Chapter 21

 

“You’re big for a human.”

Reese turned to stare at the shifter standing in the doorway of the cabin. She pasted a smile on her face. It was mid-morning and she was hungry and irritated. She and Kane had joined the pack for breakfast and she hadn’t been surprised to discover that Dagon had ordered her to be given only one meal a day. She had sat in silence as the others ate their breakfast and forced herself to be polite and cheerful to the pack members who had approached her. Like the evening before, many of them were anxious to touch her hair and her skin and she hoped the novelty of humans would wear off soon.

Dagon had spent some time sitting with Adina and he had appeared kind enough to her. When breakfast was done, Dagon had returned to his cabin. Reese had wanted to question Adina about what they spoke of but the weather was cold. After staring at her blue lips and the way she shivered, Kane had insisted she return to his cabin before she had a chance to speak to her.

Kane hadn’t stayed in the cabin with her and she had hoped he would return with food but it had been nearly two hours and he hadn’t returned. She had been about to leave the cabin despite the way the wind was blowing, and find Adina when the old shifter had walked in.

“I get that a lot,” she said briefly.

“Aye, I imagine you do.”

He joined her at the fire, easing his body into the chair across from hers and fanning his face before studying her thin shirt and skirt. “I am surprised that Kane keeps it so warm in his cabin for you. He hates humans and it’s odd that he would care if you froze to death or not.”

“I’m certain he has no wish to anger your alpha.”

“Perhaps not.” The shifter reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of charkas. He peeled one and as the smell of the rich meaty insides drifted to her, Reese tried not to drool. Her stomach growled loudly and a brief frown crossed the shifter’s face before he tossed the charka to her.

She caught it and studied him closely, trying to decide if he would tell Dagon if she ate it.

As if he had read her mind, he said, “Go on and eat it, girl. I won’t tell my alpha.”

She continued to hesitate and he gave her a look of irritation so similar to Kane’s that she knew he must be related to him. “You have my word.”

“Thank you.” She ate the charka quickly and nodded her thanks when he handed the rest of the charkas to her. She finished them off and threw the peels into the fire before returning to her chair.

“I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

“We haven’t met yet,” he replied. “My name is Asher.”

“I’m Reese. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Aye, you as well.”

They sat in silence for a while before she gave him a tentative look. “You’re related to Kane?”

“I am. How did you know?”

She shrugged. “You have similar manners.”

He laughed. “I am his uncle. His father was my youngest brother.”

“Kane said his father’s siblings raised him.”

“Aye, we did. Although Maven did his fair share of it.” Asher cocked his head at her. “What else did Kane share with you?”

“Nothing,” she said nervously. “He doesn’t talk very much to me.”

He continued to stare at her and with her nervousness growing, she said, “I just wondered why he hated humans so much. He told me what happened to his parents.”

Asher raised his eyebrows at her. “What did he tell you?”

“Uh, nothing specific, just that his parents were hunted and killed by humans.”

“That is more than he usually shares.” Asher was giving her a scrutinizing look and when he leaned forward and inhaled deeply, she leaned away.

“You’re covered in his scent, human.”

“He’s just trying to prevent me from freezing to death before your alpha makes his choice.”

“Indeed. Tell me about yourself, human.”

“I’d rather not.”

Asher laughed. “Theran and Hanif say you like to talk. They say it’s why my nephew acts so strange now. They believe you drove him nearly mad with your talking when he was trapped with you during the rains. Yet now your tongue grows quiet?”

Reese shrugged. “Perhaps my time in the cave with your nephew has taught me to hold my tongue around shifters.”

“Was Kane cruel to you?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Good. I am the last of his elders and it would have fallen to me to discipline him if he had been cruel to a defenseless female. I am way too old for that sort of thing.”

“What do you care? I imagine you hate humans as much as Kane and Radek do.”

“My advanced age gives me clarity that Kane has yet to discover,” Asher replied. “Although I believe that is changing.”

“Why does Radek hate humans?” Reese asked suddenly.

Asher stared into the fire before sighing loudly. “Many years ago our pack lived at the edge of the forest, closer to the humans. We did not have much to do with them. We occasionally traded with them, but we mainly kept to ourselves and they did the same. And then - when Radek was young he was captured by the humans.”

