I know that I always felt like something was missing, and when she’s with me, I feel complete.
“We will not be together.”She turns and meets my gaze, her emerald eyes blazing.“I trusted you.When I was little, you…you made me feel safe.And then you ruined our entire pack’s lives.”The hurt in her voice slices me like a blade.
"Henrietta."I let out a tortured breath."About…About what happened that day—" I’m going to tell her the truth, damn it.The consequences be damned.
"Don't."
“I just wanted to say that I-”
"I said don't."She turns and stalks away.
I stand in the dim of the barn, drawing in and releasing deep breaths in an attempt to calm my wolf, but I don’t last more than thirty seconds before I find my feet moving of their own accord.I head after her, quickly, and stop at the doorway.My wolf lets out a mournful howl that reverberates in my skull.
Through the gap in the door I watch her walk straight towards Cole.
I lock my muscles and force myself to stay where I am.
“Henrietta!”Cole calls out to her, sticking his hands in his jeans pocket, and grinning at her."Funny thing just occurred to me.Andrew doesn’t usually get down and dirty with the crops.He spends his time negotiating and writing contracts.Then you show up and all of a sudden, he’s out here walking the fields every day, acting all weird, staring off into space when you’re not there, and -”
"You can just shut your pie-hole right now.I wouldn't use his pelt to wipe my butt," Henrietta snaps, and stalks off so fast she kicks up clods of dirt.
“That’s not a no!”Cole yells after.
Chapter Six
Henrietta
Downtown Cedar Run is already packed by the time we arrive Saturday morning.
The town square sits at the end of Main Street like something out of an old movie—brick storefronts with striped awnings, flower baskets spilling over with bright pink petunias, old-fashioned streetlamps, and a white gazebo where local musicians are playing country music.
The farmer’s market takes over most of the square every Saturday, and people from all three packs crowd the streets.
Moonstone farmers are selling peaches, tomatoes, corn, jars of honey, fresh eggs, and homemade jams.
Shadowpine vendors sell healing herbs, salves, soaps, and medicinal teas.
Frostbane’s booths feature a lot of hand-forged tools, knives, leather goods, and jewelry made from local crystals.
Children race through the market, weaving between booths.A little girl in a flower crown chases her older brother with a wooden sword while he dramatically pretends he’s been mortally wounded.
The five of us walk down Main Street in a loose group — Silas and Dorcas in front, my distant cousins Coral and Danny just behind them, and me bringing up the rear, because I’m the one keeping an eye out.Old habit.Growing up packless will do that to you.
Coral is six months along and waddling cheerfully, one hand tucked into Danny’s elbow.Danny is twenty-two and is adorably protective, placing himself in between her and passers-by.They’re adorable.I want a future for them – one where they fit in, where they’re safe.That’s why, as we walk, I pretend I don’t notice people staring at us and whispering.
We’ve almost reached the bakery when I feel an itchy, burning sensation, an awareness of danger.I look around until I spot the source – Roderick.
He’s standing in front of Hannigan’s Bar with another male I don’t recognize — big, pale-eyed, feet planted wide.Roderick says something and tilts his head, and the other wolf follows the gesture.
They’re pointing at Coral.I watch Roderick’s mouth move.The other wolf gives Coral a lascivious look, and nods eagerly.
The hair on the back of my neck stands up.Coral is very pretty, with petite elfin features and a waterfall of black curls tumbling halfway down her back.She’s also visibly, obviously pregnant, and she has a mate standing right next to her, arm slung around her shoulders – and Roderick and his buddy don’t care.
Unfortunately, the Frostbane pack has always specialized in dominance the way the Shadowpine pack specializes in magic and the Moonstone pack specializes in farming.
I really hoped that Roderick would forget about me and move on – or that at least he wouldn’t think about making a move on me when I was with my pack-mates.
But now it looks like he’s encouraging a pack take-over, and a claiming of all of our females.
