Bear Moon

First Female Bear

Mato's POV

I can remember the day that Kayla was born. She was the first werebear female born since I had been alive. Not only that but she was born in my pack. Her family came from ancient shifter genes like mine. Though they gained the curse through a second-generation werebear that one of my brothers had.

We had a massive party that weekend welcoming her into the pack. Even though I had a mixed pack of bears and wolves we blended well. Everyone seemed pretty cohesive and bonded to one another. Many said it couldn't be done. But, so far last few hundred years I had.

A nephew of mine had started a mixed pack as well. Leo was a third-generation werebear who had taken a liking to what I had started in protecting the innocent that are taken. I was proud to see he was going well.

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At the party, Kayla's mother placed her in my arms. All the music stopped, in my head. I stared at the little blue-eyed cherub in utter amazement. She has blonde wisps of hair on her head, cooing at me the whole time. I had wanted cubs, as my dad had. I never got to. All my pack members presented me with their babies as a way for me to honor their family while allowing me the chance to hold the little ones. They know I would, gladly go to the end of the world to help them in any way I can.

I am not sure how long I held little Kayla, but because she was the first female werebear in forever, I lifted her towards the rest. "Our first she-bear!" I shouted with pride. I didn't understand the pride I had in her birth or the fact that I got to see her run the halls of my pack house daily. Her parents worked for me, so they brought her up to the packhouse to get their jobs done. I gave her, the freedom to come and go as she wished.

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I was there for every birthday, she had. She would race around the packhouse the older she got doing small favors for people, such as delivering messages or gathering shopping lists. I noticed she clung to Momma Dee's skirt a lot when her parents would be on missions.

She would room with the other kids, while they were away. She grew up, inside the packhouse. I remember the day, she came racing into my office to tell me that a vampire and big werebear had shown up while I was talking to Hawk and Amber.

The look in those beautiful blue eyes was priceless. When I introduced my dad at dinner that night, I could see she had so many questions but did not ask them. She refrained from doing what she so desperately wanted to do.

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Kayla's first day of training at 15 was also rough it was the same day her mother went into labor. She tried to pay attention to the moves but, as soon as her father showed she ran straight to him. Her second sister was not a bear. But a wolf. You could see the sadness in her eyes, but it left as soon as she saw a carbon copy of herself. Both sisters had bright blue eyes. Though Kayla's would be slightly lighter in shade than her sisters.

Kayla threw herself into training after that. Realizing she would have to be stronger for her sister. Kayla was great in training. Even staying after to spar with some of the older kids. Most of the time they were werewolves. Those wolves would always check with me first. Making sure she hadn't overdone herself. Kayla would always try even if she thought she had more in reserve.

Sometimes she didn't that was one of her hardest lessons. I had to make an example out of it one day. I knew she would be mad at me. She needed to know her limits. She wanted to spar after a rigorous day of training. I had told everyone no. We need some just in case we were attacked. I would never be left without fighting men again. She pleaded and whined with everyone she could.

I finally relented, had her square off with me. I managed to get her down in two seconds. She needed a lot more work. I would agree with that, but working with exhaustion was not something I would allow. I explained this to her and explained what I lost. I told her the reasons we trained. To protect the innocent, to protect the pack, and to protect ourselves.

Kayla didn't speak to me for weeks. I was upset but, not sure why. I chalked it up to having to reprimand her. Her parents were still upset about me letting Hawk aka Cacodemon stay in our packhouse. Amber was one of the worse cases I had seen. I was not going to kick her out or let him have a reason to take her. That girl had been hurt too many times. 48 to count what was in her file. No one was going to tell me how to run the Bear Moon pack. I was the son of Mortou the first werebear. They couldn't challenge me. Only first generations were a match for first generations. Even then we were a group of brothers so there was no need.

They eventually got used to him here. He never killed anyone unless they needed it. Amber was loved by everyone with her gentle soul. Kayla's parents appreciated Cacodemon's killing skills when it came to The Death Circle trying to kill Amber. They had been bound by a spell to kill everyone. Cacodemon killed them all. He took three swords to the chest and still survived. Why he asked me to pull out the swords is beyond me. But Kayla was never touched that night. Momma Dee had taken her below with the others to hide.

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On the day of her 18th birthday, my bear inside was going nuts. When she walked out to the back I knew. I couldn't announce it. This was the time of her first shift. I would not be a proper leader if I claimed her then and there. Amber noticed and helped with bringing sheets out so my bear word is ok with her shift in front of everyone.

Once she shifted those blue eyes remained. She was the most stunning bet I had seen with her blonde-tipped brown and bright blue eyes. I was in awe. I shifted quickly and ran out to her only to be stopped by her parents who took her off for her first run. I needed to remind myself I hadn't claimed her as mine. I needed to. I would do it once we got back to the party after the run.

Back at the party, I walked up to her. She scented me. I could tell she knew something. I asked for a dance which was my right. Her touch was instant fireworks. It had been so long since I felt it. I sighed raising her hand to my cheek. She eyed me. curiously before she asked. "Are you?"

"I am," I nodded.

She smiled, a blush creeping up her face. "I always had a crush on you." She looked down at the ground as we danced.

I lifted her chin, "I don't want to sound like the dirty old guy, but I have sensed something different with you since the beginning." Goddess how I hated that line.

She just giggled, it was a great dance. Until we went to tell her parents. That is where things got topsy turvy.