by Melissa Haag
Clay and Gabby sat across from us, Gabby perching on one of his knees. The sight didn’t bother me as it once would have.
“How long have you two been together?” Bethi asked them.
“Clay has been living with me since the end of August.” Gabby smiled. “But I just recently Claimed him.”
“Not Mated?”
Gabby shook her head, and Bethi’s scent soured. She had no reason for jealously. I belonged to her, heart and soul.
Michelle returned with a sandwich. “Here you go.”
Bethi took the plate. “Thanks. How long have you and Emmitt been together?” she asked before taking a bite of the sandwich.
“I lived with Emmitt for several weeks before I Claimed him. That was several months ago. We’re planning a winter wedding.”
Bethi’s scent soured further. I wasn’t the only one picking up on her odd mood. Emmitt watched her closely.
“What about you two?” he asked.
Bethi shrugged and took another bite. I remained quiet as she chewed then swallowed, interested in her answer.
“He has a problem with my boobs.”
Problem? Hell no. Wait. Yes, I did have a problem. I adored them, and I shouldn’t. Not yet. The feel of them in my palm returned. I clenched my fist, and a choked noise escaped me as she took another small bite of her sandwich and proceeded to talk with her mouth full.
“Secretly, I think he’s hoping if he waits until I’m eighteen they might grow a bit more.”
She needed to stop talking about them so I could stop thinking about them. My hands shook, and I struggled not to reach out and cover her mouth.
“They’re kinda like the elephant in the room. We’re not allowed to talk about them.”
She wasn’t going to stop. I stood, turned, set her in the chair, and strode toward the doors.
“That’s usually how he reacts if I do talk about them,” Bethi said from behind me.
“So you haven’t Claimed him yet?” Gabby asked.
Pushing out the doors, I strode into the hallway, willing the trembling to stop. I didn’t go far. I couldn’t. So I heard what Bethi said in response to Gabby’s question.
“Nope. He won’t let me. He’s pretty quick to protect his precious neck. I got smacked in the face, like, at least fifty times on the trip here.”
“That makes no sense,” Gabby said. “I was so sure.”
I paced and shook my hand. The feel of Bethi remained firmly in my palm. She was killing me. She knew it, too. Why did she need to keep pushing? She had enough to deal with right now. Adding me and my obsession to the mix wouldn’t help her.
A moment later, the doors opened. Gabby looked surprised to see me pacing the hallway. Clay didn’t. He knew.
“What’s going on with you?” Gabby asked, stopping to watch me.
I gave Clay a look and then tried to ignore them both.
“He’s trying not to—”
“I thought you didn’t talk,” I said, interrupting him. “I liked you better that way.”
“And I thought I’d sent you to your Mate,” Gabby said. “I mean, you feel a pull, right?”
I stopped pacing and turned to face her. “If the pull was any stronger, I’d be glued to her backside.”
“Then, why aren’t you letting her…?”
Frustration crept into my tone. “How can I possibly let her? She’s sleep deprived, had been chased by mutts, injured, and she’s not even eighteen. Now doesn’t seem like the right time to throw an obsessed werewolf onto the list.”
“If you keep telling her no, she might think you don’t want her and start looking at—”
“I’ve made my stance very clear. She knows I’m interested, but waiting.”
Gabby slowly shook her head. “I think your rejection hurt her. Don’t wait too long.”
“I won’t. There’s too much happening right now.” Like unprecedented attacks on my future mate. “Can I ask you something?” She nodded. “When you were with Sam, were you ever attacked by any unmated males?”
“Attacked? No. But human men hit on me all the time. It’s always been that way, though.”
“So you’ve never been attacked or put at risk?”
“No.”
“Yeah,” Clay said at the same time.
Interesting. “When?”
“After she left for school. A mutt challenged me while we were out for a walk. Gabby was there.”
