Thomas' Heart (Judgement Of The Six Companion Series Book 4) Read online

  We found the bodies of a Mated pair and two cubs. All were shot. A human cache of food was nearby as if the family had raided it. However, I don’t think they did. There was a scent of a second female, but no signs of the female at the Mated pair’s den. And, there was a unique fresh scent of another male. It didn’t seem familial, and it was on the cache of food. I believe a young female may have been taken from her family.

  Did you track the male? he sent back.

  Guilt-ridden, I admitted the truth.

  Due to the shots, we did not.

  Very well.

  A minute later a call went out for any male with a young female to reach out to an Elder.

  “What does he plan to do?” Gregory asked.

  “He didn’t say much on the matter,” I said.

  “And our part in this is forgiven?”

  “I carefully worded our involvement and neglected to mention the part about the bear.”

  Gregory grinned and clapped me on the back. We all rested easier.

  * * * *

  “A human?” I said, arms crossed as I studied the man before me. A cold breeze swept through the trees and brushed my exposed flesh. Summer hadn’t yet reached this far north.

  “That’s what I heard.”

  The command that Winifred had sent the day before took on new meaning. At the time, I’d wondered why she’d bothered to Command something so obvious. Who would ever want to try to Claim a human female with or without Elder permission?

  “Thank you for the information,” I said.

  The man shifted back into his wolf and, with a nod, ran north. He was probably smarter than we were. Humans were scarce in the ice and snow of northern Canada, making the area safe for our kind to roam. We used to be able to say the same for lower Alberta and Saskatchewan. Now, there was a human at the sanctuary; it wasn’t safe anymore.

  The female Elder’s pushes to get us to join human society had previously been subtler than this. She’d gone so far as to start wearing clothing and gain employment. We had fur for a reason. We were meant for the woods. And, humans were destroying our natural habitat.

  Winifred’s welcome of the enemy in our sanctuary threw subtlety aside. She couldn’t force us to mingle with humans.

  “What are you thinking, Thomas?” Grey asked.

  I turned to my older brother.

  “I’m thinking we need to find out what Winifred is doing. How is inviting a human to the only permanent place humans have no right or reason to trod in our best interest? Living among them has done something to her head. Her loyalties need to be questioned.”

  “Careful,” Grey said. “I didn’t raise you and watch you grow to see you maimed by an Elder.”

  “She’s in her position to protect us. When she starts making decisions that involve revealing us to humans, we have a right to question her.”

  Without saying more, I shifted to my wolf. I shook out the fur that coated my skin and took off at a run. Snow crunched under my paws as I raced south through the dense woods. Glints of the moon broke through between the trees to light the way. Grey and Gregory followed.

  Pacing ourselves, we stopped to hunt game and rest before dawn. We didn’t need much sleep. The sun hadn’t yet cleared the tree tops before we were running again.

  The sounds and smells of the woods drove me to run faster. To run free. We belonged out here away from the dangers of civilization. Winifred had it wrong. Working and talking with the humans had messed with her thinking. Humans didn’t belong in the woods any more than we belonged in their world. Whenever they came to the woods, we died. Bringing one to our sanctuary could only end the same. But this time, it wouldn’t be a pelt laying on the ground. The human had to die.

  I can feel your mood, Grey sent me. Talk.

  The human needs to die.

  And you’re going to make that happen when an Elder is supporting the human’s presence?

  I could feel Grey’s annoyance just as he had felt my anger. Grey was my pack. He had raised me, successfully filling the role of mother and father. However, he did older brother best. When I was five, he’d changed our bond, relinquishing the role of pack leader to me. At the time, I’d thought he was doing it to be mean. There were moments it still felt that way. But I knew now he’d done it to teach me. To force me to take risks and conquer fear. To become strong and a survivor. To think.

  The Elder won’t be a problem—Grey snorted—if the pack controlling the sanctuary doesn’t want her there.

  We won’t be the only ones going to sanctuary.

  I’m counting on that. We’ll increase in number because the others won’t want a human there either.

  TWO

  Game on the way south was plentiful, and we ate well. However, for two days we saw no one. There were a few abandoned territories, which I would have expected as we moved closer to the human populace, but no new trails.

  It frustrated me that we were nearing sanctuary and still only three strong.

  While Gregory and I were both determined to rid the place of the unwanted human, Grey’s stance on the human’s intrusion wasn’t as easy to tell. He remained quiet whenever Gregory and I spoke. He neither defended nor condemned the human’s presence or the Elder’s choice. He only cautioned me to think before I acted, which wasn’t a new message. He worried about me. He always had.

  As we continued south, I capped my frustration with the certainty that we would find support once we reached our destination. We weren’t alone in our hate of the humans.

  A few hours from sanctuary, a howl echoed in the woods around us. We slowed and watched a lone wolf emerge from the trees. To show welcome, Grey and Gregory sat while I shifted to my skin.

  Summer had fully claimed southern Canada, and a warm breeze moved the leaves of nearby trees while sporadic, light clouds dusted the light blue sky. The air felt odd on my bare flesh, like it usually did right after I shifted.

