Chapter 0062
Neah
Klaus flashes a reassuring smile as I settle into the car. Raven introduces the two women accompanying us, though she wisely keeps the truth about me to herself. I silently hope she continues to do so, at least for a while.
"You’ll be fine," Raven murmurs, keeping her arm linked with mine when she notices my nervous fidgeting. "We’re all here."
"I’ve never…" My voice trails off as I feel the other women’s curious gazes on me.
"I know," Raven responds knowingly. "That’s exactly why I suggested this. You can’t stay isolated in the pack forever. Meeting others will show you that there’s more to the world than just us."
"Even though Black Shadow is the superior pack," Klaus chimes in with a wink.
Raven pulls a small black card from her pocket and hands it to me. "This is from Dane. He figured you wouldn’t accept it directly, so he asked me to pass it along."
I stare at the card in confusion. "What is it?"
The other women chuckle at my lack of knowledge, but Raven quickly silences them with a sharp glare.
"It’s a credit card," she explains.
"Oh." I take the sleek black card from her, turning it over in my fingers. I’ve never seen one up close before—never had a reason to.
"I’ll show you how to use it when you find something to buy," Raven offers.
"I don’t need his money," I mumble.
She snorts. "You might as well enjoy it. It’s not like he’s hurting for cash."
For a brief moment, I wonder how Dane earns his wealth. He never seems to have a typical job.
"Taxes," Klaus mutters, flipping open a book.
"Taxes?" I echo, puzzled.
"From contracts," he clarifies.
"Plus, Dane owns several businesses in the city," Raven adds. "Let’s just say his pockets are pretty deep."
The other women giggle again, while Klaus simply rolls his eyes.
By the time we arrive in the city, the overwhelming mix of scents—traffic, wolves, food, and other unfamiliar aromas—assaults my senses. I wrinkle my nose instinctively.
"Like I said, it takes time to adjust," Klaus remarks, stepping out of the car beside me and surveying our surroundings.
People are everywhere, moving at different paces—some rushing, others strolling leisurely.
"Welcome to the city," Raven mutters as she links her arm through mine.
A tremor runs through me, my body reacting to the unfamiliar environment. "Get it together," I whisper under my breath, hoping no one hears me.
Klaus stays a few steps behind as Raven drags me from store to store, insisting that I pick something out. "You can’t leave empty-handed," she insists.
She’s enjoying herself, but this isn’t my idea of fun. The noise, the scents, the crowds—it’s too much. I long for the safety of the pack, for the quiet I’ve always known. Every fiber of my being pleads to return to the car, away from all this stimulation.
A hand suddenly wraps around my wrist, halting my thoughts. I glance up to find Klaus watching me.
He releases me immediately. "I know, personal space," he says, his voice calm. "But you’re not enjoying this, are you?"
I shake my head.
"Come to the bookstore with me. It’s quieter there."
Relieved, I nod. He informs Raven, who pouts but ultimately relents, making him promise not to let me out of his sight.
"I’m not an idiot," Klaus retorts. "Isn’t that the whole reason I’m here?"
Raven gives him a meeting location and a strict time limit. "If you’re not back in an hour…"
"You’ll call Dane," Klaus finishes for her. "Wouldn’t expect anything less."
Leaving the bustling stores behind, I follow Klaus through a few winding streets and into a narrow alleyway where a small bookstore is tucked away, hidden from the city's chaos.
Inside, he moves swiftly through the shelves, searching for something while I trail behind, admiring the beautifully bound books. Their covers are intricate and enticing. For a fleeting moment, I wish I could read them—wish I could immerse myself in their stories.
But the truth lingers. The words on the pages are just a mystery to me, an untouchable world I can barely begin to understand.