“Are you all right, Oria?” Quillan asked, his gaze searching.
For a moment I was caught in the swirling black depths of his eyes, trying to unravel the emotions I could see there. His head quirked to the side and I realised I’d simply been staring at him. I nodded quickly, straightening up and attempting to remove my arm from his hold. “I’m okay.”
My eyes met his again when his fingers never loosened, sky blue clashing with black. His brow furrowed and he leaned in closer, inhaling by my neck. I froze, my heart skipping a fearful beat.
“Quillan…” Roarke growled, a warning clear in his tone.
I jumped, having completely forgotten we weren’t alone in the room. His Alpha’s voice seemed to pull him back from whatever had caught his attention and he stepped away, his hands moving behind him. Still I couldn’t look away from eyes that glittered with the bright colours of his wolf. He was fighting with himself and I wanted to know why. Cathwulf took slow steps until she was stood between Quillan and I, her back to me, and I didn’t like the way his body tensed further at her proximity. My head dropped, gaze locked on my feet as jealousy rose.
“Oria and I are going out for lunch at Lucie’s. Can I borrow the car please?” Cathwulf asked her mate sweetly.
Roarke hummed, his eyes flicking between us. “Maybe Quillan should drive you.”
Cathwulf bristled and I knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer today.
“I am perfectly capable of driving, thank you very much. We don’t need a bodyguard, we’re barely going to be outside the territory, and the chances are that there will be members of the pack there already,” Cathwulf stated, holding her hand out. “Keys please.”
Quillan and Roarke shared a meaningful look, one that had me curious when both sets of eyes then fell on me.
“It’s not safe-”
“It’s completely safe,” Cathwulf interrupted, the tone in her voice making me feel like these wolves were keeping something from me.
Neither male would meet my gaze now.
Begrudgingly, Roarke handed Cathwulf the keys and she snatched them quickly as if afraid he would take them back. Another look shared between my Alpha pair and I was beginning to become a little irritated. They were definitely keeping something from me, but I had no right to ask.
Cathwulf turned towards me, jingling the keys triumphantly in her hands before stepping out of the room, calling back to her mate, “I love you!”
It gained a small smile from me as Roarke chuckled and replied, “I love you too. Be safe.”
I bowed my head to my Alpha before following Cathwulf out, ignoring the burn of eyes on my back.
Chapter 5
Denial
The car ride over to the café had been quiet and I struggled to find something to say when I could sense Cathwulf was deep in thought about something she didn’t want to share with me. Holding the door open for her, I was glad to see the café wasn’t busy today. Only a few weary human travellers sat at the tables. I wondered what they’d think if they knew what creatures ran this place. Cathwulf and I slipped into a booth by the window that had a clear view of the forest and the nearby road. She looked more at ease now and I finally got the guts to say what had been on my mind.
“You and Tala looked really close,” I hinted, fiddling with the red napkin on the table.
Cathwulf made a face. “That two-faced female is trying to work her way in. She thinks I’m blind but I see how she treats the pack.”
I couldn’t help the smug smile that twitched at my lips and my friend didn’t miss it. Though I did wonder why Cathwulf hadn’t put Tala in her place yet when she’d been so quick to do so with Brenna.
“You don’t like her either then?” she asked, amused.
“She doesn’t think I should be training to be a healer because I’m an omega. She doesn’t think I’ll manage it,” I replied honestly because I was sure she’d find out one way or another though I kept that I also believed that too to myself.
“Don’t you listen to her, Oria. That one won’t keep her rank if anyone challenges her for it, and without Brenna protecting her, I’ve no doubt someone will. Her parents won’t be able to keep her safe anymore either, not now she’s a grown female,” Cathwulf insisted confidently. “I hear she’s been trying to sink her claws into Ben, Roarke’s third.”
That made me laugh. Ben had moved into the house when it had been deemed safe and he thrived as the new third in command and there was one very obvious thing about him that I couldn’t believe Tala had overlooked. “He’s gay.”
