Clearly the universe had other plans. I wasn't about to go home any time soon.
I look up to see a man standing in front of the car. He had his arms crossed across his chest just staring at me. His buzz cut and bulky feature making him look more intimidating.
He moves towards the passenger side of the car before I could even lock the doors he swings it open and steps inside.
He just sits there staring at the road ahead. My heart begins to race inside my chest.
"You're hard to find," his gruff voice says.
I stay still but answer him in the most steady voice I can manage. "I didn't know I had any fans."
He snorts, "you killed two members of my pack, I wasn't about to let you go off so easily."
How did he know? As if sensing my question he answers me.
"Good thing you left some of your blood behind. Although it might have been across the line it was close enough to get a scent."
When I was clawed! I think to myself. Kicking myself for being so reckless I can't really say anything as it is entirely my fault.
"We can't talk here, drive," he orders.
Don't go, Mark tells me.
I know. I assure him.
I give him a humorless laugh, "do you honestly think I'm just going to drive off with a stranger, you have another thing coming."
His mouth slowly turns into a wicked grin.
"Well I guess you won't be missing your friend then," he coldly states.
"What?"
He nods towards the front of the car, following his gaze I watch as two men drag something out from the trees. They let the body fall limp on the hood of the car.
I sit frozen as the guy motions for them to lift the body up. One of the men reluctantly reaches down to get a good grip on the person's hair. Pulling it back I was able to see their face clearly.
My breath catches as I stare back. One of his eyes is shut swollen but the other I can see his grey eye widen at my sight and that of the person next to me.
"Now if you want him back you will do as I say, drive," I don't have to look at him to know he's smiling triumphantly. He leans over to close the door.
Don't do it. Mark says. Just let it go. You don't have to do it.
I don't have much choice, do I. I can sense his anger and frustration but I block his feelings off without locking him out.
I take a deep breath, "where to?"
We drive mostly in silence as the car that they loaded grey eyes onto follows from behind. Why couldn't I just follow them? I did not know.
The guy next to me would only speak to tell me where to turn and when to speed up.
We arrive to a run down bar at the side of an intersection. It's filled with motorcycles and people loitering around. Once we pulled up most stopped their conversation to stare. I pull into an empty spot in the front while the car following us drives off to the side, out of sight.
"Welcome to my chateau," he says getting out.
I could hear someone talking to him, "Hey, Finch, I see you got another hottie."
He walks by without saying a word.
After taking a few deep breaths I follow him out. A few men stare at me clearly checking me out as the women that stand idly by either glare or look at me indifferent.
Inside is just as bad. It's crowded the room is full of cigarette smoke, laughter and chatter, and a lot of glass clinking.
I look for the guy just to see him slide into a booth. When a guy sitting at the bar winks at me I quickly make my way to the booth. I slide in sitting opposite of him.
Hot breath cascades the back of my neck as someone shamelessly sniff my hair. Looking back I see a giant man smile down at me. He slides into the booth right behind me. He caresses my hair between his fingers as he clearly goes in for another whiff.
Pulling my hair away from him I scooch away putting enough distance between him and my hair.
He rests against the wall as it gives him a better view of me and a better reach. He rests his arm in between our seats.
The table is full of empty beer bottles and a few empty food trays. There's a spill so I avoid touching the table but I do reach for napkins as one of the spills looks like it's about to leak onto my lap.
Even though I'm keeping my full attention to the guy sitting across from me I keep some of my attention to the guy behind me.
"What's your name?" The guy asks getting my attention.
"What's yours?" I shot back.
A small laugh escapes him as he answers, "Otto Finch."
"Vanessa," is all I say.
He stares down at my breast although they're not noticeable it makes me uncomfortable enough to zip my jacket up. He smiles clearly amused.
"We should eat," he says as he catches the attention of a waitress.
"I'm not hungry," I tell him, tensing when the guy from behind moves his hand. He sniffs his fingers as if to see if they smell of my hair. A shudder passes through me.
