Alice and The Rogue Wolf

Chapter 9

"Must you always creep up on me?" I asked, startled.

"I'm sorry I scared you," he apologized laughing. It was not forced, just a peal of mirthless laughter. "I'm glad you came back, Alice."

"How do you know me anyway? You keep calling my name like we are some kind of acquaintance. In fact, who are you?" These questions had been bugging my mind for a couple of days now and I was glad I had finally let them out.

"Where are my manners?" He muttered under his breath. "My name's Brayden."

I grabbed his outstretched hand, shaking it gently. It was warm.

"Nice to meet you, Brayden. My name's Alice."

"Yeah, I know!" He replied, laughing nervously.

Meeting strangers always made me tense and it was the same for him, at least so it seemed. An awkward silence reigned between us and was only ruptured when a voice called out to Brayden.

"Uhm, my people are kinda relocating our pieces of luggage so they need my help. Can I see you later? Perhaps in some restaurant and I can tell you all about how I got to know you."

I was too fidgety to give a response. Just standing in close proximity to him made me feel so giddy and one part of me wished he wouldn't leave. All I could do was nod, and after flashing me a smile he dashed off into the woods.

"Get it together, Alice," I chided myself when I felt my cheeks flush red on my way home. But I couldn't stop.

Given he was good-looking and all, something between those veiny pecs, rough firm hands, and tall frame endeared me. The way his eyes moved, the sound of my name on his lips, something, felt familiar.

I was aching to hear him narrate how we met, but sadly our meeting had to be interrupted. What also bothered me was that I wasn't in any way perturbed about him being a Rogue. Well, it didn't matter for now because I needed to get home before my mum returned, so I picked up my pace.

"Alice, I'm home!" I heard my mother call as I climbed through the window.

I could sense her stomping towards my room and beside her, I could hear, were another pair of footsteps.

By the time her second knock landed on the door, I was successfully inside and cluttering across the floor to unlock the door.

"Hey, mom. Hey, Jonathan!" I exclaimed, trying so hard to steady my breath.

"Hey, honey," My mother replied with a suspicious stare. "Uhm, I have come to grab a few things and I met Jonathan on the doorstep."

"Oh!" I turned to Jonathan. "Can I help you with anything? "

"Yes. Uhm, I was wondering if I could borrow you for the weekend?"

I glanced over at my mum and she winked at me.

"Uhm, I have to get back to work so I'll leave you guys to it." She said, heading out.

"Borrow me?" I asked, leaving the doorway. "What for?"

"Well, I miss you. I'm sorry I played a part in having you stuck in here, but honestly, I'd love for you to come over to my place."

The idea sounded nice. Perhaps a nice cool jacuzzi with some fresh air on the balcony was not such a bad idea.

"C'mon!" He said, drawing closer. "Just the two of us alone will be fun! I know you are liking the idea."

"Okay fine," I blurted out. "I'll stay over for the weekend, but you better not get any naughty thoughts and I have to be allowed to participate in these meetings."

He creased his eyebrows in contemplation.

"We'll think about the second condition but I guess you have a deal."

An awkward silence and stares followed before his face began lowering. Eyes closed, he took my mouth in his tenderly, savoring the plum red lips until he was satisfied. For me, it wasn't heaven, but it sent my body shivering excitedly.

He informed me about my mother's acceptance, and in a few minutes, we were out the door, with an overnight bag slung over my shoulder and containing a change of clothes to sustain me throughout my stay.

All the members of the Excelsis pack lived in houses that were closely stationed with each other and were mostly demarcated by a wooden fence. These buildings which were located on the outskirts of town and near the forests enabled them to stick together in times of attack, which, according to Jonathan, rarely occurred while the Rogues moved into town, and also concealed them from being spotted by humans when they transformed to their beastly form.

Among these clusters of shelters was Jonathan's house which was only a stone's throw from mine and so we got there in no time.

"What can I get you to drink?" He asked, laying his keys on the center table.

"Are you kidding me?" I retorted with playful scorn. "This is like my second home so I'll be able to get whatever I want."

"Why are you so difficult? I'm trying to be a gentleman here."

"Oh really?"

"Yes! " He nagged.

"Nothing actually, I'm fine."

"Alice, you haven't had anything for lunch. How can you say you're okay? "

"Why don't you have a job like the others?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, someone has to look after the pack in everyone's absence. Also, I do the night shift at the grocery store your mother works at, two days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays ."

"Really? That's alright. I should get a job too. No, wait. Take me to the grocery store and maybe I could find a vacancy there..."

"Hold your horses! " He interrupted. "You don't need any of that. That's why I put people in place to take care of you so you don't have to go through any stress."

"There you go again!" I retorted, rolling my eyes.

"Don't be like that!" He scolded gently, pulling me into a hug. "It's all for your good."

"I know!" I sighed softly. "But we have a lot of time on our hands. Just a quick visit is all I ask, then we could come home and have the house to ourselves."

That was the straw that broke the camel's back. We headed into town in one of his cars. I couldn't help but wound down the window letting the breeze rush in infiltrating the tense air of the car. It felt good being out on the road once more.

"You know your mother is going to be mad about me letting you out, right?" Jonathan broke the silence with his eyes fixed on the road.

"Don't worry, she will be happy to see us."

News flash! I was wrong! As we stepped into the restaurant, the look on her face said it all. She whispered at her fellow cashier, before taking us out front.

"What are you doing here?" She yelled, turning a few faces.

"Please, keep your voice down Mrs. Walker," Jonathan said, urging onlookers to move on.

"Don't you dare shush me! I let you look after my daughter and barely three later, our wandering around town."

"I'm sorry, mum." I apologized. "It was my idea. I just wanted to come out to town which is way better than that prison you people locked me in."

"I thought you wanted to come to the grocery store. Or was that a lie?" Jonathan whispered beside me.

"I'll explain later," I replied nonchalantly.

My mother dragged Jonathan away to discuss in hushed tones.

"Jonathan take her back immediately! The outside world is no place for her with her inexperience..." she trailed off, turning round with a look of horror on her face. "She is gone!"

I had broken off into a run. I had no insight as to where I was headed but I ran as fast as my legs would carry me. What I was running from, I was unsure of but I knew it probably had something to do with wanting freedom.

Not wanting to get lost, I ran in a straight path until I ran short of breath and collapsed onto a nearby empty bench gasping for air. Since my awakening, this was the first time I had truly felt alive, not bothered by my mother's or Jonathan's watchful eyes. Just when I was beginning to live in this moment, I caught the headlights of Jonathan's car as it rolled to a stop right in front of me.

I looked up and caught my mother's eyes. It held pity like she understood what I felt, or perhaps she was just worried sick that she had almost lost her only daughter to an act of foolishness. She slowly stepped out of the car onto the crowded sidewalk and stopped right in front of me. The truthful expression had disappeared and was replaced by a smile.

"Come on, let's go!" She ordered, helping me up by the arm while I followed, puzzled by her change in countenance.