(Un)bidden

When the rest of Thomas’ pack returned for dinner that evening, a few gave me long looks and nods of acknowledgement but no one acted any differently. Except Anton. As I scooped a portion of the food onto his plate, his nostrils flared.

“Claimed?”

“So I’ve been told,” I said, handing him his plate.

He glanced around and saw Thomas watching us. “Normally, I’d say congratulations. But I think you’ll need luck instead.”

A trickle of annoyance reached me, and I knew it was Thomas. Anton stepped away and took his seat as Thomas started toward me. When he reached me, he moved to stand behind me and rested his hands lightly on my shoulders. It was comforting. He stayed with me until everyone was fed. Then he left the main room with the rest.

After cleaning up, I went to play with Ann’s baby for a while before going upstairs. I was nervous. What would he expect now that I’d Claimed him? Yes, he’d said he wouldn’t take more than I was ready to give, but could I trust that? Not only did the physical expectations concern me, but our apparent mental connection did, too.

I opened the door and found him standing in front of the window. The last light was fading, and he’d already lit the lamp I kept in the bedroom.

“Excitement was the best thing I felt from you today,” Thomas said without turning. “Your fear and constant worry…” He sighed and turned to look at me. “I will do everything in my power to turn this place into a safe home for you.”

He moved toward me, wrapped me in his arms, and kissed the top of my head. I set my cheek against his chest and listened to his heart. For a moment, I let all my fear and worry go. Underneath, I found what he felt for me. Adoration and respect flowed from him.

I wrapped my arms around him in turn. A wisp of desire brushed against me, and my fear returned. I dropped my arms to my side, and he exhaled his frustration.

“Your fear is torture.” His hand smoothed down my back. “Will you tell me, is it me? The thought of losing this place? I can’t fix what I don’t know,” he said, pulling back to study me.

“All of it and more,” I said honestly. “If you think my fear is torture, the things you feel when you look at me…I’m struggling with my own feelings, I can’t deal with yours, too. Everything is more confusing now than it was before. I don’t know what to do. What’s safe? Will you keep your word and leave me be? When the other’s return, will they agree with the Claim I unintentionally made?”

Will you discover my secrets?

“I can’t help what I feel for you, and I won’t apologize for it,” he said softly. “My hope is that someday you’ll feel the same for me. Until that happens, I’ll wait. I’d like to continue sleeping in your room beside you, but nothing more. Will you allow me that much?”

I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell him to leave. But since he’d pulled away from me, I felt empty and abandoned. I didn’t understand why or if those were even my own emotions. All I knew was that having him near made me feel safer and not so alone.

“Yes, you can sleep by me.”

He smiled, reached out to touch my cheek, then flooded me with comfort. Before I could react, he left the room. I wasn’t sure how, but I knew he waited right out in the hallway. He wasn’t being impatient or aggressive. Just protective.

I changed into the light shirt and cotton shorts I’d been using for sleeping and then climbed into bed. I lay there tensely for a moment before I called him in.

My stomach churned nervously as he entered. He didn’t look at me as he walked to the dresser and blew out the lamp. I blinked in the sudden darkness, unable to see him. The mattress dipped as he sat, and my heart stuttered. His fingers touched my hair.

“So much fear because of so little trust.”

I stared in the direction of his voice and saw his vague shape.

“Trust has to be earned,” I said softly. “If you recall, you bit me.”

“Only because you allowed it.”

I snorted. “As if I had a choice. I knew you wouldn’t leave it alone.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you, but I’m glad I didn’t leave it alone.” He eased down next to me. Lying on his side, he rested an arm over my middle. The weight felt comforting rather than confining.

“Go to sleep, Charlene.”

Despite my racing heart, I somehow managed.

I woke with a weight on my chest, and for a disoriented moment, I panicked. I pushed at the weight at the same time I struggled to kick off the covers.

“Shh. It’s all right,” Thomas said as the weight disappeared. I saw the vague outline of his head.

“What were you doing?” I asked, no longer trying to escape the covers.

He touched my hair and the weight settled back onto my chest.

“Listening to your heart.”

For a moment, I said nothing. Would I ever understand Thomas?

“Why?”

“Sometimes, when you dream, your pulse races; and it sounds so fragile. I don’t like it. I whisper to you until it calms.”

His admission caught me off guard. How often had he listened to my heart like this? “Don’t you sleep?”

