Page 19 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

Janica's brow furrowed. "What brought you out here?"

I hardly knew how to respond. The roaring in my ears was increasing, and I felt like I might throw up. This was why I didn't do people. I felt overwhelmed and like the world was moving too fast.

Eva stepped forward and placed a hand on my arm. "Enough questions for now."

There was one final older woman who had yet to introduce herself. To me, she appeared to be somewhere between eighty and a hundred. She was thin and frail, with her eyes closed.

"Nanny Kae,"Hope said sweetly to the older woman. "This is the alpha's new mate."

"I know damn well who she is,"Nanny Kae snapped. While her body seemed fragile, her voice was as sharp and clear as a bell. "I ought to know. I summoned her."

I choked on thin air. "I beg your pardon?"

"You've been lost a long time, child. I'd almost given up hope of ever finding you again."

"Me?"I asked hesitantly, pointing to my chest. "I wasn't lost."

She nodded. "Of course you were. Only you didn't know it."

"Nanny Kae,"Kyle admonished. "What are you talking about?"

"Bah!"Nanny Kae waved her frayed hanky toward Kyle. "We don't need any men folk around. You can run along now."

Seeing this little slip of a woman treating the pack's healer like a small child was shocking. But rather than demand his due, Kyle shrugged and turned to me. "Just give me a holler if you need anything. The ladies will have plenty to discuss until I finish with the alpha."

I wasn't sure if I wanted him to leave me alone with these women. However, I didn't have much choice as he walked away. With Eva at my side, I turned back to the group.

"Now then,"Carol motioned for everyone to sit around the massive pack table. "Let's have some coffee and get to know each other better."

As Mazie satamongst the women of the pack, sipping on a cup of coffee that Carol had graciously prepared, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She knew she had to face the reality of her situation and let the world know she was safe. Ajax had been right - it was time to confront her past and embrace her present with the pack.

After some time, Kyle returned to the kitchen with Ajax by his side. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the alpha and his mate. Mazie could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on her, but she squared her shoulders and met Ajax's steady gaze.

"Everyone,"Ajax began, his deep voice commanding attention,"Thank you all for your concern and support. We all know that Mazie is safe with us, but the outside world needs that assurance. I need to talk to Mazie about what steps we can take."

Kyle and the other women remained in the kitchen as I followed Ajax back into his office.

"I think the best thing to do is approach the authorities to tell them you are okay,"he said gently.

"Do I have to leave?"the words were ripped out of somewhere deep inside me. I suddenly felt like that little girl being moved from one foster home into another.

"No, we can go together,"he suggested, and then, seeing my face, he relented, "Or we could try an online call with the police detectives."

Gratitude and warmth flooded through me. "Let's do that."

It took a few phone calls before Ajax and I were on the screen alongside the local police and my therapist, Dr. Baker. I had hoped to assure her and the authorities at the same time. I took a deep breath and said, "I want to assure everyone that I am safe and in good hands. I apologize for any worry or confusion my absence may have caused."

"Just to be clear,"the officer confirmed, "you are not being held against your will? You appear to be of sound mind and body…"

However, before he could finish, Dr. Baker interrupted. "Mazie,"her voice was calm and composed, "I'm relieved you are physically unharmed. However, I must express my concerns regarding your emotional well-being and decision-making capabilities."

What?

"I don't understand,"I said hesitantly. I had a close relationship with Dr. Baker and had seen her for years. But now, it seemed that my therapist was questioning my ability to determine my safety.

The officer looked from Dr. Baker back to Ajax and me. I couldn't get a read on him. Ajax placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his presence a source of comfort amidst the storm of emotions brewing in me.

"Dr. Baker. Mazie is an adult. There has never been a question of her mental stability. It's more concerning why you try to make her appear like she does."

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