by Flynn, Donna
She turned to run into the house but Gregory stopped her, issuing a command she had no choice but to obey. “Don’t move, stand still until he leaves,” he ordered, edging closer to her as Alec’s wolf paced the porch uncertainly.
His mate was near, but Alec sensed her fear and knew that she would not want him around while in wolf form. Still, he hesitated to leave when she was so upset. In human form or wolf, he recognized her as his mate. Her pain and sorrow was his, too, and he was torn about leaving her.
Tears ran down Mercy’s face as she stared at the haunted eyes of Alec’s wolf. She wanted to accept him, to make him feel better, but fear kept her from trying. As if reading her thoughts, he whined loudly then jumped off the porch and into the forest, leaving her behind. Her body stirred instantly, the wolf inside wanting to run with its mate and ease his pain, but she could not allow it, not yet, not when she was so afraid to let herself accept what she was. She let out a strangled cry as her wolf fought her for control and Gregory placed his hand on her shoulder, helping her settle it back down.
Somewhere in the dark forest, a wolf howled, the heart-breaking sound echoing off the trees. Mercy lowered her head, ashamed she had been the cause of Alec’s distress, but uncertain how to go about accepting him as he was.
“Come we still have dessert, and my very talented mate has promised to sing for us after we clean up,” Cade told her, reaching out to take her arm, but letting it fall to his side when she flinched and shuffled out of his reach.
Lucan noted the disappointment on his brother’s face and recognized his upset; he had felt it himself plenty times in the last few weeks when she had done the same to him. He looked at his brother sympathetically, knowing that if something did not change soon, things were going to get ugly.
Mercy walked to the door, giving the wood line one last sorrowful glance before hanging her head and walking into the house. Instead of joining the others in the living room, she trudged up the stairs to her own room where she could be alone in her misery.
“We have to do something before this gets out of control,” Gregory told Lucan.
“I know,” Lucan, answered solemnly. Gregory was only going to be patient for so long. As Alpha, it was his job to keep all of his wolves happy and healthy and Mercy’s wolf was strong. They all felt its need to be free, and if she continued to refuse it, unpleasant things could happen.
“I know of a woman who works with young ones who are having a hard time accepting what they are. Maybe she could help,” he offered.
“It’s worth a try. With school looming in the near future, I fear what is going to happen if she does not start accepting her wolf.”
“Let me make the call.” He pulled his cell from his jacket and dialed, smiling when he heard soft, feminine laughter then the voice of the one he sought. “Marlo, it’s Gregory. I was wondering what you were up to, and if you might be able to come and help me with a rather delicate situation.”
“You know I always have time for you, Gregory. What’s going on?”
“It’s a long story, but if you’ll meet my pilot at the airport in a few hours I can explain when you get here.”
“My bags are always packed. Just give me the time and place.” She listened as he rattled off the airport and address he was currently staying at, then tucked it in her purse. “See you soon, blue eyes,” she told him with a chuckle before hanging up on him.
Gregory cleared his throat, embarrassed Lucan had heard her last comment. “She’s on her way,” he told him.
“Blue eyes, huh?” Lucan teased.
“I am not discussing that with you,” he replied, slapping him on the shoulder playfully.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Marlo is a miracle worker. If she can’t resolve this, then I don’t know who can.”
“How come we have never heard of this Marlo?” Lucan asked, curious about the mystery woman who was coming to help his sister.
“Son, you don’t know everything about me, and Marlo… well let’s just say she’s from my past.” He smiled thinking of the last time he had seen her. She was a spitfire who had been handed a bum deal in life, but had overcome it, learned to survive, and was now helping others do the same. He knew she could get through to Mercy, even if she had to do it the hard way, which was likely given the girl's reluctance to accept what she was.
“I’ll have to trust you on this, but if she can help make Mercy feel better, then she must be a saint.”
“Far from it,” Gregory replied with a grin as they entered the house.
