Dark Heart Wolf - Haley Weir Page 0,52
war was over? Would he smother her until she was forced to speak her mind or bear the burden of her commitment in silence?
“Mary? Are you listening?” Beth asked.
At least Mary Ann had the decency to shake her head. “No, sorry. I was thinkin’ about a few things that have been weighin’ on my mind lately.”
“If it involves what you and Sam do in the bedroom, I’ll go get Ariel. She’s the professional on these matters. I’d rather not listen.” Beth flopped onto the settee with her feet kicked up onto the cushions. “If it’s about anything else, I’ll give it a shot.”
Mary Ann set her book aside and handed the baby to Beth. The younger woman grimaced and held the child away from her body until it began to fuss. “How in the world are you Jesse’s mate? He loves children! You’re absolutely terrible with him.”
“Look, I haven’t agreed to be anyone’s mate just yet. Besides, where does it say we have to have kids? Itsá said we have to form packs and ensure the continuation of the spirit of the wolf. That doesn’t say I have to be the one to squeeze out a few of these things…”
“Wait,” Mary Ann said. “If you were mated to Jesse, you would not mind if he laid with another female? What about honor and commitment?”
“What man do you know that is capable of either?”
“Jesse Porter.”
Beth scowled. “I doubt it. No man that looks like he does can say no to what a woman has to offer. He may seem like a nice gentleman, but he’s a man at his core, and that means he’s incapable of being anything but unreasonable.”
“You’re being unreasonable,” Mary Ann said accusingly. “Anyway, my worries are about the weddin’. Sam has it in his mind that I need this big extravagant ceremony. I’d marry him barefoot in the grass if he asked. I ain’t one for the spotlight.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Of course!”
“Then whack him upside the head and demand that he just take you down to the church and get it over with,” Beth grumbled. She sauntered over to the window and stared down the road as if she were waiting on something. Mary Ann saw right through her act.
“Jesse will be fine, Beth.”
She threw her head back and laughed so loud that the baby let out a wail. Mary Ann snickered and took the poor thing from Beth’s arms. The weasel looked almost jealous as he resumed his spot on Beth’s shoulder. “I’m waiting on Gabriel, by the way.”
“Gabriel?” Mary Ann turned to face Beth, worry etched in her expression. “Beth...I don’t think that’s a good idea. You and Jesse are meant to be together. Gettin’ involved with Gabriel will only hurt him in the end. Don’t do that to him.”
“What are you talking about? Did Gabriel say something to you?”
“He didn’t have to,” she replied. “I’ve got eyes. Anyone can take one look at the way you and Gabriel are around each other and see somethin’ is goin’ on there. Now, I know I ain’t somebody who can give advice on somethin’ like this, but you might want to think about your reputation. You’re an heiress, Beth. You own that big house, and all that money will be yours if Jesse gives up his half. Folks will have expectations.”
“There you go again with expectations.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been saying it for days now,” Beth claimed. “What are you really worried about, Mary? Sam loves you, and he adores your rebelliousness. All he wants to do is make his claim known to the world. He has no expectations. Just love him. That’s all he needs.”
“Thank you…” Mary Ann blushed. “I shouldn’t have taken my frustrations out on you, Beth. You’ve been nothin’ but a friend to me. I apologize.”
Beth shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”
The door to the study opened, and Charlotte entered the room with a huff. “You must come quickly. I found something you need to see.”
Mary Ann ran the baby to Abigail and Ruth. She followed Beth and Charlotte into the forest. They wandered to the field where they fought the wendigo and the witches. And in the middle of that clearing were three wooden posts where the bodies of the witches had been displayed like offerings to the gods. Mary Ann was nauseated by the scent of blood. She could hardly look away from the gruesome sight.
Charlotte and Beth approached the posts and pulled a letter from around Kaia’s ankle. She returned