Her Life Her Wolf

Chapter 8

*Corinne POV*

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity. Stephanie and Eric, or Alpha and Luna as I’d learned, assured me that my little cottage would be my little cottage as long as I wanted it, whether I lived in it full time, or just came to visit. Anwar and Keith were both pretty sheepish about having kept these secrets from me, but I understood why they did. I didn’t want anything to be awkward amongst us and was glad they didn’t have to keep things from me now. I’d also learned they were scheduled to take part in a warrior exchange that was actually sending them to the Silentclaw Shadows Pack. Even though Jeremiah had assured me everyone in his pack would be excited to meet me, I still felt better knowing that I’d have at least a couple of familiar faces around for a while. I wasn’t going to lie, I was more than a little bit nervous about getting on a plane and travelling to unfamiliar territories.

When Tobias brought my car back to me, I was originally excited. It felt like a step towards normal. After he explained the way that my car, computer, and even my brand new phone had been compromised by this stalking software, I wanted none of it. I couldn’t look at any of it without being reminded of how my privacy, trust, and safety were all compromised. If I were to be totally transparent with myself, I had to admit that in the darkest part of the night, I often found myself listening, straining to hear the footsteps of someone coming for me. Knowing that Deana, Willard, and this unknown security hacker had the software needed to show them where I lived made my new home feel unsafe. I was scared to live alone now but didn’t want to burden anyone with my troubles. I certainly didn’t want anyone to feel like they had to babysit me.

It was the afternoon before we were supposed to leave, and I was a nervous wreck. My meager collection of belongings fit in a single box, and my clothing fit in a single suitcase. I’d gotten a new phone and laptop, gifts from Stephanie and Eric, much to my protests. I wanted to go to a few craft and fiber shops before we left. I was making a crocheted wall tapestry as a thank you to the River Growlers for everything they had done for me. Jeremiah had jumped at the chance to come with me, saying that he wanted to “see the process in action.” He didn’t know anything about crochet but seemed very content to listen to me ramble on about it. I gathered all the supplies I would need and then some.

We headed towards Pho Nguyen Thuy, a Vietnamese noodle restaurant. Stephanie and Eric wanted to throw a going away dinner for Jeremiah and me. Anwar and Keith were also going to be there. The inside of the restaurant was decorated in wood and golden tapestries. Vibrant red lanterns hung from the ceilings, at intimate comfortable booths. After we were all settled in and placed our orders, Eric picked up his glass and said, “A toast, to our friend and ally Jeremiah, and to Corinne, our new friend and honorary member of the River Growlers. May they both prosper, and our bonds all continue to grow.” I blushed and tipped my glass, looking around at my new friends. “Here, here,” Anwar and Keith said, lifting their glasses and smiling. I sensed Jeremiah move a little bit closer at that and chuckled. Stephanie had explained to me that werewolves sometimes got a bit jealous when their mates were around other unmated wolves. I didn’t entirely understand that sort of reaction, figuring if you were secure in a relationship, it wouldn’t matter who you were speaking with. I don’t particularly like feeling as if my friendships are inappropriate, but Stephanie assured me that with time as Jeremiah and I get to know each other better, he will relax a bit. To Jeremiah’s credit, he kept his opinions on my male friendships to himself.

I began eating again, when the sensation I was being watched returned. Looking up, I scanned the room, but didn’t see anyone paying particular attention to our table. Sensing my alarm, Jeremiah leaned in and asked, “What’s wrong?” Remembering what happened the last time I felt watched, I said quietly, “I’m not sure, but I feel like I’m being watched again right now.” A series of low growls came from around the table, as Keith and Anwar stood from the booth and split in different directions. Stephanie looked at me with concern, as Eric’s eyes glazed over. Jeremiah had told me that that meant wolves were communicating with other pack members, or their own wolf. I looked at Jeremiah and saw that his eyes were flashing to a much darker color. “Finn,” I said questioningly to him. “Yes.” Is all Jeremiah had to say. I felt the familiar twinge of disappointment and guilt. I’d ruined another pleasant evening, and everyone was on alert again, because of me.

