Chapter 19

Book:Thomas' Heart (Companions, Book 4) Published:2024-5-1

How does it feel? Grey sent me, watching me closely.
Like when I’d accepted Mary into the pack, the sensation of being full eased after a few minutes and Bine and Zerek’s links settled in with the rest. My mind still felt clear and able to hold more.
Fine. Do you have other suggestions? Do you think Henry and Paul would be interested?
No. They left last night after Mary joined. They said goodbye to her before that. But, I noticed Hem and Anton speaking to Bine and Zerek several times. And Carl’s been helping with the wood since the beginning, like Bine.
Not Anton, I sent immediately. But I’ll speak with Hem and Carl.
Hem was working inside the tool building. He had several pieces of wood stacked to the side and was carefully using a saw to cut them to length. I recognized him as one of the few who went inside for meals.
He looked up from his work when I entered.
“Thomas,” he said, respectfully. “Do you need something?”
“Just wondering what you’re working on in here.”
“Charlene wanted the windows boarded, but I didn’t think that would make them as air and water tight as she needs. I saw a cabin well north that had frames that fit over the windows for winter. Kept the cold out. I think they wanted to keep the animals out too but…” He grinned.
“Spent a lot of time in the woods?”
“Yep. My father didn’t trust humans. My mother died at birth, so there was no one curious to influence him to study them, like your mother.”
I frowned. “Why do you think my mother was curious about humans?”
“Your name. You can tell a lot about a wolf’s family by his name. Hem is short for Hemlock. Named after a tree. You have a human name. Grey was probably born shortly after their Mating. It’s not a tree, river, or landmark, like most. But not human either.”
“For staying away from humans, you seem okay with Charlene.”
“I am. We complain that humans are dangerous, but I’ve rarely seen their young in the woods with guns or traps or saws. She’s young. She’s not here to ruin anything. I think she wants to leave behind what the adults of her race have planned for her. She wants to build her own future. If we help her, we can influence what that future is.”
I liked how Hem looked at things.
“I agree. That’s why I’d like to ask you to join my pack. After that last attack, I know the right to hold sanctuary will be challenged eventually.”
He looked up from his work to study me.
“You’re young,” he said. He had several years on me. “I’ll consider joining your pack if you can tell me what will happen to the female with you as the leader.”
“The pack will protect her and help her make this into a place where she can live.”
“If that changes, I will leave.”
I nodded.
“Good. Then, will you accept me as one of your own?” he asked.
“I will. You’re welcome in my pack,” I said, opening myself to him. A new connection pierced my mind. I was careful not to wince or show any discomfort as the link settled into place. When it did, I smiled at him in welcome.
“Keep me posted on those frames and if you need any more wood.”
I left him to his work and went to Carl. He was just as willing to join.
Grey walked from the woods as the newest link settled into place.
I’m concerned, he sent me. I think you’re adding to the pack too quickly. We don’t know how adding four new members within hours of each other might affect you.
The initial connections were becoming increasingly uncomfortable, but any discomfort left within moments. He was right though. I needed to slow down to ensure there wouldn’t be any bad reactions as the day continued.
Fair enough. I’ll wait to add more.
He looked relieved as he walked beside me.
Are you sure more are necessary?
How many males came from the woods when Charlene was hurt?
Fourteen, he sent back. But they weren’t a pack. The majority Forlorn.
With a common goal, they might consider forming a pack.
Eight is a large number. I’m worried about the strain.
There is no strain, I assured him. Everything felt calm in my mind.
You haven’t asked them to do anything.
I understood Grey’s concern. There’d been nothing to test their loyalty to their new pack. However, the males who’d joined had done so because they trusted and agreed with my purpose for staying here. Anything that would test them would involve giving a command that I wouldn’t agree with in the first place. All I could do was watch them like they were watching me.
Tonight we eat inside as a pack, I sent to everyone.
I waited for reactions but felt nothing more than a wedge of concern that came from Mary. Satisfied, I started toward the building to see why Mary was worried. Grey followed.
Stepping inside, I found Mary and Ann at the table, working on the unusable clothing. She looked up when I entered.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“We don’t have anything started for dinner, and Charlene’s still working with Anton,” Mary said, glancing at the stove.
“Gregory will help you cook. We’ll hunt.”
Mention of Gregory brought a smile to her face. Ann, who was watching her, smiled too.
“I still feel like that when Leif is near me,” she said to Mary as we left.
Grey and I found Gregory near the coop with Anton and Charlene. He had a pheasant under his arm. He didn’t look too happy about holding its feet and covering its eyes.
What are you doing? I sent to him.
Trying not to let this thing scratch me to death.
Why are you holding it?
Your Mate asked me to.
My grin at his disgruntled reply quickly disappeared as I saw how closely Charlene was working with Anton. Heads bent to inspect the wire enclosure, their arms touched.
“Go hunt with Gregory,” Grey said, cutting though my slowly boiling anger. “I’ll hold the pheasant.”
I didn’t wait for Gregory to hand over the bird. Stalking off toward the woods, I struggled to contain my anger. That mutt should have stayed away.
The run through the trees cleared my mind, and Gregory and I managed to catch a few squirrels.
“Game’s moving off,” he said as we dressed. “Her idea about the pen isn’t a bad one.”
“I agree. I just wish someone else were helping her.”
Gregory nodded but didn’t say more. He knew me well enough to understand nothing would calm what I felt. While he brought the game inside, I went to help with the wood. The activity passed the time until I saw Charlene walk through the clearing. Leaving the work, I followed her inside.
“We have water heating if you want to wash,” I heard Mary say before I reached the door.
“Thank you.”
Charlene didn’t look back as she closed herself in the bathroom. Mary saw me, though, and starting cleaning up the bits of cloth.
“Winifred says she’s almost here if we want to wait for her to eat,” Mary said.
“No. We’ll start eating if it’s ready. There aren’t that many bowls to feed everyone at once.”
“Then you can call them. It’s done.”
Come eat, I sent to the pack.
There was some resistance. Most likely a few who wanted to finish what they were doing. But they didn’t fight the command for long. My hold remained steady and strong.
I can feel you resisting, Grey.
And?
My hold is strong and stable. So stop being a pain in my tail. Adding a few more shouldn’t be a problem.
The first of the group came inside and went to the stove where Mary handed out portions of the meal she’d made. The males sat near me and started eating. Their scowls deepened with each bite. It wasn’t until I took my own first bite that I understood why. The pack was fine; the food was not. It tasted like iron and char. The males were smart enough not to say anything to Mary, though.
Outside, the rumble of the engine announced Winifred’s arrival. Mary quickly left her post and went to the door and offered to help Winifred bring in the supplies.
“That can wait,” Winifred said. “How is Charlene? Did she sleep well last night?”
I could feel Mary’s nervousness.
“I think so.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wasn’t with her. Thomas was.”
Winifred’s gaze found mine, and her eyes narrowed before she turned back to look at Mary. I had no doubt Winifred was quietly asking Mary what she meant by that. It didn’t matter. Who protected Charlene wasn’t Winifred’s concern as long as Charlene was being protected.
Charlene stepped out of the bathing room just then and moved toward Winifred.
“Hello, Charlene. Mary was just telling me about the changes—”
“Winifred,” I said, standing. “Could I have a minute?”