Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 (22 page)

In the living room, Jim already had Aden up in his arms.  I scooped Liam up, flipping him in the air before catching him in my arms again.  Liam gasped and clung to me like a monkey, but I could smell his amusement.

“Since you two don’t have shoes on, Jim and Emmitt can carry you to the car,” Winifred said, reappearing.

We all walked out together.  Michelle stayed close as we buckled her brothers in.  Winifred locked up, not that it would keep a determined werewolf out, before joining us.

“Follow closely with the truck,” she said.

I nodded and led Michelle to the truck as Winifred climbed into the driver’s seat of her car.  In the bed, the moonlight glinted off my bike.  Jim must have put it there.

Michelle stayed quiet as we drove from the house.  With each passing second, the scent of her fear grew stronger.

“You’re killing me,” I said.

“Excuse me?”  She pulled her attention from the window to focus on me.

“Your fear.  I can smell it.  Even when you were facing down David in the parking lot of that diner, it wasn’t this bad.”  I reached over and took her hand.  “It will be okay.  I promise.  There is no need for this fear.”

“No need?”  Her sarcastic disbelief was hard to miss.  “Werewolves are real.  One of them kept me locked away for four years and wants me back.  The infallible laws, which your people
can’t
ignore, no longer seem to work.  After all, Richard’s murderer hasn’t stepped forward.

“I’m heading to an unknown place filled with an unknown number of werewolves who will think I smell delicious and may or may not treat me like Blake has.  If I don’t want to go, my only other option is to run again, zigzagging scent trails across the North American continent, waiting to be stumbled upon.  How exactly am I supposed to get rid of my fear?”

When she said it like that, I found it hard to find the words to reassure her.  So, I brought her hand to my mouth and tenderly kissed the knuckles.  Her heart skipped a beat, a small acknowledgement that we were still together in this.

She went back to watching out the window.

Winifred, she’s afraid of going to the Compound.

Did she say why?

She knows the unMated males will be attracted to her scent.

We’ll address that first thing in the morning.

I doubted Michelle would like Winifred’s way of addressing her fears.

Michelle broke the silence several minutes later. “If not for the curse that causes you to be born to humans,” she whispered.

She turned her head and looked at me with a fearful expression.

“They knew I would be born?  How had Blake known I’d be born?”

I squeezed her hand reassuringly, as I sent what she said to Winifred.

Winifred, you heard everything the mutts said, right?

Yes.  Why?

Michelle just mentioned something.  One said, “If not for the curse that causes you to be born to humans.”  She thinks his choice of words means they knew she would be born.  I think she’s right.  But, how could they know?

Winifred was quiet a moment, and I began to wonder, if Blake and his mutts knew Michelle was born with premonitions, did they know about Mom?  Maybe going back to the Compound wasn’t a good idea.  Yet, how could I protect Michelle without the strength of my pack?

I don’t know, Emmitt.  Sam and Grey are at the Compound.  We won’t stop looking for the answers.

Some of my concern eased at hearing the Elders were gathering at the Compound.  Grey wouldn’t let anything happen to Mom.

“Nana’s hoping to find answers at the Compound,” I said.  “Another Elder is there waiting for us.”

Michelle nodded and went back to watching the darkness.  Using my thumb, I traced small patterns on the back on her hand.  Slowly, she started to relax, and laid her head back against the seat.

I shrugged out of my jacket and used it to cover her.  It wasn’t for warmth.  I was just hoping it would comfort her.  Not long afterward, she drifted to sleep.

The drive home was long and tense.  I watched the brush and trees along the shoulder, half expecting to see something.  But nothing ever appeared.

Hours later, we pulled into a familiar drive.  When I’d left years ago, I never thought any other place would feel like home.  I glanced at Michelle.  I still loved my family, but home was now the woman beside me.

It’s been quiet here.  Your father started patrols as soon as I contacted him.  Your mom has an apartment ready for you.  They’re waiting.

Gravel loudly crunched under the truck’s tires, but Michelle didn’t stir.  Would she be up for meeting my parents tonight?

The area before the main building was free of cars, no doubt a courtesy for us. I parked beside Winifred’s car, cut the engine, and opened the door.  Michelle remained breathing steadily beside me.  She obviously needed sleep.  My parents would be disappointed they’d have to wait to meet her, but they would understand.

When I closed the door, Jim was trying to get Aden out of his seat.

“He’s like a noodle,” he said.  “Slippery and hard to hold on to when he’s passed out.  I bet Michelle will be easier to carry.  Want to trade?”

“Not a chance.”

“You’re not going to wake her?” Winifred asked softly, lifting Liam in her arms.

“Not intentionally.  If she sleeps though me carrying her inside, it means she needs the rest.”

“Your father called a pack meeting.  The pack needs to understand what’s happening.  We can’t protect Michelle and her brothers without the pack.”

I nodded as I opened the truck door.  Michelle didn’t move, and I was tempted to press a kiss to her temple.  Instead, I removed the jacket covering her so it wouldn’t fall.

Sliding an arm behind her back and another under her legs, I gently lifted her out of the truck.  Her eyes popped open, and her arms flew around my neck.  Lifting her had startled her, but the results were worth it.  She was clinging to me.

I closed the truck door and waited for her to register what was happening.  She looked around, briefly watching Jim and Winifred carry her brothers inside, before studying our surroundings.

“Emmitt, put me down.”

She sounded determined, but not mad.  I set her on her feet.

“I was trying to let you sleep.”

“I know.  Thank you.” She reached out and held my hand. “Is this where you grew up?” she asked, looking at the main house.

