Chapter Three
1372 Words
This is the Last stop! Everybody come down!
The bus driver’s loud shout jolted me awake. I gasped, my hand flying to my chest as my heart hammered against my ribs.
I'm safe. I'm not in the dark woods anymore. Kaleb can't reach me here now.
"Hey, kid Move it," the driver grunted, honking as he tapped his steering wheel. "I don't have all day. I got a schedule to keep."
Sorry. I'm going, I muttered, my voice hoarse.
I grabbed my backpack, my injured ankle throbbing painfully as I limped down the steps. The driver shook his head as I passed.
"You look like hell, girl," he muttered. "Good luck."
"Thanks," I whispered, stepping off the bus.
The moment my feet hit the New York pavement, the city hit me like I had escaped a hellhole . Car horns blared endlessly. Hundreds of humans brushed past me, their shoulders shoving into mine without a second glance at me.
No werewolf could ever track my scent in this chemical swamp of car exhaust, hot asphalt, and garbage. My nose burns but at least I am invisible here.
"Watch it, !" a man in a sharp suit yelled, slamming his shoulder into mine as he rushed past.
"I-I'm sorry!" I called out, but he didn't even turn around.
I squeezed my backpack tightly against my chest, my knuckles turning white. My ankle was screaming in protest with every step.
Suddenly, a heavy hand grabbed the strap of my bag from behind.
"I'll take that, sweetheart," a rough voice whispered in my ear.
I spun around, my heart dropping into my stomach. A tall man was smiling at me, showing yellowed teeth. A silver pocket knife flashed in his hand, the blade catching the dim morning light. He started coming towards my bag.
"No! Let go of me!" I screamed, pulling back with all my weight.
"Don't make a scene," the thief sneered, stepping closer and pressing the tip of the blade toward my stomach. "Just give me the bag, or I'll cut you wide open. Nobody here cares about you."
Maya's locket is in there. Maya's savings. My entire life. My only hope. If I lose this, I die in this city.
A sudden, hot wave of fury rushed through my veins. It didn't feel human. It felt ancient. Feral. My inner wolf, though still unshifted, in my mind.
"You want my bag?" I growled, my voice dropping an octave, sounding dangerous even to my own ears. "You'll have to rip it from my cold, dead hands!"
"You crazy little—"
Before he could finish, I lunged forward. I didn't care about his knife. I didn't care about the consequences. I slammed my forehead straight into his nose.
"Argh! My nose! You broke my nose!" the thief shrieked.
He dropped the knife, stumbling backward as blood poured over his mouth.
I didn't stop. I kicked him hard in the chin, sending him crashing onto the sidewalk.
"Touch me again, and I'll do worse!" I yelled, baring my teeth at him like a wild animal. "Try me!"
The thief stared up at me in absolute horror, clutching his bloody face. "You're a psycho! You're a freaking psycho! Get away from me!"
He scrambled to his feet, turned, and bolted into the crowded street, disappearing among the pedestrians.
I stood there, chest heaving high and low, my hands shaking violently. Several humans stared at me, their eyes wide with shock, before they quickly looked away and walked faster to get distance.
I did that. No wolf, no pack, no Alpha to protect me, and I still fought back. I am not the weak, useless Omega Kaleb thought I was. I have teeth.
Suddenly, my ankle gave out completely. I gasped, sinking onto the cold, dirty concrete. I was trembling. I had no money for a taxi, no phone, and I couldn't walk another ten feet.
"Hey. Are You okay, girl?"
I flinched, looking up instantly, ready to fight again.
A heavy-set man wearing a dirty white apron was standing in the doorway of a narrow, greasy diner right next to me. The sign above him read Sal’s Corner. He had a spatula in his hand and was staring at me with raised eyebrows.
"I'm fine," I lied, quickly wiping a tear of frustration from my cheek. "Just... tired."
He walked out, looking down at my bruised face, then at my swollen ankle. "Yeah, right. And I'm the King of England. You look like you just escaped a war zone."
"I did," I whispered, looking down at my lap.
The man sighed, wiping his greasy hands on his apron. "Look, I don't like drama on my sidewalk, but I need a dishwasher who won't wimp out when the lunch rush hits. The last guy quit because his hands got too dry."
I stared at him, hope flaring in my chest like a sudden flame. "Are you offering me a job?"
"I'm offering a trial," Sal grumbled, opening the door wider. "Start right now, and I'll give you a hot meal and a tiny room upstairs. But you have to work. No crying, no excuses."
I don't cry, Sal. And I work hard. I promise you won't regret this.
Elisa! If you break one more plate, I’m cutting it from your pay!
Sal’s voice echoed over the side of the grill, making me jump.
"I'm sorry, Sal! It was just a slip. The soap—
Sal immediately cut me off
"I don't care about the soap! Just clean it up!"
"Yes, Sal. Right away I said as I whinced in pain.
Don't cry. Do not cry. If you cry, he'll think you're too weak. He'll throw you out on the street.
"Hey, kid," a truck driver sitting at the counter called out, waving an empty mug. "Can I get some coffee before I die of old age here?"
"Right away, sir! Just brewed a fresh one" I forced myself to say.
I grabbed the heavy glass of coffee, ignoring the burn on my raw palms, and poured the steaming liquid into his cup.
"You look awful, sweetheart," the driver muttered, tossing a wrinkled dollar bill onto the counter. "Are you eating at all?"
"I'm fine. Just... adjusting to the city. Thank you for the tip," I whispered.
One dollar. It’s not enough. I need a phone. I need to know if Maya is okay. I need to know if Silas is still looking for me.
"Elisa! Stop playing around and get back to work," Sal grunted. take the trash bags with you and discard it.
"On it," I breathed, dragging the heavy, leaking black bags toward the back door.
I pushed the door open, stepping out into the cold, damp alleyway.
My ankle is on fire. My heart feels like a hollow, aching void. I miss the pack house. I miss the pine trees. I am so tired.
Suddenly, the wind shifted. A dark, terrifying wave of power hit the air, smelling of rich leather and pine.
An Alpha. A pureblood Alpha is close.
"She was here. The scent is fresh," a deep, predatory growl echoed from the street entrance of the narrow alley.
I froze, hiding behind the rusted green dumpster.
"Are you sure?" a second man asked, his voice cold and emotionless.
"Yes. The boss wants no unregistered wolves in his city. If she's a rogue, we drag her to Alpha Sterling."
"And if she fights?"
"Let him decide if she lives or dies."
Alpha Sterling. The ruthless billionaire who owns this city. He’ll kill me , I'm on his territory.
My swollen ankle tripped, and my shoulder slammed hard into the metal dumpster.
"Who's there?" one of the men in suits snapped looking around.
"Show yourself, rogue!" the other commanded, their footsteps coming toward my hiding spot.
This is it. I escaped Silas just to die here.
Suddenly, the metal back door slammed open with a deafening sound.
"Elisa! What is taking you so long? Are you taking a nap out here?" Sal roared.
The two suited men stopped instantly, stepping back into the deep shadows. Sal didn't even notice them. He grabbed my arm, dragging me toward the side of the kitchen.
- Writer