  The wolf stopped trotting forward and shifted to his skin several yards away.

  “I caught your scent and thought I’d warn you,” he said. “The fighting is escalating.”

  I grinned and crossed my arms.

  “Good. Hopefully the human will be gone by the time we get there.”

  “Gone? That’s unlikely. There would be an uprising if the Elder let the girl leave unClaimed,” he said, killing my humor.

  “What do you mean, unclaimed? We don’t claim humans.”

  “You don’t know? She’s not like the rest. She smells different. Like a potential Mate.”

  His words stunned me.

  “Impossible.”

  “That’s what I thought. So, I went to see and smell for myself. There’s no mistaking, she’s human, but there’s something different about her, too. Her scent was…right. Not just for me, but every wolf who got close enough. Two tried claiming her already. I saw the marks on her neck. It didn’t take. She’s unique, and she’s causing a lot of attention.”

  “You mean trouble.”

  The man shrugged.

  “Our kind’s used to trouble.” With a grin he shifted to his fur and took off running north.

  What do you think of that? I asked Grey.

  It changes the possibility of your plan succeeding. If she’s a potential Mate, every male there will fight you to keep her safe.

  Frustrated, I shifted to my fur.

  We all know there is never just one human. She will have family who will want her back. By force if necessary. We continue on. For the future of our race, we cannot allow this to continue.

  I took off at a sprint. Gray and Gregory followed in my wake. As we drew closer, we encountered more scent trails among the trees. At least a dozen. If we found that many while running a straight path, what would we find when we arrived?

  We heard the fighting before we reached the clearing. Snarls, growls, and yelling. When we reached the edge of the trees, we stopped and observed the group before us. Dozens of wolves and men milled around the area. Some already wore s
igns of lost challenges.

  Winifred stood in the bed of a pickup truck parked near the front of the building. She wasn’t speaking aloud or communicating to the masses, just watching a few males fight near the door. A majority of the males looked on, pacing as they waited for their chance to fight for their place to meet the female. I scanned the area a second time.

  Where is the female? Gregory sent me, echoing what I also had been wondering.

  I don’t know. More importantly, why is Winifred doing nothing to bring order? It’s this kind of desperation that likely led to that female being taken. We need to have more control.

  One of the men near the door went flying and landed on his back well over ten feet from where he’d started. He didn’t immediately move.

  Be ready, I sent to both Grey and Gregory.

  Then, I growled, low and long, venting my anger and frustration. A few on the outer edge of the milling bodies heard and turned to eye me.

  Winifred, you are no protector for our race.

  Her gaze snapped to mine. Those nearest the truck saw the move and quietly turned to look our way as well.

  “You question my intent?” she said, her voice carrying a hint of warning and disbelief.

  The noise in the yard slowly quieted as the fighting at the door stopped.

  I do.

  “You know I can only do what’s in the best interest for our race,” she said, speaking of her Elder oath. An oath so binding, it would be her death if she broke it.

  Then protect us from ourselves, I sent back. Surely you can see how this will end? You brought a human everyone wants but none of us can Claim. You know the fighting will continue with each failed attempt. If you were truly our protector, you would remove her. One possible human Mate who no one can Claim is not worth all the males here. How many must die before you see this?

  Her eyes narrowed.

  I do not know what you are saying to her, but she is not happy, Grey sent me.

  I didn’t bring her, Winifred sent me at the same time, and I am not the one keeping her here. The males you would have me protect are the ones who would not allow her to leave unmolested. I cannot command them to let her leave or to stay away from her because I do not believe that is in the best interest for us all. So what would you have me do?

  A noise came from the building. I felt Gregory’s attention stray, but I did not look away from Winifred.

  There are two females here. Gregory’s message surprised me. It wasn’t just the almost giddy way in which he’d sent it but the number as well.

  Two? Nothing good would come of a human female mixing with one of our females.

  I ask for permission to speak to everyone about the danger, I sent Winifred.

  She considered me for a long moment, then glanced at Gregory with a slight smile.

  Granted, she sent me finally. On one condition, though. When in your human form, you must wear pants at all times. Do you agree?

  I growled again, understanding her game. I would need to speak out against a potential human Mate, against all humans, while wearing human clothing. My hackles started to rise.

  Easy, Grey warned.

  He was right. In strength, we had no chance against an Elder, three to one. We needed the support of others.

  I agree, I sent her. Then I let both Grey and Gregory know the condition. We must shift and wear human pants.

  As soon as I started shifting, they did the same. The light, warm breeze disturbed the inadequate hair on my arms and legs. It was uncomfortable and unnatural to be so exposed. I looked at the men around the truck and wondered how they could stand remaining in their skin for so long. No female was worth this.

  With growing agitation and resentment, I stalked toward the truck. Those who’d stood around it parted for us. I didn’t miss the wariness and hostility in their eyes. They thought we were three more they would need to fight.

  We moved to the back of the truck and grabbed some pants from the open bed. Tugging them on, I winced. It felt horrible. Certain parts cried out for freedom, and I almost changed my mind. These mongrels could all kill each other. Why should I even care? I had my pack to protect.

