Chapter 7: Finders Keepers

FAYE 

I moved forward slowly, staring at the TV. The girl was standing behind me, but I no longer felt her as I struggled to breathe.

“He’s looking for me.” It’s all I muttered as I stared at the paused screen of the news report.

“Who?” the girl questioned from a million miles away as I stumbled and walked in uneven steps across the room, closer to the TV.

I reached out my hand as I neared the image that can’t be true, but is. My fingers trembled when I slowly pressed them onto the screen. 

My breaths fractured and filled the room.

If my father was looking for me so publicly, would Nathan still want me with him? 

And if they found me with him, wouldn't they make me go with my dad, since he was my biological parent?

I shook my head. I didn't want to go with him. I didn't want to go back. And I was eighteen already. That meant I could make my own decisions free of parental control or permission. 

A rush of panic seized me again as I realized I was considering the matter too simply. 

My father was the Alpha of the Exodus pack. His pack answered to him and they could easily find me at his orders. Wolves had keen senses and they could track me down a lot faster than the police could. 

And Nathan had no idea what we were. What I was. 

I bit at my nails before I got a hold of myself. It wouldn't do to ruin my manicure in such a manner. I had to be calm no matter how much this all seemed like a dream. Or a nightmare I could wake up from any second now.  

But that's just it, wasn't it... This was real and now that there were images on the TV, I wanted nothing to do with? Even random people could see me now, out with Nathan, and assume the worst. I didn't want that. 

Why was my father searching for me? Why report me missing? I'd thought he'd be the happiest if I got out from under his roof. Or was he in need of his daily punching bag? 

The questions flooded in and I couldn't process any of them. All I knew was that I needed to escape right now before things got too out of hand.

I quickly turned around and bolted out of the salon, paying no mind to the girl's calls.

I had a lot going through my mind, and it was impossible to comprehend everything happening. 

I kept glancing around, making sure no one followed me, but none did, and I was relieved. I wasn't going far. And I just wanted space to breathe and think. 

***

I came out of the wet treatment room I'd holed up in a little later. I didn't feel any better. Even though the room had been cool and relaxing. 

Tracing my way back to the salon, I worried Nathan might already be back for me. Thankfully, I'd finished getting the haircut before I'd seen the news report. She had just been finishing up before I sprang up out of my chair. 

On entering the salon, one of the spa attendants rushed to me. She looked frazzled and seemed to relax a little at the sight of me.

"Where have you been, Miss? We've been looking everywhere for you."

I stared at her in surprise. I didn't know anywhere around here. Wasn't it obvious I'd have been in the spa still?

She led me to the main office where I saw Nathan seating reclined back on the plush couch. His brows drawn together in a foreboding look, and his eyes looked a little glazed with… worry and not a little anger too. 

"Where have you been?"

Why was everyone looking for me? 

 "I was only just at the other half of the spa. I got lost." I don't know why I say that cause it's not really true, but I guess it has something to do with the look in Nathan's eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just needed a little space for a bit. I didn't mean to cause any worry."

He looked me over, and he must have seen something, cause he relented. 

He pulled me to him, holding one of my palms in his. "Well, I was wondering why you had suddenly disappeared."

He gazed at me, running his fingers through the locks of my hair. 

"You look different."

"In a good way?" I asked. What he thought was important to me. 

"Yes, in a great way." He smiled at me, starting a slow burn through me. 

Less than ten minutes in his presence and I was already excited. My body tingling with the need for his touch. 

We drove home, and throughout the drive, my mind was on the news report about me. I had to tell Nathan. But how?

Maybe I should just not mention it. All I had to do was be extra careful outside. No one would expect me to be with someone as lavishly wealthy as Nathan. 

It was a whole other activity at home cause I still had to try on different clothes. Even the news report couldn't dim my excitement at the new expensive clothes I was trying on, though it was still in the recesses of my mind. 

I shyly modelled the clothes in front of Nathan as he helped me make better choices.

A few hours later, we were alone again. Just the two of us. I sat in the living room amidst all the designer bags and boxes and decided that I'd better tell Nathan before it got any later.

He spoke before I did." I've sensed you tense as a bow since we left the spa. The spa treatments are supposed to do the opposite?"

He gave me a look, demanding that I talk to him. 

I had to tell him. If he didn't want me after this, then… I shook my head. I won't think about that. 

I swallowed before I spoke."There's something I need to tell you." I whispered softly, taking a throw pillow and gripping it. 

Nathan shot me a look. That much was obvious already. He continued to regard me in his usual manner. Nothing changed in his facial expression.

"There was a news report about me today. It said that I was missing and for anyone who saw me to contact the police. My dad is looking for me." I gulped fearfully. 

Now was the time to see if he'd decide that I really wasn't worth all the trouble. And why would he go through all this trouble for me? My family did not even want me, would he?