I leaned forward and brushed my lips against the skin of her neck, then left. Closing the door was hard, going back to my apartment across the hall was harder. The bed was losing Michelle’s scent and didn’t welcome me as it once had. So, instead of trying to sleep, I sat on the couch and wondered what I could have done differently to change the outcome of the evening.
Winifred and Jim didn’t leave me alone for long. With a barely audible knock, Winifred opened the door.
“She’s still moving around over there,” she said softly, closing the door after Jim stepped in.
Jim sat beside me on the couch and tilted his head to study me.
“Didn’t go well?”
I shrugged and leaned forward, bracing my elbows on my knees.
“It doesn’t feel like it ended well.”
“Couldn’t have ended too badly. You’re not wearing a shirt.”
“Emmitt, you just need to be—”
“Patient. I know. You do realize my upbringing taught me the complete opposite, right? You see your Mate, you Claim her. That was always the message because the chances of finding a compatible human were thought impossible. Until Mom. Then, finding a second one moved impossible to improbable. I never thought I’d have to go through what Dad went through. If I was lucky enough to find a Mate, I thought it would be our kind.”
Winifred considered me for a moment. “Would you consider giving up your right and hope for another?”
“Hell no. I just want to be done with the waiting. I want my Mate.”
“Would it help if Winifred made you some cookies?” Jim asked straight-faced.
“Stop talking about cookies,” I said with a groan. I sat back and looked up at the ceiling, recalling the details of Michelle’s dress.
“Well, since I don’t believe your night is going to get any better, I might as well tell you that your parents are sending Mary and Gregory here.”
A sick feeling settled into my stomach.
“Why?”
“They want to know more about Michelle, and they want to see the progress we’ve made on the apartments.”
Could my night get any worse?
“Winifred, Michelle isn’t ready for more of our kind. She didn’t enjoy our date because she was worried about leaving her brothers, and she trusts us. That trust is going to leave really fast when we start inviting our kind here.”
“That’s what this place is for, Emmitt. Our kind. The Compound is getting too crowded. We need to alleviate—”
“I know, Winifred. I know. At the cost of losing Michelle, though? How do you think she’ll react to this? With fear. The more people who come here, the more she’ll feel exposed. She’ll be terrified the next person to show up will be Blake. There is every chance she’ll leave. And if she does, I’ll follow, pack and leadership be damned.”
“You have a responsibility to your people,” she said with growing frustration.
“Not the way you do, or Jim will if he’s ever accepted as an Elder. I have a responsibility to my Mate. And through my Mate, the continuation of our people. That’s my first responsibility. Leadership takes a backseat to that.”
“He’s right,” Jim said quietly. “The Compound is crowded because the few women who were out there stepped forward to find Mates. This new generation is important. But only if we keep promoting the importance of Mated pairs. What message are we sending if we push Emmitt to be a pack leader over being a Mate? The pack is about family. We need to keep it that way.”
Winifred sighed.
“I will convey your thoughts and wishes to your father, but I doubt that will change the impending visit. As for Michelle leaving, I highly doubt one visit will cause her departure. But, after losing her once before”—she looked pointedly at Jim—“I ensured we could track her with her phone. We just need to make sure she takes it with her.”
* * * *
Sleep never came. Despite Winifred’s assurances, I knew the visit wouldn’t go well. Michelle and her brothers had been with us for five weeks. So much had happened in such a short time. Now, we were asking for more. Always more.
When I heard the boys on the stairs, I left my place on the couch where I’d been contemplating a lonely future, and went to check on Michelle. She was sitting at the island, staring at the tablet again.
“Good morning,” I said.
She turned on the stool. “Morning.”
She was chipper and beautiful. I leaned against the doorframe so I could just take her in for a minute. Her smiled slowly faded as she looked at me.
“Didn’t you sleep well?”
I shrugged. “Coming down for breakfast?”
She glanced at the dirty bowls next to the sink.
“Sorry. I’ll see you downstairs.”
