by Melissa Haag
Her heart raced, and I gently smoothed her hair.
“So much fear because of so little trust,” I said.
“Trust has to be earned,” she said softly. “If you recall, you bit me.”
“Only because you allowed it,” I said, frowning. Did she really not trust me because of that?
She 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.” I lay beside her, resting an arm over her stomach.
“Go to sleep, Charlene.”
I hid my annoyance as she drifted off to sleep. Of everyone here, I was the one she should trust the most. Instead she seemed to trust Winifred and Anton over me. I struggled with my growing anger and frustration. What more did I need to do to prove myself to her?
It took a long while to fall asleep. Troubled dreams woke me and I realized they were hers and not mine. Her heart raced. The rapid, thin sound worried me. She was so human. So fragile.
Setting my head on her chest, I ran my fingers through her hair and sent comfort and love to her over our link. Gradually, the emotions from the dream faded, and her rapid pulse slowed.
Twice more, her dreams woke me. I comforted her and held her closer. The third time, she immediately woke and started to push at me and kick off the covers.
“Shh. It’s all right,” I said, moving away a bit.
“What were you doing?” Charlene asked, settling down.
I touched her hair and laid my head back on her chest. It still beat too hard. I tilted my head so I could see her face.
“Listening to your heart.”
She was quiet for a moment before she asked 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.”
“Don’t you sleep?”
“I do. Not very much, though.”
She relaxed and closed her eyes. She looked so beautiful. I moved my fingers from her hair to gently trace the curve of her jaw.
“Am I allowed to kiss you?”
“No.”
Her abrupt answer made me grin because there was no fear with it.
“Sleep well, Charlene.”
“Stop staring at me, and I will.”
I laughed silently, and she grinned but didn’t open her eyes. Eventually, she slept again.
* * * *
I cracked the eggs into the pot and grinned as Gregory silently called me every foul thing he could think of. It was a long list. None of it bothered me, though. I knew he was only sore because he hadn’t thought to do the same thing for Mary that I’d just done for Charlene.
Since she loved Winifred’s eggs so much and was trying to pen the pheasants, I’d run the marsh early to find three precious fresh eggs. I was trying to make sure today wouldn’t be like yesterday.
First the eggs, then something to keep us busy. If she didn’t have any ideas, I’d come up with something more interesting than walking in the woods.
Mary sighed loudly and took another bite of her oatmeal while Gregory invented new names to call me.
I felt Charlene wake and didn’t have to wait long for her to join us.
“Tomorrow, you wake up first,” Mary said to Gregory when Charlene walked past the table.
“Good morning,” I said as she peeked over my shoulder and saw the eggs and onions. It wasn’t much. Enough for two humans.
“Where did you find eggs?”
“I went to the marsh this morning,” I said, scooping some onto a plate. “For you.” I handed her the plate.
She went to the table and I scraped the rest onto my plate and joined her.
“What does everyone have planned for today?” she asked, taking her first bite. I could feel her joy and amusement as Mary watched her eat.
“Bine took his things and walked into town after Winifred left,” I said, trying to remember what Charlene already knew. “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?”
After I spoke, I realized I’d said the wrong name but didn’t think either Charlene or Hem would care.
“Well...”
I could see her consider our options.
“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. He left the oatmeal untouched in his bowl.
“We’ll leave for the marsh when you return,” I said, trying not to grin. He was probably going out to hunt. A peace offering to Mary most likely.
* * * *
Mary and Charlene had been in a good mood on the way to the marsh, but not so on the way back. A long day of pulling reeds had worn both of them out.
Charlene had shown signs of exhaustion early on, but her determination had kept me quiet until she’d straightened with a groan. She hadn’t argued when I’d insisted we stop for the day, but she hadn’t allowed me to carry her, either. Her look had told me she worried that it would cause her more pain.
So we walked back at human speed. Both females’ shoulders drooped further with each slow step.
Think we should carry them anyway? Gregory sent me.
I’m thinking about it. How does Mary feel to you? I sense a bit of pain from Charlene. I think she said no because she’s worried carrying her would hurt.
Gregory was quiet for a moment.
It’s not much further, he sent finally.
Charlene’s relief coursed through me when we stepped into the clearing. She headed for the building, dumped the fronds into a pile, and walked inside.
I could hear her groan as she sat at the table and thought of the pile of reeds still waiting at the marsh.
“Keep an eye on her, Mary,” I said. “We’ll go back for the rest of the reeds.”
She nodded and followed Charlene inside.
