for dinner. Afterwards, the boys talked Jim into a movie at Nana’s place.
“You two need to get ready for bed first,” Michelle said. A whole day of outside play had worn them out, and she knew they would fall asleep before the movie ended.
The boys agreed and raced off to pick a movie and do as their sister asked.
“I’ll go help them,” Winifred said, leaving me alone with Michelle.
Although we’d spent the day together, I hadn’t had any time with her. I wanted to apologize and hopefully ease some of the nervous avoidance I’d noticed throughout the day. Not physically. She wasn’t afraid to be near me. But she wouldn’t meet my gaze yet.
Taking her hand in mine, I led her to the open tailgate of the truck. She squeaked when I lifted her up and sat her on the gate, but leaned toward me when I joined her. Enjoying the closeness, I decided to keep my apology to myself for a few more minutes, and watched the sun set with her.
“I’m sorry about last night,” she said as the last of the light faded.
“Why? It’s the best night sleep I had in a while.”
She rolled her eyes at me, making me grin.
“The longer I’m with you,” I said, “the more I want to be near you. When you first came here, being apart at night didn’t bother me. You were only two floors away, and I’d started working on the apartment so I knew we would be closer soon. Then, sleeping in a bed that smelled like you helped, but it’s been getting difficult again. If you asked, I’d sleep on your couch every night.”
She considered it for a moment before answering.
“I’m not sure how Liam and Aden would take that. They’d probably worry that we aren’t safe again, no matter what explanation we gave them for your overnight stays. I don’t want to scare them.”
“We could always share your bed,” I said.
She looked shocked by the idea.
“No hidden agenda. Just sleeping.” And I’d keep my word. Anything to have her wrapped around me like last night.
A small sound distracted me from her response. A laugh.
“Pussy,” a voice in the darkness said. “She doesn’t need a boy in her bed. She needs a man.”
A challenge? I moved fast, lifting Michelle from the tailgate as I watched the woods. The mutt still hadn’t shown himself.
“Get onto the porch,” I said, putting myself between her and my challenger.
I was just about to call for Winifred as a witness when two men moved in the trees. Challenges were one-on-one. I reached for Michelle and nudged her toward the porch. She finally started moving.
Winifred, we have two visitors. One might be here for a challenge. Neither has stated their intent yet.
I’ll be down in a moment.
The two men stepped into the yard, already partially shifted. Moonlight broke through the clouds, lighting the area enough that Michelle caught sight of them. The scent of her fear worried me.
One of them smiled at her, and I growled.
Michelle moved slightly behind me, her heart thrumming fast.
“Where’s Blake?” she asked, her voice carrying.
Both of the werewolves stopped their advance. They exuded confidence, not confusion. That could only mean they knew Blake. They knew Michelle.
“Give him a message for me,” she said. “He won’t get what he wants. I’ve seen it.”
Winifred, I need you now, I sent her.
I’m here.
I heard her moving stealthily down the stairs.
“You know nothing, little girl,” one said from the darkness. “You just played dress up and sat at Blake’s dinners like the puppet you are. If not for the curse that causes you to be born to humans, we would have wiped out humanity long ago.” As he spoke, he began to shift further. “You are nothing more than a tool.”
Winifred stepped out onto the porch. The men in the dark shadows didn’t react well to her appearance. The hold they had on their shift slipped, and their muzzles started to form as their hands shrank to paws.
“Leave now,” Winifred said. It wasn’t an order. It was an Elder command.
However, neither wolf moved to do as she’d commanded. Stunned, I watched as they moved forward again.
“Quiet, old woman,” the second werewolf growled.
Michelle cringed, and Winifred snarled as she burst into her fur. Bits of her clothes flew in all directions. I didn’t take my eyes from the men as she leaped over our heads and landed several yards in front of the porch.
Guard your Mate and watch for others, Winifred warned as she