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

by Melissa Haag

  “Cowards,” I said under my breath.

  “No. Smart males. The pull is riding you stronger than it is them. They’ve also come to terms with the fact that being first with her doesn’t mean anything. Three males have tried to Claim her and failed.” He set his hand on my shoulder. “It might not ever work.”

  “We’ll never know if she doesn’t come out,” I said, struggling to keep my canines from lengthening. “Three days. How long does she think she can hide?”

  During those three days, I’d made a truce between my head and the pull. I’d acknowledged I was meant to make Charlene mine. Or try. Who better to keep an eye on a human than me? I was still worried about her presence and wondered what our future would hold with her in our midst. But I could no longer deny the pull. It kept growing stronger with each day.

  “Winifred has warned us that it would take her time to feel comfortable around us again,” he said, releasing me. “You just need to be patient.”

  Winifred had left the sanctuary the evening after returning Charlene and was due back in three days. I’d hoped to spend more time with the girl before Winifred returned.

  “Mary said she thinks Charlene’s getting restless,” Gregory said. “She’ll probably come out soon.”

  Henry and Paul emerged from the building and crossed the yard.

  “We have an idea,” Henry said. “We can clear the yard and rebuild her trust. Show her it’s safe to come out and that you young pups can control yourselves and stay away.”

  I glanced at the males milling around.

  “Do you think you can get everyone to agree? It won’t work unless the yard is completely empty.”

  “You’ve challenged everyone for the right to be first,” Mary’s father said with a rueful smile. “I figure if you go, the rest will agree.”

  “I’m glad our females aren’t this stubborn,” I said as I glanced at the building.

  Henry guffawed out a laugh.

  “Son, you obviously haven’t been around our women. They are the reason we’ve survived as long as we have. Because they wouldn’t allow us to do anything less.” With a grin, he nodded toward the woods. “Go. We’ll send the rest away and then join you to keep watch.”

  I nodded and turned toward the trees. Grey and Gregory fell in step beside me.

  “We should spread out. With Henry and Paul helping, the five of us can guard the clearing. Out of sight.”

  They nodded and moved off, giving me the position north of the building. I had a clear view of the door and was the closest if Charlene needed anything.

  Slowly, the yard cleared. I acknowledged each male who passed me. Many moved to stand just behind me. A few moved further back into the trees to relax and wait. And they seemed to have the right idea because, for several long minutes after the yard emptied, nothing happened. Then, we heard the screech of the hand pump from within the building.

  I wasn’t the only male to impatiently watch the door after the sound faded.

  “How long are we going to need to wait?” someone asked behind me.

  I didn’t look away to answer. It took a long time for the door to finally open. When it did, the males around me moved anxiously. I held up my hand, a warning for them to remain where they were.

  She stepped out. Just two feet from the open door. There she stopped and warily looked around. She was pale and moved stiffly as if she still hurt. She exhaled slowly, closed her eyes, and slightly tipped her head toward the sun. I soaked in the sight of her, struggling to stay within the trees as she wanted.

  Her hair fell away from her shoulders, exposing her neck. The black stitches stood out against her fair skin. Ugly blues and greens colored the skin around the threads. Shame filled me at what she’d suffered.

  She might not play games, but she was good at reminding all of us that she was human and fragile.

  After a moment, she looked around once more then stepped back inside.

  “That’s it?” one of the males said behind me.

  “For now, perhaps,” I said. “But she kept the door open. Let’s wait and see if she reappears.”

  No one argued against it. Inside, the screech of the hand pump echoed in the clearing several more times before everything quieted. The door closed. Before anyone could protest, Henry walked into the clearing with both hands up, signaling us to wait. He stopped by Grey, who was closest to him, then returned to his spot.

  Mary told her father that they are going to bathe, Grey sent to me. She can smell Charlene’s anxiety and asked that we remain out of the clearing until they finish.

  “Are we going back?” one of the males asked.

  I shook my head.

  “They are bathing and have asked that we stay away. Humans like their privacy.” That I knew from watching them. Yet, like the males behind me, I wanted to return to the clearing and try to catch a glimpse of her. Thoughts of her sitting in a tub of water in nothing but her skin kept me preoccupied as the sun rose higher in the sky.

  After a while, Henry and Paul left their positions again to string a line near the door.

  “Laundry,” Henry said, so those closest would hear and pass the word.

  Then, we waited some more. The men were growing restless and angry by the time the door opened and Mary walked out with wet clothes in her arms. Everyone stopped moving to watch Charlene step out after her.

  The damp strands of her blond hair hung heavily down her back, darkening the snug t-shirt she wore. Her jeans hugged her legs as she moved to Mary’s side and took something from her arms. Quietly, we watched them hang the clothes.

  Mary was right, Charlene was anxious. She repeatedly glanced back at the trees. I didn’t understand why, though. We’d done as she’d asked. We were staying away. Yet, it seemed her fear was growing, not decreasing.

  When Mary and Charlene finished, they went inside and closed the door. Agitated voices immediately drifted around the clearing.

  “They need to leave the door open.”

