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Shaky truces might not be enough for a hungry
bear who was past hibernation mode. Or one on the lookout for a mate. Ursine
females were notoriously short in number. A wolf female would do in a pinch
even if the combination proved sterile more often than not. He’d heard legends
of chimeras blending different shifters, but had never seen the product of such
a union. He’d always assumed they didn’t exist. “I hope it’s just my overactive
imagination at work here,” Jaxon said.
    “It’s possible a wild
bear could have gotten this, but I doubt it. Most of the wild bears moved on
long ago. We’ll need to keep tighter watch. If this was a Kodiak clan member,
there could be more in the area. We need to get to the festival to alert the
others. Another day or two of hard traveling and we should be there.”
    ***
    Mali huddled under a
tree until the skies finished dumping buckets of water. The temperature began a
sharp decline. Or perhaps it was her sodden hair and clothes.She was miserably wet. “Stupid man. He should have
let me get my things,” she muttered, looking at the other women gingerly
exiting the canvas covered wagon with their dry dresses, shoes, and hair, warm
shawls and knitted coats. She didn’t have a change of clothes or shoes to keep
her feet warm. Her toes were numb. Anger and irritation could only keep her so
warm.
    Angelica walked over to
her by herself. “Look, I don’t like you, but I’m sorry for what I said.”
    Mali gaped and nodded.
“Thanks. I’m sorry I pulled your hair.”
    “We’ll just agree to
keep out of each other’s way?”
    “Agreed.”
    Angelica swiveled on
her feet and rejoined her friends.
    Mali felt a little
stunned by the short exchange, but at least it was one less thing to worry
about.
    Adolpho had miraculously
started a fire on the sodden ground by laying out a bed of rocks and spruce
bows. He was busy constructing an iron spit over the flames.Mali watched him struggle to get the makings of a
soup together and decided to help despite the presence of the others standing
nearby.
    “Much thanks, Mali,”
Adolpho said, giving her a grateful smile. He ducked his head close to her,
talking softly, “Most of these others will make useless mates for those waiting
in town. Can’t even boil water, me thinks.”
    Mali chuckled and began
cutting potatoes into the black kettle. “I agree,” she whispered.
    “Wish we had a bit of
cream to go into the pot. Maybe the boys will bring some fresh meat instead.
I’m off to fetch some water. Be right back,” Adolpho said as he walked away
with a bucket.
    Mali focused on her
task rather than the swirl of activity and conversation around her. She was so
focused that it took her a minute to realize someone was watching her. She
looked up into the face of a petite girl with dark, reddish-brown, braided hair
and a mahogany complexion much the same as her own.
    “You need some help?”
the girl asked.
    “Sure, if you don’t
mind cutting onions. I’m Mali, by the way.”
    “Kimber,” the girl
said, making short work of the onions.
    Adolpho came back and
added water to the pot then hefted the pot over the fire to stew.
    “Thanks, ladies. Now we
wait.” He looked them over and handed them a thin sliver of soap. “Wash up that
way,” Adolpho said, pointing.
    “Thank you. I need to
wash this off my hands. Gods know I don’t need to walk around smelling like
onions. I have enough trouble fitting in as it is,” Mali said, following the
path Adolpho made wading through the dry grasses to the creek.
    Kimber followed her and
did the same.
    “We should do something
with your hair. I’ve got an extra blouse, and skirt too, if you’d like to
borrow them and change,” Kimber said on the way back.
    Mali couldn’t help the
surprise she could feel on her face. “Really? I’d love that.”
    Kimber nodded. “I
figured if you’d had something to change into you would have by now. Come on,
it’s going to take at least an hour to comb