Mary left the shelter of the doorway and crossed to Charlene, who lifted her head. The side of her face looked raw and oozed blood.
Winifred, I sent, connecting with her immediately. One of the other’s attacked Charlene. We were fighting, but no longer are. I think Charlene stopped it somehow.
Mary reported the attack as well. I’ve enforced a rule for those who attacked. They are not allowed to touch Charlene without my permission.
She said nothing about Charlene’s possible intervention during the fight, though.
“Are you okay?” Mary said, helping Charlene to her feet.
Charlene wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She shook violently. She looked angry and afraid at the same time. In the wild, that made a deadly, desperate combination.
“Why?” she asked, looking at the man next to me.
“You have no right to come here and force us to live like humans,” he said with hate.
“You’re correct. I have no right to force you to do anything. You’re free to choose to live as you wish. However, I will continue to change things in these buildings that no one has used for years. And if there are any who wish to change how they live, they are welcome to join me.”
The man next to me tensed with anger. I braced myself, ready to step in if he tried anything.
“You have no right to this land,” he said.
“Do you own it?”
“No.”
“Do you know who owns it?” she asked. When he didn’t answer, she looked at me.
Winifred, who owns sanctuary?
I do. I pay the mortgage.
“Technically, Winifred owns it. It’s why she left and has a job. She pays the… mortgage.” I had no idea what that meant.
“And does Winifred mind if I make changes?” she asked, a sudden burst of worry coming from her.
Do you mind that Charlene is making changes?
She’s making improvements. No one should ever mind improving.
“She doesn’t think you’re making changes; you’re making improvements.” The worry didn’t leave Charlene’s scent. “Why are you worried?”
“It’s nothing to think about now,” she said before looking at the man next to me again. “So what did you hope to accomplish by attacking me?”
“A dead woman can’t change a thing.”
My canines and claws began to lengthen.
He may not be able to touch her, but he’s trying to scare her. He intended to kill her, Winifred.
Keep her safe, Thomas. It might be better if she stays inside until I can get there.
Or I could remove the threat.
Charlene seemed to sense my thoughts because she stepped toward me and set her hand on my arm. I didn’t miss her wince of pain. Gently taking her hand from me, I brought it to my lips and kissed her abraded fingers. Her pulse leapt, and I almost grinned.
“Winifred suggests you go inside with Ann and Mary,” I said, still holding her hand.
“I’d prefer to stay out here so no one else gets hurt.” She looked at the wolf still on the ground.
“He’s not one of ours,” I said.
“Really? He’s not a werewolf but a regular wolf? The fur in your ears is making you deaf. Stop thinking so narrowly. You can’t just protect your small pack. Think bigger.”
She was right. I kissed her hand again then nudged her toward the door.
“Your neck is bleeding. Let Mary take a look at it. I’ll look at our fallen.”
“Fine. The door stays open, though.”
Stubborn and caring. I grinned and waited for her to head inside. She gave me a long look then walked toward the wolf that was on the ground. When it growled at her, I moved forward but she knelt near him before I could stop her.
“I was bitten on the neck, too,” she said softly. “It hurts. If you can stand and come inside, Mary and I will clean you up and get you something to eat. It’s up to you, though.” She patted his side then stood and walked in.
I went and stared down at him as he started to shift back to his skin.
“If you’re going to die, do it somewhere else. If you want to live, let someone sew that up.”
“Traitor,” he snarled.
“I didn’t try to kill a potential mate or start a fight near the one rounded with a cub. This isn’t the place for fighting. It never has been. That’s why we call it sanctuary. Now, decide.”
The one who’d attacked Charlene came over and helped the wounded one to his feet. He and the rest silently moved to the trees.
“This isn’t over,” he said before disappearing into the shadows.
A noise from inside the building drew my attention. It sounded like laughter…but wrong.
When I walked through the door, Charlene was almost doubled-over. Her laughter held no humor and tears ran down her face. Mary looked on helplessly.
“She just started laughing then crying. All I said was that her stitches were fine but her face was scratched up.”
“It’s okay,” Gregory said, going to Mary. He hugged her, and I saw her blink back her own tears.
Bine and Henry stood just outside the door and gave me a questioning look.
“Keep an eye on things out there,” I said as I bent and lifted Charlene into my arms.
She buried her face against me. The feel of her breath on my skin sent a tingle down my spine. For a moment, I couldn’t move. However, the scent of her hopelessness wrapped around me and hardened my resolve. She needed me, but in a different way now.
