Chapter 3

"So Maggs, got any plans for tonight? Are you finally going to let me take you out on the town?" Cameron, one of the diner cooks, placed my order at the window and offered me a hopeful look.

"Sorry. Busy. Besides there isn't anywhere in Haven Falls that would count as 'out on the town'". I offered an apologetic smile as I grabbed the plates and delivered them to the customers at the counter.

Haven Falls was a good place to live. A small town where people were friendly, but not too nosy. It had exactly one bar, that showed the football on a Saturday, and one 'fancy' restaurant where people went for occasions that demanded more than simple diner food.

"Aw come on, you never come out anymore. You at least used to come for 2-4-1 cocktail nights at JC's.'

JC's was the lone bar in the town, named for Jonny Carter, Haven Fall's sole college football star from about 50 years ago. Still, in this town we embraced any citizen's success, since it didn't happen often.

"Sorry Cam. I just started to think that I was better off saving my money rather than spending it on a massive hangover." I shrugged. "I promise I'll come along to cocktail night sometime soon, but it will be mocktails only!" Alcohol and wolves weren't always the best mix. At least that was my opinion.

I left him with a glum look on his face, a small twinge of guilt tugging at my heart. He was a good guy and had always been nice to me, and maybe once I would have jumped at the chance to hang out with him. Now however, I couldn't. He was human and I wasn't. I no longer had the luxury of dating any guy I wanted, or even just going out to the bar for a drink or two. Not that anyone had ever specifically said that to me, it was just a choice I made. Another one of those choices that didn't feel much like one.

The bell rang to let me know another order was up. I went to the window but this time only the food was waiting for me. Grabbing it I headed over to two of my favourite customers.

"Gentlemen. Your usual. Two all-day breakfasts with extra bacon, extra sausage and a side of double pancakes." At one time this order freaked me out, how could two such fit and healthy-looking men eat this amount of grease every day? Now I knew they were both shifters I didn't even blink, if fact I sometimes slipped them a couple of extra pancakes on the house.

"Thanks darling." Clay was a gentle giant of a man with salt-and-pepper hair and a love of greasy food.

"About time too, I'm about to fade away right here in this seat." By contrast Joseph was barrel-chested and as gruff as they come. Still, he was secretly a softie and was the Pack member who showed up the most to walk me home, other than Max.

"You two need anything else?" I knew they didn't, but my job demanded that I ask. The mountains of food would keep them happy for a time.

"Not a thing, darling." I gave them one last smile and returned to cleaning tables.

Clay and Joseph had been regulars and the diner since before I was changed. They used to polite to me but nothing more. Now they were like two fussy uncles who liked to check up on me now and then and left way better tips.

My status as a 'friend of the Pack' meant that most members were at the least civil to me, with most being openly friendly. With Jonas welcoming me as a new wolf into his territory and offering me his protection I was accepted. I think a big part of this was because I was a female wolf. While we weren't unheard of, we were rare. Worldwide I think there were about 25 of us, mainly born shifters and three of us turned. This brought with it a whole set of problems no male wolf could ever understand. Another of the joys I had experienced since being bitten.

********

"You're late."

"So sue me." I pushed past Max and into the giant hallway of the Manor, pulling off my shoes as I went. Jonas did not allow shoes on his antique carpets.

"You took the bus again?" Muscular arms crossed over a broad chest as Max frowned at me with displeasure.

"Yep, haven't your heard? It's how all the fashionable people are travelling nowadays." I threw the comment over my shoulder as I headed towards the tempting smell of garlic coming from the massive kitchen at the back of the house. For some reason baiting Max was something that came naturally to me.

"If you'd called I would have come to pick you up." He chased after me.

"I know that, but I'm perfectly capable of taking public transport. Been doing it for years now." Finally reaching my destination I almost passed out at the delicious aromas wrapping around me. This was the part of a heightened sense of smell I loved.

"You took the bus again?" Jonas, cooking spoon in hand, turned from the stove, a frown on his face. "You should have called."

For some reason Jonas took an extra interest in my safety. At first I thought it was because I was a female, and I was all ready to lecture him about equal rights and women being just as capable as men. Then I stopped and thought about it and what I knew about Jonas. No way he was wrapping me in cotton wool because of my gender. It was the attack. He felt responsible for it happening in his territory, it was his failure that changed my life forever. I knew that no matter what I said to him would change his mind, so instead I listened to him and tried my best to accomodate him. It didn't always work, but I think he appreciated my efforts.

