*Warning: Strong Language.*

She kept glancing at her pre-paid phone that Bob had given her.
Still nothing. She kept scrolling through her texting chain with Shev.
No, it was Chris now. Chris.
She had to keep mentally reminding herself of his new identity. It was difficult to get used to his modernized american name. He'd always been Shev to her. Chris sounded so utterly foreign.
She wondered if she should do the same. Or if she would have to.
The evening chill flowed past the little bus stop. She pulled the sweater she'd gotten from the Washington women's shelter tighter around her. The worn out fabric didn't do enough to keep the cold bite off of her.
She admired how the soft waning red of the sun falling from the sky set the orange and gold of the trees across the street ablaze. Such a contrast from the bleak white and forever green pine of Alaska.
Lights finally flickered in the distance. It became two distinct headlights on the empty road. At last a silver truck materialized in the opposite lane. It slowed down just past her, then made a U-turn. A bit of anxiety rose within her as it pulled up.
A kind and familiar smile appeared as the window rolled down. A man with hair color the same as hers with true sky blue eyes and a neatly groomed beard was looking at her.
“Hop in, Nifae. It's fucking cold out.” Chris said.
That brought a small smile to her lips.
A quick snatch of her fingers, she pulled the door handle and hopped into the front seat.
Immediately a light charming scent mixed with a thick heavy one hit her nose. Both had mildly sweet undertones. She knew who the strong scent belonged to, but she could guess where the light one was coming from.
A peppy voice from the back seat startled her.
“Hope the bus ride wasn't to crazy, those drivers have lead feet.”
She glanced over her shoulder as the momentum of the truck shifted forward.
A brown haired young man with chocolate brown eyes was giving her a boyish grin.
“No, it was just fine.” She quietly replied, feeling his happy demeanor transferring.
“Awesome!”
“Nifae, this is Danny, my mate.” Chris chuckled.
“Nice to meet you.”
He reached a hand out, she awkwardly grabbed it.
“Nice to meet you too! Glad you made here alright.”
“I'm just glad to be here.”
Bigger smile.
She faced the front again and got her seatbelt fastened.
Chris truly didn't have to introduce Danny. News of his court case had traveled fast. It had sent a sickening sobriety over the pack.
It wasn't a wolf's world. They were still held accountable to human laws outside the territory. They'd have to watch their actions from now on.
That had tapped a deep pack insecurity. There was so much agitation, fights had broken out. Leadership violently shifted. The choke hold of a near dictator ship had nearly been suffocating. There was a mass interrogation of loyalties. A purge of the misfits. They'd tortured her to the brink of admitting why she'd stalled on imprinting her chosen suitor.
The memory made her shudder.
She quietly admired the scenery as Chris and Danny made small talk. She politely replied with nods and hums of acknowledgement. As friendly as they were, it felt so strange to have two alphas so casually talk to her. It was intimidating and confusing.
“Well, here we are. Nothing fancy.” Chris said as they pulled into a gravel driveway.
She thought it was fancy. A beautiful cabin nestled into a wood. Already she loved it. Light from the sunset was flashing rose gold from windows on both stories. In fascination she admired it as she walked behind them.
Seeing Chris lovingly take Danny's hand distracted her momentarily. She tilted her head as she soaked it in. Mates openly displaying affection was a curious sight to behold.
She hesitated when Danny held the front door open for her. She stayed on the steps as they looked down at her.
Alphas always went first. This wasn't normal.
She flicked her gaze between both of them. Their smiles were gentle. Confusion hit her brain. Slowly she lowered her head turned it away, unsure of what else to do.
“Nifae, you're not in Alaska anymore. This pack functions a little differently.” Chris's voice reassured.
She took a side glance at him. Still she felt uncertain.
“We don't have a crazy insane rituals. Wolves here treat each other with respect, high rank or not.” There was a coaxing in his tone.
She finally looked at them both. Smiles still there.
With a deep breath and ignoring the warning bells crying out in her brain, she finally stepped in.
It was pleasantly warm. Cozy lay out. Simple hallway decor had a male feeling about it. Both their scents were bombarding her nose. The sweet in them was even stronger.
“Common, lemme show you your room!”
Danny's gleeful voice made her jump inside her skin. Surprise hit her.
They had a room for her?
He was bounding up the stairs. She watched until he reached the top, feeling hesitant and humbled.
When he turned back to look at her, he laughed.
“Please tell me you had stairs in Alaska, cause I'm the last person you want teaching you how to use them.” He lightly joked.
That teased a smile from her lips.
She could hear Chris softly snort behind her. A glance showed that he was shaking his head and slyly grinning as he walked into what looked like a kitchen.
