9. Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN
MICHAEL
Y esterday had its ups and downs. Mae smiled at me more, and I could feel her eyes on me the whole morning. It was so hard to just pretend to read the book while she stared at me.
The most terrifying moment was during our morning walk., Mae got away from us. We didn’t even see her wonder off, but we heard her scream, and I dropped everything and sprinted toward her voice. Looking back on it, I shouldn’t have left Rylee behind me, but I couldn’t help it. Mae was in trouble, and I needed to make sure she was safe. But the threat could have easily been directed toward Rylee, and Mae was a distraction. The threat could’ve hurt Rylee, and I am responsible for her life.
I saw the rogue leap into the air to pounce on Mae. I shifted quickly and intercepted it before she could get hurt. I killed the rogue without any thought and shifted back as fast as I could. I saw Mae about to turn to look, but thankfully, Rylee stopped her before she could.
That would’ve been bad if she looked at me. I didn’t have any clothes on, and it wouldn’t have been right.
I’m not sure if saving her life made her more comfortable around me, but when we were walking home, she kept inching closer to me. I’m not complaining at all, I was actually really happy that she wanted to be near me. It showed that the mate bond is working, and she’s getting more comfortable around me.
Today has been a good day so far. I signed hello and asked how she was. Those are the only phrases I know, but I’m learning more words every day. Rylee has been helping me out, and the books have been, too.
It’s not as fast as I would like, but it’s better than nothing. I’m trying, and Mae appreciates that.
“Michael, can we go to the little shops around town? We need to get a couple of things for Mae,” Rylee asks.
“Let me mind link the Alpha and see if he is okay with that,” I reply.
Alpha? I mind link Xavier.
What do you need? he asks.
Rylee would like to know if it is all right if Mae, Rylee, and I go to the store and buy a few things for Mae.
Yeah, that’s okay. Take two extra warriors with you just in case.
I’m surprised that he wants me to do that considering Mae is a rogue, but I have no doubt he’s addressed the pack already to let them know that she is a rogue looking for sanctuary because she’s in danger.
Who knows if she’s actually in danger or not, but I believe she is. She’s afraid of men and is always hyper aware of everything going on around her. It may be because she’s deaf, but I think there’s more to it than that.
I look over at Rylee, who is eagerly anticipating an answer.
“Alpha said it’s all right as long as it’s not just the three of us. He wants me to have some extra help in case something doesn’t go as planned,” I explain.
Rylee groans in frustration. “I don’t understand why we need extra guards?”
“The rogue we encountered yesterday is reason enough, but you know that anytime you and I go into town, we always take extra guards. We can either do what Xavier says or stay home.”
“Fine, let me get my shoes on and find a pair for Mae.”
Rylee disappears into her bedroom for a few minutes. I don’t even have to see Mae to know that she’s staring at me right now. I can feel her eyes fixed on me. I wonder what she’s thinking? As I turn around, my eyes connect with Mae’s. I don’t sense as much fear, this time, but instead, curiosity and maybe even some interest.
I wish I could just sign to her and ask her anything, but I don’t know enough. She isn’t completely comfortable around me, and I can’t blame her. I can tell by the way she interacts with me that something in her past was very traumatic. With large scars on my face, I don’t look very welcoming, and overall, I am huge in stature compared to her tiny frame.
I can see why Xavier likes calling his mate little one, it’s very true. I wish I had found my mate first so I could call her that, but now, I just have to come up with a better pet name for Mae. It’s going to be a little harder because I’ll have to find something that works in sign as well. With time, I’ll find the perfect one.
I’m determined to.
Rylee comes back with socks and shoes, giving them to Mae. Mae quickly puts them on before signing to Rylee. I let out a frustrated sigh because Mae is signing too fast for me to catch anything, not that I would’ve caught much even if she slowed down, but I still want to see.
“You’re driving,” Rylee states.
I pick up the keys before opening the front door for Rylee and Mae. They both walk out to the car and get in. I can’t believe it, but Mae is sitting in the front with me. I know that it’s Rylee’s doing. I wonder if that is what they were talking about right before we came outside.
It’s a beautiful drive into town. I find it easy to get caught up in my thoughts because the drive is so peaceful. The town is mostly owned by the werewolves in Xavier’s pack, but a few of the businesses are owned by humans. At certain times of the year, tourists come and go through our town, but there aren’t many.
Mae gets more fidgety in her seat the closer we get to town. I look in the rearview mirror and make eye contact with Rylee.
Is Mae all right? I mind link her.
I don’t know. Maybe she’s nervous because she knows there will be a lot of guys there, Rylee speculates.
I hadn’t thought about that. Rylee did say that Mae is afraid of most men, and here we are going into town where we will encounter many. I can’t believe that we didn’t even consider her feelings before deciding to go to town.
Ask her if she is okay and still wants to do this. You can always shop online, I mind link her again.
She nods her head in agreement, and I look back on the road. We’re almost to where we need to park. I drive a little slower and make a wrong turn so Rylee has time to ask.
Rylee touches Mae’s shoulder and signs to her. From the corner of my eye, I see Mae look at me after Rylee is done signing. I wonder why she looked at me.
She nods her head at Rylee before looking straight ahead. She gets comfortable in her seat and seems to relax.
She wants to do this. Rylee smiles at me in the mirror.
I’m hoping that Mae can get through today. Rylee loves to shop and will shop until you collapse from exhaustion. I’ve always managed to get out of shopping with her, but today, I’m not so lucky. Not that I would want Mae to go without me there. I’m just hoping she’ll keep Mae in mind and not shop for hours on end.
