The Form Benders “The Bear Essentials”

The Form Benders

The Bear Essentials

by

Janet Lee Carpenter

Published

by

Brighton Publishing LLC

501 W. Ray Road

Suite 4

Chandler, AZ 85225

www.BrightonPublishing.com

Copyright © 2013

ISBN: 978-1-62183-161-7

eBook

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Cover Design: Tom Rodriguez

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All the characters in this book are fictitious and the creation of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to characters or persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Dedications

I would like to dedicate this book to all the people in my life who have helped to bring this second book into publication.

To Wesley, whose unending loyalty and promotion of my first book has made the series wildly successful, and to my niece, Shannon, who promotes my books daily and has been such a wonderful, loving support to me.

I dedicate this book to my sister, who despite almost-insurmountable odds, is always willing to read my stories with her kind, but honest eyes and comment on them.

To my dear friend Diana, who clearly loves and supports my work with her kindness and love of storytelling—thank you.

To my mother who has passed on from this plane of existence, thank you for your kind and loving support, even now. Although you are not here, you are always in my heart and mind, as you make this journey with me.

In addition, thank you to my loving family, who without your ideas, support, and generously kind words, I would not have gotten this far.

And last but not least, Thank You to my dear readers who have posted reviews on amazon.com, and to my future audience–your support and love for Ripley’s story touches my heart.

Acknowledgements

I have been very blessed with the loving, encouraging, and kind people in my life who have helped me move forward and to remember, Although we think we walk alone, we are never far from those who love us.

As always, thank you to my dear publishers, Don and Kathie McGuire. Thanks for believing in me and taking a chance… you two are the best!

Prologue

Still, Ethan, I feel sorry for him. Don’t you? Evan said while skipping a smooth, flat rock over the placid surface of the lake.

I don’t get it, why do you feel sorry for Ripley? Ethan finished baiting his hook, and then held the rod firmly in his right hand. He pulled back his arm, snapped the pole forward over his head, and stopped its forward movement with a quick pop before letting go of the trigger that held the line in check. He watched as the baited hook and line sailed through the air and landed perfectly in the pool he’d been fishing for over an hour. He looked down at the stringer… seven, he counted silently… almost enough for supper. Ethan sat down, rested his pole against a nearby rock and looked over at his twin. Well? he prompted his brother.

Are you serious? Evan questioned him in surprise.

Of course I’m serious, Ethan frowned. Why wouldn’t I be serious? Do you think that we should feel sorry for him because his parents never told him that he was a form bender?

Oh for heaven’s sake, Ethan…! Evan exclaimed, exasperated with his brother’s lack of understanding.

You sound like Mom, Ethan complained beneath his breath, and then looked back to where the clear fishing line entered the water. He was hoping for a bite so he could distract himself from his brother’s tirade.

Evan breathed a long-suffering sigh as he explained. I swear… he picked up another smooth rock, skipped it across the lake’s surface, and then sat down on the boulder near his brother. Can’t you put yourself in his shoes?

At Ethan’s withering glare, Evan continued his diatribe. Ok, think about this, he suggested. You live in the human world—with no idea that our world of form benders even exists. On your sixteenth birthday, you go through a tremendous amount of pain, only to find yourself in the form of an animal—in Ripley’s case, a wolf. You’re terrified that your mother is going to find out, because you have no idea she and your father are also form benders; so, you figure you have to leave everything you’ve ever known and find some portal into this imaginary world, at least it is imaginary in your mind because you thought it was only a dream! Then finally, you are thrust into a world that you don’t understand, with beings that are also able to bend their forms, but you’ve no idea how they do it!

That’s pure conjecture on your part, Ethan argued dismissively. The look on his brother’s face was enough to stop him from teasing Evan any further, however. Okay… I guess I see your point, Ethan said more to himself than his brother.

Ethan! You guess? I would feel sorry for an enemy that had to go through something like that—and he’s our friend! Evan stared hard at his brother. He had to have been terrified! Evan shook his head. I don’t know how it is you can’t realize how… how… he searched for the right word, disconcerting that would be!

Ethan rolled his eyes at his brother’s choice of words and then said, "I do realize how disturbing it would be to have all of that happen in just a day, but, trust me… I don’t feel sorry for him," he insisted.