Cathwulf grinned. “Very. She had her eye on Quillan for a while before we arrived but I think she either realised he wasn’t interested or she was scared of him. I think it’s most likely the latter. Maybe she thinks she has a better chance turning Ben to her side than she does gaining Quillan’s attention.”
Our laughter was interrupted by a young human girl who had one earphone tucked in her ear. I did find it odd that Lucie employed humans, they must have gaped at the appetites of the wolves that ate here; not that they knew, of course.
“Welcome to Lucie’s, what can I get ya?” she recited in a bored tone.
Cathwulf and I shared a look before I took a quick glance at the menu while my pregnant friend rattled off her order of oddly mixed food. The girl gave her a look but said nothing once she caught a glimpse of Cathwulf’s swollen belly.
“And you?”
“Cheese and chicken panini please, and a mocha,” I replied nervously, hating the way my voice seemed to carry around the room.
Scribbling on the pad she held, she gave us both a nod then turned on her heel to go into the kitchen. The smell of food was making my stomach growl, I really should have had breakfast before I left Sam’s. I should have also made sure Sam had breakfast too now that she was ill. I made a mental note to check up on how she was feeling later today.
“After this, would you be up for going into the city? I need to get some of my own jumpers and jeans,” I said, sitting back when the waitress came with our drinks.
I took a grateful sip of the warm coffee, closing my eyes against the steam that rose from the cup. Mochas were my guilty pleasure.
“I don’t know, that might be pushing Roarke a little too far,” she trailed off, looking guilty.
“It’s okay. Is there something wrong, Cathwulf? Quillan and Roarke seemed pretty adamant that we didn’t come here.”
She looked away, avoiding my gaze uncharacteristically. My suspicions were confirmed. She chewed her lip, then took a sip of her water, prolonging her ability to think of a lie.
“He’s just a little overprotective now I’m carrying his pup. It’s understandable that he doesn’t want me far from home,” she finally answered, meeting my gaze for the barest of moments.
“Yes. I understand,” I tried to say lightly, giving her a smile.
She smiled back, relaxing now that she thought her lie had been accepted. I decided to change the subject, knowing that continuing this conversation would only irritate me. Cathwulf had never been a very good liar.
“Nennie needs to talk to you and Roarke. She’s really struggling with Kailum. She needs help with housework and someone needs to bring them both food. I can offer to help her clean up but she needs more than me,” I explained, watching my friend’s face turn to one of concern.
“Of course. I’m sure many in the pack will offer their help when they hear. I should have been checking on them both. I’ve been lacking in the Alpha Female department,” she admitted sadly.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. What happened to Kailum wasn’t your fault and Nennie did well hiding how bad things have gotten,” I soothed.
Cathwulf gave me a watery smile and nodded. “Perhaps I can ask Tala and her minions to help clean the house and teach them a bit of humility. They treat omegas like servants and I won’t have it. Speaking of, there’s also the topic of your wage to discuss.”
“My wage?” I echoed, confused.
&
nbsp; “Of course! You’re training and acting as a healer. You’ve already helped where Sam couldn’t, it’s about time we start paying you for it,” she exclaimed with a laugh.
“I’m not—”
“If the words ‘I’m not a healer’ leave your lips one more time, I swear to the Morrigan…no, you’re not a healer. Not yet. But you’re learning, and Roarke and I were thinking about asking for permission for a healer from another pack to come here and teach you. What do you think?” she chirped, her eyes following the waitress who carried our food over.
My mouth moved but no sound came out as I repeated what she’d said in my head. Cathwulf grinned before taking a large bite from her burger. The sight of food seemed to bring me back to my senses.
“That would be amazing!” I finally managed to cry out, excitement bubbling up.
For a moment all of the things Tala had said about me flew from my mind, all my insecurities disappeared, and all that was left was the idea that after training under a real healer, I could take my place here. I’d be respected, important.
