(Un)bidden

by Melissa Haag

  My stomach spun and dipped again at the sight of him shirtless.

  His muffled voice reached us through the glass.

  “Winifred,” he said with a stiff nod. “We’ve heard some rumors that there’s a human here and that you’re exposing our kind to her.” His angry tone carried his dislike of the idea.

  My instinct to be wary of him had been right. I narrowed my eyes at his back.

  “That’s correct,” she said.

  “How is allowing a human here in the best interest of the packs? Of our people? The last humans who were here shot four females and a cub. She needs to leave. Now.”

  “I disagree,” Winifred said calmly. “You know nothing of her. She’s not like other humans.”

  “I don’t care,” he said. “For the safety of our kind, there can be no exceptions.”

  “For the safety of our kind, we need to adapt. You need to listen to reason.”

  She looked away from him and addressed the listening men.

  “There can be no life without purpose and no purpose without reason. We struggle to survive because, as a species, we’ve lost our purpose. The world is changing, and we need to change with it. We need to find our reason. It is the only way to continue our existence. Even nature is telling us it’s time to change. Charlene is human and a potential Mate. Turn her away, and you might be turning away your future. Think about it.”

  She turned to the young man in front again.

  “Some leaders are born. Some rise out of necessity and are refined by circumstance. The best leader is one who listens openly and considers all possibilities.”

  Winifred looked up at the window, and I ducked away again. Not Mary, though. She stayed centered within the frame. A slow smile curled her lips.

  “He’s looking at me. I have to go meet him.”

  She turned away from the window and started toward the door. I quickly moved to follow.

  “He was pretty handsome,” I agreed, trying to keep up with her. “But enough to let him bite me? No thanks.”

  Her steps slowed, and she gave me a troubled look.

  “I guess I wasn’t thinking of that.”

  How could she not?

  “What were you thinking about?”

  She sighed and gave a slight smile. “I don’t know...just him.”

  “You don’t even know his name.”

  “No, but that doesn’t matter.”

  “Maybe it should. I think that’s what Winifred was trying to say. You need to think more. All of you. Don’t just let instinct rule you. You’re intelligent people capable of reasoning. What if he’s grumpy most mornings or snores at night? What if he wants twenty kids, but you only want two? You need to think about what comes after the bite. Plan ahead.”

  Her frown grew, and her steps slowed further. We reached the main room while doing a slow shuffle.

  “You’re right. But I still need to meet him, to talk to him. If he tries...” She glanced at the door. She didn’t have Winifred’s promise like I did.

  “I’ll roll up a newspaper and smack him on the nose for you.”

  She grinned at me. A knock at the door made us both jump. The door opened a moment later. Winifred strode in, her irritation still very evident.

  “Mary, there is someone out there who’d like to meet you.”

  Mary glanced at the floor for a moment, and Winifred gave a long-suffering sigh.

  “You know I can’t promise that, Mary. Charlene is unique. If I tried preventing him from Claiming you, the tenuous trust they have in me would be lost.”

  I knew what Mary had silently asked and felt sorry for her.

  “Can I meet him first?” I asked. Both of them looked at me in surprise. If Winifred couldn’t ask him to wait, I was willing to try.

  “That would be up to Mary,” Winifred said slowly.

  “It’s okay with me,” Mary said.

  “I’d prefer he come in here, though,” I said, thinking of all the men who still waited for me outside. “Alone.”

  Winifred gave me a long look then nodded. As soon as she left, I waved Mary back toward the bathroom door. It placed me between whomever would step through the door and her.

  It only took a moment for the outer door to open again. A tall man, who looked in his late teens, walked in. He wasn’t the lead man I’d noticed from the window but still one of the three. His eyes skimmed over me as he searched the room for Mary. His gaze warmed when it landed on her.

  I took a step to the side to block his view and smiled at him.

  “Hi. I’m Charlene.”