All right, Evan said as he watched as Ethan stand up, reel in his line, check the bait, and then cast it back out into the water. Another perfect cast into the pool! Evan thought, and wished he could do that. Once again, Ethan rested his pole against the rock he used as a support and sat down on the sand. He looked up at Evan before he spoke.

I don’t feel sorry for Ripley, because, you and I both know what he will become. He is the One that the elders foretold us would come and bring the clans of the form-bending world back together. And, I don’t have to tell you, that’s a very important destiny!

Evan rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. Really…? Omigosh, you understand nothing, brother!

Well, it’s true! he defended himself.

"Don’t be stupid Ethan! He doesn’t know that he is the ‘One’. He’s only sixteen for heaven’s sake!"

So? What has that got to do with anything? Ethan demanded. At some level, he has to know who he is! he argued. Besides, Evan, you’re starting to talk like a human.

No, brother, he doesn’t have to know anything! No one has told him, he defended indignantly, and I am not acting like a human! Evan scowled at his brother.

Ignoring Evan’s outburst, he answered logically, "Look at the Prince; he became our Prince at age twelve!

Grrr, Evan grumbled at his brother’s density. That is different!

Really, how so? Ethan wanted to know, badgering his brother because he could. He hid his secretive smile with his hand and continued to stare at the spot where his line met the surface of the lake.

I can’t believe you could be so dense! he snapped back as he picked up another rock, skipped it over the surface, and then did a victory dance as he counted the times it skimmed the surface—thirteen, Woohoo! he cried triumphantly.

Then serious once again, he returned his attention to their argument. He spoke slowly, as if to a child, and then turned back to his twin and said, The Prince was born here, amongst other benders. He knew who he was from the start! There was never any question as to what position he’d fill when he came of age. Ripley didn’t know then; and he doesn’t know now. That’s my point.

Ok, I guess I see that, Ethan conceded, watching his brother ready himself for another attack. Before his brother could say more, however, he sidetracked him. What about Whitemane?

What do you mean? Evan asked cautiously, sensing that his brother was about to tease him further, however, not quite sure how the subject of Whitemane could be involved.

You can’t feel sorry for him that he’s snagged the prettiest bender around, one brow rose questioningly. Ethan laughed when he saw the expression of disbelief on his brother’s face. You mean you didn’t know? Why, everyone’s talking about it! Ethan’s genuine amusement bubbled to the surface as his laughter echoed across the lake.

Evan opened his mouth to speak, shut it, and then tried again. What do you mean? Evan finally got out, his brows drawn down in a scowl.

Yeah, he and Whitemane are an ‘item’. Ethan was clearly enjoying his brother’s bewilderment. I know too that there are a couple of other wolf benders in the clan that are pretty torn up about it.

You don’t know that, he countered. They haven’t announced it yet! Evan was the one who was disconcerted now. He had been enjoying his brother being off balance. How Ethan had turned the tables so quickly on him, he didn’t know.

You’ve got to be kidding, little brother… haven’t you seen how they look at each other? They’re always together—ever since they returned to Haven’s Rest from rescuing his mother from that woman, Kestler, who runs the Form Benders Eradication Force. It seems Kestler has cemented together Ripley and Whitemane’s relationship far better than time could ever secure it.

Evan frowned, thinking about all the times that he’d seen Ripley and Whitemane together. His eyebrows rose as a thought occurred to him. He gave his thoughts a voice as he said, I’ll watch them at the celebration tonight, and see if what you’re saying is true.

I’ll bet you’ll find that I’m right, Ethan said with a superior grin.

You’re on! What’s the bet? Evan agreed, accepting the opportunity of a chance to get even with his brother.

You do my chores if I’m right, Ethan declared.

Evan hesitated for only a split second before asking shrewdly, For how long?

Obvious to Ethan that he’d snared his brother’s interest, he thought carefully before finally blurting, One month.

Done…! Evan agreed with a laugh. The twins shook hands on it as the tip of Ethan’s pole began to dance. Evan watched his brother, smiling secretly to himself. Ethan was wrong; he knew he was! They would have told everyone of their intentions—if what Ethan said were true.

Finally, noticing the tip of his pole, Ethan jumped up, grabbed it, and then reeled in another large trout. He removed the hook, placed his catch on the stringer and smiled hugely at Evan while holding up his trophies for his brother to survey.

Mama’s gonna love you, tonight, Evan said. Poor Angel, she’s gonna be stuck with Mama doing dishes after supper since we’ll have to clean the fish!

