CHAPTER THREE - WHO ARE YOU?

Again the shrill noise of the alarm clock made me open my eyes and slap the clock.

 

" Oh shit... " I stretched. " It will end up breaking like that. " I took the old clock off the floor and put it on the bedside table again.

 

There was a whistle coming from the window. The cool morning breeze blew against the glass. The sun hadn't even come up yet. I stretched and slowly got out of bed. I went to the window and slightly opened the curtain. Everything looked calm outside. I went back, went to the bathroom, did my business and got ready. I went to the mirror and took a look at my neck. Now there was just a red line on my skin, as if someone had scratched it. I sighed, fixed my hair and left for work.

 

I haven't been out for a run for two days now. I brought my wrist up to my nose and sniffed. Because of that, my scent is barely perceptible to that of the other wolves. That's great for maintaining my identity, but terrible for my sanity. Besides, I can't relax at all. Damned ones have a great sense of smell and probably have word from their Alpha about me.

 

The problem with all this is custom. I went out every day for a run, without fail. I don't know if I'm capable of staying that long. Transformation is part of my life. And despite the pain, it's a liberating feeling to be in wolf form. Having a connection with the earth, with nature, feeling everything on your skin and around you. All sensations become more intense in this form. Adrenaline, happiness, pain, fear or anger. And if they take that away from me, they take away the most valuable part I have in me too.

 

The cafeteria was the same as it was yesterday. Not that I expected anything different anyway, but the movement here downtown was starting to flow. I walked in and saw Maxwell clearing some tables. He immediately looked over and greeted me. Today was Friday and I was only going to work part time. But I didn't know what I was going to do for the rest of the day.

 

" Good morning Maxwell! How are you? " I replied as I headed towards the locker room.

 

" IM fine and you?

 

" I'm great thanks. " I smiled and continued walking.

 

I went into the locker room and put my stuff in the locker. I grabbed my uniform and went to change. As I did, I heard someone enter the locker room in silence. For a human, the sound of footsteps would be imperceptible, but for me, it was obvious that Scarlet was there. Her sweet scent soon got closer and I waited.

 

" Hello? "She asked when she entered. " Sarah? Is she changing?

 

" I am here! " I put my hand outside the curtain and waved.

 

I heard the brunette's heels getting closer.

 

" Good Morning!! " She pulled the curtain quickly. With the fright, my hands quickly went to the front of my body, even though I was in my underwear.

 

" Scarlet!!!! " I yelled at her.

 

" Wow, what a body Sarah! Do you work out? "She showed a charismatic smile. " You do not need to be ashamed. " I took the hand and pulled the curtain back before anyone else entered.

 

" I have no shame. You just caught me off guard.

 

Indeed, for wolves nudity was not a taboo. We were used to changing in front of other wolves.

 

" Sorry. "She put her head inside the curtain. " Are you all right?

 

" Everything, and you? " I put my pants on and looked at her.

 

" Oh, it is. " I saw his face fade a little.

 

" What happened? " I put on my blouse and then tied the apron.

 

" I argued with someone very special to me yesterday. " She entered, passing through the curtain and closing soon after.

 

" That's normal, isn't it? I believe they will soon be resolved. " She was holding her white uniform in her hands.

 

" I expect. "She started taking off her clothes.

 

" Boyfriend?

 

" Uhmm.

 

" If you want to talk to me, I'm here. " She took the blouse of her uniform and put it on. Scarlet also had a very nice body, she was slender and had a nice pair of legs.

 

" We had just... " She stopped, made some hand signals and I laughed. Ah, ok, too many details... " I ended up remembering some personal problems and we ended up fighting.

 

" You know, I'm terrible at giving advice... " I sat down on the small beanbag there. " But it happens to everyone. I don't think it was something so serious that it compromised your relationship. How long have you been together? " She was putting on her pants.

 

" It'll be two years.

 

" Wow... I'm sure he knows you very well Scarlet. Talk to him and they will definitely solve the problem together. " I gave a friendly smile. It was all I could say to her right now.

 

" Thank you Sarah. "She returned another smile. " I am going to try. The problem is that"

 

" What do you two do that takes so long? Soon the cafeteria will open! " I heard Maxwell's voice coming from the locker room door. I looked over at Scarlet who had been interrupted as she spoke. She rolled her eyes and finished getting ready.