“Does this mean they won’t have dinner waiting when we get back?” Gregory asked as we ran to the marsh.
“I wouldn’t say anything when we get back. You might see Mary’s badger side.”
While we gathered the rest of the reeds, Mary let me know Charlene had gone to bed with instructions not to wake her.
Did she eat?
No. And she doesn’t want to be woken for food either. Let her sleep.
I didn’t think it was normal for humans to skip meals and worried as we ran back.
The pile outside the door had already been moved somewhere. I put the latest reeds in the same place and went inside. Leif and Ann wove at the table, and Mary stirred something on the stove.
I didn’t stay to help but moved to check on Charlene.
She was already in bed, her damp marsh clothes on the floor beside the bed. She frowned in her sleep. I squatted beside the bed and tried to reach her through our connection. There wasn’t anything beyond a little discomfort.
I gently rubbed her lower back. Relief flooded my head, and I realized how sore she was. I wanted to lay by her and keep rubbing away her aches, but my clothes were wet and muddy. She wouldn’t appreciate dirty bedding.
Mary came to keep an eye on her while I went to clean up then eat what Gregory shoved at me. The rest of the pack was just sitting down when I went back to our room.
Charlene hadn’t moved since I’d left. Mary stood with a wince and started for the door.
“Thanks for your help today, Mary,” I said.
“Next time, remember me when you get eggs.”
“I won’t forget,” I promised.
Charlene sighed when I lay behind her and began to rub her back again. She didn’t wake as I worked my way up to her shoulders then down to the top of her shorts. I worked slowly until her muscles felt lose and relaxed, then I wrapped her in my arms and slept for a few hours.
When
I rose, I wrapped the blanket around her. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
Since I could sense Gregory and Mary in the room next to us, I reached out to Gregory to listen for trouble then went downstairs to start breakfast. There would be no eggs today. Just the oats.
The water had just started to boil when someone knocked on the door.
“Come in,” I called, adding the oats.
Grey stepped in with a wide grin. I almost dropped the bag in my hands.
“Miss me?” he asked, crossing the room.
“Yes.” I hugged him hard. “What are you doing here?” I pulled back and eyed him. “Elder?”
“Not yet. Soon maybe.” He glanced over his shoulder and motioned to the Mated pair there. “I brought a family.”
The female held a cub no more than two years old. They all needed clothes, as did Grey.
“Welcome,” I said. “I’ll show you around then wake Charlene.”
I took them to the main entry where Charlene and Mary had stored the clothes then told them to come back to the kitchen for some food when they were done dressing.
“I thought you were with Winifred,” I said as Grey and I walked back.
“I was. When you asked about that family with the pregnant female, Winifred and I agreed I should look too.” His gaze grew serious. “I found them. She’d been cut open, the cub taken from her and killed. A male.”
The news shocked me.
“No human scents. Just us,” he said. “I was heading back when I encountered this family. After what I saw…”
I nodded. “It was right to escort them here.”
“Winifred is going to send out a call, asking all families interested in coming to sanctuary to reach out to her. I will escort anyone interested in making the journey. We wanted you to know before you hear the call.”
“Thank you. Charlene and I will welcome any families you bring. I should wake her so this one can get settled. Are you staying?”
“Not this time,” he said, shaking his head. He stopped me and gave me another hug. “I’ll hide the pants in the woods for next time.”
It was hard to see him leave, but the news he’d shared made it necessary. He wasn’t just going to protect Charlene and keep the peace here. He would protect every family who wanted to be a part of this.
I went to wake Charlene. Gregory was outside her door.
“I heard strange voices,” he said, explaining his presence.
“Thank you. Grey’s here but leaving soon.”
Gregory nodded and ran down the steps as I went to wake Charlene.
As soon as the door closed, I heard her breathing change. She moved a little then sat up with her eyes closed. It was odd and a little disturbing to witness. A moment later she collapsed back onto the bed. She was awake. I was sure of it based on the reluctance I was feeling, but I didn’t know what to make of her behavior. Was she still in pain? I frowned and moved closer.
She rolled to her side, creating space on the bed behind her. I sat and gently started to rub her back. She twisted around to look at me.
“You slept a long time,” I said, looking at her exposed back. There were no bruises, and I wasn’t sure how else humans showed their injuries.
A thread of reassurance touched my mind.
“I’m thinking about sleeping longer,” she said, relaxing into her pillow. “Especially if you keep doing that.”
“Hmm. Does that mean I should tell the new family what room to pick?”
