Chapter 149: Another Time

Winnie gripped the woven basket tightly as she carefully made her way inside the house. She shut the door behind her and immediately became aware of another presence.

"Winnie," a familiar voice came from the corner. "I knew I heard voices."

"Frances," she called and walked toward the new matron.

She was seated by the mismatched chairs, leaning over the center table. Wooden toys and stuffed dolls with buttons for eyes lay arranged on the table.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, standing to her feet with stretched-out hands. "You hardly ever come around anymore."

"Sorry," she smiled sheepishly and placed the basket on the table before hugging Frances. "I have been busy."

"I understand," the older woman said and pulled away. "Did you bring that for us?"

Winnie nodded and unveiled the items. "I should have brought them much sooner."

"Winnie, you didn’t have to bring them yourself," Frances cried as she stared at the bowls with wide eyes.

"It’s no problem really. Since I wanted to pay a visit to the beach, it was easy to make a stop."

"Thank you, they are absolutely lovely and will serve us very well."

Winnie smiled tightly. Her palms suddenly felt very warm, and she wiped them on her dress. "You’re welcome. Where is Beta Asher? I don’t see him around."

Frances lifted her head from the basket. "Oh, he should be in his room?" She replied, turning toward the stairs. "Should I call for—ah, there he is."

At the other end of the room was a stairway, and right in the middle of it was Asher. He was dressed in black; his black hair framed his face and there was a tense look on his face.

Winnie felt a hand clasp around her heart. How long had he been there? He didn’t look different from the last time she saw him. His grey eyes still had that intense look.

"Beta Asher," Frances called, walking away from Winnie as she bowed. "Winnie brought us some ceramics."

"I can see that. Thank you," he said and turned away from her as he stepped down the rest of the stairs.

Winnie tried to take a step forward but found herself rooted to the wood. He was right in front of her; she couldn’t chicken out now.

"Are you going out?" Frances asked.

"Yes," he replied as he walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Winnie blurted.

Asher stopped walking, then slowly turned to look at her. "We should have a bonfire for Arlo tonight. I am off to speak to Alpha Keenan about the preparations. Why?"

"I wanted to have a word," she said, folding her arms and grabbing her elbows a little too tightly.

Asher started to take a step forward, then stopped himself. "Can it wait?" He asked.

She wanted to say no. It had to be now but he looked to be in a hurry. He was busy; it would be unfair to rush him now simply because she was finally ready.

She smiled. "Yes."

"Okay," he replied, giving her a long look before turning and exiting the door.

"Is it important?" Frances softly asked. "You can tell me, and I’ll pass it on."

"Thanks, Frances," she replied and tried to pull herself together. "I’ll come back another time."

"Alright, dear. Thanks again for the ceramics."

Winnie nodded as she started toward the door. "It was my pleasure."

Her hands shook lightly as she pulled open the door, but she plastered a smile on her face as she stepped into the sun.

"Winnie," cried Maya.

She rushed toward Winnie with the children running around the compound behind her. "What happened? Beta Asher just left." She glanced at the gate, which shook slightly as if it had just been closed.

"Nothing," she replied. "He is busy."

"You couldn’t tell him?" She brought her voice down to a whisper as she asked.

"No," she shook her head. "Let me show you something first, then we will head to the beach. How’s that?"

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

Winnie nodded. "Come with me," she grabbed Maya’s wrist and pulled her toward the gate.

"Winnie, you’re leaving," the children squealed.

"I’ll be back," she replied without looking back. "I promise."

"Winnie!" Came the cries as the two women walked out of the gates.

Winnie peeked through the gates to see the children waving at them. She returned the waves as best as she could and led Maya toward the back of the orphanage.

She didn’t want to think about their interaction. She didn’t want to think about the way Asher had looked when he saw her. She had avoided him for so long—of course, he wouldn’t be receptive when she returned.

"Where are we going?" Maya asked as she struggled to keep up with her.

"I am sorry," Winnie said and let go of her wrist. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself.

"I wanted to show you why Alpha Keenan comes to the orphanage often."

"And it’s behind the orphanage?"

"Yeah," she replied.

Their footsteps made loud crunching sounds as they stepped on the dry leaves that had fallen off the trees.

"Okay," she replied.

The side of the orphanage wasn’t as well kept as the front; the path was covered with debris from the trees—from fallen leaves to fallen branches. These and the slight tilt of the hill made it a little troublesome to walk.

"We are here," Winnie announced.

"What did you want to show me?" Maya asked as she looked around.

"Looks familiar?" Winnie asked with a small smile.

"Yes."

"I thought it might," Winnie said with a small smile.

It was a shame she couldn’t remember her younger years so she could help Maya better but if Maya had stayed in the orphanage, she must have been here a few times.

This was sacred ground, as a lot of children had been buried here but it didn’t stop the children from running around—especially climbing the huge tree in the front of their little graveyard.

"I wanted to show you this," she mumbled and pointed to a gravestone.