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

by Melissa Haag

  The two facing me saw my distraction and lunged. I rolled and twisted out of the way, once again putting my back to the trees so I faced the challengers with the building behind them.

  Charlene says to stay focused on the fight, no matter what, Mary sent me.

  That warning made me want to check on the building. Instead, I remained focused and forced myself to put faith in my pack. They would protect the females.

  One of the pair feinted for my neck and the other tried for my leg. I drew to the side while raking my claws across the first one’s face. Then jumped back to avoid the second one’s teeth.

  The door opened, distracting my attackers.

  Suddenly, the outsiders by the door flew backward by an unseen force. Gregory, Anton, and Bine shifted, ready to attack and defend as Charlene stepped out into the rain.

  “You are no longer welcome. Leave,” she said.

  They rose, growled, then turned to run; and I used the distraction to lunge forward and clamp my mouth over the muzzle of one of the challengers. He yipped and tried to shake me off while Anton and Bine raced after the two Charlene had chased away. I held firm and angled myself to watch the other mutt.

  During our stand-off, I caught a glimpse of Grey as he ran from the trees and shifted to his fur mid-sprint.

  About time, I sent Grey, shaking my head and tearing deeper into the tissue of the wolf’s muzzle. The move knocked the wolf off balance.

  Focus. You’re bleeding, and one of your attackers is not. Fix it.

  But I couldn’t. The second wolf had noticed Grey, too, and hesitated. He turned sideways to watch Grey’s progress while I continued to maneuver the first mutt, unwilling to give up my hold. As much as I would appreciate Grey’s help, I couldn’t allow it. Needing assistance during a challenge would be seen as a sign of weakness by my pack.

  The second mutt turned back to me and sprang toward my neck. I twisted, keeping myself free while still trying to subdue the first challenger who struggled in my hold. He pulled back sharply, almost knocking me off balance. I released my clamp and moved to back away. Not fast enough, though. The bleeding wolf went one way while the other wolf circled opposite. They were moving slower. Either tired or more wary. Both worked for me.

  One stood before me, and the other tensed at my hind leg.

  “Can’t either of you take Thomas on your own?” Charlene asked, loudly.

  The second wolf hesitated to attack again.

  “If not, what kind of leaders will you make?” she asked. A snarl arose from my pack. They wouldn’t accept either of them as a leader.

  “I think you’ll find yourselves challenged by others in his pack,” Charlene said as if she’d understood the snarls. “You’re both attacking him at the same time because you know he’s special. He has the loyalty of his pack, and even if you defeat him, what will you have gained? Gregory will Claim Mary in an instant to protect her, and they will leave as will the rest. You’ll be the leader of nothing.”

  The one hesitating growled at her.

  “If you want to be part of something great then stop fighting. Concede to Thomas and join his pack. Don’t try to lead it. You were never meant to.”

  Her faith and loyalty moved me.

  A scuff of noise behind me almost had me turning. Grey stopped me.

  Newcomers, he sent. Stay focused on the pair challenging you.

  “It is our right and our way to challenge for control,” a familiar angry voice called out. “You have no right here. After Thomas finishes with these two, I challenge for pack leadership and rights to this land and these buildings.”

  One of the two wolves facing me chuffed a laugh. Then they both leapt at me. Our snarls and growls filled the air. Most of the noise came from my opponents as I twisted to avoid teeth and claws. I flexibly dodged their attempts and feinted to try to wound either of the pair. While I was successful in drawing blood from one, the other got lucky and raked my head, tearing my ear with the tip of a claw.

  I snarled and jumped on the back of the one with the torn muzzle. My legs tangled with his, and he buckled beneath me, exposing his throat. I dove for the opening and clamped down hard and fast. His yelp turned to a wet gurgle.

  The second wolf sprang forward as I lifted my head. Charlene gasped at the same time I turned away from the attacker. His teeth tore into my skin, and I pushed backward into the bite. The challenger lost his footing and fell onto his back.

