The Forgotten Wolf

Chapter 5

  Aubrie's Point of View  

            It has been two days since I left Margaret’s house. I don’t even really remember what happened. I knew her great nephew was coming to take over her affairs, but after I saw him, panic swelled up inside of me. Jackson Ferris was so domineering, he reminded me of a couple of the foster parents I would rather forget. I swear he actually growled when I opened the door. After I threw some clothes, one of Mrs. M’s knitted blankets, and the folder with the information on my parents into my back – I bolted right for the door.

            Before I could try to squeeze past his overly large frame, he stopped me. His hands came to rest on my elbows as he blocked me from exiting the house. “You must be Margaret’s ward,” Jackson growled. His voice was deep and gravely, like he was holding back something.  His words came out short and his blue eyes seemed to be growing darker. Jackson was defiantly easy on the eyes. He was tall, at least a head taller than me and I was 5’8. There seemed to be muscles layered on top of muscles. His shirt drawn taught against them drew an illegal amount of attention. Dirty blonde hair topped off the whole package. It looked just long enough to lock your fingers in.

            When Jackson grabbed my arms, this over whelming heat enveloped my body. My core clenched and I all I could think about was him, but most importantly those hands. I envisioned them gently going up and down my arms. I wanted more. “I’m Jackson... Margaret’s nephew. I was told someone from my attorney’s office reached out to you?” I could barely nod my head yes, I was burning up from the inside out and he seemed to be the spark. “What’s your name, Inamorata?”

            “Jane… I mean Aubrie..” I stutter. My voice seems to be failing as I fall into his light green eyes. There seems to be specks of brown and red in them. I have never seen another color like it. The longer I stare  into them, the weaker my legs seem to become.

            “Jane Aubrie?”

              “No… It is just Aubrie…. Aubrie Jones.” I shocked myself by giving my full name. I didn’t know this mam, but something about him turned my legs to rubber. Heat was enveloping me, I could barely breathe. It was a wonder that there was not sweat dripping down my neck. Jackson took a deep breath and I swear his green eyes turned almost blood red. The pain started again in my lower stomach, and it took everything I had not to fall to my knees in front of him.

            “I got to…. I got to go” I manage to gasp out as I try to push Jackson out of the doorway. I needed fresh air; I needed to get out of this house.

            I pushed past him and started to run. I was fast and kept the rhythm of my feet against the pavement regardless of the pain spreading threw out my abdomen. I don’t know how long I ran for, but the sun was now high overhead.  The pain had receded a little, and my tongue felt like it was sandpaper. I took a moment to catch my breath, and look at my surroundings. I was only about a block away from a small convenience store. I went into the store and bought some bottled water and protein bars.  It used up most of the money I had brought with me, but I needed something to throw in my bag to hold me till I got where ever I was going.

            When I left the store, I swear I felt something, someone looking at me. There was a black car parked at the end of the street – inside I thought I could see Jackson’s eyes. Impossible – he had no reason to follow me. A complete stranger, I didn’t contest his right to his Aunt’s home. My mind had to be slipping, I needed to eat some and rest. But first I had to get off the road that would make sure that Jackson wasn’t tailing me for some unknown reason.  I know woods around this area, Mrs. M and I would hike around here gathering herbs and plants that she did not grow in her own garden. There was a little clearing I could get to, to gather my thoughts about what was going to happen next.

            It didn’t take me long to reach the clearing, memories wandered back of Margaret and I having a small picnic lunch under the shade of largest tree. It was always so peaceful here; nature always had a calming effect on me. I sat down under that same large tree and cracked open a bottle of water, drinking half of it in one take. I was thirsty. Finally able to catch my breath, I thought back on the day. I had nowhere now; I guess I knew I wouldn’t be able to live in Margaret’s house forever, but I thought I would have more time to plan out my next step. Reaching into my book bag for a protein bar, I found the photo of my parents and me outside their inn. Haven – that is where I would go next.

            Relaxing under the shade of the old tree, the crisp sent of fall in the air. I was truly at peace. Some point I must have fallen asleep, because when I opened my eyes the sun was setting casting an orange glow to the clearing in the woods and I was no longer alone.