Chapter 27
Cody
Carolyn and I have been spending a lot of time together lately. She’s starting to open up to me about what happened in her old pack. She’s shy and reserved, but the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. It’s been twenty years since my mate was killed. I have never once had any desire to be with another. My heart was shattered and it almost killed me when her life
was taken. We never got to have pups, we never got to build our life. It seems that Carolyn has had her own kind of trauma as well. I’m hoping we can be each others saviors, the one who teaches us to love again.
It’s a few days before the full moon, and I’ve decided to ask Carolyn over for dinner. I’m wondering if she will run with me in the pack run. I’ve not seen her wolf yet, she prefers to run in the woods alone or with her daughter. She’s fearful of others, especially males. After what Ashlynn told me, I can understand why. My wolf is anxious to meet hers, he has been restless and yammering in my head for days. It seems like as good a day as any to ask her. It’s not like I’m asking her to marry me or something, it’s just a bonding run. Something for our wolves to experience and know each other better.
I’m puttering around the kitchen, tossing a salad to go with the lasagna I’ve got in the oven. I’ve set the table, chilled the wine, almost everything is ready. I don’t want to appear to over the top, but this woman is special. She deserves to feel special. I’d feel like a chump doing anything less. No one has made me feel like this in a very long time, and my heart is ready to love again. I hear a light knock on the door. I throw my kitchen towel on the counter and walk around my kitchen island to get the front door. I have a warm and cozy little ranch house, the benefits of being the Beta of this pack. It’s perfect for me and for another to be comfortable, if I wanted someone else with me. It’s got two spacious bedrooms on the second floor, each with it’s own ensuite. The first floor is open floor plan, living room with a fireplace on one wall, kitchen and small dining area for my table. I have an office/den in the back and a half bathroom. It’s just the right size, but over the years, it’s felt like it’s been missing something.
I open the door and there stands Carolyn. She’s a petite brunette with searing blue eyes. Her features are delicate and beautiful. She has a small scar that I see on her left jaw, near her ear. I make a mental note to ask her about that one day, when she is more comfortable sharing with me. She stands there in a little maxi dress and sandals, a pie in her hands. “Welcome Carolyn, please come in.” I open the door and let her in and watch as she looks around my modest but cozy
home.
*Thank you Cody for having me, really it’s so nice. I baked a pie. I hope you like apple.” She smiles timidly while handing me the pie. I lean down and give her a little peck on her cheek and she blushes but doesn’t attempt to step back. I feel like this is a good sign.
“Come on in, make yourself comfortable. I’m just waiting for the lasagna to finish. Shouldn’t be but a few more minutes and then I can pull it out and we can let it sit for a few minutes before we enjoy dinner. Can I offer you some wine?” I walk towards the kitchen and she follows, settling herself into a chair at the counter.
“That would be great thank you.” She’s watching me intently when she thinks I’m not looking at her, but I watch her every move, every smile, every look, from the corner of my eye. She drops her eyes whenever I try to make eye contact. I wonder if that’s a defense mechanism, because she–wolves are not taught to be submissive to any one except their Alpha. She is an Alpha, so I find this concerning. It has to be because she was abused for so long. I mean to break that. She needs to know
that she is safe with me.
