49. Bowie

Lilith

It was Friday and Eric and Noel both knew I had a game tonight which meant that Juliet and I would be going out before. I told Noel that this time we were for sure going to get manicures and pedicures. He didn’t want to do nothing but watch us so I told him, he should get one. Juliet was all for it. Saying “Noel you don’t have to get polish but trust me someone rubbing your hands and feet is going to feel amazing.” He squished up his face. “Do we have to do that? Isn’t it emasculating for a guy to do that.”

I looked at him and shook my head. “No, trust me good hygiene is important, plus I agree with Juliet, getting your feet rubbed is the best. But if you feel better, I won’t tell anyone about it.” He smiled. “A secret between besties?” I laughed. “Yes.” Juliet chimed in. “I thought I was your best friend.” I hugged her. “Of course, you are but two best friends is better than one.” We walked into the salon and of course they got us right in three chairs all next to each other.

“What color are you going with this week Lilith?” Juliet asked. “I think a red nail with black tips.” I said smiling. “You?” Juliet chose a bright pink, and I smiled. She loved bright colors. We were just finishing up laughing as Noel was saying he loved this and was down for it anytime. Praising the women for their strong hands. Then someone walked into the nail salon and my whole face fell. Juliet looked to see how I was staring at. “That is Bowie” Juliet told Noel.

What the hell was he doing here, he didn’t come to the nail salon. He marched over to me, more like strutted. His body covered in tattoos. He had a jacket, and I knew without he had a gun on him, probably hidden under that ridiculous jacket. It was still warm outside, why was he wearing a jacket. “I thought I would find you here, I never forgot your routine.” I glared at him. “What do you want Bowie, if you know my schedule you know I have a game to get to.” I crossed my arms and looked at him. “Is that anyway to great someone who just got out of prison?” I kept staring at him.

“I have to go.” I pushed past him making sure my shoulder hit his. He grabbed my arm. “I will be there at the game, tonight.” I pulled my arm from him. “Don’t fucking bother, I don’t want you there. Oh, and by fuck off no one wants you around, especially me.” I marched out of there I heard Bowie say to Juliet. “It is nice to see you again Juliet.” She hurried to catch up with me. Once far enough away she stopped in front of me. “Are you okay Lilith.” I stared at her. “Let’s just fucking go.” I said and she nodded. Noel mind linked me. “What was that about?” He asked. I responded. “I don’t want to talk about Bowie okay so drop it.”

Noel continued “He is a shifter isn’t he?” I looked at him. “He is not a wolf shifter but he is something and I rather not get into it okay.” I said and kept walking. Bowie was worse than a wolf shifter, something very very rare, according to Rob. He could walk in daylight and eat human food, but he was not what he seemed. He was just as dark as I was, and I didn’t want to talk about it.

We had bonded well when I was younger, both our mothers had become pregnant from rape. The only difference was Bowie mother died giving birth to him. So, like me and so many others he was in foster care system. Noel “Do not mess with him, he is more dangerous than you know.” I spoke. “We need to tell Eric about this if he is as dangerous as you say.” I paused and mind linked him. “I will tell him, but not right now.” I planned to bring it up if Bowie ever showed up in my life again. He had been in jail for a couple of years, and I didn’t think when he got out, he would want to reconnect, so I never brought it up.

He worked for Rob, but Rob was adamant that I needed to be careful around him. He equaled a shifters strength, but being what he was meant he couldn’t do everything his father was capable of. Not that he knew who his father was. Rob had brought him up like he had with the shifters he brought into his fold. Rob had figured out what he was and helped him as much as he could. Juliet Noel and I pilled into the car and drove back to the school.

Eric was going to be at the game with Ellen, I told him Rob would be there as well, which of course he didn’t like but he had to deal with it. Rob tried top make it to some of my sport events and that was just how it was. Eric found the three of us as we were walking into the stadium. He gave me a long kiss and I pulled away. I was in a bad mood, with seeing Bowie. The fact he had sought me out, knowing my schedule. I could tell Noel was mind linking his brother. Dam it I should have commanded him to let me be the one to talk to Eric.

