Page 12 of Sanctuary

Gemma smiled, liking the older woman instantly. “You’re welcome here anytime you like. We welcome any help you can give. Thank you so much.”

“We will see you soon.” The woman waved as her husband helped her into the car.

After they had pulled away, she looked at Larry, who seemed very pleased with himself. “Guess you’re expecting a raise?” Gemma teased with a grin, then reached up and gave him a big hug. “Believe me, Larry, as soon as I can, I will pay you a pretty penny.”

“Honey, a hug every now and then is payment enough. You’re like a daughter to me.” Larry gave her one last squeeze and then quickly pulled her behind him. “What in the holy hell is that?”

Not understanding, Gemma looked past Larry’s shoulder and saw Eric in wolf form stalking toward them. She realized Larry had pulled out his wicked looking knife he always wore.

“No, Larry.” She grabbed his arm. “He won’t harm us.”

Larry didn’t look convinced, so Gemma went around him, dodging Larry’s grasp toward her arm. “Gemma, get back here.”

She walked straight up to Eric, putting her hand gently to the softness of his head. “Please help him.”

The wolf pressed its head into her hand before walking past her and then Larry, who watched in both awe and fear. Eric stopped in front of Larry, then bowed his head slightly before continuing.

“Son of a bitch.” Larry’s eyes widened as they went from the wolf to Gemma.

“Please don’t ask,” Gemma begged as she followed Eric.

“I wouldn’t know what in the hell to ask.” Larry shook his head, following behind Gemma.

Alex opened the gate, letting Eric pass. They watched in anticipation as Eric paced around the crate, frequently stopping in front of it, but still, the wolf remained inside.

“Eric said to get some water,” Alex said, his eyes leaving the wolf to look at Gemma and then Larry. “Get some water!” he ordered when no one moved.

Larry looked around before turning away. “How in the hell can Eric tell you anything? He isn’t even here.” He stopped to turn to look at the wolf that stared at Larry. Larry looked away, only to look back at the wolf and shake his head before he rushed to get the water.

Gemma knew she would have to address this later with Larry, but for now, all she cared about was the wolf wedged in the crate and getting him out. “You can understand him?” Gemma asked, surprised. “I thought that was only if you belong to packs.”

“It is.” Alex grinned proudly. “Eric asked if I would like to be a part of his.”

“That’s wonderful,” Gemma said with excitement. She did know how important packs were to wolf shifters. “They will be lucky to have you.”

“Thank you,” Alex said, his face turning serious. “For a human, you’re okay.”

“Ehh, I have my moments.” Gemma snorted, her eyes back on the crate, wishing that the poor wolf would trust them and come out. “Notice only Larry sticks around. That says a lot I’m afraid.”

“Well, since you’re mates, you’ll belong to the pack, even as a human,” Alex said, then found himself backing away from a growling Eric, who had leaped across the enclosure and was in his face.

Gemma had jumped back, also shocked at what she’d just heard or thought she’d heard. Before being able to respond, Larry returned with the water. Alex took it quickly, looking embarrassed, his face fire-engine red as he took the water and placed it in front of the crate.

After an hour of standing and waiting for the scared and possibly injured wolf to come out, Gemma knew it was time to start her rounds. She had noticed that Eric, even in wolf form, never once looked her way since Alex’s statement about mates. She knew all about the mating habits of wolves, as well as shifters. Was Alex saying she was Eric’s mate?

Shaking her thoughts away, because there was no way she’d heard that right, Gemma turned toward Alex who had been deadly quiet. “I’m going to have to start making rounds. Keep me informed, okay?”

“Ah, yeah.” Alex avoided eye contact. “I will.”

She walked away, confused and a little afraid. What if they were mates and he left? She did feel an alarming dependency on Eric Jackson, and if she were his mate, why hadn’t he said something? With one last look, she focused on the wolf who held the man she was falling in love with, yeslove. She felt it and knew it, but was too afraid to admit it. Who could love her, the wolf-woman that some had come to call her?Maybe a wolf-man?The little voice inside her head gave her hope, but then that hope was dashed when she realized she was probably losing her damn mind.

Chapter 9

Eric could have killed Alex, still wanted to kill him. He knew once he welcomed Alex into the pack their thoughts became as one. It was something that happened. How it happened who in the hell knew, but it did, and obviously his thoughts about Gemma had been wide open because he’d never said one word to Alex about his feelings for Gemma. Hell, he was having a hard time coming to terms with it himself.

He had finally coaxed the wolf out of the crate and into the enclosure, but it had taken all damn day. The wolf wasn’t in too bad of shape, but his relationship with humans had been damaged, and it would take a lot of work to repair.

It was close to midnight before he headed to the SUV to shift back and get dressed. As he made his way there, he looked around and realized he could be happy there. Very happy. But he had a pack to worry about. He couldn’t and wouldn’t turn his back on them, so what was he to do? Gemma was his mate, that much he knew for sure, and he knew she would never leave this place, and there was no way in hell he would live hours away from his mate.

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