“Yeah.”  I led her to the porch, wondering what she thought of the place but too afraid to ask.

It wasn’t much to look at.  The long, two-story log cabin, winged by several outbuildings, encompassed the parking area.  Constructed before the 19th century, the buildings had seen better days.  Pieces of chinking were still missing here and there from between the aged, roughhewn logs, even though I could see places where some of the chinking was new.  A few of the old, single-paned windows rattled in the wind.  Mom was constantly pointing out things to fix to any idle, willing wolf.  There was just so much of it to do and too few wolves idle.  Most were out working, trying to bring in the money needed to support the families here.

I opened the new, oversized front door.  Michelle stepped inside and looked around the huge entry.  The rugs filled with shoes and the overflowing coat hooks on the walls might look weird to newcomers, but it meant welcome to any wolf ready to shed his fur.  Here, a man would find clothes to wear to blend in with humans.

She’s awake,
I sent Winifred.

Good.  Jim’s coming down to get the bags.  Your parents will wait for you.

Following the scent trail of Liam and Aden, I gently set a hand on Michelle’s lower back and guided her further into the room.  Tonight would have been easier on her if she’d stayed sleeping.

“Nana Wini sent a call out for a pack meeting in a few hours.”

She glanced up at me with worry.

“Pack meeting?  Why?”

“It’s time you are introduced to the pack.  It lets everyone know you are under the protection of the Elders.”

“What about the boys?”

Since she already knew we protected cubs, I figured she was asking if they had to attend the meeting.  We started down the long hallway to the main living area.

“They’ve already been put to bed.”

“I mean their safety.”

She really didn’t understand us.  But, her first impression being what it was, I couldn’t blame her.  I just hoped it would change someday soon.

“It will be discussed in the meeting as well.  We will keep them safe.”  I hesitated a moment, hating that I had more to ask of her.  “I know you’re probably tired, but my parents would like to meet you.  If you’re up for it.”

She paled slightly but nodded.  Nervousness oozed from her, but no fear.  I smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“They’re waiting for us in the apartment we’ll be using.”

She didn’t say anything more as we walked the long way to the door of the rooms we’d be using.  I gave her a reassuring smile, then opened the door.  Mom had put us in one of the newly remodeled apartments.  It had a sitting area, a coffee bar, two bedrooms, and a bathroom, based on the doors in the hallway.

Mom and Dad, Mary and Gregory, and Jim and Nana turned toward us.

Michelle’s pulse hiked up a notch, and I wanted to wrap my arms around her.

“Mother, Father, this is Michelle.”

Michelle gave them a quiet smile and a nod in greeting.

“Call me Charlene,” Mom said, offering her hand.

Michelle reached for it and as soon as their hands touched, they both froze.  Mom’s heart started racing and Michelle’s gaze grew vacant.  It was a look I’d seen before.

Mom swallowed hard, glanced at me, and tugged her hand from Michelle’s.

Michelle didn’t move at first.  Then, she blinked and looked at Mom, letting her arm fall to her side.

“You okay?” I asked.

Michelle stared at Mom.  Mom was watching her just as closely.  What was going on?

“Sorry, I’m a little tired,” Michelle said.

It was the truth, but I knew it wasn’t the reason behind her behavior.

She gave Mom a weak smile, then glanced at Dad.

“This is Thomas,” Mom said, continuing with the introductions.

Dad nodded in greeting, not saying anything about Michelle’s reaction to Mom.

“And you already met our friends, Mary and Gregory.”

“Hello, again,” Michelle said.

Mary smiled warmly as Mom continued.

“Nana told us some of what you’ve been through.  I wanted to let you know that we will do everything we can to protect you and your brothers so you can feel safe here. We’ll let you get some sleep and see you at breakfast.”

Then, Mom turned to me and claimed a hug. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered.  I gave her an extra squeeze before letting her go.

“I’ll see you after breakfast,” Winifred said, leaving with the rest.

Jim closed the door behind Winifred. “If it’s okay with you, I’ll stay on the couch tonight,” he said, giving me a meaningful look.  Was he extra protection or supervision?

“That’s fine,” Michelle said.  “The boys will probably wake you up in about two hours, though.”

“I can handle it.”  He stretched out on the couch and closed his eyes.

Wondering about the sleeping arrangements, I walked with Michelle down the short hallway.  Her brothers were snuggled in a full-size bed in one room.  Michelle stepped in, kissed them both, then closed the curtain that was letting in the dim, pre-dawn light.

I stepped in behind her and touched their heads, making sure they were warm enough with the light blanket.  Summers up here were cooler than in the states.  Seeing that the boys were fine, I led Michelle from the room, leaving the door slightly ajar so Liam and Aden would know they weren’t locked in when they woke in a strange room.

Across the hall was the second bedroom.  Michelle walked in first and stopped at the sight of both our bags waiting on the bed.

“You’re welcome,” Jim said from the living room, his words too quiet for Michelle to hear.

By taking the couch, he’d really only left me with one spot.  But, would Michelle choose to sleep here, or with her brothers like she had when she’d first come to us?

The blush staining her cheeks told me she was thinking about it.

“I don’t know what to say,” she said without turning.

“How about don’t hog the covers or I’ll push your furry butt to the floor?” Jim called from the living room.

I snorted, and she turned to look at me.

“I just want sleep,” I said sincerely, for both Jim’s and her benefits.  “I won’t get it out there with Jim or if I’m further away from you than the next room.”

She considered me for a moment then nodded. “Hog the covers, and I’ll push your furry butt to the floor,” she said lightly.

I grinned, and she shooed me from the room so she could change.

I waited in the hallway until she called me back in.