"I could have but seriously it's a ten minute ride from town and then a ten minute walk up your obscenely long driveway. Easy."

"How come he gets the civil answer and all I get is a mouthful of sarcasm?" Max grumbled from behind me.

"Because I like Jonas, simple."

"Oh you like me Little Fighter, you just don't want to admit it."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night buddy." I patted a firm peck and headed towards the amazing scents of dinner. "Hi Jonas."

"Here, taste this." He held his spoon out to me. "Max, set the table please."

The smooth, buttery sauce slipped down my throat and I couldn't hold back a groan of appreciation. "I think this may be your best yet." Handing the spoon back to my favourite chef I grinned, happy.

"You say that every time, but thank you." He returned to stirring. I turned to go help Max with setting up the table but a gentle hand on my arm stopped me.

"Maggie, I know that you are determined to remain independent and I respect that." His voice was deep and earnest, I called it his Alpha voice, it made me listen whether I wanted to or not. "And I know that taking the bus here is part of it, but please don't be stubborn just for the sake of it."

I looked at him seeing the gentle man I had come to know, but burning in his eyes was the steely strength that made him Alpha.

I sighed, "Taking the bus isn't me being stubborn. I've always taken the bus even before I got super shifter strength. I'm safer now than I was before."

"I know that and I'm not trying to change how you live your life. I want you be safe, it's my job to make sure you are." Jonas's warm, treacle tone was more soothing than he knew. Then again I was pretty sure he did know the effect it had on me and that was why he used it.

"So taking the bus is unsafe?"

"Not all the time, no. Taking the bus at night and getting off at a deserted bus stop in the middle of nowhere is. Especially when you know you can always call me or Max to come and get you."

This wasn't an argument I was going to win. Jonas always tried to give me the space I seemed to need, he didn't issue orders or try to dictate how I lived. Not being a member of his pack didn't lessen the alpha pull he had, but he was very careful in how he used it around me.

"Point taken. I'll call next time. Promise."

"Thank you. That's all I ask." With a soft smile he turned back to the stove. "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

********

Two hours later and I was happily stuffed full of garlic steak and baked potatoes. The closest I had come to true happiness in a long time; curled up on one of the big couches in one of the many living rooms, listening to Max and Jonas quietly argue about some random point of Pack law. I didn't bother to listen as Pack law didn't mean much to me since I wasn't in the pack. I was drifting in my own thoughts.

"You still awake, babe?" I blinked my eyes open to find myself staring directly into startlingly blue eyes. Max was leant over me, arms braced on either side of my head. The warm scent of pine mixed with cinnamon teased my nostrils.

"Hmmm, yes." Not yet willing to move and end a rare moment of peace with Max I simply regarded him calmly, drinking in his heat.

"Shame. You look cute when you're sleeping." A grin curled his lips. A small flock of butterflies took flight in my stomach. "Come on, I'll drive you home." 

He finally straightened and offered me his hand. Taking it I allowed him to slowly pull me to my feet, my skin tingling at the extended contact.

"Did Jonas go to bed? I meant to say thanks for dinner." I never wanted Jonas to think that I took the kindness he showed me for granted.

"About an hour ago. He didn't want to wake you. Don't worry, Little Fighter, he knows how much you love his food." 

We headed towards the front door, my hand weirdly still in his. Good weird. I think.

"Why do you call me that? You always call me that and I've never been able to figure out why."

"Little Fighter? Because it's what you are." The honestly in his eyes was breathtaking.

I frowned, "But I'm not. I mean I know I'm not exactly statuesque but I'm really not a fighter. Never have been." If I could fight maybe I wouldn't have frozen that night.

Head tilted to the side Max seemed to study me, puzzled. "That's exactly what you are. You got bitten and it didn't break you. You adapted to a whole new life without cracking. That's fighting if ever I saw it."

The sincerity in his voice was weird and uncomfortable. Me and Max didn't do serious conversations. We never had. From the very beginning we'd fought and bickered our way to the almost friendship we seemed to have now.

"I—thanks, I guess."

"No problem babe. Besides, like you said you are one of the shortest people in the whole wide -world." His smile morphed from earnest to cocky. "Now, do you want that ride?"

"After that comment I'm seriously reconsidering it."