A Wolf's Oath (23 page)
Unaware of the reasoning behind Erica's question, Claire
returned the smile easily. “Well I don’t know much about your
preferences at the moment, but if you stick around here long enough
then that will definitely change. There aren’t all that many people
around here so it’s simple enough to learn what people like or
don’t like. For newcomers like yourselves I’d recommend the
pancakes. They’re very tasty by themselves but you can add whatever
additional things you like to them, so they’re always a good choice
for new people.”
Handing the menu to Claire Erica's smile widened. “Then I’ll
have a plate of pancakes.”
Watching the interaction between Erica and their waitress,
Sebastian was pleased that she was now comfortable around new
people. While they had been at the estate she had been nervous when
people introduced themselves to her, probably afraid that they
would be offended that she could remember nothing about them. Her
easy conversation with Claire reassured him that he had made the
right decision bringing her out here. However as their conversation
wound down, he found himself frowning.
As close as they were Sebastian was easily aware of the
condition of her body. While Erica might believe that she was
human, her body knew that it wasn’t and what she had just ordered
wouldn’t be enough to satisfy her hunger. Wolf physiology was
different to that of a human’s, especially when it came to food.
They didn’t experience the human sensation of stomach clenching
hunger if they skipped a meal or two; their bodies could survive
for days without eating if necessary so long as their bodies had
sufficient energy to tick them over. Daily meals helped maintain
their energy levels but once every few weeks they would become
extremely hungry, signalling the need to consume massive amounts of
food. Judging from the gurgling sounds Erica's stomach was
discreetly making, that time was now.
He closed the menu and handed it to the waitress. “I’d like
to order one of every item on the menu.” His voice was calm and
measured as he delivered his request.
The waitress seemed unfazed at his order taking the menu from
his outstretched fingers, a sharp contrast to the expression of
shock on Erica's face. “It might take a little while to bring
everything out. Do you mind if I bring the items to the table as
they’re cooked? Your food is less likely to get cold that
way.”
“
That’s fine thank you.”
Claire turned on her heel and headed towards the back where
the kitchen was located to deliver their order. As soon as she had
made her departure, Erica turned to Sebastian a look of confusion
plastered on to her face.
“
I’m hungry,” he shrugged, answering her silent question. Erica
laughed a little at his evenly delivered response.
Erica's single plate of pancakes soon arrived at the table
with a corresponding plate of pancakes for Sebastian. The pancakes
were soon demolished as she attempted to relieve her hunger.
Sebastian offered her another plate pilled high with food that the
waitress had delivered and that too was polished off quickly. The
entire meal continued in this fashion with Claire taking away empty
plates and bringing new dishes to replace those that she had taken.
Sebastian would pick at the new dishes before offering them to
Erica, who would promptly clear the plate of its contents. By the
time that Sebastian's order had been completed and all the items on
the menu had been delivered and cleared, the waitress’ image of
calm was broken. Shock was written clearly on her face as she
cleared away the last of the dishes before bringing them the bill;
apparently she hadn’t expected them to finish the order.
As he placed a sufficient amount of money on the table to
cover the expenses of their meal, Sebastian smiled at the waitress.
“Thank you Claire, I hope we haven’t been too much
trouble.”
“
It’s no problem, but I have to be honest I never thought that
you would finish all that food. It’s not the first time I’ve had to
put in that order but it is the first time I’ve seen anyone finish
it. And there were only two of you, that’s amazing.”
Unwanted attention wasn’t what they needed right now so he
shrugged casually, hoping to appear normal, “We must have been
hungrier than we thought. Thanks again, but we have to go and stock
up on food for our house as my fiancée pointed out to me yesterday,
there’s nothing there. That’s probably why we ate so much.” Claire
nodded in understanding and Sebastian breathed a sigh of
relief.
“
Do you know where the supermarket is?” Erica
questioned.
“
I’m not sure if you could call it a supermarket,” Claire
laughed, “but it serves all our needs. If your looking for the
place to buy groceries then it’s just across the road, I’m
surprised you didn’t see it on the way down here.”
“
Our main concern was getting something to eat that’s probably
why we didn’t notice the supermarket.” Sebastian smiled. “Just one
more question and then we’ll let you be on your way, I’m sure you
have better things to do than just hang around talking to
us.”
“
I don’t mind really.” Claire giggled. “But you had a question
so shoot.”
“
Is there a jewellers in this town? We didn’t really have a
chance to look around before we came here so I’m not sure of
exactly just what there is around here.”
“
It might not look it, but there’s more in this town that you
would initially think. There’s a jewellers just down the road from
here. It’s nothing big but they do have some really beautiful
pieces in there.”
Sebastian smiled. “Thank you for your help, I hope we haven’t
been too much of a bother.”
The young waitress’ cheeks coloured and she flashed a brief
smile before dashing off leaving them with a simple, “It’s no
problem.”
“
She seemed nice.” Though there was a smile on her face, her
tone of voice was harsher than she had intended. A stab of jealousy
had coursed through her as she watched the waitress interact with
Sebastian. Claire was attracted to Sebastian, how Erica knew this
she couldn’t be sure. She could smell it in the air but the thought
that she was basing her hatred on something she knew she couldn’t
actually have smelt made no sense.
Aware of what the changes in her scent meant, Sebastian
chuckled, pleased with her possessiveness.
Now she knows what it feels like.
He
placed a brief reassuring kiss to her lips before pulling her
tightly against him. His breath was hot against her cheek as he
whispered in her ear, “She may have been nice but she’s nothing
compared to you. You’re the measuring stick I use whenever I see
other women and no one ever comes close.” Warmth flooded her at the
intimately spoken words and a smile appeared on her face before he
pulled away. “Come on sweetheart, we have a few things to do today.
