Chapter Fifteen
Before I can get out of the room, I hear a ferocious growl making me spin around, which causes a pain so bad I wince. Axe is standing there, his eyes as dark as I've ever seen anyone's. I feel my heart drop into my stomach at his expression.
“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I jump at the loudness of his voice.
“I...” I stammer for words. His eyes dart around the room before looking at the open closet. He stalks over, which makes me shoot back from him, and he closes it.
“Get out,” he grumbles, staring at the wall.
“I...” I try to say I'm sorry but nothing comes out.
“GET OUT,” Axe shouts, making me bolt out of the room as fast as I can despite the pain in my ribs.
I go to my room and lock the door. I don't think Axe would hurt me but the look in his eyes... I just saw the untamed side of Axe, and shit, it was scary. I don't really know Axe. He's an alpha, and when it comes to his mate, I don't know what he's capable of.
***
I've decided I'm leaving. I keep saying I'm going to escape werewolf territory and I'm not prolonging that any longer.
Axe losing his temper is the last straw I can handle.
Since I can't walk around in Axe's clothes, I put back on the ones I was wearing when I got attacked.
Axe washed them but I didn't want to get back into them.
Luckily, I didn't throw them out, though.
After tucking the bruise cream and pill slip into the waistband of my pants, I take a deep breath.
It's been hours since my mistake of walking into that room.
I don't know where Axe is but I don't feel his presence in the house so I'm good to go.
There's no point me trying to apologise to Axe even though I want to.
I'll never see him again, and once I graduate I'll never see any werewolf again.
When I step outside the house, a cool breeze hits me.
It feels like forever since I've been outside.
I try to keep to the empty areas of the pack's lands to get back to my house but I practically have to follow the main road.
Thankfully, it's late, so there's no one out here.
Usually there would be a calmness walking through empty streets at night but not in this pack, not for me.
My house comes into view and I clench my teeth together, not wanting to step foot inside it.
But I need my shit and car keys. Instead of going through the front door, certainly locked, I sneak through my window, which I always keep open.
Once I pack the necessities, shoving everything I can in a bag along with my laptop, I'm ready to leave.
The door to my room opens and Kieryn walks in staring daggers at me.
“Why the fuck are you back?” he spits.
“Piss off. I came to grab my shit.”
Instead of going back out the window, I push past him and leave through the front door. I put my bag in my car and hop behind the wheel. I sigh, trying to decide where to go. This is the start of something new for me.
***
I pull up in a hotel parking lot. A hotel is my best option until I can figure things out.
When I enter the lobby there's a woman sitting behind a desk, reading a magazine.
She seems startled when the bell goes off signalling I walked in.
It's obvious she didn't expect customers at such a crazy hour.
“Umm, hi, how can I help you?” She stands up behind the desk.
“Can I have a room for... three nights?”
I don't know how long I will stay here but I can't waste too much of my savings so the next three days are going to be spent doing extensive research. She puts my details into the computer and I use my bank card to pay. She passes me the room key and as I go to turn around, she calls me.
“... If you're in danger, you should let us know.”
Damn, I forgot about my bruises. Her mind must be going wild thinking about what happened to me.
“I'm fine,” I say, and she offers a sad smile with a nod.
I go to my room and when I see it, I smile.
Even though this is a hotel, this is like my own place.
I feel free for once. After setting up my laptop at the table and grabbing a pair of pyjamas, I go to the bathroom.
My shower is like an hour long; I figure I should take this time to relax.
After I've applied the cream and pain pills, I get to researching.
***
The past two days in this hotel have been bliss for me.
I know most people hate being alone but I feel peaceful for once in my life.
Being alone in a quiet place that I know is paid for is the most serene state of mind I can think of.
Apart from room service, which is expensive, I haven't seen anyone.
I've decided I'm going back to school next week.
I can't stay here forever, never mind how much I want to.
As for my job, I really should wait for my face bruises to heal before going back to work.
In the past, makeup was enough to hide my bruises because they weren't so bad but these ones are going to take a little longer before makeup will cover them.
Regarding my research, I have found some small places that are nice but I just don't want to move in and end up struggling because I fall behind on money.
This hotel isn't doing anything good for my money problem but that's where I'm at right now.
I'm going to try finding cheaper places but going any lower could mean a bad neighbourhood or problems within the apartment.
Figuring I only have one paid night left of my stay, I head down to the lobby to pay for extra nights. The same lady greets me.
“I need to book a longer stay,” I say.
“That's fine. Stay as long as you need.”
“Should I pay daily?” That's probably a good idea. It'll give me a kick in the ass to get out of here quicker.
“Actually, Miss Raines, I've spoken to my husband and we decided you don't need to worry about payment. You stay until you're okay.” She smiles kindly.
“Why are you being so nice?” I frown.
“Honey, we have young kids. I can visibly see you're in a bad situation. I want to do my best to help. If my children were ever in danger, I hope someone would do the same for them.”
“Ohh... thank you,” I murmur, then add, “so much.”
“We own the hotel so anything you need, just ask.”
“I appreciate that.” I smile at her. “I'm Elora by the way.”
“Karena.” She offers her hand and I shake it.
“I'm going to do some shopping. I'll see you later.”
We say goodbye, then I head back to my room to grab my purse.
Despite the fact that the small shopping centre is just down the road, I still drive to not exert myself.
Going through the shops I need to go to, I spend a little extra money on the things I need now that I don't have to worry about my hotel room.
Thinking of Karena's generosity makes a tear fall down my face.
Werewolves tend to look down on humans, saying they're weak and have an unpleasant nature about them.
Yet humans are the ones that have shown me kindness.
Maybe werewolves are the inadequate species in life.