After he's done ordering he looks at me.
His light green eyes stare questionably at me. As if he's trying to decipher something.
"What I don't get is why is it that I can barely smell a wolf on you and yet you emanate this powerful aura," he squints his eyes as if it'll help him see better.
"Don't you know, I'm not like most girls," I deadpan.
He laughs and so does the guy behind me.
"You know I was just going to use you as a messenger but I brought you here for a reason. To offer you something you can't refuse," he smiles proudly.
I just stare without saying anything.
"I would like for you to be my mate, this pack's Luna," he finally says.
What is even a Luna, all I know is that it's the Spanish word for moon.
After a moment I finally speak, "what if I refuse?"
"You're unaligned, it'd be a shame if a rogue were to kill you," he seemed to want to say more but doesn't. Instead settles for a grin.
He didn't need to finish anyway as the threat was loud and clear.
I don't say anything.
After a few minutes our food arrives, apparently he took the liberty to order for me.
The waitress clears some of the mess away but quickly leaves.
He takes a few bites clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"Eat," he orders but I don't oblige. I really wasn't hungry. How could I be when all I can think about is getting out of here and finding grey eyes.
The pulsing on my head doesn't go away. It seems to be getting stronger.
I scan the room only to regret it as most of the men stare at me some with hunger clearly in their eyes.
A movement catches my attention as a hand reaches towards me. I instinctively reach out and grip his wrist in a tight hold. The man behind me stiffens at the sudden movement. He was clearly reaching for my hair again. I shove his hand away with enough force to show I wasn't having it. A low growl escapes me to solidify my warning.
This only seemed to amuse him further as a smile slowly spreads on his face.
Looking back I see Otto almost standing from his seat. He was trying to take something out of his pockets.
"A peace offering to show you we aren't all bad," he says as a gold chain with an amulet hangs from his fingers.
It slowly spins around, it was a Virgen Mary pendant. There was something engraved in the back.
I just stare at it without making a move to accept it. Questions flood my mind. If I take would it mean I accept his offer of being his mate? If I don't take it would he get offended and attack me? Attack grey eyes?
As if sensing my dilemma he chuckles. Reaching over he drops it by my untouched food.
"Take it, no strings attached."
I hesitantly grab it. Flipping it over I see that it has a named carved in. "Esmeralda" it read. It was written diagonally and elegantly across the back.
I shove it in my jacket's pocket.
"Are we done here?"
"Eat," he repeats.
I look down at the food, picking a fry up, could be poisoned for all I know, I take a bite.
I look up at him questionably.
He sighs but nods. As I was about to get up he grabs my arm. I freeze.
"On more thing, I want you to tell Little Ander that he should have stayed away. That the little agreement we had is long gone," his posture was as rigid as his voice. His green eyes were now void of emotion. He had a look of emptiness.
Unlike Mark's deep green eyes that glint with kindness and mischief, Otto's now looked as if there was nothing.
His mood swings were giving me whiplash.
My head begins to pulse faster.
Sliding off I get up with one thing in mind and that was getting the hell away from here as soon as possible.
But something stops me. I slowly turn back to him. He now has his signature grin as if he knows what I'm about to say.
"What about your prisoner?"
"You can take him, I think he got the message loud and clear. I did tell you, I'm not the bad guy," his grin widens.
I needed to get out. The smell of cigarette was starting to make me nauseous.
On my way out I was greeted with catcalls and whistles.
Rushing out the door I take a deep breath but I soon find myself coughing as more cigarette smoke suffocates me.
I hear footsteps getting closer as I try to regain control of my withering body, I look to see a man with a blank expression walk towards me. I straighten as I stare right back at him.
Once he's close enough he signals someone from behind me. I freeze holding my breath ready for anything that might come.
A thump followed by a grunt comes from behind me. I slowly turn to see grey eyes' limped body.
