Mr. Valentine's Heart

Justine

~Cherise~

I watch him walk away with his head down. I swear he was telling me things without saying the actual words. I just wish I knew what he was trying to say. I turn and look at the list of destinations. I don’t know how I'm supposed to figure out where to go, but I know I need to leave as soon as possible. The urgency in Lawrence's voice can't be missed, so I know I need to leave.

I read through the list, feeling very unsure. I haven't been off the compound in years, never really allowed to go anywhere. It was always the excuse that I was healing and that I needed to be close to the clinic if something happened. I never understood that explanation, but that's what I was always told.

I sigh and close my eyes. I'm not sure what I'm hoping for, but he said to trust my gut. I can only hope that my gut has some knowledge and can guide me in this situation. I try to clear my thoughts and see the board in my mind's eye.

My mind goes over the list I was studying, and my heart beats wildly at a particular name on the list. I open my eyes and rush to the counter to get a ticket. I'm not sure if this will be my last stop, but I feel like this is the right direction to go in. “How may I help you?”

“I would like a ticket to Terrance.” The man at the counter looks at me over the rim of his glasses.

“I just want you to know that it will be a long trip. It's almost across the country.” I nod eagerly.

“I understand. When does the next bus leave?” He types a few things into his computer.

“The bus will take off in 30 minutes. You came just in time.” I smile brightly and pull out the items I will need to get my ticket. I feel good about this and can’t wait to see how it turns out.

~Caleb~

I pull into the diner's parking lot, dreading this meeting. If I weren't in such a dire situation, I would definitely pass on meeting with Justine. When my life turned to sh.it, she was there, and she was a good distraction. I couldn't continue the farce, though. It didn't sit right with me, and I had to get out. She's never fully let the situation go, so I know I’m walking into a mess.

I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. I get out of my car and walk into the diner. This diner is located in the neighboring human city of Terrance. My pack is situated somewhat in between Terrance and Misty Falls. My company is in Misty Falls, and the two cities are about two hours apart.

I open the diner door and look around the building. I spot her in a back booth. I walk over and slide in across from her. Justine takes a sip out of the cup in front of her, scrutinizing me with her silver eyes.

Justine is a hybrid, and I don't know a lot about her. She's a witch and a werewolf who dabbles in this and that. Justine is beautiful, that I could never deny. She has long, raven black hair that stops right at the bottom of her torso. She's a tall 5’11 to my height of 6’3. She is nicely built, though I feel it's a bit on the plastic side. Nothing about her really looks natural, but I'm not trying to assume anything. She keeps a manicure on her nails and wears it fairly long. She's always in designer clothes, and they are outfits that show off what I assume she feels are her best assets. “Caleb. Sexy as ever.” Justine reaches over and places her hand on mine. I want to pull it away, but I need to plead my case first.

“Justine. You look good as always. How have you been?” Justine removes her hand and sits back, eyeing me.

“I’m more interested in you. We don't talk much and you definitely don't ask me for favors. What's up?” I sit up straight and clear my throat.

“I was wondering if you could help me with something, actually.” Justine knows some things about me, but not everything. I don’t go around advertising that I'm Mr. Valentine's Day, the equivalent to Cupid and all the rest of it. It's very few packs who know about our association and our powers. It's one of those pretty well-kept secrets within werewolf society.

I definitely didn’t tell Justine anything about it; she’s never even been to the pack. Gold Heart Pack is just known as a prosperous pack that dabbles in somewhat questionable business. I don't ever let anything else come out about it. It's for protection, and the protection is for the entire pack. I have to be careful what I say to her so she doesn't figure anything out.

“Hmmm. I would need to know what that something is, wouldn't I?” I move to speak, but she holds her hand up to stop me. “Before you tell me anything, let me be clear about the cost. If I help you with whatever this is, I will want something in return, of course.” I sigh and roll my neck.

“What do you want, Justine?” I don't like the smirk on her face, and I don't like the way her eyes roam over me.

“It's actually pretty simple. I don't want anything major. I just want a night with you.” I suck in my breath at her words, but I'm in no way surprised. I figured it would be something like this that she would request.

NO! My body jumps at the sound of Eros in my mind. Eros is my wolf, and I know, laugh at the name if you must. I often wondered about that myself, but who am I to question his name? Eros spends a lot of time in my mind, quiet or asleep. It hasn't always been this way, but that's a story for another time. I close my eyes to communicate back.

I need help, buddy. Pulling out of it after I used the magic is getting tougher.

No. We will not be with her. And that is it. If you could have heard him, you'd agree it was a mic drop moment. I open my eyes with a sigh. I can't go against Eros's wishes, no matter how much help I may need. He's a stubborn bastard, and I don't want to incur his wrath. I'm not afraid of my wolf; I just don't have the energy for one of his snits.

My phone rings before I can respond to Justine as if the Moon Goddess herself were at this meeting with me. It's someone from Guilty Pleasures, my company. “I have to take this.” She nods while I move and stand from the booth. I walk toward the restrooms while connecting the call.

“Sorry to bother you, boss, but we have a bit of an issue here that needs to be handled yesterday.” I sigh and run a hand down my face.

“No one else can take care of it.”

“I mean, they could, but I don't think that would be a good idea.”

“Alright, Roman. I'm on my way.” Roman, my assistant, knows not to bother me unless it is absolutely necessary, so it must be a real crisis. I return to the booth, meeting Justine's eyes when they land on me. “I have to go. There's a crisis at work.” She nods.

“Let me know what you decide.” I nod and turn, walking toward the door. “I hate when you leave, but I love to see you walk away.” I shake my head and throw a peace sign up at her antics. I hear her chuckling as I let the diner door close behind me.