***Kelly's POV***
'Time for bed!' The grumpy man yelled loud enough for everyone to hear.
I got up and wondered idly if I could change and sleep in the brush I saw on the way here. It looked very comfortable and the cold seemed to have eased a bit.
'Come on dear.' Hillary took my hand and led me back to the house that I took a shower in. She led me past the first door -the bathroom- and past the two other rooms and into the main double doors that opened up to a huge bedroom with a four post king sized bed with charcoal and silver sheets and a white throw. Whoever's house this is, has very good taste.
My eyes widened when Hillary said goodnight and closed the door behind me leaving me alone with my own thoughts.
The bed was so beautiful that I didn't want to disturb it so I gently lay down and just covered myself with the white throw. My last thought was that I was treated so well in a Pack that wasn't my own when I dozed off.
*****
***Dweight's POV***
She looked incredible. I couldn't take my eyes off of her, not even to eat.
I knew the minute I saw her but it won't change a thing.
She was that dog Daniel's and I knew for years about the treatment he gave his wife. I also knew about the treatment he gave the rest of his feme wolves. If I knew...I changed my train of thought when I heard the groaning protest of wood as my fingers dug into the table. The rest of my trackers gave me equal looks of concern. I don't usually have such an uncontrolled temper. In fact, the only thing I have -had- is a controlled life style. Everything is planned around how to keep my Pack safe and I'd be damned if I let one female wolf keep my head out of the main game.
'Is she Daniel's mate?' Callan's voice entered my head and it took me a second before I could respond with a short correction 'wife'. Liam shot me a look, obviously listening in and I forced myself to relax.
'That poor girl.' He whispered through the link and then looked at her, pity filling his eyes.
Daniel was a pig. I could see that as well as anyone else. He was a sorry excuse for a wolf and when I saw the fear in her eyes right before I could smell him getting closer I knew that she wasn't willingly with him. It took everything in me to control my searing anger and not to rip him to little shreds.
As it was I allowed myself to show anger at his statements of claim to her. Liam had noticed right away that I wasn't too pleased with Daniel's behaviour and even suggested that we take care of him to avoid trouble but I didn't know the reason for her sudden will to run away after 6 years in that shit hole and I wasn't going to kill him in case she wanted to go back. A shudder of pain rippled through me and I looked away but sensing her movement made me look back.
She walked with Hillary to get some food, Hillary dishing up for her as she prattled on but when she got back to her table she turned and stared right at me. My wolf purring inside as I watched her, picturing her wet hair splayed across- she looked away and so did I.
I puffed angrily at the feelings she stirred in me.
I changed tactics and listened to Callan and Rory's conversation about a mutt that entered our territory this evening and how they ran him through the borders but couldn't catch him. He left the territory with his tail tucked between his legs.
She does have great legs, I watched her cross and uncross them out of habit and just knew they'd fit perfectly around my waist. Scolding myself yet again I pushed my plate away from me with a huff. What the hell is the matter with me?
I had no right to think of a married wolf that way. I have morals! I puffed angrily again.
Unlike her husband...
I could feel my wolf howl at that thought but it flipped off like a switch when the most beautiful laugh echoed through the room.
She was blushing, her face flushed with pink and a tinkling laughter spilled from her lips like she hadn't laughed in years.
Deelia had her rear in the air and all the femes were laughing along with her.
I caught myself smiling at the green eyed feme. She got along so well with everyone here and if I weren't a fool, I'd claim her as my own. I berated myself; she isn't yours you idiot. She bears his mark! You saw it for yourself.
Yes, I remember. She changed for Hillary and as she donned the comforter I could clearly see the mark on her shoulder. She was marked. I grit my teeth and closed my eyes to concentrate on my breathing when Liam announced bed time to everyone. Hillary's voice popped into my head as she asked, 'where is the young lady sleeping tonight?' I frowned. I knew I asked her to find a bed for Kelly but which one? No idea.
'Put her in my room Hillary.' I shrugged and Hillary's brows arched as she looked at me in question.
'I'll be out on patrol tonight.' I rolled my eyes just to clear things up for her and she visibly relaxed, taking Kelly's hand and leading her out toward my place.
I was out on patrol two nights in a row but it didn't matter. I suddenly felt the need to make sure the area was safe once more. I got up and walked out the back door to change in the woods and then start my perimeter sweep.