  He stalked toward us, sparing me a brief glance before his eyes drifted back to Mary. I quickly stepped into his path. He didn’t seem to notice and almost barreled over me. I slapped both hands on his very bare chest and gave him a slight push.

  “Stop for a moment, please,” I said. His skin heated my hands, and I hoped Mary wouldn’t think me too forward with him.

  He stopped moving, tore his gaze from Mary, and gave me a puzzled glance. I nervously removed my hands.

  “Here’s the thing; she saw my neck and is worried.”

  He tilted is head and studied me, not just my neck but all of me.

  “So you’re the human,” he said with a slight smile. “Winifred was right.” He leaned in and sniffed me. “You are different.”

  Before I could become nervous or uncomfortable, Mary cleared her throat behind us. The man straightened away from me and smiled at her.

  “She’s nowhere near as interesting as you are,” he said to her.

  “So, what’s your name?” I said, trying to reclaim his attention. He didn’t look away from Mary as he answered.

  “Gregory.” He had a pleasant, easygoing voice.

  “Gregory, this is Mary,” I said, turning slightly to indicate her. “She’s hoping you two could talk first.”

  “I’m not ready to be Claimed,” she said softly.

  His brows rose. He considered her for a moment and scratched his jaw. He didn’t seem upset when he finally spoke.

  “Why not?”

  She looked around the room for a moment as if trying to decide what to say to him. Her gaze briefly met mine before they settled back on him.

  “I am nervous about the bite, but I really just want to stay here with Charlene for a while.”

  He nodded slowly and looked around the room. His stare lingered on the table and the cookware on the fireplace mantel. Then he looked at me. “You’re making changes.”

  I nodded warily. Their kind didn’t seem too keen on change based on Winifred’s speech.

  “He’s going to want to meet you,” he said.

  For some reason his words made my stomach clench, and not in a good way.

  “Could I speak with Mary alone for a minute?” he asked.

  I glanced at Mary. She gave me a small smile and nodded.

  Outside, the yard was much too quiet.

  “I’ll just go upstairs, then,” I said, and with a last look at both of them, I headed for the double-doors.

  Six

  In the yard below, the men, who’d only minutes ago fought each other, now gathered in small groups. Most cast subtle glances at the newcomers Winifred had rejoined near the front of the truck. She was speaking to the man who made my stomach flip, but I couldn’t hear anything she said.

  The man stood with crossed arms as he listened to Winifred. I hoped they weren’t still discussing me. My presence didn’t warrant that much debate. If they wanted me to leave, I’d move on as simple as that. Well, not that simple. I still didn’t know where to go. But, this place was only ideal if they wanted me here, and except for Mary, I really wouldn’t mind leaving.

  A tap on the bedroom door distracted me.

  “Charlene?” Mary said, peeking in.

  “How did it go?” I asked, turning away from the window. She opened the door further, and I saw Gregory standing behind her. I glanced at her neck. It was unblemished.

  “Gregory wants me to go
outside with him to speak to Winifred. I didn’t want to leave you in here alone. Will you come?”

  “Of course,” I said. I didn’t really want to be inside alone, either.

  I stepped into the hallway, and Gregory nodded in greeting. He stood aside so Mary and I could precede him down the stairs. Mary remained quiet as we made our way through the main room to the outer door. There she hesitated and glanced back at Gregory.

  His gaze met hers, and he gave her a reassuring smile.

  “I’ll go first,” he said.

  He pulled open the door and stepped outside. Most of the men stood with their backs to the door so Gregory had to nudge his way through. When those he nudged turned and saw me standing behind him, they made room.

  “If she’s so important,” a raised male voice said, “take her back with you and keep our sanctuary safe.”

  The men around me growled in response. Whoever was speaking wasn’t making friends. I wondered if the rest would challenge the speaker as they had Anton.

  “As you can hear, they don’t want her to leave,” Winifred said.

  Gregory took a few more steps forward, with Mary and me closely behind him, then stopped. The men quieted as I passed. Gregory reached back to offer a hand to Mary. She shyly wrapped her hand in his and stepped forward, leaving me alone in Gregory’s shadow.