“Why did they take him?” Reese asked.

“For their own amusement. They beat him and collared him and forced him to perform tricks for their own children like he was a dog. We are afraid of water. Did you know that?”

Reese nodded. “Yes. Kane almost drowned when we were traveling here.”

“The humans repeatedly held him in the lake, nearly drowning him. They starved him and hurt him just to see how long it would take for him to heal.”

“Oh my God.” Reese’s stomach churned. “How old was he?”

“Only five or six, if I remember correctly.”

“Jesus.”

“It took us nearly a week to track his scent down. His parents were going crazy, as you can imagine. When we finally discovered him chained to a wall in one of the human’s barns, Maven, Radek’s father and Kane’s father, killed the humans that lived there and returned Radek to the pack. He has hated the humans ever since.”

“That’s terrible. Poor Radek.”

“A year later, other humans killed Kane’s parents. Maven moved the pack deeper into the woods and here we have remained. Despite the dangers lurking in the forest, the humans were more of a threat to us. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Why would Dagon bring humans into the pack, knowing what they did to Kane and Radek?”

Asher sighed again. “A number of reasons. Our numbers dwindle, while the human numbers grow. Dagon is right in believing that sooner or later we will be forced to coexist with them. As well, rumours have spread of his cruelty to his mates and females from other packs have refused to even consider becoming his mate.”

He hesitated before looking at her. “Truthfully, I believe his strongest reason was simply to torture Kane and Radek. He always envied the bond they had with his father, especially Kane’s. I find it rather amusing to see his plan to torture Kane with humans in the pack backfire so spectacularly.”

Reese cleared her throat nervously and stared into the fire as Asher grinned at her. “Has my nephew mated with you?”

“Why would he?”

“I see the way he looks at you. He desires you for himself.”

“No he doesn’t,” she said briefly.

Asher sighed irritably and leaned forward. “Perhaps if I share a secret, you will be more willing to spill yours. What do you say?”

She just shrugged and Asher rolled his eyes. “I despise our alpha, human. I believe him to be weak and cowardly at heart. Maven would have been better off to have drowned him at birth. But he loved the boy and in return, was killed for it.”

“Did he kill his other mates?” She asked.

He nodded. “Aye, I believe he did. The others do not speak of it. They pretend that the stories he weaves are true but I am too old and too tired to pretend. I believe our pack needs to be led by another. Dagon is too unstable, too cruel, to be a leader. Do you know who our pack needs, human?”

“Kane,” she whispered.

“Aye, it does. He is a natural leader, is he not?”

She nodded and he smiled at her. “Even you, a mere human, can see that he is meant to lead. I have spent many nights urging him to challenge Dagon for alpha position but he refuses.”

The thought of Kane challenging the bigger, stronger, Dagon sent icy tendrils of fear down her back and she gave Asher a sharp look. “Perhaps it is because he is smart enough not to challenge a man who would kill his own father.”

Asher cocked his head at her. “Your feelings for my nephew are readily apparent, human. You should hide your emotions better. If Dagon does choose you, he will not be pleased that you are in love with another.”

“I have no feelings for Kane other than gratitude for not killing me as he is so obviously tempted to do,” she said shortly.

He laughed loudly. “He may be able to hide his affection for you from the others but I am his blood. I see the truth.”

“You speak foolishly, old man,” she replied.

He laughed again. “You are brave for a human. I can see why Kane desires you.”

She didn’t reply and he gave her an oddly gentle look. “Do not fear, human. Your secret is safe with me.”

“I have no secrets.”

“Do you not? You try so hard to convince me that you and Kane have not mated. Why is that?”

“Because Dagon will kill him!” She suddenly snapped. “I would think you would understand that.”

“The rumour is that Dagon will take the blonde one as his mate. Will you still deny Kane’s feelings for you when he takes you as his mate?”

She gave him a scathing look. “Did I mention that you speak like a fool? I feel like I did but maybe that’s just my imagination.”

“My nephew will claim you as his mate. Make no doubt of that, human. I can see it in his face, in the way that he looks at you and how he reacts when other shifters touch you. You will find yourself mated to him the moment that Dagon takes the blonde one.”