Lucan didn’t hear him, though. He was too wrapped up in his worries for his sister. Mercy, who had once been happy and carefree, had become sullen and withdrawn. She refused to talk to any of them about what had happened, and poor Alec was taking the brunt of her anger. Probably, he thought, because his betrayal had stung the worst. Mercy could deny it all she wanted, but he knew that she loved Alec, and he would make sure the two of them had a future if it was the last thing he did.
Chapter Two
Mercy rose the next day with the dawn as had become her habit, so she could eat her breakfast and clear out of the kitchen before anyone else came in. After a quick shower, she pulled her hair into a ponytail then dressed in her favorite flannel lounge pants and a tank top. The halls were quiet as she walked them, and after creeping down the stairs, she turned the corner into the kitchen shocked to find an unfamiliar, drop-dead gorgeous, blonde female sitting at the table, her hands wrapped around a coffee mug as she hummed softly. She hesitated and began to turn away but the woman called out to her, stopping her retreat.
“Come on in, Mercy. I was just enjoying the sunshine and the peace of the morning.”
Mercy turned to look at the woman and gasped, unable to look away from her captivating violet-colored eyes. They were like lilacs in the spring. The kind her mother had loved to cut and bring into the house every morning they were in bloom. Some of her fondest memories were of waking to their sweet heady fragrance on a cool spring morning and sharing tea together while they sat in the gardens. Those memories were painful and she looked away, trying to hide the tears that pricked her eyes.
“Shocking, aren’t they?” the woman said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m sorry I just…” Mercy bit her lip unsure how to respond to the stranger before her without sounding rude.
“You have never seen anyone with purple eyes before?” she finished for her.
“Actually, they are more like violet,” Mercy said placing her hand over her mouth, embarrassed she had said it aloud.
“I am going to like you, I can tell,” she said, her easy laugh putting Mercy instantly at ease.
“Who exactly are you?” Mercy asked, walking to the refrigerator for a glass of orange juice.
“I’m Marlo, a friend of Gregory’s. He thought it would be good for you and me to talk and spend some time together.” She noted the look of annoyance that passed over Mercy’s face and knew she needed to work quickly before the girl ran off. “I too have struggled with being different.”
Mercy stilled, shocked that Gregory would bring a stranger to talk to her about her personal issues and deposit her in their kitchen to bombard her unexpectedly. Things were not right between the rest of them and her, but the fact that he thought a stranger might make a difference bothered her.
“I know you’re upset, but really you left them with little choice. Your refusal to accept what you are has kept you stuck in a pity party of your own making,” she explained patiently
“I’m fine, I don’t need your help, but thank you,” Mercy told her, making a beeline for the door. The woman moved with lightening speed, blocking the entrance before she reached it. She sidestepped and headed for the screen door that would take her outside, but again the woman was quicker.
“It will do you no good to run, I will stop you at every turn,” she warned, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Leave me alone! I don’t
want to talk about this with anyone, much less a stranger,” Mercy pleaded.
“Yeah, I felt that way for a long time too, but you know what? Someone forced me to talk, to accept what I am, and I thank him to this day because if not, I might have ended my own existence rather than live as something I feared.”
“I’m not afraid,” Mercy screamed, making another dash for the hall. Once again, the woman was faster. “Leave me alone!” she yelled.
“Not until you agree to sit and talk to me.” She leaned against the doorframe and stared at her long black polished nails, looking bored as she waited for her answer.
Mercy raised her arms in the air in defeat, trudged to the table, pulled out a chair and sat, but said nothing.
“That’s better,” the woman said, appearing next to her before she even had time to blink. “We are not so different you and I, but I will explain that later after we have sorted out your dilemma.” She handed her the orange juice she had poured, and sat down across from her. “Now tell me what is going on.”
Mercy’s teeth tore into her bottom lip as she glared at the women, but Marlo just smiled indulgently, waiting for her to speak.
The clock ticked on the wall, the sounds of the morning coming to life outside the doors filtered in, and yet still they sat silently staring each other down.