She sat up quickly, dislodging my touch.
“New family?”
“Yes. A Mated pair and their cub. A little boy about two.”
She was up, out of bed, and frantically searching for clothes. I grinned, relieved she was fine and excited by the news.
“They’re eating oatmeal in the main room. Come down when you’re ready,” I said, standing.
She nodded and, with clean clothes in her arms, shooed me out the door.
* * * *
While Mary and Charlene showed Rilla and the cub around, Gregory and I introduced her Mate, Reed, to the other males. With the extra mouths, I asked the pack to hunt something bigger for dinner.
Reed offered to hunt with them, showing his willingness to contribute.
“You’re welcome to hunt,” I said. “Or, if you’re willing, you can help here. We’ve been gathering some supplies from the marsh for Leif to weave into storage baskets. Helping him would keep you close to your family.”
I could see his relief as he accepted.
“Let’s find him,” I said.
Leif found us. Just as we walked around the side of the main building, he stepped from the tool building, his arms full of reeds.
“Leif,” I said, stopping him. “This is Reed. He and his family have joined us.”
“At sanctuary,” Reed clarified, likely not wanting the other male to think he’d joined my pack.
“The pack is hunting something bigger for dinner. Reed is willing to stay and help while we gather whatever else you need.”
“Good. Thank you. We’ll need twice as much as yesterday. The larger baskets take more.”
“That won’t be a problem,” I said, thinking of the marsh.
It will be if you plan to bring the females, Gregory sent me.
“Reed, if you wouldn’t mind grabbing the rest of the pile in that building, I’ll meet you inside,” Leif said, continuing to the door.
Follow Leif and let Charlene and Mary know.
Chicken, Gregory sent me.
* * * *
The four of us worked until the sun rose high. When Charlene stretched, twisting this way and that, in an effort to relieve her pain, I asked if she was ready to stop.
“We were never ready to start,” Mary grumbled.
She and Gregory stood in the water with me. Gregory moved over to her and gently rubbed her shoulders. I watched her sag against him.
“Yes, I think we have enough for today,” Charlene said.
Mary didn’t need to be told twice. She hurriedly sloshed out of the water.
Charlene didn’t look at her, but at the large pile of fronds and the two baskets of cattail tops beside them.
“I know I’m slow, but I think I’d like to walk back,” she said.
We worked together to tie the leaves into bundles. Gregory and I carried the majority while Mary carried the baskets and Charlene managed the last two bundles. When we had everything in our arms, Mary and Gregory took off, running ahead. I walked slowly through the trees with Charlene.
“Have you heard from them?” she asked. I could feel her worry and knew she meant our other pack members. Their time was almost up.
“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.”
“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?”
I shook my head.
“You asked me not to say anything. I won’t. But others might. It’s only a matter of time.”
She frowned.
“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.”
The worry didn’t fade as we walked in silence for a few minutes.
“Where’s Grey?” she asked.
I 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?” Disbelief won over worry.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds. He’s with Winifred. They’re preparing him to be an Elder.”
“Elder Grey?”
I nodded and thought again of everything he’d given up and what might
still happen when he took the oath.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“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.” She gave me a 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...”
She reached out, gently touching my shoulder.
“Tell Winifred to thank him for me.”
I nodded but didn’t bother Winifred. I hoped Charlene would be able to tell Grey himself one day.
We didn’t walk much further before Gregory and Mary came running back 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 my load. Mary held out her arms for Charlene’s.
“You don’t have to,” she said.
“Tub’s half full,” Mary 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.”
Charlene almost threw her armful at Mary before turning to me.
Thank you, I sent both Mary and Gregory.
With a grin, I picked Charlene up and took off running toward the building. Did she realize she didn’t hesitate around me anymore? She missed me when I was gone and sought my touch when I was near. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, our bond was growing. And what would come next was never far from my mind.
FIFTEEN
Mary smirked knowingly when I glanced at the closed bathroom door yet again. I ignored her and focused on the lack of sound from within. Charlene had disappeared to take a bath several long minutes ago. Usually, I could hear a gentle splash of water when she bathed. Not this time. Everything was still; and when I reached for her mind, I found tiredness and relaxation.
“Just go in there,” Mary said, weaving the reeds before her.
“I’d prefer not to upset her,” I said, focusing on the pile of fronds before me.
Ann smiled slightly but did not look up from her basket. I sorted the fronds by length, putting the longest ones near Leif and Ann. The shorter ones I put near Rilla, who was making mats for sleeping.
