CHAPTER 3
1170 Words
Behind me, Henrik's footsteps hammered the gravel. He stayed right on my heels even though I pushed myself harder and ran faster. My legs burned, my ribs hurt, and my breath came in sharp gasps.
There was nothing I could do. I came to a sudden stop and turned to look at him.
"Why are you following me?" I was so tired that my voice was rough.
Henrik appeared hardly exhausted. "You’re my mate, whether you like it or not." He spoke in a steady, almost serene tone.
"And I need to know who did that to your face." I balled my fists up.
"You didn’t care about me when you punched the wall above my head!" His face flashed with regret.
"I apologize, Elina. I would have handled things differently if I had known that you were not even aware that you were not human.
" My stomach turned over. "What on earth does that mean? "Not human?" Henrik’s jaw tensed. "How old are you?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" "Just answer me." "I turn eighteen in two weeks." His eyes darkened.
"That explains it. You won’t meet your wolf until then." He exhaled sharply. "I’ve had mine for four years. But I can show you— if you let me.
" I took a step back. "I don’t want a wolf for my birthday, and I definitely don’t want to meet your pet wolf or any wolf!"
Henrik frowned. "You’ve met a werewolf before?" I groaned. "A werewolf? What's wrong with you? He seemed to be trying to read me as his expression changed.
"When I was little, my mom and I saw a wolf in the woods," I said. "A negative event occurred. Since then, I've been afraid of wolves.
Henrik stepped forward warily.
"What happened?" I yelled, "Not your business,"
"It is if it involves my mate." "Stop calling me that!" My voice faltered.
"You already said you don’t want a rogue as a mate, so why keep saying it?"
He took a while to respond.
Rather, he approached me with another slow step.
"You're gorgeous," he whispered. "And unyielding.
I just want to take you home and protect you." The softness of his voice confused me, so I swallowed hard.
He went on to say, "I want you to join my pack,"
"You would no longer be considered a rogue.
We could be together.
Before he could get close to me, I tore my hand away.
"No." Henrik furrowed his brows. "No?"
"We just met, and now you want me to join your little cult, your pack.
You were rude to me earlier, and now you're being kind now?
Do you think I'll simply trust you?
He ran a hand through his dark hair, clearly frustrated.
"That’s not what I meant. Just come back to the diner.
I’ll explain everything." I stared at him.
"We’re werewolves?" Henrik nodded.
"So I’m cursed? Stuck with you as a mate, and I turn into a monster in two weeks?
" His entire body stiffened. "You’re not cursed, Elina.
It’s a gift." I let out a hollow laugh.
"This is too much. I don’t even like you.
" I turned and sprinted into the trees, ignoring his shouts behind me.
I ran until my lungs felt like they would collapse.
Then, I pressed myself against a thick tree trunk, forcing my breaths to steady.
"You can’t hide from me," Henrik called. "I can smell you."
Panic surged through me.
In an attempt to cover up my odor, I knelt down and smeared handfuls of dirt on my face, arms, and clothing.
Quiet.
I waited. and bided their time.
At last, his footsteps backed off. With a slow exhale, I slipped out of the woods and headed home.
When I arrived, the house was dark. I hoped Dad was sleeping.
I flinched at every little creak as I carefully opened the front door.
I took off my shoes and scampered over to the stairs. Nearly there. The light flicked on as I reached for the handle of my bedroom door.
With his arms folded and his face contorted in rage, Dad sat on the edge of my bed.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I can clarify" He got up. "Not only did you come home late, but you tracked mud through my house!"
I was side-knocked by the first blow. I fell to the ground after the second.
Then nothing.
I was unable to move when I woke up. Every single part of my body hurt. Trying not to breathe too hard, I remained curled up on my bed and stared at the ceiling.
Not much of last night is in my memory. I couldn't remember the specifics, but I knew Dad had hit me.
I pushed myself into a hot bath by evening. The bruises didn't feel as bad as they looked.
I could still walk, at least. I required a strategy. I was unable to return to the diner.
There would be Henrik. I needed to get a job. Even though I was still sore in the morning, I persevered. After applying makeup to the worst of my bruises, I picked up my bag and departed.
It took 45 minutes to walk to town.
It caught my attention again halfway there.
A Mercedes in black.
For weeks, it had been pursuing me, never getting close.
Not right now.
I came to a stop and crossed my arms as I turned to face the car.
The car came to a stop by rolling.
The rear window came down.
A dark-eyed man with a vicious scar on his ear grinned at me.
"Why are you following me?" I insisted. "Following you?" He asked.
"Now, that’s an accusation." "Who are you?" He said, "My name is Joonas," with ease.
"And you, Elina, seem to be in need of a friend.
" I got a chill when I heard him call my name.
"How do you know my name?" Joonas grinned.
"I make it my business to know things."
"Yes? Make it your mission to ignore me, then.
"Feisty," he thought.
"I enjoy that. What happened to your job at the diner, please? I balled my fists up.
"How do you know I worked there?" "I drive past often."
"Liar."
He laughed. "You’re quick." He produced a shiny business card from inside his coat and held it out to me.
I paused, then grabbed it.
Aarnio Joonas. CEO. Aarnio Enterprises.
A phone number was printed beneath it.
"If you need a job," he said, "call me.
" I stared at him.
"Why would I work for you?"
"You seem like a survivor, Elina.
I respect that.
There was a disturbing undertone to his smile.
"Retain the card. Just in case.
The window was rolled up by him.
I stood there with my heart pounding as the car drove away.
How on earth did he know who I was? And why, long before today, did I feel like he was observing me?
- Writer
