* * *
The apple orchard on the northwestern edge of Moonstone territory has been there for countless generations.The trees are gnarled and blooming pale pink.I stop in front of the first row and just breathe for a second.
I’m a few minutes early.I press my hand against the base of the nearest tree and let myself feel it properly.It’s strong, but pests are chewing at it, and I can give it some relief.
Should I tell Andrew about Roderick?
Here’s the thing: Andrew is – for now - my fated mate, which means somewhere underneath all that composed Alpha exterior, his wolf is instinctively, insanely protective.If I tell him that Roderick wants to claim me, he’s liable to declare a pack war.
I don’t want war.I especially don’t want to be the cause of it.The last thing my family needs is to arrive back in Cedar Run and immediately become the reason two packs are at each other’s throats.
I’ll just avoid Roderick this spring and summer.Maybe he’ll find some other woman to focus on, someone who actually wants his nasty, annoying ass.
Maybe pigs will fly.
I hear footsteps behind me and turn to find that it’s not Andrew.
Marion Ward is a tall woman, although her sons easily have a good eight inches on her.She’s got dark hair threaded with silver and eyes that are warm and kind.
I remember her from when I was little.She was always pushing food on me and smoothing my hair.She radiated maternal warmth.I don’t know how she produced the kind of son who did what Andrew did.
Maybe Andrew didn’t know that he was lying – but the way my father told me the story of what happened that day, and the way Andrew apparently told it to the town elders, were very different from each other.
Marion looks at me now and smiles.“Henrietta.I’m so glad to see you back here.”
I blink.“Oh.Thank you.”
“I mean it.”She’s standing beside me now, both of us looking at the apple trees.“I hated the way things happened when you were little.We were sad to see you go.”
I swallow and clear my throat.“Well,” I say.“Thank you for that.I mean…I was sad to go.”
Her brow furrows in a frown.“I always had the feeling there was more that happened that day than any of us knew about.”
I choose my words carefully.I like Marion, I can’t blame her for what Andrew thought he saw, but I’ve also endured a lifetime of hearing my father’s name taken in vain, and he’s not even here to defend himself.
“My father was dealing in medicinal herbs,” I say.“Very powerful ones.Powerful enough that the local healing mages felt threatened because their services would no longer be needed.They had more political pull than us, so we were chased out.”
She nods, and doesn’t try to argue.“Well, anyway, you’re back here, and we’re so happy to have you.Do you need anything at all?”
How about our reputation, our dignity, and a pack that actually welcomes us with open arms?
“Maybe a bottle of shampoo and conditioner,” I blurt out before I could stop myself.“No, never mind.Just kidding.”
“We’ll send them over this afternoon.What else?”
My cheeks heat with embarrassment.I am tired of using the watered down remnants of the hair products I bought months ago, but I also am tired of being a beggar.
“You are helping us immensely by fixing our corn crops, and honestly we’re underpaying you,” Marion says briskly, as if she can read my mind.“Tell your Uncle Silas to hold out for fifty percent more next time.I know my son is a tough negotiator, but we shouldn’t be robbing you like this.”
“Henrietta!”Andrew calls out, and my wolf does a little happy dance inside me, panting like the ho she apparently has become.
He’s coming through the far row, hands in his jacket pockets.He spots his mother first and shoots her a suspicious look.
She reaches out and squeezes my arm, then turns and walks back toward the main buildings, passing Andrew on the way.He watches her go with a small furrow between his brows, then looks at me.
“What were you talking about?”he asks.“Please tell me she isn’t matchmaking.”
“Gross.No.”I make a face at him.