  I ended the second challenger just as swiftly as I had the first one. Fur disappeared from their hides as they reverted to human form.

  Sides heaving from the effort, I shook the rain from my eyes and looked around the clearing. Members of my pack stayed near the building. Some faces familiar around sanctuary since Charlene’s arrival blended in with them. The ones who’d left angrily remained in a group not far away.

  The mutt who’d issued the final challenge stepped forward. Charlene’s attacker. This time he wouldn’t leave to cause more trouble.

  “Stop,” Charlene said.

  The male turned to her. “Do not interfere.”

  I took the momentary distraction to calm my breathing.

  Even tired, you will take him, Grey sent me as Charlene continued to speak.

  I know. Because I wouldn’t allow anything else. For Charlene. For her safety.

  “Two of your kind just died. Allow a few minutes for those who might know them to remove them and grieve. That’s not interference. It’s respect for your own people.”

  The mutt snarled but nodded. A few males stepped forward and walked to the fallen pair.

  “Thomas,” Charlene said. “Mary is worried about you. While they are grieving, can you speak with her?”

  Not a hint of a lie contradicted her words. Yet, the scent of her concern told me it wasn’t just Mary who worried.

  I trotted to her and bumped her with my nose to indicate she should go inside. I would have shifted and asked her to go, but my fur was hiding the extent of my injuries. I didn’t want to give the next mongrel any advantage.

  Once inside, I reverted to my skin. Charlene didn’t stammer, blush, or look away. Her concerned gaze swept over every scrape and cut, lingering longest on my left eye, neck, and shoulder. The spots that hurt the worst.

  She nodded toward the table, wisely keeping silent. I sat and waited as she retrieved a cloth then began cleaning my neck. The sting of the alcohol was unnecessary, but I didn’t tell her to stop. Her gentle touch and sweet scent were soothing.

  Mary, who’d watched me walk in, emptied rice onto several plates and refilled the pots with water. As she worked, she kept glancing at me.

  I’m fine Mary, I assured her. She nodded as she moved back to the stove.

  Charlene gently touched my torn ear. Her sadness wrapped around me. When she started to step back, I wrapped my hands around her waist. I didn’t want her to leave just yet. Bloody and torn, I needed her.

  She looked down at me. Tenderness and compassion reflected in her gaze. I sighed and leaned forward, resting my forehead on her chest. Her scent grew richer as she smoothed a hand over my hair. She touched my undamaged ear, bruised shoulder, and the undamaged side of my neck. I almost shivered at the feel of her touching me there.

  Someone pounded on the door. “It’s time.”

  I lifted my head and stood. She blushed as my hips brushed against her. I couldn’t look away from the innocent need in her gaze. Slowly, I lowered my lips to her. She met me halfway, sending my pulse racing before our mouths even touched. She placed her hands on my chest, and I deepened the kiss. She tasted like summer and sun and heat. I wanted to lose myself in her flavor. Instead, I pulled away and walked toward the door.

  Shifting as I moved, I let Grey know I was ready, and he opened the door for me. I stepped out into the rain and moved through the gathered males.

  The challenger didn’t wait until I’d cleared the observers. He sprang on me from the center of the circle. Rolling with the impact I carried him over so I was on
top, biting through his foreleg on the way. He heaved with his hind legs, pushing me back and winning himself time to stand before he lunged for me again. His teeth pierced my shoulder, and I turned and sunk mine into his neck. He grunted, shook me off as he released me, and moved back.

  The door behind me opened, angering him. He snarled and tried to circle me, turning our fight into a game of feint and circle as we both looked for openings. I was in no rush. Although I was sore and injured, it wasn’t anything that would slow me down. He, however, bled freely from his neck and was tiring quickly.

  Each time he leaned in, I managed to draw more blood. His scent was slowly souring, and I knew he had already realized he would lose.

  When he stumbled, I fell upon him, flipping him over and exposing his neck. I darted forward for the kill.