“Then I’ll tell Roarke and we’ll make the arrangements,” Cathwulf mumbled through a mouthful of food.
I gave her a disapproving look. “Your mother would be horrified at your manners.”
She simply grinned back. “I know.”
Laughing, I shifted in my seat before starting to eat my own food. It had been a while since I’d been so relaxed and carefree, and it was only now I realised how tense my shoulders had been for days. My neck ached and I craved sinking into a warm bath when we got back. Maybe with some candles and lots of bubbles…
I looked out the window and watched the occasional car pass by and my eyes flicked over to the woods almost as if drawn there. I was reminded of why I wanted to meet with Cathwulf in the first place. Yet she’d been acting so shady about why Roarke was being so protective that I wasn’t sure I would get a straightforward answer.
“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about,” I began slowly, making sure to keep my focus on Cathwulf for any clues.
She tipped her head, studying me. “About Quillan?”
“Sort of,” I replied, wondering how to start. “Quillan found me in the woods. I’d hunted and he came to eat of what I’d caught—”
“You let him?” Cathwulf interrupted, her eyes widening slightly.
Nodding, feeling my cheeks flush red, I looked down at the table. I had tried not to ponder on that too much. Sharing a meal was an intimate act to Wulvers, but it wasn’t like we really were together. There were more than a few feet between us and I’d mostly tried to ignore his presence.
“But that’s not what you want to talk about, is it?” she inquired knowingly. “What happened?”
I felt almost silly now that I was sitting across from her. What was I to say? That Quillan had heard something I didn’t in the woods and I’d run home like a frightened pup? That I was too scared to confront Quillan because I knew he would lie so as not to take the forest away from me because of my fear? But the way Roarke and Quillan had acted made me think there was substance to my suspicions.
“There was something out in the woods that I couldn’t see but it was enough to have Quillan on edge. I know he’s been following me, Cathwulf. I’m not stupid. Every time I turn around he seems to be near. What’s going on?” I pressed, keeping her under my gaze.
Golden eyes met mine and I could see the worry in their depths even as she kept her smile in place and her voice light. “There’s nothing going on, Oria. Quillan gets overprotective, you know that. I don’t have him following you, I swear. If there had been something dangerous lurking about, don’t you think we would have told you?”
Her words would have been convincing if it weren’t for the smile that never left her face as she spoke. I didn’t believe her. My friend was lying to me. My wolf growled in my head at the feeling of betrayal that swept over me and it must have shone in my eyes because suddenly Cathwulf was lifting her chin with glowing eyes of her own.
“Please believe me, Oria. I’m keeping you safe, if there was something you needed to know, you would know,” she vowed, a bite to her tone that told me I was speaking to my Alpha Female now.
I tipped my head and bared my neck, giving her my submission. She relaxed but there was a tension between us now that spoiled any chance of the rest of lunch being pleasant. With my head down and my body curling in on itself, I was once more the omega that Tala talked about.
“I’m sorry for questioning you, Alpha Female. I promised I’d help Sam back at the clinic, I’m going to run back,” I murmured.
As I stood to leave, Cathwulf grabbed my hand and her voice was almost frantic. “I’ll take you back in the car, Oria.”
“I need to stretch my legs,” I argued. “It’s not that far.”
She rounded the table, keeping my hand in hers as she fumbled for words. I watched her with increasing irritation.
“It’s cold and icy, I don’t want you getting hurt,” she rambled on.
“You’re treating me like a pup, Cathwulf, can’t you see that? It’s no wonder females talk behind my back when you treat me like I’m helpless,” I snapped before quickly yanking my hand from hers and walking out the door, leaving a speechless Cathwulf behind.
I couldn’t believe the words that had left my mouth. Cathwulf was the only wolf who hadn’t treated me like the broken female everyone saw me as, it had been cruel of me to throw that at her. Whatever she was hiding was because it wasn’t my business to know; I was no high-ranked wolf or warrior.
