“It doesn’t matter,” I said pulling her into my arms. I hugged her close and rested my chin on top her head, smoothing my hand over her head and down her back. She’d gone through so much, been so strong.
“You don’t have to worry about him anymore. By exposing our kind to you and using humans like he did, he broke our laws. He’ll pay for what he did.”
She pulled back to look at me.
“I don’t understand. How is what he did different from what you did? Not that you’ve used us. I mean, you showed me what you are.”
It would be best if I talked to her about our laws.
I sighed. “I’ll let Nana answer the questions about the rules and laws tomorrow. We’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
Michelle looked at Winifred, who was pushing Liam on the swing.
“Was she just talking to you?”
“Yes. She’s worried about you. Jim gave you too much to drink last night. She scolded us this morning. I proved what werewolves are capable of. She revealed more about Claiming and Mating than you’re comfortable with. Then we find out everything we’ve asked you to understand about us is on top of an exposure to our kind that’s left you distrustful and fearful. And, I burst into my fur in front of you. It’s a lot to take in before lunch.”
She nodded slowly and looked out at her brothers. They were back on the swings, letting Winifred and Jim push them. It was comfortable sitting next to her in companionable silence. I could picture us doing just this as we watched our own children play. A warm feeling spread in my chest at that thought.
When her fear abated, I went to spend some time with Liam, who was still casting glances in our direction. He watched my approach with wary hesitation.
“Why’d you change?” he asked when I reached him.
He was a smart kid.
“Trying to impress your sister. She didn’t seem to notice though.”
He shook his head. “She’s got a lot of other stuff to think about.”
“Yeah, she does. What about you?”
He glanced at his sister and shrugged. I hated seeing him so serious and quiet. Just like when they’d first arrived. Wanting him to know I was on his side, I told him the truth.
“She told me about Richard and Blake.” I set my hand on his little shoulder and squatted down so we were eye to eye. “I won’t ever let Blake or David near you again.”
He studied me for a minute then nodded.
“I like living here and playing outside. Want to run through the sprinkler?”
I grinned, pulled off my shirt, and tossed it to the side.
“Bet I can get to the other side before you.”
“Your legs are longer. You have to walk. I get to run.”
Clever kid.
We ran back and forth several times before Liam changed up the game. I had to do whatever he did. He ran to the sprinkler, jumping over it and turning a circle. I repeated the move, jumping higher and adding an extra turn. Aden squealed and started the same thing with Jim. They were pushing us, testing us. And enjoying the results.
I glanced at Michelle to see if she minded the display. Instead of looking mad or worried, she had a small smile curving her lips. When she saw me watching her, her eyes widened and she blushed scarlet.
Yes, her gaze had been directed in the general area of her brothers, but she hadn’t been watching them. Her reaction said she’d been watching me. And liking it. I grinned and started toward her.
“I’ll be right back, Liam,” I said as I passed the boy.
He stopped to stare at me. “Why? Where are you going?”
“Don’t worry, little man,” Jim said. “He’s just going to try flirting with your sister again.”
“What’s flirting?” Aden asked as Liam made a sound of disgust behind me.
“I know, bud. He still hasn’t learned it’s bros before—”
His abrupt silence let me know Winifred was probably scolding him. I ignored them and focused on Michelle, who was trying not to look at me.
I inhaled deeply as I neared the steps. Her interest in me was sweet and heavy. I leapt onto the porch, playing with her. She backed up, her flush spreading to her tempting neck.
“Do you have a phone with a data plan or a computer with internet?” she asked in a rush.
Her pleading eyes stopped me. Despite her obvious interest in me, she wasn’t yet ready to play stalk and chase. Too bad. It could have been fun.
I shook my head to answer her question just as Winifred stepped out with a tray of sandwiches.
“Emmitt, go get the boys. Michelle, will you fetch a hand towel?”
Michelle ran inside.
“Behave, Emmitt. No matter how she reacts to you, she isn’t ready.”
Deciding no response was the best response, I went to carry Liam on my shoulders.
We all ate on the porch. Jim was trying to steal Aden’s food while loudly recalling when they first arrived and were more willing to feed him. Aden and Liam giggled as they ate. Michelle nibbled at her sandwich quietly, still smelling of interest and driving me crazy.
When we finished, I went inside and changed into jeans and put on a shirt. Spending the afternoon with Michelle would tempt me too much. But maybe I could do something for her that would make her happy and win me some extra points.
Telling everyone I’d be back later, I got on my bike and headed into town. Technology wasn’t really a werewolf’s friend. As much as Mom preached that we needed to integrate to survive, most human gadgets were just annoying. Vehicles polluted the air with their noxious fumes. Electronics had continuous high frequency squeals and buzzes that humans couldn’t hear. Come to think of it, I couldn’t think of a gadget I really liked. The bike was great, but only because it allowed me to go fast without turning heads. And the wind in my face was pretty sweet, too. I’d rather run on my own four feet, though, if I could.
Still, Michelle’s question told me I hadn’t adapted enough. We needed electronics. Well, she did. And, someday, her brothers would too.
Those thoughts had me standing for three hours in a store filled with a cacophony of high squeals emitting from numerous displayed devices. While the sales clerk went on about each product’s merits, I shopped by ear.
I ended up with a handheld computer. The man called it a tablet. I’d considered getting us phones too, just in case Jim got any bright ideas again, but I’d already been gone longer than I’d intended.
By the time I’d left the city limits behind, the sun was kissing the tree tops. It’d be dark by the time I got home. Opening the throttle, I hoped I’d catch Michelle before she went to bed.
* * * *
The light from the third floor shown through the tree branches as I eased the bike down the driveway. She was sitting on her side of the porch, a welcoming sight. I pulled the bike into the garage, cut the engine, and grabbed the box from my saddle bag.
She lifted her hand in greeting when I stepped from the garage. Such a simple gesture, yet it set my heart racing. Inside, I ditched the box and paperwork at Jim’s before I sped up the steps. Her door was ajar, another sign of her growing comfort and trust.
She had the balcony doors open, probably so she’d hear her brothers, and had pulled the crappy office chair from the back bedroom out onto the porch. It couldn’t be very comfortable.