitely in trouble, he said to Sabrina as he rolled out of bed. I am going to have to call a clan meeting for this one. I have no clue why she is suddenly gone, but we're still going to have to prepare for her arrival.

Sterling and Libby arrived ringing the doorbell just as Benjamin came down the stairs. Perfect timing, he thought as he opened the door, thinking it was his counsel. He was surprised to see Sterling standing on his doorstep and stunned to see the woman from the visions. He ushered them into his home as quickly as possible. He looked to make sure they had not been followed.

Sterling I cannot believe you’re here! He said, surprised. He looked over at the woman standing next to Sterling and who might you be?

Benjamin, this here is Libby. She has been held captive by Striker and his wolf pack in San Francisco for the last several years. I found her in my cave the other night, said Sterling. I had a strong sense of urgency that I needed to bring her to you.

Having finished getting dressed, Sabrina joined everybody in the living room. Hi, I’m Benjamin’s mate, Sabrina. It’s a pleasure to meet you finally.

I don’t understand. What do you mean meet me finally? Libby asked.

The Oracle blessed me with a dream vision of your captivity. Ben and I were going to meet with the Council in the morning to figure out how to rescue you, Sabrina said. But tonight’s dream showed you were gone. We thought perhaps we were too late to rescue you. We had no idea where you were.

She opened her arms wide, and without hesitation, Libby walked into her warm embrace for a hug and began sobbing.

Please, talk to me, Sabrina whispered, and Libby sniffed. Let’s go upstairs and put you in a comfortable guest room. You look tired, and I’m sure you don’t want to talk about things in the middle of the doorway.

 Libby followed Sabrina upstairs and into a guest room a few doors down from the master suite. The guest room is decorated in warm earthy tones. There was a dresser, a small rocking chair, a brown chaise, and a queen size bed. Adult shifters were too large to fit in a small bed.

Sabrina guided Libby to the rocking chair while she sat on the edge of the bed. Through her tears, she talked about the abuse and the pain. Her wanting to die, and finally, the man Sterling who helped her escape. Through it, all, Sabrina listened and murmured encouragement in her ear. She talked about her family and cried when she blamed herself for the whole mess.

First off, not your fault, Sabrina said firmly and took Libby’s face in her hands and made her look in her in the eye. I’m serious. This is not your fault. You must remember that. You’re going to need someone to talk to; I suggest Eloise, she’s part of the shifter clan in Independence, Colorado and mate to their Alpha. I am sure she could recommend a good therapist for you. You must know that we're going to protect you. I know you’re scared. We will work this out together.

Libby nodded, blew her nose and then said, I have felt so alone for so long.

Well, you’re not alone now. We’re here, and we're going to help, Sabrina said squeezing her into another hug.

When the healer, Galena arrived, Sabrina walked down the hallway to the master bedroom waiting for her mate to come to her. She knew he felt her rage and was on his way. That poor girl’s nerves were shredded. She didn’t think she needed to stand up in front of the clan and relive all of this. Especially in front of the men. She would take care of it.

Benjamin entered their bedroom with a frown etched on his face.

What happened? he asked, pulling her into an embrace. He rubbed his hand up and down Sabrina’s back, and she sighed, allowing his strength to flow into her.

Libby, Sabrina said and felt the emotion from listening to the story of the last five years finally get to her. Tears threatened to fall, but she cleared her throat and took a deep breath. The woman who is seeking sanctuary, we’re going to provide it to her; the clan is meeting in an hour, and she will not be there. She has been subjected to too much already today.

Benjamin looked deep into his mate’s eyes. Sabrina whispered what Libby had told her and she could feel the anger pulsing from him.  When she was done relaying to him, she leaned back, and he nodded. 

I will explain to the clan that we are offering sanctuary to Libby due to her being held hostage and tortured by Stryker and his wolf pack. I’m going to call Corbin and find out what he knows about wolf shifters. We need to know what we’re dealing with. For now, let’s get her fed and rested. The clan will protect her. She is now one of us.

Sabrina looked at her mate and put her hand on his face and said, this is why I love you. She smiled and kissed him, and then returned to the room where Libby and the healer were waiting. 

Galena was still holding a sobbing Libby. When she released her, she had a lot of anger and sadness to get out of her system. Sabrina went to the brown chaise and sat on the other side of Libby and took her hand.

Sabrina looked at Libby and the healer and said to Galena, "They want to talk to