The boys both laughed at their sister’s plight as Evan picked up his brother’s tackle box and the lunch box Mama had packed for them to go fishing. Ethan was going to carry his pole and the stringer the short distance back to the cottage. He was grinning from ear to ear, as he thought about the bet that he would be able to collect on, once his brother saw Whitemane and Ripley together at the party. Ahh, Ethan was going to enjoy this! he thought as he smiled triumphantly.

He decided that it would be faster to bend in order to get home, so Ethan set down his pole and stringer, slipped into his bear form, and then picked them up again in his teeth as he started toward their cottage. A little too late, Evan followed suit and set down his burden. He changed forms, picked up the handles of both the tackle box and the lunch box in his mouth, and then had to gallop to catch up with his brother. We’ll see who’s right, he thought with a grin as he caught up to Ethan near the pathway leading to their cottage and they headed toward home. He could hardly wait for tonight to come. Boy, was Ethan gonna be sorry!

Chapter One

This was their second party in as many days. The first had been to celebrate the safe return of Ripley and his parents to Haven’s Rest. Now he broodingly watched the revelers as they danced to the music at the celebration—his celebration. He wasn’t feeling terribly festive. Ripley was having trouble with his bends. He couldn’t seem to return to his wolf form—and that was discouraging.

Pumpkins and hay bales for seating littered the area near the bonfires. They had been lit early in the evening to keep everyone warm in the chill autumn air. Casks of wine and stout were being passed around for the same reason, and the partygoers seemed to be having a terrific time. He knew he shouldn’t be so sour, but he couldn’t figure out what he was doing wrong… and his parents had been rather scarce since their return home. Consequently, he couldn’t ask them what he needed to do so he could bend his form back to a wolf. He’d done it before. Why can’t I do it now? he wondered. Ripley scowled more deeply at the partygoers.

The tables were laden and groaning from the weight of all manner of meats, autumn vegetables, and bread which had been twisted and poked into every shape imaginable. The food was being consumed at a rapid rate. The centerpieces, adorned with various fruits, were being picked apart and happily devoured by the cheerful guests. A few crowds had begun to gather around the tables and benders were filling their plates to the brim with the harvested bounty. Laughter and toasts to Ripley were shouted loudly above the din of the crowd. Even the band was increasing their volume so they could be heard over the guests. The party was for Whitemane too—in a way. He glowered as he watched her.

Whitemane had chosen to stay in her human form lately—a singularly distracting development for Ripley. He never realized how difficult it was to keep his eyes off her lithe form until she hadn’t bent in some time. It was intriguing to him that he constantly wanted to touch her now—and that he found an excuse to do so at every opportunity. He had to keep his hands in his pockets for fear of letting them roam too far. He didn’t know if she remained in her human form to torture him, or if it was because she was trying to make it easier on him since he was unable to change into his wolf form. Either way, she was sending him to the moon and back every time she smiled at him. Perhaps she thought it would be more uncomfortable for him to be around her when she was a wolf he conceded, however, he didn’t know if that was indeed her reason—he hadn’t asked her. His downcast face told the story to anyone who cared to look, however, as he furtively watched Whitemane dance with Ethan Johns. His eyes followed every graceful move she made longingly. She is so beautiful, he thought.

Ripley decided Ethan was holding her a little too close right now. He frowned. As he watched the couple, Ethan spun her away from him, and then drew her back into his arms. She leaned toward him. Ethan said something to her that must have amused her because she threw her head back and laughed. Her white silky hair fell in a shimmering cascade, reflecting the firelight as she moved. He loved to watch her. Her tinkling laughter was a sweet sound carried on the evening breeze.

Ripley frowned more deeply as he watched them enjoying themselves. I am not jealous! he swore to himself. He stood up to go to her, then changed his mind and clenched his fists. He returned to the bale of hay, and then sat down hard, all the while feeling frustrated and left out. He stretched his long legs out in front of him and crossed them at the ankles so he was only resting his weight on his backside. He had never felt this way about anyone in his life. The fact that her mere presence could incite him to these feelings, and make him want to fight every male in the township that even looked at her, scared him a little… Okay, maybe a lot! he admitted to himself.

I will not give in to my temptation to go and rip her out of Ethan’s arms, he promised himself. What would everyone think if I did? Hah! There will be no thinking involved, he surmised derisively, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out how I feel about her—a village idiot would know what I am feeling.