 

" We're finishing up. " He answered and I heard him closing the door again. " Then we'll talk Sarah. "She gave a half smile and left. I got up, took my clothes, left them in the closet and left the locker room. Scarlet, despite being so spontaneous and open, didn't seem to have many people to talk to. She came to me " the newly hired employee " to talk about her relationship. I didn't think it was bad at all. But did she feel more comfortable opening up to strangers? Did she find me trustworthy enough? Or did she not care?

 

I walked out of the hall thinking about all this just because of a simple chat. Maybe that's one of the apparent symptoms because I'm not running. There weren't even that many days and it seemed like I had gone weeks without stepping on the ground. Consequences of stress.

 

I saw Scarlet heading straight for the kitchen a few feet away from me as Maxwell was putting some lunch trays in the window. I approached and felt a very familiar scent in the air. It was pretty faint but it was perfectly clear for whatever wolf it came from. The smell of anger.

 

I raised a confused eyebrow and tried to cover it up by heading towards the kitchen as well. I didn't know why Maxwell was angry. It didn't seem like this when I first got here.

 

Scarlet was turning on the stoves and sorting out the ingredients for the morning's menu.

 

" Where is Jake? I asked as he washed my hands in the large marble sink.

 

" He called me and said that he had to solve some problems with his wife. She got sick all of a sudden.

 

" What happened? " I turned off the faucet.

 

" He just said that. I hope it's nothing serious.

 

Scarlet had a high bun and a white cap to hold it back. The head cook profile suited her very well. I dried my hands.

 

" Maybe he won't even show up today.

 

" Probably. " Maxwell agreed as he entered the kitchen. I turned and saw him bending down to get another tray from the oven.

 

" I'll open the cafeteria and get to work. If you need anything just call me. " I waved and left the kitchen.

 

" OK thank you.

 

I wanted to get out of that environment as quickly as possible, that aroma was making me very uncomfortable. I went to the glass entrance and turned the sign on the door to open.

 

Customers did not take long to arrive. I answered each one of them and served them. The hours went by and as the morning always goes by so quickly, it was lunch time. Someone else would probably take my place for the rest of the day. I looked at the movement that was bigger now and went back to the counter. Maxwell looked calmer now. Whatever it was, he was too busy to think about the problems.

 

" Sorry Sarah, can you wait a little longer until the other employee arrives? She should already be here. "She opened the cashier and took a sum of money.

 

" Clear. " I saw him extending the money to me.

 

" Here, your payment for today. Jake left me in charge of that.

 

" Oh thanks. "I took it from his hands and saw him right after writing down a notepad.

 

I turned when I heard the diner door open. A woman hurried in. She was fiddling with something in her black bag. She had messy hair and was very sweaty. The smell of sex was soon present in the air. I disguised my face and saw her approaching.

 

" I'm sorry Maxwell! I was dealing with some business and ended up losing time. She gave a sly smile and zipped up her purse. She was short, had dark blonde hair, tanned skin, and her eyes were hazel. She was wearing a black blouse, cigarette jeans and white sneakers.

 

" All right, now go change. Sarah's shift is over. You need to enter now. " He said coldly. He wasn't sure if it was because of anger or if he really didn't like her very much.

 

" Are you Sarah? "She looked me up and down still keeping a disconcerted little smile on her face. " Well, nice to meet you! "She waved and quickly went towards the locker room. He didn't even have time to answer her. Not that I missed it.

 

I served a few more customers while waiting for her to get ready to leave. When I saw her come out the door already in her uniform, I noticed that she had tied her hair in a bun and had dried the sweat that was probably from "running here". I smiled without wanting to think about anything else.

 

I finished serving a customer, took orders to Maxwell, and watched the new employee spring into action. Meanwhile, Maxwell quickly passed the new orders to Scarlet. I stretched my neck and went to change. But as I walked away from the counter and the kitchen beyond, I heard Scarlet raise her voice. Of course, it would have been impossible for anyone else to hear, but I could pick up almost everything.

 

" I don't want to talk about it now Maxwell!! We're at work! " I stopped right away.

 

" I don't know why you got like that Scarlet! I just want to understand you! I furrowed my brow in confusion. " You were normal until yesterday... And out of nowhere you went crazy! What was there? " I widened my eyes.

 

The boyfriend Scarlet was dealing with earlier, is that Maxwell? They were together!

 

" Are you okay Celina? " I heard the employee's voice coming from behind me. I felt a slight twinge in my head when I heard my name wrong. Maybe it wasn't even on purpose. I had to stop thinking so badly of the girl. " You stopped out of nowhere. I thought you were sick.

