The Porch Wolf Ch. 31-40

"I understand," she said as she opened the front door. "Thank you for giving us a chance to fix this."

"One chance, Luna. Make it count." With that, I got into my rental car and drove away. The gate guard was waiting, waving as I passed before he closed it behind me. I smiled as I turned back towards Stillwater; I could imagine the conversations going on in that office for the rest of the day.

I made some phone calls as I drove in the general direction of my new home. I talked to my son Anthony, the Alpha of the Baxter Pack in Maine. He was overjoyed at the news that I had found a second-chance mate. "When is the ceremony?"

"I haven't accepted him just yet, and I still have Council business that takes precedence," I told him. "We had a shaky start, and he's still getting his mind right from the loss of his own mate. I'll let you know."

"A Pack in Minnesota," he said. "You couldn't find a mate in Florida, Texas, or Arizona? You know, so Pamela and I have a warm place to stay in the winter?"

I just laughed. "I didn't get a vote in this either. Blame Luna." We talked for another thirty minutes until I pulled into the parking lot on the east side of the Mall of America. I needed to get some clothing until I could return to Maine and sell my house. I spent a few hours buying new outfits to get me through the next few weeks.

As I passed the Lower East Side, I saw the signs for SeaLife. Vicki's enthusiasm about her sharks was contagious; I needed to visit here with them soon. It was so different seeing things through their eyes. Young children hadn't been disappointed, betrayed, or hurt by the world. I chuckled as I thought about what she said about us; Leo was sad, but I was here and made him happy. It was so simple to her.

He made me happy too.

I joined the rush hour traffic and headed south for home.