CHAPTER EIGHT-THE COTTAGE

“Do you think he’s alright, Thorin? I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him. I just knew we should have taken him in.” Imara stood on the porch with her arms crossed searching the darkness for signs of the wolf.

Thorin looked up from his guitar and gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure he is darlin. Try not to worry yourself into a fit.”

Imara sighed a pained breath. She hasn’t had any friends besides Thorin and the servants since they started moving from town to town. Shaw never allowed anyone to get too close to the family. The absence of the wolf was particularly bitter, because Imara also hadn’t seen Ben for days now and her whole body ached to feel his touch one more time.

She sat down on the swing beside Thorin and slumped over on his shoulder. “I wonder where he’s been.”

Thorin kissed the top of her head. “Are we talking about the wolf or Ben?”

Sniffling back her tears, Imara said, “Both, I suppose. I just don’t understand why he hasn’t been back.”

Thorin grinned and nodded. “I figured. I heard he’s been working on some big project at his house and it’s taking up most of his time.”

Imara looked up to Thorin as hope returned to her. “Really? What sort of project?”

Thorin twisted his lips to the side and shook his head as he tried to hide what he knew. “I really can’t say. It must be important, though, to keep him away like this.”

Looking off in the distance for her mate, Imara’s hope started to recede. “Maybe he’s changed his mind about me.”

Thorin sighed and rested his head against hers. “I don’t think that’s true at all. Not everyone is as fortunate as us when it comes to money, Imara. He’s doing what he has to do. Just be patient. It’s getting terrible late, my dear. Why don’t you go on and get to bed now.”

Imara stood from the swing and looked out across the yard one more time before she opened the door and went inside. 

Shaw came around the corner and sat down on the porch in the rocking chair. As the floorboards creaked under him, Shaw lit his pipe.

Thorin put down his guitar and cracked his knuckles. “How’s it coming along over there at Ben’s?”

Shaw blew out a smoke ring then said, “He’s working his ass off, that’s for damn sure. Doesn’t even want any help.”

Thorin chuckled in amusement. “He is a proud and stubborn man, that Ben.”

Shaw nodded his head. “Sure is.”

Thorin looked into the darkness and twisted his lips to the side as he looked for Ben. “Imara’s getting right upset, though.”

Shaw shrugged then drew from his pipe. “He’ll be along soon enough.”

Thorin crossed his arms and leaned back. “You think he might consider sleeping inside this time? I hate to see a man sleeping on a porch. That don’t feel right at all after all he’s doing for her.”

“No, I don’t expect he’d agree to that.” A rare smile came to Shaw’s gruff face. “I’m starting to like that boy. Sleeping on the doorstep.” Shaw chuckled. “Never seen anything like that before. He must be crazy in love with little Miss Priss.”

Thorin laughed out then from the corner of his eye he saw movement. The black wolf came running down the drive, then leaped up on the porch. 

“Good evening Ben. We were just talking about you. You know, you’re welcome to stay inside if you’d like. I’m certain Imara would be thrilled to have you nearby.”

Ben paced in front of the door then finally laid down on the porch and tucked his snout under his paws. 

“Alright then. Well anyhow, if you’re free tomorrow evening, I’d like for you and your parents to come over for dinner. Imara’s missing you terribly. We need to come clean to her. She’s thinking you don’t want her anymore.”

The wolf raised his head and shook it out with a whimper. 

Thorin pursed his lips as he put up his hands and shook his head. “Now, I’m not making any judgements, Ben. I’m just telling you how she’s feeling. She’s a tender-hearted woman. You need to be careful with her.”

Ben tucked his snout again and sighed.

“Well, it’s past my bedtime. I’ll see you tomorrow evening, I suppose. Goodnight Ben.”

Shaw remained on the porch and rocked away as Ben drifted off to sleep. 

Ben left early the next morning before the sun came up again. He had a lot of work to get done before dinner.

“Are you about finished for the day, Imara?” Thorin asked as he crossed his arms and watched her work in the garden.

“Not really. There’s still a lot of light left today.” She glanced up in the sky. “It’s barely four o’clock.”

“You should go wash up and put on a pretty dress. We’re having guests tonight.”

Imara shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked up to Thorin. “Guests? We’ve never had guests. Ever. What’s the occasion?” 

“I invited Ben and his parents over for dinner.”

Imara sighed then continued pulling weeds. “Why?”

“Why? Wasn’t it just a week ago that you told me he was your mate, my dear?”

“Yes, and it’s been a week since he’s bothered to come see me at all. I guess I was wrong.”

“He’s a working man, Imara. He doesn’t have time to worship you every second of the day. If you’re going to be his wife, you’ll have to just get used to that.”

Imara chuckled and stood up then dusted off her hands. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”  She started walking off to the kitchen door. “I’m ready to leave this place whenever you are.”

Thorin rolled his eyes and wiped his hand across his mouth. “Jesus, what the hell is that boy thinking ?”

As the sun went down in the horizon, Imara heard the hooves coming up the drive. She looked out her bedroom window and saw them nearing the house, so she took another look at herself in the mirror. 

Imara wore the green dress that Thorin bought her in New Orleans, the one he said made her eyes glow like highly polished emeralds. It fit her good and unlike the other dresses in her armoire, it showed off her womanly features. It narrowed at the waist and revealed just enough cleavage to not be obscene. Imara left her hair down and curly with the sides pulled back. She wanted to look good enough to make Ben pay for ignoring her all these long, lonely days.

