Free Silent Cravings by Jess Haines, E. Blix Page A

I’d lose the respect of the local packs and perhaps even my own people. My anger last night was not with you, but with Christoph. I don’t wish to see you suffer more than necessary to carry out what was supposed to be his sentence, and I would rather keep things friendly between us once you do go home. You understand, don’t you?”
    Analie thought about it. He sounded sincere. There were no other telltales to go by, not scent or heartbeat or even a slight shift in breathing to indicate the truth of his words. It was unnerving. All she had to go by were his actions. Aside from the whole making her be a live-in servant for the next five years thing and the stern reminder to do as he said, he hadn’t done anything mean or evil. Even when he smacked her up against the wall, he was making a point, not really hurting her. Dominant werewolves usually did so more painfully than the vampire had. If he’d truly meant for Christoph to be the one in her place, then he might be telling the truth.
    “I guess so,” she finally answered. If he insisted she spend all her time with another leech in attendance, Mouse seemed okay. Some of the tension filtered out of her shoulders, and she picked at the food on the plate again.
    “Excellent. I’m glad to hear that. Now, there is one other small matter I would like to attend to later this evening.”
    Analie eyed him warily, saying nothing. If it had anything to do with blood, she was so out of here.
    “I don’t know anything about your pack structure or who to go to if I need to contact someone with any concerns while you’re here. Would you help me with that?”
    She blinked, not having expected the request. It seemed reasonable enough. “Sure, I guess so.”
    As Royce had hoped, she was too young and too guileless to realize what a tactical error she’d be committing in granting his request. His sly smile widened.
    “Thank you very much.”
    Analie shifted her weight awkwardly before hunkering down next to the end table and picking up another fish stick. Okay, he hadn’t done anything mean. He’d only asserted his dominance directly when she showed signs of being rebellious. Under the circumstances, his actions were caring and thoughtful—nicer than some of the Weres higher up in the pack structure had acted towards her. This went against everything she’d ever heard or been taught about leeches from the time she was a toddler.
    He wasn’t a pack member, and he certainly wasn’t Gavin. But maybe he wasn’t as terrible as she’d assumed. Even Mouse had been unexpectedly kind, leaving her the teddy bear, knowing she’d be desperately lonely for her family and friends. This wasn’t home, not even close, but maybe she could live through this with her sanity intact.
    Maybe if she acted contrite enough, he would even let her go home sooner.
    Royce settled back in the chair as she started eating, not just picking at the food on the plate. He felt it was a good sign that she was now relaxed enough to eat in front of him. He’d refrain from any direct physical contact unless he needed to lead her somewhere in the future. The less threatened she felt, the better. It would make befriending and milking information out of her easier in the long run.
    Mouse rapped lightly on the doorframe, announcing her presence. Analie was proud of herself for keeping her knee-jerk reaction contained enough not to send the plate and the little bit of food remaining on it flying in all directions.
    Royce rose and passed her a list of things he wanted her to get done and purchase for Analie.
    “Thank you for doing this. I need her back here by midnight so I can have a few minutes to discuss some things before the meeting with Gerald. Can you manage?”
    The mute vampire nodded, her expression wry. Aside from clothes and a few things to keep her entertained when she wasn’t being schooled, the young wolf looked like she badly needed a haircut. Mouse would be sure to fit that into the schedule,