“I just heard about Thomas and rushed right over to see if there was anything I could do.” Marla flipped her long, blond hair over her shoulder seemingly oblivious to her cool reception.
“Since he’s in the infirmary, and we all know how you can’t stand to be around anyone who is hurt, I fail to see how you’d be of any help.” Helen rudely addressed the beautiful she-wolf.
Marla bared her teeth at Helen in what loosely could be taken as a smile, if one wasn’t too fussy. “I meant that with Kane being up all night, he might be tired and need some help in the office. My shift doesn’t start until noon and I have done office work before.”
“Thanks for the offer, Marla,” John nodded solemnly, “but I think I’ll be able to handle things until Kane gets back. If it does get busy, Elise can help.”
“Elise?” Marla raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows and looked puzzled. “Who is...? Oh, I’d forgotten. The new little mate.” She acted as if she was searching the room before letting her eyes focus on the newest pack member. “So you’re Kane’s mate. I must say, you are a little thing.” Studying Elise from head to toe, she shook her head and made a little moue. “Hmm, you’re not very strong-looking. I hope you can stand up to the strain of the position. I know from personal experience how...demanding...Kane can be.”
Flushing at the insult and implied meaning of Marla’s statement, Elise wanted to sink into the floor, but knew she had to put the other woman in her place, if she wanted to maintain her status. Standing, she circled around the table and advanced on the woman, speaking with a trace of a growl in her voice. “I’m perfectly capable of being Kane’s mate and I don’t appreciate your comments. If you have a problem with me, say it directly to my face rather than making snide innuendos.”
Marla stepped back in surprise. “Why, Elise! I assure you I meant nothing at all. It’s just that Kane and I are old friends...” Her voice trailed off and she looked at the table. The others were studiously eating their eggs. A power struggle between two pack mates didn’t involve them. It was up to the two wolves to work it out.
Elise took one more step towards her and for a moment Marla held her ground, but then retreated. “I’m sorry to have interrupted your breakfast. I’ll leave you alone, but if you need anything at all...” When no one responded, the woman left, slamming the door behind her.
Exhaling loudly, Elise turned back towards the table. The others were looking at her. “That was...unpleasant.”
“Actually, it was quite entertaining.” Carrie started to laugh.
Helen snorted. “It’s about time someone put her in her place. Good work, Elise.”
John just sipped his coffee, but Elise was sure he was smiling. She felt a grin breaking out on her own face as well and happily sat down to finish her breakfast. She’d survived her first encounter with a member of the pack—Carrie, John and Helen didn’t count—and she’d come out on top. It was a good feeling and erased some of her earlier insecurities.
*****
After breakfast, Carrie and John left for town to pick up some supplies for their soon-to-arrive pup. Helen accepted Elise’s help with the cleanup and then shooed her on her way with instructions to go exploring outside. Elise walked into the backyard and looked around with interest.
The early morning air was cool, but the brightness of the sun promised to bring a warmer day once the dampness burned off. Small white clouds dotted the otherwise clear blue sky and the air had the fresh, clean scent that always appeared after a rain. Noting the puddles on the ground, Elise vaguely recalled hearing some rain hitting against the windowpane sometime during the night. Had it been before, or after Thomas had been found? She hoped it was after the fact, not liking the image of the wounded man lying on the ground, blood and rain soaking his clothes as he awaited rescue.
Shaking the grim image from her mind, she concentrated on her surroundings again. Numerous large trees dotted the lawn, their majestic branches stretching outward to create a canopy overhead. Elise imagined that in the summer the yard would be pleasantly shaded by their leaves. In the far corner, a substantial vegetable garden could be seen, and a variety of flower beds were placed strategically around the house and outbuildings. Due to it being fall, the gardens weren’t looking their best, but evidence of the summer splendour could still be seen in the few hardy flowers that refused to quit blooming despite the cooler nights.
Circling to the front of the house, Elise carefully skirted a large puddle and then stood on the edge of the driveway. How far did she dare travel on her own? Looking down the drive, she could make out some houses beyond the bend. They were probably the homes of other pack members, she decided. Helen had spoken of an infirmary and she pondered where it might be located and if Kane would still be there. It wasn’t that she really wanted to see him, she told herself. It was just that she didn’t know anyone else or have anything in particular to do.