Her Life Her Wolf

Chapter 2

Luna Stephanie drove away from the cottage, and the girl, with more questions than answers. She hated leaving Corinne, especially considering the state of those injuries. Still, she had to go find her mate and do it now. Pulling up in front of the packhouse, she waved to the various pack members as she hurried toward the Alpha’s office. Tapping on the door, Eric called out, “Come in,” and she stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She turned and faced her mate, who was gesturing for her to come to sit in his lap. The Beta and Gamma, Terrence and Gibson, stood from their seats and said, “Hello, Luna,” in unison. “Hey guys,” Stephanie answered. “I have a few things of importance I need to discuss with Eric, but maybe it would be best if you sat in as well.” They nodded and sat back down.

Kissing Eric and settling into his chest, the smell of sandalwood and cedar filled her nose, and she began to calm down. “What’s going on, my love,” Eric inquired. “Is everything alright?” he asked, rubbing small circles on her back. “Yes, no, sort of,” she answered. “A girl came into the rental office today. The signs of abuse were evident on her body, and she was also underweight and scared. However, what initially caught my attention is that she is a Potential.” Eric gazed down at his Luna with a look of surprise. “A potential? Are you sure?” he asked. Stephanie nodded, “I can’t swear to it, but I think so. My wolf alerted immediately to it, and I had an intense desire to protect her. I took her to the blue cottage outside our territory and told her we would rent it to her. She believes that we own and run a wildlife sanctuary and that the people in those houses are workers or guests. She’s raised around humans in a human town and has no idea about shifters' existence.” Eric sighed. “I suppose that makes sense. I’m not sure it’s a great idea that she’s so close to pack lands as a human, but if she is a Potential, being this close to us is probably best.”

“Not to break up the party here, but what the heck is a Potential?” Beta Terrence asked confusedly. “Yeah, I’m not familiar with that either,” said Gibson. “A Potential,” Alpha Eric stated thoughtfully, “Is a bit of a mystery. Legend states that a Potential is a human born with the innate power to become any supernatural creature. These humans are often fated mates or pairings to powerful shifters. Just like regular humans, though, they do not feel the mate bond the same way we do. They can accept or reject the offer to become a shifter, witch, or fae. The legend also states that a Potential that accepts a supernatural mate gives them the power to transform the lives of every supernatural in the world, for good or evil. I don’t think I need to elaborate on why that has the potential to be extremely dangerous for her and us.” The room sat in stunned silence.

Clearing his throat, Gibson spoke. “Alpha, with your permission, I’d like to assign a few warriors to the house next door. If simply being nearby alerts a shifter to her being a Potential, but she cannot sense a supernatural presence, I would like to have eyes on her.” Alpha Eric nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s a good idea, Gibson. Go ahead and select two warriors to stay in the house next door to her. If she asks, they can say they are security for the nature reserve. I know we were supposed to have a meeting with our allies from Silentclaw Shadows pack in Canada this afternoon about our warrior exchange program. I think that we continue forward with that plan unabated. Still, I believe that I will have a discussion with Alpha Jeremiah about this Potential situation as well.”

Gamma Gibson stood up and said, “I’ll brief Anwar and Keith on the situation and send them to the house immediately. They are slated to go to Canada in three weeks, but I think they are our best option for this immediate need. I’ll conduct a more comprehensive review of our available warriors this week and bring you a list of other qualified candidates when I’m done.” Alpha Eric nodded, “Do that. I’ll address this with Alpha Jeremiah at the end of our meeting today. Terrence, go grab the territories map so we can evaluate any potential threats. I’ll go with our Luna to meet the girl tomorrow. Let’s keep this on a need-to-know basis for now, and keep each other in the loop.” Terrence and Gibson nodded in understanding and left the office.

Stephanie snuggled lovingly into her mate’s lap. Gently rubbing his jawline, with her nose, she whispered, “I didn’t tell her that we are werewolves, but I’m wondering if I should have. I hated lying to her, when she has been through so much already, but I didn’t want to scare her off either. I’m really worried that something bad is going to happen to her.” Eric considered what Stephanie said before quietly responding, “I think that considering the condition she was in, and taking into account that she was running from her parents, telling her that werewolves are real may have been a little more than she could handle. However, if you’re worried for her safety, why don’t you call her and offer that she can stay at the cottage tonight, and that way we know she’s under safe watch.” Gazing at her mate, Stephanie’s face broke out into a wide smile. “Honey, that’s a great idea. I’ll give her a call right now.” Stephanie hopped up out of Eric’s lap and danced away, dialing Corinne as she exited the office.

