2 - New Owner

~Austin’s Point of View~

I woke just as the sun was rising, I could see it peeking through the one little window of the treehouse. I looked at my chest to see the sweetest creature imaginable, the girl of my dreams cradled safely in my arms.

I didn’t deserve her, I had nothing to offer but a life of heartache and violence. A million males would be lined up for this beauty. She came from a good family and she was delicate but you could tell she had a determined side. She wouldn’t be a pushover … and the most impressive thing about her? She wasn’t afraid of me. She should have been.

I stroked her dark brown hair, now a bit of a frizzy mess. She smelled so good and I knew I had to leave her. My heart was so drawn to her, I never should have climbed up in this damn treehouse. 

All I knew was survival, all I knew … was fighting. I would bring nothing good to her life, and her family would never allow me to have her. But for one night … this perfect night, she was mine. I kissed her forehead and sighed quietly. 

After maybe half an hour of holding my dream girl, I heard a car next door, at the house where I was staying for a few days. My current handlers. My heart sank, knowing exactly who it was and why. He wasn’t supposed to be here yet. I was supposed to get a couple days of quiet … of rest. 

I lightly grabbed a handful of Emilia’s hair and inhaled it. She smelled like apples and I never wanted to forget it. It was uniquely her scent but it was covered by some kind of heavy body spray that my nose hated. I began to wiggle myself out from underneath her. I had to leave. I had to say good-bye. But I didn’t have the balls to do it to her face. To see her be upset. 

I pulled the blanket tightly around her and took off one of the rubber bracelets around my wrist. They were a gift from my foster sister, before I had left my last home. I put it on her wrist and kissed it. I heard the low hum of voices next door and pushed myself to go down the hole and away from the treehouse. Away from the only real happiness I’d ever felt.

I stalked back to my temporary hostage takers, thinking of how Emilia would wake up alone and resent me. Hell, she was going to be a lot more heartbroken when I didn’t show back up tonight. Fuck.

“Where the hell have you been,” a stern voice said, as I entered the back of the garage.

I closed the door and turned to see a huge man, easily 6’5, 275lbs and most certainly packing a few guns under his suit jacket.

“Just being at one with nature, you know, sleeping outside,” I said, grinning.

The man immediately took three large steps toward me and socked me in the stomach. I fell forward, clutching my gut, clenching my teeth. I was able to stay on my feet, I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knocking me down.

“You reek of a female’s perfume. Do you take me for a fool,” he said, through a heavy Russian accent.

Before I could literally do anything a second blow came, this time it hit my left side. I flipped around and landed against a wall. 

“Austin, you’re a good boy. Stop being foolish and do as you’re told,” Mrs. Popov said, grabbing my face. 

I jerked away from her grip and spit off to the side. 

“I paid a lot for you, and I’m re-selling you on commission. When you come into your wolf you’re going to be the best damn fighter there is! You take care of us, and we’ll take care of you. Now go get your shit, you’re leaving,” Mr. Popov said.

I stiffened my spine and glared at the man. He was several inches shorter than my nearly six foot frame and barely weighed a heavy sack of potatoes. I could easily throw him around if I wanted to. But he had connections.

“I’ll be in the car, don’t make me wait,” the large Russian ogre said, turning to walk out of the garage.

“I went in to wake you half an hour ago and since you weren’t there I packed your things. I also made you breakfast and lunch since it’s a long drive,” Mrs. Popov said, handing me my duffle and a brown paper bag.

A sharp and sudden pain hit across my cheek and I felt the sting of a hand. I lowered my eyes to the little Russian troll before me.

“What do you have to say to my wife for her hospitality,” he seethed.

“Thank you, Mrs. Popov for thinking of me,” I said, fixing my eyes on the equally small woman. 

She nodded and I began to move forward, my stomach growling and groaning all at the same time. 

“You be a good boy, work hard and you’ll do great,” she said, clapping her hands with enthusiasm. 

I opened the small door leading to the driveway and saw a large black Escalade, with a large driver behind the wheel and another large man in the passenger seat. 

I made my way to the rear door and got in. I turned to give a side eye to the behemoth next to me. My new owner.

This guy might be huge, but he’s human. The kind that gets off on owning shifters and bending them to his will. 

