Tinker wasn’t surprised that Marlene and Warren had a past. There was something about the way the woman looked at him, a mixture of possession and sadness along with benign friendship. Tink wasn’t jealous but rather felt a kinship with the woman. She also felt as if she could trust the woman because she seemed to genuinely care about Warren. When Warren left her to get some fresh air, Tinker felt exposed but she hid the unease with her regal poise.<br/><br/>Poppa came to talk to her to know her better. His easy manner with pack speak relaxed her as he shared tidbits about Warren’s past but respected his privacy enough to not elaborate. Tinker was grateful and felt that the respect was another notch in his ability as Alpha. Tinker didn’t know exactly what he meant when he called an enigma or why enabling a half shift was important.”<br/><br/>“Not to be rude, Poppa,” she answered somberly in pack speak, “but I did a half shift recently, that is when my paws and legs got so much bigger, but Warren said that something was wrong with me and he said that only a female could help me make a complete shift. “<br/><br/>She tilted her head as if trying to puzzle through the intricacies of shifting, wishing that she had followed Warren. She was not entirely comfortable with the direction this conversation was taking.<br/><br/>“Warren has not mated with me. I’m an unmated wolf. My own father has guarded me during my time of desirability. I know next to nothing about the process other than only wolves mate wolves, and humans humans and cats cats. “<br/><br/>Her naivety was probably amusing to some but Poppa kept a straight face, nodding seriously as she continued. He finally asked her.<br/><br/>“Why do you follow him? Even now I sense you wish to go to him."<br/>.<br/>“I follow Warren for several reasons. At first, it was because my own pack had cast me out. I was alone and Warren allowed me to follow him. I was badly hurt and he healed me, not just made it better but took that injury into his own body. How many will sacrifice themselves for a stranger? He taught me how to help during a hunt. My father wouldn’t let me help. I know that it is because of my black fur, I don’t blend in well which alerts the prey. So I never really learned how to take down a large animal. Warren didn’t care about that. He taught me what to do. He put his life on the line when a group of shifters wanted to forcibly mate with me. He fought them off, alone. There were three of them and they were huge. But Warren was bigger and he was faster. He carried me through hostile territory even when he was exhausted. I owe Warren my life and I would follow him to the ends of the Earth, through fire and through a desert. Warren is everything to me, Poppa. I want him to be happy. I don’t think he really sees me as a mate able female”<br/><br/>She chuckled,<br/><br/>“He called me a pup quite recently. . But if he wanted me for a mate, I wouldn’t hesitate to bind myself to him for the rest of my life. My own parents were mated with much love and devotion. I want that in my own life. I don’t know that Warren feels any of that for me, but I do for him.  You won’t tell him I said that will you? He is my friend and if he only wants me as his friend, then as long as I can be with him, I would remain unmated. Warren needs to be free and I don’t want him to feel like I’m trapping him. He needs to be free and I will be free with him. Does that make any sense?”<br/><br/>Poppa patted her on the shoulder. Warren returned and nodded toward her to follow him. She did. Willingly.