Winterlust (COMPLETE)

In Hiding

Janie

Janie pulls in to the gas station next to the gym and pumps in twenty dollars’ worth of gas for good measure. She drives to the next lot over and gets out of the vehicle. She takes a deep breath in and pulls the door open to the gym.

Behind the glass to her left is about thirty women stretching to some really loud music. To the right is the entrance to the change rooms and straight ahead is a small yellow reception desk. On the counter are some flyers, and a weekly class schedule. She plucks the schedule from the plastic stand and walks over to one of the chairs near the glass. Her mark’s scent is mixed with the scent of another wolf. Interesting. Nobody seems to have noticed her, so Janie decides that the second wolf isn’t here.

At the front of the class, the girl emerges. “Okay ladies, let’s get this party started!”, she yells and cranks up the volume on the music. Janie looks back down at the schedule. Leading this class is Violet, according to the schedule. “Hello! May I help you?”, a young girl in athletic wear asks, emerging from the change room area. Janie quickly glances back down at the schedule and sees that Violet is leading another class after this.

“Thank you, yes”, she smiles. “I’m here for the ladies’ beginner self defence class?” The girl looks Janie’s muscular body up and down skeptically before returning her gaze to Janie’s face. “Are you sure you’re a beginner?”, the young lady asks. “Well, I’m new in town and I’d like to see what this class is like before I commit”, she lies. “And I’ve never taken a self defence class before”. That part is true, warrior training focusses on the offensive, not so much on defensive moves.

Janie fills out the paperwork and uses the address of the motor home dealership as her home address. Class won’t start for another forty minutes, so she takes the opportunity to buy a t-shirt and leggings from the gym to wear to class, and a water bottle with the logo, “Evie’s Fitness”.

“Who‘s Evie?”, Janie asks the girl. “Oh she’s the owner, Evelyn Morrison. She escaped an abusive husband and has since dedicated her life to helping other women learn the art of self defence. That’s her daughter teaching class right now!” Well this is interesting.

Janie excuses herself to the change room and messages Peter: Her name is Violet Morrison

Peter: Great work, detective! Lol

Janie: Let’s see what Travis can dig up on her. Apparently her mom escaped an abusive relationship. Name is Evelyn Morrison, she owns a gym in Lakeview. I’m here now, about to take a self defence class

Peter: Good plan. What’s the name of the gym?

Janie: Evie’s. No sign of the mother. No wolves besides Violet, either.

Peter: Have fun, you might need that class if this goes south!

Janie: jerk.

Janie locks her phone and tosses it into her purse just in time to see a few women entering the change room. The show must go on.

Janie takes a place in the class at the front and centre. She begins some gentle stretching to blend in with the smattering of other women filing in. “Hi! You’re new here!”, a voice says from behind her. Violet walks past Janie to her place at the front of the room. “Hi! Yes, I’m Janie”, Janie extends her hand and shakes with Violet. “Wow, you’re pretty strong already!”, Violet laughs. Janie feels her cheeks grow hot. “Yes, maybe a little”, she giggles. “You’re pretty young to be teaching a class!”, Violet flickers a glance down at the scar on her arm. Janie’s wolf senses picked it up, though. “Oh, I’m sorry”, Janie takes a step forward. “It’s okay. I’ve been doing this a long time! Besides, I’ll be eighteen this month”, Violet grins shyly.

Violet snaps her head up and looks around the room. “Do you smell oranges?”, she asks. Janie takes a step back. Sh*t. “Oh sorry, I just got new body wash and I guess it’s pretty overpowering.” “Not at all,” Violet beams at her, “I think it smells lovely!” Whew.

Travis

Violet. That might be the most beautiful name in the entire world. Travis picks up his fork mindlessly and puts another bite of lasagna in his mouth. Marie keeps an eye on her son, worry is lining her face. “Babyyyyy! Where did you go last night?”, Vanessa asks, appearing out of nowhere. F*ck.

Marie turns her attention to Vanessa, “Vanessa, wouldn’t it be nice if you joined the ladies in the library tonight for games night?”, she asks her sweetly. Yes mom, yesssss! Vanessa’s smile falters only for a moment and then she plasters a big grin on her face. “Well that would be absolutely divine, Mrs. James! Will that be alright with you, baby?”, she looks at Travis with pleading eyes. “Absolutely!”, he grins. “The guys are having a night out on the town tonight”, Owen pipes in, clapping Travis on the back. “I absolutely love you two”, Travis links Marie and Owen. Travis gets up from the table and nods to everyone. “I have some business to attend to before we get rolling”. “My office, one hour”, he links Owen.

So she’s in hiding. Who is her father? Is her mother a werewolf too? What’s the connection with the she-wolf at the motel? What’s the name of that motel again? Travis shuffles through his receipts until he finds the one for the motel. He picks up the phone and dials the Private Investigator he uses for business. “Hello?” “Hey Rick, I’ve got someone I need a bit of background on. Got a pen?”

Owen knocks and enters the office just as Travis hangs up. “Any news?”, Owen asks. “I haven’t heard from Janie in a few hours.” “That’s because she’s with my mate.”, Travis grins. “What!? Wow, she’s fast! That’s awesome! Do tell”, he smiles as he pulls up a chair.

When Travis finishes filling him in, Owen rocks back in his chair and lets out a long whistle. “Wow. Just wow. So that’s why she’s oblivious. Since she’s in hiding, she’s probably taking wolfsbane to hide her wolf.” “Exactly”, Travis nods. “Whoever she’s hiding from, we can protect her”, Owen points out. “Well yes, but first we have to convince her. Let’s be real here… how long has she been in hiding? Maybe she doesn’t even know she has a wolf.” Travis sighs, running his hand through his black hair. “Oof. I never thought of that”, Owen slumps in his chair. “Well, I’ve got Rick on it, there’s nothing more we can do right now. Janie is with her and she’s killing it. Let’s get me away from Vanessa and distracted”. With that, the two men make their way down to the truck.