Chapter 14: Freya

Gotcha? I mouthed. Was he really that sly? I shook my head and dug into the first bag. It was exactly what I needed. “Thank you, Rosetta!” I sighed and hugged the nearly identical outfit to the one I lost.

“You fucking liars!” Elias growled, which signalled me to quickly get dressed. I hated losing that shirt, but clearly if I needed another hit I wasn’t going to ever run out of supply. “How much have you told her? You weren’t going to tell me she could access the mental network!”

“To be fair-” Andre began, but immediately backed down when I emerged from the room, “Ah look, your mate is a vision of beauty and should calm you down, right?”

“Calm me down?” He turned and stopped. “You’re dressed?”

I nodded, “Also, it’s not something I’ve always been able to do. It’s just something that started happening today.”

He spoke through gritted teeth, side eyeing his two pack mates, “When did it start?”

“When I woke up.” I shrugged, “I haven’t been hearing anything important, so don’t worry about it. Not like it’s all the time either.”

No just when we’re around her, because for some reason we can’t block her out. Oliver hissed, crossing his arms. If there was ever a time I would ever need to pinpoint him turning against me, I’d think now would be a good indicator.

“They can’t block you out?” Elias turned to me.

“I mean this is news to me,” Andre laughed, jumping to my side.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He glared.

“Me?” The innocent blinking was what convinced me he wasn’t taking it seriously. Then again, the way Andre’s hand was resting on my lower back, pulling me close, felt protective. “No idea what you mean.”

“Get away from her.” Elias ducked his head low which, if he were in his wolf form that would have been a definite threat.

I pushed Andre behind me and stepped in front of him, my arms outstretched. I didn’t have time for this. “If you two want to fight, then by all means kill eachother. I’m done being around wild animals and dumb ass men today. So I’m heading out for a walk. You can join me or you can stay here and bicker like children. I couldn’t care less either way.” Letting my arms fall, I marched over to my bag, grabbing it and surprisingly without being followed I was able to not only leave but ride the elevator down all by myself.

Outside, I felt free. No one was on my heels, and I was walking alone. Actually alone for the first time in far too long. It seemed like i could have done anything, but of course I needed to keep my mind straight. Was it going to hurt when they realised I left? Sure.

That’s what was tugging at my heart now. Maybe I should have taken his shirt just for the road? Wait- I shook my head. You’re not having feelings for him. You’re not! Stop it right now!

He dropped everything for me though… didn’t he? Maybe I could pay him back for the clothes? It’s not like he won’t find a different girl to wear them though. Fucking bitch- again, I had to shake the thought from my head.

Maybe I could stay in touch? I’ll have to resend the papers if they really were destroyed, and it might take a while, but eventually Elias would understand I wouldn’t come back. He’d finally reject me. My hand instinctively went to my face as I felt a tear slide down. This is stupid. I cursed, I knew them for less than a day. They weren’t a group I should miss.

I rounded the corner and found it harder to keep walking. I collapsed to the side onto a bench and took a few breaths. This was ridiculous, I couldn’t have been feeling guilty. What was wrecking me had to have just been the stress from the last day. I heard the tip tap of nails on concrete and looked up thinking I would have seen a giant black wolf running down the sidewalk towards me and my heart leaped.

Of course no such luck, it was just some jogger with her dog. It wasn’t even a wolf like breed either it was some lab mix.

If I don’t leave tonight, I have nothing to go back to. I reminded myself. Latharn will make sure I don’t have a job, he’s subletting me his apartment so that’ll be gone. My whole life was dependent on him, but that’s how it needed to be. I grew up away from everything, I was never taught how to normally act in human society. I was sent to school with ten other kids my age and we learned the typical skills but it was still such a backwater place.

When he finally came to help me he set me up with everything I needed. He gave me a bank account, he gave me a job, he gave me a place to live. He taught me how to blend in. Latharn, if he’s being told to scrub me I wouldn’t have anything left.

