Her Tortured Bear

Chapter 5

It's not about the turkey for me, or the stuffing, or even the roast potatoes. Don't get me wrong, I love all that stuff and thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without it. But a holiday that's all about getting the family together, being thankful for all that we have; each other, our home and the food we eat. Being able to sit around the table, all of us together and thank God, that's just magic to me. It's a holiday when we just kick back and celebrate how wonderful our ordinary lives are.

But it was not so easy for Salem any longer. Horrors and trauma and the pain that he was dealing with on a personal and emotional level was something that no one could help him with except himself.

“Are Mom and dad coming for the lunch?” asked Salem as his sister came out with some snacks for both him and her husband.

“Yes I think so. They said that they will be here for lunch and then they will be going to have dinner feast with the pack once they are home in the evening,” said Selene as I nodded. Jordan looked at me once she was back in the kitchen and said,” Can I ask you something Salem? I mean, I know that we have been friends for the longest time and now we are family as well, but still I think we need to discuss something in the absence of your sister. Would you like to go to the den?”

Even though Salem did not want to listen to him doing his doctor speak he had no choice and said,” Why not? Can we take a couple of beers with us?”

Jordan smiled at him and said indulgently,” Of course, why not?”

They both went down to the den together and then Jordan came back again and said the twins,” Boys, come inside and watch Pokemon and stop playing in the sun. Your mom and I won’t be able to do anything if you both catch the heat.”

The words Pokemon almost acted like magic in the case of the kids and they immediately came inside and put on a movie on the television and plopped down on the couch for watching. Jordan sat down in front of Salem looking at him who was drinking beer like it was water.

“Look Salem, I know that you are the next Alpha in line and you don’t like to talk about your pain or anything else that might be hurting you but we are very worried about you living alone there in the cottage,” said Jordan and Salem smiled.

“I am a big boy Jordan. I can take care of myself, more over I am not alone there. I have Jax and he takes pretty good care of me, and trust me he is almost a much better company than the humans that I am forced to endure at the supermarket or the bar or every other place I go. I mean, I used to love being around people but now the slightest higher decibel of sound makes me lose my temper. So until I get that back under control I don’t think I can possibly come back to any semblance of normalcy which you guys are speaking of,” replied Salem and Jordan nodded at him with understanding.

“Yeah I was discussing that with Sel. It is normal and pretty normal what you are undergoing Salem.. In my training I have encountered several such cases who were in such trauma that nothing was able to pull them out of that except family and love,” said Jordan as he raised a single brow. Salem knew that he was trying to make him understand something or say it but not saying it directly.

“Look Jordan, you are my brother. Whatever you have to say you can say that directly. I am not going to eat you up or challenge you to do anything at all. Why are you so scared?” asked Salem as he smiled softly.

“It is not that I am scared Salem, it is that I am scared that what you might think about me for even saying this. I mean that I now that even though you are a bear who normally like their own space until they have family and are loners by nature. I know that, I am one myself but I never had the inclination to be alone. You do Salem. And right now what you require is plenty of care, love and attention and that too unconditional. Having Jax with you is the first step of a long road to recovery my friend. You need to think on a long term basis,” said Jordan and Salem just simply stared at him.

Inside he knew that what he was saying was correct and what he was trying to do was for the better health of Salem only but he was too independent to accept that he needed help.

“I know that you are saying right Jordan…but can I at least think about it? Then might be we can discuss it?” asked Salem as Jordan’s face broke into a grin and he said,” That is all I am asking for Brother. All for now. Just think about it, sleep on it and then tell me once you decide something.”

Just then Selene called out,” Mom and Dad are here. You both better come out of there.”

“Come on. Let’s go and meet the folks,” said Salem as he rose up from the couch and they went upstairs.

His parents were coming in through the door way with a huge rocking chair being carried by their father.

“Daddy!!! What is this?” asked Selene as if she was in shock. But it was happy one, as if it was exactly what she needed and wanted.

“Sweetie, you forget we are your parents and even though you do not say things to us we will always understand what you need and that is how we are going to be the parents. Now tell me where am I going to settle this and then we can share the good news which you have been dying to give us,” said their Mom and their Dad only smiled. He was a man of very few words but that did not stop him from being the greatest pack leader amongst the bear shifters.

“We can have it in the back porch but for now, let’s keep it in the front. Everything is ready and I just want us all to come and sit together at the table. It has been a long time since this family has been together,” said Selene and their mother nodded her head.

So all was set and when the women were setting the table Salem went to his father and the older man did not speak a word but pulled him into a bear hug and engulfed him in his arms. He still smelled the same like he did before, wood, smoke, and fir cones and some wild flowers with a slight tinge of honey. That was the smell which always made him feel safe no matter what when he was a kid. But now things were different.

“How are you doing son?” asked Seb Bloom as he smiled at Salem in his fatherly way.

“I would not say that I am perfectly fine Dad. I am trying, that is all I can say for now,” said Salem and his father nodded in an understanding manner. No one would even expect looking at this huge hulk of a man that he had such sweet and caring nature.

“You are a strong one Salem. That is the reason why we named you so. If it is anyone who can make it then it is you. Now come on, let’s have some of that turkey that your sister has roasted,” said Seb with a clap on his back and Salem laughed out loud.

“Are you hoping that she has made the special honey glazed roasted turkey?” Salem asked his father who winked at him. Jordan said,” Of course it is honey glazed turkey Bro. Come on, it is Thanksgiving and we are all bears, honey is like compulsory food on the table. You know, the boys ask Sel to make their lemonade with honey as well!!”

And all was good just like that.

Everyone took their seat at the table and they caught hands of each other and said Grace and thanked that the family was together and all was well with them. They also prayed that their table be filled with food like this always and that was made with love and also blessed the hands that made them. It was beautiful and Salem felt really peaceful, something which he had not felt in quite a long time.

“So now for the news that we have been waiting to give all of you since a few weeks that we came to know ourselves,” said Selene as she smiled and her face glowed up with the pleasure of the sentence that she was going to say. Jordan caught hold of her hand and then she said,” We are expecting again.”

Their Mom smiled knowingly and Salem could help but whoop out at the news. It was something that they had been planning since the twins had turned three and now hearing that they were expecting the family was happy once again.

“So that is the reason of the rocking chair, is it?” asked Salem and his father nodded. The turkey was cut into pieces and then served and Salem could literally feel the meat melting and bursting with flavours in his mouth. It had been quite some time since he had food cooked this good. It was so nice that the wine that was in the glasses remained absolutely untouched. Selene had gotten his mother’s hands when it came to cooking and that was something which could be said without any doubt.

“The turkey is perfect honey,” said Jordan as the kids wanted to have more of their lemonade and mashed potatoes. They also liked the nuts which were in the meat. And it could be seen that it was just a normal family having Thanksgiving lunch but there was something which Salem knew was happening underneath but they were not saying anything at all. Finally when everything was over and the Salem and Jordan and Seb were alone in the den waiting for the women to finish their conversation and finally he could not take it any longer.

“Alright out with it!!! What is it that you are not telling me?” asked Salem and Seb looked up at him calmly.

“Jordan!! I am telling you, this is not going to be a good thing at all. You know that I hate secrets and lies. Come on now, out with it,” said Salem and Jordan deeply sighed.

“The pack Council has decided that now it is time for you to take a mate from amongst whom they choose and then spend a year with them in the mountains before Seb retires,” said Jordan and Salem growled deep and low in his throat.

This was not happening. Not now, not ever.

And if it did it was going to happen over my dead body. And the Council was going to be responsible for that, thought Salem.