“I do. Not very much, though.”

The idea that he stayed awake next to me should have been troubling. So why wasn’t I troubled? His fingers drifted from my hair to trace the curve of my jaw. I closed my eyes and tried to relax.

“Am I allowed to kiss you?”

“No.”

I could picture him grinning at my abrupt answer.

“Sleep well, Charlene.”

“Stop staring at me, and I will.”

His chest vibrated with his laughter. I couldn’t help grinning in return.

For the remainder of the night, I slept comfortably. When I woke, I had the vague recollection of wanting to roll over at some point but being unable to do so because of a weight on me. However, Thomas was already gone, so I couldn’t ask him about it.

I dressed and went downstairs. Before I entered the main room, I smelled breakfast, and my stomach rumbled. Thomas stood before the stove, stirring something. Mary and Gregory were at the table, glumly eyeing their bowls of oatmeal.

As I walked past the table to see what was left on the stove, I heard Mary’s comment to Gregory.

“Tomorrow, you wake up first.”

“Good morning,” Thomas said, drawing my attention. I peeked over his shoulder and saw a pan with eggs and onions. It wasn’t much. Enough for two humans.

“Where did you find eggs?”

“I went to the marsh this morning,” he said, scooping some egg onto a plate. “For you.” He handed me the plate.

I accepted it and turned away before I blushed. He’d gone to the marsh just for me. I couldn’t prevent my small smile as I sat next to Mary.

“What does everyone have planned for today?” I asked, taking my first bite. I didn’t miss how Mary’s gaze tracked my food.

Gregory looked at Thomas for an answer as Thomas sat across from me.

“Bine took his things and walked into town after Winifred left. That leaves Zerek in the workroom, creating more window coverings, and the rest went to see if the man at the yard needed more help. What needs to be done around here?”

“Well…” I thought about it for a moment. The pile of wood outside was impressive. They had long rows stacked high with logs driven into the ground to hold everything up. And with Zerek working on the windows, I was less concerned about freezing this winter. I was still worried about going hungry though.

“If Leif has time, maybe he can show us what to collect to make baskets. While we’re out there, we could weed the garden and get a really good look at what we have.”

“I’ll talk to Leif while you finish eating,” Gregory said, standing.

“We’ll leave for the marsh when you return,” Thomas said with a nod.

I was excited to get out and do something active. I quickly ate my eggs and pretended not to notice when Mary stole a small bite.

Hours later, I sat down in the chair with a groan. My lower back didn’t just ache; it burned from the strain of the hours I’d spent pulling weeds and picking reeds. Pain radiated from my hips to mid-back. I just wanted to lie in my bed, but it seemed too far to walk.

Mary sat next to me with a grunt and set her armful of cattail leaves on the table. Gregory and Thomas were making another trip back to the marsh for the rest of the cattail leaves we’d harvested.

“You need better ideas,” Mary said, leaning back.

“I thought werewolves were all tough and strong.” I couldn’t even lean back. My spine was set to forward only. I rested my face on the table.

“Weeds will kill us,” Mary said. I snickered.

The main doors opened, but I didn’t look up. I couldn’t.

“How did the gathering go?” Leif asked.

I reached out a hand and lifted a frond.

He chuckled.

“Does this mean you won’t want to start working on baskets today?”

“Nope. No basket weaving,” Mary said for me. I heard her stand. “Will you help me pump water?”

At first, I thought she was talking to me but then Leif answered, “Yes.” With relief, I stayed at the table a few more minutes before I struggled to my feet.

“I’m going to lie down,” I said.

“You sure? They’re bringing back fish for dinner, and I have water heating for a bath.”

I smelled like marsh and sweat but didn’t care.

“I’m sure. Tell Thomas to let me sleep. Even if it’s through dinner,” I said, shuffling to the door. “And if he lays his head on me tonight, he’ll lose it.”

She snorted a surprised laugh just before the door closed behind me.

I trudged my way upstairs, stripped from my smelly clothes, and feebly dressed myself in my shorts and shirt. With a groan, I sank onto my mattress. Typically, I slept on my back. However, when I tried to lie that way, it hurt too much. Lying on my stomach hurt even more. So I curled on my side and tried to relax.

