I sat in the dark and leaned back against the door. The ache in my head hadn’t gotten better as I’d hoped. The mutts were still awake and jerking at the connection.
The soft sounds of Charlene breathing kept me company as I waited for them to grow tired of their game and wander off to find a place in the woods to sleep.
A scuffle of noise came from the roof. I stared up, listening. Three were up there. I heard a wooden crack.
Any damage made to the building must be repaired by the one causing the damage. I sent the command out to the whole pack and felt the sting of their immediate resistance.
Charlene sat up, and I looked at her. She shook her head and held out her hand, beckoning me.
“Leave it,” she said.
Was she inviting me to lay with her?
Mary stirred slightly in her bed, reminding me we weren’t alone.
Forgetting the pain in my head, I stood and went to Charlene. I touched her warm hand and she squeezed my fingers gently. Then, she moved over and patted the mattress. My heart started to race. Her pale blue eyes lit with humor as a slow smiled stretched her lips.
She arched her brow and patted the mattress again. Open invitation lit her eyes. Afraid she would change her mind, I quickly lay beside her. She stared down at me, her pale hair cascading over her shoulder. The sight tempted me but not as much as the way her gaze skimmed over my chest.
With Mary in the room, I knew Charlene wasn’t inviting more than my presence.
I curled an arm around her waist and gave a gentle nudge, until she lay down so her head was on my shoulder. Her hand settled on my skin just above my heart. The struggles with the males on the roof fell away as I focused on the feel of her. My need for her seemed to grow every day. Just the sight of her could soothe or excite me. Holding her close to my side like this was a dream.
Turning my head so my nose was in her hair, I breathed her in. Based on her scent, her touch affected her just as much as it did me. My pulse sped up slightly, and I tried to ignore the excitement coursing through me.
When she moved her head so her mouth was closer to my neck, I stopped breathing. I hadn’t been joking when I’d asked her to bite me. A nip from her dull teeth would mean everything. A sign that she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
Whatever thought had brought her lips close to my skin seemed to vanish as the hand over my heart curled into a fist. With frustration, I knew she wouldn’t give me what I needed. Forcing myself to relax, I kissed her brow.
It seemed to be what she needed because the hand flattened on my chest once more, and her fingertips starting a light exploration.
“Are they still on the roof?” she asked softly.
I nodded and ran my fingers through her hair. I didn’t want to think about my corrupt pack. I wanted to bask in the feel of her pressed against me, willingly touching my skin. She turned her head slightly and pressed her lips to my shoulder. I might not be able to claim her; but in that moment, I knew she was mine.
Not sleeping no longer bothered me as I listened to her breathing slow. I relished each moment as Charlene slept in my arms. The night progressed slowly and eventually, a few of those on the roof grew bored and wandered off to sleep. Those links quieted in my mind, allowing me a small measure of relief.
When I heard Gregory move in the other room, I gently eased out from her hold.
“I’ll stay with her,” Mary said, sitting up.
“Thank you. I’ll be downstairs.”
Gregory was already pumping water when I reached the main room.
“What are you doing?”
“Mary likes the oatmeal that Charlene makes. I was going to make a batch.”
“Still no closer to a yes?” I asked with a grin.
“I’m hoping this might help.”
“Me too.”
Now that Charlene let me sleep with her once, I hoped she would allow it again. Alone. I sat at the table and watched Gregory cook. Although the links in my mind had quieted slightly during the night as a few of the pack had gone to sleep, the ones who’d been awake had been enough to ensure I wouldn’t sleep. Now, those who’d rested, woke and tugged at my brain with renewed effort. Knowing I couldn’t stay inside forever, I stood.
I’ll join you in just a minute, Gregory sent me.
I went to the door and walked outside. Ash and his followers were waiting for me in the yard.
“You can’t command us to not do something you’ve done yourself,” Ash said angrily.
“When have I ever tried to destroy sanctuary?” I asked, purposely misunderstanding his meaning.
“Human homes. You’ve destroyed your fair share. We should be allowed to do the same.”
“Sanctuary is our home. You will not destroy it. And, if you disagree with that, you are welcome to leave the pack.”
“As long as that human’s in there, this is not our home,” he said, his angry gaze fierce with his belief. “She needs to leave now.”
