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

by Melissa Haag

  The tension in the crowd seemed to break after that. Many of the men shifted position to study Rilla, likely wondering if she carried a girl. Her husband stood behind her, a protective hand on her waist.

  It would be best if the females went back inside, Winifred sent me.

  I set my hand on Charlene’s back and nudged her toward the door.

  “Wait, what about the new members?” Ash demanded.

  Charlene stopped moving and anger flooded our connection. I shared her temper. I wanted nothing more than to rip the man’s head from his body.

  She took a calming breath and replied without turning.

  “Recall our deal. He will accept new members the day after you return. That’s tomorrow. Today, give yourselves time to get to know one another.”

  She kept walking forward, and I followed.

  “I have warm water in there for you,” Mary said, looking at me as she walked out of the tub room.

  Charlene tried to step away, but I kept my hand on her and steered her toward the door.

  She frowned at me over her shoulder.

  “I can’t reach my back,” I said. I couldn’t, but that wasn’t why I wanted her with me. I just needed her touch. Some reassurance. I wasn’t a fool. I’d come close to losing everything out there.

  With a sigh, she willingly walked into the room.

  A chair waited near the washbowl. I sat sideways so she had full access to my chest and back. She wet the cloth and started to gently wash the blood from my back. She didn’t say anything as she worked. Rinse the cloth. Wipe my skin. Repeat. It hurt. Yet, her touch helped soothe me. The gashes and bruises would heal.

  When the water was dirty, she left the tub room to replace it.

  I closed my eyes and focused on the pack. Ash was still there, angry and resistant. A few of the others seemed less resistant, but I doubted that would matter. He had more than I could handle. Would Winifred’s forced display of Charlene’s power be enough to sway them? If not, what would tomorrow bring? The pack would shake apart. I had faith that Grey would keep the peace to a point, but I knew Charlene still wouldn’t be welcome. If another, bigger pack formed, they could choose to chase us off. Then where would we go?

  Charlene walked back into the room and closed the door behind her.

  A surge of pity touched my mind and altered her scent.

  “Save your pity,” I said softly. “These scratches aren’t worth it.”

  “It’s not pity, its compassion,” she said, setting the bowl down.

  I listened to her wet the cloth and walk around me. When she moved to stand between my legs, I opened my eyes to stare up at her.

  “Can’t you tell the difference between the two?” she asked as she pressed the cloth to a small gash caked with blood. She wiped hard, and I grunted.

  “Nope. Not with you.”

  “Baby,” she said.

  She tried to move away, but I caught her around the waist.

  “Show me some compassion.”

  She stared down at me for a moment then stepped closer. She set the cloth on my shoulder and, with her hands free, cupped my face. Her thumb gently smoothed over my cheek.

  I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.

  Her lips brushed my chin, then my cheek. When she gently kissed my eyebrow, I realized she was kissing each injury. I remained still as she moved over my face, working her way to the split on my upper lip. Pleasure danced with pain as she lowered her mouth to mine and kissed me gently.

  She pulled away for only a moment before she returned, hungrily opening her mouth. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed her close, willingly taking everything she gave. Her hunger pushed at my mind. My hands moved over her shirt, wanting to explore so much more than the sweet curves of her back.

  When she pulled back, she was panting for air. She gently kissed my cheek and touched my damaged upper lip.

  “I think I should finish cleaning you up,” she said in barely a whisper.

  Sighing, I loosened my hold and let her continue rinsing away the blood.

  “I like when you’re compassionate.”

  She grinned and turned away to rinse the cloth again. When she turned around with a forced serious expression, I almost laughed. I could still feel her hunger for me.

  “I’m sure you do.” She handed me the cloth. “I think you can do the rest. I’m going to go help cook.”

  I grinned.

  “One of these days you’ll stop running.”

  * * * *

  Having Charlene clean my wounds was the best part of a tense day.

  The Elders tried to influence some of the men to hunt for lunch but only caused more resentment. Instead I asked my pack to help, forcing the resistant ones to join us. The females butchered the deer we brought back and made a large midday meal, which they did not attend.

  A few of the males complained about their absence. Winifred was quick to point out they were the reason for the females’ disappearance.

  “We will not jeopardize the females’ safety by putting them near a group of angry males on the verge of fighting.”

  Grey stayed with Mary and Charlene while Winifred watched over the families.

  I took my pack out for another hunt. It kept Ash away from the males he’d recruited.

  After we returned with our kills, several of the men pulled me aside to ask me more questions. It gave me hope there might be a few who liked the changes being made. Perhaps their attitudes would spread.

  I didn’t see Charlene but once until I went inside for the night.

  I’ll be out here all night, Grey said as I passed him.

  I nodded, grateful.

  Charlene still had the lamp on when I opened her door. She looked up at me as I walked in.

  “Why aren’t you sleeping?” I asked softly.

  “I couldn’t. I was waiting for you. What took so long?”

  I smiled, blew out the lamp, and sat on the edge of the mattress. I combed my fingers through her soft hair.