Suddenly Eric’s eyes cleared, and he looked at Jeremiah. “We got him,” Eric said. Nodding once, Jeremiah stood and offered me his hand. “Time to go, Corinne,” he said. I looked at him, and back to Stephanie, who was also standing. “Okay,” I said resignedly, “Sorry I ruined dinner again.” Jeremiah scooped me into his side, resting my head along his muscular chest. “You didn’t ruin anything. These trackers and stalkers are what’s ruining things, and I think it’s time we find out who they are and why.” I nodded sadly, and we made our way to the car. “Where is this person that was watching me at now,” I asked. “We’ve taken them back to the pack’s interrogation room,” Eric said. Jeremiah grunted in approval and said, “We will drop you by the cottage and then go question them.” I snorted, astonished. “Yeah, right. If you think that I’m not going to see who it is that’s been following me or be there to find out why you’ve got another thing coming.” Jeremiah’s grip tightened and he said, “Corinne no. I can’t let you do that. It’s too dangerous.” Eric cleared his throat, “I agree. We have no idea who they are or what they want. It’s not a risk I’m willing to allow either.”

My back stiffened and my pulse raced as I stepped out of Jeremiah’s arms. “Let me,” I said incredulously. “You can’t LET me?” I was seething, and pointed my finger at his chest saying, “You don’t have to LET me do anything. I do not defer to you for decisions about my own life. It is not your job, nor is it your place to dictate what I am and am not allowed to do.” I shook my head, “Let me,” I said disdainfully, “That’s not your call to make.” Turning towards Eric and Stephanie, I leveled a glare, “and while I’m at it, it’s not YOUR call to make either. This is MY life. These people are following ME, tracking ME, stalking ME. If a single one of you thinks that you have the power to dictate whether or not I’m present for a discussion about ME, you are sorely mistaken. I’ll give you a minute to come to terms with the reality of this situation, and then I suggest we ALL get to the interrogation.” My chest heaved and I looked each of them in the eye, daring them to question me and my decision again. When no one said anything, I rolled my eyes and stomped towards the vehicle. “Are you all coming, or shall I walk back,” I asked, the anger still rolling off of me in waves.

No one said anything on the ride to the pack house interrogation rooms. Had I not been so livid, I may have taken in the beauty of the River Growler territory. We pulled up in front of a large mansion-like building. I stepped out of the vehicle and waited for Eric to lead the way. Jeremiah came up behind me and placed his hand gently on my shoulder, saying quietly, “You can’t do this. I don’t think you’ve considered how far these people will go to get to you. This interrogation will not be a simple conversation if they don’t tell us the answers we need.” I wrenched my shoulder out of his grasp and whipped around to face him. My voice was clear and pointed as I said, “Do not insult me or my lived experience by telling me that I don’t understand the depths of cruelty one person can inflict on another. Do not denigrate my ability to understand how far someone will go to get to me, to own me, to control me. Every scar I carry both mental and emotional is proof of my knowing how far someone will go.” I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my back on Jeremiah, saying, “Maybe it’s you that doesn’t understand how far I’ll go to make this all stop, with or without your support.”

Without another word, I fell in line behind Eric, as he led the way down to a sub-basement floor of soundproofed interrogation rooms. I walked into the viewing room of interrogation room one and looked through the glass. Anwar and Keith stood on either side of a man that was seated and shackled to a metal table. The man had his head down, his shirt torn, and his hair a matted mess of dirt and blood. He had another cut across the bridge of his nose, and two swollen eyes. I couldn’t quite place it, but this man looked familiar to me. I continued examining his features as Eric conferred with Terrence and Gibson, his second and third in command. “He hasn’t said anything since we brought him to the interrogation room, Alpha. I think he’s sat long enough that we can begin now,” Gibson said. “Alright Gamma, you can start the questioning, and we will apply pressure if he chooses to be uncooperative,” Eric said. Terrence looked at me questioningly, and said, “Alpha, is it really wise for her to be here for this?” Turning my full attention to him, I said coolly, “Beta, is it?” He nodded slowly, affirming my question. “I’m sure your Alpha can explain to you in full detail later why that question doesn’t fly. But for now, you can consider if it’s really wise to speak about me as if I’m not standing right here. Or we can get on with it. Your choice.”

