Chapter 13: Freya

I shot my head up, destroyed? I needed to think of a smooth way for him to tell me this information outloud. Carefully, I danced around the issue, “You know I think we should let Andre decide. How about you just give me those papers back and I talk to him.”

“You gave them to Rose.”

“So? Now I want them back.” I glared, crossing my arms.

“Why?” His eyes narrowed as if he were trying to read my mind.

“They're mine.” I glared back. It would seem the civil conversation was about to end. “Is there a reason you can’t give them back?” I over stepped, I knew I had the moment the words left my lips.

“Is there a reason you think you couldn't get them back?”

“I don't know. Is there?”

What does she know? Elias growled through the bond.

Which she and knows about what? Andre snickered.

Fuck fuck fuck, I could hear Oliver repeating.

Play it cool you dumbass. Andre hissed. Sorry about him, he’s trying to pick up a girl, you know how skiddish he gets around females.

What’s going on? Elias continued to glare at me, “Are you, Oliver, and Andre hiding anything from me?”

I shrugged, “Seems like something you should discuss with them.”

“Oliver's a terrible liar just so you know. And Andre overcompensates. So if you three are hiding anything I’ll find out.”

“What do you think we could be hiding? Seems like you’re just paranoid.” That's it, I thought, deflect to something else. Get him to take the bait.

“There's paranoid and there's knowing I’m talking to a fox.”

“True, but out of the two of us which one has been more untruthful this whole time?”

Looks like I was destined to be saved, my phone started buzzing. Latharn, I sighed. Thank the gods!

Holding up a finger to Elias I answered. “Boy is it good to hear your voice!” I laughed, making sure to toss off the previous conversation.

“We’ll see.” He didn't sound like himself. He sounded scared, but why? “We need to talk Freya.”

“Yeah, that's why you called.”

“I'm serious. I asked around and I may have started something. Apparently you need him to reject you like now. You need to get out of that city ASAP.”

“And how do you expect me to do any of that?”

“Are any wolves around you right now?”

Looking over to Elias I saw him glaring and I decided to be the bigger person. “One moment.” Then I turned to Elias, “I’m taking this call outside, please respect my privacy.”

There was no response but he didn't stop me either when I went outside.

“Okay Latharn, what's up?”

“You’ve got an issue. Our main council, they don't like hearing when a werewolf gets attached. So you have two options. First, you get the fuck out of there today, or you’re going to be scrubbed, and I don’t mean just severing ties. You’re going to be treated as a liability. You step one foot outside that werewolf territory and you'll be killed.”

“Seriously?” I laughed, “it’s not that big of a deal, just-”

“Kitsune and Werewolves don't mix. Your mom was an exception because of how quickly she died on her own. You honestly think with your family history, anyone is going to just let you act like this?”

“Act like what?” I barked, “I’m settling my father's estate. It’s-”

“You could have sent the papers through the mail or gotten someone else to do it. You look like a traitor to your own kind right now.”

“You know I’m the one being attacked right now right?”

“Then just leave! You’ve got until the end of the day.”

“How the fuck am I meant to leave?” I snapped, feeling my blood starting to boil. “I have no transportation, I’ve-”

“That's your fucking problem! I tried arguing for you, but they weren't hearing it.” I felt tears starting to well up inside, but he returned with a more softened tone, “Look, I can get you a new rental, but you've got to pick it up and you’ve got to leave okay?”

I nodded, biting my lower lip, “Okay.”

I hung up and looked back at Elias, who was still on the couch. He hadn't moved; he wasn't even looking at me. I needed to figure this out.

A text came through moments later from Latharn: Car secured. 3422 Main St. Enterprise.

I wasn’t on Main Street. I plugged it into my phone seeing it was about ten minutes walking distance. I could do it. I could play this right and get out. I just needed to be extra careful.

Surprise surprise my two favorite pawns walked through the door. This could work out. I composed myself as best I could and walked with confidence through the door.

“Dont worry,” Andre winked at me first thing as he handed me two bags of clothes, “Rose sends her best and said she picked out the clothes for you.”

I wasn't going to need them, and now I felt guilty. “Thanks, how about you allow me to go for a walk or something? I’m super bored sitting inside. I could stand to get some fresh air.”

“You were just outside,” Elias grumbled and still didn't look toward me. I fucking swear if you three are hiding anything from me, I’ll shave you both.

“As I’ve been saying,” Andre tossed his head over to Elias, “I’m not going to allow you to be excluded in conversations anymore. So please, everyone keep the talks out loud for the queens sake.”

Queen? I shuddered at the thought.

“We can take her.” Oliver was visibly sweating. Poor kid wasn’t prepared to lie to his brother, it would seem.

“No, Elias sighed, “I’ll take her.”

“You sure?” Oliver laughed nervously, “It wouldn't be an issue at all. Not like we're doing anything else.”

“Except you two have a job to do, so do it.”

I wasn’t going to argue with him, the less that came with me, the better. I’ve already proven I can’t outrun Elias but maybe I can outsmart him. He said he thought more like a hunter so maybe that was the key. I was a stealth predator who did not like to be viewed as prey, and he was a hunter who thought he was smarter than his target.

“Are you going to change beforehand?” He still wasn’t looking at me. Something about this seemed odd, like he was deliberately hiding something and I wasn’t sure what it could be.

I nodded and snatched up the clothes, deciding to take a stand here and now as I zipped past everyone entering Elias's bedroom, locking the door behind me.

Not going to comment on that then? Andre laughed.

What's she going to do? Put more clothes on the floor? Accidentally clean it up?

I took a look around and realized what he meant. This man's bedroom was a wreck. His mattress was torn to bits, there were blackout curtains that blocked most of the light and it didn't seem like he cared about furniture at all. There wasn’t even a light in this place. The mattress was the only thing that defined this as a bedroom.

“How can you live like this!” I cried out.

Maybe next time you'll think before you do something you think will annoy me. He called back.

“Fuck you!” I yelled.

Fuck me? He laughed, echoing through the walls. Wouldn't you like to get the chance.

“Ugh! Never!”

Gotcha.