Chapter 6

The rest of the week was uneventful with work and college, but Susan was always busy between the two. She did not see Travis, Chett, or the other football players, and that was just fine with her. Susan was off Friday night, but chose to finish up her homework due on Monday so she wouldn’t be scrambling Sunday evening. Susan generally worked twelve hour shifts every other weekend, so they could be exhausting. About 10 PM Susan put her things back in her backpack, used the restroom, brushed her teeth and washed her face, and shut her light off, a good night’s sleep would be wonderful. Susan woke to a loud banging on the front door about 11 PM. At first she thought she was dreaming because it stopped after she sat up. After a bit, she heard more knocking and climbed out of bed to see what was going on. Kyle was also headed for the door in his plaid pajamas pants, no shirt, and bare feet. The look on his face was what Susan imagined hers likely looked like, startled and worried it must be an emergency if someone is knocking this late. Susan followed Kyle but stood behind the door where whoever knocked couldn’t see her. After unlocking the dead bolt, door knob, and disengaging the alarm system, Kyle opened the door a few inches before asking, “can I help you?” “Is Susan here?” The smell of pine wafted to Susan’s nose just as strongly as the deep voice had gone to her ears. “Do you have any idea what time it is? Who are you?” Kyle asked in a growly voice. “My name is Travis. This is my father Trayvon, and my mother Paulina. We would like to speak with Susan please.” Travis says in a matter of fact tone. “I do not like people arriving unannounced and she is trying to sleep, young man. I can give her a message if you’d like?” Kyle replies just as void of emotion.

“Susan, I can smell you behind the door, so you might as well come out.” Taking a deep breath in through his nose, Travis smelled what he had come to realize was Susan’s scent. To Travis, she reminded him of flowers and fresh cut grass like one might smell on a summer’s day. “I just want to talk sir. I apologize it’s so late.” Kyle looks at Susan who nods, before he slowly opens the door and she steps up next to him. “Travis, what are you doing here? Hey, how do you know where I live?” Susan asked with a bit of an edge to her voice. Travis cleared his throat before answering. “Well, it’s kind of a long story.” He ran his hand over his stubble and pushed his curly brown hair out of his left eye, in what appeared to be a nervous gesture, Susan thought it was interesting he was nervous. At the college he seemed so confident. Which was the genuine Travis? When no one spoke, Travis looked back at his dad who nodded. Travis took another deep breath. “Okay… once I knew which car was yours, I was able to run your license plate. The car came up to Susan Bannon. From there I was able to search your driver’s license that had this address listed, and well, here I am.” “Okay, so why tonight and why bring your parents?” Susan clarified. “This is my father, Alpha Trayvon of the Mississippi Bluffs pack, and he thought it wise to meet you and any family you have since you are in our area.” Susan smiled to herself as she thought: Ah so it isn’t a social visit. The Alpha wants to vet us and remind us he is in charge. Kyle’s whole demeanor changes as he holds his hand out to Alpha Trayvon, who gives what appears to be a very firm handshake. “Well, you might as well come in then. This could take a while.” Susan could tell by the way he was holding himself that right now he was not Kyle, he was Alpha Gannon, and ready to protect his family at any cost. “Susan, please go put some coffee on.” “Yes sir,” she said as she left the room and headed to the kitchen. Alpha Gannon led the group to the large table in the dining room. Susan started the pot of coffee while she grabbed a tray and placed cups, sugar, creamer, spoons, napkins, cookies, and the carafe she planned to pour the coffee into once finished perking. Kyle did not believe in new age, fancy coffee machines and instead had a huge 30 cup coffee pot in the corner near the sink. Luckily it was a fast pot and Susan was heading to the dining room carrying the tray in no time. Setting the tray down, she glanced up at Travis as she said, “please help yourselves. Does anyone need anything else?” “I think that’s good. Thank you Susan,” Alpha Gannon said politely. “Now, what can we do for you Alpha? What brings you to our doorstep at 11 PM on a Friday night?” As he talked, Travis had begun to pour coffee into cups for everyone, adding cream to his mom’s while leaving his dad’s coffee black. “My son informed me he had come into contact with a she-wolf and I thought we should check it out since no one had asked for permission to enter my territory.” Alpha Trayvon said in a completely casual manner but with emphasis on the ‘my’. Of course any wolf would know this was anything but a casual comment. Alpha Trayvon was in essence saying ‘this is my territory, you should have asked before coming, and I have the power to make you leave or kill you if I choose to.’

Alpha Gannon was sitting up straight as he took in the Alpha and his veiled threat. “From one Alpha to another, I must apologize. It was not our intention to enter your territory unannounced nor without permission. Essentially, High Ridge pack left Alaska because we were being hunted by exterminators. Our pack split because it was safer than staying together. I get the impression ‘the exterminators’ as they call themselves, were so angry they didn’t find us, they destroyed every building and started the forest on fire when they departed. We left hesitantly the night before; I didn’t want to split my pack, but after discussion, we decided it was safest to hide in plain sight because ‘the exterminators’ wouldn’t expect it. We have been here over five years, and you’re the first wolves we have met. I didn’t know your pack existed or I’d have requested permission prior to moving.” Trayvon nodded. “So what is your plan? Are you planning to stay permanently or are you going to reunite your pack?”