I pull into the parking lot and turn off the car, the other group of guards pulling in next to us and getting out. Getting out of the car, I walk around and open Mae’s door. I would have opened Rylee’s door, too, but she had already hopped out of the car. Rylee loves being independent when Xavier isn’t here. When Xavier is anywhere near her, she normally has him do things for her.
Xavier loves to do anything for her, and now I can see why. I want to be able to do things for Mae. I would love to do things for Mae, but I have to wait until she gets comfortable around me.
“I think I will just go to two or three shops today. I don’t want to make her exhausted,” Rylee informs me.
I nod my head in agreement. Rylee grabs Mae’s arm and starts to walk to the shops. The other guards stay close but keep their distance to not crowd the luna and Mae. All the males keep their distance because they don’t want Xavier to get mad at them. It also works out for Mae, no guys too close to her, either, since she is with Rylee. Which makes me feel a lot better.
The first shop is filled with every kind of shoe you can imagine. Mae is in desperate need of some shoes. Just from looking at Mae walk, I can tell that the shoes Rylee gave her are too big for her.
Rylee walks straight to the Converse and Vans. Rylee signs something to Mae, and Mae looks around.
Rylee turns to me, and I watch Mae.
“I totally forgot my wallet. Can you drive back and get it?” Rylee asks.
“There’s no need. No way am I letting you pay for this. She’s my mate, and I’m taking care of her,” I reply.
“Okay, I won’t argue. Xavier has explained this to me before, and there’s no point in me arguing with you about it.”
“Good.”
Mae pick’s up two different shoes and looks at Rylee. She signs, and Mae nods her head. Rylee looks over at one of the store workers and goes to talk to them. The worker leaves and brings back two boxes and hands them to Rylee.
Rylee hands the boxes to Mae, and she tries them on. Mae’s face breaks out into a smile. I can tell she really likes them. I’m guessing they fit her. Mae takes her shoes off and hands them to Rylee.
Mae makes sure to catch my eyes, and I can tell she is pleased and grateful.
“They fit, and we’re getting these two. She’s wearing one so she doesn’t get blisters from wearing my shoes. We can pay now,” Rylee says.
I nod my head, and we make our way to the cashier. She quickly scans the items, and I pay for them. We walk out of the door, and I drop the shoes off at the car. The boxes are big, and we don’t need to carry them around when the car is right in front of the store.
“Now, we go clothes shopping!” Rylee exclaims.
I groan while Rylee signs to Mae. From the look on Mae’s face, I don’t think Mae is excited, either. Well, I don’t actually know if Rylee said they’re going shopping for clothes or not, but whatever Rylee said, Mae did not look excited.
Rylee drags us to five stores in total. My arms are aching from all of the heavy bags filled with clothes for Mae that I have had to carry. With each store we exit, Mae’s pace slows, and by the fifth store, she is not even paying attention to Rylee.
“Rylee, I think it’s time to go back,” I say, pointing at Mae.
Rylee looks at Mae, who has her eyes closed. Rylee lets out a sigh.
“You’re right,” she replies.
I think I am the only one that has my eyes open on the way home, and the only reason mine are open is because I’m driving. I don’t know if Rylee is actually exhausted, but I know I am. I hate shopping with a passion, but seeing Mae today get excited about a new pair of shoes made it all worth it.
I open the door to Rylee’s house for Mae and Rylee, and they walk in. Mae takes her bags upstairs while I go into the kitchen to get some drinks for all of us. Rylee told me that Mae was thirsty on the ride home. I don’t know what she likes so I got her water to be safe.
I walk into the living room where Rylee is sitting and place a cup in front of her and another where Mae normally sits.
“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me,” I say.
“All right, Xavier should be home soon,” Rylee responds.
I nod my head and walk into the kitchen. Right as I make it into the kitchen, Mae walks into the living room. I watch her sit down and look at the drink I placed down for her. She signs something to Rylee, and Rylee responds.
I don’t know what they say to each other, but Mae blushes when Rylee responds. It makes me even more jealous that I don’t know sign language and can’t understand anything.
I sit down with my back facing the girls and open one of my sign language books. I need to start reading more and learning new words and phrases so I can catch things when Mae and Rylee are talking. I also want to be able to communicate with Mae so I can get to know her. I’d like to show her that I’m not mean and scary like she probably thinks I am.
Books will only get me so far. I need to start trying to converse with other people. Maybe I can get some time alone with Rylee so she can start helping me. Or maybe both of them could help me. Rylee could translate for Mae when I don't understand something.
It’s only been a week since we found Mae, but it feels like it’s been so much longer than that. It’s hard to remember what life was like before meeting her. All of my thoughts revolve around Mae and how she’s feeling or doing. My wolf and I always want to be close to her.
I never knew it was going to be like this. Having your mate continually on your mind and wanting to be around them every second of each day. I thought it was just about having someone that is destined for you. No one really talks about how much you need to be with your mate, both in person and in your mind when you are apart. Granted, I don’t talk to anyone but Rylee and Xavier, so I wouldn’t know if people talk about this stuff.
I know they didn’t talk about this at the orphanage. They explained what a mate is and that you should cherish and love them, but they never spoke about the pull toward your mate at all times.
I hear something break in the living room, and I stay still. I don’t want to repeat what happened the other day. I don’t hear anything else, and I don’t smell any blood, so I relax back in my chair.
“Michael!” Rylee screams.
I jump out of the chair and run to the living room where I find Rylee crying and pointing over to the corner of the room.
“You have to calm her down. She’s going to pass out,” Rylee sobs.
I look closer at the corner and realize that Mae is holding her neck, fear in her eyes. Mae is having a panic attack and can’t breathe.