Coyotes: Denis

Chapter 7: Primeval

(A/N: This is the last of two parts where the previous events are recapped and summarized from Benoit's perspective. Please read the endnotes for more details. Thank you!)

Lanette had come to me, looking weary and sallow. Her request was simple.

"Please, mentor my daughter. Our family needs her, but I need to know that she is /safe/, Benoit. I can't do that on my own."

I couldn't help the way my chest puffed up. I'm sure Lanette took it as hesitation, but inside it was the beast howling at the thought that he has been asked to protect Denis. Instead of doing it of his own accord, I suppose.

"Of course. We wouldn't want a repeat of this recent incident."

She let out a sigh of relief and, unexpectedly, pulled me down into a tight hug.

It had been a long time since I had been hugged by a maternal figure, and I found myself returning the gesture. Touch-starved is the word that came back to mind, but thankfully my brain did not short circuit from the contact like it would from Denis.

It wasn't just the loneliness, then. Good to know.

***

A trip to an old friend of my father's left me with a small bag of goodies, but a much lighter coinpurse. I couldn't find it in myself to care, I knew her reaction would be worth it.

The worst part of the transaction was picking up the tiny buckle for the rattlesnake bracelet.

"What sort of thing is this going on, huh? You aren't the flashy type." He gave me a knowing wink. I didn't have to answer, but the beast took center stage and wanted to show off.

"A bracelet."

The old Coyote's brows shot up. Never had I shown interest in any women before, so this was a shock.

"Well, that's just precious... You know, if you ever need a ring, it's on the house for you."

I gaped at him, turning beet red at the implication before rushing out the door.

***

I was right. Her eyes lit up at the gifts, and I couldn't help but to make a ceremony out of it.

Two of the tools were for her to help herself, but the last two were tools for me to be able to come running when she needed me. And to provide her with the comfort of my presence when I couldn't be there.

When it came time to present the whistle, there was no way to stop myself from leveling with her and implying the gravity of the item. The unspoken parts.

'Never leave without it. I will not hesitate to answer the call.'

I cringed internally at my own hormonal stupidity.

"Thank you, Benoit. I will keep it close to me..." Her words made my heart sing, but all I gave her was a nod of understanding.

She started to move, but I reached out to her. There was one last gift for her and I didn't want the mood to be broken just yet. I wasn't expecting her to immediately plop back down, with her ears perked straight to the ceiling.

'How cute...' To save her the embarrassment, I pretending not to see the reaction.

Reaching into my satchel, I pulled out the small bracelet for her, and it made me happy to see her instant recognition of what it was made of.

My hormones flared when she held out her wrist, without hesitation, for me to place it on for her. 'She's accepting us.' the beast told me, but I couldn't let myself believe it. Not in the way that my instincts begged for her to.