Misery

Chapter Two

Often it took a good pinch of luck along with skill in being able to steal clothing before she could actually show herself among the normal humans. To say it was more... Difficult... would be painting an inaccurate picture. Considering the Yukon and many of the towns speckling the wilderness tended to be small. Small enough to notice an unfamiliar face. And too often small enough to notice someone who showed up in town and no new cars seemed to be around. Small towns tended to be a pain in the ass also in the fact many tended to land in pack territories and made it more difficult for rogues such as herself to avoid detection.

That was exactly the reason that she had made a point to avoid a number of towns along the way. Until she got to one that seemed to be large enough that though she might stand out - that they wouldn't seem to notice she didn't seem to drive into town. Luckily the wild around her had provided a bountiful opportunity to hunt for food. Though her inner beasts encouraged her to keep moving as well.

But to say that she was more than ready to indulge in some form of human comforts, like human food, a room with a bed... It had been a long while. Even the beasts in her found the idea of a sleep on something not snow, rock or dirt to be rather attractive. The winter had made them weary. The acquisition of money was a challenge. But she'd managed to use her skills in thieving and sneaking about to acquire all she had needed to get a simple hotel room (hopefully). But had first found her way to a diner to indulge in some food.

I love a fresh killed Moose... but Waffles are f*****g divine - Xena purred in her humans mind. And for once both Valkyrie and Xena seemed to be on the same page.

And the bacon is so good. Somehow pig tastes so much better cooked - that time it was Valkyrie piping in as Persephone shoveled the food down greedily. Feeling eyes on her the teen lifted her rust brown eyes to meet the waitress standing behind the diner counter. Seph didn't seem to ponder to long on the amused look the older woman was wearing at how gluttonous she may appear. It wasn't often she treated herself to such things. It was a risk. Between humans and packs, there was a lot that could go wrong.

But thus far she had managed to remain rather lucky in avoiding any big issues when she did do something like this. Her parents had taught her right from wrong. Stealing was naturally wrong. Survival though, had demanded her learn such a skill. If she hadn't she'd not even have these brief times of indulgence. Sometimes a girl just had to be selfish.

She knew this place was on pack territory. But hoping that the town was large enough they'd f**k off and assume if they smelled her wolf that she was just driving through. Staying wasn't exactly in the plans. Pushing further into the interior perhaps. Or maybe Alberta would be good. They had some larger neutral lands for some of their larger cities. Though BC seemed the best option. It was large, vastly wild. Seemed a place easier to hide with her inner beasts.

There was a lot to decide on. But for now the indulgence of food was all she seemed concerned. Upon finishing she'd ordered a milkshake before paying so that upon finishing the final treat she could just leave. Thanking the woman. Seph had been half through her chocolate strawberry shake when the lonely diner opened. Five tall men entering. Tension instantly entered her shoulders upon the scent of wolves hitting her nose.

Fuck. The three occupying the same mind echoed at once.

Pack wolves. There was the one exit. She'd hoped perhaps they would ignore her. After all. She wasn't exactly intimidating to look at. Valkyrie helped hide their alpha aura when she was in human form. It was easier for people to discount her. She was barely five foot in her human form. An almost ironic fact considering the sizes of Valkyrie and Xena.

But that hope was dashed when they all searched the diner, focusing on her once they noticed her. She was looking at them from the corner of her vision. Pretending to be reading the paper on the table.

Maybe if I ignore them hard enough, they'll bugger off... Seph thought as she let out a hum. Pretending to be engrossed in the paper. She scowled at Valkyrie scoffing at the thought, We should run Seph. There are high ranked pack members in the group. It might be the best way to try avoiding trouble. But did she? No of course not. Instead she continued to hum. Pretend like she wasn't watching them through the corners of her vision and not actually focused on the paper.

She winced at the loud screech of metal against the floor. The chair across from her was pulled out, one of the men unceremoniously flopped into the chair, elbows on the table, leaning in... Taking an irritated breath in as she looked up. Doing her best to put on a confused innocent face. Go with the innocent doe eyed routine and hope they'd believe it.

"What are you doing on pack lands, rogue?" His tone was arrogant. Seph could feel the power rolling off him. Valkyrie wanted to push back but Xena proved useful reminding that we needed to avoid confrontation and try keeping hidden. So instead just growled internally as Persephone gave a confused, wide eyed look at the men, "I'm sorry. My name isn't Rogue... I think you've confused me with someone." Valkyrie sighed and shook her head in the girls mind.

You should have just apologized and said you got lost or something and needed some food and rest. Do you really think they're going to believe that you don't know what a rogue is? Xena was clearly not amused.

But Seph on the other hand, was - Oh come on Xena. I just want to have a little fun. She went back to focusing on the men and trying to shut out her beasts bickering as they both started arguing in her mind.

"Don't try to be cute, Rogue. Answer the question." Well f**k you. I don't have to try to be cute. I just am - Seph thought though she didn't let her innocent expression slip. Playing it up as her lips parted and a confused looking furrow of brow, looking from the man that had been speaking to the others.

