by Melissa Haag
Pick someone? Work together?
I wanted to snarl.
SIX
We were still looking at each other, trying to figure out what Charlene expected us to do, when her muffled voice came from the building.
“What part of all of that upset you?” she asked.
“Winifred wants to know how you knocked them down,” Mary said.
I moved forward, waiting to hear the answer. Gregory, Grey, and I had put humans in situations where they’d needed to fight for their lives; but I’d never seen a human do what she’d done. Even though we all knew she was different—no human had ever called to any of our kind that I’d ever heard—we hadn’t realized just how different.
“Does Winifred want me to stay?” Charlene asked, her voice growing softer as she moved further into the room.
After what had happened, I wouldn’t have been surprised with a no. I waited for Mary’s response, but she remained quiet.
“If this next bite fails,” Charlene said, “and they agree to leave me alone, it’s better if I keep my secrets.”
Winifred wouldn’t allow that. She couldn’t. Not for our safety.
“And if it doesn’t fail?” Gregory asked.
I’d forgotten he was still inside.
“It will,” she said firmly. “No one understands why this ritual of yours isn’t working because no one is acknowledging the obvious. I’m different. Winifred said it. They know it. Yet, everyone keeps trying to treat me like I’m one of you. If I’m not one of you, why would you think the same ritual would work?”
There were several long moments of silence as the males began to move restlessly around the door. I didn’t like her line of thinking either. Were we failing because our methods were never meant to work on her?
You need to decide, Gregory sent to me. Do you want her to stay? Even if it means she’s someone else’s Mate?
Given what she knew about us, and what we now knew about her, I didn’t see there was a choice. She couldn’t leave. Whether by me or some other male—the thought soured my stomach—she needed to be Claimed. I looked at the building. As she’d pointed out, she didn’t have fur. No matter who her Mate, she would need to stay at sanctuary.
She needs to stay. Even if I’m not her Mate.
Then, we need to work together.
“I’d like to join the others outside,” Gregory said to Charlene. “I have no desire to try to Claim you, but I’d like to help them come up with better ideas than what’s been tried already.”
“I promise I won’t choose you. Or anyone else who doesn’t want to be chosen.”
Gregory stepped out and shut the door behind him.
As soon as he saw Grey and me, he moved toward us, motioning the rest of the men over.
“Charlene will choose the male. Only one more chance for any of you. You heard what she said, we can’t think like we’ve been thinking because she’s not like us.”
“How should we think then?”
“Like a human,” he said. “Our way of finding a mate is instinct. She smells right. We look at her and we feel the pull and we know. Humans don’t have any of that. They…court each other.”
“How do you know this?” one of the males asked. I was wondering the same thing.
“Winifred. I asked.”
“What does that mean?” I asked. “To court each other.”
“First, you need to find each other attractive, physically appealing. If you look at Charlene and think you’ve seen a prettier female, step back from her choosing. Give a male with a stronger attraction the chance because it’s more likely to work.”
Since Gregory, Henry, and Paul weren’t interested in Charlene, they went through the males present and asked just that. Any male who couldn’t honestly say she was the prettiest he’d seen was out. It didn’t cut back as many as I’d hoped.
“Next, she needs to find you attractive. Winifred believes that will be how she chooses, but the one she chooses will have a better chance if he does something nice after he’s picked.”
“Like what?” someone asked.
“We should give her flowers.”
A few of the males looked around as if expecting to find flowers in the trampled down grass of the clearing. If there had been any, they were long dead now. The rest of us shared disbelieving looks.
That’s foolish, I sent to Gregory.
It’s Winifred’s idea. She’s spent a lot of time with humans, Thomas. She wants Charlene to stay more than any of us. We should listen to her.
“Where do we find them?” a male asked.
“Winifred said we should look in the meadows to the northwest on the other side of the lake.
I had no idea what meadows were to the northwest but knew we’d look. We were all desperate for this last chance to work.
“First one to find the meadow should call out.” I looked at Gregory. “Does Winifred have any other instructions?”
“Don’t damage the flowers. Leave the steams long so you can put a bunch of them together—it’s called a bouquet—and when you give them to Charlene, don’t try to bite her right away. Tell her something nice first. And if you damage Charlene trying to Claim her, Winifred will kill you. That’s it.”
“Paul and I will stay here to keep an eye on things,” Henry said.
Gregory and Paul stayed behind with Henry while the rest of us ran through the woods. Grey stayed beside me as we made our way around the lake and started looking for the meadows. A howl went up a short while later and we followed the call to the open grassy plain. There were a few flowers scattered throughout the tall grasses but picking blooms without damaging them was challenging.
We all spread out to gather as many as we could. As I searched, I saw the male Charlene had allowed to bite her, Anton, doing the same. I had to fist my hands to keep from lashing out at him as he drifted closer to me. I hated that he’d been allowed to touch her instead of me.
“Why are you still here?” I asked.
He looked up from the grass to eye me.
