I opened my mouth, ready to protest, when her gaze flickered to the side. Her pupils dilated in horror as her lips parted to give a warning. There was no time to react though as I felt my knees crumble, my mouth still open as I landed on hard earth, the sound muffled by a thick layer of leaves. Dread didn’t hit until her eyelashes lowered in apology, covering those extraordinary eyes, and I realized her harsh dismissal had been meant to protect me.
Chapter Four
Caleb
He’s handsome, a voice commented, the lilting sound drifting through my head and nagging at me with its familiarity.
He’s a fool, another answered irritably and her voice cleared the fog, reminding me exactly where I was and who was chatting in my head.
So you like him? The other voice prodded teasingly, and I remained silent as I realized they didn’t know I was awake. I didn’t need to see her to know her face formed an impatient grimace. I still didn’t know her name, but I could already anticipate her reactions.
Then that would make me the fool, she responded curtly. There’s no point being interested in a dead man. The words didn’t concern me as much as her tone – a desperate, resigned frustration lacing each one, as if she’d been through this before and already knew the outcome.
Maybe not, the other one said hopefully, telling me she still retained her youthful innocence. Maybe….maybe he’s the one.
I felt her sigh, no doubt biting back a harsh denial. Gran is expecting us, was all she finally said and I sensed her warmth moving away from me, but I didn’t risk opening my eyes.
I’ll be there in a minute, the younger one answered, sounding cagey even to me.
Whatever you’re planning, don’t, she ordered, sounding more tired than upset. It’s not worth her anger.
The lightest brush of a finger along my injured leg disrupted my curiosity about who the woman she spoke of was, and reminded me I wasn’t at full strength.
I can fix it, the younger argued, her attitude suggesting one born with a stubborn doggedness. She doesn’t know about his leg.
Then you’re the fool if you believe that, she answered harshly, her tone turning implacable with her next words. And you deserve the punishment she’ll give you.
A door opened and closed, leaving an unexpected void in the room when she left. I almost forgot about the younger one until her hands settled on my leg, her touch highlighting the damage. My eyes flew open and I caught my first glimpse of the elusive sister.
“Not what I expected,” I said idly, taking in the stick straight white blonde hair that draped down, covering most of her face as she leaned intently over my damaged leg. She didn’t so much as twitch at my statement and my eyes narrowed. She laid her palms gently on either side of my leg and a warm sensation began to pulse through my leg. “What are you doing?” I asked sharply, and again didn’t receive a response.
Abruptly, I sat up, knocking her away from my injured leg and she fell back, her eyes wide with shock as she stared up at me. This time I took in a matched pair of ice blue eyes, so light blue they might be considered colorless, framed by equally pale eyelashes. In fact, she was so white she could be the poster girl for this Ghost Pack.
Terror filled her eyes and I felt my chest clench in response. There was something intrinsically innocent about her and I couldn’t help but feel protective over her even as I was the one who caused her fear. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I promised, but her frightened expression didn’t fade. She scrambled backwards in a wild panic and I held my hands out, trying to appear nonthreatening. “I appreciate your help,” I nodded to my leg and she hesitated for a brief second. “You’re deaf,” I guessed, unsurprised when I still didn’t get a reaction.
You’re deaf, I tried again and this time those eerie eyes shot to mine. I’m right? She nodded warily, no longer trying to escape me as her gaze darted back to my leg. You want to fix it? My leg, I questioned mentally, wondering where exactly I’d found myself as I telepathically communicated with a non-Pack member. She nodded again, scooting a little closer as she eyed me carefully to see if I was going to pounce. You think you can fix it?
Her chin tilted up as she replied, I know I can. Her eyes admonished me. If you don’t interrupt me again. I lifted my hands in the universal gesture of backing away and she reached for my leg again. I fought the need to move as my leg spasmed, knowing she was on the edge of scampering away again. Her fingers trembled as she lightly pressed them against my leg and once again heat curled through my leg.