“No, I won’t!” She suddenly hissed at him. “Do you want to know why your nephew fucked me, Asher? Because I was a goddamn experiment for him! He wanted to know what it would be like to fuck a human and I was lucky enough to be the human he chose. He has no feelings for me other than that weird possessive bullshit you shifters seem to thrive on. His behaviour is nothing more than keeping other shifters from playing with his new toy until he hands me over to his alpha. He told me himself that he would not disobey Dagon’s orders and that he has no desire to be mated to anyone, let alone a human. He hates us and you know what? He should. Humans murdered his parents and if anyone has the right to hate us, it’s him!”

She took a deep breath and glared at the old shifter. “If Dagon does choose Adina, Kane might keep me for a few weeks longer. If I get really lucky he’ll keep me for the winter before he tires of me, and maybe I won’t fucking freeze to death. If he doesn’t, then I guess I’ll be whoring myself out to someone else in the pack in exchange for warmth and food. If, that is, your fucking asshole of an alpha ever lets me eat something more than fucking plants!”

The door opened and Kane walked into the cabin. He closed the door firmly behind him and checked the window as he opened the bag tied around his waist. “Reese, I have brought you some charkas. You must eat them before – “

“No need, nephew,” Asher said cheerfully.

Kane whipped around, his hand holding the bag closed. “What are you doing in my cabin, Uncle?”

“Talking to your human.” The old shifter winked at Reese and smoothed his long silver hair back from his face. “And feeding her.”

Kane frowned. “You should not disobey our alpha’s orders, Uncle.”

“It was only a few charkas, Kane. Besides, why are you allowed to disobey Dagon but I am not?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kane said innocently.

Asher’s laughter was loud and infectious. Despite her anger, Reese could feel a grin breaking out on her face and even Kane’s face relaxed.

“I will leave you to your bag of secret charkas. It was nice to meet you, human.”

Reese made a soft noise of surprise when Asher pulled her into his embrace and hugged her firmly. She was about to awkwardly pat his back when Kane, growling loudly, pulled her away from Asher. He put his arm around her waist and cupped her hip possessively before growling at his uncle again.

“Do not touch her again, Uncle.”

Asher studied him closely. “And if I do?”

“I will take your head,” Kane snarled.

“Kane!” Reese gave him a look of horror and pushed her way free of his embrace. “What is wrong with you? He’s your uncle – you shouldn’t speak to him that way.”

Asher with a small smile playing on his lips, shook his head. “It is fine, human.”

“It isn’t.” Reese reached to touch his arm. “He didn’t mean it. He just – “

Kane pulled her back into his arms before she could touch Asher and she gave him a look of frustration mixed with anger. “What is going on with you?”

“Hold your tongue, Reese!” Kane said sharply.

“Make me, shifter!” She snapped at him.

Asher laughed again. “Your mate’s temper is a fiery one, nephew. I cannot tell you how much I will enjoy watching the two of you spar.”

“She is not my mate, Uncle,” Kane said cautiously. “The human means nothing to me. In fact, the sooner I can rid myself of her presence, the better.”

“You and me both, asshole!” Reese booted him in the shin and Kane winced and released her. She gave Asher an ‘I told you so’ look before stomping from the cabin and slamming the door behind her.

 

* * *

 

Reese stormed into the forest behind Kane’s cabin. She had gone about thirty feet before she remembered the shifter’s warning and stopped. She glanced cautiously around the woods. She was alone and she sat down beneath a tree and tucked her knees up. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her forehead on the top of her knees as the cold wind seeped through her thin clothing.

Her heart was racing and the charkas she had eaten were sitting like a stone in her belly. Kane drove her crazy and she would be much happier when she was no longer forced to share his cabin.

Really? So the thought of never feeling Kane’s touch again, never seeing him smile at you or whisper in your ear that you belong to him doesn’t bother you?

She sighed in frustration and banged her head against her knees. Having any sort of feelings for Kane was utter madness. Even if Dagon didn’t choose her, Kane had just made it perfectly clear that he couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

Then why does he tell you he will keep you safe? Why does he react so strongly when another shifter touches you? Why does he insist that you belong to him?

“I don’t know! Maybe he has a split personality!” She spoke out loud and jumped when a bird was frightened by the sound and flew off from the tree above her with a shrill cry.