“I have nowhere else to be for at least a month, so I can hold out as long as you can,” Marlo said, leaning back in her chair and readying herself for a long wait.
An hour later, they were still staring each other down when her brothers walked into the kitchen looking for their morning coffee. Mercy took advantage of their presence and fled the kitchen, hiding in her room for the rest of the day and night to avoid any chance of Marlo catching her alone again.
*****
The next morning Mercy crept down the stairs listening closely for any sign of Marlo but to her relief found the kitchen empty. Letting out the breath she had been holding, she walked to the cabinet and grabbed a bowl for cereal then turned, screaming and dropping the bowl when she saw Marlo was right behind her.
Marlo easily caught the bowl before it hit the ground and handed it back to the startled girl, trying not to laugh at the astonishment on her face. “You can run, Mercy, but you can’t hide from me,” she told her smugly.
“How… where did you…” Mercy sputtered, unable to form the question she wanted to ask.
“I’m not human. Let’s just leave it at that for now.” She grabbed a mug from the rack on the counter and filled it with coffee, then looked pointedly at the table. “Are you joining me?”
Mercy slammed the bowl on the counter behind her, shattering it into pieces. The woman before her was pushing her further than was smart, and she worried that she wouldn’t be able to suppress her wolf if she continued.
“Ah, there it is,” Marlo said calmly, taking a long sip of her coffee.
Mercy growled angrily, then paled as she realized what she had done. “Please, leave me alone,” she pleaded, feeling her wolf hovering under the surface.
Marlo shook her head and sighed. “I can’t, I promised Gregory I would help you, and I won’t go back on that promise.”
Mercy moved for the door, but Marlo stepped in front of her, blocking her path, which only made her angrier. “I don’t want your help, just leave me alone,” she screamed which brought both of her brothers into the kitchen with a speed that would have boggled the human mind.
“What’s wrong?” Lucan asked worriedly.
Mercy pointed to Marlo, full of anger at the woman who was making a habit of terrorizing her. “She’s what’s wrong. Make her leave. I don’t want to talk to her, or anyone else!” she bellowed, then ran out of the room and up the steps, slamming her door and locking it behind her.
Marlo placed her mug on the counter and turned to face the two men who’d interfered with her intervention, her eyes piercing them like swords. “This will never work if you two interfere every time she gets angry.”
“What do you expect us to do? She’s miserable, and it’s our fault,” Lucan said angrily, having second thoughts about bringing the woman in to help Mercy.
“She’s scared and hurt, but you’re only nursing those feelings along by letting her stew over this,” Marlo told them.
“What do you suggest we do?” Cade asked, taking over the role of the calm older brother since Lucan was clearly thinking with his heart and not his head.
Marlo looked at Lucan, knowing he was not going to be on board with her plan. “I think you should move out for a few days.”
“No,” Lucan said firmly.
“Luc, you're being unreasonable,” Cade argued.
“She could be a crazy person or a murderer.”
“I’m not any crazier than you, and I only murder when absolutely necessary,” Marlo told him with a hint of a smile.
Cade laughed, liking the woman all the more for her smart-ass answer, but Lucan was clearly not as amused.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” Lucan muttered.
“Look, I get it, she’s your daughter and you love her, but you are not doing her any favors by letting her sulk,” he growled, but she ignored it; she was used to wolves who thought they were better than everyone else, so his aggression didn’t bother her. “The sooner Mercy accepts what she is, the easier this transition will be for her.”
“Luc, let her work with Mercy. Gregory assured me that she is the best at what she does, and Mercy won’t accept our help right now,” Cade said, placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Fine, but I’m not leaving my home,” Lucan agreed.
“Just keep out of my way then, and don’t question my methods,” Marlo told him, earning a stiff nod of agreement before he walked out.