  “I acknowledge Gregory as my Mate,” Mary said.

  She stood facing Winifred. At least, I thought she did. I wasn’t ready to peer around Gregory to find out. Instead, I glanced at the men around me. A few gave me small smiles. Given the current conversation about Mates, a topic I wanted nothing to do with, I nervously returned my gaze to Gregory’s bare back.

  “But I’ve asked him to wait to Claim me,” Mary continued.

  “And I agreed for as long as Charlene is here,” Gregory said.

  He stepped aside, exposing me. Automatically, my gaze lifted to the leader, the one who so obviously didn’t want me to be here. The man’s sullen expression changed to one of disbelief. His arms fell loosely to his sides as his gaze swept from my dirty shoes to the top of my blonde head. As he studied me, I studied him.

  His eyes were a deep blue, blanketed by thick brows that matched his dark brown hair. His nose was strong and proud with a slight bump on the bridge. A hint of a shadow covered his jaw and upper lip. He was dangerously handsome; and when I found my attention settling on his lips, I averted my gaze and glanced at his other friend. The one beside him grinned widely and winked a startling light grey eye at me. I blushed and glanced away.

  I wished I’d stayed inside. My heart picked up its beat.

  Mary withdrew her hand from Gregory and moved to hold mine. The new men continued to watch me, and a few of the ones behind me grew restless. No doubt, they didn’t like me receiving additional attention.

  “If it’s all right, we’d like to go back inside,” Mary said.

  Winifred nodded, her watchful gaze never leaving the dark-haired man. I didn’t think he was the one she needed to worry about, though. Under the scrutiny of over forty pairs of eyes, I walked the path to the door.

  Mary closed the door behind us, spun, and briefly hugged me.

  “I didn’t think he’d say yes. And I half-expected Wini to object. I’m so glad I get to stay with you.”

  And I was, too. Now that I knew I couldn’t control any of the men out there, the idea of staying without someone who didn’t want to bite me, bothered me. I walked to the table and sat down. My cookie and Coke still waited for me.

  Mary tilted her head as she studied me, and I knew she was speaking with Winifred.

  “Wini wants to know how you’re doing.”

  Every time I thought I was okay with things, something new came my way. If I were honest with myself, I was tired of the men out there and more afraid now than I was before I walked out the door this morning. I couldn’t control their wills; and while Winifred could, she wouldn’t use her control to force them to leave me alone. Doing so would be an abuse of power, and I understood too well how dangerous that could be. Yet, if I could figure out how Winifred split her will and try to duplicate it, I wouldn’t feel so powerless here...if I stayed.

  Though a small group wanted me to leave, I didn’t think the majority would allow that. I wondered if that meant I was stuck here whether I wanted to be or not.

  But I couldn’t say all of that to Mary. So I settled for part of the truth.

  “I’m tired. And on edge. Would it be possible to put off the rest of the meetings until tomorrow?”

  Mary nodded.

  “She’s telling them and then she’s going to bring in the rest of the groceries and supplies.”

  Other than waking us, she’d stayed outside since she had gotten here, trying to keep the men in line. She probably wanted a break, too.

  There was a brief tap on the door; then, Winifred walked in followed by Gregory and the broody dark haired one. My stomach did an odd somersault again, and I couldn’t help the quick glance at his very bare chest. I struggled to keep my expression neutral though I was annoyed with myself.

  “These are the other groceries I brought up,” Winifred said, motioning to the bags the men carried. “Where should they set them?”

  “By the pump, please,” I said quietly when Mary said nothing. The table would have made more sense, but I was sitting at the table and didn’t want the men that close. I tried to kept my focus on my half-eaten cookie but couldn’t, so I discreetly watched them walk to the pump and set the bags down.

  Outside the door, another fight started. I looked up at Winifred. Her shoulders lifted and fell in a silent sigh. Weariness radiated from her, and I didn’t think it was because of actual exhaustion. I wondered if she wished she was back teaching her kids.

