Page 1 of Broken Mate

Chapter One

“Only ten miles to Sheridan,” her Aunt Ruby murmured.

Anais rolled her head along the headrest to stare out the front windshield. During the entire trip, as they had steadily traveled north, the changing landscape fascinated her. The Rocky Mountains had enthralled her as soon as she saw them in the distance, the lush foliage as foreign as an alien world. Having grown up in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico, she was used to a flat panorama covered in dust and sand. Creosote bushes, ocotillo plants, and saguaro cacti had long ago adapted to the merciless sun burning the terrain.

She discovered she preferred the cooler air of the North. Loved the fragrance of rain lingering in the atmosphere. Loved being free of the dust devils that plagued much of the Southwest. As a natural blonde, she was better equipped for Colorado than New Mexico.

“You really think he can help me?” she asked softly.

“Absolutely. He’s the only person I know of who not only survived wolfsbane poisoning, but managed to reclaim his Alpha status.”

“Something other than bedridden is my goal.”

Her aunt gave a harrumph, causing Anais to grin. She loved nothing more than teasing her beloved aunt. She was the only family left, and there was nothing she could do to repay that love and acceptance. Except get better, of course.

Anais had survived the initial exposure to wolfsbane, and she was damn lucky she’d only ingested a fraction of the toxic plant. If she hadn’t tripped over discarded shoes, she wouldn’t be in the car about to find the alpha of the Sheridan Pack and convince him to help her recover faster.

“Maybe we can ask for asylum,” she murmured. “There’s about a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll return to my father’s pack.”

“From what I learned about Alpha Jericho, he’s fair and compassionate. He’s also beloved by his people.”

“He sounds too good to be true.”

“I guess we’ll soon find out.”

The town of Sheridan charmed her immediately. Cute little cottages looking like they were out of a travel brochure for Switzerland. People walked leisurely up and down the sidewalks where potted plants hung from the old-fashioned streetlamps. In fact, many buildings were of the typical Swiss design characterized by clean, asymmetrical lines, widely projecting roofs, and facades richly decorated with wooden balconies and carved ornaments.

No traffic lights hung over Main Street. Instead, each intersection consisted of a roundabout. Most of the stores on each side of the road catered to the tourism trade. In the center of it all, a diner seemed to be the hub, and her stomach let out a rumble to remind her she hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before.

“Sounds like you could eat something,” Ruby observed.

“Oh, yes,” Anais said. “Something light, at least. I don’t want to throw up my food like last time.”

Ever since her poisoning, food had been difficult to keep down. She’d come to discover that eating small meals spread over the day was better than anything heavy in one sitting.

Ruby followed one of the carousels and pulled into the diner’s parking lot. They found a handicapped slot and Anais placed the placard around the rearview mirror. Her aunt hurried over to help her get out of the car then grabbed the crutches. The doctor had suggested a wheelchair, but Anais had absolutely refused. It was bad enough her legs weren’t working properly, and she refused to be the poor pitiful woman unable to even go to the bathroom by herself. Besides, all the research she’d done said the only way to build muscle tone was to exercise.

Anais placed her weight on the forearm pads and carefully maneuvered around the car and into the diner. Ruby followed closely behind. The dining room was packed. The din of voices was one of laughter and happiness, and it immediately settled her soul. A sense of belonging fell into place, and for the first time in over a year, ever since the nightmare had begun, Anais felt safe.

Ruby placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and they looked at one another. Even her aunt felt it. Ruby nodded to her and smiled. She reached up and wiped away the lone tear streaking down her cheek.

“Hello. Are you all right?”

Anais turned around and saw one of the servers, and the woman’s concerned gaze pulsed with power. She knew at once that this woman had to be the Luna of the pack. Kneeling, however, was impossible with her debilitation, so she bowed as low as she could get.

“Stop,” the woman said, looking around. “We’re mostly shifters, but there are some humans around. It’s the beginning of tourist season.”

“It’s an honor, Luna,” Ruby said. “My niece and I humbly ask for permission to stay in Sheridan.”

“Please, my name is Payton, and you both are welcome with open arms.” She gestured to a nearby table. “Have a seat. Coffee?”

“Um, sure,” Anais replied. “Thank you.”

While Payton moved quickly toward the beverage bar, Ruby helped Anais to sit. The forearm crutches were propped against the table.

“This turned out better than I could imagine,” Anais said. “Hopefully, the Luna can get us an introduction to the alpha.”

“She seems friendly, at least. I was expecting a little more resistance.”

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