Chapter Seven

Ann ran. She was not sure where she was running to or what direction was left or right. But she ran, her legs pumping to get as far away from that crazy male as fast as possible. Not just from him but also from herself.

She had never had a man act like that towards her, she had never had one that affected her as he did. Ulric Stoneblack even the name stirred something deep with her that she had never dared to think about nor approach. She ran faster away from his words and lewd promises that echoed in her ears. Away from how it made her body tighten and her lower herself buzz like a limb awakening. She could not and would not allow it to go any farther.

She had to get away. Most Were said they were different when she told them that someone had said that she was their mate before. Promise that they were the one, but none had ever demand names or made threats before towards others for her.

The first time she heard those words she had been so excited to think she could be as part of the were world as more than just a side character or a spectator. Dr. O had warned her but that sweet first kiss and the one that followed turned her ears deaf towards those words. The gentle words and passing pets felt so good not to be true. But it all fell apart when she heard him bragging to his friends. Telling them they would have to pay up soon as he was definitely going to win their bet. Their bet that he could make a human woman willing bed a Were.

The second time she was warry but she still she could not help but long for that love she had seen between mates before. But once again the sweet stolen kiss and playful grazes turn sour when in front of others it was as if she was invisible and whispered bragging to private groups found their way to her. Even finding out that there was already a mate for him but not for her had destroyed it all. Ann no longer believed in that so-called Mate call nor the mating bond. If mates could lie and laugh about it like that like any other male then it was nothing but a fairy tale.

There would be no third time she believed in those words, fool me once echoed in her head. Ann pumped her legs harder as she reached the stairs, she ran from those memories as well as everything else. She never what to see that male again, nor his hypnotic eye nor feel just how comforting his arms were. Never want to hear those honey words fell on her ears like coal in her blood or the images that burned her deep within her belly.

Ann closed her eyes from those thoughts as she kept running. No, she would not let that happen again. She was still lost in thought when she ran into a door bumping her head and falling on her backside. Placing her hand on her head looking to see where she was Ann noticed that she was outside the room that Dr. O was staying in.

Ann stood from the floor right as the doc came to open the door. Doctor Oliver Ohwell was a Were-owl one of the few known in the world. He was old and slightly hunched. He looked like a cross between a loving grandfather and a barn owl. The brown roots of his hair fade to gray resting just at the nape of his neck. He had large eyes that were made even larger and rounder by the circle-rimmed glasses he wore and an overly large hooked nose. However, all these sharp features were softened by the heavy smile lines around his mouth and nose and at the corner of his eyes.

Right at the moment those kind eyes and ever-present smile were exactly the comfort Ann needed to see.

"Sorry, doc I wasn't looking," Ann muttered looking at the old man. He smiled wider stepping aside and motioning her in. Not needing to say a word. Ann knew he would welcome her trouble as his own and would help her figure out what to do.

He always did. With his pleasant face making sure to never let her emotions overwhelm her. As she stepped into the room, she heard him softly close the door behind her before sighing in relief. The door severing the path of that obnoxious alpha and the past from her.

Ann sat down in one of the overpriced leather chairs this clan house filled the guest rooms with hoping to impress with the image of wealth. Ann actually preferred the overstuffed old armchair in her room but she doubted if she would ever be comfortable down there again. Not with the words that still echoed in that utilitarian room.

No soon did Ann's thighs touch the edge of the chair she had chosen did Doc hold out a drink for her. A cool can of herbal tea, sipping from the warm coffee in his other hand. With a tight smile, the doctor perched himself across from her and waited, watching her with a kind and understanding look.

Ann took a sip of her tea that the old male had opened for her before taking a deep sigh leaning back as she exhaled closing her eyes. "It happened again." That was all she said.