  The image of the dead Mates and their cubs had me resolutely pulling up the zipper. We needed to stop fighting amongst ourselves and see our true purpose. Rid the earth of the human plague.

  I crossed my arms over my chest and stared up at Winifred. She would never admit she was wrong, but that didn’t matter. I only needed to convince the rest of the crowd that she was wrong.

  “Winifred, we’ve heard rumors that there’s a human here and that you’re exposing our kind to her.”

  “That’s correct,” she said.

  “How is allowing a human here in the best interest of the packs? Of our people? The last humans who were here shot four females and a cub. She needs to leave. Now.”

  “I disagree,” Winifred said calmly. “You know nothing of her. She’s not like other humans.”

  There’s something different about her, Thomas. Something I’ve never come across before, Winifred added silently to me.

  “I don’t care,” I said. “For the safety of our kind, there can be no exceptions.”

  “For the safety of our kind,” she said, “we need to adapt. You need to listen to reason.”

  You’re the one not listening, I sent Winifred silently. Her people will come for her. And when they do, she will tell them what she knows. She needs to die.

  She looked away from me and addressed the listening men.

  “There can be no life without purpose and no purpose without reason. We struggle to survive because, as a species, we’ve lost our purpose. The world is changing, and we need to change with it. We need to find our reason. It is the only way to continue our existence. Even nature is telling us it’s time to change. Charlene is human and a potential Mate. Turn her away, and you might be turning away your future. Think about it.”

  She looked at me once more.

  “Some leaders are born. Some rise out of necessity and are refined by circumstance. The best leader is one who listens openly and considers all possibilities.”

  Winifred looked up at the window, and I followed her gaze. A dark haired female stared down at us, her gaze raptly focused on Gregory. I glanced at my friend who seemed just as enthralled.

  Gregory? I sent him.

  She’s the one, Thomas. I’m asking Winifred for permission to speak with her.

  Out here, I sent Gregory. I don’t trust the human.

  Gregory was silent for several long moments.

  She’s insisting that I need to go in to meet her. Said it’s not safe for her out here.

  I narrowed my eyes on Winifred.

  “Gregory felt the pull for the dark haired female inside. She’s one of ours. Do you acknowledge the pull?” I said.

  Some of the wolves around me started to grow restless. Our rules might not apply to the human female, but they did with the other. If Winifred acknowledged the mutual attraction between Gregory and the female, she had no reason to keep them apart.

  “I do.”

  “Then why aren’t you allowing her to come out? Gregory wants to see her.”

  I silently dared her to speak the reason she gave Gregory.

  “It is not safe for her out here.”

  “Not safe? No male here would do anything to hurt her. As you pointed out, we’re low on females. If we’re so low on females and our race is struggling, why are you trying to prevent their meeting? Adding another Mated pair should be your top priority instead of focusing on a human no one can Claim.”

  Thomas, you’re pushing too hard, Grey warned as white fur rippled over Winifred’s arms.

  “I am not preventing their meeting. Given previous events, Mary feels the need to stay with Charlene and offer her support.”

  “So the problem isn’t Mary’s safety, but the human’s safety? Have you even asked Mary if she would be interested in meeting her Mate? Again, you’re preventing their mee
ting.”

  Winifred leapt from the truck bed, landing inches from me.

  “Watch yourself, pup,” she said before turning toward the door. “I will ask and return with her answer.”

  Through the broken window, we all heard females’ voices.

  “You’re right. But I still need to meet him, to talk to him. If he tries...”

  “I’ll roll up a newspaper and smack him on the nose for you.”

  I pulled my lips back in a silent snarl. The human wanted to treat us like dogs?

  Winifred knocked on the door, halting the conversation, then stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The broken window beside the door allowed us all to hear what was said inside.

  “Mary, there is someone out there who’d like to meet you.”

  No noise drifted out until Winifred’s long-suffering sigh reached us.

  “You know I can’t promise that, Mary,” Winifred said, making me wonder what the female wanted. “Charlene is unique. If I tried preventing him from Claiming you, the tenuous trust they have in me would be lost.”

  The female didn’t want to be Claimed? The human’s influence was already spreading.

  “Can I meet him first?” the human asked.

  I glanced at Grey. He looked troubled, but not nearly as angry as I felt. Why would the human want to meet another female’s Mate first?

  “That would be up to Mary,” Winifred said.

  “It’s okay with me,” Mary said.

  “I’d prefer he come in here, though,” the human said. “Alone.”

  I don’t like this, I sent Gregory.

  He set a hand on my shoulder.

  I know. But, what wouldn’t we do for a true Mate? I’d gladly face a hundred humans. One human girl won’t be a problem.

  Winifred stepped out the door and looked at us with a raised brow.

  Gregory looked at me. He would abide by whatever I said, but I could see the yearning in his eyes.

  I am happy for you, my friend. Go. Meet your Mate. But, be wary of the human. We both know the trickery they are capable of.