I stared as the scar that had formed slowly faded until there was no trace of it left and grunted when my bone snapped back into place, fixing the improperly healed break. What is this? I asked, awed by her ability.
Healing, she responded simply, shrugging lightly as if it was completely normal. Her forehead wrinkled. How did you know I was deaf?
It was my turn to shrug. You didn’t respond when I spoke. One side of my mouth curled up as I added, And your coloring. If you were a dog, I would have figured it out sooner.
How are you talking to me? She questioned, squinting at me suspiciously.
I could ask you the same, I retorted, flexing my foot experimentally and causing her to scuttle across the room. You started it.
She shook her head, pale strands of hair glittering under the florescent light above. I’ve always been able to project my voice. My eyebrows raised at her description of her ability. But you’re the first one outside my tribe who has ever answered.
Is that why you think I’m the one? I questioned, shelving away the fact that she referred to her Pack as a tribe, as her eyes widened.
You were listening to us, she accused, crossing her arms as she attempted to glare at me. It fell short since I’d already been witness to her sister’s glare and it far outstripped this little pup.
Kind of hard not to since you were having the conversation in my head, I retorted and her expression turned uncertain. Honestly, nothing has been close to normal since I crossed onto your Pack’s land, I added, rubbing the back of my neck. Who hit me and where am I? My gaze swept the room, noting the bars on the door and ceiling were reinforced steel, purposely designed to keep someone or something with greater than average strength contained.
She darted for the door, suddenly skittish, but I choose to remain still. Not escaping while I had the chance was a risk, but I suddenly found myself reluctant to leave. There was something here…
Who was I kidding?
She had captured my attention and for the first time in a very long time I had zero desire to move on. Letting her little sister slide out the door unscathed, I settled back against the cold stone wall, content to wait until she came back for me, not a single doubt in my mind that she would.
Chapter Five
Dru
“You’re late, Paige,” Gran intoned, also projecting her voice mentally for Paige’s sake. Gran’s double voice grated against my sensitive hearing, aggravating me more than normal. Paige curtsied, her smile full of apology as she came to a stop in front of the table. She knew there was no point in sitting down until Gran gave her permission. “You know dinner is served precisely at seven o’clock. Your tardiness has forced us to wait. Dare I ask what you thought was more important?”
I stopped by chapel to light a candle for Sister Margaret and lost track of time, Paige answered, her dulcet tones soothing the raw edge of my temper. She’d never once spoken aloud, but I was positive I would be able to recognize her voice in the loudest of rooms. I stared down at the empty plate in front of me, the delicate porcelain china out of place in the rough stone and wood house, and fought a smile. Paige had figured Gran out by the time she was two, and where I had a tendency to butt heads with Gran, Paige somehow always managed to escape her wrath.
It is truly a good thing I adore you, little sister, I told her as Gran harrumphed, but gestured for Paige to sit.
Why? She questioned me privately and I shook my head.
“The prisoner is injured. That should
even the odds,” Gran announced as she served herself. Paige’s eyes rounded in panic and I surreptitiously kicked her ankle.
I assumed a puzzled expression as I turned to Gran. “Injured?” I questioned, accepting the dish she handed me.
“He was wounded by one of the traps,” she stated, her fierce hawk eyed stare daring me to contradict her. “The trap had blood all over it.”
“From the deer,” I answered, careful to keep any hint of argument out of my voice. My gaze flashed to Paige, warning her to play along. “A deer had tripped the trap where we caught the intruder sniffing around.”
“I saw no deer,” Gran answered, her voice echoing dangerously. She spoke both mentally and aloud, never making an exception for when it was just the three of us, so I was forced to endure her words doubly.
It had escaped, Paige joined in, blinking innocently. Dru followed the blood trail after you subdued the man.
“Drusilla,” Gran barked, causing us to both jump. “Why do you persist with these ridiculous nicknames?” She seethed, distracted from the injured prisoner by one of her most famous pet peeves. “She is not a man. You do not call her DRU, you call her by her proper name.”
