as if he wasn’t entirely happy about her departure. “Don’t stray farther than my line of sight.”
Lana sniffed, as if Grif’s words displeased her, but Nayla found them comforting. While her ease with the Other males was increasing, she was still awkward with the females.
Not to mention that, despite her nerves about spears, new paths, and potential confrontations with the pack, the proof that Grif cared for her made her feel as shimmery as a lit danashe crystal.
Once they were away from the others, the silence stretched. Nayla wondered if she fully understood the Other meaning of talk.
“I, ah, I’m sorry. I’m not normally such a mess.” Lana laughed, but it sounded forced. “I mean, these rotations, I am, but I didn’t used to be before….” Her expression sharpened. “Well, anyway, I wanted to say that I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable the last time I spoke. That wasn’t the intent. I want you to feel you have a safe place to go whenever you need.”
She did, with Grif, but she was coming to suspect the wasn’t what the female meant. So, all she said was, “Thank you. You and the others have been very kind. I was not treated with such welcome by my pack. I am grateful.”
“Oh,” the female’s discomfort lessened, “you do not need to feel grateful. I know it took me a while to adjust. Frankly, I still am.”
Nayla nodded. Her efforts to observe were paying off. The female was far less tense than during their last exchange.
“I think that’s why I was so upset when I learned what Grif had done to you.” Lana paused, peeking down at Nayla. “I-I might have had a tiny crush on him.”
Since Nayla had no idea if the crush the female had put on Grif was good or bad she said nothing.
Lana rushed on. “He’s so handsome. Like one of those vid-star heroes who you just know is the good guy. He smiles at you and you just know he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
How strange. Nayla willed her expression not to change. She’d thought Grif was a terrifying beast when she’d first seen him, so hairy and muscular and tall, but then she’d been judging him by pack standards. Now she judged him by her body’s response and he appeared the sexiest of males to her.
“I know…I know. Idiocy.” Lana sighed. “I sound so silly. It’s just…I was in such a bad place when he and the others rescued us, and I’d gotten so used to men being only cruel and horrific.” The female’s voice softened. “He was so different, so strong and capable, teaching me how to defend myself, but also so sweet with Melody and Hope. I know you haven’t seen that part of him, but—”
“I have.”
“You have?” Lana sounded surprised.
“Yes. He has been gentle with me, but I like him better when he is fierce and monstrous and broken, like me.”
Lana reared back, her cheeks paling. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
Too much honesty. She’d forgotten that was only for Grif. “You don’t need to speak, then. I am comfortable with silence.” She gave the female a small smile in hopes of rectifying her mistake. “I think it is better anyway. I am not so strong with New English words and I do not think you have a good sense of Grif or me at all.”
The female’s eyes went wide and then her lips titled downward, tiny sharp creases appearing at the corners. “I’m only trying to help. What happened to you…it happened to me, too.”
Nayla stiffened. “With Grif? He did the same to you?”
“What? No.” Lana looked horrified, then sad. “Other men. Horrible men.” She shuddered.
Nayla’s chest went tight. It was clear the female had suffered. “I understand.” She patted Lana’s shoulder, mimicking the gesture the female had done to her the other night. “I had a horrible male hurt me, too. Many times. I will never forget. But that is not what happened with Grif.”
“I saw the shackles, the bench,” Lana persisted. “Even now, he bosses you around, telling you where you can go. I thought he was so good, but he’s brainwashed you and you don’t even realize it.”
A wave of protectiveness crashed over Nayla, but this time it was not for the female, but for Grif.
He had told her many times how much he liked that she got to see the real him, but she had not understood until now just how hemmed in he