 

Haha. It takes a lot of silver to let me down.

 

" I'm great. " I turned to look at her. " My name is Sarah. I need to go change. Good work. " I walked again.

 

I didn't know why I didn't go with her face, but it didn't seem to me to be very responsible. And I'm almost never wrong about my impressions.

 

After getting dressed and getting my stuff, I left the locker room and went back. I walked past the counter, said goodbye to Maxwell at the till, and waved goodbye to Scarlet in the kitchen. They looked normal again. But the atmosphere remained strange between them. I hope they get resolved soon.

 

I turned around, saw the employee whose name I didn't even know serve a tray of steaks on a table. I went outside and felt the cool breeze hit my body. The sun had disappeared behind the clouds and the city was very busy at lunchtime. I breathed in that fresh air and decided to buy myself a few more clothes with today's pay and tips.

 

I went through a few stores looking at which ones had the most favorable price and bought the most necessary. Underwear and a few changes of clothes. As I left the last store, I felt my stomach rumble. I guess that's why I was in such a bad mood earlier. I was starving.

 

I went to a fast food place and ordered two hamburgers on sale. The woman put my order in a bag and handed it to me. I was salivating.

 

I crossed some intersections, passed several people, several smells and after a few minutes, I had arrived at the hotel. The receptionist I knew wasn't there, who was taking her place was a gentleman who looked to be about the same age as Jake. He was reading a newspaper and snug in his big, padded chair. He didn't even look to see who had entered.

 

Security is very good here...

 

I locked my bedroom door and left the bags on the bed. I took off my sneakers, my leggings and went to the window to open it a little and air the place. It was quite cool outside.

 

After eating the hamburgers and taking the new clothes out of the bag, I heard a whistle followed by a cold breeze from the window. I looked and noticed that the sky was darkening too quickly. The smell of wet earth soon reached my nose. I saw a drop hit the window glass and then they were increasing in quantity. I got up and closed the window before the rain soaked the whole room. I loved that smell and I really wanted to go for a run right now.

 

I stopped for a second. This rain was a great opportunity actually. Most wolves don't like to run in the rain. I was an exception, of course. He loved to go for a run at times like this while the others stayed in their homes. I didn't always run alone in my old pack. There were a few other wolves that agreed to accompany me when I called them to come with me. But that was beside the point. The point is that this was my best chance to kill the longing and not take so many risks.

 

I put on my clothes, put on my sneakers and didn't wait another second to leave that room. I put the key in the waistband of my pants right after I left and went downstairs. On the last step, I could hear prolonged snoring coming from reception. The same old man was sound asleep in his padded armchair and didn't even notice when I passed.

 

Before leaving the hotel, I saw that the streets were practically empty, some people ran to look for a covered place to wait for the rain to pass, others passed calmly with big umbrellas, and I, well, I was going to go out to get wet anyway. I put my feet out of the hall and felt the heavy rain fall on me. I let out a smile and hurriedly walked through the city streets until I reached a more secluded green area. That took a good few minutes of walking.

 

By the time of the championship, I was already soaked. The place was a bit hidden and was just behind cover. It was well out of town and looked more like a huge warehouse. I looked around and took a good look at the place before changing. It was completely empty. I approached the structure and began to undress.

 

After removing the last piece, I put my clothes behind one of the shed's iron pillars and looked around once more. Without holding my heart with so much happiness anymore, I started the transformation. Almost routine pain shot through my body and I felt my emotions come to the fore. I had switched places with my wolf and I felt adrenaline rush through my veins. I took off into the forest as if I hadn't been in contact with nature again for months. I ran and ran through the trees while getting muddy and jumping over some puddles. I didn't mind getting dirty after all, it was like the rain was cleaning me in so many different ways. And I needed it so badly...

 

The smells despite being muffled by the rain, were still present. It was a bad day to hunt, but that wasn't my goal for today. Because I just wanted to run and expend the energy that a wolf can accumulate during the days without running. I was going deeper into the forest and getting farther and farther away from the city. I didn't plan on going home so soon. The smell of wet earth made me numb and was one of my favorite smells.

