The next morning Carrie came by her room to wake her as promised. She noticed the clothing Holly was wearing and asked, "Where are your pajamas?"
"I didn't bring any when I came… It wasn't exactly a planned trip." Holly said nervously.
"But won't Ford be upset when he sees you in some guy's clothing?" Carrie asked as she brushed Holly's hair.
"No, of course not. Ford lent these to me," Holly explained, "Besides why would he be upset?"
"You're kidding me right? Don't you realize that you're Ford's mate?" Carrie asked.
"His mate? What's that?" Holly asked confused.
She was about to answer when Brad mind linked with her, "Carrie, he hasn't told her yet. PLEASE change the subject."
"Another time dear, now let me show you where the pack closet is. Ford should have shown you last night, but he was probably too tired. Anything in that closet is available for anyone in the pack to wear. You live here now, so you can choose your clothes from here too." Carrie explained.
As Holly was looking around Alpha Wayne mind linked with Carrie, "Get Holly upstairs now, Ford is sick."
Holly went to pick up a dress when Carrie said, "Later honey, Ford needs you. Come with me." Carrie held onto Holly's hand as she raced up the stairs, careful not to go too fast for the human. When she opened the door, Holly gasped as she saw Wayne helping a half-dressed Ford off the floor. It looked like he was getting dressed for work when he collapsed. As Wayne laid his friend on the bed, Holly heard Ford growl out in pain. Holly started unbuttoning the rest of his shirt and said, "check his wound."
Wayne nodded and let her undress his top half while he grabbed some medical supplies including a towel. As suspected, when Holly removed the shirt the wound was deeply infected. Wayne looked up at Carrie and said, "You and Holly wait outside for a moment. I need to cauterize this wound." Carrie nodded and led Holly just outside the door. Holly covered her ears and started to cry when she heard Ford yell out in pain, the sound was unbearable. When Wayne lifted the blade from Ford's back, he passed out cold.
Wayne pulled the towel that had the infection and cleaning supplies on it from under Ford's back before stepping outside and explaining, "The presence of a werewolf's mate helps speed up healing time, therefore I am putting you in charge of watching over him for a day or two Holly. You can start your kitchen duties right afterwards."
"Oh, so a werewolf's mate must mean his friend. Will you be staying too then?" Holly asked.
Wayne was trying not to laugh when he heard this and turned around abruptly. He couldn't help but be humored by her innocence, "Not quite, Love. But don't worry, I am sure that Ford will explain it to you very soon. As for me, I have to inform my pack on the human's attack tonight. To prevent any of them from getting slaughtered, I am going to have them come inside the packhouse before nightfall. That also means I don't want you leaving the pack house today. I don't want them to force you to show our location."
"Of course, I wouldn't want to leave Doctor Ford in this state anyway." Holly concluded.
Wayne smiled at her and led Carrie out the room with him. "I think she's perfect for him. Don't you?" Carrie asked.
Wayne nodded in agreement and replied, "Yes, but will Ford allow her to become one of the pack or will he keep her human? He certainly wishes he were born human."
"We all do. Who would want to be a werewolf, when you can't stop transforming unless it's a full moon or we're wearing that damn pendant," Carrie said, "Once we break this curse, I am certain he will be fine with his wolf ancestry?"
"Maybe so, regardless I want you to watch over her. You know that many of the women of this pack don't like when human women associate with males of the pack," Wayne warned.
"You have my word," Carrie said, "Besides, she's just a doll!"
Wayne rolled his eyes and walked off to the breakfast hall.
…
Holly sat on the bed next to Ford, she placed her hand on his sweaty forehead and felt that he was running a high fever. She stood up to fetch a bowl of water and a rag when she felt two arms wrap around her and pull her into his chest. She tried to escape his unconscious cuddles, but he only held tighter. She eventually gave up and decided to go to sleep.
Ford woke up and didn't want to open his eyes. Other than the throbbing pain in his back, he felt better than he had in ages. He felt something soft pressed up his chest and then smelt that familiar scent of freshly picked strawberries. He opened up his eyes and was surprised to find Holly fast asleep in his arms.
"Holly," he whispered softly, trying to wake her up. "Holly," he said again slightly louder. This time, her eyes fluttered open and she found herself nose to nose with Ford.
