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CHAPTER SEVEN
AFTER HIS SHOWER, Fergus dried his hair and with years of experience created the three-part braid Sharon had once designed for him. He then tied the end with a narrow strip of amber leather. In previous dreamglides, long before last night, Mary had enjoyed taking the braids apart and running her hands through his hair.
He heard Mary coming down the stairs and wasn’t surprised when she came into the bathroom. “I brought you coffee.”
He met her gaze in the mirror. “Thank you. Much appreciated.”
When he turned to her, she smiled at the braid. “I remember now. You told me in one of the dreamglides that Sharon had experimented for the longest time on this particular design and that it took you a solid month to get it right.”
Wearing only a towel around his hips, he pivoted a little more to face her. “You look beautiful, Mary. And I’m grateful you’re here with me tonight.”
“I never thought I’d be in Savage like this, but last night was incredible.”
He smiled. “Yeah, it was.” He held her gaze for a long moment, then sipped his coffee.
She returned the smile. “I have a favor to ask. I know we’re meeting up at Warren’s for steaks, but I’d really like some fresh clothes. Could we zip back to my house so that I could pack up some things?”
“Of course.” He glanced toward the stairs. “But it’s not quite dusk, is it?”
“No, not yet.” She frowned slightly. “Fergus, is anything wrong? I mean, you don’t look very rested. Were your wounds bothering you while you slept?”
He looked away from her and took another sip of coffee. “I had disturbing dreams. They weren’t violent, but I felt as though all the wolves of Savage had become desperate and restless. The territory verged on something, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.”
“You mean like a pack war?”
He shook his head. “This felt different to me. Bigger. Broader. We need more physical room in Savage and not just the extra couple of miles we’ve recently acquired to the south.”
“Is this something you’re detecting with your fae senses or your wolf abilities?”
He looked at her again, settling his gaze on her light brown eyes. “Both, I think. You know, ever since I held you in my arms in Roche’s jail cell, things have been changing. With you. With me. And here.” With his free hand he covered his chest. “You’ve changed everything, Mary.”
“I feel the same about you, yet I still don’t know where all this is leading.”
“I know.”
“I mean, you’re an alpha in one of the strongest packs in Savage. How can I ever have a place beside you? I don’t belong here, not by a longshot. Yet, I don’t want to leave, either.” She chuckled. “Can’t see myself returning to Revel just to treat dogs for hives and cats for molting fur. But how can you and I truly build a life together? I guess that’s what I don’t see.”
“I understand. We’re both mystified. But I’m sure time will settle things soon enough.”
She smiled. “So, is that the wolf or the fae?”
He laughed, then suggested he get dressed and they finish the conversation upstairs.
After he put on a clean black tank and leathers, he climbed the stairs to the living room. She refilled his mug, then sat chatting with him easily, the same way she had in the dreamglide for the past several weeks. He had a third mug of coffee while waiting for darkness to fall.
When the sun disappeared completely, he armed himself with his Glock. He then left the cabin with Mary, rising into the air beside her. The trip to her house only took a few minutes after which he waited in the living room while she packed. The cats milled around his ankles, encouraging him into the kitchen just like they’d done the last time. As though he’d been doing it for months, he picked up the dishes, washed them and refilled each one with fresh canned food.
He contacted Mary telepathically. I’m feeding your cats, but what about later?
I’ve already made arrangements. My assistant will be here shortly. She’s going to take over the practice as well as a few household chores until the whole situation with Sydon and your pack is resolved. I told her I didn’t know how long it would take. I trust her, but thanks for taking care of the felines.
You’re welcome. He looked down at Mary’s five cats, all lined up and hunkered over each bowl. He smiled. Once again, he thought how strange it was for a wolf to be caring for cats.
Leaving the kitchen, he called Warren who said all was well at the Caldion Compound and that he’d be grilling steaks soon.
When he hung up with Warren, his thoughts turned to Sydon. He’d gotten word from his lead beta, Harley, that Sydon was all healed and ready to fight.
Reports of Sydon’s behavior however, disturbed Fergus. The incarcerated wolf hadn’t paced or howled or exhibited any of the usual reactions to confinement. Instead, he’d soon shifted back to his human form and had sat in a corner with his back to the wall the entire time. He’d refused to answer questions put to him, his attention focused inward.
