Even said there was a safe house we could go to if there was nowhere else.
As we waited for Law to return with Mila, I gave Even my dad’s clothes and washed the blood from his cuts. I also double-checked that he was okay to go before they came back because he looked exhausted.
But Law returned empty-handed.
“Where’s Mila?” I asked, standing up.
Law shrugged, “She’s not coming.”
“Why not?”
“She’s just not, okay.” He sounded defensive, like it was his fault. Maybe he said something that made her angry or something.
“No, I’m not leaving without her.” I argued, unpacking the suitcase I just spent thirty minutes putting together.
Even leaned on my bookcase, “Hazel, we’re in danger. We can’t stay here.” He walked with great effort over to my bed until he was next to me.
“I thought you were the one who wanted to stay here.” I crossed my arms.
“It’s the Alpha’s orders.” Was all he said. I still didn’t want to leave without Mila. Why didn’t she want to come?
Even was already zipping up my suitcase when I thought of another excuse.
“Shouldn’t we wait until you’re healed? Are you sure you can go?” I asked Even for the millionth time and he nodded.
“It looks worse than it is.” Even lifted up my heavy suitcase with his left hand, eventually using both hands to hold it over his head.
“What? How?” I asked. Normally, when you’ve been beaten up and can barely move, you can’t pick something up. Especially my incredibly heavy suitcase that weighs more than fourty pounds.
“Werewolves heal extremely fast.” Law added.
“Apparently.” I remarked, tying my hair back.
Law and Even didn’t pack anything, even after I told them they could take one of my parents’ suitcases. But all they wanted to carry was the clothes they were wearing.
I wrote my parents a short note that said I was staying over at a friend’s house to do a project and that I wouldn’t be back for a week. I’d probably return before they even realized I was gone.
I said goodbye to my house and left, wondering when I’d be back. Hopefully before graduation, which was in early June. I still had to decide which college I was going to by late June.
We took the bus so our scents would be untraceable.
We received odd looks from strangers, probably because Even was so beaten up. But also because Even and Law looked. . . like that. They were drawing attention from women, with their perfect, muscular bodies and handsome faces. Some of those girls were giving me dirty looks. But I just looked away.
I’d never really noticed how handsome they were. I mean, I knew they looked better than the average man but I focused more on who they were and how they acted rather than their looks.
Like, for instance, that Law is finally coming around and acts like he doesn’t actually hate me. And that Even wanted my help and no one else’s when he was hurt. He could’ve gone to anyone else but he didn’t.
We stayed on the bus longer than any other passenger. I saw people get on for a few stops and get off. The world moved around us until we were the last people there.
The sun was sinking rapidly and I wished I’d brought a watch.
“Are we almost there?” Law asked impatiently and Even nodded. He gave up answering him hours ago.
“So how long are we going to be gone?” I assumed it would be a few days, a week maximum.
“Until it’s safe.” He didn’t elaborate so I bit my lip and tried to get some sleep.
I leaned my head against the window and fell asleep. I dreamed about discovering my powers and how amazing it felt to use them. I was happy, wanted, and needed. Everything around me was in perfect harmony. I’d felt like I finally knew who I was, which was all I ever wanted.
For once, I felt like I belonged.
“Hazel,” Law was shaking my shoulder, “Wake up, it’s time to go.”
I blinked and looked out the window, the sun gone. It was dark, the moon nowhere to be seen.
I grabbed my suitcase and we all got off the bus.
The air smelled of fresh grass hit me and overwhelmed my nose. It looked like we were in the middle of nowhere.
“This way,” Even limped along and I hesitated.
We followed a dirt path for about half an hour when I noticed that Even’s limping had become worse. He gritted his teeth in pain with every step.
“Are you sure you can walk? We can take a break if you need it.” I said in a concerned voice but he kept walking.
“He’s a big boy.” Law dismissed and I raised an eyebrow.
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
“I’m fine, we’re almost there.” Even answered and in another thirty minutes, he was right.