  “I will be right back. Mary, perhaps you could make me something for dinner?” Winifred asked as she walked toward the door.

  “Sure, Wini,” Mary said. But Mary wasn’t looking at Winifred. She was staring at Gregory. Gregory was returning her regard with a confident grin.

  “I can help you,” he said.

  Mary nodded shyly, oblivious to me and the other man in the room.

  “Since you have help, I think I’ll go lie down for a bit,” I said, standing.

  Mary tore her gaze from Gregory and eyed me with concern. “Don’t you want to see what Wini brought?”

  I glanced at the bags near the pump. They rested at the feet of the one who didn’t like me. He stood there with his arms folded across his chest, watching me with an undecipherable expression.

  “There’s no hurry,” I said. I’d had my cookies and Coke and paid the price. I wasn’t ready to pay anything more for whatever treats Winifred brought.

  I turned and left.

  When I opened the door to my room, I sighed. The bed, marooned in the center of the room, called to me like the oasis it was. I sat on top the quilt, kicked off my shoes, and pulled the spare blanket over my shoulders as I lay down.

  After so little sleep the night before, it didn’t take me long to drift off, away from the troubles of this place.

  * * * *

  “Are you hungry?”

  Mary’s voice penetrated the fog still clouding my mind, and I blinked awake.

  “What?” It was less of a word and more of a yawn. I lifted myself up on an elbow and tried to focus on her.

  Squatted down beside the bed, she grinned at me.

  “You must have been very tired. You have sleep lines on your face.”

  “It’s not easy to get a good night’s sleep here.” I sat up, scrubbed a hand over my face, and glanced at the window. Sunset painted the frame. Since there were no clocks, I didn’t ask what time it was. However, based on the sky, I guessed that I’d slept for several hours.

  “Did I miss dinner?”

  “No, I saved you some. Everyone’s outside again.”

  “Did Winifred get anything to eat?” I asked as I threw back the blanket and stood with a stretch.


  “She did. And she thanks you for your concern.” Mary moved with me as I went to put on my shoes.

  “How did it go after I left?”

  “The fighting quieted down once they knew you weren’t coming back out.”

  “I meant with Gregory,” I said with a laugh. I didn’t care much about the rest although I was grateful they’d let me sleep.

  Mary blushed a pretty shade of pink. “He seems sweet.”

  “Oh? How so?” I asked as we left the room. Shadows obscured the corridor. I kept one hand on the wall and wished I’d grabbed Anton’s candle.

  “Careful, stairs ahead,” Mary said.

  I immediately slowed. Once I was on the first step, I counted until I stepped onto the lower level. From there, it was easy to set my hand against the wall and find my way to the main room. A fire burned low in the fireplace and a lantern lit the table.

  “A lantern,” I said with excitement. “That’s perfect.”

  “It was in the bags of supplies. Wini thought we might need it.”

  I sat at the table to inspect it. I recalled my grandmother having a hurricane lamp in her living room. This lantern was similar in that it had a wick, but the glass globe completely protected the flames. The handle and hood made it safe to hang from a hook and not burn down the building.

  Mary set a plate before me and sat across from me.

  “Thank you.” My stomach growled when I saw a quarter of some type of fowl, a baked potato, and peas. I picked up my fork.

  “You never answered,” I said before I took my first bite. “How is he sweet?”

  “He doesn’t know how to cook. But he cleaned the pheasant while I opened the can of peas and washed the potatoes. We didn’t talk. We worked together without needing to.”

  I stopped chewing and studied her hopelessly infatuated expression. I didn’t understand their race. There was no courtship or time to get to know each other from what Mary said. The man decided whom he wanted, then bit her. Sure, she might fight back or decide to let someone else bite her, but that decision was based on what? Strength? We weren’t living in the prehistoric age where only the strongest survive. The world had changed. Why didn’t they see that? Winifred did. But she was trying to convince the men to change. In my opinion, she needed to start with the women.