Chapter 5
1026 Words
The road leading to the house was quiet and peaceful, but I felt a sense of tension this time. As I stared out at the trees, I half expected a dark figure to jump out from the woods. 'Calm down, Sophie.' I exhaled slowly, trying to relax my nerves, 'They aren't after you.' I walked up the little slope to my house, it was an old cottage.
Lucas had bought this old cottage for me, it was right up a little ridge. We'd refurbished it, replacing the floors and creaky boards. I loved it, it was quiet and secluded and the odd time the full moon came out I could change and wander about. Ava had told me I was a stillborn; I couldn't transform until there was a full moon. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the mistreatment I suffered at the pack years ago.
My eyes clouded over as I recalled my conversation with Evelyn, I'd given very unclear points but she'd eventually agreed not to call the police. I couldn't have been more relieved, however I couldn't help but think about Max, who was he? Where did he come from? Could he be dangerous to me? I had to get to the bottom of everything, I thought, silently making plans to check Max once his condition was stable. He was a werewolf, he'd heal fast.
I'd lived in Blumfield for over a year now, hiding and keeping a low profile, I couldn't take these sudden changes lightly. Who knew, maybe, just maybe, Max's appearance could be the catalyst that could change that. I hoped not. As I walked in when my phone rang. My eyes clouded over when Jason's name on the screen.
"Hello," I spoke softly, feeling a pang of guilt as I recalled how I'd turned down his suggestion to escort me home.
"Hello, Sophie," Jason's voice was warm, our previous exchange forgotten. "Just wanted to check if you'd gotten home safe."
I smiled, Jason's house was just about half a mile from mine and he always insisted on taking me home first. "Yes, yes I have. I just got in now," I glanced at the clock, it was almost 11 pm.
"Just now?" Jason's voice sounded questioning, "How come? Something happened at the hospital?"
"Yes, a few things delayed me," I didn't explain, I hesitated, "Uhm, Jason, I'm sorry about earlier okay? I… I just don't think I'm ready, I…"
"It's fine, Sophie," Jason said, his voice cheerful but unconvincing. I sighed, not fooled by his tone. "We could always have coffee, you know," Jason continued. "Not like dating though, but… you know…" Jason stuttered before trailing off.
A smile tugged at my lips, "That would be nice, I'd like that."
"How about tomorrow, before our shift?" Jason suddenly asked, his voice sounded hopeful.
"I…" I hesitated, trying to choose my words carefully.
"Well, we could reschedule if you're too busy…" Jason added, noticing my hesitation. But I could hear the faint disappointment in his voice.
"No, I just wanted to ask what time," I rephrased, taking a deep breath. 'It's just coffee, surely you aren't leading anyone on by agreeing to take coffee together' I thought, reassuring myself. Jason had shown interest in me for a while now but I just couldn't see him as anything more than a friend. I was a werewolf, on the run and hiding from danger that lurked in the dark and could stroke anytime. Any relationship, if we started one, would be doomed to fail from the start.
"Are you sure?" Jason sounded surprised, "It's settled then, how about by 11 am, we could get a steaming cup at Starbucks."
"Sure," I agreed after some thought, I would check in on Max at the hospital. I could imagine he'd be fine by then.
The night was calm and peaceful, by the time I woke up I could hear the faint sounds of cars passing down the road. I groaned when I saw the time before I got out of bed, I'd just begun frying some eggs when Lucas called, and my brows shot up as I wondered why he'd be calling me so early in the morning.
"Hello, Lucas?"
"Sophie we have a problem," Lucas went straight to the point, his words instantly put me on alert.
"What happened? What's going on?" I asked, a bad premonition arose from the pit of my belly.
"It's…" Lucas hesitated.
"Sophie, you need to leave. There's a situation," a female voice spoke over the line.
"Ava?" My breath caught in my throat, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know as of yet, but I'm not comfortable with you being out there on your own." Ava's voice became firm, "You're coming back, Sophie."
"No, no, no, no," my eyes widened as I kept mumbling to myself, 'This couldn't be happening.'
"Sophie, my decision is final, I…" Ava was speaking when I ended the call abruptly. I switched off the phone immediately, not wanting to see any calls. My eyes pricked slightly with tears, I quickly wiped my tears away.
'How could she be so heartless?' I wondered, 'This was my life she was talking about, I couldn't just abandon it,' I grumbled in my mind, I pulled on a sweater and jeans, my anger seeping a little.
I couldn't let this happen, I thought and I wiped my eyes, carrying my bags. I'd go talk to Max, he must know something about the wolves in town.
With that in mind, I rushed out of the house and soon found myself at the hospital. Claire smiled from behind the counter as I walked in, she was one of the nurses on duty.
"You're early today," She said, glancing at the clock behind her, the time was almost 10 am and I wasn't due till noon.
"I just came to clear up some things," I made up an excuse, smiling. "How's the patient in ward 8? Is he okay?" I asked, referring to Max.
"Ward 8?" Claire frowned, her expression looking puzzled, "He was discharged this morning, I think."
My eyes widened as her words sank in, "What!"
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