She had never been in a household like Avery’s and Tristan’s. The humans who worked in their home were treated as equals to the family, and most nights there would be at least three or four of them in the common room. They played games and shared stories with the family, and no one seemed to think it odd.
Bree had tried to hide her affection for Avery but she feared she was doing a poor job of it. Avery was the mother that she had always dreamed of having, and she found it difficult to stay away from her. Avery was very kind and would often invite her to sit next to her on the couch in the evenings. She would cuddle Leta on one side and Bree on the other, and Bree soaked in her gentle touch and sweet words like a flower in the rain.
“I like you too. My brother has a crush on you.”
Bree’s heart sped up. James had been teaching her to ride for the last three weeks, and the first few days she could hardly concentrate on what he was teaching her. Every time she looked at him she remembered the way it had felt to kiss him, how warm his mouth had been on her breast and how gentle his touch was.
She would end each riding lesson with trembling limbs and butterflies in her stomach. Although there was nothing in James’ infrequent touches that suggested he even remembered that morning in the common room, she often pretended that he wanted to kiss her. Pretended that he had touched her and kissed her not to heal her, but because he wanted her.
She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. In fact, she wasn’t afraid of any of them. A month of living with them, of seeing how kind they were to each other and to humans, had gone a long way in showing her that not all Lycans were like Draken and his pack.
A twinge of guilt went through her. Although James and his family were not like Draken, she still felt like she was betraying Kaden by loving Avery and lusting after James. Even before they were captured by the cruel Lycan, her brother had cautioned her to stay away from creatures that were not like them.
She gave Leta a small smile. “Does he now? Did he tell you this?”
“Nah.” Leta tugged on one of the wet sheets and then wiped her damp hand on her pants. “But I found one of his drawings of you.”
Bree frowned. “Drawings?”
“Yep.” Leta grinned at her. “Evan spends most of his time reading or drawing. Look.”
She pulled a folded-up piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Bree. She carefully unfolded it and stared at the surprisingly good portrait of her face.
“Evan has the crush on me?” She asked as she handed the paper back to Leta.
“He does! He’s always mooning over you when he thinks you’re not looking!” Leta said gleefully.
Bree ignored the disappointment in her belly. Of course Leta wasn’t talking about James. She spent two hours alone with the Lycan every day, and he treated her no differently than he treated Sophia or Leta.
This hope that he wanted her the way she wanted him was ridiculous. Besides, it didn’t matter. In another month or two she would have enough money to leave their home and go after Kaden. Even if she was successful in rescuing him without being captured, tortured and killed, she would still never see James or his family again. Kaden would never agree to work for Lycans, and she would not leave her brother. No matter how good the Lycans were to her.
“Where’s Tia?” Leta asked suddenly.
“She’s around here somewhere. Whistle for her.” Bree replied.
Leta whistled piercingly and after a moment, Tia came darting around the corner of the house. She leaped at Leta who caught her and giggled loudly when Tia licked at her face, her entire body wiggling happily.
“Tia loves me.”
“Yes, she does.” Bree smiled at her. “Who are those men with your father?”
“I dunno.” Leta shrugged disinterestedly. “I think they’re here to purchase some horses from papa. They’re human.” Her nose wrinkled. “They smell bad.”
Bree laughed. “Not everyone has access to running water like we do Leta.”
“I’d rather bathe in the lake. Do you know how to swim Bree?”
“No.”
“I could teach you!” Leta said excitedly. “Mama taught all of us how to swim. She even tried to teach papa to swim better. It’s so funny to see him trying to swim. He’s terrible at it.”
“It’s too cold to swim Leta.” Bree shivered. “We’d freeze to death.”
“I’ll teach you next summer. After mama, I’m the best swimmer.” She boasted.
“That would be nice of you.” Bree smiled at her.
“I bet we – “
“Well hello there.”
Both Bree and Leta whipped around as Tia growled deep in her throat. A man, he was tall and lean with dark brown hair, was leaning against the corner of the house.