Moon Goddess

CHAPTER TWO

The drive to Montana was long. Seemed many times longer for the girl as her wandering thoughts took the sleep away. Although being almost at the hotel door the trip in her mind now felt not long enough. Like someone had magically erased the hours upon hours of walking, driving and car sharing with strangers.

Finally at the hotel door she took a deep breath and walked in. The cool air of the air conditioned room hit her the second the door was ajar. A little bell sounded and an older lady's head popped up from behind the grand front desk. Her grey hair in one long ponytail swung around her shoulder. With round glasses and a tanned wrinkled face she smiled invitingly.

"How can I help you young lady?" Her voice was cheerful.

"I booked a single room under the name Jones" The girl replied.

"Ah yes dear. Let me show you the room, if you will after me." The older lady reached into the old fashioned, glass front, key storage cabinet and retrieved a key with the number 8 on it.

The new tenant noticed that it was the last key available in that cabinet. Which makes complete sense as there were so many people milling outside in this town.

They both stepped outside. She has never seen so many werewolves in any form human or otherwise being in one place. There have been a couple 'real' humans gathering around too. Distinguishing from humans and werewolves didn't come easily to her. It took a lot of concentration to be able to smell past the normal human scent. She's heard stories from other weres about being able to instantly tell if someone was a wolf especially if the wolf was their soulmate. Joining a pack of wolves never crossed her mind. She always taught that her life is complicated enough without the extra rules that come with the membership.

The hotel was made into an 'L' shape. With the reception and kitchen at the short side and rooms lined up on the long side. All with a step up to the wooden rustic looking doors. The lady stopped at one of them, opening it up and switching all the lights in the cabin.

"There's the mini fridge, bathroom, bed." She pointed to each thing with her wrinkled hand as she spoke.

"Dinners served at 7 come to reception for it." With that she smiled and dropped the keys on the double bed. The olde lady seemed worried with her eyebrows furrowed and lips pressed together forming a line.

"You don't smell like a human, darling" Concern filled her eyes.

"But not like a wolf either." She gave out a quick chuckle.

"It must be my old senses, age makes everything wonkey, sweetheart. Don't mind this old lady." With another sweet smile she left the room leaving the door open.

The girl had realised the masking smell of smoke and the dogs from her last place probably worn off by now leaving her scent exposed to anyone close by.

Calliope dropped her bags on the floor and walked towards the open door. She peeked through it watching the old woman walk away. She closed the door quietly and stood in front of the window watching the scene of nature and people walking around. Greeting each other. Kids playing catch around the fountain in the middle of the hotel square.

After a while she flopped down onto the bed face first and fell fast asleep.

There were no dreams. Only the dark endless void of nothing. Which was the best kind of sleep. When she woke up it was only an early afternoon as she decided to pay her respects to the family.

Deciding to take a shower she jumped into the bath as The lukewarm water hit against her pale skin. Leaving it feeling refreshed and clean. Her mind wandered hundred miles an hour about the events of the past with not one question answered.