First things first, lets stock the house and then go shopping for
that ring of yours.” He stood and offered her his hand.
Placing her hand within his, Erica allowed him to pull her to
her feet and lead them out of the diner. The local supermarket was
exactly where Claire had said it would be and they quickly crossed
the wide road to reach it. The store was small, as Claire had
suggested it would be but as they looked around the three aisles,
each labelled in turn, fresh produce, meats and frozen foods, that
the store was separated into, they quickly found that it would be
sufficient for their needs. Grabbing a basket from a stack near the
door, Sebastian headed straight for the aisle labelled meats and
began to fill the small basket. As she believed that she was human,
Erica might not purchase the foods that enabled their bodies to
perform at their best but Sebastian knew what they needed and was
intent on getting it for them.
Though their bodies were very similar to humans in
appearance, their diets weren’t the same. While there was nothing
that they couldn’t eat and digest, their bodies needed meat and
lots of it to sustain them. When they were young, fruits and
vegetables formed a major part of their diets, but as they grew the
need for meat increased and in some cases any other food was simply
filtered out of their diet. Judging from the Erica's voracious
hunger, she hadn’t been fulfilling her body’s needs adequately when
they were at the estate.
Picking up another basket, Erica trailed behind him grabbing
random items from the shelves that she hoped could be made into a
meal for the pair of them.
What am I doing?
her mind pondered as
she wandered aimlessly between the three aisles of the small
store.
I don’t even know if I can
cook.
I’m sure you’ll think of something to feed Sebastian. We
can’t let him go hungry. He has to keep up his strength for other
more pleasurable activities.
Erica groaned at the sound of the bodiless voice.
I thought you’d left me alone.
That’s just not possible Erica, it’s never going to happen.
Get used to me being about.
Please just leave me alone.
I’m trying to help you,
the voice
sighed.
There are things that you don’t
know and I’m trying to help you remember. The only reason I’m not
spelling it out for you is because the doctors have said it’ll be
bad for you. Plus, our yummy Sebastian seems to think this is for
the best as well.
I don’t need your help,
Erica
snapped.
What I want is for you to leave
me alone. I’d rather just deal with the amnesia and not have to
worry about being insane as well.
Insane? You think you’re insane?
The
voice roared with laughter at Erica's belief.
You’re most definitely something Erica but insane isn’t
it.
The voice faded leaving Erica to finish
her shopping in blissful silence.
The shopping trip didn’t last long, Sebastian easily filled
his basket mostly with meat but he had added the occasional
vegetable that appealed to him. Erica's basket was filled too but
there didn’t seem to be a pattern in her choices.
They had walked to the checkout and placed their items on the
conveyor belt before a thought occurred to Erica. “Sebastian, I’m
not allergic to anything am I?”
The question had sounded odd enough that the middle-aged lady
checking out their purchases stopped her task. “That’s a very odd
question to ask someone dear.”
Erica's head spun around to face the inquisitive woman and
she smiled, the woman’s appearance was what she would expect of a
concerned mother, though she couldn’t remember her own so how she
came to this conclusion she couldn’t be sure. “Excuse me?” she
asked, smiling weakly at the stranger.
“
I’m sorry to interrupt, my name is Victoria.” She held out her
hand as she introduced herself. “You must be new around here, we’re
a rather small town so everybody knows everybody.” Dumbly taking
the woman’s hand Erica nodded. “I didn’t mean to be rude or pry,
but it was a very odd question to ask someone at your age. Surely
you must know if you have any allergies yourself, especially at
your age.”
Erica's small smile faltered at the observation and she
removed her hand from Victoria's grip. Sebastian draped his arm
over her shoulders, pulling her close to his body and away from the
older woman’s questioning gaze. “My fiancée was involved in an
accident and has no memories of her life prior to when she woke up.
We’re only here because the doctors thought that she would recover
faster if she wasn’t under the constant pressure of other people’s
expectations.”
Victoria gasped; shocked by the revelation and her eyes
widened with each word Sebastian spoke. “I’m terribly sorry, I
shouldn’t have asked.”
“
You weren’t to know,” he answered calmly.
“
Don’t make excuses for my behaviour. My husband is constantly
telling me to keep my questions to myself and this is why. I don’t
know how to even begin to apologise.”
“
I’ve told you it’s fine.”
Reaching for the first item on the conveyor belt, Victoria
began to ring up their shopping her eyes constantly lifting to take
in the embracing couple. “It must have been a terrible accident for
you to have lost all your memories,” she commented mildly
continuing to scan, years of practice meaning that she knew
automatically which buttons to press and when. Silence greeted her
observation but she continued, calmly. “Still I suppose it could be
worse.”
How exactly could it be worse than this?
Erica thought angrily, increasingly annoyed with Victoria’s
inquisitive nature.
“
You’ve still got your fiancé and he seems to care a great deal
for you. I’m sure you’ll recover in no time, but while you’re here
feel free to come and find me if you ever just need someone to talk
to.”
As she breathed in the rich scent Sebastian gave off from
beneath his clothes Erica found herself smiling again.
I guess you’re right, it could be worse. I’ve
still got Sebastian and right now that means more than the
world.
Victoria chose to keep any more comments to herself after
that, a sharp look from Sebastian making her concede to the
benefits of silence. She checked out their shopping rather quickly
after that. Immediately after he had paid for the purchases,
Sebastian grabbed a hold of the heaviest bags, hefting them into
his arms before reaching for the lighter ones. Erica beat him to
them and silenced any protest as she reminded him of what he had
promised her earlier. “You said I could help Sebastian. I can do
this much at the very least.” Gathering the remainder of the bags,
she flashed Victoria a quick smile before they headed for the exit
intent on reaching the car. “Thank you for your help.”