The information Mary was sharing didn’t need to be shared with Charlene. Winifred knew it too. Why was she trying to cause trouble? I stared at her until she agreed to speak with me and could feel her anger as I approached her.
Unwilling to leave Charlene with so many males, I used my link with Winifred while Mary got Charlene her dinner from the stove.
Mary is uncomfortable with the way you obtained Charlene’s agreement with the change. She wants me to make sure Charlene understands it isn’t Mary’s choice.
You and I both know, after what happened yesterday, Mary wasn’t enough protection for Charlene. I wasn’t about to risk one of my own in an effort to protect what is my responsibility to protect.
Have you Claimed Charlene since I left? she sent.
I didn’t like the reminder of my failed attempt.
No.
Then how is she your responsibility?
I hold sanctuary. If she chooses to live here, she is mine to protect. I used Mary’s interest in Gregory to gain Charlene’s cooperation. She would not have allowed me in her room otherwise.
Then perhaps that means you shouldn’t be there.
Your purpose is to protect our race. Not to interfere with how I run my territory.
“Enough,” Winifred said. Her anger rolled off of her like the heat radiating from the oven. Tangling with an Elder was dangerous. But I wasn’t about to let Winifred make a mess of what I’d worked to achieve.
“Winifred. You started this,” I said. Privately I sent, you brought her here and wanted us to accept her. We have. Aloud, I added, “Now let it go.”
She waved me away and turned toward Charlene. The males who’d quieted during our confrontation, quickly stood, took their bowls to the sink, then fled. I didn’t think less of them.
“As soon as you’re done eating, I’d like to look at your stitches,” Winifred said. “Perhaps we can take them out.”
I went back to my seat at the table and Winifred went to the medical supplies. While Charlene took another bite, I studied her face. Her cheeks were pink from a day out in the sun. The long fall of her hair looked slightly tangled from the wind. But what I was really interested in was her eyes. I needed her to look at me. I needed to see if she still had interest in me after spending the day with another male.
Before she looked up, someone walked in. Charlene’s eyes lit up with joy, and I knew who it was before he made it to the stove.
“Anton, you can have the rest of mine,” Charlene said holding out her bowl.
I wanted to growl as she stepped closer to him.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Totally.”
I watched him bring her spoon to his mouth and clenched my teeth. He was tasting her. I was sure of it.
Winifred watched me openly, waiting for my reaction. Like earlier that day, I did nothing. With humans, patience was the key. I knew that well. But when it came to Charlene, the patience might kill me.
“Take a seat at the table,” Winifred said to Charlene after Anton finished and left.
“Tomorrow, we’ll make two pots of stew,” Charlene said to Mary as she moved to sit. “Whoever brings the meat should double what’s being brought. It doesn’t have to be the same kind of meat. Two rabbits and two pheasants would work.”
“All right.” Mary moved to Charlene’s side to assist Winifred.
Winifred set the iodine and bandages on the table, moved Charlene’s hair aside, and bent close to look at the stitches.
“I see the tear. And the new marks.”
I regret giving you permission, she sent me.
“I thought it best to get the remaining attempts out of the way,” Charlene said.
“I’m concerned that, though those here have agreed not to attempt another Claiming, others might still want to try. What happened a few days ago proves—”
“Winifred,” I said, cutting her off.
I will keep her safe. Do not attempt to scare her away now.
“Pup,” she growled, “I will not tolerate another interruption. You’ve voiced your opinions; now, let me do my duty.”
“Your duty is to keep the peace. There’s peace here. You can leave.”
Charlene’s mouth dropped open, and she turned to stare at me. When Mary tried to tug her from the room, likely Winifred’s suggestion, Charlene stood and faced me.
“I think you should show Winifred a bit more respect,” she said. “You told me this place is in her name. She’s the only one of you out in the real world, working to make sure you can keep it. Without her, where would you be? Have you asked yourself that?”
Winifred did more for our existence that I cared to admit. Yet, as much as she gave, she also seemed to want to take away. Noting Charlene’s angry stance, I decided a retreat was in order until we all had time to cool off.
“Winifred, I apologize,” I said. “Do what you think is best.”
I walked out the door, and Grey fell in step beside me.
“That seemed to have gone well,” he said.
“How do you figure?”