Challenges happened. It was part of who we were. But challenges typically didn’t happen around females or cubs. There was too much risk and our numbers were still too low for accidents. Just look at what had happened to my mother.
“Did you report it?”
He nodded toward Gabby. “She called Sam. Sam told Joshua. That was the last one near her.”
Gabby met my gaze steadily, and I believed we were thinking close to the same thing. She’d been fine with Sam all those years, but as soon as she moved away, trouble had found her. And, once again, Joshua had been involved.
She and Clay left me in the hall. After a few deep breaths, I returned to the commons. Bethi wasn’t in her chair. Before I could worry, I heard her in the kitchen. I sat in the chair and waited.
“This should help,” Charlene said.
“Can I carry that for you?” Emmitt asked.
I watched Bethi shuffle from the kitchen, Emmitt and Michelle closely following her. Emmitt had a loaded dessert plate in his hand, which was good. Bethi needed the food.
“She doesn’t look so good,” Gabby said softly. “Just don’t miss your chance.”
I glanced at Gabby, seeing her concern for me…for Bethi…for our future. Bethi had laid some serious stuff down for all of us.
“If you’re feeling tired,” Emmitt said, drawing my attention, “you could take this back to your room.”
Bethi stopped and turned to him. “I’m not really tired as much as I just want to be alone for a while,” she said. “So going back to my room sounds great. Would you come get me when something interesting happens?”
Emmitt nodded and the three left. Bloody prick.
“You’re wrecking the chair,” Gabby said.
I looked down at my clawed hands and the small tears in the arm. My marks weren’t the first.
“He needs his tail handed to him,” I said.
“I think everyone needs that at least once in their lives,” Clay said. “Ready for your turn?”
“Yeti’s don’t talk,” I said, standing.
“I don’t think she wants you to follow her,” Gabby said.
“You just told me not to wait. Now, I’m supposed to wait?”
“Are you going to her to let her Claim you?”
“No.”
“Then, yes, I’m telling you to wait.”
“I’ve never been good at listening. Or waiting,” I said, walking away.
Fifteen
When I opened the door to our apartment, Bethi was in her chair with her fork in her mouth and all the pie missing from her plate. The scent of her melancholy had filled the room.
“So you want to be alone, huh?” I said, stepping in. “A bit rude, don’t you think?”
“No more rude than you running off in a drama queen fit so ‘Little One’ follows you,” she said.
I moved to stand before her. She tilted her face up to glare at me. I couldn’t help but feel amusement.
“You’re jealous.”
“No kidding. Look, either want me or don’t, but stop playing the middle ground. I’m tired of waiting for you.”
That killed my humor. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I had to suffer through a dream where I was drowned as a baby. If you would have let me Claim you, I'd have more control over the dreams. If you would have stayed by me, I wouldn’t have dreamed that at all.”
“Bethi, I’m sorry about leaving you. The Elders had questions and wouldn’t be ignored.”
“I won’t be ignored, Luke. Decide.”
She co
ntinued to glare at me, her anger and frustration boiling in her scent and her gaze.
“There is no decision. We are meant to be together.” She had to know that by now. “We just need to be patient for a little while longer. When you turn eighteen—”
“Just stop,” she yelled. “Do you hear yourself? Do you even know what you’re saying?” She changed her voice in a poor imitation of me. “‘Bethi, I want to be with you, but first I need you to suffer for three more months. Being killed another ninety times—minimum—isn’t asking too much so I can feel virtuous when I allow you to Claim me.”
I crouched before her and took the plate from her hands. “Bethi, I swear. I will not leave you again. I won’t allow you to suffer another death.” Brushing the loose hair back from her face, I tried to comfort her. Her dreams were too much for someone her age, and I hated that she suffered them.
“I already suffered one too many,” she said, knocking my hand aside to stand. “If you add up all the years I’ve lived across all my lives, I celebrated my one thousandth birthday a couple of decades ago. You’re not cradle robbing, you’re grave robbing. Think on that.”
