After I run down the stairs, I bend my legs and slip on my boots. Then, I pull open the door and step out into a warm sunny morning. But before I take another step, his arm catches me around my waist, stopping me. I haven’t touched her since I met you, I swear.
Anger explodes inside of me and I turn to glare at him. Do you honestly expect me to believe that after what she just said ? I told you already this was wrong. I won’t let you use me when you’re still with her. I can’t do it.
His eyes are wide and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. They’ve always been dark, but right now, I see a glimpse of emotion that I know I can’t begin to understand but stings at the same time. Let me-
No, I say and storm away, walking up the path toward the iron gates. A tear slides down my face and I wipe it away furiously. I’m not going to cry over him. I’m not.
My heels crunch on the gravel as I walk as fast as I can, intending to somehow find the train this time. Once I get to the gates, I glance over my shoulder, admiring Colton’s house. It looks beautiful in the day time. Like something out of a scary fairy-tale.
Is he telling the truth about him not sleeping with Jenny ? Am I stupid enough to believe him ?
The screech of tires shocks me out of my thoughts. I turn my head, and to my horror, Colton’s Mercedes is flying up the driveway, racing toward me.
Shit !
I kick off my boots and run down the road. But it’s no use. The rumble of his car continues to get louder as it gets closer, matching the thudding pace of my heartbeat.
He shoots past me and the car swerves around to face me. I stop, watching him get out and start coming for me. I don’t like it when you run away.
His dark eyes flash bright gold and I start backing away, tiny rocks cutting into my feet as I turn and start running back. My chest rises and falls when I hear him growl behind me and the thuds of something heavy vibrating against the ground.
I fall forward and cry out when the concrete grazes my legs. But I freeze when I feel heavy breathing on the back of my neck.
Whimpering, I turn around, seeing a large wolf standing above me, black fur blowing in the breeze, teeth snarling and golden eyes burning into my own.
A rush of emotion attacks me. I’m screaming before I’ve even realized it. I can’t help it. I’ve never seen anything like it. Not even a normal wolf at the zoo. And I know that this is Colton. This creature truly is him.
Although he looks threatening, he makes no move to attack me, only glares at me. What’s strange is that he looks like him. The human him.
I can’t stay, my voice shakes. You…You can’t make me. He growls in protest, his lips going back, revealing sharp teeth. This is over.
As my words sink in, his ears go back, and he bows his head. Eventually he stands taller and shakes his head in silence. Although he doesn’t say anything, I know he’s telling me that this isn’t over.
He turns around and runs. Stopping by his car, he shifts back into human form and is already driving away, leaving me alone. I sit in the middle of the road for some time, just staring in the direction his car disappeared.
But eventually, I get up, knowing I need to get home. Digging my hand into my pocket, I pull out my mobile and try calling Ray. It goes straight to his annoying voicemail. I try a few friends, but they aren’t available to pick me up.
I groan when there’s only one person left on my list that I haven’t tried and I’m not sure it’s a good idea or not. Taking a deep breath, I press call. It rings a few times, until a sleepy voice on the other end answers. Hello ?
Hey Toby. It’s, uh, Layla. Could you pick me up ?
I walk thirty minutes all the way to some gas station Toby gave me directions to meet him. By the time I reach the place, I’m exhausted, sore, and wish I’d instead stolen another one of Colton’s cars.
I don’t know how I managed to find here. It’s in the middle of nowhere, randomly placed in between clusters of woodland trees. I’m cold and hungry and my knees hurt badly from falling. I take a seat on some bench next to the lifeless station, a chill shivering down my spine at how creepy and lifeless it looks.
After a few minutes of waiting, a silver BMW eventually rounds the corner and speeds over to me. I stiffen at first but relax when I see Toby sitting in the driver’s seat. He looks rough, hungover from last night.
Awkwardly, I open the door and get inside. He’s wearing a white t-shirt with short sleeves and my mouth goes dry when I spot a tattoo of a wolf on his skin. Thanks for picking me up, I say as we start driving.
What happened ? He’s looking at my grazed knees, his eyebrows furrowed with concern.
I shrug, not wanting to get into it. I fell.
Our eyes meet, and I know he can see it. The lie. His pale blue eyes are bloodshot, and I remember seeing him drink way too much last night before Jared attacked me. It is a little weird calling him to come and pick me up. We only talked once at his party.
You look a terrible, he says, and I breathe a laugh, shaking my head. It’s no wonder he’s single.
So do you.
He grins, and silence engulfs us both as he drives. I told him briefly about what happened on the phone because he asked. I left Colton out because I wasn’t sure how to explain it. Not only that, they’re cousins. I have to tread carefully.
Suddenly my stomach growls loudly and fire licks my face. He looks over and chuckles. You want to stop off at McDonald’s before we head back ?
I nod my head eagerly. Yes. I’m starving.
I heard, and so am I.
As we drive down a country lane, I look out of the window. The weather is nice today. The air is a little cool, but the sun is shining. Lanten, as far as I remember, is by the sea. It’s naturally a little colder than any other town in North County. The houses are bigger here too. In town, it’s heaving with clubs and night-lifers, but hidden behind it all, are sad, lonely mansions like Colton’s.
As if they’ve been forgotten.
I don’t understand why Colton lives here. Especially since he owns a lively club. Surely, he’d be more suited in a city ?
It dawns on me then that I’m uncomfortable being in the car alone with Toby. I used to have a crush on him, only now it’s like those feelings have evaporated. Poof.
I bite my bottom lip. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea, but I guess it’s too late now since he’s taking me to McDonald’s. I just don’t want it to seem like it’s a date or something. At that thought, I want to hit myself. I should have gone straight home, especially given what happened with Colton.
Thinking about him makes my heart plummet. I want to believe him when he said he hasn’t touched Jenny since he met me, but a part of me is screaming not to be stupid when I’m already being incredibly stupid when it comes to him.
Layla ? Toby says, and I blink, turning to him. He’s looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
Huh ?