A Luna's Escape

Do These Belong to You?

Sophie'S POV

I stood out on the porch, staring at the backyard. The crisp morning air wrapping itself around me like a cool blanket. I sipped my coffee as I watched the sunrise.

"Alright my love, I'm off to work." Ryker approached me from behind, planting a kiss on my cheek. I turned around, placing my hand under his cheek.

"Okay baby." I kissed his lips before he turned and headed back in the house. The sound of his truck filled the morning silence.

I sighed, then deeply inhaled the morning air. I caught a familiar scent. It was so strong I felt like I could almost taste it. It smelled like a forest after the rain. Instantly, memories of Washington came flooding back into my mind. I hadn't thought about Washington in years. That was a part of my life that I left behind. A part that I was glad had stayed hidden in my mind, a past I wish had been forgotten.

I was surprised that I invited the scent, the memories. There was a time where my days there were filled with happiness and love. As much as I loved it here in North Carolina, I missed the forests of Washington. I missed the coast, the camping, but most of all, I missed the smell. The pines had a scent that seemed to calm me, help me rid myself of all of the stresses of the world.

I took another deep breath. The scent seemed weaker than before. Almost like I had willed it into existence with my memories. I took a step backwards, reaching out behind me for the chair. I jumped in pain as my foot contacted with something sharp. Leaning down, I pulled a rose thorn from the soft flesh of my foot. I sat down in the chair, rubbing my foot as I picked up the rose on the porch. It had broke free of the bush, two single flowers and one bare bulb were severed with the stem. A single drop of blood fell from the puncture in my foot. I rolled the flower in my fingertips, careful not to touch the thorns.

My mine wandered to Cole. The man crossed my mind occasionally. I wondered how he and his new mate were doing. How the pack was surviving with the two of them in charge, but I mostly wondered if he missed me. Did he regret what he had done? Did he care at all that I was gone?

"Psht." I tossed the thoughts aside. Of course not. It had been five years and I hadn't seen nor heard from him.

I tossed the flower back towards the rose bushes along the house. Staring at where they had landed in the dirt, my eyes caught something bright red. I got up, my head c****d with curiosity as I carefully slipped between the house and the rose bushes, reaching out for the red bag.

I pulled it towards myself, and inspected it before I headed into the house. It was a bright red, drawstring bag. I pulled the top open, revealing a pair of sweats and a clean, white t-shirt. My home was quickly filled with the rainy pine scent. I frantically stuffed the clothes back into the bag and pulled the strings closed, stuffing the bag into the garbage. I wiped my hands on my robe as if I was wiping off some sticky filth. I grew frustrated as I fought back tears. I'm not sure why I wanted to cry, why I even felt the need too.

"What is wrong with me?" I laughed as I headed towards the bathroom.

My robe slipped to the floor as I stepped inside the shower. Hot water trickled down my body as steam filled the room. I stood under the water until my skin had turned as red as a cooked lobster. I finally moved as I reached for the body wash. The need to scrub the scent off of me was intense, but at the same time, I didn't want to. It was a comforting scent. I quickly scrubbed myself clean, ignoring the part of me that wanted the scent to linger.

—--

"Alice." I called out of my office door. Instantly a girl in her early twenties appeared in the doorway. Her straight, blonde hair curled just above her shoulders, set with a wide, black headband. Her face was small, heart shaped and cute. Bright pink lips, and big, brown eyes, framed by a pair of large silver framed glasses. She was the classic image of the nerdy girl, however she was dressed in a beautiful dusty pink bodycon dress. It stopped just above her knees, exposing her pale, toned legs. She wore a pair of peep toed black heels, her bright blue toenail polish poking out through the tip of the shoe.

"Yes, Miss Harrolson?" She said as she clutched tightly to the notebook and pen she was holding.

"Did you get the designs over to the girls?"

"I did." She responded as I stood behind my desk, shuffling through some papers.

"Thank you." I sighed with relief. "Any idea how long before they're sewn?"

"Um…" She looked down at her notebook. "Bev says they should be able to have them completed by the end of the week."

"Perfect!" I smiled, looking up at her. "Have a seat."

I gestured to the seat opposite my desk as I sat down in my padded office chair. I heard her gulp as she nervously took a seat, placing her notebook in her lap. She adjusted her glasses before looking up at me.

"You've been working for Sondra for what, over two years now?" I asked as I folded my hands, leaning them across my desk.

"Yes." She said, nervousness evident in her voice.

"Your internship is up soon, is that correct?"

"Yes." She gulped again, a large smile spread across my lips. "Two months left."

"I see. What are your plans?" I c****d my head, waiting for her response.