My break was over, I got back to my feet and continued forward. At teh car rental I gave them my name and now it was a waiting game.

How does it work then? Making sure she can hear me? That was Elias, I could hear him faintly like he was far away.

I think it’s like she can’t help it. Andre sounded distracted like he was looking around.

She might hear us right now you know. That was Oliver.

What else would you have me do? Elias growled, She’s in danger out here. I shouldn’t have allowed you to keep me from following her for so long.

At least we’ve got her scent. Oliver laughed and I realised their all had to have been in their wolf forms, otherwise they wouldn’t have been talking so much. Just curious, how are you going to explain this to the city council on Monday? I think they’re going ot take issue with three of the biggest werewolves in the pack walking down Main Street.

I’ll come up with something, training exercise or some shit. Humans will buy anything.

Or you could just snap your teeth at them, Andre laughed. Always worked for your grandfather.

Fuck you.

Love you too.

Hey guys, Oliver called, She’s at the car rental place.

And none of us brought a chance of clothes? Andre sighed, How’s the plan working now, genius?

Fuck you.

“Excuse me.” I called over the counter, can we please hurry? I’m in kind of a rush. Have to leave town soon.”

“Yes, sorry this was made as a last minute reservation, we’re trying our best.” He looked up from his computer and his face went pale.

I rolled my eyes, figuring it could only have been my three babysitters. When I turned around, though it was something else entirely. “What the fuck is that?” I gasped. It was blocking the door fully its features somewhere between human and wolf, and it looked terrifying. Pure white fur covered its body and the blood red eyes stared into my soul. Looking back at the attendant, he was continuing to back up toward a door behind him his hand grabbing desperately for a handle.

“W-w-w-w-werewolf-” he gasped and reached the door. I saw him fumble with the door, opening it quickly and then shutting it. The locking sound was what did it for me, but of course, I was an outsider, maybe he thought he had no obligation to help me.

I turned back to the giant monstrosity and put my hands on my hips, “You sure your alpha is going to let you just run around like that during the day? I think-”

“Silence!” it barked loudly in a deep, throaty growl that vibrated the walls as he used the door as if it were just an everyday task for him.

My mouth though, finally listened to someone telling me to shut up it seemed.

“So you’re the mate of that pathetic alpha?” The tops of his ears were hitting the ceiling and I couldn’t see past him anymore. Was he waiting for me to make some kind of move? Did he want me to run?

What the fuck is that thing! Oliver gasped.

Oh fuck, Elias, are you seeing this? You know who that is right?

Shut up both of you! Elias barked and I heard his wolf growling on the opposite side of the glass door.

It caused the beast to turn his fangs dripping with saliva as his tongue licked the air seething with a rumble that dared him to make a move.

“What the fuck are you.” I whispered but it didn’t turn around, it knew I was trapped.

“Ask your dear mate,” he growled back and one of his massive hands with claws that were at least three inches long was raised into the air, “Your line ends, you pathetic half breed.”

Line? He turned back to me with such speed I was nearly hit. Thankfully, I was able to duck down as he only caught the clip end of my hair.

I rolled to the side, getting out of the way just in time too as Elias jumped through the door, the large black wolf landing in the small lobby. Two other wolves was going to make this nearly impossible to avoid getting hit.

Elias wasn’t going to waste time his ordered continued to cycle in my mind as he lunged forward cutting between the bipedal wolf and his brother. Oliver, take Freya and run to the den. Don’t look back, I’ve already sounded the alarm.

Oliver, the smaller red wolf nodded to me and I crawled on the ground scratching everything that touched the floor imbedding glass deep into my skin.

Andre looked back at us only for a moment but ti was enough to be caught off guard as one swipe he took to the face causing him to snarl rather than be knocked away. Good to know he saw it as a challenge rather than an injury.

Come on, I’ll get you to the den. You’ll be safe there. Oliver tugged on my wrist and I quickly got to my feet.