  “Wait,” Charlene said, stepping into the circle as my teeth closed down. I pinned him and waited for Charlene to speak.

  “Winifred said your kind is dying. Since I’ve been here, I’ve witnessed three maybe four deaths. You’re killing each other because you have different beliefs regarding the future of your people. But you’re forgetting your common belief, that your kind does have a future. Stop killing. Show tolerance and mercy.”

  What does she want me to do? I sent Mary, who now stood beside Gregory.

  “Thomas wants to know what you propose,” Mary said aloud.

  “Ask him to join your pack,” Charlene said. “Spare his life if he consents. Give him a chance to understand your beliefs while giving yourself a chance to understand his.”

  He’ll try to kill her again. When our backs are turned. It’s the same thing I would have done before I met her. Tell her we can’t trust him, and we can’t let him free when he won’t open his eyes to see what’s right in front of him.

  “Thomas understands the pup’s beliefs well enough,” Mary said. “They were the same beliefs he held until he met you. This whelp has already met you and still will not open his eyes to see what’s before him.”

  “And what’s before him, Thomas?”

  “Certain death,” Mary said, answering as I spoke to her. “Whether by me or a future without Mates, his way leads to death.”

  “I can’t promise there are more like me out there,” Charlene said. “But I want all of you to think on this: Your women are scattered and in hiding for their protection. It makes it hard for you to find and meet them. If we made this place into a true sanctuary, more women like Ann might come. If they can have their children here, and those children grow up here, the Mates you so desperately want will be more accessible. But only if you protect this place and that idea. Sanctuary for your kind.”

  The mutt beneath me shifted from wolf to man. I kept my teeth tightly clamped on his shifting throat.

  “I consent to join your pack...for now,” he rasped.

  I growled and reluctantly opened myself to him. His link slipped into place, and he immediately began to resist my hold.

  “I will not leave your pack because your pack will fall apart on its own,” the man said. “You and I both know you’re already holding eight to you. How many more do you think you can hold? So, I accept. I’m sure there are a few others who would like to join as well.”

  I glanced at Charlene, wondering if I should end him anyway. It was within my right. But her pleading gaze had me releasing him.

  Stepping on his chest, I stared him in the eye until he turned his head aside in submission. He’d been beaten and cowed. I hoped that was enough for his followers to lose faith in him and his motives.

  I turned away and another man stepped into my path, killing that hope.

  “I’ll join,” he said, smirking.

  Don’t, Thomas, Grey sent me.

  He was right. It wouldn’t be smart to accept more. The first man’s link continued to pull at my mind, tugging at the hold I had on the whole pack. Without resistance, I felt certain I could have held another ten without problem. I wasn’t sure how many more I could hold if they all wanted to resist.

  “Excuse me,” Charlene said, moving to my side. Grey stayed close to her as well. “There will be plenty of time for joining a pack. Right now, the dinner Mary and I made is going to waste. Please, come inside and eat.”

  “Later, then,” the second one said.

  I dipped my head in acknowledgment then nudged Charlene toward the door.

  ELEVEN

  Mary and Charlene went first followed by me, Grey, Gregory and the rest of the pack. Ash, the newest member, did not enter. Likely he wanted to stay behind to recruit potential members. I hoped his bleeding neck made his followers rethink his plan to shake the pack apart.

  With the loyal members of my pack inside to protect Charlene and Mary, I trotted to the bathroom. A moment later, Charlene carried in a pot of boiling water and poured it into the plugged tub. She and Mary made several trips, slowly filling it.

  Grey and Gregory stood nearby, a precaution.

  How bad is it? Grey sent me.

  More annoying than uncomfortable. Ash is trying to pull back. If this is as hard as he can resist, he won’t be a problem.

  I moved to the door. There was enough water in the tub to clean the blood off. When Charlene returned, I nudged the door closed and started to shift. Stretching and reshaping the cuts and bruises hurt.

  “I’ll just go help Mary,” Charlene said, quickly averting her eyes and setting the pot she carried near the tub.

