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I don’t dispute her words—I feel better for having it out.

“He spanked me,” I blurt out.

She chuckles and arches one brow. “Did he now? And was that all he did?”

“Yes,” I say, not venturing to mention he was aroused. “He found out I went to the castle ruin. I think he cares about me.”

“You know, Fawn, I think he cares about you too. I didn’t realize it might be Jude, but now I know it makes sense. I know he worries about you living outside the pack village.”

My hopes for a future where he claims me war with common sense. He touched me, spanked me—he got hard while doing it. I swallow. Wolf is a mature shifter who has enjoyed intimacy with many.

“He cares and worries about me, but he does the same for everybody. He would probably discipline any lass he found up to mischief. It is just how he is,” I say, feeling my despondency return.

“I did not see how he was with you,” she says gently. “But I really don’t believe he spanks every woman, young and pretty or otherwise, when they court his wrath. Nothing would make me happier than for you to find someone who would cherish your gentle, playful soul the way you deserve. I firmly believe that people should speak plainly about what they want and desire. Life is too short to waste guessing and missing out... Have you thought about it? About telling him how you feel?”

“What if he doesn’t want me?” I say.

“Well, if he doesn’t want you, then you’re simply finding out rather than wasting many years. But suppose he does want you…”

Her words make sense, but it is also hard to take that step. I take another bite of cake, which is delicious and offers comfort… If only Wolf would notice me, I would give up honey cake for the rest of my life. But I’m still young and question if being bold now is a bad idea. Maybe I need to make Wolf notice me more first. Allow him the opportunity to see me as a woman he might consider as a mate.

The conversation turns to lighter matters, and I enjoy the rest of my cake. When I rise to leave, she slips a thick slab of the cake into the basket for me to take home.

I leave her with a cheery wave, although my mind is already back on Wolf as I take a meandering route through the village with Blue trotting at my side. I have not gone far when Wolf’s two lieutenants approach me.

“The pack leader would like to speak to you, Fawn,” Clay says. “We will take you there.”

“Is Wolf there?” I glance around when I do not see him.

“Jude has been called away,” Glen says. His smile is tight.

I allow them to escort me to the large pack house where the pack leader resides. It’s not like I have a choice. Flint is my lord, and I live under his protection.

Blue finds a shady spot to lie down outside as I enter the pack house. I do not come here often, except when there are celebrations. The main hall is huge, with bright tapestries adorning the wooden walls, and two giant fireplaces, presently unlit, to either side of a long table. Flint’s quarters are through a high arch on the left, while on the right are lodgings where many unmated pack members live.

I have only been in his quarters once before, and that was after my mother passed. He asked me if I needed anything and if I would prefer to move into the pack home or even the human village.

I declined at the time. Although I would have loved a reason to be closer to Wolf, my reasons for distance remained. Now, a year on, I wonder how I can continue—yet what alternative do I have?

Flint is talking to a group of pack members at his table in his private room. Noticing me, he dismisses them. “See that we are not disturbed, Clay.”

The others leave, and I fidget on the other side of the table. Flint is a mature shifter with gray hair and sharp blue eyes. He has always been kind to me, but he is still a formidable pack leader, and I’m nervous in his presence.

Not only me, but my gentle inner side understands well that he is a predator, and we are prey.

His expression is guarded. I cannot read anything in it, good or bad.

“Come and sit down, Fawn,” he says. “I have been speaking to Jude, and he mentioned you to me.”

My heart thumps about in my chest as I take a seat, wondering what Wolf has said… Maybe Wolf has asked if he may mate me? “He did?”

“He mentioned the isolated nature of your home… which concerns him given you’re a young woman alone.”

“Oh,” I say, unsure where this might be going but already certain it has nothing to do with Wolf claiming me as a mate. “I’m fine there, and I have Blue?—”

“He believes it best for you to find a place within the human village,” Flint interrupts my rambling. “You would be safer with others of your kind.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes. “I do not want to go to the human village. That would not be safer at all.” I feel frantic now. “I want to stay in my home... You promised I could stay!”