Chapter Fifteen

Dakota

The crows put Cardian in a bad mood all day. Every time a bird sounded off outside, he went to make a sweep. I left him to it but didn't get what was so upsetting about the birds. Even if the birds were dead, they weren't coming to eat us. They were birds and birds made noise.

I dusted and swept in small sprints every time he left to go hunt for dead birds. Nothing was out there. The bear cub had been a fluke. I said a small prayer to Juda that the bear cub had found his way to the afterlife and was with someone who could soothe his spirit. Every baby deserved parents.

The next few days passed in much of the same manner. Cardian stayed on guard, never quite relaxing even when we made out or touched each other. His commitment to safety and security was admirable, but I ached each time he sprinted away to check for danger that never seemed to show its face.

More and more bird calls came and none of us ever saw the faces of the crows or perhaps ravens that made all the racket. A deer walked in and out of the backdoor, which was shut and locked up tight. We all saw that one. With Scott on bedrest, Terrick not leaving his side, and Cardian running circles around the outside of the house, I called Blithe. Something was definitely up, but I wasn't thinking straight. Hell, I wasn't too sure any of us inside the house were thinking straight. We needed an outside perspective.

That evening Blithe and Duke came over for dinner. We ate in the living room with Scott propped up on the sofa. Terrick held one side of his plate for him, because his big pregnant belly was too large for the tray to fit over any longer. He was pale and smelled exhausted as he pushed the food around his plate in between drinks of a bloodshake. The meat loaf I made was devoured with second and third helpings. Not one single bird cried out while our guests were around.

After dinner, Terrick helped Scott to bed, Duke accompanied Cardian on his sweep as an extra pair of eyes, and Blithe helped me clean up.

"Maybe they were real birds just passing through," Blithe said as I washed dishes and passed them off to him to dry and put away.

"I've thought about that," I nodded. "I wouldn't have brought it up to you guys at all except it's really bugging Cardian."

"I can tell," he said.

"Huh?"

"You guys haven't exchanged your claiming vows," Blithe said, toweling off a plate.

"I know," I nodded. "I'm patient. It's complicated for him I think."

"Because he's chasing birds?" Blithe arched a brow.

"Because of things I'm not willing to share because it's not my story," I shrugged. "He's definitely worried about security and the bear cub has him on high alert, but there's more, I think. I just can't get him to sit still long enough to talk about any of it.

"I know Alphas like that. They keep busy instead of addressing their issues."

"It's just his past," I shook my head, holding back a curse word.

I was knee deep in the true-mate response magic. Logically, Blithe was right. Cardian's past was an issue. Only to my magic addled and horny brain it sounded like an insult.

"Hey, if you need me to spend a night over here so you guys can have some time alone, I can make that work. Scott is my brother, or have you forgotten?" Blithe grinned.

"I know. I don't know if Cardian will be up for it."

"Well, if he doesn't do it soon you two won't have much of a choice about when it happens."

"I know!" I snapped and then apologized before the anger was even out of my voice.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help, Dakota," Blithe frowned.

"I know and I'm sorry," I apologized again. "I don't know how to handle this. I probably would if I had more brain cells right now, but I don't. I'm sorry I bothered you guys over birds that probably were just passing through."

"That's one theory, but don't sell yourself short. We're wolves. If there was a bird out there, you'd have seen it. If there were as many birds as you described, you'd probably have seen one of them at least. Just because both things are happening at once doesn't mean one of them isn't true. Why don't you take a few minutes to yourself, calm down, have some tea or something and I'll finish up the dishes."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "I know you want to get back to Cord and the kids."

"I'm sure," Blithe said. "Just take a few minutes to get your thoughts together."