"Like I said - uh - my name isn't Rogue, it's Seph. And I'm not trying to be anything?" The words had been met by an aggressive rolling of eyes. Oh how she wanted to punch this douche. Giving her nickname rather than her full name. That was safe enough.

Irritation was clear on the leading guy. Amusement on one of the others. The rest seemed to just be bored."Well, Seph. We know you're a rogue wolf. Playing stupid isn't going to work. We can smell it on you."

Done being stupid? Xena asked. Shut up Seph shot back once more blocking out her wolf and tiger. Instead of copping up and going with Xena's suggestion she just acted weirded out, fidgeting nervously and looking at the guy like he'd grown a second and third head. "Um - ha - that's a funny joke... I'm a girl - not a wolf by the way. I know I haven't shaved my legs in a little bit. But that's rude. And weird... Is this - is this a weird pick up line guys use around here?" The guy snarled and Persephone pretended like it startled her. Pretended like she wasn't grinning on the inside and getting a laugh out of his reaction, "Oh! Wow... okay that was weird. You really sounded like a dog..."

One of the others behind him burst out laughing at his packmate. At least someone appreciates our humor. Persephone could feel Valkyries slight amusement. Shaking her head at her human. "Listen here Rogue-"

"I told you - I'm not this 'Rogue' lady you're speaking of. And if you're trying to use some weird pick up line its weird and wont work. Anyways - what are you? Like forty? I'm only seventeen buddy. Please leave me alone." Honestly the bossy guy was probably in his twenties. Perhaps Seph should have resisted poking the bear - or rather wolf. But once more she found she could not resist.

He didn't seem to appreciate it. But with the odd look that a few got in their eyes, she could tell they were mind linking. Ooooh - came Xena's voice to her human - Trying to play you're a clueless she wolf who hasn't shifted or been raised in the world of wolves.

Finally, she catches on - a growl sound in her mind at that. Most wolves shifted the first time between sixteen and twenty. Most common being about eighteen. Seph took a final sip of the milkshake. Hoping that she'd done enough to make them hesitate on taking any action. She might take liberties to have fun, but she didn't want trouble. She didn't like to kill. Didn't take joy in injuring others. She was willing to do it. But it brought no pleasure.

Problem was they see her human form now - there was no way she could risk giving any clue she was the 'lone rogue alpha' everyone had their panties in a twist over. She was careful to try taking a wide escape around the men. Trying to walk quickly, not sprint. But the talkative one grabbed Persephone's arm - "Trying to play dumb I'm sure. Care to explain why you stole Charlottes clothes, and money - then skipped over to steal more from the Weirnams?"

Oh. Well. f**k me then. Seph gave an innocent smile... Valkyrie growled at being grabbed though. "Well... It's been real fun... I'm sorry" she said before she surprised GrabbyMcGrabberson with a swift kick to the balls causing him to double over as she pulled free. Bolting for the door and slipping out. Luckily having caught them by surprise to get herself a head start.

But not by much. A squeak leaving her lips as she slid nearly falling as the stolen runners hit the ice not getting much traction. Recovering and continuing her run. You know we'll have to shift to outrun them... right? Xena was not being helpful. Because while yes, Seph recognized that was most likely how it would need to go down... She also knew she couldn't afford to do that and be caught shifting. Couldn't put a human face to the legendary beast. It would make it all the easier for people to hunt her down.

At least in town they couldn't exactly shift. Humans being around and all. So their ability to scent her out if she got out of sight would give her the slim chance of escape and covering her scent. Small as she might be, Seph proved to be capable of leaping up and getting over fences in her attempt to escape. Even running along a fence edge, balancing. Not daring to look back. Hearing the sound of those chasing her.

It never went well for people who looked back.

So naturally after she leapt down from one fence, vaulted over another, she looked back. She couldn't see anyone. Only when she turned back she found herself going head first into a wall. A living, warm wall, unfortunately. One of the wolves - the one that had laughed at her antics, had gripped her. "Continuing to run will only make it harder for you, it's better to just come quietly little sly fox," amusement was still in his tone. At least this guy didn't seem like he had a stick shoved up his ass.

"Thought y'all said I was a wolf?" she asked innocently - before trying to bolt again. While the other guy had been nearly knocked off his feet, he'd not let go. Despite being surprised by her strength she'd not managed to break free. The guy whose balls she'd crushed came closer snarling as he stalked towards her. Maybe taunting him before kicking him in the nuts hadn't been a beneficial choice. He looked ready to kill.

While she didn't want to show too much of her strength, she was desperate to get out away from the pack members. One hand broke free from the grip of the amused guy and landed a solid punch in the other angry wolves face. Knocking him out cold. Trying to bolt only to feel a pinch along the base of her neck. Brows knitting. "Ah, tits..." was about all that she could muster through a mouth with a tongue that now felt too thick, head to light and heavy at the same time.

Slumping into a state of unconsciousness in the arms of a chuckling werewolf, who thankfully seemed to think better of letting her hit the ground. The last thing she heard was the masculine voice full of amusement saying, "I like this one. She amuses me, and she knocked out my brother."