Carrying her, I went upstairs and carefully sat on her bed. Cradling her in my arms, I held her close and tried to comfort her. I didn’t know what started the tears, exactly, and I didn’t like that I couldn’t make them stop. My heart ached at her torment.
Eventually, she quieted.
Tell Mary she’s not enough protection for Charlene. I’m taking over, I sent Gregory.
She’s not going to like that.
She’ll like it less if her friend is dead. You’ll hate it if Mary’s injured trying to protect her. Convince her, Gregory.
Silence. No doubt he was talking to Mary.
Charlene exhaled shakily and moved slightly against my skin. I could hold her forever.
Thomas, what are you doing? Winifred sent, interrupting the direction of my thoughts. Mary said you’re planning on staying in Charlene’s room.
You’re overstepping yourself, I thought to Winifred. The attack today proves that Charlene isn’t safe. Gregory may not have Claimed Mary but she is still his to protect. You cannot ask him to put her at risk by staying in Charlene’s room.
She pushed away men without moving a limb, and you said she just stopped a fight. I don’t think she needs your protection.
She needs rest, and I doubt she can protect herself while she’s sleeping.
I don’t want any of you near her.
Charlene lifted her head. Her eyes were bluer now. Angel’s eyes. I wanted to do more than hold her. I wanted to kiss her. I doubted Winifred would like knowing that.
You already commanded us not to bite her. She’s safe from us.
Thomas, I’m worried you’re not safe from her.
I understood what she was saying. I wasn’t sure what Charlene could do. All I knew was, when she looked at me like she was now, she owned me.
Have it your way, Winifred sent when I remained quiet. Stay with her. Protect her. But watch her, Thomas. There’s more to her than we know.
The setting sun painted one of the walls bright orange, bathing Charlene in a warm light as she stared up at me. The skin around her eyes was red from crying and the side of her face still oozed pink. The scent of her sadness and guilt wrapped around me. Whatever Charlene was, she wasn’t bad.
Her breath hitched, and she sniffled wetly. I reached for a scrap cloth from the pile by her dresser and handed it to her. She snuggled against me again and blew her nose.
“I’m sorry.”
I wasn’t sure if the apology was for whatever had happened outside or her tears, but her quiet remorse tugged at me.
“Don’t be,” I said. “Take all the time you want. I’ll hold you for as long as you’ll let me.”
I listened to her breathing smooth out and grow quieter, glad that she found comfort in my arms. She moved slightly, her cheek brushing my skin as she turned her head. Her scent sweetened with her interest, turning comfort into something more.
Need twisted my gut and drew me in as she lifted her head. Her parted lips were too much to resist when her blue gaze locked onto mine. Closing the distance, I brushed my mouth against hers. I wanted so much more, but not with the taste of tears on her lips.
I pulled back and gently smoothed back her hair.
“Tell me what you need,” I said.
She hesitated before answering.
“Nothing. I’m better now. Thank you.”
A lie. She was still shaking when she moved to stand. I caught her hand, needing to give her a measure of security.
“Mary wants to start sleeping closer to Gregory, but she’s worried about leaving you in this room alone. And now, I worry Mary isn’t enough.”
She looked back at me, a play of emotions crossing her features.
“Will you trust me to stay in here with you? To protect you?” I asked.
She shivered and glanced out the window.
“How do I know I’ll be any safer with you?” she asked.
“I would never hurt you,” I said.
She shook her head slowly and pointed at the mark I’ve left on her neck.
“Never again.”
I brushed my thumb lightly over her skin.
“There are so many ways to hurt a person, Thomas. Don’t ever promise someone you’ll never hurt them because you will.” She tugged her hand from mine. “I don’t want to be the reason Mary isn’t happy. You can stay. Thank you for the offer.”
A step in the hall and light under the door gave away Mary’s approach. I hoped that meant Gregory convinced her of the need for more protection for both of them.
“Come in, Mary,” I said.
She opened the door. The lamp she held in one hand lit her anxious expression.
“Are you all right?” she asked Charlene.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry for my outburst. I’m not sure why… well, it’s done, now. I heard you’re ready to share a room with Gregory. Did you want help moving your things?”
Mary frowned and glanced at me before looking at Charlene again.
“I don’t mind staying in here with you,” she said.
Charlene hugged Mary. “I know you don’t mind. But Gregory makes you so happy. Why wouldn’t you want to spend more time with him?”
Mary looked at me over her shoulder. Apparently her talk with Gregory hadn’t gone so well.
Charlene pulled back and caught the look. She turned to eye me.
“Could you step out for a minute, please?” she asked.
I nodded and left the room.