Rushing towards him I help him up. Walking him towards the car I struggle but manage to seat him in the passenger side. I buckle him in before closing his door as I now rush to the driver's side. As I pass by the man that walked up to me he openly looks at me. Assessing me from top to bottom.
He smirks and winks at me as I get into the car. The one that dumped grey eyes blows me a kiss which causes them to laugh.
I'm tempted to flip them off but who's to say they wouldn't take offense, as they should, and come after me. I couldn't risk it.
I pull out speeding the hell away from that place.
Checking the rear view mirror I can no longer see the place. I sigh in relief as I continue to speed away.
Grey eyes groans in pain but doesn't seem to be conscious.
I keep checking the rear view mirror to see if anyone was following us. Call it paranoia but I was not risking any surprises.
I pull over as I need a moment to get my bearings. Taking deep breaths I calm myself down as best I could.
My eyes begin to burn.
You did great. Mark tells me.
I don't say anything because I'm on the verge of a meltdown and I can't afford to break down. Not now. Not ever.
I look at grey eyes but he's still unconscious. His breathing was slowing as if resting. He needed help but I couldn't think of where to take him.
Driving to the only place I could think off I pull into the empty parking lot. Parking, I stay there looking out the window. My hands were shaking but I couldn't waste anymore time.
Looking over at him I go in and pat his pockets. His jacket ones were empty. Patting his jeans he stirs.
He stiffens when he catches me rummaging through his front pocket. "What are you doing?"
I don't say anything as I pull his phone out.
He groans clutching his head before he puts his head back on the headrest.
Taking that as permission I turn his phone on. It turns on as I press the power button. Wether he had it off voluntarily or they turned it off to avoid detection I did not know.
He had a lot of missed calls and texts from multiple people. The one that caught my attention was Ander. That's the name Otto said.
Without thinking I find myself calling him.
"Robb? Where are you?" His worried stricken voice soothes me.
I hadn't realized just how wound up I was until his voice sent this calming sense over me.
"It's me," I tell him. In hopes to keep him talking.
"Nyssa? Where are you?"
I'm sure he had a lot more questions than that but first things first.
"We're at the school. He's in bad shape. Needs a doctor."
"Don't move I'm on my way."
Those words make me relax even more which confuse me. I shouldn't be feeling these things when I wasn't on planning to be with him. Yet here I was reeling in his voice.
Soon the line goes dead and all those feelings fade.
I was again agitated. My hand was nervously tapping away on the steering wheel. My head was pulsing just as fast.
Grey eyes groans in pain.
I continue to stare out the windshield.
Just another day.
"Where are we?" He asks.
I turn to him to see his confused look. Before I can answer he shakes his head and reaches for the door. Opening it he steps out. Staggers only managing to shut the door and get to the hood. He leans against it.
I follow him but not before reaching behind then passenger seat for the first aid kit. I had stashed it there after the first encounter.
He looked pale and drained. I start to take things out. Some cotton balls and alcohol. I gently dab it in his wounds. His lip was busted open, there was a gash on his eyebrow, another one on his cheekbone. I focused on those as he flinched but didn't move away from me. His knuckles were a mess. I cleaned them and wrapped them with gauze.
Just as I was finishing a car pulls up.
"Whoa, you look like shit," a voice says. I turn to see the brooding guy walking up. He stops to look between me and grey eyes before he gets closer.
I step away so he can help him into their car. I notice that it was the Jeep I've seen in the parking lot.
I hear grunts and groans before a door slams shut.
I can sense him there standing just at arms reach but I don't turn. I busy myself gathering up the bloodied things and packing my kit up.
"Are you coming?" The same voice asks.
"Go ahead I'll catch up," he responds.
I stiffen. He's staying. He's staying behind with me.
Without another word the other guy gets on and drives off.
"Are you okay?" He finally asks me.
I don't answer.
"Hey," he says softly. He reaches for my arm. He gently pulls me to get me to look at him.
Even with the clothes in between us I can feel the sparks. I can feel the comfort that his touch seems to give me.