Jim was already outside with the boys when I reached the first floor.
“Did you sleep at all?” Winifred asked when she saw me.
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on. I’ll fix you some breakfast. Your brother can watch the cubs until you’re done eating.”
I didn’t argue but followed her to her kitchen.
“I think you’re overreacting,” she said as she pulled out a pan.
“So you’ve said.” I didn’t feel like going over it again. Whatever would happen, would happen. Like I told her last night, I was tired of waiting.
Winifred had put something into the pan when Michelle started down the steps. I didn’t have to wait long for her to appear.
“Did your friend Sam call already?” she asked, as she set papers on the table and sat next to me.
She seemed so at ease. How long would it last?
“Yes,” Winifred said. “We discussed your gift, though, and feel that it shouldn’t be used. He thanked you for your help so far but will research on his own from now on.”
Michelle’s panic swelled. “But, you can’t—”
“We can. We won’t use you. But, I did hear what you said about the pain. You can still give the information to me,” she said, indicating the papers on the table with the spatula in her hand. “I will read it so you won’t suffer, then I’ll destroy it.”
Michelle sat there for a moment, a look of awe on her face.
“By the way, there are a few people coming today who’d like to meet you,” Nana said, turning back to the stove. “They should be here in about an hour.”
Michelle flinched.
Why, Winifred? She didn’t need to know ahead of time.
Winifred plated a heap of food and placed it before me. Michelle’s gaze met mine. I saw the pain and worry there.
“What people?” she asked.
Winifred answered before I could. “They are from the Compound in Canada. Friends of Jim and Emmitt’s parents. They are coming down with their sons to meet you and your brothers.”
Michelle’s fear grew.
“Why are they coming?” she asked.
I caught Winifred’s gaze.
Don’t. She doesn’t need to know they are coming here just to meet her.
I think she deserves the truth.
I started to shake my head before I stopped myself.
She deserves to feel safe.
Winifred sighed and focused on Michelle.
“We thought it would be good to start exposing you to more of our kind whom you can trust.”
“And who decides who’s trustworthy?”
The sharp, bitter flavor of Michelle’s anger filled my nose. Winifred’s too, based on the way she tilted her head to study my Mate.
I told you she wasn’t ready for this. We’ve pushed her too far, too fast. She bares everything to us, and we bring more of our kind here. The same kind she was running from, the same kind who had threatened her brothers’ lives. How did you think she would react? Anger and fear are—
Enough, Emmitt, Winifred thought at me.
“I’m sorry, Nana, but I don’t feel like good company today,” Michelle said, standing. She left us and went outside. Before Winifred could lecture me aloud, we both heard what Michelle said to Jim.
“Jim, may I have the truck keys?”
My heart stopped.
“Emmitt, calm down,” Winifred said. “She’s not leaving. She wants to take her brothers to a movie. Jim,” she said, knowing Jim would hear her, “make sure she takes her phone with her.”
* * * *
Michelle left within thirty minutes. Mary and Gregory arrived not long after.
“Winifred, it’s been too long,” Mary said in greeting as she got out of the car.
While they hugged, I stared at my phone. Michelle was almost to the theater.
“Where’s your Mate, Emmitt?” Mary asked.
I tore my gaze from the phone. Mary looked just about the same as the last time I saw her. The same straight, nut-brown hair and dark brown eyes. Gregory kept close to her, as a Mate should. His hazel eyes noted every detail of the house. Dad would be getting a thorough report when they returned.
“This unexpected visit sent her running.”
She nodded slowly. “Your mother was worried that might happen. But, she knew you wouldn’t let her get far.”
My family frustrated the hell out of me. They assumed I would drag Michelle back by the hair if she took off. Only, that would be acting too closely like Blake.
Not having anything nice to say, I turned around and went inside. Mary was undeterred by my attitude.
“Does that mean you’re letting her roam for a little while before picking up her scent trail?”
Jim answered for me.