Imara heard the door open downstairs and the sounds of Thomas and Thorin welcoming their guests. Imara looked at herself one last time and sighed before walking out her door. As she descended the stairs, she glanced up and saw Ben looking at her. She quickly looked back to her feet and pushed her lips together as her plan to make Ben suffer started falling apart. All she really wanted was to be in his arms again.

Ben knew he was in the doghouse with Imara, but he hoped when she learned why he’s been gone so long, she’d forgive him.

Thorin held his arm out to Imara and then wrapped it around her as she approached. “Imara you’ve, of course, met Ben and Harold. This beautiful creature is Harold's wife, Anna.”

Anna leaned over and kissed Imara’s cheek. “I’m so happy to finally meet you, Imara. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Imara gave a quick grin and said, “Lovely to meet you, madam.”

Sensing Imara’s bitter attitude, Thorin smirked and swept his hand to the side. “Please everyone, the dining room is this way.”

Imara crossed her arms and walked into the dining room ahead of everyone. Thomas waited for her to sit then pushed in her chair. As Ben took the seat next to her, he leaned over then whispered in her ear. “You look beautiful, Imara.”

Imara shook out the napkin and placed it on her lap. “Thank you.”

As Thomas served them drinks, Thorin flicked his fingers between himself and the Logan’s and said, “Well, why don’t we let Imara in on everything before this dinner gets any more tense than it already is. My dear sister seems to have left her manners upstairs this evening.”

Imara rolled her eyes and swallowed her wine then set down her cup. “What exactly are you talking about, Thorin?”

Thorin took a deep breath and scratched his chin. “Anna and I are old acquaintances, Imara. We met, oh, I don’t know a little over 30 years ago.”

Imara huffed through her nose and looked at Ben. “So, you really are a witch?”

Ben licked his lips and took Imara’s hand then looked back to her face. “I’m a half blood, Imara. My father was a Lycan.”

Imara looked away and nodded her head. “Lycan? Of course, you are. Silly me. There are no wolves in the South.”

Imara looked around the table in front of her taking in everything she had just heard. Then, she took her hand back from Ben, pushed her chair back with her feet and said, “Excuse me,” as she left the table.

Ben sighed then pushed back his chair and chased after her. “Imara wait! Stop.”

She threw open the front door then walked quickly down the stairs to the drive.

“Imara stop!” He grabbed her arm and spun her around. 

“Was that funny making a fool of me that way? Does it amuse you to torture me like this? Where have you been? I waited every day for you and that stupid wolf. Why would you do that to me?”

Ben wrapped his arms around her and leaned down until his lips met her forehead. He kissed her skin softly and laced his fingers through her hair. “I couldn’t marry you until I gave you a proper house. It’s not quite what you're used to, I’m afraid, but it’s ours. I've been working on it bit by bit for years, but now that you’re here I had to finish it. Every spare moment I’ve had has been spent on our home, Imara, I swear.”

She closed her eyes as the tears spilled over and her lip quivered. “Why didn’t you just tell me? I could’ve helped you.”

Ben shook his head. “No. That’s one thing I will insist upon. You’re a lady. I won’t have you working like a man. That’s my job.”

Imara shook her head and buried her face in his chest while he wrapped his arms around her. “I thought you’d given up on me, Ben. I’ve been a mess.”

Ben rocked her slowly back and forth and put his nose in her hair. “Never. I’ll never give up on you. You’re mine til the very end of all things.”

She pulled away and looked up into Ben’s face. “Take me there. I want to see it.”

He looked down between them then said, “It isn’t much. I’ll build more later, I just had to finish it enough for us to move in.”

Imara put her hand on Ben’s cheek. “Show me.”

Ben closed his eyes and they disappeared into a black mist. As they reappeared in front of the cabin, Ben took Imara’s hand. She snapped her fingers on her other hand and a ball of bright white light appeared beside her. 

Imara looked over the outside of the small cabin. Ben couldn’t tell from her face what she was thinking, and he felt sick in the pit of his stomach because she didn’t seem very impressed. “I tilled up space for a garden for you around back.”

Imara nodded as her eyes took in every feature. “Thank you.”

Ben opened the door and waited for Imara to come inside. She walked to the stone fireplace first and slid her fingers across the wooden mantle. Ben said, “I dug the stones from the creek down the road.” 

Imara looked back at the small kitchen and the dining room table before she walked away from Ben. His heart dropped in his chest as she walked down the short hall that led to the pantry, washroom and bedroom. She quickly peeked in the small rooms then sighed when she looked around the bedroom. The bed was small, barely big enough for Imara, much less a giant of a man like Ben.

With shaking hands, Ben walked up behind Imara. “Please say something, Imara. You hate it, don’t you?”

Imara turned to Ben and shook her head. “No. It’s perfect Ben. I love it. You made me a house with your own two hands, that’s just so amazing.” She looked around the room then reached behind her and put her hand on his forearm. “This is our house.”

Ben took her hand and pulled Imara close to his chest. He looked down at her and softly traced her face with his fingers. Imara closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. “I’ve never had anything of my own before.”

Ben put her hand over his heart. “You have me. As you can see, I don’t have much though, but I’m all yours.” He slid his hand up to the back of her head, then gently kissed Imara’s lips. “I promise you that I’ll be all you ever need.”