7. Hair

Izzy’s pov

The interview went well. Luke needed someone to help during the morning and lunch rush, but I would be free after lunch was over. This would give me some time to figure out the next part of my plan. He didn’t even need my ID; he was planning to pay me under the table. At first, I didn’t realize what that was, but it meant he was going to pay me in cash and without a contract.

This meant there was no paper trail to lead to me and no need to give an ID, but it was illegal. Normally I would have never done anything illegal, but did I really have a choice here? This was a safe way to earn money, and as soon as I made enough, I could find a legal job somewhere far away.

While it was funny that he was named Luke and had a dinner, because of the similarities to Gilmore Girls, it didn’t mean I could trust Luke. I did trust Orion, even without having any reason to. He was there when I had a nightmare, and he only tried to help me. At no point during that night did I think he would do anything against my will. It didn’t even occur to me until Erin and Orion had an awkward moment before we left. I couldn’t understand what they were signing, but their expressions told me plenty. Erin wasn’t happy that Orion had been inside my room.

It was probably not very professional, but it wasn’t like this was a typical motel. Or maybe it was. I didn't really know what real motels were like because everything I knew about motels or hotels I had learned from TV and movies. But inviting guests to eat with family wasn’t typical either.

After getting the job, I left my jacket in Luke’s office, and I ran back to get it, only to be grabbed by one of the customers trying to warn me. Orion, is not a good guy? I couldn’t imagine that to be true. I had met bad people, goddess; I was mated to a bad guy, and Orion gave me the total opposite feeling when I was around him.

Deep down, I knew I could trust my gut; it had been right when I went on that date with Jordan. It told me something bad was going to happen, and I ignored my gut then. But even before Jordan, I had always been a good judge of character.

After lunch, Orion took me to the hairdresser, but he didn’t stay. Why would he stay, anyway? It wasn’t like it was his job to chaperone me everywhere, and sitting around watching my hair get cut wasn’t that interesting. He said he would be back in an hour to drive me back, but he did seem nervous.

"So, you know Orion? You guys are close?"

"I’m staying at Erin’s motel," I explained. Deep down, I had this feeling that I should be as vague as possible about my answers. Something about this hairdresser made me feel like she would take everything I told her and tell it to everyone else in this town.

"Okay. Well, you’re not from around here, so I’ll forgive you for hanging out with him since you don’t know what happened. But that guy is crazy."

This explained why Orion seemed nervous and hesitated to step foot inside the hair salon. I put a fake smile on my face, "he has been nothing but kind so far."

The hairdresser laughed, "yeah, when I say he’s crazy, I mean, literally, he spent time in a mental hospital after having a mental break down. He’s seriously dangerous."

"That’s not his fault if it’s a mental illness, right?" I replied, not liking the way this conversation was going.

"He almost killed my uncle. He spent time in prison and everything. Girl, I am not just saying this. I know he’s good-looking, but trust me. It’s not worth it. I’m sure he’s good in the sack, but you’ll regret it when you end up dead the next morning."

I was at a loss for words. Orion had said there was some truth to what people were going to say, but did that mean he actually beat someone up? And he spent time in prison. Maybe I wasn’t a good judge of character because, despite her words, I still felt like I could trust Orion. Erin wouldn’t hire him if he was dangerous, right?

Why did this woman assume I was sleeping with Orion anyway? Was it that obvious that I had a crush on the guy?

The hairdresser kept blabbing on and on, and I wasn’t even listening anymore. She told me how her uncle was now stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life and something about not being able to foster kids anymore. I had no clue what she was saying, and it didn’t matter what I replied; she kept going. This woman loved the sound of her own voice.

She sure could talk, but thankfully, she could also cut hair. The hairdresser had done exactly what I wanted; she had cut my hair just below the shoulder and added some layers. It was the haircut that I had wanted for years, and now I finally got it. It wouldn’t make me harder to find, but with werewolves being able to smell my scent, it wouldn’t matter what I looked like anyway.

But for the first time in my life, I was in charge of the way I looked. My mother had decided the way my hair should be and what I should wear, and I was sure that once I was mated to Jordan, he would take over that role. If I was going to live my life with humans, I would do it looking the way I wanted to look.

It seemed superficial, but right now I needed to feel something other than stress, sadness, and anger. I was so worried about being found, trying to come up with a plan, and angry and sad that I had to leave home because of Jordan. I hated that stupid prophecy and what it had turned my life into.

"So, what do you think?" The hairdresser asked, and for the first time since sitting down in her chair, I had a real smile on my face.

"I love it."

After paying the woman, I stepped out to see Orion waiting for me. His eyes went wide, and he whistled, "wow."

"I really like it." I said, blushing.

Orion laughed, "Lisa talks your ear off, but she can cut hair. I’ll give her that."

As soon as Orion started driving us back, I became anxious. Should I ask Orion about what Lisa told me? It wasn’t really any of my business, and it wasn’t like it mattered. Orion just drove me around today. I met the man yesterday, for crying out loud.

"Something happened with my foster dad that made me lose control, and I just lost it," Orion said, like he had just read my mind. "I became even worse in prison, and I was sent to a psychiatric hospital for help. It took a while, but I am now on the right medication. I never hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it, but that doesn’t make it right. And I have never harmed a woman or a child, and I never will. Apparently, even during my psychosis, I am still able to keep my moral integrity," he said the last sentence, as if he were mocking himself.

"Okay." I replied. Violence wasn’t something that was strange to me. Werewolves handle most things with violence. Humans had moved on from capital punishment, but we hadn’t. Punishment in our pack would consist of lashing, banishment, or death. And disagreements would often be solved with fights as well. If Orion said these people deserved it, then they probably did.

I stopped my train of thought. Why did I trust him so completely? He just admitted to having a mental breakdown, and I replied, "Okay!" What the hell was wrong with me?

"You’re handling this really well." Orion said, chuckling.

I joined him, laughing, "I have no idea why I am so calm."

"I just told you I hurt people, and you said okay."

I laughed even louder. "I should be running away, right? I should know better than to sit in a car with someone who admitted this to me. Especially after having the last man in my life try to kill and rape me."

We stopped laughing, and Orion parked the car on the side of the road. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing. It was nothing." Shit. I didn't think! It was just a stupid joke. Why the hell did I just admit this to Orion?

"Please, you can tell me." Orion said, looking at me.

I scoffed, "So I’ll tell you about my past and you tell me about yours?"

Orion sighed, "it’s not that easy...."

"See. So let’s just drop it." I said, turning my head away from Orion. "I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve known you for two days, so why should I tell you anything?"

I regretted my words as soon as they left my mouth. While it was true, I was lashing out because this whole thing was confusing me. Even though I’ve only known Orion for two days, I would want to tell him everything. But I was scared that once I started telling him about Jordan, I would tell him everything, including the fact that I was a werewolf. That could never happen.