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her.
    Movement caught her eye and she paused,
fingers caught in a tangle. The late afternoon sun lit the area she'd stopped
in, however the huge trees left much of the forest in various degrees of
shadow. Working on her hair, she tilted her head one way and then another,
watching carefully. A chill ran down her spine.
    Garen, there are Were circling.
    While waiting for his response she
attempted to count them. Four. Maybe five.
    Garen? Is this normal? She remembered
the first time she'd met Rhee-En and some of his pack. She'd been in their
forest, even though humans were forbidden. They'd circled her then, as well.
    They should know who you are, and that
you are welcome. Announce yourself, and that you are a welcome guest of the
pack. He paused. Remember these are Were. Do not show fear. You must not be
submissive.
    She wasn't quite sure what he meant and frowned
in frustration. It had to be a misunderstanding or perhaps some young Were just
causing mischief.
    Pulling her hair back, she retied the
leather around it and then placed her hands on her hips. Being obvious about
looking at the circling Were, she gathered her courage. "I am Arowyn
Mason." She waited, wondering if that would be enough. Not too long ago Rhee-En
sent out a telepathic message to his whole pack stating she and Bo were both
welcome in his lands.
    The Were moved from the trees to circle
her. A quick glance around showed five of them. Her eyes darted to the trees,
wondering if there were more. She didn't see any, but that didn't mean much.
    Don't be afraid. She sucked in a slow
breath. Three of the Were stopped before her, one flanking her on each side
behind. When the center Were stalked forward a few steps and snarled, it took
everything she had not to draw her daggers.
    They are growling at me!
    I'm coming. Be strong. Treat them as
children. Be firm but polite.
    No! Stay with Bo in case…just in case. I
can do this.
    She could almost hear him gnashing his
teeth.
    Very well. I have your scent. We are
coming as quickly as we can.
    Setting her lips in an angry line, she
stared down the Were. Should she call for Kei? Was he still angry with her? If
he came, all claws and fury, it might only make matters worse.
    Rot.
    "I am welcome here," she said
firmly. "You," she turned slightly and gestured to the Were behind
her, "come where I can see you." Raising her chin, she blinked in
startlement when they moved to join their pack mates. Perhaps this would work.
"Stand aside."
    The Were growled again. All of them.
    "I said stand aside!"
    With barely audible whines and tails
flicking, four of them moved back, leaving only the center Were before her.
    Straightening her back, she narrowed her
eyes, wondering what to say next. How was she supposed to act? Perhaps like a
noble? "I am not pleased. You will let me pass. Now."
    The Were didn't move but sat back onto
his haunches. A moment later, he shifted into a man. Ignoring her completely,
he turned his head to the side. "You were correct."
    Following his gaze, her mouth parted in
surprise to find Rhee-En walking through the trees toward them.
    Everything is fine. I think. Rhee-En is
here.
    Good, that is good.
    Rhee-En nodded to the other Were, and then
all five disappeared into the trees. He stopped before her, a wry smile
twisting the scars running from cheek to jaw across his face.
    "What was that all about?"
    He regarded her thoughtfully for a
moment. "It appears you have the power to command my Were."
    "I…" How should she reply to
that? She'd only done what Garen told her to do. His distracting voice didn't
help. Apparently, she hadn't gotten used to the sultry beauty of it. Like the
first time they'd met, the beautiful sound of it left her flustered.
    He gestured her forward to walk beside
him and she obliged, scrambling to gather her wits. "Only alpha's have
that power," he said softly.
    Her head snapped around to stare at him
as a lump formed in her throat. Rot. Rot. Rot. How did he know?
    Maybe things aren't