Chapter Eight
1535 Words
Third Person
When Madison entered the neutral city, she stopped at a bank. She looked like hell, but she walked through the entrance with one thing on her mind. Her fated mate wouldn’t be so cruel as to freeze her accounts.
Oh, she was so very wrong.
The teller explained that nothing could be done. Almost ten grand was gone unless she went back to Scott and begged, and there was no way in hell she was doing that. Marching out of the bank, she was furious. The goddess gave her an absolute d**k for a mate.
“f**k,” Madison screamed as she hit her palms against the steering wheel. “I hate him.”
Topaz whimpered as her human heaved in frustration.
When her phone chimed with a message, she ignored it and pulled out the chip before powering it down. She wouldn’t let Scott find her that easily. She would purchase a burner phone after she set up her new home.
Madison cursed herself for being so painfully naive. Her faith in her mate and the Moon Goddess was shattered. The only person she can trust is herself and her father. It was them against the pack.
Across the street, Alpha Barrett Grimm was getting out of his car with his beta, Cory.
“Alpha, wasn’t that the girl you saved at the Cypress Pack house?” Beta Cory asked, staring as Madison got into the beat-up pickup truck. He raised a brow as he caught a glimpse of the blood on her sweatshirt.
Barrett glanced over the roof of the vehicle. His brow furrowed as he watched her hit the steering wheel.
“Is that blood?” His beta asked.
The alpha didn’t get a good look before she pulled away from the curb, driving away.
“Are you sure, Cory? The girl in the truck looked a little rough.” Barrett brushed it off, but he recognized her. Those silvery gold eyes were hard to miss, even hiding behind puffy eyes.
“Yeah,” Cory chuckled. “My mistake. That poor girl looks like a hot mess.” He walked in front of the parked car, looking at his watch.
The alpha paid him no attention as he watched the stranger drive away, unaware of his stares.
“Let’s go, alpha, the meeting is about to start,” Cory reminded him. He followed his beta into the glass skyscraper.
The Grimm Mountain Pack owned this building and many others in the neutral city.
Alpha Barrett’s mind focused on the upcoming business meeting, pushing away the thoughts of that woman. She wasn’t his mate, and he had more pressing concerns to attend to.
Meanwhile, Madison put the truck in Four-Wheel Drive. This bit of road was rough as she drove to the camping spot by the lake. The lake borders the Grimm Mountain Pack, Crimson Moon Pack, and neutral land. She wouldn’t be disturbed out here. In all the years her father has been taking her here, she has never seen another soul. It was the perfect place to hide from Scott.
Topaz howled in agreement. She didn’t want to see her worthless mate either.
By mid-afternoon, Madison had the truck unpacked and her tent set up. It would soon be fall, but it was still warm enough to live outside. Hopefully, by the time the snow falls, she will have enough money for a small place, or she will have her father out, and they will be long gone from this hellhole.
She was exhausted, emotionally and physically, when she climbed back behind the wheel. Before leaving, she changed her clothes and washed off the blood. The wound had stopped bleeding and had scabbed over. It was ugly, but Madison could easily cover it. No one would see it.
Her first stop was to buy a burner phone. She needed to put the new number on her resume. Madison didn’t have a second to waste. She had to find a job and save her father. She did not doubt that Scott would follow through with his threats.
With less than a thousand dollars, she purchased the cheapest phone. Madison had her laptop and would find a place with free Wi-Fi. Hopefully, most of the communication would be through email, since calling minutes were expensive, but if it meant getting a job, then she would fork over the money.
She spoiled herself with fast-food fries and parked the truck at a nearby park, with a school located across the parking lot. Madison grabbed her little treat and laptop and took a seat at a picnic table. There were no kids around, and school must have ended for the day.
She opened the computer, munching on the still-hot French fries as it loaded. Then she connected to the free Wi-Fi from the school. Madison searched for jobs that were located in the neutral city. She didn’t want to have to explain to a pack why she didn’t work in her own pack.
Changing the number on her resume, she applied to ten companies. Madison was skilled primarily in training and the outdoors, but she would take anything offered to her. Even if it meant camping in the cold all winter and getting more than one job. She would pay off the ridiculous make-up debt and get the f**k away from this place with her father.
“Hi,” a tiny voice startled Madison. Her brow furrowed as she glanced at the young boy wearing a school uniform.
“Are you okay?” She asked, glancing around for his parents.
“I’m waiting to be picked up,” he shrugged.
“Are you alone? How old are you?” Madison questioned.
“He’s always late, and I’m six,” the boy said proudly.
“My name is Madison. Why don’t you wait with me?” She introduced herself with a smile, even though she was fuming inside. How dare his parents allow this young child to be left alone? He’s six years old; anyone could take him.
“My name is Titus,” he said, taking off his backpack.
Titus sat beside Madison, watching the screen.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for a job,” she replied. “Are you hungry?”
He nodded, and Madison handed the boy the container of fries. There was still more than half left.
“Thank you, Mads,” his face lit up. “These are my favorite!”
Madison smiled as Titus ate a French fry, his legs happily kicking under the table.
Sending one more email, she closed the computer.
“Did you find a job already?” The boy mumbled, a mouth full of food.
Madison sighed. “Hopefully, I’ll hear back soon.” A headache was starting, and she couldn’t focus on the screen any longer.
“You’re nice. I know you’ll get the job.”
Titus’ enthusiasm warmed her heart. The encouragement was welcomed, even from a six-year-old boy whom she had just met today.
The alpha’s demands were basically impossible, but she wouldn’t give up on her father.
“You’re sweet,” Madison told him, and he looked up at her with a toothy grin.
“Titus, it’s time to go,” a man called out.
Madison’s gaze snapped to a man standing by an expensive car, dressed in a pricey suit. He didn’t look like Titus, who had black hair and cobalt blue eyes. Worry tightened in her gut.
“I have to go,” the boy sighed. “Will I see you again?” He asked, pulling on his backpack.
“Would you like that?”
Titus excitedly nodded his head.
“Okay, I’ll see you after school tomorrow,” Madison promised him.
“Thank you,” he exclaimed, hugging her quickly before running towards the man. “Bye, Mads,” he yelled, waving.
The man opened the back door for him, and that’s when Madison approached the stranger.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” She snapped once the door was closed.
“Excuse me?” The man whipped around, surprised by the woman.
“Leaving your son all alone. He is six. Anyone could have taken him, and you just showed up like it didn’t matter?” she scolded.
“Miss, I assure you he is safe,” he told her, calmly.
Madison scoffed. “Just because nothing has happened yet, doesn't mean something won’t. You should be more careful with your son’s safety.” She crossed her arms, glaring at the boy's father.
“Thank you for your concern, Miss, but I swear he was never in danger,” he repeated.
She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
Madison turned on her heels and walked away, not believing a word this man said. After gathering her things from the picnic table, she got into her truck and headed towards her makeshift home. She would return tomorrow to ensure the boy was safe. No one should have to be alone, especially not a child.
He was sweet, and she smiled when she thought of him. He believed in her. If a six-year-old boy can have faith, then so can Madison.
- Writer
