Lib Novel Page 42
The word gets stuck in my throat as I realize that I left all the money I’ve saved back in the apartment. It’s all hidden under the floorboard. Why didn’t I think of bringing it with me?!
Without that money, I can’t survive in a human city. I let out a quiet groan. Damn it!
“I have to go back.”
As if agreeing with my decision, the wolf stands up and nudges me with his head, back in the direction I came from.
I hesitate. Maybe if I go to the human-run cities and work there…
But there’s no guarantee I’ll actually find a job straight off the bat. I won’t have a place to live or any money for food.
I’m left with no other choice. I need to return to my apartment.
My heart sinks in despair. If I go back now, I can get the money and then leave tomorrow night. That’s the only solution I can come up with.
“I can’t believe I have to do this,” I mutter under my breath.
The black wolf rumbles in approval and puts his head under my arm, as if urging me to go.
I glare at him. “Are you worried that if I leave town, the pack security may find you when they come looking for me?”
He rubs against me affectionately, and I look away.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell them. But you should hide. Oakrest is heavily guarded. You can’t stay here forever; you’ll end up getting caught.” I give him a reluctant look. “I can bring you some food tomorrow, if you want.”
He gives me that lopsided grin again.
“I’ll leave the food under the tree over there.” I point at an old oak tree a few feet from the stream, and the black wolf huffs.
I wish I could stay here with him. I don’t know why he’s being so nice to me, but I don’t want to leave. Neither does my wolf.
I begin walking away from him, back toward town. It’s hard. Every inch of me wants to stay with this wolf. It feels like I’m leaving something precious behind. I know my head isn’t in the right place right now, but my wolf wants to stay, as do I. I don’t care if the black wolf is the enemy. For just a few minutes, his presence made the heaviness and pain that reside in my heart lessen.
I clench my teeth, my eyes burning with tears. I don’t want to go back.
When I look over my shoulder, the strange wolf is standing by the stream, watching me. My wolf whimpers, and I press my lips together. This is foolish. He could very well kill me. But the truth is, I wouldn’t mind if he did.
I open my mouth to say something to him, but then I let out an uneven breath and head toward the edge of the forest again. I’m not thinking straight. That’s all.
*** **
It’s the early hours of the morning when I reach my apartment building. Exhausted, tired, and hungry, I just want to take a shower and get to sleep. As I climb the steps to my apartment, I catch a familiar scent. My eyes widen and my blood turns cold, but before I can run back down, Noah’s voice sounds from the top of the stairs. “Don’t leave on my account, Sophia. I just came here to talk to you.”
Instinct is screaming at me to run, but he knows where I live. Where am I supposed to run to?
Closing my eyes for a heartbeat, I gather up every ounce of courage within me and take the next few steps to reach the landing.
Noah is standing by my door, his hands in his pockets. From the scant light of the hallway, I can see that he’s grown out of his chubby face. He’s leaner now, more attractive. His blonde hair is tousled, his green eyes sharp as ever. It’s like I’m looking at a different person. But on the inside, he’s the same boy who once tortured me.
“What do you want to talk about?”
He studies me before saying, “You grew up.” A small, half smile appears on his face. “Of course you did. We both did. I wanted to tell you that Freddy won’t be bothering you anymore. I’ve put his father on probation, and I’ve taken over control of the pack security team. I’ve been talking to Elsa and a few other people. Why didn’t you lodge an official complaint against him?”
“An official complaint?” The idea is so ludicrous that I have to stop myself from laughing. “It would have been his entire family’s and the pack security team’s word against mine. I never would have stood a chance. Besides, I’m well aware of my status in this town, Noah. I’m not really part of this pack, am I? You used to tell me so yourself.”
Noah flinches. “Are you really going to hold a child’s words against him now?”
“I was a child, too,” I say quietly.