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“WITCH! WHERE’S MIRRA?” bellowed Gaar.
Trinity raced out the door. The emotions on Gaar’s face shifted from rage to relief. He held out his arms and she rushed toward him, hurling herself into his embrace. He squeezed her tight, but it was okay. She was safe now.
“Little One, we were so worried about you. The blood and...” He loosened his hold, his black eyes boring into hers. “Mirra?”
“She’s okay but her babies....” She shook her head.
“Take me to her.” Gaar’s arms dropped to his side, his entire body deflating with sorrow.
She took his hand and froze. Hugh stood off to the side. He’d been in a fight, there were bruises on his face, but his eyes were hungry as they roamed over her. She flushed, remembering his hands on her. She wanted to run to him and fling herself into his arms, but her feet wouldn’t move—too much had happened since their night of kisses.
“I need to take Gaar to Mirra.” She tugged and Gaar followed. The hurt in Hugh’s eyes twisted her heart, but she didn’t know how to act around him after what she’d done.
“Hugh Truent, you can come with me,” said Verly.
Rocco followed her and Gaar to the barn. As soon as the door was opened, Gaar dropped her hand and rushed to the cage, shoving his arms through the bars. “Open the door.”
Rocco unlocked the cage and Mirra jumped out, rubbing all over her Handler.
“My sweet Mirra. I’m so sorry.” Gaar stroked her fur.
“Mirra sad. Gaar-Mine come.” Mirra’s eyes watered and she wiped them on Gaar’s chest.
“Let’s give them some time.” She touched Rocco’s arm and nodded toward the door.
Rocco hesitated.
“They aren’t going to go on a murderous rampage. They’ll be fine. They’re only going to talk.” She tugged on his sleeve and he frowned, but followed her out the door.
Hugh stood several yards away. He’d obviously ignored Verly’s command. His eyes were narrowed and his lips were thin, angry slashes as he stared at where her hand rested on Rocco’s arm. She dropped her hold, her face heating as Hugh turned and walked toward Verly’s cabin. She started after him. She had to explain.
“Trinity, wait,” yelled Travis as he jogged toward her.
Rocco nodded at Travis as the Guard continued to the cabin.
“Gaar and Hugh are here?” Travis stopped by her side, dirty and sweaty from working the fields.
“Yeah. They just arrived.” Word traveled faster here than at their camp.
“So, we’ll be leaving soon.” He sounded sad.
“Unless you want to stay. I’m sure Verly would let you.” She didn’t want to leave him, but he’d be safer here.
“I’d like to, but not alone.”
“I can’t stay.”
“I know.” He looked down at his feet.
“Oh. You meant Mirabelle.” She’d forgotten about that. It still made her sick to her stomach.
“I mean, it’d be great if you stayed too, but this time away from her has made me realize how much I like her.” He glanced away and then back at Trinity. “I’m going to ask her to be my mate.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’m happy for you.” She was or she would be if it were someone else, anyone but Mirabelle.
“No, you’re not.” He grinned at her. “I’ve known you a long time and you’re a horrible liar. It’s okay if you’re not happy because I am and you will be once you get to know her better.”
“Yeah. I’m sure I will.” She smiled, knowing he still knew she was lying.
They were both quiet for several minutes. It was getting awkward.
“I should probably go and see Hugh.”
He touched her arm. “Don’t tell him.”
“Don’t tell him about what?”
“About you and Jethro.” His face was beet red. “You only did it to free us and you said nothing happened.”
Sure, she’d said that but things had happened. “If Mirabelle had...kissed another male would you want to know?”
He stared at her long and hard, thinking. “Only if she wanted to do it again, or if I’d find out from someone else. I won’t say anything and Hugh isn’t going to talk to Jethro, so...”
Did she want to do it again? Absolutely not.
“I mean, if he asks you to be his mate, then maybe you should tell him, but not yet.”
“You’re right. Thanks.” There was no reason to say anything right now.
“And it wasn’t like you kissed Jethro for any reason besides to free us. So, it doesn’t count.” He paused. “I’m going to say goodbye to some of the others. I’ll see you later.”
She stared after him as he walked toward the fields. He had no idea she’d kissed Jethro before they’d been captured. No one did, except her and Jethro.