XXXI. Never Ever Ever

Raine’s POV:

I look down to see the remote controller.

I don’t know when I grabbed it. It just happened.

I stood there and stared at the remote.

The floor flowed open, and Leon grabbed the controller from my hands. He points a finger at my face. “Never. Ever. Ever. Touch my stuff again.”

When I didn’t respond, he slammed the door at my face. I guess I deserved that. He realized it was gone faster than I thought.

Then, I heard it.

I press my ear closer to the door.

The sound of video games.

It was deafening.

I tilt my head to the side and walk down the hallway. Miguel wasn’t wrong. He is a bit of an oddball, nothing like the Alphas I read about in books.

Nothing at all.

With deep respiration, I step down the stairs—my phone buzzes inside my bag. I grab, and a smile appears on my face. I guess I can spare a few minutes since he’s been trying to reach me.

“Hello?” I said.

“So, you’re not avoiding me,” Wolfie responds.

I chuckle, “No.” I lean against the wall. “There’s just a lot of things going on right now.” I look upstairs. I wonder how Leon would feel about me talking to another guy. He should be okay with it since he doesn’t want me. Right?

“That sounds like an excuse.”

“If I was ignoring you. I wouldn’t have answered at all,” I responded.

“Touche.” I can hear the sounds of a soldier talking in the background. He must be playing video games. “What’s going on? You haven’t been logged on for the last few days.”

“Miss me that much?” I tease.

“Miss having a good partner.”

I bit the tip of my nail. “That better only have one type of meaning.”

“It can mean anything you want.” Wolfie always has this way with words that makes my stomach bubbly.

“I-” I glance back upstairs. “I’m taking a vacation.”

“Vacation? Where?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m somewhere near the East coast.”

“I thought you said your family is out of the country.”

“I’m staying with a few...companions.” Companion seems like the wrong word, but I can’t tell Wolfie I’ve been kidnapped.

“Oh. How long?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Three to six months?”

The game pauses, “So, you’re here.”

“Huh?”

“I mean-” there’s a long pause. “I live near the East coast.”

“Oh.”

Wolfie clears his throat, “If you ever need more companions. You can call me. I mean, you’re not obligated to do it if you don’t want to.”

There it is. The smile returns. “I’ll think about it.”

I can hear a small: “Yes.” Wolfie laughs, but suddenly it stops.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing.” He chuckles, “I’ll be waiting for the confirmation message.”

“Alright. I got to go.”

“Okay. I’ll see you.”

I laugh slowly; my head dips down towards the stairs. “Maybe.” I end the call. With a deep exhalation, I slam the back of my head against the wall. “What are you doing, Raine?”

I may be the stupidest person in the world.

Okay, probably not the stupidest person. Someone out there is doing dumber shit than me.

But, still. I must be pretty stupid to put myself between a wall and a hard place.

I have an Alpha upstairs who may or may not get jealous at my more than friendly interaction with my gaming partner.

I’m flirting with my werewolf gaming partner, who could find his soulmate at any moment.

I shook my head, “No. No. You’re free to do anything you please.” I exhale a deep breath, “Anything you please. You’re a free independent woman who isn’t tied up by any man...or werewolf. Flirting? It’s fine. People flirt all the time.” I nod to myself and resume my walk.

Before I could make it downstairs, I ran into a girl. Red hair. Cool. She glares at me. I know that type of glare. It’s the type that says - I loathe your existence.

“Hi,” I said.

She scoffs, her eyes examine every inch of my body. “Hi.” Her voice does not sound friendly.

“Mind stepping aside?” Her body was right in the middle of the stairway. It wasn’t a bit to the left or right but smack in the middle. I’m certain she is doing this intentionally. “Is there something you want to say?” I questioned when she didn’t respond.

“So, you’re Alpha Leon’s mate.”

“I guess.”

Her eyes scan my body once more. “I was here first.”

“I would assume.”

“I grew up with him.”

“I believe you.”

“We were supposed to be mates.”

“Tough turkey.”

Her eyes narrow, “You’re not his type.”

I nod, “You would know, wouldn’t you?”

She took a step up, “Excuse you?”

“I said, you would know his type since you guys grew up together.” I smile widely.

She exhales through her nostrils. “You insulted me.”

I cock my head, “So, you don’t know his type?”

“You-”

“What’s going on here?” I tilt my body. Miguel took a few steps towards us and the girl step aside. “Is there a problem?” He looks at the girl.

“No,” she mumbles. “No problem Beta Miguel.”

This is my first time witnessing the werewolf hierarchy. I must say the shows on tv are on point.

Miguel looks at me, “Luna Raine?”

So, this is what power feels like. It’s...powerful.

“Alpha Leon’s childhood friend has a thing for him, and she indirectly threatens me to stay away. If you didn’t come, I’d probably take her offer. I hate you for coming in at the worst time possible.” I look at the girl. “If you’re still in for helping me escape. I’ll be on the third floor. The door is always open for you and any plan you have.” I patted her arm and left.

After ten steps, the tears came.

Not my tears.

Hers.

When I got downstairs, I saw Helen lying on the couch with several plates of food in front of her. She made herself at home. Beside the sofa was our luggage. It’s creepy how they know which hotel we are staying at. Then again, the guy on the third floor knows my life story.

Helen noticed me and got up. The cookie crumbs were still on her face. “How did it go?”

I smile, “First flight out here today.”

Helen squeals and wiggles her body. She took my hands, “We’re going home.”

I didn’t dance but allow my arms to dangle.

“Why aren’t you dancing?”

“Because he booked only one ticket.”

“You’re-”

“Same plan. Staying here.” I smile when she pouts. “Go home. Call me when you get there.”

She nods in compliance. I wrap my arms around her and pull her in. “This is my fault,” she mumbles into my chest. “Stupid acne-free potion.”

I ran my hand down her head. “It’s okay. I can’t avoid destiny; it seems.”

After the tearful event, a car came by to pick up Helen. I’m not even allowed to see her off at the airport. She held me and inhaled a sharp breath. “My parents say they will figure something out, so don’t worry.”

I nod, “Thank you.”

I hate it.

I’ve always hated it.

Goodbyes.