The broken Alpha - Healed by innocence

Flowers

*Chase*

With the early morning sunlight streaming through the window at the end of the hall, I stand outside the door to my bedroom, fully aware that I have the right to simply walk into the room, a right I choose not to exercise. Not yet, anyway.

I hate the fear I see in my Luna’s eyes every time she looks at me. The few times I have touched her, that fear intensifies. What the hell does she think I'm going to do: ravage her?

I despise the way she opens the door and peers out as though fearful of what she might find on the other side, but I knock anyway. She opens the door, and I bite back my frustration at the apprehension reflected in her eyes.

"I'm sending one of my men into town this morning to pick up some supplies. If you give me a list of things you need, I will have him pick them up for you." I tell her.

"Oh, thank you. I will only be a moment." She says.

I step into the doorway as she hurries to the bureau and tears a piece of paper from a book. I suppose she keeps a journal. I know so little about her, but I discover I like the shape of her backside when she bends over and begins to write on the piece of paper. She straightens and turns sooner than I would have preferred. Hesitantly, she holds the paper toward me. I take it from her.

"Thank you," she says softly.

I hate her gratitude as well. I stalk from the house and cross the yard to where a young man is waiting beside the wagon. I extend the slip of paper toward Pete. "Need you to pick these up for the Luna."

Pete drops his gaze and starts kicking the ground with the toe of his boot.

"Come on, boy, I ain't got all day," I shake the list under his nose. "Take the list and git."

Pete looks up, his freckled face redder than the hair his hat covers. "I can't read."

"What do you mean you can't read? I give you a list every week, and you take it into town and pick up my supplies." I say.

Pete shifts his stance. "Nah, Alpha. Cookie reads the list to me. I remember everything on the list, but I didn’t know you were gonna have another list for me, and Cookie's gone out with the herd today, but you can tell me what she wrote and I'll remember it. I got a good memory."

I figure over half my men probably can’t read. They are smart, dependable men who get the job done, and that job seldom requires reading. My son will need a tutor if the town doesn’t have a school in a few years. I will make sure that the tutor also teaches any of my men who want to learn. Meanwhile, we will do the best job we can with what we have.

I unfold Callista's list and stare at the single word she’s written.

Pete clears his throat. “You don’t read neither?”

I meet the young man’s earnest gaze. “No, I read just fine, but this is something I will need to take care of myself. You go on to town and get the supplies I need.”

“Yes, my Alpha.” He says.

Not until Pete has climbed on the wagon and started to roll toward town do I dare to look at my mates list again. I shake my head in bewilderment, wondering if I will ever understand how a she-wolf’s mind works, convinced I will never understand my mate.

I head into the house, searching through every room, certain she won’t still be in her bedroom. She had been dressed when I had knocked on her door earlier. Surely she doesn't stay in the bedroom all day.

But when I knock on her bedroom door, she opens it as hesitantly as she always does. I hold up her list. “Flowers? You wanted my man to go into town and purchase you some flowers?”

She blinks, clutching her hands before her. “I was thinking he could pick them on his way back to the ranch.”

“Why can’t you pick them?” I ask.

Her brown eyes widen with alarm. “They’re outside.”

“I know where flowers are.” I say.

“I’m not allowed outside. The dangers!” She mumbles.

I blink several times. “Dear Goddess! Were you a prisoner in your father’s house?”

Tears well in her eyes. “In Kansas, I cared for my mother. Here... here, my father thought it was in my best interest to stay inside. He said there were dangers. Outlaws. Rogue. A she-wolf wasn’t safe.”

I repeatedly sweep my thumb and forefinger over my beard, trying to make sense out of what she has just said. “Have you been staying in this room all day?”

She nods. “Is there another room I should stay in?”

I slam my eyes closed. She isn’t just afraid of me. She’s afraid of everything. Good Goddess, could I have married a woman who was more opposite than I am?

Heaving a sigh, I open my eyes. “You don’t have to stay in any room. You don’t have to stay in the house. If you want flowers, go out and pick them.”

She looks aghast. “But the dangers!”

“I’m not leaving you alone here. My men are about. If you need them all you have to do is holler. They will be by your side before your mouth closes, so go get your flowers.” I tell her. “You will be safe.”

I turn to walk away.

“Where will you be?” she asks.

“Checking on my herd.” I wish I hadn’t seen relief plunge into her eyes.