Call Wolf

Chapter Ten

LynN

Maria counted her fingers, watched the fire dance between them as if nothing had happened. Charles sat by the kitchen window, watching the outdoors. He'd been there since they made it inside and insisted that Maria remained in one of the large armchairs in the livingroom. She had soon dragged it into the kitchen, watching Charles watching the outdoors.

"You can just say it, you know."
Charles jumped and whipped his head around. He gave her a look as if he hadn't noticed she was in there with him.
"Say what?"
"You think it's them, the people from my village."
"It's a possibility."
"It's more than a possibility. I know it's them, I recognized one. Lynn, the leader of the civilian troop."
Charles frowned.
"They're a group of five or six that are responsible of keeping the village safe. It doesn't matter. Look, I know what's happening here."
He wasn't looking at her anymore. If he had then he'd undoubtedly see the moisture she was blinking into her lashes.
"You do?"
"Yes. These people are a threat to your pack and we both know it and right now you're trying to figure out a way to tell me to leave."
That caught his attention.
"You've been more than kind," Maria continued, getting up from the chair. "And I don't want to make this hard on you so I'll do you a favor since you've done me so many already, and just leave."
"Maria--"
"No, no, it's fine. There are kids here and elderly - I saw them - and if Lynn finds out what you are then... No, It's better that I take my chances out there."
A hand reached for her but she swatted it off. Another then came, grabbing her upper arm.
"You are not going out there," Charles said, his expression a product of harsh lines and anger. She couldn't tell if it was directed at her or not. "My pack is well protected. You, however, are not."
"You don't know Lynn."
"I don't, but I do know they've left the property a long time ago."
"How do you..."
Charles put a finger to his nose and, once certain Maria wouldn't try to run off, let go of her arm. He took a careful step back.
"You know they will come back, right? They must have seen me and then you and reckoned they needed more people."
"Of course. But by then we'll have a plan."
"You will?"
He shook his head.
"We will. You have insight. Like it or not but you're an asset now. These people are threats to my pack and you're going to help me eliminate them. I can't let you go."
Maria knew he was just saying what she wanted to hear but nevertheless sunk back into the armchair with a relief so strong when surging through her body that it made her knees weak.
She didn't notice how relieved her decision had made Charles.
"Thank you," she whispered sincerely. "I don't even know what to say."
"Tell me about your village."
"There's... not much to tell. They don't care about much. It's a small community, no more than two hundred people, crammed into a wooded area just south of your cabin - sorry about that by the way."
"It wasn't mine," he reassured.
She thought for a second.
"Before I came along I don't think they were very well versed with anything... not human. I still don't think they are, but now they're obsessed with wanting to be. The mayor, John Gooden, let's it all slide because he wants to be re-elected. God, the only thing he cares about is being able to go to that pompous ball."
"A ball. Do you mean the annual one? What's it called..."
Maria nodded, tried to remember what she'd heard Lynn and the others talk about outside her cell.
"The one at Hillbury Manor to honor all the small communities in the Hillbury county, yeah. He goes there every year. Religiously."
Charles had pulled out a chair some time during their conversation and was now sitting right in front of her, elbows on his thighs and eyes somewhere far off.
"When is that?"
"I'm afraid I don't know."
"You've never gone?" Charles asked before he could think to stop himself.
She shrunk back into the chair a little. "I'll ask someone," he quickly continued. "But I think it's nearing."
"What does it matter?"
Charles shook his head and stood up, motioning for her to follow before exiting the kitchen.

They made it to the room where Maria had previously been told she would stay. She walked inside, plopped down on the bed, and frowned. She threw a look to Charles who was still in the doorframe, arms crossed and face as indecipherable as usual.
"You need to sleep," he stated.
"But Lynn and the others, and the plan--"
"Sleep. For as long as you'd like. We'll get started tomorrow."
"I won't be able to sleep," she murmured.

Charles left, going back into the kitchen. He was just about to sit down by the window when something caught his eye: the clothes he'd brought out for her, thrown on top the back of a chair. He thought to the burly coat and how uncomfortable it had to be.
Within a few seconds he was back at the opening to her bedroom, raising his hand to knock on the frame but stopping himself as he saw Maria. She was already underneath the covers, the sheet pulled up to her chin. Covering the pillows was her unruly hair, stained with soot and damp from the rain. Her eyes were closed, her breathing heavy. On the floor was the discarded leather coat.

A/n
Hope you like it! Maybe a lil boring but I think you get a little more insight into everything. Til next time!