"I um, I…" She stuttered, trying to find the words.

"Have you thought about your future?"

"Yes ma'am."

"And?"

"Well, I really wanted to get on permanently with Sondra. To learn everything I could from her, and hopefully one day, have my own line, just like you." She said confidently.

"Well, I'm not Sondra, but I was hoping you'd be willing to join our team here." I watched as she mulled over the offer. "Look, if Sondra offers you a position, you have my blessing to take it, no hard feelings." I smiled, leaning back in my chair. "But, if you want this to be your future, you are more than welcome to take the position as my assistant."

"I…thank you…but I."

"Alice." I held up my hand, interrupting her. "Why don't you take a few days, think about it, then get back to me."

"I will. Thank you." She said, standing up. "Um, are we done?"

"Yes." I chuckled as I watched her quickly scurry out of my office.

I wasn't upset that she didn't accept my offer. I know she wanted to work for Sondra. I am still a nobody, just a new designer still trying to make a name for herself. I couldn't fault Alice for her ambition. She wanted to rise up the same as I had done. But I was lucky. I caught a break, thanks to Sondra. Not too many designers get the opportunity that I did. I know Alice was hoping for that same break. Sondra could do it for her, I could not. What I did know, however, was that Sondra wasn't looking for anyone else. Her office was staffed, it was part of the reason Alice had her internship with me. There was a chance Sondra would take her, but that chance was slim. I would hold the position for her until her internship ran out, at that point, she would either have to accept or decline my offer.

I picked up my phone, dialing Rykers number.

"Hey sexy, what's up?" His smooth voice answered.

"I'm going to be late tonight. I only have a month before I have to have these designs finished and I'm behind. I just can't seem to get them right."

"How can I help?" He offered.

"Thanks Ry, but there really isn't anything you can do. I'm having a mental block. I just can't seem to draw anything I like."

"Well, take a break, babe. Grab some coffee, go for a walk, find some inspiration."

"I will." I smiled at his suggestion. It was actually a good idea. I could use a walk, something to distract myself and clear my head.

"Alright babe. Well, I'll be home waiting for you."

"Love you."

"Love you too." He said before hanging up.

I grabbed my bag and headed out of my office, stopping at Alice's desk.

"Alice, I'm going to grab a coffee, then I'll be back. I'm working late tonight."

"Okay, do you need me to stay?"

"Nope." I smiled. "There isn't really anything anyone can do right now. Lock the place up on your way out, if you wouldn't mind."

"Sure." We said our goodbyes before I exited the building, walking towards the cafe at the end of the street.

My heels clicked against the sidewalk as I wrapped my jacked tighter around my small frame. Fall was moving in and the night's were getting cool. I turned the corner and crashed into the smell of pine trees in the rain. I stood there, stunned, blinking away the scent. I quickly shook my head and entered the cafe.

I couldn't help but look over my shoulder as I waited for my order. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. The hair was standing up on my neck and I felt as if every one of my senses were working on overdrive.

"Large coffee and cranberry turkey sliders for Sophie." The cafe attendant called out. I approached the counter, reaching for my coffee and sandwich.

"Ahhh." I sighed, placing my palm against my forehead.

"Miss, are you alright?" The barista asked.

"Yeah, im…im fine." I smiled, reaching for my meal.

My head was pounding as I made my way back to my office. It had come on so suddenly.

"You're working too hard." I said to myself as I sipped my drink. My nostrils filled with the rainy pine scent again and my heart began to flutter.

"What is wrong with me?" I thought as I quickened my pace, rushing as fast as I could towards my office. My head began to spin and my body heat was rising. I felt like I was going to pass out.

I tucked my sandwich bag under my arm as I fumbled with the keys for my office. My hand was shaking terribly as I struggled with the keys, trying to unlock the door.

"Come on, Sophie." I cried to myself as my knees grew weak, shaking with the rest of my body. I looked up at the full moon as it illuminated the door lock. It was beautiful, so big and bright, a glowing orb piercing through the darkness of the evening.

A wave of heat came over me and I turned back to the door. My body began to grow numb as I heard the click of the door unlocking.

"Finally." I said as I pulled the key free of the door. My fingers wrapped tightly around my coffee cup as my world began to spin. I stumbled backwards, swaying as I tried to hold myself up. I lost the battle, however, and I felt myself lose balance as my body leaned backwards.

"Woah. I've got you." I heard a familiar voice say. I concentrated hard on the face in front of me. The familiar smile bringing a pleasant warmth to my body.

"It's you." I smiled as his arms wrapped around my body, steadying me as he led me into my office.