Page 2 of Refuge

Leeza opened her eyes as Eric’s mate came inside the enclosure. She had yet to talk to her, but she already liked Gemma Stone. How couldn’t she? A woman who lived her life taking care of wolves, shifters, and wolf-dogs. Yeah, she was pretty much a hero in Leeza’s eyes.

Gemma came further into the enclosure before stopping in front of Leeza and Ari.

“Well, it seems Ari has you wrapped around his humongous paw.” Gemma smiled with a shake of her head. “He knows how to work it.”

Ari grunted, making Gemma chuckle then look at Leeza, who was trying to move the massive wolf-dog’s head to stand. “I appreciate his company.” Leeza slid out and got on her knees.

“Don’t get up.” Gemma knelt in front of them. “I just need to give him his medicine and then I’ll leave you guys. I’m Gemma, by the way.”

“I’m Leeza.” Leeza smiled, liking the woman even more. She totally understood why the wolves felt comfortable with her. She felt immediately comforted also. It was a welcome feeling. “What’s the medicine for? Is he sick?”

“It’s nice to meet you, Leeza.” Gemma unwrapped some cheese and squashed a pill in it. “He was sick but is doing much better. He had a bad skin infection. It’s gone, but he still has another five days of medicine.”

Leeza watched as Gemma folded and squished the pill in the cheese before holding it toward Ari, who sniffed it, then gently took it from her fingers. “Likes cheese, huh?” She chuckled as he scooted closer to get the rest of the cheese she hadn’t used for the pill.

“It’s the only way I can get him to take his medicine.” Gemma rolled her eyes but smiled. She gave a sneaky glance around, then looked back at Ari. “Don’t tell the others I gave you the rest of this cheese. I’ll have a riot on my hands, Ari.”

“Why is that?” Leeza grinned when Ari quickly took the cheese.

“They all love cheese.” Gemma rolled her eyes. “I have to open it in the trailer because if any of them hear the wrapper, they start howling. They know exactly what that noise is.”

She watched as Gemma gave Ari the rest, then stood. Leeza suddenly wondered if Eric had told her about what had happened and the self-doubt, the feeling of wanting to duck her head in shame emerged, making her nervous. This was so not her personality, but that bastard Foster still had some control over her, and she couldn’t find a way to break his hold.

“Ari doesn’t take to many people, especially as quickly as he’s taken to you.” Gemma glanced around at the other enclosures. “Actually, in the short amount of time you’ve been here, you’ve made quite a few connections.”

Leeza just nodded; she had felt it too. It felt good to be accepted. They didn’t know what happened, didn’t know how she got the scar on her face, didn’t know she failed, and that brought such comfort to her, she wanted to connect with all the animals there. Dumb, she knew, but so totally true.

“Do you want to take over Ari’s care for me?” Gemma asked, with no doubt in her voice whatsoever.

“Yes,” Leeza replied without hesitation. Warmth pooled in her chest at the offer. Her self-doubt slipped just a little with the kindness offered her; not only that, but Gemma must have been confident she could do the task, right?

“Good. Come on, and I’ll show you where I keep his medicine.” Gemma walked toward the gate without a second glance at Leeza.

After patting Ari on the head, Leeza jumped up to follow. Excitement increased her pulse, and she smiled. Turning to close the enclosure, Leeza spotted a few of her pack members looking her way, then quickly averting their eyes. Some of the excitement dimmed before she had the chance to hold on to it tightly. With a sigh, she made sure the gate locked before turning to follow Gemma, who was staring at the two women and then back at her.

“I know you’ve heard things,” Leeza said with a proud tilt of her head. She might as well get it out of the way. She would rather it be her than others talking to Gemma.

Gemma nodded, then took a step toward her. “I have. I also know that he’s dead and can still control you.”

Leeza’s proud tilt drooped a little, but she kept her eyes on Gemma. If she only knew just how much the bastard controlled her, but she said nothing.

“But I see the fight in you. Live, Leeza, and he can’t control you.” Gemma’s voice softened. “I can’t even imagine what you went through, but know I’m here if you ever need to talk, and I also have someone you could talk to that specializes in things such as rape. But live. If you do that, then you have won.”

“Rape?” Leeza frowned, stumbling back, stunned. “I wasn’t raped.”

Gemma’s eyes widened. “Oh, I’m sorry. Eric said that….” Her words faded as she stared at Leeza.

Things started to make sense to her. Why everyone treated her differently, which she thought was because she had failed in her attempt to save Sherry, a woman a few years younger than herself. It had been her responsibility to keep Sherry safe, a responsibility she’d taken very seriously, as did the rest of their pack. She was considered a high-ranking female. Failure wasn’t an option.

“Leeza, I think there’s some confusion about what happened.” Gemma frowned.

Confusion? No, bullshit was what it was. Was that how her pack acted toward a woman who was raped? Ignore them, look away as if something were wrong with the woman? It all made sense, and she was pissed. She was beyond pissed.

“Can we do this later?” Leeza frowned as she backed away. “I need to take care of something.”

“Of course.” Gemma nodded, then gave her a half smile. “Give them hell, Leeza.”

She planned to do more than that. This pack was about to get a wake-up call.

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