SAMANTHA.
It's been weeks. I haven't seen Eli since he was parked in the middle of the street, right across from my house. I had just got in, and I heard a car shredding down the street. I looked out to see his red charger waiting out front. I could barely see him from the window, but it was obviously him. I thought he'd run up here and steal me away again. Part of me wished he would. But, he didn't. He just slowly drove off. It was very odd, but so was everything that happened in those two days.
"Sam!" I hear a shout from the entrance to my studio apartment.
Only one person had the key to my place, and that was Kimberly. I trusted her with my life and even more so after I disappeared for two days. Kimberly and I work at the same warehouse and on the same shift. She covered my station that afternoon and even stayed to do my double, which she hates doing overtime. I was able to go back to work without anyone noticing I did a no call no-show for two shifts.
I jog out of the bathroom, and sure enough, it's her. Her straight blonde hair is slapped in a bun on top of her head, her blue eyes slanted in anger.
"What's wrong?"
"You're sweet little prince yeeted his ice cream at me and look!" She points to her now ruined white blouse. It is covered in chocolate ice cream and rainbow sprinkles.
"Gosh Kim, when would you learn how to eat?" I mock her.
"You bi-" Just before she could finish, Alex pushes past her and runs straight to my legs, hugging them tight.
"Alex! How are you, honey bun?" I ask as I bend down to hug him back.
"Titi Kim, mad." He mummbles.
I glare up at her playfully and giggle when she rolls her eyes.
"She's not mad at you, baby. She just doesn't like ice cream on her shirt. That's not nice, you know?"
He nods. "Sorry."
My phone alarm buzzes off in my pocket, and I pull it out to shut it off. That alarm means it's time to head out for work, or I'll be late. Kim is here to watch Alex for the day since she took off for a staycation. Jared dropped Alex off a week ago, two weeks earlier than he was supposed to, so I didn't really have child care set up. I usually alternate between daycare and my mother, but even she wasn't prepared.
"Can't believe wolfy splurged on a new phone for you, after only knowing you one night." She says.
She meant Eli. I told her everything. At first, it was hard for her to believe. I mean, I would think she lost it too if she came to me saying she got kidnapped by a werewolf that claimed to be her soulmate. Then this person brought her back because they couldn't be together. Her response was, "That's some weird Romeo and Juilet shit." And I agreed, but luckily, in this case, it didn't end in a tragedy.
"Me niether." I mummble as I look down at the phone, remembering how surprised I was when I first pulled it out of the little bag he gave me. Also, how unsatified I was to find out his number wasn't saved in it. I can't believe any of this, really. If it wasn't for this phone, I wouldn't even believe that night happened. I'm grateful that Kim stuck by me. She flat out said that either I was telling the truth or I was on drugs, so she had no choice to believe me.
"Don't look bummed, Sammy." Kim walks over and scoops up Alex. "For all you know he was a psycho and you being the hopeless romantic, you fell for the fantasy."
"Maybe you're right."
"Group hug?" She offers. I look up at her and Alex. Alex's brown curly hair fell just below his ears, his brown eyes looking at me with pure happiness and love. Kimberly's smile met her ears. They make me happy, and that is all I need. Right?
I move in for the group hug, and we embrace until another alarm goes off on my phone, warning me I am going to miss the bus if I don't leave right now. I kiss the top of their heads and run out the door, grabbing my bag on the way out. I rush down the block, looking at my phone and trying to find the app to track the bus. Just as I turn the corner, I smack into a firm chest.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" I apologize frantically and quickly.
"No harm done, Luna." the familar voice chuckles.
My head snaps up with recognition, and here I am face to face with Gabriel. I back away slowly, looking around for an escape route just in case he was sent here to snatch me up again. I will admit there is something in me that needs to see Eli but I am not going to disappear on my child. The last time was different he was with his father. This time, he is at home waiting for me.
"What do you want?"
"Relax, just here to chat, Luna." He lets the word 'Luna' roll distastfully off his tongue as if it was a sin to call me so. He seems irritated having to call me that.
"I am not your Luna!" I cringe.
"True... and also not true.." he growls, causing me to flinch.
He exhales a deep breath and closes his eyes momentarily as if to calm himself.
"We need to talk." He extends his hand out, pointing to an all black BMW with blacked out windows.
"The hell we do!" I walk past him, but in a blink of an eye, he is in front of me again.
"Move!" I demand, and though he looks like every cell in his body is fighting not to, he does. I walk past him again.
"Please, it's about Eli." His voice is small and concerning.
I look back at him to study his face. He is serious and maybe even a little bit scared.
I nod to the car, and he nods back at me before walking over to the BMW and opening the rear door for me. The inside is all black leather and fellls cool to my legs as I slide in. I appreciate it. It is mid-October one of the hotter days in the fall when the retreating summer heat fights back against the chilly fall winds.
Gabriel slides in beside me. In front of us is a man I assume is the driver. His long light brown hair is slicked back. He turns to greet us.
"Good afternoon, Luna." His smile is warm, amd his eyes are a deep green. He is very handsome. His face is perfect, except for a set of scars that look like claw marks, dragging from his right ear to his cheek and down the side of his neck.
"This?" He points at the scars, "Rogue attack. Small kid, no wolf, wrong place, wrong time." He shrugs.
"I- I'm sorry." I bow my head, feeling guilty for staring. "Didn't mean to stare."
"Hey, no worries! Tristian doesn't mind." Gabriel chimes in. "He's still one handsome son of a bitch if you ask me." They both share a laugh. Then it clicks for me.
"Tristian, the Beta right?" He nods. "So what do you guys want?"
I am starting to get nervous. I never met Tristian. He's supposedly Eli's right hand, so for him to be out here, it must be important
"So," he starts. "We are gonna ask this flat out." He looks at Gabriel, who nods in aggrement. "Did Eli reject you or not?"