Now Entering Lupine Ridge

GailI do own my OC, Leanne Carson and her family. I've always been fascinated by the werewolf myth and love these kinds of genres, so I hope you all enjoy this~

The road ahead seemed never-ending, and in a way Leanne wished it would never end; she didn't suppose that she could just drive right past her stop.

Chester was in the back seat looking out the window watching the passing scenery, and Leanne found herself wishing she could switch places with her dog.

Her insides were coiling and twisting – she wished she never answered her phone, and hated herself for it. But why now, after almost 7 years did anyone from home think to look for her, and call her up so abruptly.

But here she was going back to the one place she swore she would get far away from…

Minneapolis, Minnesota

It was cold outside as she locked up the clinic, that after it made Leanne rub her arms as she walked back to her car. It was another cold dark night to greet her, and it only made her want to hurry home and crawl into bed so she could enjoy the day off tomorrow.

This had been one of those days just before the weekend, and things could get crazy at the animal clinic.

Now all she wanted was to go home and prepare over the weekend for another work week.

Thank god that her apartment was close by, it was all so convenient for her; Leanne had grown up in a small town, so when she moved here 5 years ago, she didn't know what to expect, but she was glad she left her home.

The young woman now had a home of her own, and a great job that she loved, and a small network of friends, and the best part was…nobody here knew her, or her past. Hell, she even had a pet now. Cute little beagle about 3 years old, named Chester.

There was nothing more that Leanne could ask for or wanted.

Even if it was one state over, it still came as a relief for her…

After a relaxing walk, Leanne finally managed to make it to her apartment, and locked her door once she stepped inside; Chester had instantly ran up to her squealing and whining happily. Dropping her bag, she scratched his head and made a beeline to the fridge and went to heat up their dinner. Leanne quickly fixed up Chester's meal then laid his bowl before him. As he ate she decided to go rinse off in the shower then get changed while she waited for it to heat up. A shower after a hard day was always welcome after such a hard day, and so was hot meal and a chance to finally cook over the weekend. Once she finished her quick shower she changed into a pair of sweats and went to check on her dinner. Chester was still licking his lips from the food in his bowl before returning back to his meal. Soon her dinner was all ready, and she was ready to devour it while watch some Netflix series with Chester, then curl up with a book in bed with Chester at the foot of her bed and finally drift off. As she did this and went to settle with her plate in front of her t.v, she almost forgot to fish her phone out of her bag and went to get it before she sat down. Leanne took it out and swiped it open unlocking it. She saw a voicemail alert on her voicemail icon and pressed it. It was unexpected for her to get a call this late, much less someone to leave a voicemail. If it was her family they would just text her. Curiously she looked at the number and didn't recognize it; her mind rationalized that it was a wrong number.

But the area code…it looked familiar.

She stared at it wondering why until suddenly it rang loudly in her hand, making her jerk in surprise, that she almost dropped it. The number flashed unknown and rang so persistently that Leanne was sure it was a spam phone call.

Curiosity had gotten the better of her, and it made her answer, "Hello?"

There was some static until it cleared up and a voice broke through, "Leanne? Leanne Carson?"

The young brunette straightened up, her brow furrowing, "Speaking. Who's this?"

"It's me. Gail Timmins," the voice answered and Leanne suddenly felt cold seeping into her, and a damn blast from the past hit her and her recollections drowned out the world around her.

Leanne couldn't have predicted that Gail Timmins would be the one calling her.

From what she could recall of the woman, she was thoughtless and careless, whether it was in school or as she grew up, more content with hookups and drinking, or both.

Gail had been a girl in her school, a senior when she was only a freshman, and galaxies apart when it came to the social scene. While Leanne had been the all around girl next door afraid to break curfew, Gail Timmins was in a different circle.

"Hellooo? Leanne you there? Hiii?" Gail wondered into the phone, bringing her back to reality.

The dark haired woman almost bit the inside of her cheek as she stumbled over her answer, "Y-yeah, hey Gail. W-what can I do for you?" She wondered if Gail could pick up the slight stutter she picked up.

Most animals, of any kind could smell fear, and regardless whether or not Gail could smell it, she probably had heard it, as Leanne heard it in her own voice.

"A favor, Leanne. One that is way overdue and you know it," Gail stated with slight disinterest at the question.

"I don't owe you anything," Leanne sat up angrily, feeling it pinch at her sides.

Gail hummed irritably at that, "Fine maybe not to me, but what about Angel? Is it in you to let somebody else pay for your mistake?" She asked her sharply.

A lump built up in her throat and Leanne couldn't argue on that – she remembered Angel. Last time she saw her she was a little waif of a girl hiding behind her sister,…who really couldn't care less, whilst it was Leanne who babysat her when she was younger.

"You know I wouldn't. But why are you arguing for her now. You never cared before," Leanne pointed out venomously. In her heart she knew that was a low blow, but it was the truth.

"Don't you dare," Gail growled angrily at that, "I know I may not have cared much but that doesn't mean I don't love her," she spat, "Besides all those years ago, it was supposed to be you, but you just left and now it's all on her shoulders."

Leanne's breath hitched at that, and she supposed that Gail felt and heard it and saw it as a reason to continue, "You know I'm right, Leanne…," she sounded more subdued now.

Swallowing thickly at that, she leaned her head back and hummed weakly, her resolve now doing the same, "I know you are…"

They both lapsed into silence both at an impasse until resolve bubbled in Leanne's chest.

After a silence that felt like it lasted forever she closed her eyes, her hand absently reaching for Chester's head, "What do you want me to do…?"

Gail shuffled on the other end, "You need to come home."

Leanne let out a weak chuckle, "I thought so," she meshed her lips together and licked them, "Okay..," she whispered.

"How soon can you get here," Gail asked thanklessly.

Presently

Her hands gripped the wheel so tightly, that she was afraid she might rip it off as the road went deeper into the woods, as she also went in deeper.

Almost by muscle memory she remembered the way back to her home; it looked like nothing had changed. She would never admit it out loud but part of her did miss her home.

She missed her family too – her parents, Mick and Evette, her grandma, June. And maybe they missed her too, and would be happy that she finally decided to come home.

Leanne knew that she had to stop by her home first before going to meet Gail at the local bar first. And she would need to drop Chester off first anyways. He was already starting to get antsy from the long drive here.

To her relief she drove past the familiar town sign reading, "Now entering Lupine Ridge."

After all this time, she had finally been persuaded to come home; Leanne knew that she couldn't run forever and that it was time to pay the piper. And she had to start by doing so with the following people by doing the following:

Making things right with her parents.

Talking to Gail and helping Angel.

And finally facing Him down.

She had to face Connor Slaughter, and pay what was owed, then maybe more could be spared…