Heat pressed against my lower back in rhythmic sweeping moves. It ached, but in a good way. I let out a sigh that was a half groan and snuggled deeper into my pillow. The pressure increased on my back, easing some of the soreness. I curled up more, bringing my knees level with my hips. The warm sweeping pressure continued, undisturbed by my movement.

I sighed and drifted back to sleep.

I woke with a confined stretch. Something wrapped around me. A blanket. I untangled myself and slowly sat up, not opening my eyes. My back cracked in several places. It was still sore, but nothing like it had been when I’d gone to bed.

I stayed there, sitting on the mattress for several seconds as I debated if I wanted to open my eyes and officially wake up, or if I wanted to lay down and try to go back to sleep. My head hit the pillow. However, lying on my back wasn’t comfortable. I rolled to my side. My shoulder hurt a little, and I guessed I’d spent a lot of time on my side last night.

Fingers gently dug into the muscles of my lower back and startled my eyes open. I twisted in bed and saw Thomas sitting on the edge of the mattress.

“You slept a long time,” he said, keeping his eyes on my exposed back.

I glanced at the window and noted early morning light. I felt his concern. This time it was my turn to send out some reassurance. If only I could figure out how. I settled for words.

“I’m thinking about sleeping longer,” I said, relaxing my head against the pillow. “Especially if you keep doing that.”

With my face pressed against the pillow, I smelled marsh and wrinkled my nose. On top of an already sore back, I would need to do laundry.

“Hmm. Does that mean I should tell the new family what room to pick?”

I sat up quickly, dislodging his attentive fingers. “New family?”

“Yes. A Mated pair and their cub. A little boy about two.”

I was up, out of bed, and frantically searching for clothes. A family. It was a start to what I saw this place could be. Hope and excitement filled me, along with Thomas’ amusement.

“They’re eating oatmeal in the main room. Come down when you’re ready,” he said, standing.

I nodded and with clean clothes in my arms, shooed him out the door.

Mary and I showed Rilla the rooms on the first floor and the clothes in the entry. Her adorable son ran around us in his fur. It was really hard not to play with him like he was a frisky puppy, which was totally how he acted.

They picked a room near the back of the house that Mary and I hadn’t yet swept. It also had no glass in the window. But Rilla didn’t seem to mind at all. She set the clothes they’d taken just inside the door, then she and the cub went off to find her husband. Thomas had offered to show the man the rest of the buildings.

As Mary and I walked to the common room, I thought of what we had to offer new families.

“It just doesn’t seem like clothes are enough,” I said, thinking aloud. “The men only wear pants because I asked. Would you be wearing clothes if Winifred hadn’t said something?”

“It’s getting cooler out at night, so probably.”

“Funny,” I said, knowing she was just being smart. “How can we make this place more comfortable for those who aren’t sure if they want to be a part of it or not? I know you were willing to sleep on the floor, but that’s going to be hard and cold in the winter.” But no worse than snow and frozen ground, I supposed.

“I like my bed. But if I had to choose what I like best about it, it would be the pillow. I could go back to sleeping on the floor if I had a pillow.”

“Then, we have our project for the day,” I said with a smile. “We’ll see if we can come up with a way to make some pillows.”

“Just so we don’t have to weed.”

When we pushed our way through the main room doors, the room was empty and the breakfast dishes waited. It had been a hectic morning. I didn’t know who to thank for getting up early to make the oatmeal. It wasn’t Mary. I’d pulled her from her bed so she could come with me to greet the new family.

I went to the stove and saw someone had been kind enough to put a pot of water there. It was already boiling. Mary and I got to work. Before we had half the dishes clean, Rilla and Ann joined us with their children. Together, we finished the dishes quickly.

Leif walked in from outside as we stacked the dried plates and bowls. In his arms, he carried a bunch of the reeds.

“If you’re finished with the trough, can I use it? Weaving works better if we keep this soft,” he said.

I nodded and watched him set them in the trough. He pumped some water and poured it over them.

“Ready?” he said with a smile.

“What are you doing?” Rilla asked, curiously eyeing the leaves.

“Leif is going to teach us how to make baskets so we can store things,” Mary said.

“I would love to learn that, too,” she said. Leif handed her several of the leaves and took a few more himself. They brought them over to the table.

“We’ll need to spread out to have enough space to work, but let me show you how to start.”

Before I could join the rest at the table and watch Leif, Gregory came in from outside.

