“If she’s so important,” a raised male voice said, “take her back with you and keep our sanctuary safe.”

The men around me growled in response.  Whoever was speaking wasn’t making friends.  I wondered if the rest would challenge the speaker as they had Anton.

“As you can hear, they don’t want her to leave,” Winifred said.

Gregory took a few more steps forward, with Mary and me closely behind him, then stopped.  The men quieted as I passed.  Gregory reached back to offer a hand to Mary.  She shyly wrapped her hand in his and stepped forward, leaving me alone in Gregory’s shadow.

“I acknowledge Gregory as my Mate,” Mary said.

She stood facing Winifred.  At least, I thought she did.  I wasn’t ready to peer around Gregory to find out.  Instead, I glanced at the men around me.  A few gave me small smiles.  Given the current conversation about Mates, a topic I wanted nothing to do with, I nervously returned my gaze to Gregory’s bare back.

“But I’ve asked him to wait to Claim me,” Mary continued.

“And I agreed for as long as Charlene is here,” Gregory said.

He stepped aside, exposing me.  Automatically, my gaze lifted to the leader, the one who so obviously didn’t want me to be here.  The man’s sullen expression changed to one of disbelief.  His arms fell loosely to his sides as his gaze swept from my dirty shoes to the top of my blonde head.  As he studied me, I studied him.

His eyes were a deep blue, blanketed by thick brows that matched his dark brown hair.  His nose was strong and proud with a slight bump on the bridge.  A hint of a shadow covered his jaw and upper lip.  He was dangerously handsome; and when I found my attention settling on his lips, I averted my gaze and glanced at his other friend.  The one beside him grinned widely and winked a startling light grey eye at me.  I blushed and glanced away.

I wished I’d stayed inside.  My heart picked up its beat.

Mary withdrew her hand from Gregory and moved to hold mine.  The new men continued to watch me, and a few of the ones behind me grew restless.  No doubt, they didn’t like me receiving additional attention.

“If it’s all right, we’d like to go back inside,” Mary said.

Winifred nodded, her watchful gaze never leaving the dark-haired man.  I didn’t think he was the one she needed to worry about, though.  Under the scrutiny of over forty pairs of eyes, I walked the path to the door.

Mary closed the door behind us, spun, and briefly hugged me.

“I didn’t think he’d say yes.  And I half-expected Wini to object.  I’m so glad I get to stay with you.”

And I was, too.  Now that I knew I couldn’t control any of the men out there, the idea of staying without someone who didn’t want to bite me, bothered me.  I walked to the table and sat down.  My cookie and Coke still waited for me.

Mary tilted her head as she studied me, and I knew she was speaking with Winifred.

“Wini wants to know how you’re doing.”

Every time I thought I was okay with things, something new came my way.  If I were honest with myself, I was tired of the men out there and more afraid now than I was before I walked out the door this morning.  I couldn’t control their wills; and while Winifred could, she wouldn’t use her control to force them to leave me alone.  Doing so would be an abuse of power, and I understood too well how dangerous that could be.  Yet, if I could figure out how Winifred split her will and try to duplicate it, I wouldn’t feel so powerless here...if I stayed.

Though a small group wanted me to leave, I didn’t think the majority would allow that.  I wondered if that meant I was stuck here whether I wanted to be or not.

But I couldn’t say all of that to Mary.  So I settled for part of the truth.

“I’m tired.  And on edge.  Would it be possible to put off the rest of the meetings until tomorrow?”

Mary nodded.

“She’s telling them and then she’s going to bring in the rest of the groceries and supplies.”

Other than waking us, she’d stayed outside since she had gotten here, trying to keep the men in line.  She probably wanted a break, too.

There was a brief tap on the door; then, Winifred walked in followed by Gregory and the broody dark haired one.  My stomach did an odd somersault again, and I couldn’t help the quick glance at his very bare chest.  I struggled to keep my expression neutral though I was annoyed with myself.

“These are the other groceries I brought up,” Winifred said, motioning to the bags the men carried.  “Where should they set them?”

“By the pump, please,” I said quietly when Mary said nothing.  The table would have made more sense, but I was sitting at the table and didn’t want the men that close.  I tried to kept my focus on my half-eaten cookie but couldn’t, so I discreetly watched them walk to the pump and set the bags down.

Outside the door, another fight started.  I looked up at Winifred.  Her shoulders lifted and fell in a silent sigh.  Weariness radiated from her, and I didn’t think it was because of actual exhaustion.  I wondered if she wished she was back teaching her kids.

“I will be right back.  Mary, perhaps you could make me something for dinner?” Winifred asked as she walked toward the door.

“Sure, Wini,” Mary said.  But Mary wasn’t looking at Winifred.  She was staring at Gregory.  Gregory was returning her regard with a confident grin.

“I can help you,” he said.

Mary nodded shyly, oblivious to me and the other man in the room.

“Since you have help, I think I’ll go lie down for a bit,” I said, standing.

Mary tore her gaze from Gregory and eyed me with concern.  “Don’t you want to see what Wini brought?”

I glanced at the bags near the pump.  They rested at the feet of the one who didn’t like me.  He stood there with his arms folded across his chest, watching me with an undecipherable expression.

“There’s no hurry,” I said.  I’d had my cookies and Coke and paid the price.  I wasn’t ready to pay anything more for whatever treats Winifred brought.

I turned and left.

When I opened the door to my room, I sighed.  The bed, marooned in the center of the room, called to me like the oasis it was.  I sat on top the quilt, kicked off my shoes, and pulled the spare blanket over my shoulders as I lay down.

After so little sleep the night before, it didn’t take me long to drift off, away from the troubles of this place.

*    *    *    *

“Are you hungry?”

Mary’s voice penetrated the fog still clouding my mind, and I blinked awake.

“What?”  It was less of a word and more of a yawn.  I lifted myself up on an elbow and tried to focus on her.

Squatted down beside the bed, she grinned at me.

“You must have been very tired.  You have sleep lines on your face.”

“It’s not easy to get a good night’s sleep here.”  I sat up, scrubbed a hand over my face, and glanced at the window.  Sunset painted the frame.  Since there were no clocks, I didn’t ask what time it was.  However, based on the sky, I guessed that I’d slept for several hours.

“Did I miss dinner?”

“No, I saved you some.  Everyone’s outside again.”

“Did Winifred get anything to eat?” I asked as I threw back the blanket and stood with a stretch.

“She did.  And she thanks you for your concern.”  Mary moved with me as I went to put on my shoes.

“How did it go after I left?”

“The fighting quieted down once they knew you weren’t coming back out.”

“I meant with Gregory,” I said with a laugh.  I didn’t care much about the rest although I was grateful they’d let me sleep.

Mary blushed a pretty shade of pink.  “He seems sweet.”

“Oh? How so?” I asked as we left the room.  Shadows obscured the corridor.  I kept one hand on the wall and wished I’d grabbed Anton’s candle.

“Careful, stairs ahead,” Mary said.

I immediately slowed.  Once I was on the first step, I counted until I stepped onto the lower level.  From there, it was easy to set my hand against the wall and find my way to the main room.  A fire burned low in the fireplace and a lantern lit the table.