  “A lot of the men wanted to talk to me. Some, I think, wanted to know what kind of leader I might be if they decided to join tomorrow. Some were just curious about you. Where did you come from? Are there any others like you? Things like that.” I lay down next to her. “I think they were disappointed to hear you’re one of a kind, so far.”

  She rolled to her side and laid her head on my shoulder.

  “Tomorrow...”

  Concern coated her scent.

  “Don’t worry so much,” I said softly. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

  SEVENTEEN

  Ash used our link to wake me well before sunrise.

  New members are waiting. Time to come out of your human building.

  I ignored him and turned my face into the crook of Charlene’s neck. I breathed in her scent and gently kissed her. She made a soft agreeable sound and wrapped her arms around me. I growled softly, trying to keep my need in check.

  “That’s a funny good morning,” she murmured.

  “Shh. Go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “Then why did you?” She turned toward me with a sleepy smile.

  “You are so tempting in the morning.”

  She laughed. “I think I tempt you no matter what time of day.”

  “You do.”

  I kissed her neck and she ran her fingers through my hair. Ash and a few of the other pack members chose that moment to pull at our connection, and I winced.

  “What’s wrong?” Charlene said, likely feeling my pain.

  “They’re awake and want me outside.”

  She looked at the dark window then turned her head back at me.

  “First, we need to feed everyone,” she said in a normal voice.

  I’m up, Mary said from next door.

  With that, our day started. I struggled to maintain my hold on those trying to pull from my authority while the families gathered in the main room with us. The cubs quietly played, and Charlene a
nd the females took their time preparing the meal.

  Males occasionally passed the curtained window, and I wondered if Ash now understood their usefulness.

  When the meal was ready, the families went back to their rooms, but Charlene refused to leave and Mary was determined to stay with her. Grey and Winifred kept quiet as I tried to convince them it was safer upstairs.

  “I know that,” Charlene said. She opened her mouth, glanced at the door, then sent a wave of reassurance toward me without speaking. Whatever her reason for staying, she didn’t want anyone else to know.

  I settled for being close to her. While she served, I stood behind her. The men eyed me as she served them but said nothing about my protective presence. It was my right to be there with her.

  Gregory and Mary started washing the dishes as males finished, keeping the flow moving until the last male sat. Slowly the room emptied. Winifred closed the door after the last one.

  Charlene picked up a plate, handed it to me, then took one for herself. We ate while standing.

  “As soon as you’re finished, I’ll take you to your room,” Grey said to Charlene.

  “Not today. I’m staying with Thomas as he accepts new members.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” Winifred said, speaking before I could.

  “Not for me.” Charlene’s determination hardened. “You saw what I can do. They saw it, too. The only reason this all started was because of me. What does it say if I’m not out there with Thomas?”

  “It says you’re intelligent and very aware of the danger,” Winifred said.

  Charlene turned toward me.

  “You have nothing to say on the matter?”

  “I want you by me always. And I want you safe. In this case, one conflicts with the other. I’m not sure which is best.”

  “You should have stopped with I want you by me always,” she said with scowl.

  I considered her for a moment. She was my Mate. As Mates we would lead the pack together. She was right about needing to be at my side.

  “Grey will be out there to keep the peace. If the peace breaks, he can bring you in here first before trying to help calm things down out there. Stay by Grey,” I said, watching for her agreement.

  She nodded, handed off our plates to Mary, and moved to stand by Grey.

  Leaning close to him, she said, “If the peace breaks, stand at least five feet back so I don’t accidently hurt you.”

  “It’s a deal,” Grey said.

  Winifred and I both frowned at him.

  I will keep her safe, he assured me.

  “Lead the way,” Charlene said, motioning me to the door.

  Trusting Grey to keep his word, I walked out. She was quick to follow, sandwiched between me and Grey.

  The yard wasn’t as crowded as it was the day before, and I knew that Winifred’s plan had worked to thin the numbers. But it wasn’t enough. The original malcontents were there at the front of the remaining group of about thirty. Several of them looked smug along with Ash.

  They knew I couldn’t possibly hold that many resisting members. I doubted I could hold that many even if they cooperated.

  There are a few who do not wish to stay, Grey sent me, giving me hope.

  “If there are any who would like to leave the pack, step forward now,” I said.

  “I formally request to withdraw from the pack,” a man said, stepping forward. “I mean your future Mate no harm, nor do I want to break apart your pack.” His gaze shifted to Charlene. “I bare you no ill will.”

  “You will always be welcome to stay here whether you are part of Thomas’ pack or not,” she said with more generosity than I would have had.

  The male bobbed his head, turned, then left.

  Another man stepped forward.

  “Is it true there was an unClaimed female here?”

  “She was only a month old,” Winifred said, from behind us. “Before they left, her parents told me they liked it here. They said they wouldn’t mind raising the girl here once this business settles, and sanctuary returns to the peaceful place it was. We hope this place can turn into a community where all our young are safe and where any of our kind can come and stay. However, any female here will be protected by the presence of an Elder and Mated couples at all times.”

