Wayward Wolf

Two Growls

Christmas was a nice distraction, and I felt a little better being around my family and seeing the kids flock around Ray like little ducklings. The four of them kept him rushed off his feet all day demanding his attention at every turn, but especially Emme. The only time she wasn't latched onto him like a monkey was when she was napping. Otherwise, she was babbling at him, crying when one of the other kids tried to sit on his lap instead, and shrieking when it was time to go home.

I hoped the good feelings would last longer than they did, but the second I stepped outside to go to the car it was like I could feel Mark's grimy little eyes watching me. And maybe he was, but I could never know for sure. That was the worst part, not knowing if he is there, watching me, or if I'm just losing my mind from all the fear and panic that weasel has instilled in me.

My anxiety only got worse when we got home and found a package on the front doorstep. Inside was a set of bright red lingerie that stunk of Mark. Neither Ray nor I slept that night, both of us lying awake in the dark with too much to say and no idea how to say any of it. We both know that Mark isn't going to keep up with his little gifts. How much longer until it's someone's body part in a box at the front door? Or the man himself ready to drug me and cart me off to someone hole in the ground where no one will ever find me?

It'll be good to be over the state line and very far away from him. If I can ever get packed for Oregon, that is. I kept putting it off, not wanting to face the reality that I'm basically running away. It feels cowardly, but the thought of actually facing Mark makes me want to piss myself and cry like a baby. He's barely done anything, but I'm terrified of him. Just the fact he knows where me and all my loved ones live is enough to make me want to curl up in a ball and never move again.

My packing consists of me shoving the first clothes I put my hands on into a suitcase and grabbing my basic toiletries. Ray is out in the living room with Frankie, their bickering echoing through the house, both having packed a couple days ago. Finally, when my suitcase is full, I sit on it before zipping it closed. Maybe running away is cowardly, but it's better than waiting around like a sitting duck for Mark to finally do something so we can get this over with.

I step into the living room, dragging my suitcase behind me. Ray is sitting on the couch, arms crossed and looking particularly grumpy. Frankie has a smug little smile on his face and lies across the majority of the couch looking like he doesn't have a care in the world. It's all awfully suspicious, especially the over-the-top action film currently playing with the audio descriptions turned off. Ray doesn't watch many movies because he says not only are the audio descriptions "annoying as fuck" but that it isn't the same as watching it because hearing it described versus actually seeing someone get shot in the head is very different.

"What are you guys up to?" I ask innocently, resting a hand on Ray's shoulder before taking a slow seat in his lap.

"He hid the fucking remote," Ray grumbles.

I glance over at the TV to see it resting delicately on top before giving Frankie a disapproving look. He just shrugs innocently.

"Poor baby," I coo, giving Ray a big wet kiss on the cheek before hugging him to my chest, his head nestled right under my chin. I feel his fingers flex, digging into my side, and I realize this might go farther than I was expecting it to when I did this. Not that I'm complaining.

It has the effect I knew it would, Frankie fake gagging and slapping a hand over his eyes. "Will you two quit it? I've had enough hearing and smelling you two fucking to last me a lifetime."

Ray ignores him, instead catching my lips with his in a searing kiss. Definitely not complaining. I cup his face with my fingers and swallow back a moan when his fingers move to digging into my thighs. I love it when he does that. I hadn't meant to start a whole thing, but who knows when we'll get the opportunity when we're in a house with both of his brothers, his sister-in-law, and his niece and nephew. It's better to do it now since we're leaving tomorrow and it should help me sleep tonight.