“I want to see who she picks and if he has any better luck.”
He was right. The next bite might not work any better than Anton’s had. That meant we would need to leave her alone. No more chances to Claim her. But without a Mate, she’d need help surviving at sanctuary. If the next bite didn’t work, I would stay to help and maybe to see if there was another way to make her mine. Looking around at the other males, I wondered how many others had the same idea.
Annoyed, I moved away from him to pick another flower. The petals were so tiny, a human would barely see them. What was the point of these things?
Grey started to laugh as I scowled at it.
“You should pick another one for your hair.”
“I thought you were here to help.”
“Nah, I’m here to soak in your misery. I hear it’s what older brothers do.”
He followed me around for several minutes then grew bored and left. I watched him jog through the grass to check what everyone else had found.
“I think we have enough,” he called. “We should head back.”
Glad the pointless exercise was done, I turned and started toward the lake. The rest of the males sprinted around the water with me.
Anything new? I sent Gregory as we ran back through the trees.
Nothing. Mary and Charlene are still inside. Everything’s quiet here.
Here too. I hope this works.
By the time we arrived, half the flowers were damaged. Collectively, we only managed a small bouquet.
“Set them on the ground. The more you touch them, the more they droop,” Grey said, poorly containing his laughter.
“Winifred says it’s almost time. Start thinking about what you’ll say if you’re picked,” Gregory said.
Those of us still hoping to be picked moved closer to the building. I frowned as I listened to the males around me. One was considering telling Charlene that her breasts looked like they would adequately fee
d any cubs they might have.
Grey laughed. “Tell her she looks pretty. Or that you’re glad she chose this place as a home. Don’t mention her breasts or her tail end.”
We spread out enough so Charlene would have a clear view of all our faces. Even though Grey said Charlene was the prettiest female he’d ever seen, he stepped back when the door opened.
Where are you going?
Thinning the competition. Good luck.
Charlene stepped out and studied us.
“Was two hours enough time?”
If it wasn’t, more time wouldn’t help. A few of the males nodded in response to her question.
“Okay. One chance,” she said.
Then she looked straight at me.
“Prove your theory.”
I was torn between elation and disbelief. She’d picked me. After all her anger and narrow-eyed stares, she’d picked me. Did that mean she found me physically appealing?
“Flowers,” the male next to me said under his breath.
Aw, hell.
I turned and went to the spot where we’d left the undamaged blooms and picked them up. Feeling like the fool I probably was, I turned and moved toward her.
The males stepped back, giving me room to pass, then crowded in to watch.
Her gaze dipped to the flowers in my hands, and I heard her heart skip a beat. When she looked back up, some of the impatience was gone from her eyes. I couldn’t believe the blooms meant more to her than the male holding them.
I held out the flowers.
“Thank you,” she said softly, reaching for them.
One of the blooms quivered in her trembling hands. My impatience and annoyance at the human rituals disappeared as I looked at her.
“Don’t be nervous,” I said, lifting my hand.
Her gaze held mine as my thumb feathered over her cheek. The soft warmth of her skin demanded more than a simple touch. I wanted to hold her to me and keep her in my arms. Safe. Wanted. Mine. Her heart skipped another beat and her scent sweetened. My need intensified at the signs of her willingness.
“I will work every day of my life to deserve the gift you’ve given me,” I promised her.
I leaned, closing the distance between us. This time, fear didn’t cloud her gaze. She tilted her head up, welcoming me, and my hand shook as I slid my fingers into her silky hair. The need to taste her consumed me. With gentle pressure, I set my lips to hers.
My first real taste of her sweetness made my knees weak and my heart pound. She held still as I moved slightly to feel the texture of her soft, inviting lips. As much as her taste tempted me to move to her neck and end our torture, I took my time, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth, then her cheek, then her jaw, slowly working my way toward my goal. Her soft acceptance fed my impatience and my canines burst forth, scrapping her skin of her throat.
She tensed and I slid my hands to her arms, holding her steady.
“Everything will be fine,” I said, kissing her skin gently.
The marks from her previous bites made it difficult to find a safe place for my teeth. Bracing myself for the scent of another male on my Mate, I moved to the recently bitten side of her neck. However, her wound had been cleaned and disinfected, removing any trace of Anton’s scent. A hint of the alcohol’s sharp smell remained under her natural sweetness.
I flicked out my tongue, testing her. Her pulse jumped again, spurring the need, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Opening my mouth, I bit down. My heart squeezed painfully as my teeth broke her skin. Pleasure tingled through me. The bite wasn’t deep enough to cause her harm, just deep enough to Claim her.
With my teeth in her skin, I opened myself to her, waiting for the connection I’d so often heard about. The magical bond between a Claimed pair. I wanted to feel what she was feeling.
She grunted and pushed against my chest. Maybe it only worked when the bite was finished. I withdrew carefully, not wanting to tear her, but it wasn’t fast enough for her liking. She shoved at me again.
