Chapter 31

Selene

For mine and Makayla's safety, we follow Phoenix and Luke to the club in our cars. I'm still shaken up from the break-in, but I feel a little better knowing that we'll be under Phoenix's protection.

Inside the club, Phoenix shows us to our room in the back of the building. There's a bed in the middle of the room, and various oddly-shaped furniture around the room. The lingering scent of disinfectant and lemon invade my nostrils.

"What do you think that's for?" I whisper to Makayla, nodding towards the chair that looks more like a slide.

"Well I suppose your ass would go up in the air here and your head would be down here." She goes to demonstrate, but I tug on her arm, my cheeks flaming.

"Okay, I get the picture."

Phoenix watches us silently from the doorway as we continue "Sorry, this is the best I can offer you guys for right now."

Makayla scrunches her nose. "Eww, we're going to stay in a room that countless people have fucked in?"

"Every surface is cleaned and sanitized every day, Makayla," Phoenix grumbles, rolling his eyes. I almost laugh at his annoyed expression.

"Still-" I elbow Makayla's arm, making her shut up. We should be grateful that they're even helping us.

"So, how long are we staying?" I ask.

"A few days, just until we figure out who did this and to make sure both of you are safe."

I nod in understanding. "Okay."

I feel anxious being here, but Luke explained to me before we arrived that this is a legitimate club, a place for former werewolf camp members to safely blow off some steam-indulging in drinking or sex.

Now, I know what the back rooms are used for. I thought they just needed a lot of storage or something.

Despite my concerns about the environment, Luke assured me that both him and Phoenix would make sure to protect us from any negative influences. It's not like we haven't been to this club many times before, but knowing we'll be staying here temporarily, makes this place feel different. Dangerous, even.

But of course, after your home, your place of safety and comfort, has been compromised, everywhere feels dangerous.

"Um...thanks, Phoenix. For everything," I say, flashing him a small, nervous smile.

He nods, his expression stoic. "Of course. If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know." With that, he turns and leaves us to get acquainted with our temporary room.

"This is crazy, right?" Makayla plops down on the sex couch, propping her feet up.

I remain standing, wrapping my arms around myself, guilt and shame washing over me in a suffocating wave. This is all my fault. Whoever broke into our place put Makayla in danger too. And we're both stuck here until who knows when. Though I trust Phoenix and Luke, there's a huge possibility that they won't find the intruder and we'll have to move to somewhere off the grid or something. It's not like I could ever feel safe knowing the perv is still out there and what he'll do next when he finds the opportunity.

"I'm sorry you got roped into this," I tell Makayla.

She shakes her head. "It's not your fault. Besides, this could be fun. Plus you get to spend some more time with Phoenix." She wiggles her eyebrows, making me blush.

My wolf perks up at that, feelings of lust swirling within me.

No. I shouldn't feel any positive emotions about what's going on right now. I need to focus on how to get both Makayla and me out of this mess.

After a while of just sitting and thinking, Makayla goes to the front for a drink while my mind drifts off the what Luke said about werewolves coming here to blow off steam. I wonder what Phoenix does when he's angry after a long day of being my father's bodyguard. Does he drink or have sex? The thought of him being with other women makes my stomach churn. I have no right to be jealous, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

I decide to go on a run to clear my head. Slipping out the back exit, I strip off my clothes and take off into the forest, allowing my wolf to take over. My bones snap and rearrange until I'm running on paws instead of feet.

The wind blows through my sleek fur, the sweet scent of pine wafting through my nostrils. It feels so good to be free, It's not like I shift often. I'm always too busy working and trying my best to blend in with the humans.

Our ancestors would be ashamed. They probably lived here in the forest, shifting into their wolf forms as they pleased. I doubt only rogues did that now, and even they had to be cautious. If humans found out about us, it would be bad news.

Sprinting through the forest, I drink in the Beautiful view. There are probably miles and miles of trees and forest life here that I have yet to explore. I know I'll have to leave it for another day. Maybe next time I could even bring Makayla or...Phoenix. It would be so nice to run with him, and see his wolf for the first time.

I wonder what it looks like. Probably big and muscular like him, with soft fur I could run my fingers through and hear him purr for only me. Does his wolf crave me the same way my wolf craves him? It's wishful thinking, I guess.

Where did you disappear to, Selene? You have about two seconds before I freak the fuck out and get Phoenix to go track you down, Makayla mind-links me, panic evident in her voice.

Oh, shit. I should've told her I had gone for a run, especially with the whole intruder thing. She probably thought I got kidnapped or something.

I just went on a run. I'm coming back now, I tell her.

Coming to a stop, I turn around and begin heading back towards the club, making a promise to myself and my wolf that we will be back out here again soon.