She quickly went up the flight. It was hard to force herself into the room as he held the door open for her again. When he flicked on the light, she was left in awe.
A nicely made bed. Dresser and a nightstand. Large closet, and what looked like a bathroom entrance on one wall. Danny's scent seemed to be stronger in here.
She'd never had a room to herself, let alone one so big.
“Hope you like it. I tried to make the bed all nice and neat, but I'm no Mary Steward,” He chuckled,“can't get the corners crisp and square.”
She offered him a big smile, “Thank you.”
He grinned wide, “No problem!”
With a hop he walked to the Jack and Jill bathroom. She followed.
“My gaming room is through that door, feel free to use the stuff in there if you want.”
He gestured to the door on the other side before pointing at the shower.
“I tried to pick out stuff you'd need, hopefully it's the right girly brands.”
She ran her eyes over the toiletries.
“I'm not picky.”
“Sweet! Cause I braved the feminine bathroom aisle as far as I could go. I risked my nose smelling all those froo-froo things. Couldn't smell anything else for hours afterwards.” He laughed at the ceiling.
Her smile got bigger.
She could see why Chris had chosen Danny as a mate. He was caring and thoughtful. He was like Bob. It put her at ease.
He spun on his heel to face the bathroom counter. There were more items laid along it.
“Same thing here. I got you spearmint toothpaste, cause no way in hell I'd subject anyone to nasty peppermint.” He chuckled.
That got a giggle out of her. He perked up when he heard it.
“Alright, I'll leave you alone. I'm sure you're tired. Let me know if you need anything, okay? Sleep tight. I promise there's no bed bugs.”
She nodded. With bigger grin, he stepped out the opposite door.
“Night!” He called.
“Good night.” She responded.
With a long inhale she stepped back into the room. After shutting both doors, she took several more moments to take it in.
It felt overwhelming. This grand gesture of hospitality from two high ranking wolves. It reminded her of all the friendly and helpful humans she's met on the way.
Tanisha filled her brain. She'd never met someone so gracious. It seemed impossible that a person that kind could exist. She missed her sweet smile, bubbly laugh, and candy voice. Tanisha was what a mother should be like. At least that's what she supposed.
All she had for reference were the harsh words and derogatory abuse she'd endured for nearly twenty four years.
Pulling her bag over her head, she set it on the bed. She went about putting what little items she had away. The clothes she had all fit in one drawer. Her other little necessities only took up a quarter of the drawer in the night stand. She made sure her phone was plugged in.
A light knock at the door made her jump.
With a bit of caution she opened it just enough to peer out.
Chris was smiling at her as he raised an eyebrow.
“I won't bite, Nifae.” He chuckled.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, she opened it completely. He held out a plate with a variety of raw, chopped up venison.
“Figured Bob fed you, but I'm sure you're still starving.” He said.
She looked at the plate, then looked at him. Slowly she repeated her signal of submission.
She couldn't take an Alpha's food. Especially food she hadn't participated in hunting.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw his shoulders sink as he exhaled. She dared barely look at him. A seriousness took over his face.
“I know this is hard. That place we came from was…,” He sighed, “…a shit hole. I was the same as you at first. Took me a while to get used to all this. So relax, okay? I know you're an Omega, but you don't have to be scared anymore. Alphas here take care of their pack. Danny, Byron, and I aren't going to treat you like you're worthless.”
A long swallow down her throat as she looked directly at him. She wasn't sure what to think. He held the plate out a little further towards her. With a shakey hand, she took it. The smile came back to his face.
“Sleep well. We do territory rounds in the mornings if you wonna come.”
She nodded in excitement. Getting to know her new home sounded thrilling. His smile tipped up in the corner at her response.
“See you tomorrow then.”
“Good night.”
He turned and she shut the door. Instantly she was cross legged on the bed. Plate in her lap. Greedily she shoved piece after piece in her mouth. It was glorious. The gamey flavor was so delicious compared to what she'd been eating.
She'd been surviving off what little she could find on her cross country journey. There was barely enough time to catch anything between Hound bus stops. The taste of squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and rat got old very quickly.
Bob had given her food, but not enough. She didn't have the courage to ask him for more.
Her stomach felt over extended, but she didn't care. It was a beautiful feeling. To actually be overly full. This is probably what Alphas felt like after a hunt.
She slid the empty plate under her door. With the lights flicked off, she stripped out of her clothes.
The sheets felt so soft and fluffy against her skin. She wasn't used to a supportive pillow cradling her neck. It took a while to adjust it. Curling up and tucking the sheets under her chin, she settled into a food coma sleep.
This was so much better than sleeping outside in her transmuted wolf form, tucked into a fetal position under the stars.