Yes, Gran, Paige bowed her head, by all appearances contrite, but I knew it was mostly to hide her smile. Gran’s ice blue eyes burned, but she let it go, turning instead to me.
“Where is it?” She snapped and I played dumb.
“Where is what?”
She exhaled, her mouth pulling down as she lost patience. “Don’t play the fool, Drusilla. The deer. If it was a deer in the trap, where is the deer?”
It ran off, Paige answered, desperately trying to save me. Remember, I told you, Dru...silla followed its trail, she added, quickly correcting herself.
“And Drusilla wouldn’t leave a wounded animal to die in the woods. Nor would she allow meat to go to waste when there are hungry bellies to feed,” Gran replied, her eyes cold enough to freeze my insides.
I’m sorry! Paige’s remorseful apology blasted through my brain as I held Gran’s expectant gaze.
Its fine, I replied to Paige, dismissing her apology. We were who we were and not even Gran’s constant attempts could change that. Paige was going to heal any wounded creature she came across, Captain America included, and I was going to do whatever it took to protect Paige.
“I brought the deer to Strickland so he could process it and pass the meat to the most needy,” I answered Gran and only the tiniest twitch of her eyebrow told me I’d surprised her. Clearly, she hadn’t had the chance to talk to Strickland yet, but I knew she would demand a detailed description of the deer carcass. I whispered another apology to the poor deer whose leg I had butchered after killing it, grateful Gran’s sense of smell wasn’t good enough for her to detect the difference between human and animal blood on the trap itself. I’d cleaned it, but another wolf would be able to tell and could potentially out my lie.
I stared hard at the plate, the faded rose pattern blurring as I considered the punishment she would mete out if she discovered this lie. I wasn’t sure even Paige’s healing ability would be enough to save me.
“I’ll speak with Strickland after dinner,” Gran stated, effectively ending the conversation. I picked up my fork, careful not to betray my shakiness, and started to eat.
I’m sorry, Paige cried out to me, showing not a single hint of her internal turmoil as she delicately buttered a roll. I should have listened to you.
Her remorse was like a wave crashing over me, threatening to suck me under. I clutched the fork in my hand tightly, letting the emotion flow over me instead of take me. Easy, Paige, I chided and the emotional wave disappeared in a flash. You were going to help him. I just made it so Gran wouldn’t know.
But if I hadn’t….she trailed off.
But you did. I knew you would.
You’re always covering for me, she fussed internally, while outwardly she ate a bite of fish and gave no indication of our mental conversation. You should let me face the consequences. I shuddered internally at the thought even as her guilt pushed at me. Paige never could hide her emotions.
I will never allow you to face Gran’s consequences, I swore as dinner churned dangerously in my stomach at the idea of Gran ever punishing Paige. I changed the subject, needing her to forget this sudden display of consciousness. Captain America all better?
Yes, I healed his leg, but I need to tell you….Paige broke off as Gran said her name.
“Paige,” Gran interrupted whatever Paige was about to tell me. “If you are going to play with your food, then you are clearly not hungry. You are dismissed.” Paige gave me a helpless glance, but stood from the table, laying her napkin precisely over the plate to indicate she was finished. Silence fell over the table until Paige was out of earshot, then Gran declared, “Watch her.”
My head jerked toward Gran, startled by her directive. She had never shown any indication that she doubted Paige so my nod was slow in coming. “May I ask why?” I risked, keeping my eyes lowered.
“I don’t want the foolish child becoming moon-eyed over a handsome face,” Gran replied, her voice clipped, as the air escaped me in a rush, stunned by her answer. “You will deal exclusively with the prisoner. I expect your pragmatic nature will serve you well in this instance.”
I dipped my chin in acknowledgement, knowing it was pointless to argue, not that I wanted to this time. Instead of having to finagle a reason to see him, Gran had handed me the perfect excuse. “Of course,” I said simply, setting my fork down. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll see to hi-,” I cut myself off before she could conclude my pragmatic nature had also been swayed by a chiseled jaw. “The prisoner,” I corrected hastily.
