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“Yes.”
“How did you get here from your lands?”
“Elder Agnes said I could shift, so I ran as my wolf. Kept to the forests. I carried my backpack in my teeth.”
“You said the alpha let you go?”
She bit her lip and shrugged. “When Vadin rejected me, the alpha said to leave.”
Esmeralda grinned. “And you took that as permission.”
Brinnah nodded.
“You’re a very brave woman.”
“I don’t feel brave,” she whispered. “I’m afraid of almost everything.”
“You know what makes people feel brave? Food.” Esmeralda patted her hand. “What can I get you?”
Brinnah scrambled in her backpack and pulled out some money that Kadie had given her. “What can I get for this?”
Esmeralda glanced at it and then back to her face. Softness filled her gaze. “It’s Canadian, dear. But it’s all right. How about I surprise you?”
Brinnah bit her lip, then nodded. “Okay.”
She stayed sitting as Esmeralda headed back into the kitchen, giving Brinnah a chance to people-watch. She was going to have to learn a completely different mindset, one where she had freedom. Payton moved around the diner, refilling drinks, ringing people up, putting leftovers in containers. She smiled at everyone and shook hands. The atmosphere was completely opposite from the pack house back home. For a moment, a sense of homesickness rolled over her, and she missed Kadie and Maggie so much it brought tears to her eyes.
The diner door opened and before she could look who it was, an awareness came over her. Goose bumps went up and down her arm. Her heart raced and she looked over her shoulder to see Everett Brice step into the diner. Their eyes locked, and a warmth filled her chest. It confused her, because as far as she knew, as far as anyone knew, you got one fated mate in life. So, what was the High Luna’s plan?
Chapter Four
Everett made a beeline to her booth and waited till she scooted over so he could slide in next to her. Then he leaned in close and ran his nose up the column of her throat, taking her scent deep into his lungs. It only deepened his belief that Brinnah was his moon-fated mate.
She looked at him, eyes wide, and a blush heated her cheeks. “Why do I feel like this around you?”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m on a boat in rough water. Equal parts nauseous and excited.”
He chuckled. “What a description. Probably the most accurate I’ve ever heard.”
“I just don’t understand,” she said. “How can you be my mate if…”
Her voice trailed off. He couldn’t forget why she was in Sheridan.
“Whatever is going on, we’ll figure it out,” he murmured.
At that moment, Payton came over with Jericho, his alpha power filling the whole damn place. Brinnah’s eyes widened and she immediately bowed her head in deference. “Alpha. Thank you. I-I need to ask for asylum.”
“It’s okay,” Jericho said, smiling. He eased down into the booth opposite them. “Of course, I grant you asylum. On the next full moon, you’ll run with the pack. Right now, though, I need you to tell me everything.”
Brinnah nodded and took a deep breath. “My old pack is up north, in Canada. We’re not as advanced as you are.”
“Advanced?”
Payton leaned closer. “Show him your ear, honey.”
Brinnah glanced at Everett, who nodded encouragingly. She pulled her long hair to the side and Jericho sucked in a breath.