There was a rustling in the bushes behind her and she jumped to her feet. She backed away in the direction of the cabin, praying like hell it was nothing more than a rabbit. When the wolf appeared with its dark brown fur shining in the sun, she made a soft noise under her breath and held her hands out. Unsure if it was a shifter or not, she continued to slowly back away.

“Good puppy. Nice puppy. I’m just going to leave now. Be a good puppy and – “

“Mia! Wait for me!”

She breathed a sigh of relief when Raina emerged from the bushes. She stared in surprise at Reese. “What are you doing in the woods, human?”

“Just getting a breath of fresh air.”

“Oh. You probably shouldn’t be out here, it’s dangerous.”

“What are you doing out here?” Reese asked pointedly.

Raina laughed. “I’m a shifter, I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can but I think it’s best if all three of us head back now,” she said firmly.

Mia barked loudly and Raina rolled her eyes. “You’re being ridiculous, Mia. He’s way too old for you.”

Mia snarled at her and stalked a few feet away. She stared moodily into the trees as Raina sighed loudly.

“What’s going on?” Reese asked curiously.

“Mia is in love with my brother. She’s upset because he was cross with her earlier and then she saw Kavine sitting on his lap and stroking his hair.

Mia growled under her breath and Raina rolled her eyes again before shouting to her, “He doesn’t like Kavine either, you dummy! He thinks she’s stupid and annoying.”

She turned back to Reese and lowered her voice conspiratorially, “Why either of them even like him, I’ll never know. He’s bossy. He’s messy. He barks in his sleep and he never lets me do anything fun. And he’s not the least bit handsome.”

Reese grinned. “He’s your brother – he’s supposed to be bossy.”

“I’m old enough to take care of myself. Besides, he’s been in a bad mood ever since Kane kicked him out for speaking so rudely to you. Kane still won’t speak to him and it’s upsetting Radek.”

“I’ll speak to Kane. He shouldn’t be ignoring your brother.”

“He shouldn’t have been so rude to you. Mama would want you to wear her clothing. She liked humans.”

She suddenly frowned. “At least she used to.”

“How many humans did she know?”

“None.” Raina grinned at her. “But she found them fascinating. Uncle Asher told me once that sometimes papa would take her to the village just so she could watch the humans. One time a female human spoke to her and told mama she liked her dress. Mama was so excited. Uncle Asher said she didn’t stop talking about it for days. But then the humans hurt Radek and mama didn’t like them anymore.”

Her eyes widened and she gave Reese a look of panic. “Please do not tell Radek I told you that.”

“I won’t,” Reese said quickly.

Raina cleared her throat roughly. “I wish mama could have met you. She would have liked you even with her anger over what they did to Radek. I know it.”

“I wish I could have met her too.” Reese touched the young shifter’s hair and Raina stared up at her. Her eyes were swimming with tears and Reese hugged her firmly. She stiffened before leaning against her and wrapping her arms around Reese’s waist. Reese stroked her back and Raina sniffed loudly.

“I miss mama.”

“I’m sorry, honey.” She kissed the top of the shifter’s head and Raina wiped the tears from her face before turning to Mia.

“Come on, Mia. Stop sulking over my stupid brother and come back. I told you – he’s way too old and gross for you!”

With a loud whimper, Mia bounded through the trees.

“Not again,” Raina muttered.

Reese grabbed her arm when she started to follow the wolf. “Honey, I don’t think you should go into the woods alone.”

“It’s fine, human. I do this all the time.”

She smiled reassuringly at Reese and Reese shook her head. “Kane says it’s dangerous in the forest. I think – “

“It’s dangerous for you because you’re just a weak human,” Raina said earnestly. “I’ll be fine.”

She started forward and blinked in surprise when Reese joined her. “What are you doing, human?”

“I’m coming with you.” Reese took her hand and Raina stared at their hands before smiling at her.

“All right. I will keep you safe.”

“Right.” Feeling nervous and unsettled, she followed the young shifter into the woods.

When they had disappeared, Deena stepped out from a large pine tree. She inhaled deeply, a frown crossing her face.

“Babies and Kane’s precious flower in the woods,” she sighed.