CHAPTER 4
1365 Words
Outside Kahvila Lumi, a few of the same men I had served the previous evening were standing there, staring at me with intense intensity. Before vanishing inside, one of them nodded slightly. With my heart pounding, I accelerated my pace. They most likely had Henrik with them.
I made an effort to remain low and go unnoticed, but I wasn't that successful. The sidewalk in front of me was clear for a moment. The next, Henrik was directly in front of me.
Not possible. How did he arrive so quickly?
To avoid him, I swerved to the side.
"Elina," he said.
I continued to walk, ignoring him.
"Elina," he said again, settling into a step next to me.
In an attempt to ignore him, I lowered my hood. It was too much, his scent, his presence.
His hand then shut around my wrist. A warm, weird feeling sprang up my arm.
I pulled on my arm. "Henrik! Let me go!
"No." The tightening of his grip was not painful. "I searched all night for you. and yesterday all day. as well as today. I allowed you to run. However, we will now speak.
"There's nothing to discuss!"
Henrik moved too quickly for me to wrench away. He caught me by the waist and lifted me before I could respond.
My ribs ached, and I let out a cry.
I was immediately put back down by Henrik, whose face changed from one of determination to one of concern.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothin'! Don't touch me, please.
Before I could stop him, he grabbed my hood and pushed it down.
His expression darkened. “Look at me, Elina.”
I forced my eyes to meet his as I swallowed hard. Something I wasn't expecting—pity—softened his blue eyes. The bruises were visible to him.
I let a tear fall down my cheek. For crying in front of him, I felt terrible about myself.
Henrik's fingers touched my face, but I recoiled before he could make contact.
He said, "Elina," in a softer tone. "I didn't intend to cause you any harm."
I gave a headshake. "I understand."
He let out a sigh. Are you going to accompany me to Kahvila Lumi? Only to converse?
I was too exhausted to fight him. My ribs hurt. My head was hammering. I was tired all over. I gave a nod.
As we got closer, one of Henrik's men opened the door. "Alpha," he said, nodding slightly.
Henrik entered the room. At the threshold, I paused.
Henrik observed me and remarked, "You worked here for almost a year." "Are you scared to enter now?"
"I simply... I don't want Matti to think this of me.
Henrik thought about that for a while. "He should remain in the kitchen," I said.
I put my arms around myself and nodded as I entered.
Matti's irate voice was heard shortly after a loud crash of pots and pans came from the rear.
"Damn it, let me see her!"
Matti attempted to push past the kitchen doorway, but Henrik moved to block it. "Slow down," Henrik commanded.
Matti gave him a shove. "I promise that if you harm her—"
"No," Henrik remarked. "However, someone else did."
I inhaled deeply before moving forward. "I'm all right, Matt. I simply I didn't want this to be how you saw me.
When Matti's gaze fell upon me, he froze. When he saw the bruises, I could see it in his face. His hands balled into fists and his jaw tightened.
He whispered, "I'll get you some ice," and vanished into the kitchen.
I was being watched by the other men in the diner. I glared at them, and they turned away from me one by one.
Henrik turned the sign to CLOSED and locked the front door.
I stiffened. "What are you doing?"
He remarked, "We don't want to be interrupted." "When you're ready to go, I'll unlock it."
In one of the booths, I sank. Henrik sat too close to me.
When Matti came back, she gave me an ice pack. "This is it."
"Thank you."
I winced as I pressed it to my side.
With his elbows resting on the table, Henrik leaned forward. "We must discuss your living situation."
"There is nothing to discuss."
Henrik said, "Elina," his voice trailing off. "Want him to murder you? Because you might not make it through if you are beaten up any more before you turn eighteen.
I scowled. "Why?"
Henrik's men looked at each other.
“She has no idea,” Henrik whispered. "She still doesn't believe me."
Matti set a plate of sandwiches and a cup of coffee in front of me. After a brief moment of hesitation, I started eating, chewing slowly despite my jaw ache.
Henrik didn't say anything until I was done.
"Whether you believe it or not, you must hear this."
I let out a sigh. "All right. Speak.
He gave a nod. "I am my pack's Alpha. There is an Alpha and a Luna in every pack. You don't fit into a pack, so you're what we call a rogue.
I arched an eyebrow. "So, I'm a rogue because I don't belong to a group?"
"That's how it operates."
I gave a headshake. "That is foolish."
I was ignored by Henrik. Being a rogue can be risky. You're not as strong. Additionally, you risk being killed if you enter another pack's territory without authorization.
My coffee almost choked me. "Death me? For going in the wrong direction?
Henrik clarified that rogues pose a threat. "That's the reason."
I sneered.
He went on to say, "Your inner wolf will awaken when you turn eighteen." In your mind, you'll hear its voice. You'll recover more quickly. Additionally, it will be your first time shifting.
I gazed at him. Then I burst out laughing.
Henrik didn't.
I thought Matti would roll his eyes as I looked at him. Rather, he appeared... grave.
Matti remarked, "Elina, I know this sounds crazy, but Henrik is being honest."
I gave a headshake. "No, no way."
Henrik let out a breath. "Show her, Matti."
With a nod, Matti began removing his shirt before I could respond.
I leaped out of my chair. "What on earth are you doing?"
Then I heard it. Bones breaking. Muscles shifting. A sound I would never forget.
I turned away, but Henrik grabbed my wrists and forced me to look.
Matti wasn’t human anymore.
He was replaced by a huge brown wolf.
Before I knew what I was doing, the scream tore from my throat.
I snatched up everything I could, including the salt shaker, sugar jar, and napkin holder, and threw it at Matti.
The wolf whimpered but remained far away.
Henrik said, "Elina, take a breath." "It's alright."
I shook so badly that I backed into a corner. "No, no, no, no."
Before vanishing into the kitchen, the wolf let out another whimper.
Henrik was kneeling next to me.
"Elina," he whispered.
I closed my eyes tightly. I never wanted to see a wolf again, I told you. You did that, but why? Why are you forcing me to relive the death of my mother?
My vision was blurred by tears. He didn't flinch when I hammered my fists against his chest.
Then I sobbed as I fell on top of him.
His arms grew tighter around me as Henrik held me.
"I apologize," he muttered. "I was unaware."
I detested him. I was itching to run.
He had warm arms, though. powerful. secure.
I felt safe for the first time in my life.
I was unable to look at Matti when he re-emerged in his human form and changed his clothes.
I shivered in Henrik's arms, but he said nothing.
I couldn't stop thinking about my mother's passing.
They all remained silent.
They didn't move.
The birds were chirping outside, and there was a knock on the glass door.
I hardly paid attention.
I dozed off in Henrik's arms at some point, though I was not sure when.
And I didn't dream about wolves for the first time in a long time.
Or did I?
- Writer
