Enemies in Love [High-Country Shifters 4] (10 page)

Before she could shed the first tear, her brothers ushered the men out. Her mother must have sensed her turmoil because she led Henla over to the sofa.

“Let me get you some of your favorite tea. I made cookies, too.”

Normally, that would have cheered her up. Now she doubted anything could.

* * * *

It was two more days before Henla felt like going back to work. She’d forgotten how much being with people helped elevate her mood. The place had been so busy that morning that she hadn’t had much time to talk with Rein. Finally, there was a break in the customers.

Henla had given her bits and pieces of what had occurred but few details. Rein slipped down next to her on the seat. “Spill. I want to know everything. Two customers came by a few days ago and were talking about seeing Taryn, Kellum, and two amazingly good-looking men on the tram.”

That perked her up. “Oh, yeah? They weren’t upset Kranor and Jude were in their sacred and safe home?”

“That was the part I found most intriguing. They were put off they were wolves, but they couldn’t stop gushing over how handsome they were. They speculated about what a fierce wolf would be like in bed.”

For the first time in days, Henla really smiled. She leaned closer, acting as if there were hidden microphones around. She wouldn’t put it past the elders of the community to have hired people to do just that. “In fact, they are better.”

Rein giggled. “They?”

She waved a hand. “Figure of speech.” She’d been bursting to tell someone. “I think I’m in love with Jude.”

Rein’s eyes sparkled. “That’s so dangerous and adventurous and daring and hot!”

She wagged a finger. “Don’t you go getting any ideas. I can’t be with him, so it’s a moot point.”

Rein slumped back in the seat. “Why not?”

She rolled her eyes. It was such a good expression of how she felt. “They’re wolves. We are their enemy.”

Rein sat up straighter and twisted to face her. “But those men aren’t your enemy. What about Kranor? I know you guys used to play together.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “He’s changed. He still hates the wolf philosophy, but he’s grown distant over the years. I was hoping to break the icy shield around his heart, but I failed. The only person he seems to let in is Jude.”

“Why not go to them and say you want to be with them? Do you think Kranor would turn you down?”

“You have a wild imagination. I don’t want to live in the middle of nowhere and see no one. If there were others who had the same belief it would be different. Would you like not interacting with people day in and day out?”

It didn’t take her long to respond. “No.”

“There you go. I had a wonderful few days. I’ll remember the lovemaking for the rest of my life. I do worry that Jude has spoiled me for other men though.”

Rein’s mouth formed an O. “He’s that big?” Another giggle escaped.

Heat raced up her face. “I’m not telling.”

“What about Elan?”

Henla crossed her arms. “Ugh. What about him?” Rein looked to the ground and drew in her bottom lip. Her friend never could keep a secret. “Did he come by the store?” She’d never get rid of him.

“He came by looking for you.”

Henla closed her eyes for a moment. “I told him I wasn’t going out with him again. The man can’t take a hint.”

Rein shrugged. “I think it’s cute he’s so earnest in his pursuit.”

“Earnest? I call it stalking. If I recall, you didn’t think he was so cute when he took me to Prinak’s party and Elan spent most of the time flirting with every girl there.” What she’d never told Rein was that after the party he’d practically forced himself on her. Elan was a jerk through and through.

“He’s easy on the eyes.”

Gah
. She would have loved nothing more than to sit around and talk about how wonderful Kranor and Jude were, but to discuss former boyfriends soured her stomach. Talking about Elan would only cause more distress.

The chatter outside the store picked up, and she glanced to the outside mall. Whorls of color floated by and people talked or window-shopped. Her mind pushed aside the bitter taste of Elan and focused on her men. Deep inside his heart, Kranor wanted to be loved, but his experiences had taught him to hold back. Maybe someday the world would be ready for them to be together. Too bad that day was really far off.

Jude and Kranor had been back at the house not more than three hours when Dr. Kran knocked on their door. They let him in.

His gaze traveled over Kranor. “You’re looking well.”

“Come in.” Tamor probably wouldn’t have come all the way out here for a house call. He would have come only if someone had summoned him. “Get you something to drink?”

It was hot outside today. Their mild winter had yet to arrive.

“Sure.”

Jude pulled three beers from the fridge and handed them to both men. “Let’s sit where it’s more comfortable.”

Jude prided himself on reading others. Tamor had something big on his mind. The fact he hadn’t even come with his case spoke volumes.

I’ll leave you two alone.
Kranor twirled his bottle and turned away.

Sometimes his friend could be so freaking dense.
Stay. It’s important
.

At least when one wolf spoke to another telepathically, no one else could listen in. The image of Henla appeared for the hundredth time since they left the underground city. He’d not figured out how to bring up her special talent to Kranor. He’d never believe that she could feel what he felt, but also actually understand and communicate somewhat telepathically. There would be denial on Kranor’s part, and he wasn’t ready for a battle.

Kranor’s chest deflated, but he did as Jude suggested. Once seated, Tamor guzzled half the beer as if he needed the fortification more than just to quench his thirst.

“There’s been some talk around town.”

Jude’s gut soured. He didn’t need to hear this. It was bad enough to have gotten the piss-poor reception at Henla’s house. “About us keeping an enemy here for a few days?”

“In a way.”

Kranor seemed to perk up. “Tell us.”

“You know that I have always detested the way the wolves have treated the lions.”

“You’re a doctor. You’re allowed to have that opinion.”

A small smile escaped. “True, but did you know there is a small faction of others who share your beliefs?”