"Oh, you're awake," she said as she sat up and placed her hand on his forehead. She let out a sigh and said, "Your temperature is still high, but not as high as before."
Ford smiled and removed her hand from his head and explained, "Werewolves have a naturally higher temperature than humans, although you are probably right. I probably was running a high fever earlier. Thank you for staying with me."
"Of course," Holly said as she stood up. When Ford got out of bed, he smirked when he saw her blush and turn away. Holly walked over to his dresser and said, "If you're feeling better, we can go down to the kitchen together, once you are dressed. However, if you require more rest, I would be happy to bring you up some food."
She handed Ford a plain white T-shirt rather than his work shirt and said, "Regardless of your decision, you are not going back to work today."
Ford pulled on the shirt and said, "Well let's go then."
When Ford and Holly came downstairs Alpha Wayne was addressing the pack while they ate:
"Tonight, the humans are planning to try to kill any wolves they find in the area. A local preacher is telling lies of kidnappings and murders from our kind. I have already addressed the other Alphas to let them know to keep their pack out the area tonight and most have agreed to do so. So, all that leaves for us now is what we are going to do about this problem. Now, unlike my father I don't want to act out violently. What we are going to do is, I want all of you to come to the pack house by 5PM, don't be late. As you all know the pack house is hidden with magic and will not be seen by the human mob. I anticipate that if after several hunts they don't find what they're looking for, they will lose faith in this false prophet and turn their energy elsewhere."
Ford pulled out a seat for Holly in the back not wanting to interrupt when Wayne waved them both to the front next to him. He then led Holly towards the front and Wayne continued, "Which brings me to my second matter of business. The young lady Ford is escorting to the front is his mate. She is human and is therefore fragile. I want you all to treat her with the utmost respect. She stood up to the priest I was discussing earlier. She was arrested, and nearly killed by him. If I hear that anyone of you have disrespected her, the consequences will be dire." With that Wayne sat down next to Ford and asked, "I take it you are feeling better."
He looked over to Holly who was being greeted by Frank and his wife Miranda and replied, "Much better," he turned back to Wayne and continued, "Thanks. You learned well."
Wayne saw Holly make a strange face when she smelled the cup of coffee before she took a sip, "Is something wrong Holly?"
Holly shook her head and replied, "No, not exactly. I just for years every time Ford came into the restaurant, he smelled like a freshly brewed pot of coffee. I can just about smell it from a mile away. I just thought that this might be that blend, but it isn't." She then took a sip and continued, "but still the taste is rather lovely."
Wayne looked at Ford knowingly and replied, "You're going to have to tell her soon… mate." Ford gave him a funny look and he explained through mind link, 'she thinks mate means friend.' Both started laughing hysterically and Ford nodded in agreement.
…
A little later that evening, Holly was sitting floor with some of the wolf pups of the pack, while Wayne and Ford were busy getting a head count of the wolves in the living room and dining area. "According to my count, no one's missing" Ford said to his Alpha.
"Same," Wayne concluded, "Are you sure you're up for this. Nothing is likely to go wrong, but if it does, I don't want to lose my best friend over an injury. We have more than enough warriors to keep a few humans at bay."
Ford nodded, "Trust me, I'll be fine. I have something precious to protect now."
Wayne smiled and notice Holly stand up and head in their direction. "I know I can't do much but are there any children's books around here? Many of the kids are scared and I was hoping to take their minds off what's going on," Holly asked.
"That's a great idea. Ford, can you show Holly to the library?" Wayne asked.
Ford walked with Holly to a room twice times the size of her hotel room filled with books and said, "This is the kids library. There is a much larger one upstairs for adults I can show you tomorrow." Ford was about to leave when she grabbed his hand and said, "Wait." She took a moment before she walked closer to him and gave him peck on the cheek, "stay safe."
Ford looked at her biting her lip bashfully and it took everything in him not to smash her against the bookcase and take her right there. He smiled at her and said, "I will be fine. Go take care of the kids. Once this is over with, I'll take you somewhere you'll enjoy."
Holly smiled and turned back to pick out the books to read to the children.
A/N Thanks for reading and reviewing, I will likely post the next chapter either tonight or tomorrow.