The Master of Me

Chapter 13

“So how is this going to work? I can’t exactly take you into a store with me.” Sterling asked once they got into his Jeep, thinking she would want to go out again in her wolf form once they left the enclosure of his garage. Alue took his words with a different understanding, thinking that her current state was so repulsive of course he wouldn’t want to be seen with her this way. In her human form her ears and tail still remained, but the clothes she had on were worse condition than that of a homeless person may dare to wear.

“Would it help if I wear a collar and leash?” Alue countered, lowering her head ashamed that that she had to make such a request of him because of her appearance as a human was such. Sterling on the other hand figured she asked him about an alternative place to a store because she was uncomfortable around the outside world. Whatever happened to her in her past, she seemed to be uncomfortable around any place new that didn’t have at least two forms of exit and interactions especially with males.

Sterling turned his head toward her and held his gaze on her until she looked up at him, “You will not be wearing a collar and leash as if you are a pet. You are more than that Alue. I will not do that do you, even if it is for pretense.” he told her with affirmation in his voice. Alue swallowed then nodded her head. It wasn’t like she was going to disagree with him. She could see in his eyes he felt very strong about treating her with respect, in all situations. “I will trust you then, to get me something suitable to wear. Since I cannot enter a store with you no matter what shape I take.” She replied and reached for the door handle to get out. Without thinking about it Sterling reached out and grabbed her hand, his only thought being that he didn’t want her to get out of the Jeep without her understanding exactly what he meant at the beginning of this conversation.

“Alue wait, please? I didn’t mean it like that.” he pleaded, keeping his hand on hers. Her head whipped around in full attention, her eyes clouded over for a moment with a haunted past of a memory before she came back to focus on reality. Her heartbeat quickened at this touch as adrenaline from memories of her past hit her with the simple motion. Then that warmth like before heated her hand like a small flame eating tinder, desiring to grow stronger. When her eyes were clear Sterling began speaking again.

“What I said about you not being able to come into the store. All stores allow service animals to enter, however you don’t carry the look or equipment of a service animal in your wolf form that I could justify if we walked into a department store. I don’t care if we walk in together as you are now. The department store might throw you out, because of a no shirt, no shoes, and no service policy.” He clarified, motioning his eyes downward to her bare feet. The shoes she had on when she first arrived had been the first item wear out. Realizing his hand was still over hers, he withdrew it, figuring she wasn’t going to try and leave again.

Alue didn’t see how his clarifying solved the main problem. ‘At least he isn’t repulsed by me.’ She told herself, reflecting on the gratitude she now felt for him stopping her to clarify his statement. His touch had also sent a shiver down her spine as many memories of being handed roughly by the wrist clouded her thoughts for but a moment. Then the comforting warmth of his hand over her replaced it and she was able to focus on that good and relax.

“Then what do we do?” she replied, unable to see why she should remain in the Jeep and just let him go out for her. Sterling didn’t know how to answer that. Sure she could burrow a pair of his shoes to wear but they would be obviously too big. She couldn’t go around browsing in dog form inside a department store for clothes. He was beginning to feel like he failed her at this simple request until his phone chimed a particular chime he didn’t hear very often. His phone rested in a holding cradle on the dashboard, safe for use while driving. He tapped the phone and unlocked it, seeking out the information that particular chime may revealed. He had his messages and emails categorized by work, family, friends, and neighborhood/city contacts. The particular chime had signaled neighborhood/city message via email, reminding him that the city farmers market was starting that day. Complete with food vendors as well as arts and craft vendors that offered a little bit of everything. Anything from woodworking to jewelry, ceramics, and clothing. Sterling couldn’t help but smile. It was like fate or karma was helping him out.