3: Throwing Out Insults for Free (Lucky's POV)
Mike stepped back and mouthed something incoherent to me before stepping toward me. He practically had to shove me to the register to talk to Wyatt. As I stepped up, Wyatt crossed his arms over his chest. He stared at me in silence.
I looked at Mike in a panic, mouth bone dry. He motioned for me to talk and I practically stamped my foot as butterflies swirled in my stomach. My voice was soft, “Here to prove your memory is better than your ability to read?”
There was a soft groan from where Mike was standing, but the corners of Wyatt’s mouth twitched before he spoke, “I have some free time and I figured I’d stop in and try something new. A few friends of mine said you’re usually the only one working on Thursday mornings.”
My heart began to pound so harshly I couldn’t feel it anymore. I sucked in a deep breath, “You do realize that kind of sounds creepy, right?”
“An illiterate, creepy guy with a good memory can’t come in and try to teach you how to flirt?” Wyatt ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair and shook his head.
I stammered, “I-I-I-I have not been trying to flirt with you, if that’s what you’re trying to insinuate.”
“Oh, I’m sorry if I misread, gorgeous,” he shoved a hand in his front pocket, “Do you want to take my order or stare at me today?”
A slow, creeping flush made its way from my neck to my cheeks. I pursed my lips, “I think we both know I’m more in the business of staring. I’ll have Mike come and help you.”
“Wait–” Wyatt tried but I had already turned to send Mike a look.
Mike grimaced and stepped up to the counter as I stepped toward the kitchen. I listened as he completed the order. Once the bell rang, I checked to make sure Wyatt was gone through the window.
The moment I stepped out, Mike held out a napkin with his hand, “He left this for you. What is with you?” he leaned back against the counter, “I can’t tell if you think he’s cute or you want to kill him.”
I took the napkin and stared at the 10 digit number that had been written down. No name. No message. Just the number. Finally, I swallowed, “Honestly, I can’t decide either. I’ve barely said four coherent, non-insulting sentences to the guy in the last two or three years.”
“Well,” Mike sighed, “He seems interested enough. You gonna call him?”
I wanted to. I really did. But I couldn’t. There could never be anything between us. I had made my choices previously, and now I was fully feeling their consequences for the first time in awhile.
I tossed the napkin into a nearby trashcan, “Nah. The guy at least deserves someone who can compliment him every now and then.”
Mike stared at me silently for a few moments before giving a small nod, “Alrighty then. Guess that’s that.”
I was running through the dark woods. I could feel my heart pounding, and there was a burning in my chest that could only be explained by a lack of oxygen being taken in. The earth was hard beneath my bare feet. The sky was dark and littered with stars and a full moon.
Howling sounded behind me and I picked up my pace. They were chasing me. How had they found me? I have been so careful for the last few years… And I started slacking. I got comfortable. Mike, Adam and Sandy were my family now. I had a home, even if it was just a room I shared with yesterday's throwaways. I’d made it possible for them to find me near a time when I was vulnerable.
I looked to the moon, Please Goddess help me. I need your help.
There was a burning in my loins that I wouldn’t have been feeling if I’d kept Reika. If she were here, I wouldn’t be in this mess. I should have kept her and left the Dominion. Why had I been unable to let go? Why couldn’t I leave? I’d left the pack, the state… I’d move to a new pack territory within the same Dominion. It was nearby.
The pup. It was the only thing I could think of. Maybe there had been a part of me that wanted to stay close to it– that needed to.
That need was going to get me killed. They were gaining speed. They were going to get me, and rip my throat out. It would be members of my own pack, as well as members of the Obsidian Banes Pack. Maybe even the Alpha King himself would do the honors.
While my mind was reeling, I hadn’t realized I’d run into an open clearing and allowed myself to get surrounded. My human form didn’t recognize the wolves around me. For the first time in years, I called for Reika.
"Reika! Please! Please come help me. I don’t want to die!"
*There was silence. Then, all at once, every wolf rushed forward. *