It was late by the time I thought I had all the pieces back where they belonged. I made my way into the main building, heading toward the kitchen first. The place was deserted, but as usual, Charlene had something for a quick meal in the refrigerator. I wolfed down the meatloaf sandwich in four bites then pushed through the double-doors and walked the halls to Gabby's apartment.
Before I knocked, I listened for any sign someone was awake. After several moments of hearing nothing, I knocked lightly, not wanting to wake her. Inside, I heard movement. Sam didn't make me wait long before he opened the door.
"Need the keys," I said.
Sam looked me over with bleary eyes, then shuffled over to the counter to pick up his keys.
"You've decided to let her go?" he asked, handing them over.
Not likely. I debated what to tell Sam. I was still mad at him for the role he'd played in getting Gabby here.
"We came to an agreement," I said.
"Really?"
"She said I should live with her, get to know her."
Sam's tired air disappeared.
"Did she now?"
"She did. But she thought she was scaring me away by saying it." I lifted the keys. "I'll bring these back in a bit."
He nodded, and I left, taking the keys outside. The truck started fine, and the rumble of the engine brought a smile to my face. It had less of a rattle now. I turned it off and went back inside.
Sam must have stayed up because he answered the door before I knocked. He looked just as beat and could barely keep his eyes open.
I handed him the keys.
"Don't tell her I spoke."
I waited until he nodded then I left again.
Outside, I swiped my hair back from my face and considered my next move. I needed to keep her guessing. If she didn't know what I had planned, she couldn't say no. I stripped from the clothes, tossed them on the porch, then took off in my fur, heading south to Sam's place.
Everyone knew where the Elders lived. They belonged to all of us, not just the packs. They were there to help. I'd never asked for help, and I wouldn't start now; but I wasn't going there for help, anyway.
Now that Sam had acknowledged my Claim and knew Gabby had invited me to college with her, he'd take her back home. That played right into my plan. To show her I had no interest in telling her what to do or stopping her from attending a school she'd chosen, I wouldn't approach her again until after she moved. But, that didn't mean I planned to ignore her for the summer. I meant to study my Mate in a setting familiar to her.
So I made my way to Sam's place, taking my time as I traveled. The trees and fields gave way to roads and houses then city blocks.
People in town weren't friendly to my kind. They tended to yell "get" at me as if I were a dog. I ignored them, kept moving, and slowly closed the distance between Gabby's home and me. As towns grew closer together, I traveled at night, keeping to the shadows.
Seven days after leaving the Compound, I found Sam's yellow house. I sat in the shadow of a tree across the street in a neighbor's back yard. The spot afforded me a view of Sam's picture window.
Gabby walked into the room, carrying a bag on her shoulder. I only got a fleeting glimpse as she passed, but it was enough to resurrect the feelings of hope. I'd have a family again. She just needed time.