Revolting

William gathered up a pile of clothes. He estimated that he and the mute rogue were about the same size. He added a few personal items to the bag like soap, a hairbrush, and razor. It wasn't in his nature to meddle in other people's business, but just this once, he was making an exception. He'd already had a long conversation with the Alpha and Luna. Nina had been in tears when she learned that her dear friend had a second chance mate. Both of them had readily agreed that Boyd could be invited into pack territory.

Daisy however, didn't seem inclined to go and issue the invitation herself. She had become withdrawn and distracted. Maybe it was the advanced state of her pregnancy, but William suspected it had more to do with that awkward first meeting at the boundary. She refused to talk about it, let alone go out and see the man again. So, William, out of love for his friend, decided to take matters into his own hands.

He drove out to the boundary. He had a box filled with fresh fruit and pastries to give as an offering to the group. He pulled the bag of clothes over one arm and balanced the box in the other hand as he went out through the woods to their camp. The rogues had grown accustomed to his scent, and barely looked up now when he approached. He brought the box to the older woman, who seemed to have some authority in the little group.

"Hi Sarah," he said, patting himself on the back for his good memory. "I've brought you these."

She gave him a tight and tired looking smile. "That's very kind of you." She took the box and passed it to Caroline. Lonnie was already sticking his hands in the box, greedily helping himself to more than his fair share. William turned his back on them, and instead searched out Boyd.

The man was sitting slightly apart from the others, still looking broken and dejected. William walked up and smiled down at him in a friendly manner. "Hey there."

Boyd looked up at him with suspicious eyes.

"Could we take a walk? I'd ah," he glanced back at the others before he gave Boyd his full attention. "I'd like to talk to you about something."

Boyd unfolded his lanky body and stood. He glanced back at the others, but no one was paying attention to him, so he followed the blond man deeper into he forest. When they were a good distance from the camp, William turned to him. "So, you and Daisy, huh?"

A sad look passed over the other man's face. It was hard to tell exactly how old Boyd was. Too many years of living out in the elements had aged his face. The scruffy beard and long hair didn't help either. "Look, I know its none of my business. But Daisy is one of my best friends, and I only want what's best for her."

Boyd's shoulders hunched forward and he stared down at the ground.

"I felt like maybe there was some misunderstandings between you. Daisy lost her first mate about six months ago. He was a human, and he got bit. By Michael."

At the mention of Michael's name, Boyd's head jerked up, his eyes searching William's face to a certain the veracity of the statement. "Yeah." William nodded. "Its been a really rough time for Daisy. I think she would like to have followed her mate into the afterlife, but then she was pregnant. It gave her something to live for." William found a fallen log and sat down on it, stretching out his long legs. "She thinks you don't want her, because she is pregnant with another man's child." Boyd shook his head vigorously and closed his eyes. He did not sit but paced slightly in front of William. He slapped himself in the chest, his expression one of disgust and self-derision. He gestured to his ratty clothes and his old work boots that were coming apart at the sole. And finally, he grabbed his own throat and made a slight choking sound.

William nodded in understanding. "I kind of thought it might be something like that. But trust me when I say that none of that will matter to Daisy. She's really a special woman. She is warm, loving, kind, generous... and fiercely loyal. She doesn't need a rich man, or a powerful man. She just need someone who is going to love her unconditionally, support her, and protect her.

Boyd nodded and finally lowered himself to sit on the log beside William. He propped his long arms on his knees and supported his head in his hands.

"I explained the situation to Alpha Shane. He has agreed that you will be allowed to come on to pack lands in order to visit Daisy, as long as you abide by all of our laws. And I brought you these," He offered Boyd the bag. "I think you and I are about the same size. Who knows, a shower, a shave, some fresh duds." William smiled kindly. "You'll feel like a whole new man."