Daniel picks me up and takes me in his off duty vehicle. So thankfully I don’t feel like a prisoner. “Don’t you have a job or anything?” I joke.
He smiles. “Well, that is the perks of working in a small community. We are able to do things a little differently. A bit more personal. Technically I am still working.”
“Well, I think I am going to like this community. Everyone has been so nice.”
“Yeah, we tend to be.” He is quiet for a minute. “Sophia, if you ever change your mind about pressing charges, let me know.”
I give him a shy look. “I will keep that in mind. I just really want this behind me.”
He nods. “I understand that. But there is a chance that he could do this to someone else.”
“Not likely, he is dying. He won’t live to see next year. That’s the only reason why I was able to get away.”
“Oh, I see. What does he have?”
“A brain tumor. He is refusing all treatment.”
“You know, not to make things any more complicated, but brain tumors have been linked to aggressive behavior. Maybe if you told him that, he might want to get treatment.”
“I don’t want to talk to him. He would find me then. He is also extremely stubborn and he wouldn’t listen to me. He would just use it as a way to find me.”
“Again, it is your choice.”
“Thank you for doing this Daniel.”
“No problem. All part of the job.” He gives me a charming smile.
I turn away from him and look out the window. I have no idea what I am in for. I made the choice though and I will live with it.
Daniel helps me get checked into the shelter. A nice elderly woman named Gretta runs it. She waves Daniel off and gets me settled in. “You will have a roommate. Her name is Ashley. She has a baby, I hope that won’t bother you.”
“No, not at all.”
“Good, she had things just as bad as you. Anyway, here are the bathrooms. I have a clothing room set up downstairs. I understand that you don’t have anything.” She is giving me a tour on the way to my room.
“Nothing but the clothes on my back.”
“Well, we will get you all fixed up, we have group therapy at six. You don’t have to attend but it would probably be helpful. We have people here in the mornings to help you look for work. Then we have a board up front with all the local listings of apartments and roommates.” She stops at a door about half way down the hall. “Dinner is at seven. Breakfast is at six, and lunch is at noon. We do try to have sack lunches if you are going to be out. Like working or job searching. Tomorrow you will be assigned a house chore. I have the list posted in the kitchen. Do you have any questions?”
“Not really.”
“Good, if you need anything just find me. I am sure I can help you. I do have a few rules. Number one rule. No men here. They are not permitted on the premises. We had an incident a few years ago where someone’s husband found her because he started seeing another woman that was here. It wasn’t a good situation.”
“I don’t plan on dating anyone. I just want to get myself together.”
“Good, that is what you should be doing.” She opens the door to the room and leads the way in.
I see a gorgeous woman sitting on her bed nursing a baby. She has long straight brown hair. Her figure is perfect for someone who just gave birth not that long ago. She looks up at us when we come in. “Ahh, the new roommate. I am Ashley.” She puts out a hand for me to shake.
“I’m Sophia. And what is the little one’s name?”
“This is Sam. After my dad. He is a little stinker sometimes. Just warning you now.” She smiles.
“It’s alright. I will be more than happy to help you out as well. I don’t know much about babies, but I am sure I can learn.”
Gretta smiles. “You two are going to be great together. I will see you gals later. Sophia there is a toiletry bag on your bed and some night clothes. You may want to take a trip to the clothing room at some point today. I am sure you will need some clothes before tomorrow.”
“Thank you Gretta.” She nods and leaves the room.
I take a seat on my bed and watch Ashely as she takes care of her baby. I know it is highly unlikely at this point, but Darius sure tried to get me pregnant. I won’t know for a few more weeks for sure. Like I said, highly unlikely.
She puts him down in his bassinet. “So, what brings you here?” She smiles.
“My husband is an abusive asshole.” I state plainly.
“Yeah, mine too. Actually he was just my boyfriend. When he found out I was pregnant he tried to kill the baby. Damn near killed us both.”
“My husband was really trying to get me pregnant, but after what he did I don’t think it is possible.”
“It’s still possible though huh?”
“Yeah, just not likely.”
“What pissed your husband off?”
“Anything and everything. He thought all guys were trying to get with me. Especially his brother. He cheated on me at least twice. I guess the last straw was when he told me I was nothing. I was trying to convince him to listen to the doctor and get treatments. But he said that I didn’t have a say in it. Told me I was nothing. So I ran.”
“Was his brother trying to get with you?”
“Yeah, but I made it clear that I was married to him. Even if I was in love with his brother.”
“My boyfriend was much the same. He thought that any guy who looked my way wanted to fuck me. I didn’t want anyone but him. I loved him so much. I still do in a way. I will never go back to him. I just miss him.”
“I miss him too. He may have been abusive but I still cared about him. I was trying to get him healthier. I took him to the damn doctor. Only for him to completely ignore what the doctor said. I talked to his brother yesterday. He said he is doing really bad. It hurts to know that.”
“You didn’t tell him where you were, did you?”
“Not a chance. I love Markus but I will be damned if I am going to let him be a gateway to be found by Darius.”
“If you love Markus then why did you marry Darius?”
I sigh and throw myself back on the bed. “Darius was my bully in school. He made sure that I did whatever he wanted. He wanted me to be his wife. Simple as that. I learned a long time ago that if you don’t listen to Darius bad things happen. So I did what he said. Markus was gone for a long time. He just came home a few days ago. He couldn’t protect me.”
“Yeah, was he a wolf too?”
I jumped up. “What?”
She pulls her shirt to the side, exposing the scar from teeth. “I recognized the mark. It’s the same as mine. I thought it was great at first. Then he started getting aggressive. I thought he would be happy I was having his baby. But no, he just wanted me. He didn’t even want to share me with our child.”
“Are you human?”
“Yeah, you?”
“No, I’m a wolf too.”
She scoffs. “So they don’t even treat their own any better.”
“Yeah, some don’t. Markus is my true mate. Darius forced us to mark. I never wanted to be with Darius.”
She smiles at the baby. “At least I got Sam out of all this.”
“What happened to your boyfriend? Wolves don’t usually give up a mate.”
“He’s out there somewhere. I am scared to leave here at all. I can’t press charges, that would just make things worse. I am sure you’re in the same boat.”
“Yeah. But you know what? Now we have each other. I am a pretty strong wolf. I could take on a wolf alone. If we stick together we can make things better for both of us.”
“If you are pretty strong then how did he hurt you so bad?”
“When wolves mate, and the other cheats. It causes immense pain and damage to the other in the mate bond. That isn’t something you can fight against.”
“I am so glad I don’t have that. Or if I do, he hasn’t cheated.”
“I don’t think it is the same with humans. But I am sure if you slept with someone that he would feel it. It’s the wolf spirit inside in pain. That is what causes it.”
“Well, I am staying clear of men altogether. Actually I am glad I met you. I don’t know how to raise Sam. He is half wolf. What do I expect?”
I smile. “We will do this together then?”
“Together.” She returns my smile.