Dire(4)

“He trusts me.”

“Then shouldn’t you be with him? Couldn’t you help? He’s not going to flip out a second time.”

“Are you going to be okay here?”

“Yes. Well once I get dressed. It’s freezing.”

“Come on, get dressed. I’ll start the fire in Hunter’s room for you. If you want me to help Gage I need to be able to reassure Hunter that you’re okay without me. The best way to convince him of that is to make sure he knows you’re warm and in his bed.”

“When you say things like that I feel like a kept woman or something. Is my only value being in his bed?” Even as I argued, I walked across the drafty hall to Hunter’s room. I needed to get dressed.

“No, but you’re of no value to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself. Get some rest. You’re going to need it.”

“Why? So I can be ready for Hunter?” I snapped.

“So you can take over more responsibility. We’re going to be busy with Gage. That means you’re going to have to step up and help with everything else.” She set to work on the fire.

I pulled out fresh clothes from the drawer of ‘my stuff,’ in other words, Marni’s stuff. I went for the yoga pants, they were the most comfortable.

“You can go out now. I’m fine, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re not fine, but I know you’re not leaving.”

“Tell him I’m sorry.” The tears started again, and I had to take a moment to compose myself. “Tell him I did what I thought I had to.”

She nodded. “I can’t promise I’ll use those words, but I’ll let him know.”

“Thanks.”

She walked out of the room closing the door behind her.

I stretched out on Hunter’s bed, but I knew there was no way I was going to sleep. Tired or not, there were way too many things going on in my mind. I got up and walked over to the window. It looked out the opposite side of the house from where I thought Gage was, but it still helped to look out at the night. He was out there somewhere, and hopefully sometime soon I’d get to see him again.





Chapter Three


Hunter





I wasn’t thrilled that Marni had left Mary Anne alone, but she did seem to have a calming effect on Gage. She was the only one who could get near him without setting him off, once he stopped worrying about why she wasn’t with Mary Anne.

I wasn’t going to allow him near Mary Anne for a while. He was volatile, and his feelings for Mary Anne were even more intense now that he’d made the transformation. They’d fade, at least back to where they were before, once he got used to his new being. They might also disappear forever. I didn’t know much about the experience of being transformed, and I’d only met one wolf who had been. In the other case the Dire was nothing like the man he was before. I wasn’t sure what would be easier for any of us. I only hoped he’d accept his new life quickly. That acceptance would make things much easier on him.

I slipped out while Gage was calm and talking with Chet. I didn’t want him to see me leaving, because he’d know exactly where I was going. I needed to check on Mary Anne. I couldn’t wait a moment longer.

I walked inside, not bothering to remove my boots until I reached my room. I pushed open the door, expecting to see her in my bed. But the bed was empty. The room was cold. The fire was roaring, but it could do nothing to hold off the chill coming in through the window.

“Mary Anne?” I strode toward where she stood in front of the open window.

She didn’t turn around. I put a hand on her arm. She was like ice. “You’re freezing.” With my free hand I closed the window. “You need to stay warm.”

“Why?” Her eyes were emotionless. Gone was the light that seemed to brighten even the darkest room.

“Why?” I cupped her cold face with my hands, hoping some of my warmth would jump to her. “Because I care about you. Because your comfort and health matter to me.”

“You don’t get sick from the cold.”

“That’s not the only kind of health I’m talking about.” I gazed right into her eyes. “Please let me warm you.”

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” She closed her eyes like she didn’t even want to look at me.

“Not on this. Not on you being warm.”

She slowly opened her eyes. “But on everything else?” There was a vulnerability to her voice that cut right through me. I knew she wasn’t innocent, but the events of the past week were weighing on her, making her seem so much more fragile.

“You want to be with me. I know that. I also know that you need time. I will give you time. If I know you’re safe, I can give you all the time you need.”