CHAPTER 7

Andrea

“Clover?” The old man continued, leading us into another room. The smell of burning incense and raw gin pierced through the air, making my nose scrunch up. 

I pushed the old dusty curtain aside before leaning into the room. 

“You know if she has to stay here, I need to at least know what it is you’re both hiding from. So I can protect her if it ever comes down to that..” he urged on. 

I gestured to Clover not to speak and she already understood even before I said anything. 

“I wish I could disclose everything to you, but it’s beyond what we both can say. I’m just going to need you to please keep her hidden for my sake. I can’t lose her..” she said, her shoulders dropping lower than anything I’ve ever seen. 

Her voice dipped into something that yearned to be pitied and the old man took her word for it… hook, line and sinker. 

“Fine..” he sighed, rubbing the bald spot on his head. “I’ll keep her here..” 

“Thank you so much sir… I really appreciate it.” Gratitude warmed my voice as I spoke for the first time since we walked into this place. 

He glanced at me again from head to toe, leaned in and took a sniff off my neck. That felt really uncomfortable and I shot Clover a questioning glare. 

“What’s going on?” Clover asked, pulling me away from him. “Is there something wrong with the way she smells?” 

I instinctively leaned into my under arm and sniffed it. Aside from the sweaty scent, I only smelled flower petals and vanilla. Why did he feel the need to sniff me?

“Actually, there’s something wrong with her..” he blurted firmly, his brows furrowed and I saw his forehead crease. 

“And it’s not what she smells like… it’s what she doesn’t smell like that’s the issue..” the words felt like a bomb and I just wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole. 

I knew this was going to arise sometime, but I had hoped by then I’d have found a better place to stay and won’t be in the midst of all these people. I had absolutely no idea that this man was an expert in catching scents so quickly. 

Clover held my hand tighter and squeezed gently, assuring me that she’d take care of this..

“What do you mean?” She asked and he pointed at me. 

“I can’t smell her pheromones… She's not a wolf. You claim she’s your sister, but your pheromones are outstanding. I can smell them from miles away, hers aren’t even there at all..” he said and I bit down hard on my lower lip until I felt a crack and tasted blood. 

“Actually, speaking of smell. I was meaning to ask you, have you started that project we spoke of?” Clover cut in. 

“What project?” He asked, finally taking his calculating eyes off of me. 

“The one where you said you’ll be recruiting lost wolves with no ambition, and teaching them the art of picking scents from every part of the world..” she responded subtly. 

The old man scratched the top of his head and leaned on the wall behind him, trying to remember if he ever said that. 

“How have you so easily forgotten the conversation we had the last time I was here?” Clover pressed deeper, intriguing him as she lured him into her net. “I even offered to extend my support in any way that I could and you were so elated, you gave out free drinks to everyone in the tavern that night… has your memory failed you?” 

I watched the old man struggle to recall whatever it was Clover was talking about and I even started to feel bad for him. 

“I truly can’t recall having such conversations my dear, but that does sound like a wonderful idea. I’ll look into that as soon as possible, that is if you’re still willing to offer your support?” He replied weakly. 

“Of course, that’s what friends are for..” she sneered back. 

“Thank you so much Clover, for all you do here. Your sister can work and sleep here for as long as she wants… as long as she doesn’t steal from me.” He laughed and I scoffed. What could I even possibly steal from a tavern? Drunk men?

“Pftt..” I rolled my eyes as Clover walked the man to the exit. 

“Whew!” She sighed as she pulled the curtain back. “That was a lot harder than I expected it to be..” 

“Good thing you had that conversation with him. How else would you have diverted his attention from my wolflessness?” I replied and Clover shrugged her shoulders. 

“There was never a conversation. I just made that up in my head..” 

My awe was awed! I stared at my best friend blankly, wondering how she was able to just come up with a lie that good in only a few seconds. 

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to things like this..” she said, pulling me into her warm arms. 

I sank into her embrace, letting her heartbeat calm the noise in my head. This was what peace felt like. Tears gathered in my eyes as we pulled apart. 

“No, don't cry Andrea…” she sobbed, wiping my face with her thumb. “You’re going to make me cry..” 

I sniffled, trying as much as possible not to cry anymore. “Clover I can’t thank you enough…” the tears streamed down uncontrollably, all the pain I had been suppressing slowly rose to my throat and exploded.

“You’ve stood by me even when I didn’t see the need to stand for myself… you’ve given me a new hope to start life from the top, on my own terms… I love you Clover… you’re my sister, my better half.” 

We sobbed in each other’s arms until the little clock in her pocket chimed. 

“Well, I guess it’s time to go home… I have somewhere to be tomorrow.” She sobbed, wiping her face and her nose. 

“I’ll miss you Clover..” 

“And I’ll come see you twice every week, I’ll make sure of that..” 

“I’ll be looking forward to those visits… safe travel my friend..” 

I bid her farewell and stood by the exit, watching her back disappear into the night.