I Married a Bear by A. T. Mitchell

without worsening all this, I had to keep my tiger at bay and do exactly what they said.
    “Hands off!” I growled when the men reached for me. “I'll come. Where are you taking me?”
    “Town hall, just across the village. The Elders want to have a chat to see what you know about tigers coming into our territory,” the man said coldly.
    Jacob shot them both a warning glare. I stayed close to him as we followed the two stern faced bastards out into the night.
    The wide wooden doors opened on an empty chamber. Well, mostly empty.
    Only the front rows had people sitting in them. And just a little ways beyond these seats, there were three decrepit, gray haired bears who looked way too frail and senile to be making any decisions sitting on the bench. Two males, and one female.
    I'd read about the way bear clans were run long before my marriage.
    Most groups had an Alpha to do the real work and a seniority based Elder council. Supposedly, the oldest and wisest who'd earned their way to the top took these leadership positions. Though really, the wisdom faded quickly after they took power, giving way to corruption and nepotism instead.
    “Bring her forward!” the old man in the center bellowed.
    Greg and Cuddy nudged us forward. Jacob stood at my side the whole time, taking his place before the trio. Having him on the floor to share my grim situation, without any hesitation, restored a little of the respect I'd lost when he surrendered us to their fancy piece of paper.
    “Miss Hisch, I'm Councilman Baron. I won't beat around the bush–“
    “It's Missus Roark,” I said pointedly, brushing off the shock and sourness showing on their faces.
    “You've been brought here today because you're the only tiger in our midst.” Baron turned his head and looked at Hannah, who I realized was sitting right behind me. “The lady here reported tiger blood and signs of a scuffle in the forest this morning, and the council has confirmed it.”
    The female Elder at his side clasped her hands and leaned forward. “We want to know why. Tigers haven't come onto our land unannounced for years before your marriage. I don't believe in
    coincidences. Your kin are showing up because you're here.”
    All eyes in the room turned toward me. I swallowed, collecting my words, simultaneously trying to keep my tiger from bursting to the surface.
    She wanted nothing more than to break out and run away from this room full of menacing bears.
    Make that her and I both.
    “You want the truth? I'll give it to you: James and I went to see your Shaman the other day. The men ambushed us on the way back. They tried to take me away from Denali. Obviously, I didn't go willingly.”
    “Our Alpha was in the fight? And he never reported it?” the old man at the other end of the table growled.
    “He's trying to save your asses right now!” I said. “James and I resisted the men who came to take me away and ruin the treaty together. Why are we the only tiger and bear in the world who can get along?”
    “She's lying.” This voice spoke behind me.
    The small audience gasped, and I spun around to see Hannah standing in the front row, fixing her eyes on me with a nasty smile.
    “I saw her myself,” the bitch continued. “Seemed like something fishy, so I followed them to the Shaman's place. On the way back, they were ambushed. This cat was never in any real danger. The men didn't lay a single claw on her, but they did hit James in the head over and over with a rifle.”
    One of the Elders coughed loudly, breaking the pause. Hannah sniffled and ran a hand over her face, a sorrow so exaggerated my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
    “I tried to warn him. He wouldn't listen. I saw her giving the tigers gestures, signaling them the minute they came out of the shadows.” Hannah paused uncomfortably again. “I know, it's sick and wrong, but the girl has our Alpha all wrapped up in her stripes. She led him into the fight. I'm not sure why she spared him and called