Ravenwood(83)

“Are these other packs helpful? Is this the way of wolves?”

“Packs tend to stay amongst their own, but there is a sense of camaraderie with a threat such as this. We all fear being exposed and witch-hunted. Hayter is a strong Alpha, but is not… diplomatic. Ravenwood is a large pack in size, but not in wolves. We’ve only the two of us. Three, should you turn. We cannot afford for him to be abusing our allies.”

Elinore fidgeted with her cutlery, not wanting to say the words she was thinking, but thinking they needed to be said. “Should you go after him?” Caleb looked up at her, brows furrowed. “If Hayter is known to be somewhat… volatile,” she hedged, “would it not be better for you to follow him and sooth any abrasions he has caused?”

“Though your advice is sound, I do not like the thought of leaving you so close to the full moon.”

The full moon. The very words sent a thrill down her spine. Elinore could hardly wait to gaze upon the moon each night and see it fattening up, filling out, so close to brimming over with silvery light. But, it was not full yet. The true full moon was still some days away and though she could feel it creeping behind her like a delicious surprise that one waits for, it would not be that night, nor the next. There was time.

“I’m sure you can attempt to catch up with him wherever he may be and return in time for the full moon. You’ve yet to inquire with the rest of the stable hands. They may have information on where Hayter went. Or perhaps one of the closer packs may know.” She paused, considering his expression. “How concerned are you?”

“If Hayter should irritate or offend another pack…though he is difficult, he is my family.”

Elinore felt an assuredness in her next words. She reached across the table and grasped firmly at one of Caleb’s hands. He threaded his fingers through hers easily, holding her grip.

“You must go. Hayter may be your Alpha, but it seems as though he may still need a keeper.”

“I still dislike leaving you so close to the full moon.”

“I shall be fine. I’m not a child and there is nothing wrong with me.”

Caleb pointedly looked down at her arm where her sleeve had ridden up slightly, showcasing the black lines that were running from the bite, along the length of her arm.

“That will keep until the full moon,” Elinore said calmly. “I have no wish for you to go,” she rushed on, feeling she needed to push the words out before she became cowardly and couldn’t say them. “And I will miss you dearly. But I feel that the choice is clear. You must find Hayter.”

The muscle of Caleb’s jaw flexed and he nodded tightly. “If I mean to catch up with him, I should leave presently. Tonight.”

It was Elinore’s turn to nod. “I feared as much. Or rather, I didn’t fear, but suspected.”

He tightened his grip on her fingers slightly and she forced her lips to curve in a reassuring smile. Dinner was silent for the remainder - both of them eating quietly, their hands entwined across the table. Almost immediately after they were finished, Caleb stood and came to Elinore’s side, pulling her to her feet and kissing her hard and furious. She matched his ferocity, not wanting him to go. She already felt a keen sense of longing pulling at her chest, even as he remained in front of her. Caleb pulled back and rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed. She thought she should perhaps close her own, but she liked seeing the inky spikes of his eyelashes against the soft skin underneath his eyes and the lines of his face. He clasped her hands in his, cradling them against his chest.

“Will you travel by horse or… as a wolf?” she asked, curious what he would choose.

“By horse. I can cover more ground. Though I’m fast as a wolf, I can’t compete with the horses.” His voice held a trace of humor and she smiled at him. “I will be back by the full moon. You will not be alone if the bite takes.”

“I await your rerun. I shall keep Ravenwood safe in your absence,” she said, a teasing tone in her voice until she realized it was true. She felt as though she could keep Ravenwood safe while he was gone. She would be the lady of the manor.

He opened his eyes and took a step back and she no longer felt that her eyes were crossing to watch him. “I’ve no doubt of you.”

His faith in her steeled her nerves, although she still felt agitated at the thought of him leaving. Wanting to do something for him, she cast her eyes about for anything that could possibly be of help. “You should pack some of Mrs. Thistlewaite’s biscuits for your trip.” She senselessly grabbed the plate from the dining room table with its biscuits piled high and handed it to him. It was only as he looked down at it and quirked his lips that she realized the complete foolishness of the gesture. She laughed at herself.

“Perhaps in a satchel would be a better idea than on the fine china,” she amended. She took one of the cloth napkins and fashioned a small pouch into which she then placed four biscuits. “Be safe.” She held out the handily made pouch and as he took it, he caught one of her hands and brought it to his lips, kissing the knuckles. Instead of leaving, he remained where he was, holding her hand. She heartily wanted him to stay, but there was also something inside her, something primal that demanded he go forth and find Hayter. Caleb must corral him, rein him in - if such terms could be used on a man like Hayter. “You must go,” she said quietly and felt he heard the truth of her words. Caleb let go of her fingers and took his leave from the dining room. She could not bear to turn around and watch him walk away, instead choosing to face the other end of the room as he left and closed the doors behind him. Another urge rose up in her, like the one that dictated Hayter must be located, only this time, the feeling built up in her chest, rose through her bones and came out of her mouth in the sound of a sad whine.