Running From A Wolf

Chapter 4

I let out a satisfied sigh as the hot water soothed my bruised muscles. Sinking lower into the bathtub, I groaned, letting myself ease for the first time all evening.

Jasmine fumes permeated the large bath. Sensual music played on the tiny speaker on the slab. The dimly lit electric candles calmed me further, just like the therapists had promised they would. I had considered lathering on the massage gels, but it was too much work. I needed to heal immediately, and that process would start with a long soak.

Kristine had returned to her apartment. As soon as we took our first step inside, she dumped me in the Jacuzzi, placed half the food boxes on my table, ensured that I wasn't too traumatized, and then left. She even locked the door on her way out, which is a huge compromise on her part. Kristine hated people who didn't greet their guests goodbye at the door.

I, meanwhile, was floating in jasmine essence. The bath soaps were mixed with special healing herbs, which, in hot water, had the power to make you undergo a full body massage.

Yes, we shifters have doctors who prepare such condiments. And we are rightfully proud of them. That's even a field that students opt for to become an apothecary.

The spongy bubbles slid across my shoulders and spine. I leaned back as the soft squishy circles rolled against my skin, easing the stress away. I almost groaned when I had to lather shampoo and soap on myself(I almost died tonight, give me a break), but I managed to rub out every bit of the night's dirt from my skin and hair.

Most people found heaven in their habits, their homes, or in their loved ones. My heaven was always found in the bathtub. Oh, and even the food.

I soaked for over an hour, refusing to budge until the steaming hot water had turned lukewarm. Once I felt relaxed, I dried myself and put on my pyjamas. I glanced wearily at the moisturizers and creams and whatnot, and I sighed, grudgingly walking to my dresser to apply them. Kristine always went the extra step to ensure I do my skincare, and the least I could do was indulge the girl who cared for me like I was her real sister.

My rosy complexion was a bit paler lately due to the excessive night studies and assignments. My brown eyes were starting to turn green, which was a sign of me becoming an adult. All feline shifters gained green eyes when they matured, but it gradually returned back to the original colours, revealing the green only in their beast forms.

My dark brown wavy hair was long enough to fall just above my hips. I had a few streaks of honey brown spreading though them, a change that happens to very few cat shifters when we are close to adulthood, just like the greening of my eyes. The rest of me was as bland as a Mary Sue.

The only difference between me and a fellow shifter would be the status of my beast form. Because I was clearly destined to be the weakest. Ugh.

I stretched my sore limbs. Running on tree branches wasn't as easy as it looked. I did a few basic training routines since a week, but I wasn't diligent enough. Hence, while I was pretty flexible, my muscles still felt the painful aftermath. And a kitten wasn't much of anything, let alone a stealth avatar.

My body wasn't exactly in the best condition since I eat too much. But I had hot curves when I was a human. I would eventually have to workout to rid myself of my belly, but then, I wasn't anywhere close to being fat, so I didn't really care. I would have to go through hell, anyway, once the university enrollment began. They would train us to the bone to wheedle out the weak.

I selected a one piece pink cat-hood pyjamas, a pair of fluffy pink slippers and a pink towel(don't judge, it was a running joke between us, where Kristen would buy me every cat-themed product she could find in the shade of pink while I reciprocated with puppy merchandise in beige). Then I sat on the wide couch, grabbed the remote and randomly chose an unwatched movie.

I dried my hair with the towel while spooning my way through a box of roasted ham and watching television. The lights were dim, but since I lived here alone, I didn't have to worry about waking anyone up.

The furnishings were modest. Every piece of fitments, from the wardrobe to the vase, were selected by my brother, who excels in interior decorating. My family is considerably wealthy, hence I haven't had to struggle much when I moved here two years prior. They've even handled the rent, which isn't something I take for granted.

I do a few part time jobs to earn money for my personal and school needs. Refusing the excessive shelter of my parents was good for me; now I buy myself every essential product or the services I require. And they are definitely proud, since the other cubs from our families just laze around all day.

I guess after the humiliation I went through before I left my family home, they understood my need to get stronger and independent. Thanks to their support, I had several million dollars saved up through freelancing as a content creater. After all, once I entered campus, I doubt I'd have the freedom to leave casually, even if it was just to work.

I am really blessed to have parents who never gave up on me, despite my exile. They could have turned their back on me, just like a cliche novel, but they hid me instead. Just so I could be safe.

My goal was to reach a peak where they'll never have to worry about me ever again. Where I'll never be compromised like I was many times before. By my family, my friends, or my enemies. But with the way my shifter strength refused to manifest, my parents and I had long since accepted that

I chewed on juicy ham while Mulan cried on the screen. My eyes tearing up, I leaned forward, completely entranced.

"I would rather be executed." Mulan held back her pain at being shunned by then commander. A tear rolled down my cheek.

