No way.
Since this was the last school visit of the year, the girl wouldn’t cross his path again.
Henry forced his wolf to travel deeper into the bush, upping his pace and racing into the dark, shadowed areas beneath the trees.Almost three hours had elapsed before he headed home.This time, his pace was slower, his thoughts less frantic.
He had a plan.He’d avoid town and stay away from gatherings because he couldn’t run into the child again—not if he wanted to preserve his sanity.
When Henry arrived home, the school kids had left, and the parking area in front of their security business was empty.London, Gerard’s wife, had gone to a Feline Council meeting, and Henry’s stepfather and stepmother were away for a long weekend break in Queenstown.Only Gerard was around to ask probing questions.
After grabbing clothing, Henry headed out to his dogs because time with the animals relaxed him.He used to have a Jack Russell, but Geoffrey had died at the ripe age of sixteen.That dog had been his savior after Jenny’s death, and his passing had left a yawning hole.
When he entered the kennels, the dogs grew alert.A pup whimpered.Henry attempted to settle his angst because it wasn’t their fault his mind was fucked.
He scratched a dog behind an ear and petted one of the braver pups from the latest litter.The young female dog would be huge when fully grown, but now she was a playful, handful of chubby puppy.He crooned to her and, at that moment, made an unusual decision.He’d keep this one since she displayed bravery.His wolf hadn’t bothered her, but then she’d taken her cues from her mother and the other adult dogs.They had to overcome their instinctive fear of shifters as part of their training.He always researched the families, and they could only adopt the dogs on the understanding that they would treat them with kindness.Every owner of his dogs understood that ill-treatment would earn a visit from Henry, and it wouldn’t go well for them.
“Henry, is that you?”Gerard called from the doorway.
“Yeah.”Henry braced for an interrogation.“Thanks for taking over.I had to get out.It felt as if someone was smothering me.”
“A panic attack?”
“I shifted.That helped.”
“You ran off on that kid.Did she say something?She was an intense wee thing.I could feel her sorrow.The teacher told me she is an orphan, and her aunt isn’t a demonstrative woman.She took her niece in out of moral obligation.Can you imagine what it must be like for a young kid losing her parents?”
Henry could but didn’t want to feel sympathy.He had no desire to feel anything.
“Maia is staying with the aunt until she can take her place at a boarding school in Auckland.At least her parents organized her education because Mrs.Ramsey is a strange duck.She told the teacher that attending a private school was a waste of good money.The teacher believes Maia will thrive at the boarding school and make friends.
Her name was Maia.
Henry’s entire body stalled, his mind lingering on her expressive face and big blue eyes.
“Henry?”
Gerard’s sharp tone jerked him back.He flinched and shook himself, a chill running down his spine, before intense heat took over and made him sweat.Henry slid his hand over his clammy forehead.
“Thanks for covering for me.Appreciate it.”Nonchalantly, he smoothed his fingers over the pup’s head and smiled on receiving a sloppy lick.Unlike his life, animals were uncomplicated.
At least the kid was leaving Middlemarch, and he wouldn’t have to sneak around town to avoid running into her.That was great news.
Gerard joined him beside the pen.“The kid wants a dog, but I can’t see her aunt getting her one.It’s a shame since she’d benefit from having a pet.”
Given what Gerard had told him, he agreed.But it was none of his business.He glanced at his watch.He’d let the older dogs out before dinner.Maybe he’d shift and play with them, exhausting himself so he slept tonight.
“I’d better give the dogs a run before I cook the evening meal.Does Matthew still require a quote?”
Gerard nodded, his entire face brightening when he spotted a car coming down the driveway.“London’s home early.Meet you after dinner to work on the quote.”
Henry nodded, but Gerard had already loped off to meet his mate.
A kid.
No way.Not gonna happen.
He’d pulled himself together after Jenny’s death.He was an ex-soldier and mentally strong.Yeah, he’d get through this, and no one needed to know how much that orphan girl disturbed him on every level.
Chapter 1
