The Girl Who Runs With Wolves

Chapter 5

I hadn't seen Scott or Kit or any of their friends in a week. I tried to shrug it off but when Kit stopped answering my texts I knew something was up. The last time I saw Scott he dumped me on the side of the road with no explanation. I was feeling bleak about my new life here and my "new friends" ditching me didn't help.
The ringing bell of the flower shop door made me look up to great the costumer. My eyes locked with green eyes and my smile instantly faded. Kit. He approaches the counter without taking his eyes off mine. It unnerves me slightly by I try to act cool.
      "Can I help you?" I make it clear that I'm annoyed and really don't want to help him. He grabs a mint from the jar off the counter and shoves it in his pocket. Weirdo just eat it now. "Probably not, you haven't worked here very long have you? I'll just speak to Zelda if you don't mind." He says looking past me and waving to Zelda.
      I slam our catalog closed and walk away to the back room. "Hey Zelda, I'm headed out for the day." She smiles and I gather my things, walking out the door without making eye contact with Kit. "You shouldn't be mad at him." Scotts unexpected voice makes me jump about a mile high. I clutch my chest and scowl at him. "I can be mad at whoever I want thank you. And I'm mad at you too!" I turn on my heel and storm down the street. I reach the end of the street and glance back to see Scott watching me and I scoff and keep walking.

      The next week flies by. Working in the flower shop was the only thing I did. We had a wedding so that kept me busy for a little while. But now I'm sitting here on a Saturday night watching tv and being bored out of my mind. I've been living in this town for over a month and I've accomplished nothing. No friends, no purpose and the only productive thing I've done is gotten a job. I need a hobby or something.
      I decided to make brownies but I'm out of eggs, ugh. Late night run to the store. I throw on my tennis shoes and a coat over my pajamas. There's no reason to get fancy for a 10:00 run to the quick mart. I leave my apartment and hop in the car.
      After getting a small thing of eggs it starts raining so I jog to my car, careful to cradle the eggs. I set them on top of my car and dig through my bag for my car keys. Just when I get them out of my purse I feel someone grab my arm. I jump and turn around quickly. A man with brown hair and dark eyes stands in front of me. "Call the Alpha."
     I play dumb. "What? I don't know what you mean." The guy in front of me pulls out a gun. "Just do what I said." Oh great. I'm gonna call Scott and he won't answer and this guy will kill me.
I dial Scott with tears forming in my eyes. It starts ringing and the man in front of me snatches the phone from my hand.
      "Hey Scott buddy!" They guys answers the phone in a fake friendly tone. "So listen, pal. You refused to have a meeting with me so we're going to meet up now. What phone am I calling from? Interesting that you would ask. See I met this cute little human with light brown hair and this big gold eyes. Does that sound like someone you know? Anyway, for her sake, meet me in ten minutes." I watch as the guy smirks while listening to whatever Scott says on the other side.
      The man holds my phone out to me. "He wants to hear you." I take the phone with a shaky hand. "Scott I' m scared." I hear him sign deeply, "He won't hurt you. I'm on my way." He hangs up the phone and I put it back in my bag.
      I spend the next ten minutes waiting anxiously and his grip on my arm tightens as time passes. A black car pulls up in the now empty parking lot and Scott hops out quickly. He approaches us and reaches a hand out for me. I try to walk forward but the grip on my arm pulls me back.
      I hear a low growl from Scott, "Alexander. I'm here. Give her to me." I'm shoved forward and Scott catches me. He pulls me tight against his chest so that I can't see the man. "Scott, you know my terms. The clock's ticking. Turn him in or it's over for all of you."
      When Scott lets me go he doesn't say a word. He silently pulls me to his car. Alexander watches me the whole way and I watch him. Scott drives off and for a moment we just sit in the silence. I open my mouth to speak but I don't even know where to start.
      "Annie, did he hurt you at all?" Scott breaks the silence for me. I shake my head now and focus on my hands in my lap. "I suppose I owe you an explanation after all this. I told Kit to stay away from you. The thing is he did something that Alexander didn't really agree with. Alexander was angry and he's been looking for Kit ever since. I didn't want you to become collateral damage. I figured if we avoided you then you wouldn't be involved."
      "What did Kit do?" Scott just shakes his head. "It's up to him if he wants to tell you." I nod in understanding. "Listen, Annie. I wanted to apologize for how I reacted when you asked about my mate. Her name was Ariel. She died shortly after I met her and I've just never been comfortable talking about it."
    I put my hand on Scott's shoulder. "Thanks for telling me. Really. I can't imagine what that's like." Scott sends me a small smile. We spend the rest of the drive in silence. We pull up to Scott's house and there's a Jeep outside. As soon as I get out of the car Kit runs out the front door. He runs towards me and wraps his arms around me, burying his face in the side of my neck.
      I laugh lightly. "Kit, I'm fine." He breathes deeply. "This was my fault, Annie, all my fault." He pulls away and stares into my eyes. "When Scott mind linked me, well I just didn't think Alexander would give you back." He furrows his eyebrows when he says this. "Well what did you do to him?" I ask.
      Scott speaks up now. "We all outta be getting some sleep, it's late. We can discuss this in the morning." Kit nods and I reluctantly follow them to a spare bedroom to get rest for the night.