  “We didn’t attack her. Why are we being punished?”

  “How can she find favor in anyone if she isn’t looking at anyone?”

  I understood their frustration. Their thoughts closely echoed my own.

  Winifred, I would like to speak to her.

  A growl rumbled in my chest at Winifred’s immediate reply.

  I don’t think that’s wise.

  Her trust is broken. We have no way to rebuild that trust if she stays hidden inside. I will not touch her. I will not attempt to Claim her. Allow me to speak to her.

  A moment of silence passed before she responded.

  Very well. Do not make me regret this.

  “I will go speak to her, on all our behalf’s, and see if she will change her mind about hiding inside.”

  A few grumbled as I knew they would, but I’d won the right to approach her first. No one moved to stop me as I jogged across the clearing.

  What are you doing? Grey sent me.

  Waiting isn’t helping. She’s growing more fearful, not less.

  I knocked on the door. Instead of waiting for Mary to answer it, I stepped in. And it was a smart choice. As I’d suspected, Charlene would have bolted if I’d waited. She was already on the far side of the room, close to escaping again.

  “Enough,” I said.

  She froze and looked at me. Wariness faded from her features as resentment drifted in.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You made a big speech about showing you kindness and consideration, then you run off and hide. Where’s your consideration for us?” I strode across the room afraid she’d run before I reached her. “By hiding in here, you’re denying us a chance to show you any kindness.”

  “By leaving me alone to heal, you are showing me kindness.”

  I stopped in front of her and shook my head as my gaze swept her face. She looked better than she had earlier. Her color wasn’t so pale and her eyes no longer reflected constant pain.

  Fear suddenly clouded her sce
nt, and she shuffled back half a step.

  She feared me? I’d killed the mutt who did this to her and I’d carried her to the hospital. I’d risked the safety of my entire race for her. I’d fought for the right to her. She was mine to keep safe. Mine.

  I moved forward, following her retreat.

  “You are not allowed to hide in here like a frightened rabbit.”

  She stopped and stared at me. Anger ate the scent of her fear.

  “Wait. Why are you in here?” she asked.

  “To talk some sense into you.”

  “No. I mean, why you? Why not Paul or Henry or one of the other men out there waiting to meet me? You’ve already met me, talked to me, and told me you’re interested in me. Why did they let you through the door without a fight?”

  Unable to help myself, I leaned in so my mouth was close to her ear and my nose buried in her silky hair. She smelled wonderful.

  “Who says they didn’t fight me?”

  When she didn’t scurry away, I moved closer and gently set my hands on her shoulders. Mary was silent behind me, likely sharing every detail with Winifred.

  I breathed deeply, inhaling her scent, and she trembled. I needed her. And whether she was ready to admit it or not, she needed me. She couldn’t continue to stay here unClaimed without something else happening. The mutt who attacked her was just another sign of how desperate our males were getting. I thought again of the missing female.

  “Charlene, let me protect you,” I begged.

  She turned her head slightly and met my gaze. Her lips were inches from mine. The need to taste her made my hands shake.

  “How? By letting you bite me? That’s not protection. If you wanted to protect me, you’d promise never to bite me or let anyone else try.”

  Never bite her? That meant never Claiming her. Her logic made me want to hit something.

  I straightened away and let my hands drop. It was time to try a different tactic. She was unwilling to bend and give any of us another chance. We were unwilling to let her stay in seclusion. I turned to Mary, who stood near the door.

  “Gregory misses you. He didn’t realize he wouldn’t be able to spend time with you when he agreed to postpone the Claiming.”

  A new wave of Charlene’s angry scent washed over me.

  “Gregory is welcomed in here any time,” she said. “Just as Paul and Henry are. In fact, any of you who are not interested in biting me are welcome.”

  I glanced back at her, feeling victory.

  “And I’ll know when someone’s lying,” she said, crossing her arms.

  I slowly nodded, doubting she would but understanding what she was telling me. I wasn’t welcome back.

  Annoyed, I turned and left.

  As soon as I stepped outside, males moved away from the door and window where they’d been listening. Gregory clapped me once on the shoulder in consolation. I appreciated his show of support, but I knew he was anxious to see Mary.

  “Go,” I said.

  He grinned and quickly knocked on the door. We all heard Mary’s squeal of excitement. Why couldn’t Charlene be more welcoming? Although, if she had, she might already be Claimed.

  Perhaps that was the key. Getting her to like me.

  I frowned. How in the hell was I supposed to do that? Did I want her to? No. I needed her to like me. With every bone in my body.

  “What now?” Grey asked, moving to stand beside me. We stood further away from the door, watching the majority of the males mill about.

  “I need to change my approach.”

  “You had an approach?”

  I shook my head at him.

  “We’ve watched humans. Years of observation. Why am I so clueless about her?”

  “We were watching for different things. Weaknesses to bring them down, not weaknesses that needed protection. You need to change the way you think, not just your approach.”

  Sighing, I scratched my jaw. Inside, the pump screeched.

  “Life is easier in our fur.”

  “Easier might not be better anymore.”

  We have a problem, Gregory sent me.

