Page 2 of Broken Mate

Ruby eyed her apprehensively, as if Anais was going to break down and cry, or cower in shame. However, she’d come too far to give up. She’dsurvivedtoo much to let a little fear consume her. Payton came back with two coffees and two menus. Instead of leaving them and walking away, the Luna sat down with them.

“Are you passing through, or did you come to Sheridan for a reason?”

Ruby shifted, but Anais met the Luna’s gaze straightforward.

“I came here hoping to talk to Alpha Jericho,” she replied softly. “I heard he cured himself from wolfsbane poisoning.”

Payton glanced at the crutches, and then down at Anais’s legs. “You?”

“Yes.”

Understanding softened her gaze. “How long?”

“Little over a year.”

“We’ve been searching for a cure,” Ruby said. She covered Anais’s hands. “My niece has overcome so much, and I’m very proud of her for surviving the initial fever. But I don’t want her to go on living half a life. Not after what she’s endured.”

“It sounds like you have quite the story,” Payton said, compassion in her tone. “I’m sure my husband could help. Where are you staying?”

“We just got into town,” Ruby replied. “If you can recommend a nice hotel, we’d appreciate it.”

Payton cocked her head. “I may have a better solution.”

“Oh?”

“Our pack lodge has rooms available. They’re for when Alphas and Lunas come visiting, only we haven’t had any visitors for a while. You’re more than welcome to stay there.”

“Um, I don’t think we should impose…”

“Nonsense,” Payton replied. “You are precisely why it’s there. For friends, when they come visit.”

Anais gave a pointed look at her aunt. Ruby smiled and nodded. “If you’re sure, then we accept.”

Payton smiled. “I’ll call Jericho to come talk to you and escort you to the lodge.”

The words took a load off Anais’s shoulders. Part of her feared that Alpha Jericho was a myth. That his journey and recovery over wolfsbane a simple hoax. The idea had lingered fearfully in the back of her mind, because if it was made up, where did that leave her? Any hope she harbored would shrivel up, yet it didn’t stop her from seeking the truth. If there was a way to get her legs back, she had to exhaust every possibility.

“Thank you, Luna,” she said, tears close to the surface. She took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

Payton patted her on the arm. “Now, what would you like to eat?”

****

About twenty minutes later, a wave of power rolled over her, and Anais turned to see a heavily muscled man cross the diner threshold and head toward Luna Payton. She smiled up at him and he bent to kiss her. They talked for a moment before the alpha turned to look at her. He nodded at Payton, linked fingers with her, and then headed over to her table.

“Hello,” he greeted.

The man was huge, and a little intimidating, but all she sensed from him was sympathetic understanding.

“H-hello,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. She bowed her head and bared her neck in deference. “Thank you for meeting with us.”

“Of course,” he said, smiling. “Mind if we sit?”

“Please,” Ruby said quickly.

“I’m Jericho,” he said as they sat. “My mate said you came here to talk to me about wolfsbane poisoning.”

Ruby took a deep breath. “Well, here goes nothing. My niece was deliberately poisoned a little over a year ago.”

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