Dark Heart Wolf - Haley Weir Page 0,27

submitting to his wolfish instincts for a moment. He grabbed Mary Ann and kissed her properly before she dashed into the dining room, where everyone gathered once again.

The plan to make more weapons and track down the witches was tasked to Charlotte. After Wesley dragged his wife up the stairs to talk, Boone glared over at Sam. "Don't you think you're standin' a little close to Mary?" he sneered.

"Actually, I'm exactly where I'm comfortable at the moment."

Boone stood up and, once again, Mary Ann stepped between them as if they weren't big enough to crush her. "Boone, back off! It's none of your business what Sam does."

"You continue to defend him? After the way he's always treated you?"

Mary Ann stood her ground. "I will always choose him, Boone. I love you like a brother, but the more you push Sam away, the more you push me away."

~*~

Mary Ann meant every word. Though Boone looked stricken by the way she defended his brother, it was important for them all to know what her position in the group was...and that was at Sam's side. She wasn't Charlotte or Wesley. Mary Ann had no intention of running from the man she loved. He could keep her at a distance all he wanted, but he would get nothing but love and compassion from her. Sam liked to paint himself as the villain, to guard his heart behind snark and brutish behavior. He expected anger and resentment, for others to curl their lip at him and turn their backs. But Mary Ann refused to be like all the others.

Boone scoffed and returned to his seat. “Whatever you say, Mary Ann.”

Abigail stood behind her husband’s chair and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “I think we should discuss what to do if Wesley and Charlotte can’t get on the same page.”

“What do you mean?” Jesse asked.

“I have no doubt that Charlotte will do whatever it takes to put an end to those witches. It’s Wesley that I’m worried about.” Abigail’s expression fell. “If he can’t get control of his emotions, I fear he may do something to put our plans at risk. I see so much anger inside of him that I hope will not be destructive.”

Everyone knew better than to question Abigail’s instincts, or gift, as Itsá often called it. She was able to read intentions, emotions, and certain situations so well that Mary Ann had wondered if Abigail had a bit of witch in her as well. Abigail was rarely wrong. If she thought Wesley was too on edge to be trusted with something as delicate as taking out the coven, then they would be wise to believe her. Boone pointed to the journal that still sat on the table.

“There are other symbols in this book. If we can get our shaman friend to tell us what they mean, maybe we can establish some mystical defenses around the ranch.”

Itsá picked up the book. His brother Gabriel snatched it from his hand. “I’ve learned more sigils than you, brother. I’m sure I know just a bit more than anyone else in here. Not to mention, I happen to know many witches within the tribes.”

Sam noticed that Itsá and Gabriel’s relationship wasn’t nearly as strained as his and Boones, but it wasn’t exactly a warm family bond either. “What else can we do, then? I mean, aside from magic."

"Gabriel can put up the symbols. The rest of you will need to work on your reflexes. As it stands, Beth is the only one quick enough with a blade to kill a wendigo. Wolves tend to stalk and prowl their prey...that won't work with the wendigo. As for the witches, there is not much that can be done by any of you. This is Charlotte's responsibility. You should focus on your own lives for now."

"Listen, with all due respect," Sam said. "We ain't just goin' to sit around and watch our friends go through this alone."

"Oh. Now you're thinkin' about doin' what's best for others." Boone's snort grated against Mary Ann's nerves.

"What Sam is tryin' to say is that we're goin' to keep workin' towards a solution to our problems even if it means puttin' ourselves in danger." Mary Ann had not even attempted to hide the venom in her voice or shy away from the challenge within Boone's gaze. "We stand by our friends no matter what."

"Good," Itsá chuckled. "Now that we finally have that decided, I can visit the mountain to tell the ancestors that