*****
Every day after that, Marlo engaged in a battle of wills with Mercy. Her brothers were oddly absent whenever they met and never said a word about her time with the woman who had come to irritate the heck out of her. After a week, Mercy realized if she didn’t say anything they just might be there for the next month, so she decided to give her what she wanted. She took a seat at the table and glared at Marlo, who smiled as if she hadn’t a care in the world. “Fine, you want to know about werewolves? Let me see… what was it that I hated about them?” She placed a finger to the side of her mouth pretending to think on it ,then her eyes lit with pretend surprise. “Oh yeah, they killed my parents.” She anticipated shock or some kind of startled reaction, but Marlo just stared at her with a blank expression that annoyed Mercy more than her refusal to let her leave.
“So how did they die?” Marlo asked, sensing Mercy was at a turning point.
She was so calm Mercy blinked in surprise. “When I was six. I found them dead in our home, their bodies covered in blood. Nothing I could do would bring them back.” The women stared at her again for a long period of time, which only managed to piss Mercy off more. “I can heal, did they tell you that? I healed Gregory. Of course, I did not know it was him at the time. He was in wolf form, and he became my friend, he even saved me from a wolf who tried to kill me, but that wolf came back and killed my parents.” Still she stared, saying nothing, despite the desperation in Mercy’s voice and the tears she shed. “My God, are you heartless? Can you not understand why I am afraid? Why I don’t want to be one of them?” she yelled, her fist pounding the table. “What if I kill someone? What if I shift and can’t return to my human form?” Still the women stared. “Yeah, you’re a lot of help. I’m spilling my guts to you, and you have nothing to say.” Mercy stood and walked to the door, too angry to care if the woman stopped her or not.
“Do you know how many humans kill each other? Do you also hate them and what they are?” she asked, stopping Mercy in her tracks.
“What?” She turned surprised to find the woman standing directly behind her.
“Humans, they kill each other every day, wars, murders, hundreds of people die at the hand of other humans and yet you still long to
be one of them,” she said softly.
“But they did not kill my parents,” Mercy sobbed.
“They could have, it might have been a robbery or a mugging, even a car accident. Would you then hate humans as you do the wolves?”
Mercy knew she made sense, but the hate and fear she had harbored for so long were hard to relinquish. She needed time to sort it out and acclimate herself with the idea of being a werewolf before she could let go of her fears.
“Your family is asking for a chance to show you that all wolves are not killers. That they, like humans, have their good and bad elements.” She reached out and placed her hand on Mercy’s shoulder. “Nothing about you is to be feared. I can sense the goodness inside of you and the love you have for your family and friends. Let them help you with this.”
“They lied to me,” Mercy told her with a sob, sliding to the floor, her back against the wall. She was tired: tired of being angry, tired of being afraid, and tired of needing everyone around her to protect her.
“I know,” Marlo said, dropping beside Mercy and pulling her so that her head rested against her shoulder. “You must remember you were very young when they took you in. Your parents had just been killed by wolves, how do you think you would have reacted if you found out you had every chance of being one?”
“I don’t know,” Mercy answered honestly, wiping the tears that moistened her cheek away with the back of her hand.
“Of course you don’t, who would, unless they were faced with that decision? I think your brothers did what they thought would protect you, and for that you must be able to find forgiveness.”
“Why didn’t they tell me what I was when I grew older, then?”
“Did you ask them that?”
Mercy lifted her head, realizing for the first time she had never given them the chance to explain what their motive had been. She had been so angry that she had shut everyone out without giving anyone a chance to explain. “I didn’t… I never…” She swiped the tears from her eyes as she heard someone approach. Immediately she knew it was Lucan, he always walked with the same stride. He came through the door looking down at the women on the floor with puzzlement. The pain she saw in his eyes broke her heart, and remorse for the way she had been treating him grew. He was still the man who sat up with her at night while she would cry and scream for hours on end when her parents’ deaths haunted her dreams. He was the same man who had driven her to dance class, and sat amongst all the mothers trading recipes while she practiced. Most of all he was the man who had loved her as if she were his very own child, giving up his entire life to see to her care and she owed him for more than she could ever repay. With a soft cry, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him close, apologizing to him repeatedly for being so selfish.