"From this moment forward, you are expelled from the emperor's Imperial Army."

Shit no! How could you be so cruel? I waited and shoved another spoonful into my mouth.

"If you show your face again, your wish to-"

Woof woof!

I almost choked on the ham. Bloody hell, that freaking scared me!

Taking a deep breath, I painfully swallowed the meat and stood up to walk to the door.

My brother's joke of having a barking dog as the door bell gave me serious anxiety sometimes. I had to break his legs some day soon as payback. I should have never accepted his overly affectionate gestures.

I rarely had the need to answer my door. The only visitors I had were Kristine and the delivery guy. Kristine has her own set of spare keys, unless she forgets her purse. The delivery guy usually hands any mails or packages to the security guy, who gives it to me when I'm on my way in. Unless it was late, which it was.

Since Kristine was at the dorms already, I figured I had a late night delivery.

"Kevin, you don't usually deliver at this hour..." I pulled the door open with a bright smile and froze. Instantly, my nerves turned to ice.

"Wh-what are y-you... why..." I stuttered.

A pair of long muscular legs in sweatpants lead way to a strong, wide chest in a black turtleneck sweater. His hands were casually placed in his pockets and his soft dark hair was slightly wet.

Aaron Thorne's golden brown eyes fixed on me, smug and triumphant. A corner of those sinful lips tilted up in a cold smile.

"Uh, hello," I stammered. "How can I help you?"

Please don't recognise me, please don't recognise me...

"Forgotten me already, little kitten?" His deep voice was provocative.

Slam!

I jammed the bolts and turned the locks. I even dragged the decorative barricade against the door. It was completely useless, but my mind went to mush.

It was him. Aaron the freaking wolf. The damn Alpha.

I heard his low chuckles from the other side of the door. His laughter held a heavy dose of danger, and it shook my bones from all the way out there. The door rattled on its hinges, and I knew it wouldn't hold up against a powerful wolf shifter.

With my heart pounding frantically, I ran to the bedroom, shuddering through my fluffy cat ears.

How did he even find me?!

No, wait. That wasn't the main point. Why did he find me? What reason could he possibly have?

I swallowed hard. A highly depressive thought took presidence over all others.

Is he here to kill me?

I gave a nervous giggle and shook my head. Killing me just for observing a meat roasting party was a bit too excessive, isn't it?

Fuck it. The outcome could not be favourable. I had to run.

I threw my identity cards, my passport, and a few documents into my training bag. I added a few of the containers left behind by Kristine, dumped my skincare products and a few t-shirts with a pair of jeans. Quickly unlocking my phone, I exchanged my slippers for a pair of Nikes.

"Gabe!" I yelled when my call connected through. "Send me the address of an off-grid motel, now!"

I ran to the floor length window with the bag slung over one shoulder. I carefully pushed it open and placed a foot on the sturdy wooden pane. Freezing cold air hit my face.

Ninth floor. I hadn't jumped from this high before, but my cat reflexes might be able to make it safely. Might.

Or I might end up as kitty paste.

"I can't explain," I cut off the chatter from the other end of the line, impatient. The wind was heavy and I crouched on the windowsill. Even if I did manage to land in my kitten form, there was no way that fall wouldn't kill me. "If I can hide for a while-"

"Am I that scary?" The wolf's voice was cold and murderous. And I felt him. He was right behind me.

"AHH!"

In a flurry of panic and terror, I turned around. At the same time, my left foot slipped. My hands desperately grabbed at the panes, but they were gone.

Gravity caught a hold on me and I plummeted to the ground... nine floors down. The air whooshed in my ears.

Two floors down, I regretted my decision.

Being me, I forgot that I had a bag and clothes on me. I couldn't shift with them unless I was an adult. If I turned into a kitten, my belongings would crash to a state beyond repair. If I didn't turn into a kitten, the impact of jumping wouldn't be too harsh, but it would still cause a painful injury, perhaps minute fractures on a few bones.

Then, when I was almost at the ground, I threw logic to the wind and shifted. Self preservation was more important than a school bag. As long as I knew how to hide, which I very well did, I could escape and bide my time.

My pyjamas drifted up in the forceful air while the bag dropped faster. My body was immediately much lighter. I braced myself for the impact and pushed my limbs towards the concrete slabs.

"Meow!"

Suddenly, discomfort pinched my neck and I jerked midair. I seemed to have stopped, but I didn't detect the impact. As far as I could feel, something had held onto my scruff before I hit the ground.

I cracked open my trembling eyes. Through the lashes, I saw a man's broad chest as he held me with his hand. A man with brown eyes that glowed golden, and a winning smirk that promised retribution.

"f**k me." I muttered, my minimal optimism crashing to the earth faster than I had.

"You're cute, but not my type," he snorted as he raised me to his face. Then, he ignored my pleas for the second time that night and carried me away.