That was how matings worked in their world.The animal laid a claim, but the first touch was the decidingfactor. Once they made skin-to-skin contact, both would know. Themagic that made them who they were sealed the mating with anunexplainable connection.
Ransom and Luca were doing okay, but theyneeded food. As they all walked together to check on the elders,Anna Claire stayed quiet during the males’ discussions. The sun wasout even though the wind was chilly. She lifted her chin to the skyand absorbed the light. They’d stayed in darkness for almost threemonths, and she’d missed the warmth.
“We are working out a plan to keep everyonesafe,” Gunnar promised, shaking Anna Claire from her thoughts.“Drake and Rex are putting together a list of supplies for ourhome, and we need both of you to do the same. Two of us will gointo town while the others stay behind.”
“I’ll stay with the females,” Luca offered.Anna Claire smiled warmly at him. He’d always been protective ofthe women in the clan. She still hated that their father was socruel to them and forced them to do his dirty work.
“As will I,” Ransom offered.
They checked on both elder couples andwaited patiently while they wrote out their lists. Martha sat ather small kitchen table and used a pencil and a piece of paper tocarefully construct her list of needs while her mate, Doug, stoodbehind her. The couple had been together since they were in theirearly twenties and seeing them at their age gave Anna Claire hopeshe and Gunnar would find that happiness to last them for the restof their lives.
“Here you go, dear,” Martha said as shehanded the list to Anna Claire. The female had been mated for along time, and she knew better than to hand something off to one ofthe males.
“We will get your supplies and be backbefore nightfall,” Gunnar promised and shook Doug’s hand.
Luca and Ransom promised to be at the houseafter they helped Doug with loading up some firewood into theircabin. Martha kissed Anna Claire’s cheek on the way out. “He’sgoing to be a good male for you, sweetheart.”
The whispered words were not missed byGunnar. He tucked his chin and turned away, pretending not to hearthe elderly woman’s words. Anna Claire wished she’d known hismother and father. She would’ve made sure to thank them for raisingGunnar to be respectful to the people who were most important inher life.
They hurried over to the next cabin. Alfredand Peggy Martin were quick with their lists, and Alfred offered tocome sit at the house with the females, but Gunnar assured him theO’Kelly brothers were already tasked with protection at thehome.
“Just stay inside until we know more,”Gunnar suggested. “We will return later with your groceries.”
Thanks and handshakes were passed around,and Anna Claire received another kiss on the cheek from the secondelder female. Thankfully, she didn’t whisper any words ofencouragement where the males could hear, but she did give AnnaClaire a little wink and finger wave when Gunnar had his backturned.
“Let’s head back to the house,” Gunnardeadpanned as they exited the elders’ cabin. “I don’t like us beingout in the open this long.”
“It’s going to be okay, Gunnar,” shereplied, but accepted the coverage he gave her when he moved to herright side, blocking any attacks from across the road. She didn’tknow how far guns could shoot, or if the hunters were good enoughto sight them in from across the way and down the gravel roadleading to the cabins.
“The closer we get to the house, the betterchance they have at taking us out,” he replied. “I should’ve madeyou stay inside.”
“But you didn’t,” she huffed.
“No, I didn’t,” he confirmed with narrowedeyes. “I can’t deny you anything.”
“Don’t look so upset about that,” she teasedand kept pace with the male.
“If you get hurt…” Gunnar let the statementhang. She wanted to console him again; take him into her tiny armsand push the hair away from his scruffy face.
Anna Claire wanted to kiss him.
“You’ll protect me,” she replied, andreached for a hair tie she had around her wrist. Quickly, shebundled her long, blonde hair up into a messy bun and followed himback to the house where Drake and Rex were waiting.
“Rex is staying here,” Drake stated as soonas they arrived.
“The brothers will be here shortly, aswell,” Gunnar announced as he scooped up the list he’d made earlierin the day.
Anna Claire felt a pain in her chest whenshe realized they were about to leave the land. Gunnar glanced ather and suddenly frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t go,” she breathed, feeling a panicattack brewing. “You shouldn’t leave. What if they’re out therewaiting for you?”
“They’re not,” Gunnar promised, coming asclose as he could without touching her. “Breathe, honey. It’s goingto be okay.”
Ada and Tessa rushed over to comfort her.She accepted their hushed words, but it didn’t change the way shefelt about the males leaving the lands. It was dangerous, and theyhad already had one run-in with the hunters. What happened if theywere ambushed on the way to town?
“We have to trust our mates,” Tessawhispered as she took Anna Claire over to the table. Ada fixed hera hot cup of coffee and set it in front of her before taking a seaton her other side. The three females held hands as the males madetheir plans.
She pleaded with her eyes as Gunnar stoodacross the room. Their eyes were locked even though he held aconversation with his brothers. Soon enough, the males were ontheir way out the door. She felt tears prick at her eyes, but sheheld strong. Even with the panic attack wanting to rear its uglyhead, Anna Claire had to be strong.
“I think I will retire to my quarters,” shewhispered, knowing she was going to break down at any moment. Theother females hugged her and let her leave just as her cousins werewalking in the door. She didn’t even stick around to greetthem.
Chapter 5
Gunnar sat in the passenger side of hisbrother’s truck as they drove toward town. Next to his leg, ashotgun sat loaded with ammo. They didn’t expect any trouble,
