Free mate

politics

I was cooking dinner for us when Daniel came to visit. I felt his presence before he even opened the door and I moved a step to go to him before catching myself. I quietly scold myself when I step back and turn my attention on the food, trying to ignore his arrival. He said hi to Sera and Matt and I heard Oscar talking with them. I kept stirring the rice while I tried to listen to the conversation. I could hear Daniel ask where I was but didn't come here when Sera answered. I was glad he gave me my space, even if I wished I could be close to him.

"What's wrong?" Hanna had been home for once but now she must have seen something that made her worry. My stomach clenches and I wait for someone to continue talking.

"A wolf from Rubymoon was in our territory again. Oscar drove him out but they keep pushing." Hanna cursed at that. Daniel sounds tired but not hurt and I let out a small sigh of relief.

Rubymoon must be another pack. It sounded strangely familiar but I didn't know how I could have heard of it. Maybe someone has mentioned it before but I can't recall it.

"They're always pushing", Sera said.

"It's getting worse", Daniel sighs. I want to go to him and comfort but instead I drain the rice and turn off the heat from the pan where I had chicken in sauce. Good thing I always cook a lot, he should eat something.

Cooking had become something I enjoyed while I was waiting for my ankle to heal. I had always cooked for my old family but back then it was a chore and I had limited resources. Here Sera made sure there were things to experiment with and I started to like it a lot more. It made me feel like I was doing something to pay back the care they gave to me. Everyone had told me that I don't need to but it didn't take long for them to accept I wanted to help somehow.

Matt was an honest judge, he refused to eat if there was something he didn't like. It was amusing to come from a place where they hated everything I made equally but ate anything because there was no other choice. Matt would eat like a wolf one day and refuse to touch dinner the next day because it had too many vegetables. Sera kept telling him off but I made sure to listen and was proud every time he finished his plate.

"It won't be long until they challenge us," Oscar growled when I walked to the door. That almost makes me turn back but it's too late, Daniel turns to me and smiles softly. His smile is beautiful, and I feel nervous under his gaze.

"Food is ready if you're hungry", I say.

He doesn't talk to me, just looks. I move away when others get up and go to the kitchen, Oscar glaring at me and Sera winking. Daniel stands there, waiting for me to move.

I could go to the kitchen and nothing needs to happen but I stay there, unable to go away but unwilling to move to him. It was my fault for not letting him in but seeing him was always awkward.

If only I didn't want to see him all the time.

"You look better." He says quietly. It's true, I've gained some weight and I felt a lot better. There was a long way to go for me to gain the strength I wanted to have but now my bruises were almost gone, just a faint shadow on my face and body. My scars were still there, of course but I wasn't quite so pale and fragile as I was when he first saw me.

My long sleeves covered the scars and light bruises still on my body where Jason used more force grabbing me. I wonder how Daniel would react to someone else's marks over my skin like that, intimately claiming my hips and stomach. Caroline had a mark on her neck where Nicolas claimed him when they met, they didn't need to wait before securing their bond.

Thanks to them I couldn't let Daniel to the same to me.

"Thanks." He still looks tired. He rarely visited but I didn't know where he was all that time, was he working or running around the city, trying to protect his pack.

"Umm... I heard you talking", he narrows his eyes like he's making a note out of something I said but I kept going, "what happens if they challenge you?"

He leans against the couch and crosses his arms, for a second the muscles of his bare arms distract me. His black t-shirt was fitting perfectly.

"Most likely their alpha will challenge me and we'll have to fight. The winner can claim the losers pack", he doesn't look nervous saying that even though it sounds scary to me.

"And you think it will happen soon?"

"You don't have to worry, we have it under control. We've had trouble with Rubymoon for a long time", he gives me a reassuring smile so I nod, even though I know I will keep worrying.

"How's your leg?" Daniel asks.

"Oh, good. Sera thinks it will be back to normal in a week or two." He looked happy to hear that but when he stepped closer and I leaned back the smile fell and he sighed a little.

"Go eat, Kate", he says gently. I watch him walk out before walking in the kitchen. The voice in my head is shouting at me for driving him out but it was his choice. I didn't tell him to go.

"Where did Dan go?" Oscar talks to me for the first time. I flinch at his accusing tone.

"He had to go", I mumble.

"Of course he did", Hanna says quietly with a tone that made it very clear she blamed me and that feels like a punch to face. I didn't spend a lot of time with her but I didn't realize she agreed with Oscar on this. Sera snarled at them but for the first time I hear Matt too, his deep growl getting their attention. Oscar stayed quiet but Hanna offered me an apologetic smile.