I was breathing heavily by now, masking the overwhelming fear I felt with wave upon wave of anger, putting a violent façade in place in order to hide how terrified I really was.
"I'm going to go back to my hotel," I said abruptly, "To pick up my luggage. Then I'm coming back here."
Rhys:
I watched Sierra’s gaze shoot back to the man and then to me again. And unspoken question seemed to hang in her eyes, What if he doesn’t come back…?
“I can come with you. Just to make sure you don’t shift while you’re gone,” I offered, though it was less of an offer and more of a strong suggestion. Meaning, he would be in some trouble if he didn’t listen…
"No, thank you," I growled over my shoulder, already halfway out the door. "I can manage just fine on my own, thank you." In reality, I didn't want this stranger to see any of my personal possessions. My photographs, my weaponry. I didn't want him to have an advantage over me, and I definitely didn't want him to attack me while my back was turned/
Rhys:
“I can either come with you or send Sierra. Your pick,” I said, my yes narrowing in is direction. “If you shift out there, with no one to help you, you don’t know what would happen.”
"I choose neither," I told him bluntly, "I'm going alone. Good day to you."
Before either of them could object, I was pushing the door shut behind me.
Rhys:
I sighed and tore a hand brought my hair as the other man walked out the door. I turned to Sierra and Zenith, looking at them tiredly. “Should I go after him?”
I chewed on my bottom lip, looking at Rhys.
“I—I think you should,” I said quietly. “But keep yourself hidden. If he finds out you’re after him, he might get angry. So just stick to the shadows. In case he shifts.”
Rhys:
I nodded slowly and looked back at the door. Shifting my jacket around my shoulders, I started to walk out before stopping and turning around.
“Why don’t you two get to know each other? Sierra might be able to help you, Zenith.”
Sierra. That was her name. I merely smiled at Rhys, hoping it reached my eyes.
“Yeah, sounds good,” she said quietly. “Be careful, Rhys.”
Sierra:
Rhys nodded and slipped out the door. Once he was gone, I turned to the other girl — Zenith, he’d called her — and gave her a tiny smile.
“Well… Zenith, right? And you know I’m Sierra, obviously,” I started with a shrug. “It’s nice to meet you. Though I do wish t could have been under better circumstances.”
“Yeah, I agree,” I murmured in reply, rubbing my hands on my arms. “You… you’ve also been bitten. You’re not a full blood.”
Then I realized what I said. How rude it might have been.
“I—I didn’t mean anything insulting by it!” I immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, I don’t have much of a filter on mg words…”
Sierra:
I chuckled a little, shaking my head. “No worries. I know how it feels. And, yes, I was bitten. It’s been almost three years now, though. Next month, I think…”
“And you’ve known Rhys for that long?” I inquired, not knowing where this type of curiosity came from.
Which way is the town?
I realized suddenly that I had no idea where I was. I was lost, in a foreign environment after transforming from man to wolf and back again… and had no idea how to get back.
Sierra:
I shrugged and glanced around the room, which had been practically torn apart by the wolf-man. I really should learn his name so that I don't have to keep calling him things like that…
"I mean, not the whole time, but close to it," I answered, bringing my gaze back to Zenith. "He helped me go through the changes sometimes."
Rhys:
I stalked the new wolf as he made his way around, careful to keep downwind so that my scent wasn't carried toward him. I had no idea where he was going to try to go or how he thought he would get there. This town is a secret for a reason: not many people get in or out without our permission.
"I see…" I murmured, looking down at my feet. So they weren't dating or anything. Their exchange had made me think otherwise, but her answer somewhat cleared everything.
But there was one question that remained: why did I care?
Sierra:
My gaze grew cautious, worried almost. She was suddem quiet. Was something wrong?
"Is everything all right? Besides the fact that you were turned, of course," I added with a wry smile.
I looked up almost immediately at Sierra's question and offered her a dry smile.
"The whole thing is about me being Turned," I half-lied, my shoulders sagging. "I've been a human for 18 years. Suddenly gaining a new… body, I don't know how to feel."
Sierra:
I nodded slowly, offering her a wry smile. "Ah, yeah… The beginning is hard, definitely, but once you get past the fact that you're literally part wolf it's pretty cool. Heightened senses are great sometimes."
I merely shrugged.
"I'm not sure this is something I want to get used to," I admitted. "The strength and senses are… scary, I guess."
I growled in frustration, turning in a slow circle in order to get my bearings. Something about this place seemed familiar… but where was the logger’s cabin? Which way was the town?
West, I thought, The town is west of New York. But I don’t know which side of it I’m on…
Sierra:
I nodded slowly, humming in agreement. “Yeah… I know how that feels. I’m sorry you got turned, but… there really is no cure. None that any of us have found, anyway.”
Rhys:
He looked lost and confused. Like there was something missing. Did he not know where he was going?
Of course he didn’t… He’d been practically unconscious when I brought him here. He wouldn’t know how to get back.