by Melissa Haag
I didn’t see how two to one fighting was a valid challenge for leadership. What kind of leader would the pack have if he needed help to fight his battles? The thought stopped me. A leader shouldn’t jeopardize his people when he wasn’t willing to jeopardize himself. But a good leader would accept help when needed, too. Whether Thomas asked or not, he needed help.
I watched Thomas finally let loose of his hold on the first challenger. The wolf’s muzzle bled profusely, but he paid it little attention. Instead, he worked with the other challenger to circle Thomas. They managed to maneuver until one stood before Thomas and the other at Thomas’ hind leg. The one at Thomas’ back coiled, ready to spring.
“Can’t either of you take Thomas on your own?” I asked, loudly. The second wolf hesitated to attack again. “If not, what kind of leaders will you make?” A snarl arose from those in Thomas’ pack. “I think you’ll find yourselves challenged by others in his pack.” I gently lay a hand on the backs of both Gregory and Grey. “You’re both attacking him at the same time because you know he’s special. He has the loyalty of his pack and even if you defeat him, what will you have gained? Gregory will Claim Mary in an instant to protect her, and they will leave, as will the rest. You’ll be the leader of nothing.”
The one hesitating growled at me. I didn’t stop speaking, though.
“If you want to be part of something great, then stop fighting. Concede to Thomas and join his pack. Don’t try to lead it. You were never meant to.”
A group of men stepped from the trees, distracting me from the fight. I recognized the man who strode ahead of the rest. He’d been the one who’d attacked me several days before...the man who’d pushed me to the ground and scraped my face.
“It is our right and our way to challenge for control,” he said, anger lacing his words. “You have no right here. After Thomas finishes with these two, I challenge for pack leadership and rights to this land and these buildings.”
That the group had remained close was concerning. That they’d chosen to challenge Thomas immediately after he finished his current one concerned me even more. Thomas obviously fought well, but for how long? He would tire eventually.
The two wolves attacking him seemed to think the same thing. They both launched at Thomas. Snarls and growls filled the air again as Thomas twisted to avoid teeth and claws and feinted to try to score either of the pair. One got lucky and raked Thomas’ head. His ear bled.
Thomas jumped, landed on the back of the one with the torn muzzle, and used his back legs to tangle with his opponent’s. The move brought the wolf down and exposed its throat. Thomas dove for the opening, and a gurgle cut off the wolf’s startled yelp before I could look away. The focus cost Thomas, though.
The second wolf sprang forward just as Thomas lifted his head, exposing his own throat. I gasped. Thomas twisted, looking away from the attacker. Teeth tore the side of his neck instead of his throat.
Thomas pushed backward into his attacker. The challenger lost his footing and fell onto his back. The fight ended for him just as quickly and in the same manner as his partner.
I lifted my hand from Gregory’s back and wiped the wet hair from my face. Thomas stood over the second wolf, head down, and chest heaving. The two fallen wolves were slowly reverting to their human forms.
The man who’d issued the last challenge stepped forward, obviously ready to begin.
“Stop,” I said.
The man turned to me with thunder in his eyes. “Do not interfere.”
“Two of your kind just died. Allow a few minutes for those who might know them to remove them and grieve. That’s not interference. It’s respect for your own people.”
He snarled at me but nodded. A few men stepped forward and walked to the fallen pair.
“Thomas, Mary is worried about you. While they are grieving, can you speak with her?” I knew better than to say I was worried or to ask him inside to clean his wounds. His opponent would most likely not allow me, the interloper, any kindness nor Thomas any quarter. But Mary was one of his own. Plus, I knew she would be worried, too.
Thomas trotted toward me, bumped me with his nose to indicate I should go first, then followed me inside.
Once inside, he reverted to his human form. He bore a cut near his left eye and bled too much from his neck to see the exact extent of the damage there. He had a nasty bruise forming on his right shoulder and a cut high on his thigh.
