Congratulations to Patricia Briggs for the release of her new book, Dead Heat. All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 9

Anna tensed up and Charles rubbed his hands up and down her arms, almost as if to warm her.

"Sage, what's wrong? I know something's wrong."

Sage slumped against the wall of the shower and almost whispered.

"I don't think Bran is very up to date on this pack, Anna. He told me they were traditional, but I think we might need to talk about what each of us thinks that means. At the same time, I don't think I delved into the pack dynamics enough."

Anna stood up and started to pace, her phone in her hand.

"Tell me, just tell me."

Sage started to speak.

"Nestor was the perfect gentleman opening my car door and helping me to step out when I arrived. He asked if I wanted to freshen up in the guest bedroom and when I came down a bunch of men were waiting in the dining room for me to make my appearance. I was escorted down to the end of the table even though there were a number of open chairs available."

She hastened to add.

"That didn't trigger any concerns since lots of packs have assigned seating due to friendships and places in the pack. We had a lovely dinner of all my favorite foods from the area and the spices brought back memories of home."

Her voice hitched as she continued.

"I know the Alpha wanted to do the ceremony this evening. Just before it was to be performed a number of wolves spoke and my alarm bells started to toll. One let the cat out of the bag when he said that I was being assigned to a basement room in the house with a young family, even after mentioning that I had lived alone in my own place for years."

She took a breath and continued.

"Then, when they mentioned that I was expected to be at some restaurant tomorrow morning to be the cook since I'm female and when I mentioned that I'm a carpenter, shock rippled through the room."

Anna let her talk and Charles was nodding his head. He had his phone in his hand and was already pressing the button to his da.

Anna looked at Charles for direction and he made a motion to keep talking and to stall.

Sage spoke again.

"When I suggested that we delay the ceremony because I wanted a number of things spelt out a little more clearly, it felt that while not pleased with my request as stalling, it was more that I had actually upset his carefully laid plan and he had never had anyone question his decisions."

She sighed again.

"Then, when they were talking about the hunt they had planned that needed to be re-booked because I was so late arriving and it was mentioned, almost timidly that due to the new date the wives and mates wouldn't be able to come because of a previously booked engagement and if it went on I would be expected to 'volunteer' to be chief cook and bottle-washer. For the weekend."

She took another breath and continued.

"And then, I got the impression, and it was later confirmed that they had expected me to clean up after the meal, wash the dishes and put them away in a strange kitchen. I hadn't heard anyone in the kitchen while we ate and later found out that all the wives and mates have a schedule for their turn to prepare the meal, come and set up then come back and clean up. It didn't look like they invite the ladies to any of the functions from what I could see unless it was to work."

There was silence for a minute then a tiny voice came over the phone.

"I just felt out of place," she whispered.

Anna nodded her head and tried to drag out the conversation. She willed her voice to stay calm.

"I've heard it's very pretty in Santa Fe, with all its neat architecture. What's his house like? Does it have that Spanish feel with the beautifully tiled bathrooms? How's the weather? I bet it's nice and warm and your winter wear is going to be way too hot for down there."

Sage continued to pace in the bathroom, trying to be quiet. She was almost positive that someone was standing outside the bedroom door trying to hear what was going on.

Bran stepped into the house and headed to Anna. He held out his hand for the phone and when Anna grudgingly released it into his grasp, she stepped back into Charles' arms for comfort. Sage was her first and best friend in Aspen Creek and she didn't want her hurt.

She had questioned the motive for leaving their little community but Sage had been adamant that she needed a change and going home was the best option.

Bran spoke on the phone.

"Sage, tell me everything. Start from when you arrived."

Once again Sage repeated what she had seen and felt after driving up. Bran was pacing the room and then abruptly stopped.

"First and foremost, do you feel safe?"

Sage relaxed at Bran's demeanor. She had come to treasure it over the years. Tough, yes, very tough, but fair at the same time. He knew what needed to be asked.

She understood what he was asking. Did she have that foreboding that her life was in danger? Or, was she just over-compensating for fatigue?

He spoke again.

"I need to know what your gut feelings are here. Do you think that with time you will feel more comfortable in this environment?"

