She grabbed his hand and pulled him forward through the front hall of the residence. "I'll see if I can get you into my rooms while we figure this out without everyone else knowing you're here."
You're all wolves remember, they've all smelled him already.
That was true and if she'd been thinking clearly she would have realized it. Too late to change her mind about bringing him here, she walked more quickly and was glad to see he kept up.
He cleared his throat. "It's okay, Faith. I'm keeping it together."
But she knew better. He'd nearly lost it in the woods and for a moment she'd given in to the easy answer and believed he was truly whacko. One second they were flirting about how old she actually was, and the next he was throwing her on the ground thinking there were gunshots where there were not.
Thank the heavens she'd thought to at least check the log. She shook her head. What had made her look?
Me.
Faith stifled a giggle. That was true. Her wolf would have exploded with rage if she hadn't at least given it a gander. Of course, now that she had things were more complicated. She'd seen nothing happen that should have caused the bullet hole but there it was and now she had to deal with it.
The truth was in the six months since she'd been security chief, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. In fact, she'd all but convinced herself all of the danger and drama were behind them.
She turned the corner that would lead to the sleeping quarters. It would only be moments before the pack descended on them or the Royals at least. Somehow it would fall to her to keep them away from him until he seemed stronger otherwise they'd never believe him and he'd probably run to the woods again.
But by damn they'd believe her, one way or another.
She pushed open her door and Theo followed her inside. Shutting the door, she did something she hadn't done since coming to Westervelt: she locked the door. If they wanted to see him they'd have to break down the door.
Don't put that past Tristan if he wants to get to Theo desperately enough.
She'd have to hope Ashlee could keep him cool and be patient until she got things sorted out. Theo crossed the room and sat down on the small couch that sat under the windowsill. She often lounged there herself, it gave her a great view of the western lawn, which most of the time she'd found soothing, although she wouldn't have if she'd known Theo was wondering around in the woods just past her view all this time.
He placed his head in his hands and she remembered her earlier thought. Quickly, she shut off the main light and put on one table lamp instead. He looked up, a grateful glint in his brown eyes. Crossing to the fridge, she took out two bottles of water and handed him one. He stared at it for a moment before twisting off the lid.
Deciding it was better to start off lighthearted she made a joke. "Used to getting your drinks from the stream, huh?"
"Or the lake, yes."
Faith sighed. "I think we only have moments before I have to keep all of your brothers from pounding on the door demanding to see you."
He nodded. "I figured that out when we sprinted through the lobby. Thank you for thinking this might be a lot on me and not making me say it."
"Like you just said it now?"
He smiled and she was shocked to see that under his scar he had the remnants of a dimple. What the hell had happened to him to cause the disfigurement? Everyone said he rescued Braden but left it at that. It frustrated her to no end. It was like coming into a story in the middle and no one wanted to tell her what had happened before.
"So you must want to question me." That was true--he'd been in charge of security before she had come. He knew the protocol.
"If you're up to answering."
"Can I ask some of you?"
Faith found herself watching his lips as he spoke. The simple movements of his lips touching each other and the brief glances she got of his teeth and tongue transfixed her. Swallowing hard, she tried to get control of herself.
She became aware the second he noticed her stare and not for one moment was he confused about why she stared at him. He raised an eyebrow and stood up off the couch.
Standing like that, he towered over her. She took one step closer to him and rubbed her palms against his shirt, feeling the hard lines of his chest. He exhaled on a hiss.
"Faith, I'm not safe for you, not yet, maybe not ever."
Her hands felt hot and she wished beyond reason she was touching his skin and not the cotton of his tee shirt. "Theo, I don't want safe in my life. I've never had it and I'm not sure what to do with it when it briefly presents itself. Besides, weren't we designed for each other in heaven or whatever you believe in before we were born?"
A pounding on the door had him stepping backwards and she couldn't help the little whimper that came from her throat. Rubbing a hand against her forehead, she was shocked to feel it was as hot as her hands. Damn, she practically burned up.
"It's Tristan and Rex." Theo's voice sounded rough. At least he'd had the good sense to sniff the air. She was so befuddled she'd lost all sense of what to do next.
Nodding, she composed herself. "Get in the bedroom, close the door. I can handle them. Rex doesn't scare me and Tristan only scares me before he gives me permission to address him."
"I'm not going to hide in the bedroom while you handle my brothers." The flare in Theo's eyes surprised her. She'd do well not to underestimate him.
He's not our supreme Alpha but make no mistake, our mate is an Alpha-male.
Faith wanted to stick her tongue out at her furry half. Any other insights you have, I'd prefer if you shared them before I need to know them.
Theo stomped to the door and swung it open. "Tristan and Rex. Won't you come in?"
"Because it's not my quarters or anything."
"Yes, alright, is it okay if we come in, Faithy?" Rex's tone sounded indulgent and Faith rolled her eyes.
"Fine, if it's okay with Theo. He's the one not yet up to receiving guests." Tristan and Rex must have assumed his consent because they walked on in.
"Faithy?" Theo still stood by the open door. He shut it, hard.
"Faith is our buddy, Theo. Why, with no mate around to keep us from hanging out, she's one of the guys." Rex's eyes sparkled with mischief. Were they really trying to goad him? That was a terrible idea.
Theo narrowed his glare at the youngest of the Kane brothers. "Well consider yourself warned off. She's found her mate and I don't want any nicknames coming from you."
"But I don't know if I can stop calling her Faithy now."
"Alright." Tristan interrupted and Faith had never been so glad to hear Tristan speak up in her life. "So are you back?"
"Not permanently, no. I can't be back until I know I will be safe and not harm anyone, but Faith and I made an interesting discovery in the woods and it was worth hashing it out in a less dangerous place."
Tristan's eyes flared and he whirled on Faith. "What danger?"
Our Alpha is angry with us.
Faith's eyes hit the floor. "I should have come to you immediately." Her voice shook. "But I'm not even sure what happened yet. I don't want to report on something until I understand it."
Theo stepped between Faith and Tristan and suddenly Faith could look up from the floor. "If you're trying to blame someone, brother, blame me. I'm obviously such a mess my mate felt she had to hide me from the world in her room before she could do anything else."
Does he forgive us?
I don't know but I'm wickedly aroused by the fact that Theo just stood up for us.
"I'm not angry with you Faith." Tristan's reassurance let Faith finally breathe again. Okay, then all would be well or at least improved from where it currently was.