His discomfort had grown in strength as he sat there. Yes, they would all know exactly how he felt about her—and he hadn’t even told her yet. Oh, he had meant to tell her. She probably knows, he thought honestly, but he’d never quite gotten up the nerve to say it. No, instead he would bide his time and sit here… fuming. He clenched and unclenched his fists then shoved them deeper into his pockets and turned his gaze away from them. Maybe, if he didn’t watch them, it wouldn’t be so difficult. He turned his head away from the scene and pulled his right hand from his pocket. He lifted the tankard from the hay bale where it sat next to him. Some well-meaning reveler had pressed it into his hand over an hour ago. It had been sitting on the hay bale next to him for almost that long. Now he distractedly took a brief sip of the pungent brew and made an awful face as the wine hit his palate. He flung it away from him and spit the brew on the ground nearby. The metal stein clanged and banged across the nearby ground, emptying its contents upon the thirsty earth. How could anyone drink anything that tasted like that? he wondered as he quickly wiped his tongue on the cuff of his long-sleeved shirt. That thought led him immediately to his mother… bringing back all the memories from his childhood… of her drinking—and the more recent ones, too. He thought he had forgiven his parents for not telling him earlier about who and what he was. Now he realized that he hadn’t really. He was certainly having trouble forgetting that they’d never mentioned he was… unusual.

He watched his parents as they danced near the bonfires, laughter, and joy clearly reflected in their expressions. It was the first time he’d seen them since their return. It was obvious to everyone that Rafe adored Lily, and vice versa. I’ve never seen him smile so much, he thought resentfully. He attempted to hold himself aloof from his feelings—because he didn’t want to think about the celebration… or his parents. However, most of all—he didn’t want to think about Whitemane and Ethan. He didn’t want to ponder the fact that he couldn’t bend his form, or pursue his gloomy thoughts about the two of them dancing… and him doing something about what he clearly wasn’t willing to, in the midst of this crowd. Instead, he sulked.

His head understood why his parents needed some time after so many years apart—but his heart? That was a different matter. It felt odd to be staying with Mama and Papa. Haven had given the family the cottage upon their return to Haven’s Rest as a token of the Benders appreciation for what they had done. He knew from what Whitemane had told him about the small house, that there was more than enough room for all of them to live comfortably. Darn it, I want to live in my own home! His thoughts screamed inside his head, although he didn’t betray them with even a furrowed brow or the twitch of an eye. Much to his credit, he dragged his thoughts from the subject. I’m not going to think about that, he admonished himself while he adjusted his position, crossed his legs at the ankles, and sat fully on the bale.

He was somewhat surprised that Sally hadn’t come to him before now. He didn’t have to wait much longer, however, for the dance was almost over. Sally made a beeline in his direction as soon as it was. For a brief moment, she was sidetracked into a dance, but her eyes never left his, once they’d made contact. She danced her way to him. The group began to form up for a conga dance of sorts around the bonfires—and as they passed by him—Sally stepped from the line, and then pulled him to his feet and into the dance. He quickly slipped the bells that she had shoved into his hands onto his wrists. The dancers followed each other in a line, and then raised their hands and twisted them. The tiny bells on their wrists filled the air with a tinkling of sound as they turned about in a circle. After they had done three rotations, they each placed their hands on the hips of the person in front of them, and began to move forward once again, ten steps forward, three steps back, then raise your hands and fill the air with the sound of bells while you twirl about, and repeat.

Ripley forgot everything but the touch of her slender hands when she tugged at him, forcing him to rejoin the rest of the partygoers. Within a few moments, the feel of her slender waist beneath his long fingers was too much for him… he wanted to kiss her, here in front of everyone, but that would never do. He could feel the gentle sway of her hips beneath the lovely aqua gown she was wearing. His hands ached with his desire to hold her and embrace her. I have to get away from here! he thought frantically. He had decided not to make their relationship public for a while yet; it was too soon after Lily’s rescue and him learning about his father. The other benders might talk, and he didn’t want that. Her reputation was too important to him.

When the dancers lifted their hands to twirl about the next time, Ripley ducked the bender’s grasp next to him. While Sally had her back turned to him, he slipped away from the line and snuck off from the group… unnoticed by almost everyone. He was hoping that Sally would follow him, and at the same time, he wasn’t. He pulled the bells from his wrists, along with the long-sleeved, pull-over t-shirt he was wearing, and set them on a picnic table as he crept away from the party into the anonymous night.