“Not you two,” he said, looking at Mary and me. “We’re going back to the marsh.”

Mary and I both groaned.

“What you brought back was a good start,” Leif said. “But we’ll need more to make enough baskets to store what’s in that garden. If you pick enough, we can make mats for the floor, too. And bring back whatever tops you can. It makes a soft stuffing.”

Gregory held the door, waiting while Mary and I shared a look. We’d both slept deeply because of the day before. I hadn’t asked her how her back felt, but the idea of spending another day doing the same thing made me want to run for my room. I was willing to bet she felt the same way.

Yet, going back to the marsh meant mats for people to sleep on and possibly stuffing for the pillows she and I had just talked about—Leif had probably overheard us. Making this place into a home would take some work, backbreaking, sweat-inducing work.

“Come on,” I said with a sigh.

Together, we walked out the door.

On the ground just outside, I saw two finished baskets. One was the baby’s and the other Leif must have made the night before. Mary picked up both and started following Gregory across the clearing.

I took two steps, then I found myself swept up from behind. I squealed and automatically wrapped my arms around Thomas’ neck. My pulse jumped as he grinned down at me.

His boyish smile and the amusement pouring from him warmed me.

“Ready?” he asked.

In his arms, I felt like I was ready for anything. I nodded, and he ran.

When I would have kicked off my shoes and stepped into the cattails, Thomas stopped me.

“It’s getting too cold for you to do that. You stay here and stack what we pick.”

Stacking the fronds the three of them pitched onto dry ground wasn’t very hard; but within an hour, my back wanted to quit. I stretched, twisting this way and that, in an effort to relieve the ache.

“Ready to stop?” Thomas asked. Mud smeared his arms up to his elbows as he stood calf-deep in cold water. His pants were rolled up to his knees.

“We were never ready to start,” Mary grumbled. She and Gregory were similarly dirty and standing in the water. Gregory moved over to her and gently rubbed her shoulders. I watched her sag against him.

“Yes, I think we have enough for today,” I said.

Cattail tops filled both baskets, and a very large stack of leaves waited beside them. If Thomas carried me, it would leave more for Gregory and Mary to carry.

“I know I’m slow, but I think I’d like to walk back,” I said. Hopefully the walk would loosen up my back muscles.

No one argued with me, and we worked together to tie the leaves into bundles. Gregory and Thomas carried the majority. I managed the last two bundles while Mary carried the baskets. When we had everything in our arms, Mary and Gregory took off, running ahead. Thomas and I walked through the trees.

Again, I wondered if I was doing enough to make the buildings into a place where people would want to live. Were pillows, mats, and clothes enough? Would it sway the rest of the pack when they returned?

“Have you heard from them?” I asked. He didn’t ask who I meant.

“They don’t contact me. But I did let them know about Ann and Leif’s daughter. I think they sent the new family, too, by sharing that news.”

“How’s your head? It hasn’t seemed to bother you since they left.”

His gaze softened as he glanced at me.

“It’s been better since they left. One or two of them tests my hold daily but the rest of the time it’s tolerable.”

“Do they know about me?”

He shook his head.

“You asked me not to say anything. I won’t. But others might. It’s only a matter of time.”

I frowned, worried. What would happen when they found out?

“I can feel your concern, Charlene. It will be all right. Even if they do find out, they’ve separated into smaller groups to spread out and cover more territory. They won’t be able to cause trouble until they’re back together, here.”

That worried me more. With Bine living in town and most of Thomas’ pack leaving daily to look for work, it left very few to help Thomas if the need arose. At least he kept Gregory close. Then I realized there was one person I hadn’t seen at all since Claiming Thomas.

“Where’s Grey?” I asked.

Thomas sighed and looked off into the trees. “He worries as much as you do. He’s left the pack so there’s one less rope to hold.”

“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. He’s with Winifred. They’re preparing him to be an Elder.”

“Elder Grey?”

He nodded. Though his expression was blank, I felt the wave of sorrow that consumed him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Grey is doing what he has always done, sacrificing his future for the future of someone else. Only this time, his sacrifice will benefit all of us, not just me.” He caught my confused look. “Being an Elder means you serve the people, never yourself. He can never have a Mate once he becomes an Elder. If he even thinks about it, he’ll die. He’ll never have cubs…”

I’d lived with them long enough to know a Mate and cubs were at the top of every man’s mind. To give that up to protect not only his brother but me and the future of his people was humbling.