“He’s keeping tabs on her with his phone. While he does that, let me show you the place.”
They followed Jim out of his apartment and upstairs while I sat on his couch and stared at the phone’s screen. Michelle had stopped moving. Hopefully that meant they were starting their movie and would be home in a few hours. I checked the time. Hadn’t I just said I was done with waiting? And, here I was again. Waiting.
“Hey, Emmitt,” Paul said, coming into Jim’s apartment. Henry was right behind him.
“Hey, guys. Any news from the Compound?”
“Probably nothing you haven’t already heard,” Henry said as they made themselves comfortable.
“Gabby’s running from her potential Mate and probably won’t be back to the Compound ever,” Paul said.
“The Forlorn who were there for the Introduction to end all Introductions are still hanging around, driving Aunt Charlene nuts,” Henry said.
“And stopping us from doing anything fun,” Paul added.
“We know the timing sucks, but we’re glad we’re here. I can’t wait until this place is ready. I really hope they’ll send us down here to live.”
I doubted Henry knew how his words affected me. Here was a family very tired of the overcrowding, and a reason to finish the apartments.
“Oh, and Jim said we could use his guest room since you never used it anyway. Mom and Dad will be using your apartment. I think Mom wants to be close to your girl.”
And just like that, my guilt evaporated. I looked at the time again. I hated waiting.
* * * *
The sound of Michelle’s truck on the road heralded her return. Conversation in Winifred’s apartment quieted.
Please just let me talk to her first, I sent to Winifred.
I stepped out onto the porch just as the truck bounced down the driveway. Liam and Aden were grinning in their seats and waved when they saw me. Michelle kept her attention on parking. Even after the engine was off, she wouldn’t look up at me. She got out and walked around to get the boys. I crossed the distance between us and waited.
Liam and Aden said hi as they ran past me into the house.
Michelle closed their door and slowly turned to meet my gaze. Suspicion and fear filled her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked after a moment.
Winifred chose that moment to come outside with Mary and Gregory. Frustration curled in my gut.
“Mary and Gregory were planning on staying the night,” I said, trying to keep what I felt from my words. “Can I sleep on your couch?”
I didn’t need to sleep on her couch. Jim’s was open. So was Winifred’s. I just needed to be close to Michelle.
Thankfully, she nodded. I held out my hand, and she clasped it without hesitation. Without much choice, I led her to the porch.
“Michelle, this is Mary and her husband Gregory.”
“Nice to meet you,” Michelle said neutrally.
“I doubt it,” Mary said with humor. “But, I don’t blame you. We’re the long distance version of nosy neighbors. Our sons, Paul and Henry, are inside with Jim. Your brothers are adorable.”
The adorable duo ran out the door just then, making a beeline for the swing set and calling for Jim as they went.
“Energetic,” she added with a laugh.
“I better go and make them some lunch,” Michelle said.
She tried letting go of my hand, but I wouldn’t let her.
“I’ll come with you.”
She looked ready to say no when Jim walked out the door. Paul and Henry weren’t more than two steps behind him. They smiled and said hi to Michelle on their way past. Michelle hesitated on the porch, watching Paul and Henry closely as they approached her brothers.
Jim was watching her reaction closely, too. They all were. The burst of fear in her scent was easy to place.
“Jim, can you send them up in a few minutes to eat?” I asked, loudly enough for the boys to hear.
He waved acknowledgement and started pushing Liam and Aden. With a gentle tug, I drew Michelle inside.
She remained quiet as we made sandwiches. When the boys came up to eat, she tried to convince them to stay inside and play games with us. However, they were quick to dart back downstairs. Jim followed. I stayed to help clean up.
“My parents sent Gregory and Mary down,” I said as I wiped off the counter.
She stopped putting things in the refrigerator and turned to look at me.
“They can’t leave the Compound themselves and were curious about the girl who has captured their son’s attention.”
A look of disbelief crossed her face.
“Why couldn’t you tell me that before?” She crossed her arms.