While he was unable to change to his wolf form, it was hard for him to relax when Sally remained in her human form. At least, in his wolf form he didn’t feel so vulnerable… so… obvious. He was finding it almost impossible to lighten up. Between the changes his mother had undergone, his newly found father, and the undeclared feelings he had for Sally, his emotions were skittering around this evening like errant drops of water dancing on a sizzling skillet.

The sounds of the snapping and crackling flames of the bonfires nearby faded as he put distance between himself and the revelers. He made his way to the small stream just the other side of the Town Hall. Away from the warmth of the fires, he shivered in the night air—maybe I should have left the t-shirt on, he thought longingly. At least I would have had some defense from the night air, he finished. In his human form, he had little or no protection from the chill of the night. He thought about going back to the Johns’ to get a jacket, and then dismissed it. Maybe the cold would clear his head and slow the rampant emotions that seemed to overwhelm him at every turn.

The aspen leaves fluttered softly in the night breeze while crickets and cicadas chirped their own music to him. He found a seat on an old, moss-covered log, pulled his feet up under him and then rubbed his arms briskly to warm them. He finally crossed them over his bent knees and rested his chin on his folded arms to conserve body heat. Ripley watched the reflection of the waning moon disperse and reform several times on the undulating surface of the lazy stream only a few feet in front of him. The soft gurgle of the rippling water was relaxing to him. He felt some of the tension drain from him as he sat there quietly. An occasional frog would sing to its mate, filling the air with a loud Brrrr-up at irregular intervals.

Well, it isn’t a fully waning moon, Ripley corrected himself and closed his eyes—that was tomorrow night. What will the full moon bring when it comes? he wondered. That same moon had seen him change to a wolf—would he find himself in another form as Remenion had predicted? Or would another month pass before he would succumb to another bend? Odd, he thought, I’m looking forward to whatever happens next. Maybe I’ll find it easier to change forms, once the magic changes me again. If only I could bend now, he thought, maybe I’d be happy and feel less vulnerable. He could only imagine how Skerrin felt these days—flipping back and forth between forms! As Oren’s younger brother, Skerrin was well-accepted by the other benders; although he must find it almost impossible being unable to control his bends since Kestler had pumped all that poison into his system. He felt a deep affinity with Skerrin now, sharing that inability to bend his form at will. He sighed and opened his eyes.

With the music in the distant background and lost in thought, he never heard Sally approach. She startled him as she laid a gentle hand upon his broad shoulder. He jumped ever so slightly, but she’d felt it. She came, he thought as he smiled and felt the tension drain from him.

Sorry, she said softly, not wanting to disturb the peace of this glen or his silent reverie.

Ripley reached a hand up to hers and covered it with his own. Oh, you’re fingers are cold! he exclaimed as he pulled her around in front of him and held both her chilled hands with his own warm ones.

Her musical laughter filled him with hope and joy. But the rest of me is toasty! she said as she smiled coyly at him. The dancing has warmed me through! she declared with a wink.

She is a bit of a vixen, he thought as he grinned. He decided he liked her this way—all sassy and flushed from her dancing with Ethan. Ripley frowned briefly at the thought of Ethan dancing with her before he cleared his mind and said, Come sit with me and I will warm them for you, he offered. He opened his arms to her then and she came to him, snuggling close against him, warming him as only she could.

He could see the blush infusing her lovely face by the light cast from the slash of the moon in the night sky. The warmth of her slender body sustained her declaration; she was indeed glowing and flushed. He had never felt this way about anyone before. His heart suddenly beat a little faster when she was near him, and his stomach did a tightening thing that made him shiver. Since they were alone now, he took the time to drink in her scent. The perfume of flowers and spice emanated from her tonight… beckoning to him—stirring things inside of him that might be better left unvoiced. She made him feel things and want things for himself that he’d never imagined.

Sally brought out a gentle kindness in him that, as of yet, had been reserved only for his mother. Something else, however, burned in him that he kept hidden from her—lest he frighten her with his passion. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe. He knew she was strong; he just wanted to be the strong one for a change… her knight in shining armor. Never mind that it sounded like a silly childhood notion—even to him. He dismissed the thought with one quick shake of his head.

