Thomas' Heart (Judgement Of The Six Companion Series Book 4)

by Melissa Haag

  He nodded and walked inside.

  The wolves milled around. Some stayed close to the door to listen. Others moved further away toward the trees, probably considering hunting while they waited.

  Winifred approached Grey and me.

  “Have you noticed the changes?” she asked me.

  I looked around as I half-listened to the human introduce herself like she mattered.

  “Not really. I was a bit younger the last time we were here.”

  Winifred looked at Grey.

  “A few,” he said. “Some of the windows are fixed. Some have been taken apart.” He looked back where I remembered a shed standing. “Some things have disappeared.”

  Inside, I heard the human mention Mary’s concern about being Claimed. Ridiculous. The Claiming bite healed within moments. It was the only type of bite that healed that fast. Why was the human trying to prevent a Claiming? What game was she playing?

  “So you’re the human,” Gregory said. “Winifred was right. You are different.”

  “Thomas,” Winifred said before I could ask Gregory what he meant. “Not all humans are bad.”

  “I never said they were. However, they are all dangerous. Most of them through ignorance. That doesn’t make them any less of a threat, though.”

  “Then we need to teach them.”

  “What are you saying? Expose ourselves to the world?” I couldn’t believe she would even hint at such a thing. It would be a bloodbath.

  The males nearest us, turned to look at her. Worry and fear drifted to me. Fools. They should feel anger.

  “No,” she said quickly. “I doubt they will ever be ready for that. But we still need to start integrating with them, building relationships and a place for ourselves in this rapidly changing world. As we do, I know we’ll find some worthy of our trust. They might even become our allies if they understand who and what we are.”

  “Look around you,” I said, eyeing the poorly dressed bodies milling about. “From a human’s view, we are worthless. Worse than their own rejects. Mongrels. We have no place in their world, and they have no place in ours.”

  “Your stubbornness will be your downfall, Thomas.”

  “Unlikely. It’s what’s kept me alive.”

  Thomas, Gregory sent. Mary acknowledges I am her Mate but has asked me to wait to Claim her until Charlene finds her Mate. I’ve agreed.

  I frowned, understanding what he was telling me. We would need to stay here…with the human.

  I would like to meet Mary, I sent him.

  Of course. I’ll bring her to you.

  THREE

  “Your stubbornness might have been keeping you alive, but it’s not working for everyone,” Winifred said, pulling me back into our conversation. “And, that is exactly why we need Charlene. She has already started the bridge between our world and hers. These males have helped her make improvements. Worked together. Had a purpose. We need her, Thomas.”

  “No. I think, for some reason, you need her. We need females we can Claim.” Our conversation was gaining the attention of everyone in the yard.

  “If this human is so important, take her with you when you leave here and keep our sanctuary safe.”

  Many of the males growled in response to losing a potential Mate.

  “As you can hear, they don’t want her to leave,” Winifred said.

  Back down, Thomas, Gregory sent me. I don’t want my future Mate caught up in a fight.

  I took a slow deep breath and looked away from Winifred.

  Gregory nudged his way through the men blocking the door. He was right. Everyone was tense and ready to fight again. I wouldn’t risk Gregory’s new Mate by saying more.

  She is our first priority, now, I sent Gregory.

  He gave me a slight nod as he approached. When he stopped, he pulled a sweet little brown-eye female from behind his back. No wonder he’d insisted I back down. I couldn’t believe the lucky pup had found his Mate already. From the looks of the men around me, neither could they.

  “I acknowledge Gregory as my Mate,” Mary said, looking at Winifred. “But I’ve asked him to wait to Claim me.”

  “And I agreed for as long as Charlene is here,” Gregory said, stepping aside.

  A young female, taller than Mary, stood behind him. Her blonde hair shone in the sun, and her light blue eyes hesitantly met my gaze. My heart stopped at the sight, and I took a slow deep breath, searching for a trace of her scent in the air. Sweet, like summer blooms in a meadow. It was perfect. She was perfect. And mine.

  Cold reality returned as I realized I was staring at the human. The wolf we’d met in the woods had said she called to all of us. I just hadn’t thought I would feel the pull so strongly. Why a human? I wanted to grab her and sink my teeth into her as much as I wanted to yell at her to leave.

  She watched me with fear slowly creeping into her gaze. A trick meant to soften me. And it did. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and protect her.

  She glanced at my lips, toying with me before looking at Grey.

  Do you still believe she needs to die? Winifred sent me.

  Yes.

  The human female was dangerous and knew how to play on our weaknesses. No male feeling this level of pull would want to walk away from her.

  Her pulse spiked, and Mary quickly stepped back from Gregory to hold the human’s hand.

  “If it’s all right, we’d like to go back inside,” Mary said.

  I could feel Winifred’s gaze on me but couldn’t look away from the golden haired human.

  Everyone has shown interest in her, Thomas. She’s not shown interest in any of them…except you. Think on that before you decide she needs to die.

  With a growl, I turned away and walked to the tree line.

  “Talk to me,” Grey said softly.

  I shook my head slightly then turned to face Gregory.

  “You are one lucky pup,” I said with a half-grin.