  What is it?

  I think she’s going to try to—

  The door opened.

  Leave.

  An invisible hand squeezed my chest as Charlene stepped out into the sunlight, the bag over her shoulder heavy with her belongings.

  The men closest to the door, stepped out of her way, surprised by her sudden appearance.

  Winifred, she appears to be leaving.

  Mary has informed me.

  I intend to follow her.

  I knew you would. Keeping her safe won’t be easy.

  I’m more worried about keeping her quiet.

  It wasn’t until Charlene was halfway to the drive that one of the milling males stepped in front of her.

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  I moved forward, listening for her answer.

  “I’m not sure yet,” she said.

  “But you’re leaving?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am.”

  Growls arose and I knew I wouldn’t be the only one following her.

  “Don’t go,” another said. “I know I can Claim you.”

  Before I could reach her, the man next to the speaker pushed into him, and they both fell to the ground, fighting. Other males started pushing at their neighbors, each willing to fight for the right to Claim her.

  “That’s why I’m leaving,” she yelled.

  I pushed someone, trying to get to her, and he turned to snarl at me. Closing my fist, I hit him in the face, never taking my eyes from Charlene.

  She’d stepped around the fighting men, but another had caught up to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

  “I suggest you let go immediately,” she said, without turning.

  I hit my opponent again, knocking him out. Just as I was about to step forward, the men standing closest to Charlene flew backward. They landed hard and, stunned, just lay there.

  I didn’t move either as I tried to understand what had just happened. She hadn’t moved. With her back to the male, she’d just stood there with her hands clutching her bag. How had she sent them flying backwards?

  Fear wanted to push aside the pull. What was she? How much more proof did we need that she could hurt us? I looked at the males on the ground. They weren’t actually hurt, just surprised.

  Charlene turned and glared at us. Her hands shook, and I saw fear mixed in with the anger.

  The pull won.

  “You are not children, and I am not a toy to fight over,” she said, her face flushing.

  “We wouldn’t fight if you would allow one of us to Claim you,” I said.

  She pivoted to face me.

  “It is not my willingness that is preventing you from Claiming me. It’s your kind’s inability to Claim me, the human, that is preventing it from happening.”

  I couldn’t believe that. Why would she smell like she did if she wasn’t meant for one of us?

  “Perhaps it was your unwillingness that prevented the Claim from taking hold.”

  The flush in her cheeks deepened. I knew it was anger, but she never looked prettier.

  “Anton,” she said, straightening her shoulders.

  The crowd around her parted until a male moved forward. My gaze locked on the tall, lean male. Who was he? Why was she calling for him? I growled low.

  “You promised,” she said to him, “that if I allowed you to Claim me, you would be gentle.”

  My gut twisted at what I was hearing. She would allow someone else to Claim her?

  “Not just in the bite, but for the rest of our lives,” he said.

  The thought of his mouth on her shredded my control.

  “Then, I willingly give you permission to Claim me,” she said.

  “I challenge you for the right,” I said, before the male could step closer to her. She was mine.

  I was about to move closer when Grey placed a restraining hand on my shoulder.


  “Uh-uh,” she said, shaking her head. “You said it was my willingness preventing it, so your challenge is pointless...unless you’re saying you’re wrong. Because I’m only willing to let Anton try. No one else.”

  I snarled. She was twisting my meaning on purpose. It wasn’t her willingness to anyone, just me. She was mine.

  She motioned Anton forward.

  Grey, she’s mine. It’s my right. I challenged everyone for this.

  It’s not your choice. It’s hers. Look at her neck, Thomas. You need to keep in control so the rest do.

  I shook as I listened to her quietly ask that he bite the other side of her neck. He didn’t immediately move forward.

  “We could wait like Mary and Gregory.”

  Holding my breath, I waited for her answer, a second chance.

  “No,” she said, ripping me apart. “The others beat you once, already. I don’t trust what they will do if we don’t follow through with this now.”

  He nodded and stepped closer. Grey’s grip tightened on me, and I closed my eyes. I waited for the pull to leave me as I listened for a sound from her. A sigh of contentment.

  There was nothing but silence.

  “Well?” she asked quietly.

  I opened my eyes to see the male shake his head. Stunned, I barely felt Grey let go of me. It hadn’t worked. I had a second chance.

  Charlene’s pitying look changed to annoyance when one of the males in the crowd said, “He barely bit you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “And the one who gave me stitches didn’t bite deep enough?”

  “You weren’t willing,” I said.

  “Make up your minds. Is it the depth of the bite or the willingness?” she yelled, her frustration clear.

  No one answered. She looked around at us and shook her head.

  “Fine. I’ll give you two hours to figure out what went wrong. Then, I’ll pick someone else. I think I still have an unmarked spot on my neck somewhere. That will be the last chance any of you will have. After that, I’m done; not because I’m not willing but because it won’t work. Ever.”

  She started walking to the door but stopped on the threshold.

  “Don’t waste time fighting. Work together. I won’t accept the excuse that something wasn’t done correctly, again.”

  She turned and closed the door.