I shifted the bundles in my arms and reached out, gently touching Thomas’ shoulder. “Tell Winifred to thank him for me.”

Thomas nodded. We walked together in silence for several meters before I heard a rustling ahead. Gregory and Mary ran toward us. Mary wore an amused smile. Gregory ran just a few steps back and to her side, keeping an eye on her.

They stopped in front of us, and without a word, Gregory took Thomas’ load. Mary held out her arms for mine.

“You don’t have to,” I said.

“Tub’s half full,” she said, “and there’s more water hot on the stove. If you hurry, you can have the tub first. Take too long, and it’s mine.”

I surrendered what I carried and looked up at Thomas as they took off running. There was only one way to hurry back.

Thomas opened his arms.

I leaned back in the hot water, sighing yet again. It was heaven. My sore back didn’t feel sore anymore, and my hair no longer smelled like marsh.

Voices carried through the door. Rilla, Ann, and Leif were still working on baskets. Mary, Gregory, and Thomas had been watching what they did, trying to learn, when I’d closed the door. When we’d returned, all of the leaves gathered from the day before had almost been used. Rilla was working on mats for sleeping since it was an easier weave, and Ann and Leif were making the baskets.

I knew I should get out of the water, dress, and join them, but I couldn’t quite make myself move. My fingers weren’t pruned enough. I closed my eyes and relaxed further.

Someone tapped on the door.

“Charlene,” Thomas said. “If you fall asleep in there, I will come in.”

“Chill,” I said, opening my eyes. “I’m almost done.”

I sat forward and reached for the towel I had waiting on the chair. Standing, I wrapped it around me and squeezed the excess water from my hair. Minutes later, I was dressed and opening the door.

Thomas looked up from his spot at the table and smiled at me. My stomach did its funny dance it liked to do. I turned away from him. His amusement filtered in through our link as I went to the stove and checked on lunch.

Someone had started a soup. Vegetables, fowl, and pasta floated in the broth.

Hands settled on my shoulders as I gave it a stir. Thomas’ amusement faded and something that felt like hunger replaced it. I turned my head to look at him. His hands skimmed down my shoulders, feathered over my upper arms, then transferred to my sides. I was fully clothed. His hands didn’t stray from my sides. Yet, it felt completely indecent. His hunger wasn’t for food; it was for me.

My lips parted, and his gaze shifted down to them. I wanted to tell him to give me some space but I couldn’t speak. His hunger consumed me and became my hunger. I set the spoon aside and turned, slowly. His head lowered. My pulse leapt, and I licked my lips.

“How’s the soup?” Mary asked. Barely contained laughter laced her words. But hearing her voice was enough to break the spell. Thomas’ hunger turned to mild annoyance.

I exhaled slowly and ducked around Thomas. Heat marked my cheeks as I headed for the common room’s doors.

“Mary, finish your basket,” Thomas said from behind me.

His irritation filtered through the connection we had. I wasn’t sure if it was at Mary or me because I was trying to put some distance between us.

One of the men chuckled as I left the room. Seconds later, I heard the door behind me and knew Thomas was following me. I didn’t look back at him, and he didn’t try to catch me until I was in the upstairs hallway.

Thomas’ hand curled around my upper arm before I made it to my door. He didn’t try to pull me to a stop. He didn’t need to. His touch was enough. Had he not touched me, I would have stepped inside my room, closed the door on him, and hid away at least until my blush faded.

Instead, when he touched me, I pivoted and took us both by surprise. I reached up, grabbed his face, and pulled him down for a kiss.

For several moments, just our lips touched. Then, his hunger returned in force. His hands settled on my sides again. He steered me back against a wall. My hands slid up into his hair. I opened my mouth to him. He growled and kissed me hard.

My head spun. I wasn’t sure if it was the kiss or if maybe I wasn’t breathing.

His lips left mine and trailed along my jaw to my neck. It was then that I noticed he was moving me again. Step by step, we were shuffling closer to my room.

I panicked, fisted my hand in his hair, and yanked hard.

“Ow!” He took a step back and scowled at me while he rubbed his head.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“It’s called kissing,” he said, dryly.

“No, you were trying to back me into my room. Why?”

He stopped rubbing his head and stared at me a moment. I felt the rush of hunger once more. But now I knew what he meant to do with it, and it didn’t wash me away.

