Grace had let me leave the classroom without any hassle. Her murderous and slightly unhinged demeanor faded as soon as I told her the truth. She even had the audacity to chat with me, asking about my plans once I had left.
What frightened me more than her bold threat against Tori was the way she changed with the flip of a switch. I gave rushed, one worded answer in a hurry to leave the classroom.
I had just enough time to mask the fear and disgust on my face before Tori found me in the halls. She had already grabbed what she needed from her locker, wandering around in search of me. Her face contorted in confusion as she saw the heat fill my cheeks. Understanding flashed in her eyes as they traveled down my neck. Without a doubt, she was thinking of Alec and Kade.
I sat quietly as Tori drove the two of us to the restaurant. We both ran in, grabbing our checks from the manager on duty.
“I’m still waiting for that explanation y’know.”
As much as I wanted to deny the truth, it was sitting right in front of me. I couldn’t help but do a mental check over my own body. I didn’t feel different. Apart from Thalia’s intrusive voice, I felt nearly the same as I always had. It would explain why my face had healed so quickly.You would think I’d be excited, but I wasn’t. Turning into one of these creatures was the last thing I wanted. I wanted—needed normalcy. Sure, some small part of my mind wondered if I could use this against Grace. As much as I wanted to feel guilty over that, I couldn’t.I was yanked from my thoughts by the ringing of a cellphone. The cellphone in my hand was buzzing, a picture of Tori lighting up the screen.“I’ll call you back in ten.” I answered, ending the phone call without another word. My eyes were still locked on the giant wolf—on Garrett.Garrett walked over to a cluster of trees nestled in their back
Thalia had been silent up until we reached the bus terminal. I found myself staring at the brightly lit board, times and dates flashing through my mind. I walked over to theclerk;I pulled a couple bills from my bag. Icouldn’thelp my wandering gaze, my eyes flickering towards the multitude of camera’s in the bus terminal.It was a silly thought, one driven by paranoia and fear. What if they managed to find me? Melissa and Frank were useless and would spare no effort searching for me, it was Garrett I worried about. From the look of his crisp suit and his large house, it was obvious he was wealthy. Would Garrett put forth the effort and money into finding me? Iwasn’tsure.I had to pay extra for the soonest bus to Atlanta, Ga. It would take three hours to get to Atlanta, thankfully there were no stops involved. Anxiety and paranoia clung to me along with the crisp night
While the bus ride had beensomewhat uncomfortable, Justin's presence was a welcomed distraction. Anything to keep my mind from what I was leaving behind soothed my frayed nerves.At this time of night, there were little options on flights. My options were New York,Texasand Missouri. While New York was anintriguingoption, my money would burn much faster there. The flight to Texaswasn'tuntil the early hours of the morning. Waiting until the sun crested the forest line and hung above the cloudswasn'tan option. The wait alone would unravel me, my nerves turning me into a mess of anxiety.Missouri it was.I knew little about the state, but assumed the weather would besimilar toGeorgia. Humidity tempered with the brilliant sun, warm but notnearly asblazing as Texas or California.I had
Resisting the intense urge topurchaseone of everything, I ordered myself a blueberry muffin and something called a bear claw.I sat down at one of the shiny looking booths, the striped pink and white seats gleamedmerrily. Everything in the bakery looked brand new, from the shimmering booths to the large ovens peaking over the counter.Icouldn’thelp but watch the duo running the counter in silence. It was clear they were related,most likely brotherand sister. Each had the same shade of sandy blonde hair, the same full yet pouty lips. The girl was slim with curves in the right places, looking out of place in the bakery. Iwould’veexpected to see the girl on the cover of a magazine, not at some bakery. The two of them rushed from counter to oven, to prepping tray, to cash register. Each a whirlwind of energy and determination, as I continued watching in silence.
Kade'sP.o.vI should have listened to that sinking feeling in my gut when I first locked eyes with Alpha Garrett.I should have realized why Aurora's unique eyes were so familiar.It was because I knew her father, Alpha Garrett exceedingly well. It was known he had a daughter, born from his mate but there had been no rumors of another child.In the werewolf community, illegitimate children hold the same standing. An Alpha's first born is in line for the position, regardless of the woman who carried the child.It didn't take long to figure out. The day Alec and I had gone to Aurora's house, only to find Garrett standing in the doorway, arose some suspicions. The two of us knew for sure when we saw Aurora and Garrett out at the restaurant. His eyes were copied onto her face, his nose and cheekbones identical.<
Alec's P.o.v'It doesn't matter. You won't see her again.'Grace's reptilian voice echoed throughout my head, sending waves of pain running down my chest. From the look on Kade's face, he felt the same. Grace might've been cruel and slightly insane, but she wouldn't lie. She was smart enough to tell the truth. I could see Kade's self-control slipping, his eyes darkening murderously. Kade had always struggled with self-control, rarely thinking things through. I liked to believe that was why we worked together so well. Kade was brutal and animalistic, while I was cunning and calculated. Two sides of the same coin, the same person split into two. Before Grace could open her mouth and speak any further, a deafening crack sounded in the house. Grace slumped to the floor, her head bouncing against the hardwood. For a second, I had thought Kade killed her. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head, her eyelids
Aurora'sP.o.vI wiped the napkin across my damp forehead, grimacing at theridiculousamount of flour I had managed to get on my clothes.The uniform looked much like the inside of the bakery; pink and white. Even Jake had to wear one, sporting a pink and white apron as though it were the next fashion statement. Of all the things Jake complained about, the uniform wasn't one of them.A white shirt with the words 'Beth's Bakery' stitched into it with golden thread, followed by a pair of jeans and a pink and white apron. As I walked small puffs of flour filled the air, originating from my messy uniform.Within the first three hours I was coated in a thin layer of sweat. The hot ovens and constant running about did nothing to help. Despite the sweat, I was having the time of my life.I didn't have to trudge home
Kade'sP.o.vOne Week LaterWith each passing day, my patience seemed to thin. We could find nowitnesseswho spotted Aurora that night. Our first step was heading to the nearest bus terminals, speaking with security to access the camera's. After an agonizing three days, two of four bus terminals had searched through their footage. Two had not gotten back to Alec or I. It was reasonable to assume Aurora had taken a bus to Atlanta airport and then flew from there. When my patience had run too thin, Alec contacted the Atlanta Airport on my behalf. Our territory covered Atlanta, meaning we had the authority to demand this of our people.Alpha Garrett was determined to help us locate Aurora, though his reasons differed from our own. He was still unhappy with his daughter's mates, but I could've cared less. I couldn't risk hurting Aurora or Alpha Garrett would have been rotting in the dunge