Sally nestled deeper in his arms with her back to him. She slipped her arms beneath and around his, and then slid her hands down his arms and interlaced her fingers with his to complement his embrace. Her back rested solidly against his chest. She sighed and shivered slightly as she leaned her head back against him, remaining quiet while she watched the moonlight make patterns on the water. The warmth of her body infused his colder one as he hugged her tightly, drawing in her warmth, and sharing his.

There was a moment of stillness. Will she know if I kiss her? Right here behind her ear? Should I? he wondered with hesitation. The longing to do so was overwhelming as his heartbeat rose in anticipation. She seemed to be waiting for something, as she stood cradled in his arms against his young warm body. He couldn’t resist. He would steal a secret kiss without her knowing. His lips brushed against her hair, more lightly than the fluttering wings of a moth to a flame. Time seemed to stop for him as he sat there, his heart beating rapidly against his chest—had she felt it too? Did she know that he’d stolen his first kiss?

He drew her more closely to him then. She said nothing; perhaps she hadn’t felt him kiss her. His heart began to slow and he looked away from her trying to calm his intense feelings. She always seems to know when I need her to be silent, he thought in admiration as his thoughts turned once again, to his mother in an effort to control his feelings for her. Ripley was honest enough to realize that thinking of his mother was only a ploy to keep the wild emotions at bay that Sally aroused in him. At that moment, however, Sally couldn’t have reminded him less of his mother, which made it difficult for him to slow his rampant feelings.

His mind skipped like an old vinyl record, and then changed tacks. All he wanted was to hold her and gently lay his lips upon hers. Then his thoughts shifted again. He wished Sally had warned him about Rafe and his mother, and their secret. Where did that thought come from? he wondered. He wished he could focus himself, and then release his confusion into the night. Pursuing this train of thought only served to make him think more of Sally—and a lot less of his mother. His thoughts were a scrambled mess around her. It seemed her mere presence evoked thoughts of things he’d rather not think about tonight—it was too soon… too fast.

I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Malador, she spoke quietly into the night, successfully derailing Ripley’s train of thought.

How do you do that? he questioned her, one brow raised as he studied what he could see of her face. He had spent many hours trying, apparently without success, to keep his thoughts hidden from others. His father had given him some exercises to work on. Maybe I am doing them wrong? he wondered. He’d have to work harder on this tomorrow. However, right now all he wanted was to enjoy the feel of Sally leaning so trustingly against him.

A tiny laugh, and then she asked, Do what?

Read my mind like that?

Again, the gentle laugh as she teased, It’s easy to read your mind, my love, when it’s written all over your face. He thought of Eurythacles. He’d said much the same thing to him. Was he genuinely that transparent? She looked up at him then, adoration in her eyes and he was mesmerized. She is lovely, he thought as he watched her. Her eyes sparkled in the sliver of moonlight that lit the glen with its luminescent glow.

A deep chuckle escaped him as he allowed her gentle ribbing to lift his mood. He didn’t want to admit to himself that he might have been jealous of Ethan’s attention to her earlier this evening. Because, as they’d danced under the same moonlight the two of them now shared, that had been exactly what he’d felt.

You needn’t be jealous, she remarked.

There! You’re doing it again! he exclaimed. He was undoubtedly going to have to work on hiding his thoughts from others.

She smiled and reached her delicate hand up to touch the light dusting of whiskers on his face. Her aqua eyes then turned serious as she faced him.

It is not Ethan Johns that I am interested in, she stared deeply into his eyes as she continued, I thought you knew that by now.

His stomach did that little clench thing and the air not only caught in his chest, but also suddenly became thick with unspoken longing again. It was Ripley, however, who broke eye contact first and looked away. He didn’t want her to see that her words had unerringly hit their mark and lay reflected in his eyes. Nor did he want her to see how much he would have loved to kiss her right then. Instead, he focused on the fact that he felt ashamed—because he knew that his jealousy was ridiculous and that she cared only for him. However, more than that, he also knew that it would be unwise to kiss her at that moment when he had so little to offer her and while his emotions were bubbling so close to the surface. Focusing on the thoughts of his foolishness was much safer than the ones he wanted to entertain—not to mention—easier to control.

He thought she had made it clear that she wanted him that day when he had helped to rescue her father. He wasn’t entirely sure though until he’d gone to get his mother. When Sally had stood on the knoll in the late afternoon sun, she’d made it abundantly obvious to him that she had chosen him by telling him her real name. That was something he was certain she wouldn’t have shared if she hadn’t been serious about him. From his studies in school, he knew that wolves mated for life.