Every Were Gets A Mate

Chapter 7

Picture is James. I actually decided on the name before I cast James Franco. It was probably subconscious. :) I wanted someone young with laugh lines.

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Ten minutes later, I got back on the interstate. I'd rather die than mate with Colton. Besides, I got an idea. I drove partially shifted. That helped immensely. I should have shifted the first time, but I was too panicked to make the change. It took a few short stints from one exit to another and several progressively longer interstate drives for my senses to acclimate. I was then able to drive without shifting, a good thing since the sun had just risen.

Four hours later, 70 didn't feel insanely fast. I was able to drive with same smooth moves and calm I was accustomed to. I even cautiously crept up to 78 and passed a few cars, moving gracefully into the left lane, passing, and gently returning to the right lane.

I drove for another ten hours straight, only stopping for gas. I used the gas station bathrooms and bought their prepackaged food and drink. It quickly became apparent which sort of things I liked and didn't but not without waste and a few napkins with partially chewed food in my small waste bin. Some of the premade sandwiches were good; the hamburgers were terrible. The stink of the bad stuff irritated me until my next stop.

I wanted to drive clear to Oregon all in one go but knew that was dangerous. Even weres need sleep. Shortly before Kansas City, I pulled off into a small town. Being on the interstate, they offered a few hotels. I checked into a chain hotel and took a quick shower. I had been on the interstate for fourteen hours and awake for thirty-two hours. I fell into a dead sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I made it into Wyoming the second day. Sick of gas station food, I decided to stop for dinner at an actual restaurant. The exit I got off on seemed to have sprung up only to offer services to travelers. There were a few hotels, gas stations, and restaurants but nothing else.

After getting out of the car, something niggled at the back of my neck. I looked around and scented the wind. I was near a were pack but not yet trespassing, so I went on in. It was a casual restaurant, but the smells were good. Although they were busy, the hostess sat me right away in a booth. I ordered a pork chop platter with steamed vegetables, potatoes au gratin, and a salad.

Halfway through my salad, a man slid into the bench seat on the other side of my booth and startled me. I looked up, breathed in, and recognized another were, a pack were. His skin was light, and his hair was dark brown, short, and messy. There were laugh lines around his eyes, but his expression showed confusion. When I didn't speak, he said, "Hello. I'm James, second in command of Traveler Pack. What's your name?"

I wondered if second in command meant Lead Enforcer. Either way, he would be aware of any threatening alerts Fisher might have put out to other packs concerning me. Therefore, I didn't want to give him my real name, but I hadn't thought ahead about it. Unable to think of something quick, I went with my middle name. "Ellsbeth."

James nodded, gave me a little smile, and stuck his hand out for me to shake like humans did. Since I was surrounded by humans, I didn't want to look weird to them and shook his hand over the table. He let go after just a second, and we both pulled back our hands. It felt weird, awkward, but I figured I should get used to things like that away from the isolation of Fury Pack.

James said, "Ellsbeth. It's very odd to see a female lone wolf. Are you all right?"

His speaking of weres among humans instantly made me uncomfortable. Anyone hearing that must surely think it strange. I glanced out of the booth, but no humans were paying us any attention. The humans were making a lot of noise with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of utensils. James hadn't spoken very loudly. My perusal also brought a table of other weres to my attention. There were three males, all looking at me with mild curiosity. I assumed they were with James.