He’d heard mumblings, but if no one vocalized their dislike it was as if they didn’t object. “Give me names.”

Tamor leaned forward. “Before I do, let me ask you this. Suppose there were a few families who would like to move out here. Would you be willing to join forces?”

Kranor’s back stiffened. “No.”

What the hell are you doing, buddy? We’d love to have others nearby.
Maybe it was time to part ways if his best friend was going to be such a stick in the mud.

“Kranor is still reeling from the fight. We’ll get back to you.”

They shared a moment of understanding before Tamor stood. “Thanks. Let me know.”

He let himself out. As soon as Tamor was out of earshot, Jude shot out of his seat. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

The one thing he didn’t like about Kranor was at times he could put a block on what he was thinking.
Like now
. “What do you mean?”

“Do want to live a hermit’s life forever?”

“If it means staying at arm’s length of some jerks, then yes.”

“What about Henla?”

One of the main reasons they hadn’t just tied her to the bed and kept her here was because he knew she needed to be around people. “Don’t give me that innocent look. You care about her.”

“Sure I do, which is why she needs to stay as far away from us as possible.”

He sat back down. “Tell me one thing. If the wolves didn’t hate the lions and vice versa, would you have welcomed her into your arms?”

His gaze traveled over the room. At least he was giving it some thought, but it shouldn’t have taken him that long to respond.

“Perhaps.”

“Don’t you find her hot?” He knew he did. Hell, every time they got in the same room together he could smell Kranor’s hormones shooting sky high.

“Dumb question.”

That satisfied him for the moment. Pushing him when the demons were working their magic on him wouldn’t do any good. “I’m going for a run. Care to join me?”

They often would blow off an afternoon and run to the highest mountain and back.

“You go ahead.”

“Still weak?” He knew how to piss him off.

Watch it, little one
.

In their human form, two inches might mean one could win over the other, but in their wolf form, they were equal in stature. Too bad Kranor was a marginally better fighter. “Fine.”

Not wanting to shake the crap out of his friend, he left and shifted. Being free to run would put everything in perspective. He might even stay away for a few days. Not having Henla in his home and bed was eating away at him, but he knew they had to stay apart for her sake.

As he raced through the woods toward the mountains, he tried to clear his mind. If he could get Kranor to be the one to decide they needed others around them, they might be able to emerge from this prejudice whole. Though if he never saw Henla again, what would be the point?

* * * *

Kranor had watched Jude leave. He wanted to exorcise the demons but if he went with his friend, the two of them would chase animals and possibly joke. While he might feel better at the end, he needed time to ponder his whole situation. He’d been mostly content until Henla showed up. It made him realize how much his life was lacking. He wanted it to be like it was when he was eight, but he knew a person could never relive the past.

Since neither he nor Jude had done much work in the garden, he thought the hard labor might help clear his head. He went outside, located what he needed and dragged the hoe across the dry earth.
Skelak
. If it didn’t rain soon, they’d have nothing to eat. Hand watering was unpleasant, but for some reason he wanted to do that mindless chore.

As he filled up the tank and carried it over to the garden, Tamor’s words raced back. Did he want to spend the rest of his life alone?

No
.

He just wasn’t sure what to do about it. If he wanted to stay away from others, he really only had two choices. He could live on the outskirts of wolf territory or live as a wolf in the woods. The latter was totally impractical in the long run.

As he soaked the earth, the image of Henla surfaced and his cock got hard. She seemed to love gardening. Okay, she loved to laugh and heal, too. Maybe he had been too hasty in driving her away.

Hell, maybe he and Jude should visit her in a week or so. He would enjoy it, and as an added benefit, it would get his friend off his back at least for a little while.

* * * *

Digging in the earth brought Henla a lot of joy, something that had been lacking over the last few weeks. While she loved being around her family, ever since Lara had her baby, her brothers rarely stopped over at her parents’ house. Taryn in particular had softened with the new arrival, and she wouldn’t be surprised if Lara didn’t get pregnant again soon.

The last time she’d stopped over, her sister-in-law had talked about traveling to Spirit to see her good friend, Amy. Perhaps she’d go over with them and see what life was like in the other reality. Besides, it would give her a chance to visit with Sella. Henla was so confused right now she didn’t know where to turn, and Sella always seemed to have the answers.

Her body shot to high alert, but it wasn’t from being scared or in danger. That was odd as she was positive there were wolf shifters nearby. If she hadn’t looked to the east at that second she wouldn’t have seen the flash of light. Her body nearly crumbled at seeing Kranor and Jude coming toward her. She dropped her shovel and sprinted toward them. They met in the middle.

Jude picked her up in a big hug and spun her around. “I’ve missed you.”

He couldn’t have missed her half as much as she missed him. He set her down. A quick glance at Kranor told her he actually felt the same way. She stepped into his embrace. He smelled like he’d been running, and the scent of pine and earth clung to his skin.

She glanced around to make sure no one else was near. They were close to Taryn and Kellum’s tree house, and she wondered if her brothers would sense their presence.

“What are you doing here, not that I’m not delighted to see you?”

The only problem was that once they left, the hole in her heart would grow bigger.

Kranor stepped forward and squeezed her hand. “I never got to say thank you for all your care.”

That wasn’t true. He had thanked her verbally and in many other ways, but she would accept any explanation for them being here. “You’re welcome.”

Jude was practically bouncing up and down. “Kranor has told me so much about your swimming hole that I asked him to show me. Will you join us?”