The ride lasted until it was nearly dark, with us stopping three times. I fell asleep numerous times, dreaming of my sweet Emilia and her soft pink lips. While it was for the best she never saw me again, it absolutely repulsed me to think of another male touching her. Some sloppy asshole with a boner that could never make her feel the way I could. Tsk. What the hell did I know about making a female happy? She was my first kiss, my first everything.

A big hand shoved my shoulder, waking me from my half sleep. I jerked my neck toward it and glared at the giant.

“We’re here. Mind your mouth and be respectful, you meet the boss next week, he’s out of town,” he said, opening his door.

The boss? He wasn’t the boss? Shit. I didn’t think it could get much worse than the jolly green fuck head.

I was greeted by a tiny woman in a maid uniform. She led me to a small room not much bigger than a closet but it had a neatly made bed and seemed cozy.

“Bathroom is end of hall,” she said, in a thick Russian accent.

“Thanks,” I said, as she turned to walk away. 

I went to the only window and opened the curtains. Barred shut. I peeked past the bars and saw an illuminated backyard with several armed guards and wolves mulling around. I nervously fiddled with my earrings, feeling like ripping them the fuck out. I was so used to them now, and I never wanted to feel like they owned me, even though they did.

I shut the curtains and got my toiletries out of my bag. I made my way down the hall to check out the bathroom situation. I shoved open the door and flipped on the light, revealing a small bathroom with a stall tiled shower. It was nice enough. I rummaged through the little closet and found some towels. I quickly showered and cleaned up, pissed I had to wash away Emilia’s smell. I didn’t want anyone else smelling her on me, I had to keep reminding myself it was for the best.

I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. I wiped the mirror clean and stared at myself. There was no guarantee of when I would get my wolf. The Goddess used to regulate it, most would shift for the first time around their sixteenth or seventeenth birthdays. But now, it’s all just chaos. I could shift at the next full moon, or it could be a few more years.

BANG BANG BANG.

“Yeah, almost done,” I yelled at the door.

I grabbed my things and whipped open the door to reveal a teen boy, a few years older than me. He had a buzz cut, clean shaven, black t-shirt, black jeans and black work boots. Pretty nondescript. 

“You must be Aleksey,” he said, with a thick Russian accent that I was becoming all too familiar with lately. 

“If that’s what the boss wants,” I said, running my free hand through my damp hair.

“I’m telling you that’s what it is, same as a worthless dog I had to put down a few weeks ago,” he said, not moving.

I stepped forward, trying to get him out of the way. He was a solid wall.

“I’m the boss’ son, Maxim. His eldest, and only son,” he said, matter of fact.

He was a wolf, meaning his father was too. This was an interesting twist. Why was a wolf buying pups?

“I have little desire to take your job, no worries,” I said, trying to walk around him. 

He shot his arm out, blocking me.

“I didn’t want you. I wanted Micah, I don’t know what the fuck he sees in you,” he said, clearly pissed off.

Huh, they saw me fight? What a punk this kid was, he reeked of insecurity.

I stepped back and his eyes fell over the scars on my chest. His eyes grew wide.

“I’m gonna guess you’ve never fought a day in your life, pretty boy,” I said, opening my arms wide to show my battle scars.

He gulped and stepped back, allowing me to finally walk past. What a douche. I thought an insult to his manhood would provoke him, but apparently not. Well … he knows I’m right. 

“You won’t last a month,” he said, yelling at my back.

I gave him a weak wave before going into my room and locking the door. That fake little shit wouldn’t last five minutes with me. I don’t care how big and scary someone looks, if you don’t know how to fight then you'll go right down.

I crawled in bed and fell asleep, with the shirt I’d been wearing last night as my pillow. It still smelled faintly of her, and I wanted to hold onto it as long as possible.

…

I cracked my eyes open, confused at first. I faintly smelled Emilia, and for the briefest of moments I hoped against all hope that I’d see her on my chest. I raised my head slightly, trying to figure out what else I was smelling. 

My eyes darted to the small dresser and there sat a tray of food. I looked at the doorknob and saw it was unlocked. I sat fully up, suddenly ravenous at the prospect of eating. I got up to grab the tray and saw a note on it. I scratched my head … I didn’t know how to read.