Bay

For a few moments I debated my next move before I rose and followed her out of the room.

I was headed to the study. Whatever was going on in there, I needed to know. I tried to walk as quietly as I could so no one would hear me. Besides, they would probably be too busy talking to pay attention.

Slowly I leaned against the door. I could hear Kyle's voice.

"...should we be concerned?" he asked. An edge of worry was in his voice. Most people wouldn't notice but I knew him well and could recognize the telltale signs.

"It's just a precaution." I didn't immediately recognize the deep voice. Maybe it was Harrison.

"I don't trust him." It was Kyle again.

I frowned as I listened more intently.

"I trust him with my life," the voice that sounded like Harrison said. "He will not harm any of you."

Who were they talking about?

"We don't have a choice." It was the resigned voice of Crystal.

Whatever was going on, none of them sounded happy about it.

"It has been commanded," Harrison spoke. "He has been assigned here."

"So what happens now?" Kyle asked.

At the first sound of a footstep, I backed away from the door and hurried back to the kitchen. I sat back down at the table and tried to calm my racing heart. I was annoyed that I hadn't heard more.

I turned my back to the door as I heard multiple footsteps go past.

A few minutes later I left the house. I didn't see any sign of the Keepers. Had they left yet? My mixed emotions tightened my stomach into a knot. I wanted Flynn to go but there was still a part of me that wanted him to stay.

It was dinnertime so I wandered to the cafeteria that the entire pack ate in. It was rowdy as usual and I got my food. As I turned to survey the crowd, I spotted my brother and his mate, Lillian. My eyes rested on Lillian. She had mousy brown hair with light brown eyes. She gave me a friendly smile when she noticed me. My brother acted like a parent so it was difficult to see Lillian in any light other than a parental role. We got along but we weren't close.

I found it difficult to form close friendships with the females in my pack. I don't know if it was because I had grown up as a tomboy more at home with the boys catching frogs and climbing trees than playing with dolls.

It could also be the strained relationship with my parents that had stunted my ability to get close to many people. There were only a few I considered true friends.

"How's your knees?" my brother asked as I sat across from him and put my tray down on the table.

"They're fine." I dismissed his concern and I stopped myself short of rolling my eyes.

Lillian put a hand on my brother's shoulder and his tight features eased. I knew that a touch between mates was calming. It was something I wouldn't experience.

"What are the Keepers doing here?" I asked softly, trying to concentrate on getting the information I wanted from my brother.

My brother's forehead creased, the peace Lillian had given him gone.

"Flynn has been assigned to our territory."

My mouth dropped open as I took in his words. It was impossible to hide my shock.

"Why?" My hand tightened around my fork as I thought about the implications of that.

He shrugged. "Something about the growing number of rogues in the area, which are still a concern to the Keepers. So they've sent Flynn to keep an eye on it and report back."

He would be staying. I felt a mixture of feelings about that.

"What happens if the situation doesn't improve?" I asked, already knowing what it would mean.

"They'll send in more Keepers like they did the last time."

I looked briefly at Lillian to take in her nervous look before my attention moved back to my brother.

"If that happens, then they may discover what Crystal is."

"Exactly." He nodded somberly.

I liked Crystal. Everyone did. But having Flynn around was going to be dangerous for me. It would be harder to resist the pull to him if I had to see him every day.

"Couldn't they send someone else?" I asked, feeling despondent.

"Has he been bugging you?" my brother asked, the protective brother coming out in full force as he scanned my features.

"No," I answered, dropping my gaze to my uneaten food. I pushed some peas with my fork.

"If he is, I want you to tell me." It was so like my brother to go overboard.

"I will." Assuring him that there wasn't a problem was the only way to deal with this.

Subdued with my thoughts, I ate a little of my food under the watchful eyes of my brother and his mate.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said to him and Lillian when I went to clear off my tray and return it to the pile of trays that needed to be cleaned.

It was dark outside as I walked back to my room.

I kept my eyes down on the path in front of me as I walked slowly with my hands shoved into the pockets of my shorts. It was only when I got to the door that I saw Flynn.

The surprise of seeing him there made me stop.

"Why are you here?" I asked before looking around to see if anyone was watching us.

"I wanted to talk to you."

It only took me a few moments to make the decision to allow him into my room. It was either that or risk someone overhearing our conversation. I stood on one side of the room and he came in, closing the door behind him.

His presence sucked the air out of the room, making it more difficult to resist the urge to get closer to him. I felt nervous as I shifted slightly, waiting for him to say what he had come to say.

"Talk," I prompted when he remained silent.

"I'll be remaining behind when Harrison returns to our headquarters." He was watching me for a reaction. How did he expect me to take the news?

"Yeah, I heard." I folded my arms.

My eyes meshed with his and I resisted the magnetic pull to him.

"I will ensure our paths do not cross while I'm here."

He was giving me exactly what I wanted but I couldn't figure out why, instead of feeling relieved, I felt hurt. He would keep his distance, making it easier to ignore our connection.

"Thanks," I mumbled, trying to hide my mixed response.

"I don't want this connection any more than you do." His words tore into me.

And again I felt a renewed sense of failure, which just added to the emotional pain aching in my chest. I nodded when my throat tightened.

"Where will you be staying?" I asked. I don't know why I asked. It wasn't like I wanted to visit him or anything.

He studied me for a moment. "Nearby."

"Why did the Keepers assign you?"

His held my gaze. "I'm their best."

So that was it?

There were several more moments of silence.

"I'll be here tonight, but once Harrison leaves in the morning, so will I."

"Thanks for the heads up."

He turned to leave but he hesitated. He looked back over his shoulder. "Keep safe."

I bit my bottom lip as I nodded. Then he left, closing the door softly behind him.

Feeling unsettled, I dropped down on my bed. I swallowed the thickening in my throat as tears stung my eyes.

I felt a loss of something I'd never even had.

Dropping my head into my hands, I wiped the few tears that fell before I shoved the unwanted emotions away, refusing to feel them.

I wouldn't allow myself to wallow in the negative emotions. I tried to focus on the positive side of not having to see Flynn on a daily basis. No one would find out that he was my mate and there would be no opportunity for any accidental touching that would lead to a deeper connection that would be much more difficult to resist.

It was for the best. He would keep his distance and I could try to find a way to get on with my life knowing I would never be able to share it with my mate. Lots of werewolves managed to live without their mates. If they could do it, so could I.