I was lagging behind Law and even Even, my feet sore from walking and my arm stiff from rolling my suitcase.
Law took my suitcase right then and pulled it for me, which I was both surprised and thankful for.
Then I saw a small barn in the distance, surrounded by sweet bushes and pine trees.
“We’re here so you can stop asking.” Even aimed at Law, who scowled.
When we approached the barn, Even tapped three times.
A woman in her mid-twenties opened the door. She was wearing a light pink robe and moccasin slippers.
“Hi, Even,” The petite girl bowed respectively and he nodded.
“Hello, Flora,” Even greeted and elbowed Law, who faked a smile.
“Hey, Flora,” Law mumbled and she smiled at us. How did they all know each other?
“I haven’t seen you in a long time, is everything okay?”
Even replied, “The pack was compromised. We just need a few days until it’s safe.”
“Is my sister okay? What happened?” Flora asked quickly before she noticed me, “Ah, who’s this?” Flora studied me and I could feel her prodding at my thoughts. Something told me she was a werewolf.
“I’m Hazel,” I greeted and she stepped forward to hug me.
“I’m Flora Engel,” She smiled sweetly and gestured for us to enter, “Come in, you must be exhausted.”7
“And starving.” Law added and she laughed lightly.
“Of course, I’ll go get some food.”
She led us into a small barn and told us to wait for food and blankets.
I unzipped my suitcase and took out some fresh socks since mine were all sweaty and gross.
“It’s nice of her to let us stay here.” I said as we sat down on stacks of hay. The only thing I didn’t like was how cold it was, it felt like fall.
Flora rushed back in, giving us each a container of salad, “Here you go,”
“Thank you,” Even and I said and we waited for Law to say something.
“Lettuce?” Law asked incredulously.
“Just kidding,” Flora grinned, “I also have some sandwiches.” She gave us a bag of a variety of sandwiches and bottled waters.
“Thanks, you’re the best,” Law said and started eating an Italian sub.
“I’m sorry there isn’t any heat in here.” She apologized and after she handed us a pile of blankets and sleeping bags.
“It’s fine, thank you for all this,” Even said sincerely even though it was getting uncomfortably freezing. I was getting goosebumps so I moved my hands up and down my arms.
There were three sleeping bags and blankets for each of us. I frantically wrapped myself in the blanket’s soft fur, wishing I’d brought warmer clothes.
It was the middle of April and I was shivering. It seemed that it was still cold during the night, winter’s spell lingering into spring’s reign.
“I’ll be inside if you need me.” She bowed goodbye.
We ate in silence, the turkey sandwich satisfying my hunger.
I yawned and sat back down on the ground, zipping myself up in the sleeping bag.
“I’ll take the first shift.” Law announced and got up to stand next to the door.
I shut my eyes tightly and tried to sleep but I couldn’t stop shivering. I moved my feet together, trying to stay warm, but it was just too cold.
“You okay?” Even asked quietly and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I thought he’d be asleep by now.
“F-F-Fine.” My teeth chattered and I heard some rustling.
Before I knew it, Even had moved closer and laid down next to me, my back facing him. He draped the blanket over both of us and I felt instantly warmer. His body radiated an endless amount of heat, which made my body stop shivering. God, he was so warm.
“Thanks, Even, but I’m good now.” I reluctantly said, moving away. It felt weird being this close to him, I barely knew him.
“When will you let me in, Hazel?” He asked and I closed my eyes.
“I don’t know.” I breathed out.
“You push everyone away,” He sounded sad, “Learn to trust people.”
“I barely know you.”
“At least I’m trying.” Even replied and I felt a pang of guilt.
“I’m scared.” I admitted.
“Of what?”
“Everything.” Scared of dying, scared of being poisoned again, scared of losing my sister, scared of my powers, scared of the future.
“You’re almost there, Hazel, don’t be afraid.”
That was the last thing I heard before sleep pulled me under.