Her Life Her Wolf

Chapter 6

The rest of the drive to the pack house was silent. Alpha Eric cleared his throat and said, "Alpha Jeremiah, we prepared a room for you on the Alpha floor. No doubt you'll want to clean up and get settled." Alpha Jeremiah turned to Alpha Eric, "Just Jeremiah please, I think we are past those formalities." Alpha Eric nodded, "Alright Jeremiah, just call me Eric as well. I know that your gut is telling you to go to your mate right now, but even though she's a Potential, she is still a human that has only known the human world." Jeremiah let out an exasperated groan. He knew Eric was right, but it went against every instinct he knew to not go claim his mate, right now. "I need to check in with my Beta and I need to go for a run," Jeremiah said. Eric nodded in understanding. "I'll show you to your room so you can have privacy, and alert the patrols we have a visiting Alpha on our territory who isn't to be disturbed."

Pacing the guest room, Jeremiah sent a text to Abel saying he was at the River Growlers and they'd speak in a few hours. Taking a deep breath he reached out to Finn. "We can go for a run, but she cannot see you." Finn growled in response, "She won't see me, yet. Now go to mate." Heading outside, Jeremiah stripped and shifted. Moving at a fast trot, he headed to the territory border where Corinne's cottage was. Nearing the packland's edge, they stopped and looked up at the cottage. Within a minute of arriving, he heard a twig snap to his left. Sitting up quickly he growled lowly as a warrior stepped from behind a tree. "Sorry Alpha," the warrior said quietly, with his hands raised, "I saw movement and had to investigate." Nodding in understanding, Finn stopped growling. He did have to admit that he felt better with the speed in which the warrior responded to a possible threat on his Luna. After an hour, the light in Corinne's bedroom turned off, and Jeremiah nudged Finn to head on back. With a single howl, Finn disappeared into the dense forest, returning to the main packhouse. She was safe for now, and they would meet soon.

The next morning, Jeremiah was dressing after his shower when there was a knock at his door. "Come in," he called out, sliding on a pair of shoes. His door opened and Eric stepped in. "Good morning Jeremiah, I hope you slept well considering the circumstances. Stephanie has invited Corinne out to breakfast at a local diner we own. I was wondering if you'd care to join us?" he asked. Jeremiah nodded his head enthusiastically, "Yes, I believe I would Eric. Let's go." he said making his way out the door. Eric laughed, "I figured you would. Stephanie is already out at the car. I'm not sure who's more excited about this meeting, her or you." As they stepped outside Stephanie approached Jeremiah and gave him a tight enthusiastic hug. Smiling widely she said, "Alpha Jeremiah it is so nice to meet you. I am beyond thrilled that you're Corinne's mate! I know that she isn't a member of my pack, but I care for her as if she was my own daughter. You'll have to be gentle with her. I don't know everything that poor girl has had to endure, but I do know she's stronger than she realizes." Loading into the SUV, they headed to the cottage, where Corinne was waiting on the porch.

Gently rocking herself in the porch swing, Corinne fiddled with her bag. She was a little nervous about going anywhere after the grocery store incident, but was trying to not let fear dictate her life. Waving to Stephanie as they pulled up, Corinne skipped down the driveway and hopped in the backseat, only to be face to face with the handsome stranger from last night. Feeling herself blush she fiddled with the hem of her cardigan. Stephanie turned around and brightly announced, "So glad you could join us, Corinne! This is our friend Jeremiah. He's in town visiting, and we thought you two would hit it off." Giving a quick wink, Stephanie turned back to the front and and said, "Get a move on my love, I'm starving!" Corinne shyly peeked over at Jeremiah. Holding out her hand said, "It's nice to officially meet you Jeremiah, although I am very sure you're the guy I curtsied at last night." Laughing, Jeremiah accepted her hand and shook it, the pleasant sensation of sparks causing Finn to purr in his mind. "Nice to meet you as well. Had I been standing, I would have bowed in return," he said, bantering back playfully.

In the light of day, he was able to take in her features. Her long curly red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her face was clean of all makeup. Dressed in a green sundress with a cardigan, he could make out the faint lines of bruising that had yet to fade, and could tell that she was underweight for her height. However, her green eyes sparkled and the dusting of freckles across her button nose were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Resisting the urge to scoop her up and put her directly in his lap, he ran his hands through his hair and looked out the window. He could smell the scent of fresh meadow and wanted nothing more than to bury his face in her neck. The SUV pulled into a parking lot, and Eric announced, "We're here!" Climbing out of the vehicle, the foursome made their way inside the diner.

"Good morning! How many of you?" A smiling woman in her sixties said as they walked in. "Hi Georgie. There's four of us today. A booth if you don't mind," Eric said returning the smile. "Ah of course, I didn't see you behind these attractive young folks you brought with you today. You can head over to your regular booth and someone will be out shortly to grab your orders," Georgie said. Corinne blushed and smiled, stepping aside for Eric and Stephanie to lead the way. Her blush deepened when she realized that Jeremiah was following right behind her. When they got to the booth, Corinne piped up, "I'll slide in first since I'm left-handed. I don't want to elbow you all meal." Jeremiah chuckled, "I'm sure my ribs appreciate that," and gestured for her to slide in. A few moments later their waitress approached. "My name is Cynthia and I'll be taking care of you today," she said, staring directly at Jeremiah. "Hello Cynthia," Eric said, drawing her attention, "We will have two cups of coffee and two orange juices please." Cynthia nodded and put her hand on Jeremiah's shoulder, "and for you hon," she asked batting her eyelashes. Corinne rolled her eyes. She didn't blame this Cynthia woman for her interest but found the touching to be more than a little inappropriate.