Stomping my way through the woods, I shoved my hands into my pockets, muttering and grumbling. I was glad at least that she didn’t come after me. That would have been humiliating. Marching on, my confidence began to waver. When I could no longer hear the cars on the road, that’s when I got a little nervous. There were other ways to show my irritation to Cathwulf than to go traipsing off into the woods alone just to prove a point. I became a little more alert, taking in the scents of the forest every now and again to make sure it really was just me and the wildlife out here.
“I guess if I die, it would prove my point,” I mumbled to myself, shivering with the next gust of wind.
The snow got a little deeper and I huffed as it slipped into my shoe, melting to freeze my feet. I paused, trying to figure out where I was and turned a little west to head towards the house. The padding of paws caught my attention but I knew I was in the boundary line where patrols passed and tried to keep calm.
The massive grey wolf nodded his head to me as he approached, giving me a wide berth. Glenn and I had crossed paths a few times, I felt safe around him. He was funny and kind, with a new compliment given to me every time we met.
I smiled as he watched me curiously, his eyes darting around as if waiting to see who I was with.
“It’s just me,” I told him quietly. “I’m on my way home.”
His head cocked to the side, one of his ears flopping over, making me laugh. He barked a reply and then continued on his way but he looked back a few times before he disappeared into the thicker trees. Trudging forward again, I relaxed now that I was safely back on pack land. The woods even looked safer, but I was sure that was just because I knew where I was. The house appeared in the clearing and I took a deep breath in preparation for whatever I’d face inside. I stomped my feet on the doorstep to get rid of the snow that clung to me and eagerly stepped inside the warmth of the porch. My nose scrunched at the overly floral scent of Tala that lingered in the house. Wolves didn’t tend to wear perfume because of our sensitive noses but she seemed to cover herself in the chemicals.
Clanking in the kitchen made me slow down and my jaw clenched at that damn female’s voice. The walk hadn’t done much to settle my emotions and Tala was the last thing I needed to test the last of my restraint.
“She’s making me go clean Nennie’s house. It’s not a fair use of our time. If she’s stuck home all day because of her frightened pup, surely she’s g
ot nothing else to do but housework,” Tala drawled, another muttering their agreement.
I couldn’t say nothing. My steps were strong as I walked into the kitchen, narrowing my gaze on her. She gave an annoyed look to the two females in front of her and my ire rose.
“Are you questioning the orders of your Alpha Female, Tala?” I asked, shocked at my confidence.
Tala clucked her tongue, turning to face me. She fluffed her hair and studied me with murky brown eyes. My chin lifted, daring her to speak the way she had been about Nennie.
“I’m allowed to give my opinion,” she answered in a bored tone.
I took another step forward, a growl rumbling from my chest and she stumbled back with wide eyes. To be fair to them all, I hadn’t been expecting that either. The two females that had been standing like guards now cowered back. Yet it wasn’t me they were all looking at, I realised after a second. Looking behind me, my confidence wavered at the sight of Quillan standing behind me. His angry gaze swept over us all, softening only slightly when he looked at me. I faltered.
“Mocking a pack member in a time of need and belittling her and her pup’s struggles is something I better not hear from you again, Tala. We are pack, we’re all family, and we help our family. Do you understand or do we need to have further conversation on how to act like a decent member of society?” Quillan scolded.
“I understand, Beta,” Tala bit out, bowing her head.
She was struggling under the pressure of his dominance but I barely felt a thing as I watched. Part of me was annoyed that he’d cut in, while the other was grateful I didn’t have the chance to make a fool out of myself. The three females left quickly, scampering through the door like rats.
I kept my gaze forward, ignoring the way I could feel the heat of Quillan against my back. He walked around me to go to the fridge to take out orange juice, otherwise ignoring my presence. But there was still enough irritation left in me over the fact he and Cathwulf were lying to me to give fuel to my confidence.
Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3) Page 6