Chapter 4: Two Mates

Alpha Colby's POV

I keep looking at the rearview mirror between Shawn and Claire. Today's surprise was unexpected. No one was expecting Jenna to be here out in the woods. I glance at her side and found Claire smiling widely while closing her eyes as she took in the breeze.

Her strong scent as a human filled our car and Shawn on the other side keeps on stealing glances in her way and I could feel anxiety through our pack link. Letting out a heavy sigh I shook my head and clear my throat before saying something.

"So Sr. Claire," I start and she instantly whips her head back and looks in my way with a smile.

"What brings you out here?" I ask and she fiddle with her fingers before softly speaking. "Our Mother superior sent me to help out with Mr. Odega's health. He lives in Clearwood." I squint my brow in the mentioning of Mr. Odega's and my pack's name.

Jerry Odega is one of the prominent elders in our Pack. Yes, Clearwood is our pack's name. Shawn gave me a questioning look in which I just heave my shoulder at him. 'I am just only making conversation' I said in our link and he ignores me.

"Perfect, because Mr. Odega is in our pac"-

"He's our loving old neighbor," Shawn interrupted cutting me off before I said the word pack.

I glare at Shawn due to his response. My wolf didn't like him doing that but I understand what he is doing because Claire knows nothing of our kind. She may have been one of us before but now she's just another human. How can I almost let it slip through my tongue? Bloody Hell!

There was silence again in our car after that as Shawn quickly withdrew from the conversation after intervening. I let out another heavy sigh and ask Claire again, "if you don't mind me asking. How did you end up in the forest?"

Shawn throws me a deadly look and I shrug my shoulders. "Shawn piss off. It doesn't mean you find it hard to be around her, doesn't mean you have to act like a child and disrespect me" I warn him through our link.

"This is not a free country. So shut the hell up and forever hold your peace." I added and look at him through the mirror only to be met with his eyes rolling at me.

"Fucker" he grunts and Claire didn't seem to hear him.

"Childish," I retort.

We keep on throwing each other tantrums through our links until Claire answers, ending this satire between us. "My car broke down in the middle of the forest and I thought I saw a wounded person being chased by a huge dog towards the forest," she said in a quiet voice and turn to the other side.

I focus back on the road ignoring Shawn and his glare. "Pussy," I mutter through our links and he swears at me. "Fuck off Colby. What is your problem?"

I smirk and tap on the steering wheel. Here we go again and I can't believe I told him he is a child when yet I am the one taunting him. We keep arguing back and forth through the link on our way without bothering Claire again.

We arrived at our packhouse and saw that most of our pack members are outside of the house. I look at Hailey who is still in a deep sleep. I got out and went to her side and unbuckle her seatbelt before gathering her in my arms.

I turn around with Hailey lying in my arms and saw my pack members murmuring to one another with their eyes fixed behind me. Remembering Jenna in a very obscure costume I heave a sigh and look at the surprised look on their faces. I was to order them to not stare when a cry from the crowd stops me.

"Jenna" Mrs. Hanna Harrison, who is also Jenna/Claire's mother walks up to her. She hugged her tightly which Claire return and once she pull away she corrected Hanna. "Nice to meet you, mam but unfortunately it's Sr. Claire, not Jenna."

Jenna gave her a sorry smile. Hanna let out a gasp and her hand instantly went to her mouth. She probably just remembered that Jenna was no longer Jenna.

'She is now Claire or should I say, Sr. Claire,' my wolf chimed making me laugh a little. I look back to find Shawn narrowing his eyes at me. I bet he is wondering what crazy idea I have on his mate that makes me laugh.

Scoffing at his grumpy attitude I turn back to face Claire and her mother.

Moments like these are heartbreaking for anyone to witness. Especially when a long-lost child doesn't even remember her parent. However, who could have blamed Jenna? Her parents weren't nice to her when she was young. The only time they realized what they have done to her was when she left with no memories and living another life.

So there was no one to blame for their failure but themselves. I used to not pity her parents when she left. I never like them for what they did. I was no better than them.

Most kids in our Pack including me when she was twelve treated her like shit. I was a failure to my mate and a failure to Claire when she was Jenna.

I should have been a nice kid to her. I should have reached out to her when she was hurt by her mate especially when we were in the same situation. I have understood her but I did not lend a shoulder for her to lean on and a hug for comfort or even an encouragement to her.

I guess the past is in the past as there was nothing we could do to turn back time. Except to look at this moment and see where it goes from here.

Claire's mother moves away from her while everyone just stares at her in awe and I could see an awkward look on Claire's face now.

I heave a sigh and link to my pack members. "Everyone, do not make our guest unwelcome and we have a meeting in about five minutes."

They all nodded in respect and turn away breaking the awkwardness from Claire. She let out a sigh and turn to me for further direction.

"Sr. Claire, please follow Mrs. Harrison. She will show you to your room for now," I said and continue to walk inside the house and up to my room.

I lay Hailey on our bed and pull the quilt over her. I know we had a lot to talk about when she woke up. I think I messed up pretty bad but it was the truth and how I feel. I did not want to hurt her anymore that's why I never spoke of it.

Sharing how I truly feel with Shawn made me feel lightened a little. I am sure if Jenna was still here, we would have become best of friends. We would have become each other's comfort. Rubbing the back of my neck I made my way back to our conference room. All elders including Mr. Oldega and others were here with each rep from a different household.

I didn't quite get to sit down when everyone starts to speak up one by one until they all do it once. "Why is she back? She is a human, not a werewolf anymore? She has broken the protocol. She should be punished, right?" All these saying and questions keeps on bombarding me until I had enough and I slam my fist on the table growling

"SILENCE."

No one speaks again and I watch each of them take their seats back. I turn to my left to find Shawn sitting there in silence with his head low and hands fidgeting together. He must have a lot on his mind now and I can see that he is struggling to keep his emotions and probably didn't want to be here.

"There is no Jenna around here anymore. The guest I brought in today is Sr. Claire, and you will all treat her with respect as you have done to others. Besides she is not a human who is on a run or randomly lost her way. She is not a hunter and I can guarantee-"

"Yeah, she's holy Mary now?" one of the females in our pack retorted in a mocking voice which anger my wolf.

"You shut it and do not fucking disrespect her like that? You do not disrespect me either. When I speak you listen" I shouted at the female and my wolf growled in anger. The she-wolf quickly straightens in her seat. I know she is one of Jenna's enemies.

"I give you one more chance. Do it again and I'll kill you," I threaten her and she nodded her head in fear.

"Good and that goes for the rest of you in here. Sr. Claire may not be one of us but she's a special guest of Elder Odega," I sternly told them and none of them spoke up again.

Odega looks up at me in confusion. "guest?" he repeatedly asks me and I nod my head yes in his way. "She said her Mother Superior or someone sends her to you. She's from the Mary Magdalene's Orphanage" I explain and Odega nod his head at last.

"Yes, she's a respective guest to me," he said and no one asks again. I turn and am about to prep my pack on the rules around our pack when I hear a knock on the door, then followed by her voice.