Alpha Eric dragged his hands down his face and sighed. Most leaders amongst the shifter communities had heard of Potentials, but their existence was debated as myth and rumor: the product of exaggerations and stories passed down over the years. He made a mental note to look for any books or scrolls that referenced them. His Beta reappeared with the territories map just as Stephanie came back to the office, her smile less radiant, and her eyes troubled. “Well, I spoke to Corinne. She is concerned that her parents will follow her to the cottage. Apparently they showed up at the hotel and caused a scene earlier this evening. She had to speak to the police and they’ve requested an emergency order of protection on her behalf. She isn’t sure how they found her, but I’d guess there’s a tracker in her belongings.” Eric’s face grew hard and his anger was visible. “Call her back and tell her to pack up all of her things and put them in her car. We will pick her up from the hotel, while our son Tobias and Gamma Gibson search her belongings for any tracking devices. They can drive her car to the cottage once its clean. If we move now, I can share these developments with Alpha Jeremiah when I speak to him.”

Future Alpha Tobias had all the makings of a solid leader, but his dating life was an oft-discussed source of gossip amongst the pack members. Eric dismissed the concerns of his son’s decision making, knowing that he would settle down once he found his mate. In the meantime, Tobias had spearheaded a large technology overhaul on the pack territories, as well as the security systems inside the many businesses owned around the city. If anyone could find devices being used to hunt and track Corinne, it was him. Satisfied with plan of action, Eric and Stephanie headed towards his black BMW X7. Gibson and Tobias showed up shortly thereafter and they all rode to the Holiday Inn together. They could see a young woman sitting by herself. The girl was crocheting, focused entirely on the stitches and nothing else. “That’s her. I’ll go get her, you all stay here.” Stephanie said as she jumped out of the vehicle rushing towards the lobby.

After a brief introduction, Tobias and Gibson took the keys to a 2002 Toyota Corolla, and Stephanie climbed into the back of the BMW with Corinne. Alpha Eric had sensed two things immediately: that Corinne was indeed a Potential, and that an unknown male wolf had touched her, his scent lingering almost imperceptibly around her. Eric drove towards the cottage, knowing that this situation had just gotten more complicated. Corinne replayed the events of the evening to Stephanie. A stunned and cold silence filled the vehicle for the rest of the drive. Stephanie sent a mindlink to her Lead Omega, to have someone bring a few outfits, as well as toiletries, and a dinner to the cottage and leave them on the porch. Arriving, Corinne thanked them both for the ride and got out, grabbing her crochet. Stephanie led her to the porch and handed her the bag sitting on the porch swing. "I had some of our workers gather up some outfits, stuff for a shower, and something to eat," she said gently. "Do you want me to come sit with you for awhile longer?" Stephanie asked.

"I appreciate everything you all have done for me, but I am not really up for company. I think I'll just go grab a shower and go to sleep." Corinne answered flatly. "Okay, sweetie. Call me if you need anything, and that house," Stephanie said, pointing next door, "has two of our security team, Keith and Anwar, rooming in it. You can go pound on their door too if you feel unsafe at any point." Corinne nodded numbly, taking the bags and key from Stephanie, and locking herself in the cottage. Stephanie sighed, knowing that it would take this girl a long time before she really let anyone in. Looking sadly at her mate, she got in the SUV, and they drove off, knowing that they had a lot of calls and planning to do to keep themselves and this girl safe.

Meanwhile, Corinne put the food in the fridge and took a shower, letting the hot water wash the day away. She had briefly considered getting in the massive whirlpool tub, but was afraid she would fall asleep and drown with how exhausted she was. Smelling clean and fresh like ginger and citrus, Corinne had to admit she felt a bit better. Padding downstairs she grabbed the food and ate it at the island counter. It was a simple roasted chicken sandwich with a side of fries, but it was the best sandwich Corinne had ever eaten. Feeling full, she went back upstairs and got in bed under the quilt. The matress was firm but comfortable, and before long Corinne was in a deep and relaxing sleep.