She inclined her head and I was careful not to rush, wiping my mouth then delicately folding my napkin. “Have a good evening,” I offered politely before turning to leave the room. My shoulders didn’t relax until I was out of her line of sight and then my strides grew longer.
I needed to set a few things straight with Captain America before he got us killed.
***
My gaze swept the clearing as I approached the cellar, but no one was around. The few who were left tended to keep inside after dark, a lesson Paige said I needed to learn. She could never understand that nothing out here scared me, that the darkness was the only place where I could be myself.
I padded silently down the stone steps, my hand trailing on the damp wall as the pupil in my amber eye dilated, allowing my eyesight to sharpen in the dim light. A pebble caught under my foot, and I winced as it skittered down the steps, announcing my arrival.
He was standing, arms crossed over a muscular chest while a pair of baggy shorts preserved his modesty, when I stopped at the door. “You’re awake,” I observed, somehow unsurprised he’d managed to shake off Gran’s spell so quickly. His left eye twitched and my own narrowed in response. A question bubbled on my lips but he moved, so quickly I flinched, giving me a rare taste of my own medicine.
“You came.”
Strong fingers wrapped around the bars as he studied me, bright blue eyes catching mine, and I hurried to lower them before he saw more than I wanted. My gaze fell to his hands, taking note of the calluses as he tightened his grip.
I inhaled, the musky scent of male filling my lungs, and raised my eyes. “We need to talk.”
He released the door and spread his arm in welcome. The corner of my mouth curled up in a shadowy smile as I faintly shook my head. “I’ll stay here,” I commented and he lifted one shoulder.
“Your prerogative.” A flash of white accompanied his next words, “I don’t bite.”
A choked laugh escaped me at the clear lie. I tapped my nose. “I think yours just grew an inch.”
“It’s not the only thing,” he remarked, eyes glinting and I felt my cheeks heat uncomfortably at the innuendo. He smoothed his expression when he saw my discomfort. “You wanted to talk?”
I nodded at his leg. “Paige fixed your leg.”
> He tilted his head, lifting his hand to mid-chest like a marker. “Blonde? Blue eyed? Skittish little thing?”
My heart caught at his description, then started pounding. I slammed my hands against the bars that now protected him from me as I snarled, “Leave her alone.”
He backed away, raising his hands. “I didn’t touch her,” he swore, his eyes steady on mine. “It’s not your little sister I’m interested in.”
“You saw her?” I questioned, my voice dangerously low.
He nodded slowly, watching me.
“Explain,” I demanded.
“When you two were in here,” he indicated the cage with a flick of his fingers, “I woke up as you were talking.”
My forehead wrinkled as I said, “But that was hours ago.”
His eyes widened questioningly, but I shook my head, waving my hand for him to continue as I processed the new information.
“You left. She healed my leg,” he concluded quickly, pacing back toward me. His hands settled on either side of mine, their warmth matching my own. “That’s all.”
I raised my head to meet his beautifully matched eyes, their color rivaling an October sky. “You spoke to her,” I said, letting my voice lift encouragingly on the last word. He squinted, eyeing me suspiciously. “Don’t lie,” I warned, my fingers curling tightly around the bars as our breath mingled in the cold air.
“Spoke isn’t exactly the word I’d use,” he replied carefully, his gaze never leaving mine. “Seeing as how she doesn’t speak.” All the air left me in a rush as my head bumped the bars.
“You know.”
“That she’s deaf?” He lowered his head, a little too close for comfort but I didn’t pull back, trusting the bars to keep him at a distance. “I noticed.”
“She talked to you.”
He cocked his head. “We had a conversation.”
It was my turn to glance at him questioningly, keeping my eyelashes lowered to hide my mismatched eyes.
Lone Wolf (The Pack Book 5) Page 2