The Mating(69)
Carrie spoke, a distant look in her eye. “Growing up, we all played together and I remember how Kane and Ryne kept appearing and then leaving. All the other kids thought it was strange because our pack was so stable. Sure, someone new came along now and then, but it was a revolving door with those two. They’d be there one day, then gone the next, and half a year later they’d reappear once more. Sometimes, when they first arrived back, they’d be so distant, as if they were afraid and didn’t dare join in. Both of them seemed thin, too, like they hadn’t eaten enough—even as pups we noticed it.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me.” Helen pursed her lips. “I talked to Mindy about how Carter treated her and the boys, but she always said nothing was wrong. If I saw a bruise or a mark, she had a story to go with it. She’d fallen or the boys had been playing too rough. Zack even tried to make her talk but she never would admit anything. It was sad and a bit strange that she felt such loyalty to Carter when he obviously didn’t deserve it.”
Elise could easily imagine Kane as a child, underfed and dragged from one place to the next, subjected to the whims of a domineering, ill-tempered man who didn’t care enough about his family to provide them with a stable home life. She wasn’t sure how she felt about his mother, but at least by leaving them behind she’d given her sons a chance at a normal life with Helen and Zack.
Absentmindedly, Carrie stirred her tea as she continued to talk. “Ryne and Kane were really close, like they’d formed their own little pack to compensate for not having one of their own. There was always a sort of reserve about them, as if they didn’t dare get too close to anyone for fear they’d leave. Once, we were all talking about how great it would be to see the world—you know how you get itchy feet in your mid-teens—anyway, someone complained about how boring life in the pack was. Kane got really mad. He said it was awful never knowing where your home was, or to have close friends because of always moving from place to place. Kane felt that belonging somewhere and having a family was the most important thing in the world.”
“You could see it in the boys’ eyes, especially Kane’s, when they finally realized this was home and they belonged here.” Helen reminisced. “Such a change came over them. The two of them scoured over every nook and cranny of the whole territory, learning every feature and immersing themselves in pack history. It was like we’d given them the best gift in the whole world. I think that’s why Kane is so passionate about the land and protective of the pack. He knows what it’s like to be an outsider and now that he has a home, he’ll do anything for it.”
Just then the timer for the oven rang and Helen jumped up to check on her muffins. Elise glanced at the clock and gasped. “Oh no! Look at the time! I’m going to be late for work if I don’t get a move on.” Dashing from the kitchen, she raced upstairs intent on grabbing her purse and a coat. Thankfully she was already dressed in her waitressing uniform. Opening the bedroom door, she slammed into Marla who was just leaving the room.
“Oh!” Marla was clutching a book in her hand and looked rather flustered. “I...I was just getting a book to read. I remembered that Kane had a great collection in his sitting room.”
Surprised to find Marla in her room, Elise brought up a point Kane had mentioned to her the very first day. “I thought Kane said our rooms were out of bounds to the rest of the pack.”
Something—possibly irritation—flashed across Marla’s eyes but it was gone before Elise was sure. “Kane meant the rest of the pack. I’m such old friends with him; he doesn’t mind me popping in now and then.”
“Oh... Sure.” Elise paused momentarily. Marla and Kane did go way back so it was possible that he’d said that, but something seemed off about the story. Unfortunately, she really didn’t have time to question Marla, and what harm was there in borrowing a book, anyway? Dismissing the whole situation, she brushed past the other woman, calling over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later—I don’t want to be late for work.”
Elise grabbed her purse and coat. She took a quick glance around the room but saw nothing amiss. Giving a shrug she left the room, carefully closing the door behind her. As she headed for the stairs, Marla was still standing in the hallway. “Elise, don’t forget I told that fellow you’d meet him at the Grey Goose after your shift was over.”
“I know. I haven’t forgotten, but thanks anyway,” Elise waved in acknowledgement as she ran out of the house.