“I didn’t want you to worry about meeting them.”
“When Nana said people were coming, bringing their sons, I thought it was going to be like Blake’s all over again.”
Her eyes watered, and I wanted to kick myself for not thinking of that angle.
“No,” I said, stalking toward her. “How many times do I have to tell you? You are mine.”
When I had her backed against the counter, I leaned in close, scenting her. I couldn’t help myself from running my lips along her jawline. She had to know how much I wanted her mouth. Just one little move. One turn of her head, any sign to indicate yes, and I’d have what I wanted.
Instead of a yes, she pulled me back by my hair. The pain wasn’t bad, and I considered ignoring it to keep teasing her skin.
“Emmitt, stop. I can’t think like this.”
I gave her a few inches of space. She studied my face. Given how my vision had changed and the way my teeth ached, I knew I was I holding a partial shift. It didn’t seem to upset her, though. Her gaze drifted from my mouth to my chest. A look of longing in her eyes made me want to beg.
“Do it,” I whispered. Touch me. Claim me. Make me yours.
“What?” The word was barely a breath and hard to hear over her thundering heart. She wanted more from me. I knew she did. But, she didn’t ask for it. And without her permission, I couldn’t do a thing.
“Nothing.” I brushed my fingertips along her collarbone. “I’m going to check on the boys.”
The boys were fine. I needed a minute to cool off.
* * * *
Michelle remained reluctantly tolerant of our company’s presence throughout dinner. Mary tried getting Michelle to talk about herself, her parents, where she came from, and her favorite music and foods. Michelle was gifted at answering with non-answers. Never lies. Just words strung together in response to the question.
When it became too much and she looked at me for help, I stood and proposed we settle the sleeping arrangements for the night. Upstairs, I turned on a movie and suggested she sit and try to relax. While she did that, I went to Winifred’s place for an extra blanket. Mary caught me on the stairs.
“She seems nice,” she said.
“No, she doesn’t. She seems frightened and evasive. And when you tell Mom that, ask her how she was when she ran away from home.”
Mary didn’t say anything as I kept moving past her.
When I had my blanket and pillow from Winifred’s, I told the kids they needed to come inside by eight, then went to watch the rest of the movie with Michelle. She didn’t seem to notice me until the credits rolled. And even then, it was only for a moment because the thunder of her brothers’ feet on the steps beckoned. Once they were inside for the night, she gave them baths then settled them into bed. Neither commented on my presence when I wished them good night.
I’d hoped Michelle would want to watch another movie or just talk after the kids went to sleep. Instead, she closed herself in the bathroom and got ready for bed, too.
With a sigh, I went to the couch. It would be a long night.
After listening to Michelle toss and turn, I wondered if she was thinking the same thing. Just when I was ready to go in and check on her, everything quieted.
However, it didn’t take long for me to realize she was still restless in her sleep. Her pulse would jump. She would kick her covers or make soft, distressed noises. I hated that we’d done that to her.
Around midnight, she woke with a gasp. I stayed on the couch, listening. After a moment I heard her get out of bed. She closed every window in her room then went to her brothers’ room and did the same. It wasn’t cool enough outside to warrant closing the windows. That meant she was afraid.
When she stepped out into the hall, she froze.
“Bad dream,” she said quietly.
I sat up and motioned for her to join me. She quietly crossed the room and sat beside me, leaning against my side. I wrapped my arm around her and held her close as she trembled.
“Go to sleep,” I said softly.
She exhaled slowly and laid her head on my shoulder. It was the best feeling on Earth. Not just her physical contact, but her trust. Something had frightened her, but she was willing to sleep if I held her.
The trembling eased, and I kissed the top of her head. Within minutes, she slept. I held her for a while before easing us onto the couch. It wasn’t meant for sleeping, let alone sleeping two. The narrow cushions meant some creative cuddling. Not that I minded. I just hoped Michelle wouldn’t either when she woke. With Michelle as my blanket, I closed my eyes.
