The Wanted Werewolf

Chapter 4

Elena

"Evangeline, Warren, I'd like you to meet Ellie." Vera introduced us.

"Ellie! What a lovely name!" Warren smiled, his eyes crinkling.

He had skin the color of honey and smelled of moth balls. His back was slightly hunched, and he walked with a cane.

"We are so excited to have you!" Evangeline beamed.

She, like Warren, was an older wolf. She was wearing a skirt and nice top with a string of pearls around her neck. We had the same skin color - her and me. I almost did a double take. I could count on one hand how many people looked like me in my hometown, but here it was different.

"We can't thank you both enough for opening your home on such short notice," Vera continued when I didn't answer. "You know our door is always open, anything any of you need, just let us know."

"We will be just fine!" Evangeline said, hooking her arm with mine. I bristled. Vera cringed but Evangeline didn't give an inch. "Let me show you to your room, Ellie, and tomorrow we can go school shopping for you!"

"Sounds great." I sighed, fighting the urge to run.

There wasn't much else I could do, not until I could get to a phone, or learn the layout a bit better. Goddess, when I got hold of Thorin, he was dead. This is not what I signed up for. I'd rather be living under a rock than this.

"The house isn't big, but it's enough for the three of us," Evangeline said, guiding me through the front door.

We were immediately in the living room, which was hardly big enough for the couch and love seat. The carpet was plush beneath my feet - I was quick to kick off my shoes.

"From here you can see just about everything." Warren laughed.

He wasn't wrong. The kitchen was just past the living room, small, but functional. And through there I could see a back door, a set of stairs, and a hallway.

"Our room is just down the hall, the bathroom too. The master bedroom is upstairs - that's where you'll be staying. Warren and I can't do stairs anymore," Evangeline smiled. "Lucky for you."

"Great." I let out a deep breath to ease the tightness in my chest.

Evangeline encouraged me to check out the master bedroom with the promise of a meal when I came back down. I don't remember the last time anyone had ever cooked for me.

The room itself was large with a walk-in closet and attached bath. There was even a small balcony in the back with a towering oak tree only a foot away. It was like they were asking me to sneak out. Not that it would be hard. Warren and Evangeline both wore hearing aids.

I flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling fan, wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. This place, this life - it wasn't me. And Evangeline and Warren? What protection could they offer? He was going to find me one day. That I knew for certain. I just hoped I'd be ready to face him by then.

"Ellie! I made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!" Evangeline called up the steps.

"We've got chips too!" Warren added.

Goddess help me.

- - - - - - - -

It was just past midnight when I climbed off the balcony and down the tree. I wasn't entirely sure where Alexei was, but I was confident I could find him. My 'caretakers' were out like a light by eight pm, Warren's CPAP drowning out any noise I might have made.

Landing noiselessly on the ground, I took a moment to appreciate my own skills. Thorin was a fool to think this pack could keep me safe. He was -

"Hey, you." Someone called. I whirled around. Three sets of eyes bored into me. "There is no unauthorized movement past ten pm."

I stood there stunned, my mouth hanging open like a damn fool. I never got caught. Not once - not with anyone who lived to tell anyway.

"I just needed some air." I lied, giving them my most innocent-sounding voice. I even tucked my hair behind my ear. "It's been a long day."

The guards softened - I could see it in their eyes - but only for a moment.

"I'll need to report this to Alpha. You should be careful what rules you break. We have them for a reason" he said, sizing me up. "Now climb back up there before you wake anyone."

It was a conscious effort, restraining myself from gutting him then and there. But it was all about the long game.

"Fine," I seethed. I hauled myself back up the tree, making sure I made it look far more difficult than it actually was. The less threatening I seemed to them, the better.

Back in my room, I found myself staring at the infuriating ceiling fan once more. Covered in dust, it mocked me. Tonight did not go to plan. Tomorrow will be better. It would have to be. Despite my best efforts, the bed swallowed me whole, easing me into a deep sleep.

- - - - - - - - -

I thought it impossible for my life to become any more insufferable. I was wrong.

