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His face softens, and he rises, coming to put his hand on my shoulder. “There, Fawn. I’m not rescinding my promise, merely asking you again, a year on, if you feel the cottage is best for you. You’re a young woman living in a vulnerable location. It’s a lot for you to manage—all on your own. Would you not like to be closer to your own kind, where you might meet a young man?”

“No, thank you,” I shake my head, fighting the hysterical laugh that seeks to bubble up at the mention of my own kind. “I don’t know anyone in the village.”

He raises both brows.

“I know a few people,” I hedge.

His lips twitch as he returns to his seat.

“Fine. I know all of them. Every man, woman and child. But it is not my home. Where would I even stay?” My lips quiver, and I quickly blink my tears away. “My home is here,” I say quietly, no longer able to meet his eyes. Only now, and for the first time, I’m questioning where I truly belong.

“Alright, lass,” he says. “You’re still young, and I would never seek to force you. When the time is right, you shall know what to do for the best.”

Those simple words make me feel foolish even though I know it is not his intention. He is a fair pack leader, and I can see he only worries about me. But Wolf… How could he suggest this?

Flint’s smile is light. “Go on then, lass. I won’t keep you.”

I rise, wanting nothing more than to escape and be alone with my misery.

“I will have Jude check on you in a few days,” he adds.

“Not Wolf!” My outburst is rude, but I will not take it back. “Anyone else is welcome. But not Wolf.”

Not waiting to find out how my words are received, I turn and flee, dashing the tears from my cheeks the moment I escape the hall. I run all the way home with a confused Blue at my heel and throw myself down on the bed, where I sob.

Blue paces beside my bed, and finally, whining in distress, he sneaks onto the bed and rests his big head over my belly.

I pet his silky ears, feeling desolate inside. “I don’t want to go away,” I say. “This is our home. It is where we belong.”

I think about everything Petunia said. Wolf does not want me. There are no doubts now. Tomorrow, I must find a way to pick myself up, even though I’m breaking inside.

Chapter Four

Fawn

Idon’t sleep all night thinking about Wolf and his plans to send me away. When I do dream, Wolf’s rejection gets all muddled up with a handsome young stag shifter, one I have not thought about in many years.

Seven was noble and polite, a sign of his character—he would not send me away to the human village, I am sure.

I’m cranky and out of sorts by the time dawn breaks. Completing my morning ablutions, I dress and go and milk the goat.

Blue sits beside me to watch what I do.

Afterward, I feed the chickens and collect a few eggs.

I spend some time in the vegetable patch, weeding the beds.

I’m in denial, don’t want to leave, and cling to the hope that a miraculous solution will present itself. If I don’t do anything to court Wolf’s wrath again, maybe this will all blow over. Although it breaks my heart that Wolf does not love me as I love him, the thought of never seeing him again is crushing.

My life is not playing out to my liking, so I conjure up a better scenario as I work, one where Wolf puts me over his knee… orSeven storms the village and claims me, leaving Wolf sorry and alone.

Which makes me think about the letter my mother planned to send a year ago now, and just before she died. At the time, I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving this home where I grew up, of leaving the memories of my papa—of leaving Wolf.

Now I question whether it would have been for the better after all.

Lost in my thoughts, I belatedly notice that the fence to the goat paddock is broken. Greta, my rebellious goat, is missing. This is the third time this week.

Blue is napping in the shade of a tree with his belly in the air. “You are a poor guard dog!” I say, thoroughly disgruntled with both Greta and Blue… and Flint… and Wolf. I am in a bad mood all around. “Now we must find her before she gets into trouble!”