  The man nodded. Another stepped forward and asked to leave. Within five minutes, three left the pack. It wasn’t enough. I asked again, and no one else moved.

  Ash’s smirk grew to a grin.

  “Any who would like to join the pack, please step forward,” I said.

  Only fifteen of those gathered behind Ash stepped forward, but I felt no relief. I could barely control those I held now.

  “Thomas has the largest pack we can recall, going back at least one thousand years,” Grey said. “You are making history today.”

  Grey looked to me.

  Sorry, brother.

  Before I could start accepting new members, Charlene stepped forward.

  “Mary told me she grew up learning the history of your kind. As Grey said, you are making history. When you step forward, please state your name and why you want to join so future generations will remember you.”

  She stepped back, and I started with the man furthest to the right. He stated his name and said simply that he was there to make history. I nodded, and formally welcome him into the pack. As he stepped back, a new link settled into my mind and immediately joined the frantic tugging of the others.

  I continued down the line, the pressure in my head increasing with each addition.

  What will happen when it’s too much? I sent Grey.

  The pack breaks apart. He paused for a moment. We aren’t sure what will happen to you. Those who lose control of their pack usually do so during a direct challenge and die as a result of the challenge.

  I love her. Keep her safe for me.

  Always.

  The next male met my gaze, and before I could ask his name, he spoke.

  “I don’t want to be remembered as one of the men who broke the largest pack in history.”

  He nodded to Grey and Charlene then left.

  The next male hesitated before he gave his name, giving me hope that he might turn away too, but he said he wanted to make history and accepted my invitation to the pack. However, he didn’t resist the connection.

  Then I stood before Ash. His smirk was missing and sweat beaded his upper lip. For the longest time, he said nothing. I could feel Charlene’s growing anxiety as he glanced up at Grey.

  “Perhaps, we should take a break,” Grey said.

  Ash nodded, pivoted, and strode to the trees. Several followed him. The struggle of their resistance didn’t weaken in my mind, making it hard to concentrate.

  What was that about? I sent Grey.

  “Thomas, you should take Charlene inside,” Grey said.

  It was only after he spoke that I scented her fear and noticed her racing pulse. I wanted to reassure her but focusing on our connection for even a moment made my hold on the pack weaken.

  He didn’t say, but when he looked at me, I could see he was doubting himself. I hope he’ll run. If he leaves, the rest will leave, too. Now take her in. You both need a break.

  I turned toward Charlene as Grey moved away.

  “I think you should show her some compassion,” he said, with a wink, making it seem as if everything were fine.

  Struggling to do the same, I smiled at Charlene.

  “I think I can manage that,” I said, holding out my hand.

  She exhaled shakily and reached for me. I led her inside, through the main room, and up the stairs. When we reached her room, I let go of her hand, lay on the bed, and closed my eyes. It felt like something was gnawing on my brain.

  The mattress dipped, and her cool fingers started to rub my temples. She didn’t speak as she attempted to bring me relief from my pain. Anything she tried to say would be overheard. Neither of us wanted those waiting to know how close I was to losing it all.


  Suddenly, her lips brushed the skin over my heart.

  The sensation and meaning behind the gesture almost undid me.

  “Charlene,” I said, struggling with my hold on the pack. I opened my eyes and met her gaze.

  “Kiss me like that again, and I’ll give up everything for you.”

  Her pulse jumped and sad understanding lit her gaze. She gave the barest of nods as she stood.

  “I’ll be downstairs with Grey.”

  She closed the door behind her, and I lay in the bed shaking with effort.

  Then, the resistance suddenly disappeared.

  I formally withdraw from the pack. Ash’s silent request surprised me. I loosened my hold and allowed the link to slip away.

  One by one the rest left until only those who wanted to stay remained.

  I sat up and wiped a hand over my face. There was no pain. No resistance. I looked toward the window, wondering what this meant.

  Ash formally left the pack as did his followers, I sent Grey as I stood.

  Some of the others are leaving, a few new ones are arriving. Those here to join are impatient to get this done, if you’re ready.

  I headed out the door and down the stairs. How many had I just let go? I should be able to easily take the rest if there weren’t too many new arrivals.

  Charlene was waiting for me in the main room. Her gaze swept over me, and I felt her curiosity. I shook my head, not wanting her to say anything out loud just yet.

  When I reached her, I kissed her forehead and wrapped my hand around hers.

  “Ready?” I asked.

  She nodded, and I led the way outside.

  Grey stood in the same spot. Six men waited before him, and the same number of males stood behind them, watching.

  “Can you call the others back?” I asked Grey.

  He laughed.

  “This is the group.”

  “What happened to the rest?” Charlene asked.

  Grey shrugged.

  “They decided they didn’t want to make history.”

  I accepted those still wanting into the pack. Their reasons were honest, and they didn’t resist. Yet, the final number was still more than I’d held before. The uncomfortable pressure at the back of my mind reminded me that there was a capacity to the number of pack members, and I’d reached it.