“Yeah. Sleeping in Gregory’s room is nice, but I have to watch what I do. They’re always trying to read into things, hoping you’re finally saying yes without using the word. I haven’t pulled his hair yet, but I’ve come close.” She took a new leaf from her pile and started to weave that one in. Her calm acceptance had me blurting my concerns.
“Mary, I’m really not ready. I know he’s worried about what will happen when the pack returns and he thinks...mating,” I swallowed hard, “will help with that, but I’m just not ready. What am I supposed to do?”
Her hands stilled as she looked up at me.
“Is it okay if I ask Winifred to join this conversation?” she asked hesitantly.
I thought about it for a moment then nodded. Mary sat quietly for a minute, then a corner of her mouth quirked in a smile.
“First, Winifred wants you to know she supports whatever decision you make and applauds you for standing up for what you wanted and pulling Thomas’ hair. She’s not pushing one way or the other. She said you need to think about the reasons why you’re not ready.”
“I’m too young,” I said automatically.
“Do you think I’m too young?” Mary asked, and I knew she was speaking for herself.
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?”
I stared at her.
“How old are you?”
“I’ll have been born sixteen years ago when the leaves fall.”
“And don’t you think that’s a little young?”
Mary shrugged.
“I don’t feel young. I’ve hunted with my family since I could walk. I’ve been learning about the dangers of the human world since before I could speak, and I have listened to the history of our race. Like you said, we’re dying. Don’t I have a responsibility to try to keep us going? And I love Gregory. It’s not like I’m even sacrificing my happiness for the sake of everyone else. Once we’re Mated, he’ll never leave me. He’ll always care for me and love me in return. This isn’t something that fades or goes away. The only reason I’m waiting, is because I don’t want you to be upset with me. I saw your disappointment when I let him Claim me.”
“Oh, Mary,” I said, moving to kneel beside her. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you think I’d be upset with you. I won’t be.” I hugged her and she wrapped her arms around me. “If you felt my disappointment, it was because I thought you’d leave. None of your kind really seems to like being here.”
“Living here is different,” she said, pulling back. “But we stay because you make this place somewhere we want to be.”
My eyes watered.
“I’ve never had a better friend than you,” I said. “If Gregory makes you happy, don’t hold back because of me.”
“If Thomas makes you happy, don’t hold back because of age or doubt. Waiting won’t change how he feels for you. Once our kind finds a Mate, it’s for life.”
And if I were honest with myself, that worried me more than my age. She watched me for a minute then went back to weaving, letting me think things through.
If I Mated with Thomas without telling him the truth, what kind of life would we have?
Thomas wasn’t in the main room when I finally went to find him. He wasn’t anywhere outside, either. I stood in the sun, closed my eyes, and concentrated on where I usually felt him. It was like concentrating on my left hand but in my head. I found the spot and felt a hint of frustration coming from it. How did you call someone with feelings? Impatience? I didn’t want him to think I was mad. Not when I was about to tell him the truth about myself. My insides twisted at the thought. And I didn’t want to wait for him to come back on his own.
I knew two things that would most likely have him rushing to my side. Fear and hunger. I blushed, opened my eyes, and started to think about the kiss we’d shared in the hallway. The memory of his hands on my sides made me shiver, and my pulse jumped. The frustration disappeared. I imagined his mouth on mine, not a gentle, light touch but a starved press of his lips.
My gaze swept over the trees, and my breathing changed as I kept the memory playing in my head.
“You better be ready to run,” Mary said from behind me.
I jumped and spun around. Like a bucket of cold water over my head, her appearance stopped all thought.
She grinned at me.
What were you doing?” she asked.
My already flushed face heated further.
“Trying to get him to come back.”
Hands settled on my shoulders, and I let out a small “Eep.”
Mary laughed, shook her head at me, and walked back inside.
“You succeeded in gaining my undivided attention. Was there something you wanted?” Thomas said from behind me. What he felt flooded me, and my stomach did a nervous dip. Why hadn’t I felt anything until now? I’d thought it wasn’t working.
“I wanted to talk to you privately but maybe now isn’t the best time.
He scooped me up in his arms and took off running into the trees.
“Now is the perfect time,” he said, glancing down at me. His hungry gaze devoured me.
“Don’t run into a tree,” I said, nudging his chin up. He grinned and focused on our path.