Sage's voice dropped to a whisper and Bran's mouth tightened. Charles' posture changed immediately and a growl made its' way out of his mouth.

"It feels like my other pack."

There, she had said it.

Bran nodded his head.

"OK Sage. I want you to go back into your bedroom and put a chair under the doorknob. It won't keep a werewolf out for long but it will give you a few moments. I also want you to check out the window. Can someone get in or can you get out?"

Sage nodded her head. She didn't particularly feel like her life was in danger, but she did feel uneasy. It had some of the same characteristics of the pack that she had escaped from twenty years ago. Thinking about it now it was more that this pack had expectations of what each wolves' role was and crossing the line was unacceptable. Then again, if there had been no new wolves arrive, they would have settled into their comfortable roles with nothing to disrupt the order and management.

Her fear ratcheted down a number of notches and she tried to relax. Yes, there were similarities but it almost felt more like she had drifted into the mentality of a half century earlier. Men were men and women were, well, like possessions. Reassured and valued but not able to let their wings unfurl and fly.

Bran spoke again.

"I want you to keep your phone on you at all times, Sage. I want to check out a few things and I will get back to you. Until then, promise me that you'll call at the first sign of uneasiness or trouble."

He was standing by the couch and his free hand was clenched.

"Should I have Charles get the plane ready?"

Sage thought about it.

"I don't want to put him out for just a feeling, Bran. Besides that, I really like my car and what would happen to it if I left it? I've already had it vandalized once this week."

Bran looked like he had come to a decision.

"If you think it's safe, then stay there the night. You said that Nestor wanted to talk to you in the morning. Maybe after a good nights' sleep you will both make some decisions that will be comfortable for you both."

Sage agreed. She had a touch of embarrassment flash through her mind. Could it have just been a misunderstanding? Had she given him some kind of impression when she had spoken to him on the number of phone calls that she needed to be looked after?

"Okay, Bran. I see your point. No sense in jumping to conclusions here. It might be that we both had some expectations that need to be re-evaluated. I'll sleep on it and let you know after we chat tomorrow."

Bran nodded his head. Unfortunately if something was happening he would have to make some alternate arrangements. They were now under a storm watch and unfortunately no airplane would be able to leave for at least a day. The remark about the plane only confirmed in his mind whether she felt she was in imminent danger versus feeling uncomfortable in a new situation.

Unfortunately wolves didn't like change. They liked order and a sense of normalcy. Unfortunately with damaged or wolves still needing some direction, it was imperative that everything stay on an even keel. Could it be that Sage had become too complacent over the years and felt unable to change as change needed? Had she lost her ability to assess a new situation and make adjustments according to what was happening?

He tried to calm down but he could still remember when she had been terrorized by a wolf who had become the Alpha and he had decided that Sage was to be his mate whether she liked it, or not. There had been no other dominant enough members of the pack who could protect her but somehow Bran had been alerted to the problem and had sent Charles.

Charles had been careful with his observations since he needed proof of wrongdoing before dispensing justice, but the simple fact that he was bringing back a scared and broken wolf to Aspen Creek made the situation not just serious but very sad at the same time. Some of the details had slowly leaked out over the years what she had been subjected to and the wolves in Aspen Creek had been quick to give assistance or comfort when needed or the distance she also needed at other times.

They remembered how long it had taken her to trust anyone again and how she had healed by constructing structures and furniture.

Bran had wondered over the years if giving Sage the job of approaching Asil would eventually backfire but he could see two people hurting and wondered if they could see their way to heal together. After so many years, it had appeared that the operation was a success, in a manner of speaking. That's what made the situation between those two now so confusing. What had happened to change it?

Bran and Charles looked at each other and a one way conversation was being held. They both were hoping that this was not a repeat of the same fiasco so many years ago. Nestor had no mate. Was this a ploy to get her there to eventually become his mate?

()()()()

Sage sat on her bed and looked at the phone by her hand. She picked it up and played with it, flipped it open, then closed it again.

Asil sat at his kitchen table with his phone sitting by his cup of coffee. He hadn't spoken to Sage since the going away party. His hand let go of the cup and inched its way toward the phone, but he pulled it back.