“Right, sorry ma’am,” Terrence said. I rolled my eyes and waited for the interrogation to start. Gibson entered the room and closed the door. Sauntering over to the seat across the table he sat down in an unhurried fashion, and said, “This is how it’s going to go. I ask a question, you answer it the first time, and if everything is to my satisfaction, my clean and pristine interrogation room will stay that way. Understood?” The prisoner looked up at Gibson with pure hatred in his eyes. “Ah good, I’ll take that to mean you understand. We will start out easy. What’s your name and which pack are you from?” Gibson questioned, his demeanor relaxed and his tone jovial, but the air was thick with implied danger. The prisoner snorted, “I don’t answer to the likes of you,” he said, malevolence dripping from his tone. I demand an explanation for why your warriors attacked me, and why it is I was dragged off from a restaurant. Last time I checked eating noodles nowhere near your territory wasn’t a crime.”

I gasped, recognition setting in. No wonder he was so familiar, he was the man from the hotel elevator that gave me his number. I turned to Eric and said, “Get your guy back in here now,” and began rifling through my purse. “Come on come on,” I muttered under my breath, “I know you’re still in here somewhere.” I grasped the paper with that man’s name and number on it in my fist, as Gibson came back in the room, an annoyed and confused look on his face. He turned to me and said, “Why has my Alpha called me back in here on your request? This is highly irregular and you’re interfering with my job.” I held up my hand to stop Gibson from saying anything else. “You said he’s from a pack, correct?” Gibson crossed his arms over his chest and said, “You interrupted the interrogation to ask me that?” My anger flared again. “Look,” I said, making no attempt to cover my frustration, “The next person that disrespects me to my face is going to learn how unimportant they truly are. No, I did not call you in here to ask if he’s from a pack, you condescending asshole. I called you in here to find out if Keith and Anwar found him because they recognized his scent from the grocery store.” I heard Jeremiah shuffle, and say, “Answer her, Gamma.” Gibson lowered his eyes and quietly said, “Yes, Alpha. The warriors said it was the same scent as an unknown wolf from the grocery store earlier in the week.”

I nodded once, my suspicions confirmed. “I’m going in there. You can wait here.” I opened the paper and glanced at the contents. “Perhaps this will be of use to you while I speak to him,” I said, shoving the piece of paper into Jeremiah’s hand. I turned to Eric and said, “Let Anwar and Keith know I’m coming in, and tell them to not react at all, no matter what happens.” Eric nodded once. I turned to Jeremiah, “that’s from him, at the hotel. He’s the weird guy from the elevator, and that’s his name and private number.” Jeremiah growled lowly his eyes got dark. I put a hand on his arm, and said as gently but firmly as I could, “Jeremiah and Finn, I know you’re angry, alarmed, and possibly even scared for me, but I need you to calm down and focus. I may not be a wolf, but I’m not a fragile flower, entirely ignorant of the world around me. It’s time for you to trust me.” Jeremiah took a deep breath and hugged me closely, letting me go when he was settled. "You're right, and I'm sorry," he said, "Good luck in there. See you in a few."

I walked into the interrogation room and closed the door behind me. Settling my face into a mask of indifference, I sat down and looked at the man named Jim Moonwalker and shook my head. “Tsk-tsk, Jim,” I said to him, “I thought it was obvious when I didn’t call you that I wasn’t interested in spending any time around you.” Tilting my head from side to side, I stretched my neck. "Now, Jim, since it's clear you're not my friend and everyone else here is, that only leads me to one conclusion: you must be an enemy. I have my guesses as to who hired you to stalk me and why, but what's the fun in guessing games when the person that knows the answer is right here, hmm? Why are you following me, and what do you expect to gain from doing so?"