  I didn’t want her to leave. I wanted her gentle touch and concerned gaze like before.

  “Help me,” I said.

  Her gaze lifted, sweeping over my face and neck. When it swept to my legs and she blushed, I moved to the tub and stepped in with a grunt. The water was hot, and I’d somehow managed to hurt a toe during the fight. Easing myself into the water, I withheld my hiss of pain.

  Charlene tossed a cloth to me.

  “Cover up first,” she said.

  I chuckled and sank lower in the water. Human modesty amused me. It wouldn’t ease her mind if I pointed out the water already covered the area of her concern. She wouldn’t look at me until I used the cloth. I set it over my genitals and leaned back.

  “You can look now.”

  She glanced at me then looked at the door.

  “I really would rather someone else help you,” she said with her hands clasped before her. She looked shy and lovely, and I wasn’t ready for her to leave.

  “Mary put the sewing kit in here. I’d rather you help me.”

  She looked at me again, her gaze lingering longest on my ear.

  “Fine,” she said. She grabbed the bowl from the washstand and dipped it into the tub between my legs. I hoped she didn’t notice the cloth move.

  “Lean forward.” Her hand settled on my shoulder and pushed me toward the water.

  I sat up and rested my arms on my knees while she slowly poured the water over my head. The water felt good, but the blood tinted it pink too quickly.

  Is there more hot water? I sent to Mary.

  It’s warming.

  I would need it to rinse when I finished.

  “Can you have Mary heat more water?” Charlene asked, setting the bowl aside.

  “She already is,” I said as I wiped a hand across my face. I leaned back, and she reached for my arm. Her hold was gentle as she lifted it to the edge of the tub. I rested the other arm on the other side and watched her look at the bruises that covered my ribs and chest. When her gaze drifted back to my ear, I knew she was going to try to leave again.

  “I can’t stitch you,” she said, sitting back on her heels. “I’m horrible at regular sewing, and the thought of poking a needle through skin...” She shuddered. “Please let Mary help you.”

  I sighed, sank lower in the tub, and laid my head back. “Not Mary.”

  Grey, I’ll need you to sew my ear.

  He knocked on the door a moment before it opened.

  “Hello, Charlene,” he said, stepping in.

  “Hi, Grey.” Sh
e stood, moved away from the tub, and stared at the door for a moment.

  “Stay, Charlene,” I said. “I don’t trust you out there alone.”

  Gregory and the rest of the pack are out there. The good ones. Grey grabbed the sewing kit.

  I know. I still don’t want her out there.

  “All right.” She hovered indecisively near the tub.

  You still make her nervous, Grey’s humor drifted over our link. He squatted near the tub and looked over my ear and the deeper cut on my thigh.

  She wasn’t nervous until I shifted to my skin. She’s nervous because she’s feeling the pull.

  He chuckled at the square of cloth in my lap.

  “Just the ear, I think,” he said.

  “Are you sure?” Charlene asked, leaning forward. “He has a large cut on his thigh, and his neck has several holes.”

  Her concern is touching, Grey sent me before answering her.

  “Those will knit together quickly. Barely a scar. The ear is different. The cartilage makes healing more difficult.” Grey threaded the needle and used alcohol on everything.

  Why are you making it worse with that?

  She looked worried. And it’s fun.

  He jabbed my ear with the needle, and I gritted my teeth.

  Charlene took a cloth, dipped it in the cold rinse water, and gently started to clean away the red from my knuckles. Her touch helped distract me from what Grey was doing to my ear. I turned my hand and caught hers to brush my thumb over the top of her fingers. She didn’t look up, but I knew it was because of the stitching.

  She let me touch her until Grey tied off the last knot.

  “I’ll leave you to finish,” he said. The door closed behind him.

  It’s clear out here if she still wants to leave. I’ll stay inside with her if you want.

  I’d prefer her company but could smell her unease.

  “I can finish on my own,” I said, still touching her hand. “The room is clear of everyone but Mary and Grey. Go eat.”