“You still have your balls.”
I shook my head at him. We were just about to enter the trees for a run when Bine, Zerek, Hem, and Carl found us.
“We would like to join you,” Hem said. “We’ve never run with a pack before.”
“And we would like to eat something that isn’t burnt,” Zerek said.
I couldn’t fault them for saying the truth and agreed to a pack hunt. It led us further from sanctuary than I would have liked, but I knew Winifred would keep both Mary and Charlene safe. We crossed several fresh trails as we roamed a distance. One scent I recognized well.
Charlene’s attacker is still nearby, I sent Winifred.
Yes. I know. I can’t order him away from sanctuary, but he cannot harm Charlene again like he already has. She will be safe.
I didn’t have her faith. She hadn’t witnessed firsthand the lengths some of our kind had been willing to go to secure our future. And that level of demonstrated intensity was what worried me the most.
When we returned from our hunt, many of the males had cleared the yard and found places to settle among the trees. A few stood in the shadows just beyond the light of the opened door and watched the females inside. We joined them, and I was relieved to see Anton wasn’t there.
Glancing through the window, I saw Charlene at the table, gingerly moving her neck and rolling her shoulders while Winifred and Mary washed dishes. I moved toward the door and heard Charlene speak.
“I think I’ll head up to bed.”
I quickly opened the door and stepped inside.
“I’ll walk you.”
My sudden appearance didn’t seem to surprise her. Charlene glanced at Winifred and Mary, but neither said anything.
I disagree with the way you manipulated the situation, Winifred sent me.
I manipulated the situation to protect those who matter to me. It’s no less than you have done repeatedly for us. We want the same things. To keep Charlene here and keep her safe. Telling her she’s been manipulated will threaten our goals.
I could feel Winifred’s annoyance, but she said nothing in response as Charlene agreed to let me walk with her and led the way from the room.
After a day spent apart from Charlene, I inhaled her scent and let the pull claw at me. I’d missed her. I wanted to talk to her and spend time with her but wasn’t sure if she wanted the same. Not after her day spent with Anton. She didn’t smile or become excited when I walked into a room. Disgruntled, I watched the way her hips swayed as she walked up the stairs in front of me.
When we reached her room, I stayed in the hallway to let her change. However, the extended silence from within the room had me wondering if she’d open the door again. I was just considering letting myself in when it swung open. She didn’t look at me, just moved aside and motioned me in. Her scent was wary and slightly sad. Without a word, she went to her bed and slipped under the covers.
I quietly closed the door then sat to lean against it. Doubt ate at me. If I were really meant to be her Mate, shouldn’t my presence make her happy?
In the weak light from the window, I watched her roll toward the wall. Her breathing and heart didn’t slow as minutes passed. She yawned loudly several times before finally rolling toward me. Her eyes were open, searching the darkness for me.
“Can’t sleep?” I asked.
“No. I want to, but my mind won’t let me.”
“Want to talk?” I would listen to anything she had to say.
“I don’t know…”
“Why are you hesitating?”
“Because I’m not sure about you.” A frown creased her brow and then she started talking in a rush. “You didn’t like me. Then, you wanted to bite me. When I gave you what you wanted, instead of leaving me alone, you watch me even more. You seem annoyed most of the time. I think you still don’t really like me, and I know you’re keeping things from me. But it’s not just you. I’m questioning whether it’s smart to continue making plans to stay here through the winter. My presence obviously isn’t welcome. My neck can’t take any more holes; if it does, I’ll start spouting water every time I drink. Even if I’m not asked to leave, how can I possibly survive a winter here? Despite the steps we’re taking, I don’t think it will be enough. If the cold doesn’t kill me, malnourishment most likely will. How will talking about what’s on my mind change any of that? It won’t. Actions will. But I upset your kind if I talk about acting too much. So, no, I don’t think I want to talk about any of it.”
Her fear and worry frustrated me. Her concerns about surviving here meant we weren’t doing enough to make this place ready for her to assure her she could survive. I hated that she’d been feeling this all along and never said anything.
“You will always have a place with me, and I will always listen.” She needed to know that.
“You still think I belong with you… even after the bite failed?”
“Yes.” I felt it in my very bones. “Try to go to sleep, Charlene.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. It was a long while before she slept.