“There’s no one left willing to challenge you, Thomas,” Grey said from beside me as I surveyed the yard.
Frustration and anger still boiled under my skin, and I clenched my fists, wishing I hadn’t exhausted my outlet for them.
“Cowards,” I said under my breath.
“No. Smart males. The pull is riding you stronger than it is them. They’ve also come to terms with the fact that being first with her doesn’t mean anything. Three males have tried to Claim her and failed.” He set his hand on my shoulder. “It might not ever work.”
“We’ll never know if she doesn’t come out,” I said, struggling to keep my canines from lengthening. “Three days. How long does she think she can hide?”
During those three days, I’d made a truce between my head and the pull. I’d acknowledged I was meant to make Charlene mine. Or try. Who better to keep an eye on a human than me? I was still worried about her presence and wondered what our future would hold with her in our midst. But I could no longer deny the pull. It kept growing stronger with each day.
“Winifred has warned us that it would take her time to feel comfortable around us again,” he said, releasing me. “You just need to be patient.”
Winifred had left the sanctuary the evening after returning Charlene and was due back in three days. I’d hoped to spend more time with the girl before Winifred returned.
“Mary said she thinks Charlene’s getting restless,” Gregory said. “She’ll probably come out soon.”
Henry and Paul emerged from the building and crossed the yard.
“We have an idea,” Henry said. “We can clear the yard and rebuild her trust. Show her it’s safe to come out and that you young pups can control yourselves and stay away.”
I glanced at the males milling around.
“Do you think you can get everyone to agree? It won’t work unless the yard is completely empty.”
“You’ve challenged everyone for the right to be first,” Mary’s father said with a rueful smile. “I figure if you go, the rest will agree.”
“I’m glad our females aren’t this stubborn,” I said as I glanced at the building.
Henry guffawed out a laugh.
“Son, you obviously haven’t been around our women. They are the reason we’ve survived as long as we have. Because they wouldn’t allow us to do anything less.” With a grin, he nodded toward the woods. “Go. We’ll send the rest away and then join you to keep watch.”
I nodded and turned toward the trees. Grey and Gregory fell in step beside me.
“We should spread out. With Henry and Paul helping, the five of us can guard the clearing. Out of sight.”
They nodded and moved off, giving me the position north of the building. I had a clear view of the door and was the closest if Charlene needed anything.
Slowly, the yard cleared. I acknowledged each male who passed me. Many moved to stand just behind me. A few moved further back into the trees to relax and wait. And they seemed to have the right idea because, for several long minutes after the yard emptied, nothing happened. Then, we heard the screech of the hand pump from within the building.
I wasn’t the only male to impatiently watch the door after the sound faded.
“How long are we going to need to wait?” someone asked behind me.
I didn’t look away to answer. It took a long time for the door to finally open. When it did, the males around me moved anxiously. I held up my hand, a warning for them to remain where they were.
She stepped out. Just two feet from the open door. There she stopped and warily looked around. She was pale and moved stiffly as if she still hurt. She exhaled slowly, closed her eyes, and slightly tipped her head toward the sun. I soaked in the sight of her, struggling to stay within the trees as she wanted.
Her hair fell away from her shoulders, exposing her neck. The black stitches stood out against her fair skin. Ugly blues and greens colored the skin around the threads. Shame filled me at what she’d suffered.
She might not play games, but she was good at reminding all of us that she was human and fragile.
After a moment, she looked around once more then stepped back inside.
“That’s it?” one of the males said behind me.
“For now, perhaps,” I said. “But she kept the door open. Let’s wait and see if she reappears.”
No one argued against it. Inside, the screech of the hand pump echoed in the clearing several more times before everything quieted. The door closed. Before anyone could protest, Henry walked into the clearing with both hands up, signaling us to wait. He stopped by Grey, who was closest to him, then returned to his spot.
Mary told her father that they are going to bathe, Grey sent to me. She can smell Charlene’s anxiety and asked that we remain out of the clearing until they finish.
“Are we going back?” one of the males asked.
I shook my head.
“They are bathing and have asked that we stay away. Humans like their privacy.” That I knew from watching them. Yet, like the males behind me, I wanted to return to the clearing and try to catch a glimpse of her. Thoughts of her sitting in a tub of water in nothing but her skin kept me preoccupied as the sun rose higher in the sky.
After a while, Henry and Paul left their positions again to string a line near the door.
“Laundry,” Henry said, so those closest would hear and pass the word.
Then, we waited some more. The men were growing restless and angry by the time the door opened and Mary walked out with wet clothes in her arms. Everyone stopped moving to watch Charlene step out after her.
The damp strands of her blond hair hung heavily down her back, darkening the snug t-shirt she wore. Her jeans hugged her legs as she moved to Mary’s side and took something from her arms. Quietly, we watched them hang the clothes.
Mary was right, Charlene was anxious. She repeatedly glanced back at the trees. I didn’t understand why, though. We’d done as she’d asked. We were staying away. Yet, it seemed her fear was growing, not decreasing.
When Mary and Charlene finished, they went inside and closed the door. Agitated voices immediately drifted around the clearing.
“They need to leave the door open.”
“We didn’t attack her. Why are we being punished?”
“How can she find favor in anyone if she isn’t looking at anyone?”
I understood their frustration. Their thoughts closely echoed my own.
Winifred, I would like to speak to her.
A growl rumbled in my chest at Winifred’s immediate reply.
I don’t think that’s wise.
Her trust is broken. We have no way to rebuild that trust if she stays hidden inside. I will not touch her. I will not attempt to Claim her. Allow me to speak to her.
A moment of silence passed before she responded.
Very well. Do not make me regret this.
“I will go speak to her, on all our behalf’s, and see if she will change her mind about hiding inside.”
A few grumbled as I knew they would, but I’d won the right to approach her first. No one moved to stop me as I jogged across the clearing.
What are you doing? Grey sent me.
Waiting isn’t helping. She’s growing more fearful, not less.
I knocked on the door. Instead of waiting for Mary to answer it, I stepped in. And it was a smart choice. As I’d suspected, Charlene would have bolted if I’d waited. She was already on the far side of the room, close to escaping again.
“Enough,” I said.
She froze and looked at me. Wariness faded from her features as resentment drifted in.
“Excuse me?”
“You made a big speech about showing you kindness and consideration, then you run off and hide. Where’s your consideration for us?” I strode across the room afraid she’d run before I reached her. “By hiding in here, you’re denying us a chance to show you any kindness.”
“By leaving me alone to heal, you are showing me kindness.”
I stopped in front of her and shook my head as my gaze swept her face. She looked better than she had earlier. Her color wasn’t so pale and her eyes no longer reflected constant pain.
Fear suddenly clouded her scent, and she shuffled back half a step.
She feared me? I’d killed the mutt who did this to her and I’d carried her to the hospital. I’d risked the safety of my entire race for her. I’d fought for the right to her. She was mine to keep safe. Mine.
I moved forward, following her retreat.
“You are not allowed to hide in here like a frightened rabbit.”
She stopped and stared at me. Anger ate the scent of her fear.
“Wait. Why are you in here?” she asked.
“To talk some sense into you.”
“No. I mean, why you? Why not Paul or Henry or one of the other men out there waiting to meet me? You’ve already met me, talked to me, and told me you’re interested in me. Why did they let you through the door without a fight?”
Unable to help myself, I leaned in so my mouth was close to her ear and my nose buried in her silky hair. She smelled wonderful.
“Who says they didn’t fight me?”