Raze {Wolf Rebellion II}

Chapter 7~Friction~

You can't fight the friction,
So ease it off,
Can't take the pressure,
So ease it off,
Don't tell me to be strong.

-Imagine Dragons, "Friction"

Chapter 7~Friction~

~Downtown Chicago, 11:47pm

It was drawing close to midnight in the Windy City, when a single man exited the ground floor of the Chase Tower. Everyone else had long since left, but this man in particular had more than a few things he wanted to keep away from prying eyes.

The man stepped out onto the street and glanced up at the night sky. He was careful not to look across the street, at the two individuals who'd been trailing him for three days now. Of course, he'd known immediately what they were there for. How couldn't he? When they constantly tracked him like an animal and wore only a single color.

When he'd first noticed them, he'd been tempted to deal with the problem himself, but then he'd been reminded of the risks. He couldn't give away his plan yet. It was vital that the plan was executed at the right time.

Though that didn't mean he couldn't work the situation to his advantage. That was why he was here. Tonight, he would remedy his pest problem.

So instead of looking at the two shadows near the newspaper stand, he shivered once, and made his way to a parking garage two blocks away.

The two shadows moved with him.

~R~

~Claret's Office, Red HQ

I kept my eyes down as I moved further into Claret's office, my shoulder burning with every step. My gut was telling me no good could ever come of this. No matter what Claret said.

Whatever she tells you, ignore it. Just keep your mouth shut and get this over with.

Claret watched me intently as I moved to stand a few feet from her desk, my bloody clothes pulling uncomfortably at my skin. I forced myself to keep a blank face when my eyes finally met hers. "Come now, Ruby. I thought we understood each other."

I didn't know if her wording was meant to confuse me or not, but I kept my mouth shut all the same. She knew I was waiting for her to elaborate.

She frowned. "I thought we agreed to behave ourselves."

My stomach dropped to my feet. No. She wouldn't- I killed the wolf. I killed her damn wolf.

Her next words confirmed my fears. "Do I need to visit Cas? Or perhaps, Kat? One could only imagine what a wolf could do to that poor girl."

My blood boiled. "I killed the wolf. You wanted the wolf dead and I killed it." I willed my pulse to slow before she could see how her words were affecting me. I couldn't let her get the upper hand, no matter how angry she made me.

Claret shook her head, "I seem to remember someone offering to do anything to protect her friends." Her nails drummed on her desk, as if she was bored with the way this conversation was turning out.

Mine on the other hand, they were digging into my palms so hard I thought they'd break. It took every ounce of restraint I had to say my next words. "What do I need to do?" my teeth clenched together as I struggled not to remind her of what she'd told me that day, that she wouldn't make a deal with me. At this point, I didn't believe I'd ever truly understand what she was doing.

It didn't help anyway, as Claret smiled. "I'm not making a deal with you Ruby, I'm giving you a choice. From now on, you do exactly as I say. No fighting against the change. No fighting Cherise or your guards. If you so much as think of going against me, I'll pay a visit to your friends, starting with Kat. And I'll make you watch."