“No, Thomas. You promised. Nothing more than I’m ready to give.”

“But I thought that was a yes.”

“That was a kiss, remember?”

He looked mildly annoyed with me for a moment then sighed.

“I’m sorry, Charlene.”

He stepped close and slowly pulled me into a hug. I resisted at first until I felt his sincerity.

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

He held me in the hall for a while then pulled away.

“I’ll save you some lunch. Mary will come up to sit with you.”

He was giving me space while still making sure I was protected. My heart softened a little.

“Thank you,” I said, then turned away and closed myself into my room.

A few minutes later, Mary came in. She had a partial mat, and extra leaves. She sat on the floor, spread out her work, and looked up at me.

“So what earned him the hair pull?” she asked. She didn’t sound amused, just concerned.

“He told you?”

She nodded and started weaving another leaf into place.

“When he asked if I would come up here. He said you were upset enough with him that you pulled his hair, but he couldn’t leave you alone, even if you were mad at him. So what did he do?”

I blushed but confessed everything.

“I kissed him. He assumed it was a sign for more and was trying to nudge me into the room.”

“Yeah. Sleeping in Gregory’s room is nice, but I have to watch what I do. They’re always trying to read into things, hoping you’re finally saying yes without using the word. I haven’t pulled his hair yet, but I’ve come close.” She took a new leaf from her pile and started to weave that one in. Her calm acceptance had me blurting my concerns.

“Mary, I’m really not ready. I know he’s worried about what will happen when the pack returns and he thinks…mating,” I swallowed hard, “will help with that, but I’m just not ready. What am I supposed to do?”

Her hands stilled as she looked up at me.

“Is it okay if I ask Winifred to join this conversation?” she asked hesitantly.

I thought about it for a moment then nodded. Mary sat quietly for a minute, then a corner of her mouth quirked in a smile.

“First, Winifred wants you to know she supports whatever decision you make and applauds you for standing up for what you wanted and pulling Thomas’ hair. She’s not pushing one way or the other. She said you need to think about the reasons why you’re not ready.”

“I’m too young,” I said automatically.

“Do you think I’m too young?” Mary asked, and I knew she was speaking for herself.

“Yes, I do.”

“Why?”

I stared at her.

“How old are you?”

“I’ll have been born sixteen years ago when the leaves fall.”

“And don’t you think that’s a little young?”

Mary shrugged.

“I don’t feel young. I’ve hunted with my family since I could walk. I’ve been learning about the dangers of the human world since before I could speak, and I have listened to the history of our race. Like you said, we’re dying. Don’t I have a responsibility to try to keep us going? And I love Gregory. It’s not like I’m even sacrificing my happiness for the sake of everyone else. Once we’re Mated, he’ll never leave me. He’ll always care for me and love me in return. This isn’t something that fades or goes away. The only reason I’m waiting, is because I don’t want you to be upset with me. I saw your disappointment when I let him Claim me.”

“Oh, Mary,” I said, moving to kneel beside her. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you think I’d be upset with you. I won’t be.” I hugged her, and she wrapped her arms around me. “If you felt my disappointment, it was because I thought you’d leave. None of your kind really seems to like being here.”

“Living here is different,” she said, pulling back. “But we stay because you make this place somewhere we want to be.”

My eyes watered.

“I’ve never had a better friend than you,” I said. “If Gregory makes you happy, don’t hold back because of me.”

“If Thomas makes you happy, don’t hold back because of age or doubt. Waiting won’t change how he feels for you. Once our kind finds a Mate, it’s for life.”

And if I were honest with myself, that worried me more than my age. She watched me for a minute then went back to weaving, letting me think things through.

If I mated with Thomas without telling him the truth, what kind of life would we have?

Thomas wasn’t in the main room when I finally went to find him. He wasn’t anywhere outside, either. I stood in the sun, closed my eyes, and concentrated on where I usually felt him. It was like concentrating on my left hand but in my head. I found the spot and felt a hint of frustration coming from it. How did you call someone with feelings? Impatience? I didn’t want him to think I was mad. Not when I was about to tell him the truth about myself. My insides twisted at the thought. And I didn’t want to wait for him to come back on his own.