  Gregory smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.

  “I am. This doesn’t mean I’m leaving your pack, though,” he said, growing serious. “There’s safety in numbers.”

  I recalled the dead family and wondered if three would be enough to protect Mary. It was more than the family had, but I knew from Gregory’s expression, he was worried too.

  “There is. And I’ll keep my word. She will be our first priority.” To protect Mary, we would stay until he could Claim her.

  He nodded gratefully and looked back at the building.

  “Go,” I said. “Grey and I will survive without you while you pine for your Mate.”

  Gregory laughed but jogged toward the building just as Winifred hopped into the back of the truck.

  “The females are both tired. Introductions will continue in the morning.” She reached down and picked up a bag of groceries.

  Offer to help, Grey sent me.

  Why? Winifred was more than capable of carrying a few bags of groceries.

  So you can learn more about the human.

  He was right. I needed a better understanding of what we faced.

  Grab those bags, I sent to Gregory as I moved across the clearing.

  Winifred gave them over to him without question.

  I need one of those, I sent him.

  When he handed one of the bags to me, Winifred’s eyes narrowed; but she kept silent. Taking the remaining two bags, she hopped down from the bed and handed them to each of us.

  You will not harm her, she sent me.

  I understand she is under your protection and will make no attempt to remove her from our sanctuary. For now.

  She turned toward the door and tapped on it.

  What is with the knocking? I sent Winifred.

  Humans startle easily.

  She opened the door and stepped aside so we could enter.

  The human was sitting at the table. Her wary gaze swept over me then drifted to my chest. The pull tried to gut me. The desire to move closer and inhale her scent almost brought me to m
y knees.

  Clenching the bags, I glared at the girl.

  “These are the other groceries I brought up,” Winifred said. “Where should these men set them?”

  Other groceries? How much was Winifred giving to the human?

  “By the pump, please.”

  The sound of her voice trailed over my skin like a caress. I struggled not to react to the need that tugged at me.

  Winifred watched me closely as I moved to follow Gregory to the hand pump.

  I need you to start a fight, I sent to Grey. Something that will require the Elder’s attention.

  Less than an ear flick later, sounds of growls and yips started up in the yard.

  I set the bag down as Winifred sighed.

  “I will be right back. Mary, perhaps you could make me something for dinner?” she said as she opened the door.

  “Sure, Wini,” Mary said. She hadn’t taken her eyes from Gregory since he’d walked in.

  Just like I hadn’t taken mine from the human, who was playing with the half-eaten food on the plate before her. I hated the concern I felt at seeing her not eating. It didn’t make sense. Concern? For a human? No matter how hard I tried, the feeling wouldn’t go away. I wanted to go to her. To speak softly to her and coax her to eat.

  “I can help you,” Gregory said, completely focused on Mary.

  Although the human pretended not to notice us, I saw the way her lashes lifted slightly. She peeked at me, a shy move that caused an unwanted spike of interest. I forcefully willed myself not to go to her, to ignore my instincts.

  Games, I thought with disgust. Yet, I didn’t walk away. I couldn’t.

  She shifted slightly then set down the cookie she’d been toying with.

  “Since you have help, I think I’ll go and lay down for a bit.” She stood to leave.

  Mary tore her gaze from Gregory.

  “Don’t you want to see what Wini brought?”

  The girl glanced at the bags near my feet, then up at me. The clear blue of her gaze pierced me again.

  “There’s no hurry,” she said, looking away. But not before I saw something there. Recognition.

  I watched the little coward run and wanted to hit something.

  “I’ll be outside,” I said so Mary could hear.

  Tell me when she returns, I added silently to Gregory.

  As soon as I stepped out, Grey moved to my side. The number of males milling about had dwindled, but a few still fought across the yard.

  Well? he asked me.

  What did you feel when you saw her? I sent him.

  Attraction. But she’s pretty, so I don’t think that’s unusual. She smells good. Really tempting, but there is no pull.

  I exhaled heavily.

  Each time I look at her, I forget all the humans we’ve led to their deaths. I forget all our kind that we’ve found and buried. Why? Because when I look at her, it feels like my insides are being pulled out. By her. She holds an invisible line that’s hooked in my gut. And I hate it as much as I love it.

  I turned to look at my brother.

  She’s the one. Why a human? They are nothing but trouble. Why did it have to be a human?

  My fingers curled into fists, and he set a hand on my shoulder.

  Maybe Winifred is right, he sent me. Maybe this is a sign we need to change.

  I snorted and looked away from him. Winifred was standing beside a pair who were still fighting.

  How can we change what we are?

  Maybe by trying something different.

  You’re saying I should Claim her?

  No. I’m saying you need to stop wanting to kill her. Learn about her. Figure out what we need to do to change so we don’t come across anymore dead bodies in the woods.

  I sighed and nodded. Killing what I didn’t understand would make me just like the humans. I would figure her out first. And when I did, I would decide what needed to be done and do it. No matter what the consequence.

  Grey let his hand fall and grinned at me.

  “You’re a good leader.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because you listen.”

  * * * *

  Gregory emerged over an hour later with a large, foolish grin. The sun was just sinking below the tree tops and washed the building in its dying golden light.