Eric looked at me and Ellen spoke. “Lilith your school is huge, this is crazy. Though your uniform, no offense, could be a little more appropriate.” I nodded at her. Kali was silent in my head. She I knew was thinking. Bowie showing up unnerved her to. Which was an indication that he was a bad guy. “Ellen this is Juliet my best friend.” I paused and then said. “Noel too is my bestie.” Noel I knew was smiling he liked to be recognized. “Look I will see you after the game. I got to go.” I ran off toward where I was supposed to be.

I didn’t want to talk, I just wanted to think. What was Bowie doing, was he still working for Rob. I looked in the stands and saw Eric and Ellen sitting down. Noel was in the student section with Juliet. Then my body went cold seeing Bowie walking in with Rob. Well, that confirmed what I wanted to know. Bowie was still working for Rob. I watched as Rob went and sat next to Ellen and Eric. Bowie in tow. God, this was going to be a shit show. And I knew it. I needed to not focus on that right now.

I had a game to cheer for, but it was going to be hard not to keep an eye on those four. This was a fucking disaster. “Lilith after the game, we should just run home. Mind link Noel and Eric and I can run us home. You can steal a car and drive it to the edge of the city and then shift and run home. I don’t think we should engage with anyone until we are safe at home.” I agreed with Kali. As much as she was a hard ass and felt like she was the best of the best. She had seen what Bowie could do and above all Kali was about self-preservation and Bowie threatened that more than once.

Two years ago, at 16, both of us were more naive and we didn’t really know what we do now. I was still a teenager. That was true but now I had much more knowledge and Kali had learned to, both of us grew and we both knew Bowie would lead us into a path that would be a disaster. He had already come close before. More than once. I flew through the air and did what I needed to. The game ended and we had lost. The party that would follow would be people drowning their sorrow. I sent a text to Juliet. “I need to leave, no party for me tonight.” Of course she was okay with that.

She didn’t know what happened with Bowie and I but she knew seeing him upset me. I mind linked Noel and Eric telling them I was going home and would see them there. Eric tried to convince me to go with him, but I had already left the school. I needed a fucking car to make my escape. Luckily, I found a motorcycle. It was nothing fancy, but it would do. I drove to the edge of the city where the woods began and pulled the bike over and heading into the woods. I stripped and shifted. Kali took my clothes and pom poms in her mouth.

“Okay this is a lot of shit to hold onto.” She complained. I had to tie my shoes around her tail so it wouldn’t trip her up. “Kali this was your idea, and you know I need all of this.” She huffed. “I know” I said to her in my head. “Please be mindful of my phone and ID.” I said and she agreed. We took off. She had been uncomfortable but also glad we had a long run ahead of us. I knew when I got home, I would shower and go straight to bed. Tomorrow I would have to give answers. I knew Eric would beat me home and would want to discus this the second I got home.

The only thing I would say on this subject tonight, was to tighten security. I didn’t think when Bowie got out of jail he would come find me. I figured I may see him, but Rob knew what had happened with him and I was sure he would keep him away from me. Especially since he didn’t approve of me dating him, two years ago. Not just because of the age difference. But Rob had brought him to my game. I was confused and just didn’t like how this was going. If he was coming to my nail salon to seek me out. Did that mean he would try to track me back to the pack.

I kept running, Kali was silent as we found our way home. I wanted to just have time to think. How was I going to explain Bowie and what he was to Eric, what risks he posed. Eric already hated Rob, and now he knew that Bowie and Rob were in cahoots. He would not be happy, I already knew he would hate Bowie, he was jealous of my past relationship, despite the fact it was never sexual. But I understood it. It was the nature of our bond. But he could not be clouded by jealousy when it came to Bowie. I sighed as I approached the packhouse I saw Eric sitting out front, he had been waiting for me.