I knew two things that would most likely have him rushing to my side. Fear and hunger. I blushed, opened my eyes, and started to think about the kiss we’d shared in the hallway. The memory of his hands on my sides made me shiver, and my pulse jumped. The frustration disappeared. I imagined his mouth on mine, not a gentle, light touch but a starved press of his lips.

My gaze swept over the trees, and my breathing changed as I kept the memory playing in my head.

“You better be ready to run,” Mary said from behind me.

I jumped and spun around. Like a bucket of cold water over my head, her appearance stopped all thought.

She grinned at me.

“What were you doing?” she asked.

My already flushed face heated further.

“Trying to get him to come back.”

Hands settled on my shoulders, and I let out a small “eep.”

Mary laughed, shook her head at me, and walked back inside.

“You succeeded in gaining my undivided attention. Was there something you wanted?” Thomas said from behind me. What he felt flooded me, and my stomach did a nervous dip. Why hadn’t I felt anything until now? I’d thought it wasn’t working.

“I wanted to talk to you privately but maybe now isn’t the best time.”

He scooped me up in his arms and took off running into the trees.

“Now is the perfect time,” he said, glancing down at me. His hungry gaze devoured me.

“Don’t run into a tree,” I said, nudging his chin up. He grinned and focused on our path.

As he ran, I tried to settle my nerves and my pulse by taking several deep, calming breaths.

We broke through the trees to the lake’s grassy shore. I was glad he hadn’t taken us to the marsh or garden. He set me on my feet and turned me.

“There’s no one around to hear us. Now, what did you want to discuss?”

I felt like throwing up. The little voice that had cautioned me when I’d thought about telling Winifred was screaming at me now to keep my mouth shut. I looked out over the water, unsure what to do.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Thomas said. He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. “I hate when you worry this much. You can tell me whatever you want or keep it to yourself. I won’t be upset with you either way. Just stop worrying like this.”

His hands smoothed down my back, and the voice quieted. My worries tended to fade when he just held me like this.

“I can control people with just a thought,” I said against his chest.

His chin settled on the top of my head. “I know. Winifred told me. She and I talked after the first time we saw what you could do. We thought it was tele-whatever, where you can move things with your head. When you told her it was something else, she told me.”

I frowned, not saying anything. I said it needed to be kept secret. And when she’d nodded, I’d thought she’d agreed.

“Don’t be angry,” he said.

I needed to figure out a way to keep my emotions in check.

“She told me because she had to. She’s responsible for all of us. Keeping information to herself about the possibility of someone in our midst who could control us could have killed her.”

“What?” I said, lifting my head.

“Like I said about Grey. Elders serve us, not themselves. If she knowingly did something that could potentially jeopardize us, she would die.”

I stared at him, unable to speak.

“Winifred does want to protect you. She believes that you’re a key to our future. She will do what she can to keep you safe. That’s why she told me what you can do and asked that I keep an eye on you. I saw what you can do. It’s impressive and as far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason for us to worry. The damage you can do is no worse than when we challenge each other.”

I could do so much more than he imagined. I could make them do things then make them forget. And if Winifred found that out, she’d need to tell Thomas or risk her own life. What would Thomas do if I told him? Would he keep it to himself? I studied his face. He wouldn’t. He loved his people too much. If he knew there was a way I could control them, he’d warn Winifred, at the very least. She’d need to tell all of the rest. I was very unwanted already. It would be my death.

I felt sick but quickly pushed it aside. I couldn’t fall apart; he’d know there was something more to what I could do. Fear snaked its way into my belly, and I saw his expression begin to change.

I did the only thing I could to distract him, to distract us both. I kissed him.

Thomas’ head lay on my chest. His breathing was slow and even. I didn’t move to wake him. Instead, I lay there and let out all the worry and fear I’d suppressed since our kiss at the lake.

If I mated with Thomas as he wanted, as I wanted, I would need to lie to him for the rest of my life. I could try to run, again, but knew he wouldn’t let me go. Even if I managed to leave this place, he would come and find me. He hadn’t wanted to give up his Claim before it had been official. Now that it was official…I sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

“What next?” I whispered in the dark.

Thomas shifted in his sleep, relieving some of the pressure.

I ran my fingers through his hair. I’d made it this long without deciding. Maybe I just needed to be patient and wait for the universe to actually answer.