  “Have a good time with your Mate?” Grey asked, laughing.

  “Very. We made dinner.”

  I shook my head at this expression. Before Grey could say more, two older males approached. Age typically didn’t matter when it came to looking for a Mate. However, these two were old enough to be the father of either of the females inside.

  “Gregory?” the older one said.

  Gregory turned toward the man.

  “Yes.”

  “You’re the one.” He studied Gregory for a moment. “I leave the girl for a few hours to hunt bigger game and come back to find she’s taken. Mary didn’t want to come, but I knew it was time for her to start her own family. Why aren’t you Claiming her?”

  “She asked for some time. I couldn’t say no.”

  The man’s expression hardened.

  “It’s not safe to wait. There are too many males here.”

  “He has help protecting her,” I said.

  “You’re a pack?” the older man asked, looking from me to Gregory to Grey.

  “We are. And her safety will be our priority.”

  He considered us for another moment then nodded.

  “I’m Henry. This is Paul, my brother. We’ll be keeping an eye on you pups.” They turned and walked away.

  “Mary’s Father,” Gregory said softly. “She didn’t mention him.”

  “Did you ask?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced.

  “Why are you out here and not in there?” I asked. He wouldn’t have left her company without a reason.

  “She went to wake Charlene. Thought you’d want to know.”

  I glanced over at Winifred, who was still monitoring the fights for tomorrow’s introduction, and nodded toward the door. The other two followed me slowly as I wandered over that way. When we were close to the window, the sounds of the fighting didn’t drown out the voices inside.

  “You never answered,” the human said. “How is he sweet?”

  “He doesn’t know how to cook. But, he cleaned the pheasant while I opened the can of peas and washed the potatoes. We didn’t talk. We worked together without needing to.”

  Gregory grinned and looked pretty proud of himself.

  “You know how to cook,” Grey muttered. “We’ve watched enough humans do it.”

  “I wanted her to feel useful.”

  Winifred looked our way. Her shrewd gaze skimmed over us then to the window. Further toward the trees, I spotted Henry watching us, too, his brother a few steps behind him.

  I have enough trouble to deal with right now. Do not add to it. I could feel Winifred’s impatience and warning with that message.

  Believe it or not, I am trying to help, I sent back.

  From inside, I heard one of them snap her fingers.

  “He didn’t do anything more for you than he would have done for himself,” the human said, robbing Gregory of his grin. “I’m not saying he isn’t sweet. I’m saying you’re labeling him sweet for doing ordinary things. Give him a real reason to be sweet.”

  I crossed my arms, glad we were close to the window to hear her plotting. With Winifred’s gaze on us, I carefully kept my anger from my expression.

  “What do you mean?” Mary asked.

  “Ask him to do something for you that your men normally wouldn’t do.”

  “What does that even mean?” Gregory said, speaking softly. “What wouldn’t we do for our females?”

  Grey and I remained quiet and focused on the females’ conversation.

  “What would you ask for?” Mary asked after several minutes of silence.

  “You’ve slept in my bed. Which do you like better, floor
or bed?”

  “Bed,” Mary said with a laugh.

  We all heard her stand and start to cross the room. Gregory glanced at me with a frown before he moved toward the door. He looked at Winifred for permission, and she nodded.

  When the door opened, he went inside.

  Henry started crossing the yard, his suspicious gazed focused on me and Grey. We stayed where we were, near the window so we could hear.

  “Hi, Gregory,” Mary said softly from inside the building.

  “You want a bed,” Gregory said, his annoyance in his words.

  “Yep. I do. Charlene’s bed is clean and comfortable, but too small for the two of us. I won’t take hers. She needs it more than I do. But it sure is nice.”

  Mary’s father stopped before us.

  “What are you two doing?”

  “Listening to your daughter ask Gregory for a bed,” I said.

  The older man frowned and tilted his head in time to hear Gregory agree.

  “A bed?” he said, obviously just as puzzled as to why his daughter would want a human inconvenience.

  The door opened and Gregory strode out. He motioned for me, and we moved further away from the door and the fighting. Mary’s father followed us.

  “Any idea why she suggested it?” Gregory asked.

  I shook my head slowly.

  “It’s her ma. Filled her head with crazy ideas about living in houses like the humans,” Henry said.

  “Not Mary,” I said. “Charlene. She’s the one who encouraged Mary to ask for it.” I glanced at Grey. “I don’t like it. By sending us out to steal another bed, she’s stirring up trouble with the local humans.”

  “Winifred sent some of the men to the junkyard for things,” Henry said. “We could get a bed from there and avoid trouble.”

  “Good. Mary should go too.” When her father frowned, I added, “It’s her bed. She should choose it so there’s no reason to send us out again for something else.”

  He nodded. “Paul and I will go with.”

  I turned toward Winifred and spoke so the males in the clearing would hear me.

  “Gregory is taking Mary to get a bed from the junkyard. While they are gone, I’d like to spend time with the human.” Growls erupted.

  Winifred studied me for a moment.

  “Are you asking to spend time with her to gain her favor?” she asked.