I pulled back and studied her. She looked angry. Could I feel her anger? I focused, searching for something in my mind that wasn’t my own.
“Well?” she asked.
There was nothing. The hopeful tightness that had banded around my chest left me. In the hollow numbness it left behind, I struggled to understand what I’d done wrong. How had it not worked? She’d picked me and had been willing. I’d brought her flowers.
“At least, now you don’t have to worry about forgetting your responsibilities to chase me,” she said before stepping away from me to face the rest. “Will you let me stay here in peace or should I move on?”
“Stay,” I said, through the pain. I couldn’t let her leave. Mate or not, she belonged here. Not only because the pull she had on me wouldn’t allow me to let her go but because she knew our secrets.
“To be clear, this means no more fighting to meet me. No more looking for ways to win my favor in hopes of a little nip. None of it. Because that was the last bite.”
“We heard you before. We understand,” I said.
“Then, thank you for letting me stay.” She turned and went back inside.
Grey walked toward me, his eyes seeing everything.
You’re not giving up, are you? he sent me. Even from the back, I could hear the way her pulse leapt for you. You’ve proven you can’t Claim her our way. So, Claim her the human way.
You mean, stay here?
Grey shrugged slightly as the door opened.
Mary walked out and took a shirt from the line. Gregory moved toward her.
Maybe Winifred’s right, Grey sent me. Maybe we need to consider changing. He looked at the building behind me. Humans are thriving with their buildings and staying in one place. Why can’t we try the same thing?
It was a good question. Was there any harm in trying? Perhaps. Staying here meant we weren’t out there, removing the humans from our land. Yet, if we built a…home for our kind here, would we still need so much of that land?
You’re right. Take a room on the bottom floor. Gregory and I will take the room next to the females. Tell Henry he should take the one on the other side of them.
We moved to the door, and a male stepped into my path.
“Where are you going?”
“Inside.”
“You had your chance.”
The reminder of my failure increased the hollow ache in my chest and my determination to try again.
“We all did. Now it’s time to try something different. She can’t live here like it is. She started changes to make it safer, more comfortable, for her. She’ll need help. If you’re willing to stay and work, take a room on the lower level.”
I stepped around him, and he growled a challenge. Uncaring, I continued toward the door. Challenges were over. There was nothing left to fight about. She’d made her point clear, and I didn’t want to waste more time. I needed to see her again. To know if the pull was still there. When she’d left, I hadn’t been paying attention.
The main room was empty. I wasn’t entirely surprised. She was good at hiding away.
Several males followed me into the room, and I knew they came because they were willing to help me make this a better place for her to live. Now, we just needed to know what making this place better meant.
“Since she’s still nervous around us, go claim a room further away from the main room then meet back here. I’ll see if she’s ready to tell us what needs to be done.”
I left the main room and took the stairs two at a time. In the hall, I slowed. The scent of her blood still lingered in the air, and the rapid flutter of her heart echoed in the hall. I frowned. Why was she afraid now?
I knocked on the door. Her pulse sped faster.
“Who is it?” Her pitch even carried her fear.
“Thomas,” I said, wishing she would just open the door. Was she still bleeding? I’d been careful not to bite too deeply.
The door flew open, and she scowled at me. My gut
clenched with the pull and I felt a measure of relief. The pull was still there and she looked fine.
“I wanted to let you know that Gregory and I will be staying in the room next to yours. Henry and Paul will be in the room to your right. Several other men will be staying in the rooms downstairs. We wanted to know what we should work on next.”
“Why?”
I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant by that. Why ask her or why work on something. I figured it was likely the first because we hadn’t asked her before. Another thought hit me. Was she asking why I was telling her where we were staying?
“I thought telling you would be considerate. And we have no idea what your plans are.”
“No. I mean, why are you staying here? I thought...”
“You thought we’d leave?” I laughed. No chance of that. “Not after your pretty little speech about being different.”
“I didn’t give a speech. I said that to Gregory in the—”
“Main room where we could still hear. You said no more biting, and we agreed. That doesn’t mean we’ve given up.” Her pulse started to calm. “It means we need to figure out how to Claim you without using our teeth.”
A hint of relief shone in her light blue eyes. Could it be that she’d been afraid we would leave her?
“How many are willing to help?” she asked.
“Seven, so far,” I said.
She glanced at the window then met my gaze.
“Let’s meet in the main room after I change my shirt.”
My eyes drifted over her face, neck, then shirt. There were a few blood spots on it. That should have held my attention and made me feel guilt or remorse maybe. Instead, my gaze returned to her neck and my mark there. Mine. I just needed to figure out how to make it work.
With one last look at her, I went to look at the room Gregory and I would sleep in. The window had been repaired, but the space wasn’t anything more than an empty wooden box.
A sound drew me to the door to see Mary and Gregory walking up the steps.
“We’re in this room,” I said to him.
He nodded and turned Mary for a quick kiss before she continued to her room with a clean shirt.
“How long are we staying?” he asked, stepping in.