I nodded toward the table, pretending he wasn’t standing there naked. He silently sat and waited as I quickly retrieved a cloth then began to clean his neck. Someone had managed to bite him if the four punctures in his skin was any indication. But, they weren’t so deep that the teeth between the canines had marked him. He was lucky. I hurriedly doused his skin with alcohol. My purpose wasn’t to disinfect as much as to make him taste bad and deter further biting.
While I helped Thomas, Mary emptied the cooked rice onto several plates and refilled all our pots with water. We would need it. She set as many as she could on the stovetop and the remaining two by the fire.
No one spoke as we worked. I knew too well those outside probably listened, and I didn’t want them to know just how bad Thomas was. I gently touched his torn ear. It needed to be stitched, but I knew there wasn’t time for that. Hopefully, the next fight wouldn’t take long.
When I made a move to step back, Thomas’ hands wrapped around my waist, anchoring me. Our gazes met; his reflected weariness. He exhaled heavily and leaned his forehead to my chest. My stomach somersaulted. I stayed still for a moment, staring down at his dark hair, before I set the alcohol aside and lifted a hand. I touched him gently. His hair, his undamaged ear, his bruised shoulder. I tried to give him the kindness he wouldn’t find when he walked back out into the yard.
Someone pounded on the door. “It’s time.”
Thomas lifted his head and stood. He didn’t let go of me, though. A blush heated my cheeks as his hips bumped against mine. It was an unintentional result of him standing without letting go, rather than a lustful move. Yet, we both stilled. His gaze held mine, and he lowered his head. My heart thumped heavily, and I lifted my lips to meet his. My chest felt too tight the instant before our mouths touched. The heat spread, relieving an ache I hadn’t recognized until it was gone.
I lifted my hands to his chest to steady myself. He tilted his head and pressed his lips more firmly against mine. Then he was gone.
My breathing was quick and short, and my eyes strayed to his backside. He stopped before the door and shifted back into a wolf, hiding his injuries with fur. The door opened. Grey held it for Thomas. When he saw me, he winked. Thomas trotted out, leaving Mary and me alone in the main room.
“For a Claim that didn’t work, you sure seem interested,” Mary said in a hushed tone.
I gave her a sidelong glance but remained quiet. I’d been interested in many things throughout my life—I thought of the hair ribbons I’d outgrown—but nothing lasted forever, and part of me hoped my interest in Thomas was one of those things.
Mary and I walked to the window. We couldn’t see much as too many men stood around the fight. But we could hear the snarls and growls.
“I can’t stay in here,” I said, moving to the door.
“We can’t go out there,” Mary said, grabbing my arm.
Deep down, I felt I was meant to be here, that I was meant to help these people. I was certain Winifred thought that way, too. Without Thomas or a similarly sympathetic wolf in charge of the lead pack, I’d find myself removed from their lives. I couldn’t let my fate solely rest on Thomas’ shoulders. But, what did I think I could accomplish by going out there? I couldn’t use my powers again. It was too risky. There had to be more I could do. I had to be worth more than just my abilities. If there was a way to help Thomas, I would find it.
“Mary, please. Let go.”
She shook her head but let go as I asked. I opened the door and stepped out. Grey and Gregory, still wolves, guarded the door and moved
with me as I walked forward. A few from the crowd turned to look as I made my way toward the circle. Men moved aside for me, some with growls.
Thomas and his challenger already bled. Thomas conserved his movements, letting the other circle him between attacks. I watched silently, inwardly cringing at the injuries both received as the fight wore on.
Finally, Thomas’ opponent made a mistake that exposed his throat. Thomas had the wolf on its back within a heartbeat and dove for his neck.
“Wait,” I said, stepping into the circle as Thomas’ teeth closed down. Thomas didn’t remove his hold, but he paused.
“Winifred said your kind is dying. Since I’ve been here, I’ve witnessed three maybe four deaths. You’re killing each other because you have different beliefs regarding the future of your people. But you’re forgetting your common belief, that your kind does have a future. Stop killing. Show tolerance and mercy.”
