Kendrick noted Ruth wandering around the ruins, and while he kept her within sight for the most part, he also gave her space. More for his peace of mind as he tried to figure out how to deal with her. He couldn't just do as his mother suggested. This was his mate. A delicate human girl who gently rebuffed his advances even as her body betrayed her interest. While his wolf seemed to think he should swoop in and claim her, knowing the bond didn't affect her, he feared frightening her off, especially since he wasn't the only one working to gain her affection.
Snapping off a bough, Ruth a speck of motion at the corner of his eye, Kendrick had to turn his back on her a moment as he hefted the pieces he'd harvested and brought them back to the center of camp. Joel, his own arms laden, followed him.
"I think she really doesn't get it," Joel admitted as he dumped his load with a noisy number of thumps.