For a moment the elder male blinked then closed his eyes nodding his head. They waited in silence for a moment before she spoke again. "It was odd this time." Ann opened her eyelids to stare at the ceiling as she spoke taking long breaks between statements as she spoke letting her mind catch up to her words. "He didn't back down, didn't use the usual I am different, I would never do that-lines. When I told him. Told him I had heard it all before he didn't look upset. He looked .... furious." Taking a sip, she let that word dance around to see if it fit.

"Ann."

"I know doctor I won't fall for it again. I won't let myself believe the impossible. And he is most definitely not the kind of man I ever want to be with. "Ann shook her head to emphasized her words. And she meant. "He was rude and crass and just all too much. I just don't understand why he affected me so much." Ann finished her thoughts sat up to look and the male she thought of as a second grandfather.

The grey hair male smiled before nodding her head. "It is good that you have thought about this and remember well what the past has taught you." He started taking a sip of his coffee causing Ann to look down at the can in her hands.

"I know that I will never have as much adventure and fun or gain more wisdom and knowledge than as your assistant. And I know that Humans and Weres don't mate," She reminds herself more so than share her thoughts. "But when you work with happy mate pairs all the time. When you come from a home that felt cold and empty most of the time. It's hard not to crave the impossible."

"Who said it was impossible?" The old man chirped causing Ann's head to pop up and look at him with a frown.

"You did." Ann reminded him pointing in his direction with her can in confusion. "The first time it happened you said it was impossible for Were's to really find a call with a human and to be cautious."

She became even more confused her confidant shook his head setting his coffee down. "No, my dear. I said it was improbable. And that some Were males looked down on the call. I never said it was impossible."

The ever-present smile grew wider as he stood up taking the young woman's hands within his own thin wriggled hands. Steady as ever he squeezed her hands. "It would be my greatest joy if you did feel the call. And my dear if this time is so different and makes you feel so exhilarating then maybe. Maybe this time it is something to look into?" He questioned.

For the first time since she met him, Ann thought that the old wise doctor had gone senile. Her mate someone like that brute who showed up in her room? No way. Ann shook her head squeezing her mentor's hands. "No. No this same as always. He and I have only known each other for a few moments and I never want to see his face or hear his name again." She said firmly ignoring the soft echo of someone calling her a lair that tickled the back of her mind.

She had been so affected because he had been so forward, she was sure. And he was by far the most handsome male to pay attention to her. That was for sure. Seeing the firm mindset radiate on her face the doctor nodded.

"Why don't you stay in my room tonight then? The visiting clan leaves in the morning and then we can get ready to go back to the clinic and put this all behind us."

Ann nodded letting go of the comforting hold of her mentor's hands smiling back at him. He continued speaking as he helped her settle in for the night. "I have to go to the dinner as I am a guest here, But the clash with the Gold Gaze Clan seems to be over and I don't think there is much more field aid I can teach here. So, you rest up."

"Thank you, Oliver," Using his name to show her full gratitude she leaned back into the sticky leather once again smiling at the doctor.

As he got ready to leave the room and Ann to her peace that was before Ohwell remembered something to tell her in what she was sure was an attempt to cheer her up. "Oh, and in a few months, you will be happy to know that you and I with be going somewhere together. I need your midwife skills at a clan that is in mountains a little way from here. So, no need to persuade me and I know how you like nature and children." This did make Ann smiled as she sat up again to turn and looked at her messenger of hope.

"What kind of Weres?" She asked her tea now on the table with Ohwell's long-forgotten coffee "It's another pack."

That sobered her good mood slightly but not enough to pull the smiled from her face. "What clan?"

Ohwell smiled once again turning to her with his finger resting by his face. "It's a secret for now. But it is an old well-respected clan with deep-set traditions and modern ideals. You favorite so no pre-research allowed. I hope that will cheer up for now."

Ann smiled nodding her head now bouncing on her feet the torment from her new admire completely forgot as she imagined raiding libraries and witnessing ceremonies along with not being looked down upon as a woman like some of the older more old-world ideals clans.

This upcoming trip was most certainly going to drive that overbearing oaf of an Alpha out of her mind.