That one of our kind broke a law was unheard of. A law was beyond just a compulsion to obey. There was no choice. We all obeyed the laws set by the Elders, just as the Elders held our interest above their own lives.
Jim’s voice drifted in to us.
“Emmitt’s talking to Nana now. I can hear some of what they are saying. We understand what’s at risk.”
Winifred remained quietly thoughtful for a moment.
“We can’t begin to question our men until we know more. This is bigger than we could have imagined,” Winifred said. “Come. You need to talk to her and see what more you can learn. And, Emmitt, we need to tell your parents. Soon.”
We walked out onto the porch. The boys looked nervous and not their happy selves. Guilt and shame had me sitting on the top step. I’d done that. Put that look on their little faces. My actions had scared already traumatized children. Right then I swore that I would never lose control around them again.
Winifred stepped off the porch and went to Michelle. The boys watched the pair, but Winifred kept her tone low so they wouldn’t hear.
“We need to know more to understand how to best protect you. Would you mind talking to Emmitt on the porch?”
Michelle nodded and slowly made her way to me. I remained seated and relaxed. When she stood before me, I reached out, gently taking her by the fingertips and tugging her to join me. When she sat, her scent was a confused mix of fear and interest.
I sighed.
“I apologize for losing control. It will never happen again.”
She turned to look at me.
“Did my secret change anything?”
“Not the way I feel. But it does change how we need to deal with Blake. Will you tell me more? How did he find you?”
“Remember when I told you Richard and my mom married and then things changed? Blake changed everything. I don’t know how Richard got involved with him, but one day, Richard brought Blake home. He spoke smoothly. Salesman-nice is what my mom called it. She didn’t like Blake.
“Looking back, I think that’s why she died after Aden was born. I think Blake knew she would be a problem. She would have tried to stop what he had planned. So, he killed her. With her gone and two little boys to worry about, Blake had Richard on strings, dancing to his commands. Suddenly, I wasn’t allowed to leave the house anymore. Disobedience wasn’t tolerated.” She looked out at her brothers. “I tried to run once. When they caught me, Blake slapped Liam. Hard. His handprint turned into a bruise that covered Liam’s little face from temple to jaw.”
I was beyond angry. My skin wanted to shift to fur. I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw, pulling the change back. Michelle’s worry grew, and I knew she was watching me.
“I promised not to lose control, and I won’t. However, I can’t help reacting,” I said. I met her gaze. “We don’t hit children. Ever.”
She nodded slowly, doubt clear on her face. No wonder she was so confused by us. I was telling one thing when she’d already been shown another.
“Please. Continue.”
She took a moment before she started again. “So I stayed and obeyed, and Blake had me by the same strings he had Richard. Every month Blake brought men to the house. He called it a business meeting, but the men never talked business. They never said anything. They just stared at me.”
I swallowed hard. He’d been forcing her into Introductions.
“Then, at the beginning of the summer, Blake became driven.” A far-off look glazed her eyes. “The dinner before I ran, Blake went crazy. He grabbed me by the throat, and his face started to change. Not all the way like you did. Only a little. His fangs scared me. While he held me, he told me I would allow all of the men to ‘scent’ me. He said I would bite and Claim one of them.”
A shudder ripped through me as I suddenly understood her mixed reactions. How could she ever trust us?
She reached over and touched my hand, trying to give me comfort. Instead, my heart broke even more for her.
“I held myself still as they approached me one by one, afraid they would change like Blake had. After the first one, I closed my eyes. When they finished, Blake told me to go to my room.