Thomas and I stood outside, working together to hang laundry on the line. Everyone else was still inside working on weaving. I’d tried to start a mat but discovered I didn’t have the patience or skill for it. The leaves didn’t cooperate and, instead of a rectangle, I ended up with a weird shape with too many gaps. So, I’d opted to do laundry instead.

“Weaving’s not for everyone,” Thomas said.

How had he known what I was thinking about?

“What gave me away?” I asked.

“Your frustration. It felt the same now as it did in there.”

I wrinkled my nose at him. Thomas’ mat had been perfect.

While I was making my face, his expression went from amused to alert. He turned to look at the trail. A light blue and white truck rolled into the yard. Not Winifred’s truck. I stopped straightening a shirt and squinted against the glare of the sun reflecting off the windshield. I caught sight of a man behind the wheel as the truck stopped and the engine died. I turned back around to keep my face averted. Thomas moved toward the truck.

The man opened the door, and a metal on metal screech filled the air.

“Afternoon,” Thomas said as the man stepped from the truck. Thomas’ voice seemed pleasant enough, but I felt his tension.

“Afternoon,” the man echoed. “Sorry to come in here without warning. Am I interrupting something?”

I reached for the man’s will but didn’t find anything more than friendly curiosity. Keeping a light hold on his will, I hung another shirt.

“Just laundry,” Thomas said.

“Not a shirt left to wear, huh?”

I blushed as I realized how odd Thomas must look standing there in nothing but his pants. I’d grown so used to it, I never thought of getting a shirt for him anymore.

“Yeah, the Mrs. lets it pile up at my place, too,” the man said when Thomas remained silent. There was a slight pause before the man continued. “I’ve seen your smoke for a few weeks now and wanted to stop in and warn you. We’ve been seeing some wolves around. They’ve left our livestock alone so far and don’t bother the dog none, even though that thing yaps up a storm.”

“Wolves?” Thomas said, sounding deeply concerned. “Which direction did you say?”

“I live a few miles to the west. It’s a farm just off the road.”

Had I walked a bit further all those weeks ago, I would have seen the farm. How different would my life be if I’d gone to knock on their door instead of walking an old trail at dusk?

“And you saw our smoke from your place?”

The man laughed.

“Not from my place. I’ve seen it when I go to town for supplies.”

A thread of impatience touched me, and I smiled. Poor Thomas. I wondered when he’d last spoken to a human. Excluding me, of course.

“Thank you for letting us know about the wolves,” Thomas said pleasantly. “We haven’t seen any yet, but we’ll keep watch and let you know if we do.”

“It’s no trouble,” the man said. “It’s nice having neighbors again. Thought the lady who bought this place from the hippies was just going to let it rot.”

The man was obviously not ready to leave. I knew we should invite him in or seem friendlier, but I didn’t think anyone here would welcome him if I extended any type of invitation.

“That’s my aunt,” Thomas said. “She was thinking about it but asked me and a few of my friends to move out here and start fixing the place up. Might still rot.”

I could feel the shrug in Thomas’ words. Hanging up the last shirt, I calmly walked inside and felt the man’s curiosity as he glanced my way. I should have at least said hello. Instead of thinking me odd, I nudged his thoughts toward shy.

Mary closed the door behind me.

“Thomas said to stay inside until he leaves.”

I didn’t need her to tell me that. I went to the window and peeked around the curtain. The man stood near his truck. Thomas appeared very relaxed beside him.

“Let Thomas know he should shake the man’s hand when he thanks him for the information,” I said.

Mary giggled.

“Gregory didn’t know about that when we went into town. You should have seen his face when the plumber offered his hand.”

Thomas stuck out his hand as he thanked the man again. The man shook Thomas’ hand, and I felt the man’s relief that we were normal people, unlike the last group here.

Thomas stayed outside until the taillights disappeared down the road. When he came inside, he didn’t appear as troubled as he felt. He walked over to me and set his hands on my shoulders. I’d noticed when others were around, it was usually just a casual touch; but when we were alone, he tended to curl around me.

“What part bothers you?” I said. “That someone came here or that he thinks I don’t do laundry?”

“That there are wolves to the west.”

“I don’t understand why that’s troubling.”

“Winifred says there are no wolves to the west.”

That didn’t sound good.

“Could it be some of your pack trying to cause trouble?” I asked.

“No. Most of them are to the north or the east.”

“Maybe they’re just real wolves,” I said.

“Maybe.”