I slowly turn to him but I keep my eyes on the ground.
Before I know what's happening he has me in his embrace. He hugs me tightly. He holds me so close to him that I can hear his heart beating.
His scent engulfs me and I find myself sobbing. I hadn't realized I was crying until a sob struggles to escape me.
I was afraid and all the fear from before came rushing back. I was alone. I've never felt so alone in my life before. I was crying as all those thoughts and memories of having to pick myself right up and brush off any need to cry or grieve just so I could carry on without a backward glance. I was crying because I could no longer hold back.
I was breaking.
He just held me without saying anything. Without telling me that it was all okay. That I would be fine. That nothing bad would ever happen to me.
I loved that. I loved the fact that he didn't give me empty promises.
I cried like I've never cried before. Not even with Mark.
He gently soothed my hair as he held me. Just letting me grieve.
I soon step away from him. I can't even manage to look at him. His fingers gently touch my chin as he slowly raises my head. I reluctantly look up at him. He smiles a sad smile but his shaded eyes bring another sob from me. Here he was with sunglasses for me. Because I wasn't ready.
He takes his hand away from my chin as he gently starts to caresses my cheek. Wiping away the last of my tears. "I got you," he softly says.
"Come on, let's get you home," he reaches for my hand and I let him. He pulls me towards the car. Standing by the passenger side he gently pries the bag from my hand that I hadn't realize I was clutching so forcefully.
He helps me inside as he buckles me in just like I had with grey eyes, but with more care and love than I could ever muster.
He leans in to kiss my head before closing the door. He dumps the kit on the back and settles on the driver side.
He reaches out for my hand and I let him take it.
He absentmindedly caresses my thumb with his. Soothing me even more.
Are you accepting him now? Mark asks.
I forcefully take my hand away from his, a hurt expression crosses his face, but he soon covers it with a pensive one.
He keeps his attention to the road ahead.
Guilt washes over me. I felt the need to reach out for him.
"Will he be okay?" I ask distracting myself.
"Who? Robb? He'll be fine. Theo took him to the pack doctor. Should heal quick enough."
Robb, I prefer grey eyes.
I shove my hand in my pocket as the feeling to reach out once again overtakes me.
Something cold touches my hand. Pulling it out I remember the peace offering Otto had given me.
"Is that Diana's necklace?" Ander asks.
"What?"
He pulls to the side of the road. He tenses for a second. I look up to see what caused that reaction only to find Mark standing a few feet away waiting for me. He was pacing but soon stopped to stare.
"Yeah, she lost it and has been going crazy trying to find it," Ander finally answers.
He reaches for it and I let him take it. I wasn't planning on keeping it anyway.
Ander steps out of the car and walks towards my side. Opening my door he offers me his hand and I take it. He helps me out as he fixes his glasses. He seems to not like wearing them.
"Who is he and what does he want?" I ask.
"I thought he was your friend," Ander says staring at Mark.
I would have laughed if it weren't for the fact I was threatened.
"No, Otto," I clarify.
"Otto?" That snaps back his attention. "What do you know about Otto?"
I looked at him confused. "He's the one that did that to grey-I mean Robb. He's the one that took me to his pack place."
The look on Ander's face made me realize he didn't know anything.
"Didn't Robb tell you?" I say pointing to my head. Like Mark they too can sense each other and speak without speaking.
"No, he was unconscious most of the time and all that I gathered was that he was ambushed and someone helped him."
I tell him everything about the necklace being a gift, the message, and even the threat he gave me.
When I was done he looked like he was a long to explode. I instinctively reach out for him. I hug him as I bury my face on his neck. I gently bury my hand in his hair. I hold him just as tightly as he held me.
It takes a moment but he finally relaxes. We hold each other for a few more minutes before I pull away.
"Don't do anything reckless," I softly plead.
He smiles at me, "close your eyes."
I close them. He puts his shades on me as he steps back.
When I open them I see him shift and run behind the trees where I lose sight of him.