I couldn’t understand why she was so determined to rush into Claiming me when sleeping beside me solved the problem. Sighing, I stood. Her angry gaze held mine. She was everything and more to me. The heart to my existence. Waiting wasn’t easy. It wasn’t fun or entertaining. But, it was what she deserved.
I stepped close and brushed my finger over her skin, tracing her right eyebrow and then running my fingers into her hair. Her eyes softened and the hue changed ever so slightly.
“You have the most amazing eyes,” I said.
“I’ve heard that before.” The anger was absent from her voice. I wanted her so badly. Leaning forward, I inhaled her sweet scent and listened to her pulse pick up speed. Her lips begged for my attention, and I ached with the need to give in. How could she not understand?
“I will do anything for you,” I said. “Even wait.” I gently kissed her cheek.
“Get out,” she said as she pulled back sharply, her face flushed. “Before I hurt myself trying to hit you.”
“Bethi—”
“No. No more. Go.” She turned her head away.
Her body shook with her anger. I straightened and left the room, giving her some time to cool down.
In the hallway I listened as she moved around in the room. When she left the living room, I hoped she might sleep some more. Before enough time had passed for me to try to join her, I heard her reenter the living area, her determined steps approaching the door.
Moving down the hall, I closed myself into an unoccupied room and waited. She left her room and started down the hall toward the commons. I followed.
There were more males gathered in the commons when we arrived. Most of them were Mated and helping their wives and cubs prepare for the Charlene’s dinner feast. I found a quiet seat in the corner by the door and watched Bethi. She didn’t notice me as she prowled the room.
When Mary and Gregory’s cubs entered, Bethi quickly approached them.
“I need help,” she said softly. “Would either of you be willing to let me Claim you? Just for a little while?”
My gut clenched. What was she thinking? Claiming wasn’t just for a little while. It was permanent unless severed by death. She was asking the cubs to die for her because I wouldn’t give her up. Ever.
Henry was quick to excuse himself. Paul wasn’t as smart. Bethi took his hand and led him to a set of chairs. The hair on my arms stood up. The cub should know better than to listen to her nonsense. Or touch her. When she sat with her back to me, I grinned. The cub would be facing me.
Paul glanced around the room nervously and caught my eye. I slowly shook my head. He swallowed hard and focused on Bethi.
“He’ll kill me just to have you back.”
“It won’t come to that,” Bethi said.
Yes. It would. And I’d hate myself for killing a cub, but I’d do it to keep her.
“Yes, it will,” Paul said echoing my thoughts. “You don’t know our ways. He’ll challenge me to the death. I really want to help you, but I won’t have a chance.”
“Please,” Bethi begged.
“If there wasn’t anyone else interested in you, I would agree. But if he doesn’t kill me, my mom will.”
One of the other males in the room laughed softly. His Mate elbowed him.
“Yeah, yeah,” Bethi said in response to Paul. “If he were really interested, why am I still unClaimed?”
“I’m really sorry, Bethi.”
“Whatever,” she said, standing. When she turned, her gaze locked with mine. Her eyes narrowed. I looked at Paul and winked at the cub. He’d made the right choice.
Bethi staggered suddenly, and I quickly moved to her side and held her arm to steady her.
“Are you all right?” I asked. She should have stayed in our room and tried to sleep.
“Peachy,” she said, tugging her arm from my grasp. She looked up at me, her expression tense. “I just need something to drink.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
I quickly went to the kitchen and took a clean glass from the shelves.
“Did she like the dessert?” Charlene asked from the other side of the room.
Turning off the tap, I faced her. “She did. Thank you.”
“Let me know if she’s hungry. The rest can wait for the meal, but I don’t think she should. Running has taken too much out of her already.”
I nodded.
“Keep an eye on her, Luke. She’ll need extra care.”
That she knew my name shouldn’t have surprised me. Whether pack bound or Forlorn, Charlene didn’t discriminate. She treated everyone like one of her cubs. That was probably why she was worried about Bethi, too.
