Page 109 of Corbin
But he’d called her an ursid hybrid in the same way her attacker had called her mother a whore.
Elianna had never wanted to be part of Alexandre’s clan or any other. No polar bear or grizzly clan would accept a half-breed.
But she would choke on her pride before she admitted his words had cut her.
Seeing no other way out, she kept speaking in Russian to move this along faster and asked in a civil tone, “Please allow me to heal and leave on my own. In a show of appreciation for your help tonight, Nico and I will go far away from your territory.”
Sure, she had pride, but she was not going to allow Nico to suffer over something she could swallow to save him.
“Actually, you are thinking the same as I. I agree it would be best for all if you go far away, but you and the child would not survive traveling north on foot through hundreds of miles protected by small shifter groups.”
“I survived a trip through the mountains once,” she claimed, sure she could do it again.
“That is only because I received word your mother was determined to cross them with a teenager. I asked that she be given safe passage.”
So many things she did not know about this man, but he’d just admitted a way for her to succeed. “Then give me that same protection so we may go north.”
“I have a better idea.”
Bones were trying to mend in her body, but they weren’t properly set. She shifted to ease the pain, but she had to move this along for her broken arm.
“I am starting to heal. I have bones that need to be set.”
Nodding his understanding that she needed him to hurry up, he spoke quickly. “I have made an agreement with a grizzly bear clan in North America for me to accept one of their females and send him one of mine so that we may crossbreed and keep our bloodlines strong. I think you would be the perfect woman to send to the United States.”
He wanted to send her to a grizzly clan. Had he missed the whole point about her bear being unacceptable to any clans?
Arguments rolled up her throat, ready to burst forth, but when she heard him sayUnited States,her mind changed direction. She’d been studying English and French since turning fifteen, so that she could one day leave here for Canada. If he made the deal with full knowledge of her being a half-breed, then any complaint would be laid at his feet.
Cautious, she rattled off her concerns in Russian. “How can you do this? I would need papers.”
“I have already arranged for documents.”
“Legal documents,” she clarified.
“Yes, legal. I know someone in that country who has a unique relationship with the US government. He can clear a shifter coming in with something of value to offer. You speak English and French, if I am correct.”
“Yes.” She frowned. How did he know that?
He continued, “If you fulfill the agreement, I have negotiated with him and show that you can be useful as shifter translator, your full citizenship would be processed after one year. You would be allowed to remain on special visa until then.”
Her heart picked up its thumping, but with a renewed sense of hope. Then that little voice piped up, the one reminding her how men had never been trustworthy.
“To expedite your healing, I will send my healer to you tonight,” he added.
Would the healer expect her to shift?
Her bear growled.Yes. Hurt.
She would pacify her irritable bear once this was done. She could not make a mistake and end up in a strange land with a child and no way to care for him.
Elianna said, “I will need our clothes and money.”
“Everything has been gathered from your apartment and your clothes will be delivered tonight to a location I have where the healer can tend to you. I will make arrangements for ... your mother.”
She studied his face for any sign of regret or remorse.
The hard eyes of a ruler, who would show no weakness in front of his men, stared back at her. He asked, “Do you wish to be present when we burn the body?”