“The Elders want her here. If you have a problem with Charlene’s presence, you need to speak with them.” I crossed my arms and waited for whatever objection he had next.
He had many. It was unfair they had to sleep outside. I reminded him he could sleep in any of the first floor rooms. He didn’t want to share his kills with the human. I told him he wasn’t sharing his portion of the pack kill with the human, the rest of us were sharing ours.
He likely would have kept going, but the door opened behind me. I knew without looking that it was Charlene when Ash pulled his lips back in a silent snarl.
When she stood beside me, I could smell her sweet scent and the oatmeal she was eating from a bowl.
“Good morning, Thomas.”
“Good morning,” I said gently, not looking at her. I didn’t trust any of the men before me. But when her pulse leapt and the scent of her interest tickled my nose, I sighed and turned to her.
“Charlene, you should stay inside.”
She wrinkled her nose as if thinking about it then shook her head and lifted her spoon.
“Oatmeal?” she offered.
I liked her sudden playfulness, but not in the open like we were.
“What are you doing out here?”
She shrugged and started pulling back the spoon. I grabbed her hand and brought the bite to my mouth. Her taste flavored the oatmeal.
She blushed and cleared her throat.
“I had a thought last night as I was listening to the little patter of footsteps on the roof,” she said, holding my gaze. “And that thought gave me an idea.” She turned to look at the men before me. “Why not send them out to find others and spread the word about what’s happening here.”
I followed her gaze and found them smirking. Ash had run out of recruits here. If I sent him and his followers out, they would recruit more.
“When you’re out there,” she continued addressing them, “be sure to tell everyone how you found females here and how we’re trying to make this place into a home.”
“Charlene…” She didn’t know what she was suggesting; but from the look in Ash’s eyes, he did. So did the others.
“We’ll go,” one of the men said, stepping forward. Eagerness poured from him.
“Of course, you will,” Charlene said. “The thought of finding enough men to break the pack apart and remove me, the terrible human, from your lives is perfect motivation.”
That wiped the smiles from their faces and stunned me. She knew.
“Why would you suggest this if you know that’s what we intend?” Ash asked.
“Why indeed,” she said then took another bite of oatmeal. She had their attention and mine as we waited for her to finish her mouthful.
“Perhaps I believe there are more of your kind out there interested in what we’re trying to build here. More than you think.”
“We?” the man said, disbelief and hostility flushing his face.
“Yes. We,” I answered.
“Or maybe there’s another reason,” she said with an indifferent shrug. “You decide. However, if you go, you have thirty days to send back as many as you can. The day after you all return, Thomas will accept the new members. Oh, and you all go or none of you go. Make your time count.”
The men looked at me. I fought to maintain control as they all pulled at me, wanting me to allow them to leave. Ash grinned as sweat broke out on my forehead. He now knew how close I was. It would only take a few more members to pull the pack apart, and I doubted Grey would be back in time to prevent the fighting that would occur when that happened.
Without any choice, I nodded; and they raced into the trees.
“Charlene, do you know what you’ve done?” I said, still staring at the woods.
“I gave you a reprieve for a month.”
“No, you’ve doomed the pack.” I rubbed my head and, surprisingly, the pain eased.
“Do you have a headache?”
“Yes. You gave me one.”
She shook her head at me, likely knowing it was a lie, and turned to walk inside. Without the troublemakers around to occupy me, I followed her.
“I don’t think I’ve doomed the pack, by the way,” she said over her shoulder.
“Oh?”
“I think I just gave it a real chance.”
She opened the door and froze just a step inside. I looked over her head and saw Gregory had Mary pinned against the wall, his face buried in the crook of her neck.
With Mary’s jean-clad legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his shoulders, I thought Charlene might feel embarrassment. Instead, dread surrounded her. Did she think Mary unwilling? Her closed eyes and parted lips conveyed just how much she liked what Gregory was doing to her.
“Congratulations,” I said to the pair.
Charlene turned to look at me, her eyes wide.
“Thank you,” Mary said with a bright smile as she unwound her legs from Gregory’s waist.
As Charlene’s gaze locked onto the bite on Mary’s neck, her scent soured with grief.