After a dull breakfast and a terrifying car ride, we found ourselves at a large shopping center filled with people, much to my horror. I helped my 'caretakers' cross the parking lot safely, cursing whatever god or goddess who watched over us. The only reason I agreed to this outing was so I could learn more about my surroundings, find the weaknesses, and hopefully find Alexei too. He still hadn't reached out to me - much to my annoyance.

Evangeline squinted, holding the back to school list a little closer while I grabbed a cart. "Well, it says here you are going to need a backpack... and pencils, pens - black and blue, multicolored folders, a binder- "

"Is there anything not on that list?" Warren laughed, shuffling further behind. He plopped down onto a scooter and closed the distance between us.

"I really don't need all of that. I'll be fine without them," I said, again. I only told them half a dozen times at breakfast that I didn't need or want anything. But they were insistent. And partially deaf.

"Oh look! Lunch boxes!"

Gods help me.

"I'm going to run to the bathroom," I nearly yelled, excusing myself. Except a hand grabbed my arm before I could get away.

"I'll go with you, I have the bladder of an infant." Evangeline chuckled, leaning into me for support. "Warren, why don't you go find those chocolates we like?"

"Which ones?"

"The dark chocolate... it came in that red bag... what was the name of it... "

"Oh yeah... what was it... "

Deep breaths. Deep, deep breaths.

"I'll just wait for you ladies, we can all go together." Warren smiled. "I'll keep an eye on the cart."

Evangeline beamed, whispering loudly to me. "Isn't he such a gentleman?"

I gave her my best fake smile, and we shuffled to the restroom. I counted five workers, two doorways, no windows. The other shoppers seemed at ease, happy even. I hated them for it.

"You know what?" Evangeline said as we made our way back to Warren. "You could probably use some new clothes too. Why don't you go try some things on, and we'll grab everything else?"

"Really?" I paused, brows raised.

"I know you've been through a lot, dear. A new pack is a big adjustment. I want you to know you're not a prisoner," she said, patting my hand. "Pick out whatever you'd like, it's on Warren." She winked at her mate.

"Huh?" He asked, fixing his hearing aids.

"We'll meet you at check out."

"Perfect." I smiled. And this time, it was genuine.

I flew through the isles, marking each and every exit as I went. The employees didn't look twice in my direction, as I had hoped. I slipped into the back, past the manager's office and to the exit whose door was cracked open - for smokers or someone taking out the trash - it didn't matter. I was there and gone before anyone was any wiser.

There was a forest out back, dense and dark. I didn't hesitate. Over logs, dodging branches, my legs carried me through like I was walking on air. Easier than wading through snow, no need to worry about slipping on ice. The only problem I faced now was how hard it felt to breathe. My lungs burned, feet slowed as sweat began to form on my brow. The temperature and humidity were a lot different from Russia. A minor setback, that's all it was. That's what I told myself anyway, as I wheezed for air.

A twig snapped - I jumped.

"You were sloppy back there, Ellie." Alexei said, hands in his pockets, two grocery bags dangling off his wrist. He casually strolled towards me. He looked cleaner and brighter than normal. "I waved at you, called your name too."

"Ellie isn't my f*****g name." I bit out, taking in short breaths.

"It is now," He deadpanned. "I know this isn't what you wanted - "

"I wanted freedom!" I bit out. "Not... this."

"This is freedom," he chuckled. "Elena, this is what people like us kill for. This is what they work towards. To live comfortably and not have to steal or kill or do any other dirty work. Thorin found us a haven, your brother - "

"Don't you dare call that traitor my brother," I seethed.

"That traitor risked his life to save both of our lives. In case you forgot," Alexei shook his head, disappointment evident. "Go back, Ellie. Give this life a chance. Give these people a chance. It's better than facing your father or betrothed, I would think." He turned and left, and this time, I didn't care where he went. Alexei was dead to me.

- - - - -

I was back before Evangeline or Warren even knew I was gone. Picked out all new clothes too. I found them bickering over which sandwich bread to get since their usual was out. After what felt like forever, they finally checked out, and we went back home. In just two days - twenty-four hours technically - I had their routine figured out. They were simple people. Content people. Someone I wished I could be one day, but knew it was never possible. It didn't matter what Thorin or Alexei did, I was never going to change.