Page 26 of Pack Witch
“The vulnerable, the young, the honorable elders,” he added, showing he remembered his lessons. “But you two aren’t, ya know,claimedand all.” He ducked his head, his dark skin going darker with embarrassment.
I swallowed a growl. “None of your business, is it?”
“No, sir. But Grandma Ida was fussin’ about it. About you not bitin’ Miss Zinnia.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “It wasn’t because her wolf is gone, is it?”
“No,” I snapped, standing. “I have to protect her, Leroy. And until I know if I’m going to die or not, that means not claiming her.”
“Because she might… what? Die, if you did?” He stood as well and wandered into the stream, not looking at me as he spoke. I knew my Alpha power made it hard for lower-ranked wolves to confront me. “It seems like she kinda already did, Sergeant. Her wolf side. I think you oughta give her the choice.”
Emotions I was unprepared for buffeted me. Rage, shock, despair, shame.
It wasn’t often that a pup spoke to his Alpha that way, even one as close as he was to me. It was courageous, if annoying as hell. He was right, though. I’d already done the worst thing a shifter could do to a mate. But if I claimed her now—if she even wanted me to—there was always the possibility I could make it worse for her.
I stayed on the bank, wishing I could roll back the years and find her again that night. Recognize her in the darkness as I fled my pack. Repair the damage I’d done to both of us.
But, as my great-niece used to say, the only thing more useless than hoping was wishing. I shucked off my clothes and waded into the stream after the boys, letting the icy water numb me for a little while.
Chapter 14
Zinnia
Ida had told me a few years back that I’d gotten hard to read. She’d suggested that living on my own for so long might have given me something she called “resting hermit face.”
Maybe it was true. Julian sure hadn’t seemed to notice the pain I was hiding at dinner that evening. But the boys hovered over me as we set out the food, their eyes filled with concern, seeing something in my expression or posture that had them on edge.
For some reason, after we sat down, the two kept shooting oddly judgmental glances at Julian, the blond-haired Bo actually meeting his Alpha’s gaze more than once and holding it. I was shocked at how strong he was, and how brave. Or perhaps it was foolhardy, to come so close to challenging his Alpha at the dinner table.
I almost found myself frowning at Julian, as the boys struggled to eat the flaky trout they’d caught with the forks and knives I’d supplied. He’d had these two in his care for too long for their table manners to be this poor. Though they made up for it with how much they were enjoying it all. I’d never imagined how gratifying it could be to watch the food I’d made vanish so quickly into hungry bellies.
“So, tell me about yourselves,” I said, passing Bo a bowl of rosemary potatoes once he’d cleaned his plate.
He muttered, “Best meal of my life,” before finishing them off.
The boys had avoided the vegetables until Leroy had accidentally scooped up some spinach along with the fish. Then, he’d eaten the entire bowl I’d steamed with herbs and a pinch of honey. I’d given him my own, and he stared at me now with stars in his eyes while he ate it, like I’d performed a miracle. It was a good thing I’d made enough food for a dozen shifters.
“We’re from Southern,” Leroy told me. “Me and Bo were born into the pack. I don’t know how much you’ve heard, but believe you me, it was worse than that.”
“And we were part of the worse,” Bo added, pushing his plate away at last. “We hunted Miss Florida. We were the bad guys.”
“No,” I said softly, offering a piece of cherry cobbler to Bo, who took it, a little of the pain in his eyes vanishing as he tasted the honey-drenched crust. “You two were children, and that means you were innocent. What you do as adults, now, that’s a different matter. But I have a feeling Sergeant won’t let you stray too far from the path.”
I glanced at Julian, though he didn’t speak. He’d been uncharacteristically silent during the whole meal. He’d returned from the stream with a somber, heavy tread, his shoulders slumped, making me wonder what had happened.
Leroy huffed. “He’d better not, now that Bo’s turnin’ into an Alpha and all?—”
“Shut up,” Bo snapped, an unmistakable thread of Alpha command in his voice. Leroy’s voice cut off, even though his mouth kept moving. Tears of what might’ve been rage collected in his eyes.
“Bo!” Julian growled sharply. “Go run it off. Up to that ridge above the cabin, and when you get back, you’re on dishes andguard duty until midnight.” When Leroy pushed his chair back, he shook his head. “Alone.”
“But, but, Leroy,” Bo stammered, gazing in horror at his friend. Leroy looked just as shocked.
“Now,” Julian barked, and Bo obeyed, stripping out of his sweats and shifting into his wolf form before he was a dozen yards from the cabin. His anguished howl filled the night, but when it died down, Leroy’s sniffles drew my attention. I couldn’t look at Julian; I was too angry at him.
“Can you do me a favor, Leroy?” I asked softly. “I have a vegetable garden, protected by magic. I’d love to have some fresh greens to put with the eggs for breakfast. I know it’s getting late, but I’m a little too tired to do any more work tonight. Would you?—”
He’d jumped up before I could finish. “Yes, ma’am. Just point me at ‘em.”
“I’ll show him,” Julian offered, but I speared him with a look that I hoped said what it needed to.