"Oh, I don't know, what are you going to have, Corinne," Jeremiah asked, placing his hand on Corinne's arm smiling. "Hmm, I thing just a coffee and a water for me," Corinne answered returning his smile. "That sounds perfect," Jeremiah said. "Put us down for two coffees and two waters please." Cynthia huffed, and mumbled, "I'll be back with your drinks to get your order in a minute," and quietly skulked off. "So... Jeremiah...where are in town from," Corinne asked as she scanned the menu. "Oh, I'm down from Canada. I'm in the northwest area of Ontario, near Manitoba," he answered. Corinne paused and crooked her head to the side quizzically. "You're from Ontario?" she asked, as if she needed it repeated. "Yes, are you familiar with the area," he asked, his curiosity piqued. "Here's your drinks," Cynthia interruped, placing down four coffees, two juices and two waters. "Do you know what you want to eat? She asked, with a bite in her tone, staring angrily at Corinne. "Actually, Cynthia, we will have Georgie take our order. You're making my guests uncomfortable, and I will not tolerate it," Stephanie said, "You're dismissed." Waving Georgie over, she continued, "I know you're relatively new here, but I will tell you now, any further complaints about your behavior and it will be your last day here."

Georgie shook her head as Cynthia stormed off to the kitchen. "I'm so sorry about that boss, I'll take care of it after I put in your orders. She's never acted that way before, but I can assure you she won't act that way again." At Eric and Stephanie's insistence, everyone ordered the breakfast sampler platter. "You truly will not regret it," he said grinning. Corinne had doubts she could eat that much food, as it came with pancakes, eggs, bacon, grits, and hashbrowns, but she figured she would enjoy trying. "So, where were we?" Jeremiah asked. "Oh! Right," Corinne responded, "I was curious, because I was born in Ontario. I haven't been there since I was a baby, and don't really know much about the area, but that's one of the facts I know about my birth. If you have some free time while you're here, I'd love to know more about the area," Corinne said hopefully. Jeremiah's mind was racing. He had been assuming any information about her would have been here in the states. It never occured to him that she might be from Canada herself. He had to contact his Beta with this information as soon as possible. "That would be my pleasure," he answered, "I'll tell you anything you want to know. Corinne smiled ruefully. "Thanks, I appreciate that. I don't really know what to ask, but it's sort of heavy conversation for a breakfast. Maybe I can fill you in later?"

Jeremiah nodded. He didn't want to push the girl, but there was obviously more to her story than what any of them knew. "How about this, after breakfast, you and I could hang out together. I don't know anyone here really, and I wouldn't mind the company while these two go to work," he said, pointing his thumb at Eric and Stephanie. "Well, sure, I'd like that... but I have to tell you I don't really know anyone either," Corinne said laughing. If you don't mind knocking around my cottage we could hang out there." Smiling, Jeremiah said, "Perfect, consider it a date." Corinne blushed at the idea of a date, but felt butterflies of anticipation. Breakfast arrived and they all dug in. Eric and Stephanie were right. This was an amazing breakfast. After eating about half of what she was served Corinne pushed her plate back and said, "I'm stuffed. If I try to eat anymore I'm going to be in a food coma." Stephanie smiled, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I need to powder my nose before we head out, care to join?" Corinne nodded and Jeremiah slid out of the booth, offering his hand. She accepted the help up, and with a lingering glance, followed Stephanie.

Once she was out of sight, Jeremiah said quietly, "I need to make call about her being from Canada. I'll meet you all outside in a few." Eric nodded, and said, "Go ahead, I'll take care of everything in here." Inside the bathroom, Corinne washed her hands and checked her hair. "So, looking forward to your date?" Stephanie asked innocently. Corinne blushed a deep red, "Oh stop, he didn't mean it like that. He is really cute though. There's also... I don't know how to explain it. He feels familiar to me like we've known each other forever instead of like an hour. Besides, I really do want to know more about where I came from," Corinne said wistfully. "Yeah about that, I didn't know you and your family were from Canada," Stephanie said. "Oh, well, it's not really me and my family, just me. They went to Canada for awhile and moved back to Virginia after they adopted me," Corinne explained. "Ohhh, I see," Stephanie said, "I didn't realize that before." Corinne shrugged, "There's no reason you would have known that. I'm not embarassed about it or anything, it just usually leads to a lot of questions I can't answer, so I don't talk about it." Sensing that Corinne was not willing to share more, Stephanie smiled, "Well, let's head out then. Don't want to keep our men waiting do we?" she teased. Corinne laughed, "He's not my man but I agree, let's go." she said, as the butterflies returned and her pulse raced at the suggestion.