3 - On The Prowl

~Lola’s Point of View~

In the couple of days that passed, I was only left with more questions and few answers. 

Belle mentioned again this morning that it truly was pointless to think about any escape, and dumb to even try, extremely dangerous. And well … yeah the thought of Drake’s scary ass wolf chasing me down really wasn’t appealing. Or some freak getting me instead.

But I’d bide my time. There was no way in hell I was just going to roll over and accept this. I didn’t give up when I put my mind to something. I’d play nice, I’d play along. But I would go home. Maybe not in a week or a month but it would happen.

I had to get the hell out of this cabin.. I was going to drive myself insane with the questions I needed answered. Time to make some friends.

I grunted as I swung my feet over the side and tossed off the heavy blanket. They said I couldn’t leave their “pack,” whatever that means. They didn’t say I couldn’t leave this house. I wiggled my feet and gave myself a little pep talk. I wasn’t at all sure this was a good idea but then again I didn’t always make the best decisions. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have tried to go to a party while my parents were out of town, taken a shortcut through the woods and gotten kidnapped!

I’d made it to my feet but was still holding onto the bed. My cuts were already starting to scab a bit and they were really itchy, especially as the skin pulled with my movements.

It took me about five minutes but I made it to the window and I gasped with what I saw.

Wolves, just trotting around without a care in the world. Humans walking amongst them, carefree. There were numerous other cabins, some very small and likely only one room. My eyes darted all over, and after a minute I had a weird realization. 

Where are all the women? Kids? 

Literally all I could see were men. A few could be teenagers, I thought. All together over the ten minutes I stood there gawking, I maybe saw a few dozen people, but again all male. 

And all were very … very good looking. Muscular, mostly tall and … just ooohh damn. The white guys were tanned, and all had very dark and visible tattoos. It was like I was in the football team’s locker room, there was a bit of everyone. I wasn’t complaining, but if I believed what Belle and Drake said, one of these yahoos was my “fated mate.” I still didn’t fully get that but I wasn’t going to figure it out in here.

Gathering some strength I made my way toward the door and threw it open. I hoped I didn’t smell too bad, I really did need a proper shower.

I took one step out and the sun hit me, it felt so good. I drew a deep breath and the air was so clean, so crisp and fresh. Definitely nothing like the city. As I took another step, literally everyone in the vicinity stopped and gawked at me.

Working at a pizza joint for years, I definitely learned how to be the Queen of fake. Nice when it suited me, only in hopes of getting better tips. Well now I was going to do the same in hopes of getting information.

I gave a weak little “Miss America” like wave. I doubted anyone here would pick up on it but I felt put on the spot so I was going to do it. 

“How’s it going, I’m Lola,” I said, walking straight up to a guy. He was definitely one of the least intimidating looking out here, maybe Korean? 

He was pushing a wheelbarrow filled with sweet corn and I gave him my best smile. His eyes roamed my body and if a guy at my high school did that, I may have hauled off and slapped him. But for some reason, I liked him doing it. Kind of wished I had on a bra, felt a little naked like that but, what can you do.

When he didn’t answer I waved my hand in front of his face and he finally snapped out of it. I’d never even remotely been the popular girl at school, the center of attention. But now, seeing how these guys were looking at me, I was feeling pretty damn good.

“Hi, I’m … I’m Dylan,” he mumbled, blushing.

He was easily 6’0 or so, my dad’s height. Dark brown hair, no shirt. Hardly anyone was wearing a shirt. Suddenly something soft touched my bare arm, making me jump. 

“Hey now Kurt, be nice to our new friend,” Dylan said, scolding the wolf. 

The … wolf. A wolf just rubbed against me like a cat would. Cause yeah, this is perfectly, totally fine. Normal. I pinched my eyes shut but finally turned to face him, and when I popped them back open I did my best to try and not freak out.

I laughed, dryly and moved to pet the creature. Could I do that? Just pet him like a dog? He wasn’t a dog that was for sure, he was about the size of a what, a small or medium horse, that probably weighed 300 pounds and was pure muscle. A horse that could rip out my throat and enjoy it. 

I immediately felt the animal vibrate and I found myself reaching for his ears when he bowed his head, they were like velvet and it was actually cool. Unlike anything I’d ever felt. The next time I looked up a sharp little squeak crept out of my mouth. 

“Oh, uhm…” I gulped as I took in about a dozen other wolves surrounding me.

I completely froze, unsure what to do. This … is not normal. None of this is! I blinked several times in rapid succession, completely unsure what to do. I had a flash of the black wolf’s teeth centimeters from my face and felt the same panic begin to wash over me.

“Hey guys, have some damn manners! Give her some room to breathe, back up,” I heard. 

I closed my eyes for a second and thankfully when I opened them they were mostly gone. 

“It’s Lola right? I’m Dane, the Beta around this place,” a guy said, tipping his head. I relaxed a bit having some room to exhale now.

He wasn’t nearly as intimidating as Drake, definitely younger. He almost looked … Native American? His skin was smooth looking but weathered … maybe that was the best word. His hair was pitch black but he had light brown eyes, he was tall and thin. Reminds me of a lifeguard, he was very tan and lean.

“You’re the what,” I said, tilting my head, trying not to stare at his abs.

He smiled, a perfect white smile. I bet this guy gets all the ladies. If there are ladies. Where the hell are the women?

“Kinda of like the second in command maybe … like you’re vice-president,” he said, pleased with himself.

“Ahh. So you just smile and look pretty but you’re actually just a worthless puppet,” I said, nodding. I didn’t know a lot about politics but I was sure that was accurate.

I heard a loud laugh that instantly got my attention, it was a woman. My eyes moved and my head jerked all over, where was she?

“That’s about the best description I’ve ever heard! I’m gonna love this one,” the voice said.

Finally a vagina! They do exist!

“Fuck off Kase,” Dane whined. 

They must be related, clearly a brother/sister vibe. Finally the woman jumped forward, her arms wrapping around me. I gently patted her back, trying to be polite..

“I’m Kasie, I’m sorry for all these knuckleheads. They don’t see a lot of women, obviously,” she said, pulling away and flicking her long black ponytail.

She was probably one of the shorter people I’d seen, I even had an inch or two on her. But you could tell she was tough, I wouldn’t want to fight her. She had chocolate brown eyes and rosy cheeks, she was actually on the pale side unlike all the guys.

“I’m Lola. Where the hell are all the girls,” I asked, as Dane made a face.

Might as well just come out with it. 

“Did Belle not give you the low down,” Kasie asked.

I scratched my head.

“I don’t understand most of what she says. She acts like I’m supposed to know,” I said, making gestures with my hands.

Kasie began to speak but just past her I watched in complete shock as a wolf began to … change. My jaw fell and it seemed as if I couldn’t breathe, I certainly couldn’t move.

The fur seemed to retract, a tan skin colored surface appeared as it seemed to evaporate into thin air. The limbs stretched and morphed, the snout compacted and the head became round. A set of legs became arms and the other set elongated, until a man was standing … completely naked. 

He smiled at me and that was the last thing I remembered.