Fighting for Fate

Chapter 2

Lara's Point of View-

I used the key the sleazy guy at the counter gave me and entered the room. The motel itself was disgusting and I doubt my family would even consider that I would be staying here. The room was dark and smelled heavily of cleaning products. I walked over to the queen sized bed and sat down on the scratchy cream sheets. I put my head in my hands and took a moment to think about what I was doing, what I was going to do. This whole thing would be pointless if I didn't find answers. And I needed to finish my senior year, still.

First things first, my stomach growled and food was suddenly the most important thing. I got up and decided to take a shower before leaving. Walking into the bathroom I saw my reflection for the first time.

"Oh my God!" I groan and rub my face. No wonder the man at the counter couldn't stop staring at me with his beady eyes. I looked like I just crawled out of the woods after dwelling there for decades. With a sigh I turned the shower on and quickly stripped. I stepped in and yelped. The water was freezing! I began messing with the shower nozzles but nothing changed. Just my luck.

I took the quickest shower I had ever taken. Once I brushed my hair, I changed into jeans, combat boots, and a light blue shirt. I stuffed cash in my pocket and headed for the door. After quickly asking for directions I walked to the closest diner. The smell of greasy food and coffee assaulted me as I walked in. I took a seat at the booth closest to the back entrance. The waitress quickly came by and poured me a cup of coffee.

"What would you like, honey?" she was older and had a motherly vibe going on. She placed her hand on her hip waiting.

"I'll have," I drew it out as I looked at the menu, "Eggs-sunny side up-, hash browns, bacon, sausage, toast, and two pancakes, please." When I looked at her I caught her skeptically looking at my lean and curvy figure.

"I have a fast metabolism," I say while blushing.

"Mmk darling." She says and sashays off with a heavy swing of her hips.

When my food arrived I scarfed it down, catching the eye of a few of the diner's patrons. After half my plate was gone I slowed down. I was looking straight ahead when something dark flashed in the corner of my eye. When I looked, though, it was gone. Something was off and it had my wolf riled. I wiped my face with the napkin and quickly got up. I paid up front and rushed back to my motel room.

I quickly shoved my things back in my bag and made my way to the concierge. I checked out and ask for directions to the nearest bus depot. My wolf wanted to run again but I knew that by taking the bus I would be covering my scent.

I was a block away from my destination when I saw the black flash again. This time I stopped. I dropped my bag and growled low in my throat, ready for a fight, but nothing was there. I was about to pick up my bag again but suddenly it was in front of me.

It was like a shadow, so thick that you couldn't see through it. A face emerged in the middle of the blob. The thing had almost sad eyes that were pure black and glinting. Its features were sunken and hallow, it had a Cheshire smile with the sharpest teeth, and it was staring at me almost imploringly.

A scream was lodged in my throat. It looked like it had just come from a horror film. All of a sudden it flew at me; a blood curdling screech echoing in the air. I ducked and rolled. What else was I to do? You can't freaking punch a shadow!

As soon as it was there it was gone though. Well shit. Things got a whole hell of a lot more complicated. With my mind buzzing with what had just happened I continued my way to the bus depot. When I inquired about the farthest trip I could make I was told that it was to Traverse City, Michigan. I bought my ticket and looked over my surroundings. It was a little dingy but I was going to be staying here for a while to await the arrival of my bus so I quickly got comfortable in a corner away from the windows. That is until I spotted a pay phone.

I really wanted to call my mom but knew I couldn't. There was one person I could call though. Aaron. I made my way over to the phone and inserted a few coins. It rang a few times before he answered.

"Hello?" He sounded so weary and my heart dropped at the sound.

"Hey," I say weakly, I heard shuffling on the other end.

"Lara! Wha- what are you doing? How are you doing?" He sounded so concerned and for a second I considered that I made the wrong decision.

"I'm ah... doing fine I guess. Aaron something weird is going on and I have a feeling that it has something to do with our rushed wedding."

"Tell me about it. Things have gone to shit over here. After you ran, a patrol caught your scent; I led them as far away from you as I could. Right now they're heading south and I hope to God that's not where you went."

"No, no I'm not south," I bite my lip, I want to tell him but I can't. I trust Aaron but I couldn't risk it.

I heard his tired chuckle, "Good, that's good," his voice trailed off, "Lara? Why?"

"Aaron...you're an amazing guy and will be an amazing Alpha but you're not mine. I will never have your heart and I will never be able to complete you. You know what happens to wolves that don't find their other half. They go dark and I care about you too much to let that happen. And, yeah, we would be strong together but never strong enough. Please, believe me." I plead while silent tears run down my face. I really didn't want to hurt him. We had grown really close in the time before the wedding. He was the only one who understood what I was going through because he was going through the same thing. In the beginning, I hated him. Blaming him for everything that was happening. But I soon realized that he was just as much of a victim as I was. And the sweet moments that I was noticing more where happening practically all the time. He was my closest and only friend.

"Thank you, Lara," I could still hear his hurt but I knew he understood, "Thank you for being strong enough to do something that I would never be able to do. And also for telling me the truth."

"Always, we're still friends and I'll always be there for you," I chuckle, "well as best I can, of course. Can I, uh, ask you something, actually?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"My mom... how is she?" I pinched my eyebrows together, a habit I had when I was concerned.

"She's doing the best she can, Lara. Her only child had just runaway and is now a Rogue. The packs are torn up, it's chaotic and the Knight Luna has the most pressure on her. Just be careful out there, survive for her and...and me. That's all you need to worry about, okay?"

"Okay," I repeat but I knew I couldn't hold to that promise. Not only is something big going on but I couldn't stop worrying about what was going on back home.

"Look I got to go, someone's coming. Please call me when you get somewhere safe."

"I will and Aaron?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to find out what's really going on." I promised him. It wasn't going to be easy or probably safe but I needed this, we all needed this. I just hoped I was doing the right thing.

I could hear his concern, "Just stay safe." The line went dead and I was on my own again.