Children of the Wolves by Jessica Starre

had dreamed of his touch, his kiss, the heat and the weight of his body against her own?
    She tightened her jaw. This was Teresa talking, after all. Teresa, who liked to cause pain though she smiled and smiled.
    â€œWhen will he partner with her?” Teresa asked, as if Jelena might know the answer. “Will he have to wait until after you’re … awakened?” she whispered, her voice insidious, the hesitation implying that Jelena never would awaken and that it was obvious to all that the reason why she didn’t let Michael get on with his life was because she wanted him all to herself. That she did want him all to herself didn’t make the implication any easier for Jelena to endure.
    Despite her roiling stomach, Jelena forced herself not to show her unhappiness. She kept her step steady and ignored Teresa. Teresa’s lips thinned — no doubt she was disappointed in Jelena’s lack of reaction to her news. But Jelena knew better than to be provoked into revealing herself.
    â€œSurely the Elders will forgive him the transgression if it means another trueborn to the community,” Teresa said, obviously unable to resist making another dig. “But whatever will they do about you?” She gave the question a pious inflection and then with a smile curving her lips scurried forward to open the door to the dining hall.
    Jelena couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her. What would they do about her? She followed Teresa into the hall, her face impassive although her mind was a confused whirl of thoughts and impressions. Teresa had known about Danielle’s pregnancy — and she wouldn’t lie about something so easy to confirm. People told Teresa things, whether from fear or favor it was impossible to tell; probably some combination of both. But Michael had never said anything to Jelena, either about the pregnancy or his part in it. Why not? He usually confided in her.
    This was different, that was true; it wasn’t a concern about a rider drill gone badly or one of the people who didn’t listen to Michael’s advice. This was a pregnancy, which meant he’d made love to Danielle, probably more than once. Teresa had somehow guessed that Michael hadn’t told Jelena. Jelena supposed that wouldn’t be so hard to guess. But Teresa had taken so much pleasure in breaking the news to Jelena. Malice wasn’t an unknown commodity in the tribe, but it always surprised Jelena when she encountered it. It seemed so petty. Beneath them, somehow. Not worthy of them.
    Michael had spoken admiringly of Danielle, praising her facility with the bow and arrow and the broadsword, remarking on her ability to ride. Jelena had never thought anything of it. He had equally praised Charmaine and Rufus. Jelena herself had never ridden a horse and didn’t like the creatures very much. She’d never tried to handle a weapon. She’d never thought of either of these things as shortcomings before. But why wouldn’t Michael want a woman with whom he shared so much in common? Jelena had never thought of Michael’s admiration for Danielle as anything other than the affection and appreciation one friend had for another. She’d been so caught up in her own feelings that she’d missed what had gone on between Michael and Danielle. Well, it turned out Michael was perfectly capable of actions.
    Jelena was brought abruptly to the present by someone calling her name. She turned to look and saw a small trueborn girl come flying across the narrow hall to launch herself into Jelena’s arms. “Caterina!” Jelena hugged the girl close, the child’s affection helping her steady herself.
    After a moment, she released the girl, smiling down at her. If Michael had a child, a child with dark hair and river blue eyes — she sucked a breath in — she wanted him to have that child with her. She’d never dared entertain such a thought. She thrust it from her mind