Miakoda

An Imprint

Tom's POV

"Madison." I call out to my little girl, who's wearing an expression I don't like seeing on her face. I need to find out what the hell just happened as this situation now affects my daughter as well as my mate.

I wrap my arms around Brook and hold her tightly against me. I only manage to breathe out a few words as my mind was reeling with thoughts. "It'll be ok. I'll go talk to her." She lifts her head from my chest. Slight panic still sitting in her eyes.

Everyone else also just standing there, not having a clue what to do. Then I hear Hunter speak.

"Michael. Logan. Find out everything you can about panther shifters. Now!" He orders out to them in a serious and authoritative tone, which was still laced with worry.

I stood there and watched how the two men jumped into action and ran inside, to find what? I don't know. As far as I can see the only one that will be able to give any answers is Madison herself, and she won't say a word to anyone but me.

"I can't see any issues. Rayne looked safe and, well, Madison looked pissed." Chimes in Cassandra not being able to see anything wrong with the outcome of what we just witnessed.

Agatha looks like she agrees With Cass. "No-one got hurt. Except Madison. She probably thinks we all think she's nothing more than a monster now after how everyone reacted." She paused while taking steps towards the house but stopped and turned to look at the rest of us standing there. "Did anyone think of how we all must have looked to her?" She shakes her head disappointed in all of us, including herself and headed inside the house.

Thinking about what Agatha had just said, my heart breaks. Madison trusted us and we all let her down. Whatever just happened between her and Rayne was clearly nothing dangerous. Just sudden, and unusual.

The two of them hadn't met before a few minutes ago. And Miakoda looked like she would have killed to protect her. Key word being, protect.

Merrick, probably wanting to remove himself from the situation had called Cassandra's attention and they headed out to check the boarders.

I pull my arms away from Brook and look at her. "Let me talk to her." I say in a soft tone, to which she nods. I turn for the house, leaving Hunter and his sister standing outside by the back porch.

As I enter the house I note how quiet it is. For the time of day I would have expected a miriad of people coming and going, prepping for dinner. I brush it off as nothing more than a delay and head towards the room where Brook and Rayne have been sleeping.

I stand by the door and just listen. I can hear the little girl giggling and laughing and... I can hear Madison. Talking freely with the little girl. Just as freely as she does with me. Now I know that this cannot be a bad thing.

I open the door ever so slightly and lean in so I can see the two of them. They were sitting on the carpet on the floor with paper and crayons strown between them. They were both drawing and coloring in on the same page. It made me think of how much of a childhood Madison had actually missed out on. Maybe that was the connection? Whatever it was, it didn't matter much to me. Seeing the two of them together, the way they are right now... Made my heart swell with love. This is not a bad thing. I stood there watching the two girls for what seemed like hours. Madison's patience with Rayne was unwavering and never faltered.

I knew though, that I needed to talk with her. I had promised my mate as such. So I moved further into the room, which caught both girls attentions.

"Uncw Tom!" Squealed Rayne and I smiled. I then looked at Madison who's face was no longer angry but her expression was empty. It was the same face I saw when she had first come to me. And that was now killing me.