“Thomas wants to know what you propose,” Mary said. I hadn’t realized she’d followed me out. She stood beside Gregory. It made sense, I supposed. If Thomas had failed, Gregory would have Claimed her.
“Ask him to join your pack,” I said. “Spare his life if he consents. Give him a chance to understand your beliefs while giving yourself a chance to understand his.”
“Thomas understands the pup’s beliefs well enough,” Mary said. “They were the same beliefs he held until he met you. This whelp has already met you and still will not open his eyes to see what’s before him.”
“And what’s before him, Thomas?”
Mary spoke for him again.
“Certain death. Whether by me or a future without Mates, his way leads to death.”
“I can’t promise there are more like me out there,” I said. In fact, I felt certain there weren’t. “But I want all of you to think on this: Your women are scattered and in hiding for their protection. It makes it hard for you to find and meet them. If we made this place into a true sanctuary, more women like Ann might come. If they can have their children here, and those children grow up here, the Mates you so desperately want will be more accessible. But only if you protect this place and that idea. Sanctuary for your kind.”
No one moved as the challenger shifted from wolf to man. Thomas didn’t shift or adjust his hold on the man’s throat, and empathy welled at the sight of the blood running down his neck.
“I consent to join your pack...for now,” the man rasped.
Thomas growled in response.
How foolish could the man be to throw a half-promise at Thomas like that?
“I will not leave your pack because your pack will fall apart on its own,” the man said. “You and I both know you’re already holding eight to you. How many more do you think you can hold? So, I accept. I’m sure there are a few others who would like to join as well.”
The man sounded too smug. I wanted to ask Mary what he meant about Thomas’s hold and the pack falling apart but couldn’t in front of everyone. So I waited with the rest, watching Thomas.
Thomas’ gaze met mine briefly. Then, he released his hold. He stood on the man’s chest and looked down at him until the man turned his head aside. Satisfied, Thomas trotted away. Another man stepped into his path.
“I’ll join,” he said. He, too, wore a smirk.
“Excuse me,” I said, quickly moving to Thomas’ side. Grey was close beside me. “There will be plenty of time for joining a pack. Right now, the dinner Mary and I made is going to waste. Please, come inside and eat.”
The man glanced at Thomas, who stiffly faced him.
“Later, then.”
Thomas bobbed his head, and I inwardly sighed with relief. Whatever this hold was, it sounded as if it was in danger, and I needed to understand why.
Twelve
No one moved to go inside, so Thomas nudged me forward. As soon as I started walking, Mary joined me. Thomas, Gregory, and Grey fell in right behind us.
Inside, Mary and I went to the stove, and Thomas trotted straight into the bathroom. She and I worked together to haul the water to the tub while Grey and Gregory stood nearby, warily eyeing the outsiders I’d just invited in to eat with us. I paid little attention to the men who were slowly seating themselves.
Thomas stayed out of our way, waiting, as we paced between the stove and the tub.
When I dumped in the last pot, he had six inches of steaming water. Enough to wash in but I knew he’d need extra to rinse. I left the small room once more; and when I returned with a cold pot of water, Thomas wasn’t where he’d been. The door shut behind me. I turned and saw him slowly shifting from his wolf form.
“I’ll just go help Mary,” I said, quickly averting my eyes and setting the pot near the tub.
“Help me,” he said. Blood smeared his face, neck, and legs. Bruises coated his torso. He walked to the tub and stepped in with a grunt. He had my pity. I sighed and turned to grab a few cloths from the washstand. I tossed one to him.
“Cover up first,” I said.
He chuckled, and I blushed; but I refused to look his direction until he complied.
“You can look now.”
I peeked at him then quickly looked away again. The small square of material covered him, but it certainly didn’t lend any modesty to the situation.
“I really would rather someone else help you.”
“Mary put the sewing kit in here. I’d rather you help me.”
His ear. Reluctantly, I faced him. He leaned back in the tub, his legs stretched out with only a slight bend in his knees. The water already had a pink tint to it, and he hadn’t even washed his upper torso or head yet.