Leaving the kitchen, I looked around the commons. Bethi was gone. Damn it. I left the commons, following her scent down the hall. After two turns, I found her on the floor twitching, her mouth open wide in a silent, pain-filled scream.
I fell to my knees behind her.
“Bethi, wake up!”
She bolted upright, her arm swinging wide. Her palm connected with my face in a stinging slap. I quickly captured her hand and studied her eyes. The pupils slowly constricted and tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. She’d had another dream. She’d only been gone from me for three minutes.
“Get away from me,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Bethi, I’m sorry—”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Try being something else for a change. Like on time,” she said, getting to her feet.
Hurt and guilt stabbed through me.
“Here’s the drink you asked for.” I held out the glass of water she’d sent me for so she could run again.
She took the glass, and I turned away. I didn’t know what to do to help her anymore. Lost in my thoughts I wandered the halls. When I realized I’d walked the same hall several times already, I headed for the front doors.
Gabby and Clay caught up to me just as I stepped outside. She gave him a shy smile as he held the door for her.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Not far. Just needed a minute.”
She glanced at Clay, waiting for him to step out beside her. I envied the way they stayed so close together. How did he keep her in such a good mood? As desperate as I was for any hint on how to deal with Bethi, I’d choke before I asked the hairy ape for female advice.
“Now isn’t the time for you to be wandering off,” Gabby said. “Joshua is here, meeting with the other Elders.”
She kept her voice light, but the scent of her concern and fear drifted around us. Clay set his hand on the small of her back, and she leaned into him. Clay didn’t understand her reaction, yet, but I did. I wanted Joshua’s throat in my hands.
“You’re right. I should go see if he—”
Luke, can you meet me in your apartment, Winifred sent me.
“Luke?” G
abby said, worried.
“Winifred wants me to go to the apartment.”
“Should we come?”
“No.” I looked at Clay and lowered my voice. “Don’t trust anyone. Keep her inside and close.”
He nodded slowly, and I went inside.
When I reached the room, it was empty. I waited and heard Bethi’s dragging steps in the hallway a few minutes later. I had the door open before they reached it.
Bethi glanced at me, several emotions flitting over her features before she scowled.
“’Bout time you’re where you should be,” she said.
Guilt laced her scent as she passed me. I reached out to tuck back a loose strand of her hair and wondered what she had to feel guilty about. Paul? I’d forgiven her attempt to Claim another Mate as soon as she’d started.
“Now,” Nana said, sitting on the couch. “What is the problem here?”
Problem? I watched Bethi as she sat in a chair. Her guilt was suddenly worrying me. What was she up to now? I closed the door and moved to stand beside her.
“Before we start is it possible for you not to share this with the rest of the Elders? I know you have a special connection with them and everything”—she glanced at me quickly—“but I really don’t want anyone else knowing this. I mean, you can tell if someone is close enough to hear, too, right?”
“Of course. For the moment, we have privacy. And I won’t share the details of private conversations unless I ask first.”
“Do you swear?”
“I do.”
“Fine. Nothing is shared from this point forward unless you ask me.” Bethi leaned forward slightly. “I lied. Oh, Luke really is annoying me with his whole Puritan attitude.” She arched a brow at me. “I lied about something else. Rather, I didn’t tell you everything. But for a very good reason. Now, I need you to trust me.” Her mouth twisted in a bitter smile. “Funny asking for trust after admitting to a lie.” She shrugged, took a deep breath, and reached for Winifred’s hand. “Joshua is not one of you. He’s an Urbat.” Winifred’s brow shot up. “I couldn’t say anything before because I hadn’t figured out what to do about it, but I have a plan now.”
“What’s an Urbat?”
“The Urbat are a cousin to the werewolf. Not quite the same, but very close. There’s more, but we don’t have the time or the privacy to get into it.”