Read Online Emily's Story by D'Elen McClain - Free Book Online Page B

there. He assembled flour, eggs, and the other ingredients needed to prepare pancakes. Two pounds of bacon were sizzling in a large frying pan. Her nose twitched and he noticed her inhale. Spooning flour into a measuring cup, he walked over and used his body to gently nudge her toward the counter. The scent of her anger kindled but she moved.
    He continued to press his luck and placed the cup in her tense fingers, squeezing slightly so she would hold on. “I’m hungry and I know you are too. We can fight or make pancakes.”
    After a moment’s hesitation she calmed.
    Food might be his saving grace and he would remember to use it. “Now, pour the flour into this bowl.” He pushed the bowl in front of her and guided her hand, showing her what he wanted. Filling the cup again with flour, he repeated the process three more times. Next were the eggs and using the same slow movements he showed her what to do. Sugar, baking powder, and milk joined the other ingredients and then he handed her a whisk. Following his hand motions she began mixing the batter. The pan was ready and he added butter. Looking sideways, he could see her in deep concentration while she stirred. Taking a step closer, he heard her heartbeat accelerate when he looked over her shoulder and into the bowl. It was time. Ignoring her slight scent of distress, he again took her hand in his placing a large spoon in her fingers and them scooping the creamy mixture and dropping a dollop onto the greased pan.
    He left her watching the first batch cook and walked into the living room. His father loved soothing instrumental music. It wasn’t Brandt’s favorite but somehow he knew she would enjoy it. He chose Carter Burwell’s “Honor Inflamed”. It was a powerful piece with haunting flute and violins. The music filled the room and he sensed her walking up behind him. She wasn’t coming close but remembering the other knives in the kitchen he glanced over his shoulder.
    Mesmerized by the sounds she stood staring at the speaker.
    Walking back to the kitchen, he checked the pancakes, flipping them over and then returned to the living room. She was now sitting on the floor with her ear to the speaker, eyes closed, and body swaying with a look of complete rapture on her face. His wolf stood at attention. Shaking his head to get his mind to focus, he walked back into the kitchen to finish preparing their meal alone.
    Her demon calmed and her body relaxed. The sound was gentle, beautiful, and eerie. She instinctively swayed to the low beat. No anger, no pain, it soothed her beast. All the fury which grew over the previous weeks relaxed. Good memories flooded her mind; Carolynn rubbing her hair through the bars when she was small, Christmas with a new dress and enough food to fill her belly, her mother’s voice reading about the baby Jesus. They were her only good memories and they trailed like smoke through her mind. Tears ran down her cheeks.
    Everything was new; her rage, his touch, her fear, his voice. The music beckoned and her demon quieted. A soft touch on her shoulder had her opening her eyes and wiping away the tears before she turned. She could fall into his dark eyes. They mesmerized her and she yearned to reach her hand out and touch him.
    “It’s time to eat. I’ll turn the music up so we can hear it in the other room.”
    Sitting silently at the table they used their fingers while listening to music play in the background. After seeing him add syrup, she poured some on her plate and then added more. His she-wolf had a sweet tooth. They finished off the bacon and pancakes. There would be no table scraps with her around. When finished, he handed her his plate and turned to pick up the other items. She followed and he led her to the kitchen showing her how to rinse the dishes and place them in the dishwasher.
    Concentrating, Emily connected his words with what he showed her. So many questions fired through her mind but she didn’t want him