Cuts littered his skin, most shallow but a few appeared as if a stitch or two wouldn’t be remiss.
“Fine,” I said. I fetched the bowl from the washstand and dipped it into the tub between his legs.
“Lean forward.”
He leaned forward, and I slowly poured the water over his head. Blood, hidden by his dark hair, trailed down his back. Claw marks scored him, raised paths of red welts occasionally broken by a cut or scrape. Bruises colored his sides. I honestly didn’t know what I could do for him.
I repeated the process, wondering what good it did to rinse with bloody water.
“Can you have Mary heat more water?”
“She already is,” he said wiping a hand across his face and leaning back once more. I set the bowl aside and reached for his right arm. I lifted it to the edge of the tub. He did the same with the other arm. It gave me a better view of his ribs and chest and everything that needed some type of aid.
“I can’t stitch you,” I said, sitting back on my heels. “I’m horrible at regular sewing, and the thought of poking a needle through skin...” I shuddered. “Please let Mary help you.”
He sighed, sunk lower in the tub, and laid his head back. “Not Mary.”
Someone knocked on the door a moment before it opened.
“Hello, Charlene,” Grey said, stepping in.
“Hi, Grey.” I stood, moved away from the tub, and considered the door for a moment.
“Stay, Charlene,” Thomas said as if sensing my thoughts. “I don’t trust you out there alone.”
“All right.” I knew it was the men he didn’t trust, not me.
Grey grabbed the sewing kit from the washstand and came to join me by the tub. He looked his brother over and chuckled at the square of cloth in Thomas’ lap.
“Just the ear, I think,” Grey said.
“Are you sure? He has a large cut on his thigh, and his neck has several holes.”
“Those will knit together quickly. Barely a scar. The ear is different. The cartilage makes healing more difficult.” He threaded the needle and used alcohol on everything.
Thomas made a small noise between his teeth when the needle pierced his skin. My stomach roiled, and I looked away.
The knuckles of Thomas’ hand were bloody. I took one of the cloths, dipped it in the cold rinse water, and gently started to clean away the red. His hand turne
d, catching mine. His thumb brushed over the top of my fingers. I couldn’t look up and meet his gaze, not with Grey sewing his ear.
I watched Thomas’ thumb until Grey stood.
“I’ll leave you to finish,” he said. The door closed behind him.
“I can finish on my own,” Thomas said, his thumb never stilling. “The room is clear of everyone but Mary and Grey. Go eat.”
I still couldn’t look at him. I nodded and stood, and he let my hand go.
“Save me some food if there’s enough,” he said as I walked toward the door. I looked over my shoulder and saw him gently touching his ear.
“I will.” Then I left him, too.
Mary stood at the pump, washing dishes. Grey leaned against the wall near the door, no doubt our guard.
“There’s a plate on the table for you,” Mary said.
“Thank you. Did Ann get a plate?”
“Yes, Leif came for hers.” Leif and Ann mostly kept to their room whenever there were more than a few men around. Leif protected Ann well.
I sat and ate a cold carrot from one of the two plates waiting on the small table. It was heaven, and my food disappeared too soon. As I brought the plate to the sink, the bathroom door opened.
Thomas stepped out wearing a clean pair of pants. His hair was still damp, but the rest of him looked dry. He followed me to the pump and reached under the trough for the bucket Mary and I used to empty the tub. We usually just emptied all the water through the trough, which ran out clay pipes into a low spot behind the building. It was a lot quicker and safer than walking around the buildings.
“It’s all right. Leave it for now,” I said. “When Mary and I finish with the dishes, we’ll empty it. We don’t want to mix bath water with dish water.”
He straightened, nodded, and went to eat his own plate of food. As soon as he finished, he brought the plate to the sink then left with Grey.
Finally alone with Mary, I asked what I’d been wondering since the fight ended.
“Mary, what did that man mean about Thomas only being able to hold so many?” I asked, trying to speak softly.
