Chapter 914 Animal Senses Book 18 - Reverence
Animal Senses Book 18 - Reverence
Webb had spent more time the last few weeks out roaming around the bush, hoping to see her again, than he had on two feet. He got dressed and looked into the trees. It was messy out there since the thaw, maybe it was hard for her to walk this way right now. Later, when he was done with his list of things, he’d come out and walk on two feet and see how bad the ground was. His bear had no problems waking on the slick ground. Then again, he had claws that prevented any slipping. All he knew was he had to see her again. Neither he nor his animal had ever had a reaction like that to anyone. He needed to know why or needed to confirm why he thought he had responded that way.
Opening the door, he nodded to Fallan as she walked toward him.
“Good run?”
He grinned. “I meander and roam. I don’t run much.”
She laughed. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Webb shrugged. “If I ever moved full speed, I don’t know if I could get stopped.” He looked down the hall. “The others here yet?”
“A few have arrived, but you have time for a snack if that’s what you’re thinking?”
Webb nodded and patted his stomach. “Snack time is the best time.” Going down the hall, he moved to the side when he heard someone running in his direction. He grinned. It was two sets of running shoes hitting the concrete floor. If Fallan caught Jo and Julia running through the halls again, they’d be stuck on dish duty. He thought it was okay that they ran around. They were thirteen, and they’d come a long way from the scared girls that had been rescued.
Jo rounded the corner first. “Hi, Webb.” She ran by.
“You’re not winning again.” Julia went racing by him. “Hi, Webb.” She called out even though she’d already gone by him.
Nodding, he smiled and headed to the cafeteria. He knew he was humming, but as usual, had no idea if it was a song or just something that felt right.
The main door opened when he reached the lobby. Blair, Kobie, and Noah walked in. Webb saluted them. “I’m going to grab a snack, and then I’ll go grab your supplies.”
Blair nodded. “Snack is it.” He smiled, put his arm around Kobie, and started toward the cafeteria doors.
“How’s it going, Noah.” Noah wasn’t a chatty guy, but his trauma was visible, so Webb gave him the space he deserved.
Noah looked at his phone and then back to Webb. “Have you seen Blaise? She said I had to come see her before we left.”
Webb could see that just getting a message from someone was concerning him. He glanced around. “I can page her if you want.”
Noah shook his head. “No. I’ll go have some coffee and then see if she’s available.” He put his phone back in his pocket. With his head down, he went toward the doors.
“Suit yourself.” Webb followed him in.
“Bro,” Tia yelled from the other side of the cafeteria.
Judging by the look on Noah’s face, he had no idea his sister had come here last week.
“Tia?” Noah looked around like he was looking for someone else. “What are you doing here.”
She came running over and stopped so fast that her runners squeaked on the floor. “Youth training program.”
Noah frowned. ‘’You signed up?”
Tia nodded. “Damn right, I did. I saw a chance to get out of the oppressive home and thought, fuck yeah, I’m in.” Her shoulders slumped. “Sorry, I know women shouldn’t talk like that.”
Wynter got up from the table a few feet away. “That’s bullshit.” She winked at Tia and walked toward the exit.
Webb had to walk away, or he’d start laughing, and he wasn’t sure if Noah could take that right now. He looked so conflicted that she was here. He personally liked Tia; she said it the way she saw it. That was different. Too many walked around like they had an air freshener stuffed up their butt and spoke the way they perceived as what others wanted. Not Tia. She was as straight up as they came.
“Webb?”
He stopped and turned to see Blaise coming toward him. That woman never walked with leisure; she always walked with purpose and long strides.
“Yeah, boss?” He smiled.
She stopped. “Stop calling me that. I’m no one's boss.”
Webb tilted his head and gave her a look. “You’re in charge of the factory. I live slash work here, so you’re my boss.”
She mulled over what he said for a moment. “Just call me Blaise, and we’ll be aces. Otherwise, you can help dig more trenches to drain water away from the building.”
Webb held up in his hands in surrender. “What can I do for you, Blaise?”
She did smile, but it didn’t last long. “I’m needed on a call with Raymond. Can you take the cases of infant supplies and meet Cassius at the lobby doors with them? He should be here soon.”
Webb nodded. “No problemo.” She looked stressed. “How’s Griffin and his mom?”
Blaise sighed. “Good. Yeah, he’s coming back today and she’s undecided yet if she is coming with him.” She looked around the room. “Which means he’ll be back there next week if she doesn’t. Have you seen Fionna? I want to go over these items she wants to put in the med kits.”
Webb shook his head. “I was outside and came straight here, so no.” He motioned to the three boxes on the table by the door. “Are those the infant supplies?”
Blaise nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Webb.” She walked away.
“No problemo,” he whispered to himself as he watched her walk away.
Going over, he picked up the three boxes. They weren’t heavy, not that it would be a strain for him if they were. Leaning his back against the revolving doors, he backed out of the room. He took three steps toward the main doors and then noticed Cassius was already there and he wasn’t alone. Rhogue was with him. He slowed down so he could just look at her. She was as pretty as he remembered, but what he liked the most was she wasn’t a tiny female, the size he was afraid he’d break if he hugged. Her eyes were the color of dark chocolate and mesmerizing as she looked around checking the place out.
Unfortunately, the lobby wasn’t as big as he wished, and he was now standing in front of them. “Blaise asked me to give you these.” He set them down just so he could look at her more. His bear was kind of twitchy inside him, but he wasn’t disinterested. He poked a finger in the center of his chest. “I’m Webb.” He nodded to Cassius and then looked at the woman. “I was in bear form the first time we met.”
Her eyes filled with excitement. “That was you?” She smiled. “You’re so big.”
Now, his animal was acting like a puffed-out peacock. Bear focused to keep from rolling his eyes at the animal inside of him.
“Oh,” she held out the container in her hands. “I baked these as thanks for allowing me to come here.” She smiled at him again.
Webb took the container. “You want me to give them to Blaise?”
“Whoever.” She shook her head. “I’m just happy to be here.”
“We should get back.” Cassius bent down and took two of the boxes. “Thank you for these.”
Rhogue leaned down to pick up the last box, and Webb’s heart felt like it was stuck in his throat. On her neck, plain to see was a bite mark. She had a mate? She noticed him staring and pulled the collar of her jacket up to cover it. The happiness was gone from her eyes. She lowered her head and hurried toward the door like she couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
He was still standing there when the door closed after they went out. If she wasn’t his mate, then why did he have this reaction to her?