 

As I had already guessed, there was no sign of another wolf around here. I was practically safe. The rain would erase my tracks and my scent would quickly dissipate into the air. My wolf wasn't afraid. We could take good care of ourselves. We grew up having to learn to defend ourselves. And as I thought about it, it was impossible not to wander back to my old pack. Bruce must have gone crazy when he heard I ran away. And because of that, he must have communicated to all the neighboring packs that there was a female on the run who probably wanted me back. He would. He would do exactly so that I would have no peace. For me to keep running away with nowhere to prop my head. And if I screwed up now, if he got me back, he might very well be able to put me in a cage to prevent further escape. The way he was, he would spend hours and hours, maybe even days talking to me to try to solve the problem. Alphas feel very responsible for the females in their packs. But not in my case. Bruce knew very well who I was and why I did what I did.

 

My wolf admired everything around. It was a new place for her, so she was very euphoric. Even the smells seemed different. The place was lighter, cooler, even brighter. And even though I was illegally stepping into another pack's territory, I was taking full advantage of the loopholes. Which is a pretty irresponsible thing to think, after all I'm alone and I don't have the protection of a pack anymore, no matter how bad it was. And if something went wrong, it would probably change the way I think.

 

The only positive thing about being in a pack is the overprotectiveness and unity within. Submissive wolves love this. Not that Dominants don't like it, they just don't like following orders from wolves below them. They never actually follow it. But when it comes to pack unity, they are the most protective in there. Especially with females.

 

Or at least that's what it should be. The growl vibrated my throat at the memory.

 

I stopped running when I reached the edge of a stream. I sniffed the earth and caught a faint scent of something very attractive to my wolf. Probably the smell of a deer that had passed there before the rain started. I started to follow the faint trail as I stepped onto the soft earth at the edge of the creek. I walked away from the water and headed towards a stone mound. The smell was getting stronger with every step I took and my heart was racing. I wasn't believing that I would find any game around here. Not with all this rain.

 

I stepped lighter on the stones and realized that the deer would be hidden under the mullion. I approached silently and smelled the animal coming from the place below me. I felt my wolf salivate. And even though I ate before I came, my appetite was readily active for fresh game. It's been a while since the last time.

 

I looked carefully between the stones and saw that the animal was in the corner hidden from the rain. I licked my lips trying to contain the saliva that wanted to flow and prepared my strong paws to charge, but when I took a step forward, I slipped on a small stone and ended up rolling down there.

 

Shit!!

 

The deer looked startled in the direction of the noise and reared up to flee. And before he could bolt, I jumped on the fresh flesh and snapped at his neck. There was no chance of him running away anyway. My big body was on top of his and my jaw was choking the animal that was still trying to escape. I could feel the metallic taste in my mouth. I clamped my teeth tighter over his artery and could see the deer stop moving. My wolf was satisfied with what she had caught and didn't wait long to start devouring it.

 

The rain was starting to ease up and the sun was wanting to come out again. My wolf was already finishing her meal when I heard a noise coming from the forest. I quickly lifted my head towards the noise and licked my teeth. Even if I sniffed, I couldn't pick up any scent. The air was filled with the scent of fresh blood. Which made identification difficult. But my wolf knew something was wrong. Very wrong. I wanted to check it out to see what it was, but I couldn't afford it. So I backed up and sprinted out of there.

 

I went back to the stream, approached the bank and drank some water. Taking the opportunity to clean myself of all that blood staining my fur. I was completely satisfied now.

 

The crack nearby was repeated. I turned my head and this time I could smell the still faint scent of camellias. My wolf body froze as a large dark brown wolf appeared in my field of vision, stepping out of some bushes. Her emerald eyes stared at me intently. I got up from the water's edge slowly. He continued to study me and from his posture, he looked confused. He must have been expecting to meet another wolf or something else, but he came face to face with an unknown wolf who was invading the territory of his pack.

 

He quickly lifted his head and puffed out his chest baring his teeth at me in an offensive manner. It was also dominant...

 

I turned to him snarling at his hostile posture. I probably still had blood on my teeth. And if I'm lucky, that might intimidate him a little. Whoever he is, I won't let him be the other way around.

 

He took a step towards me and I felt him lean against me. Ears flattened to attack. He sure thought I was going to bow out just for that. The distance between us was enough for me to feel his dominance. I analyzed that wolf a little distressed. I would be lost if he manages to overpower me. After all, I didn't know if the wolves here are strong enough. I don't know anything, by the way. I looked around for a few seconds looking for an escape route in case everything went wrong. I planted my paws on the ground and lifted my head, exhaling through my nostrils. The brown wolf sensed that I was still on the offensive, the snarls wavered for a moment, and the ears pricked up slightly.

 

When I felt my wolf's dominance surrounding my entire body, I advanced towards her. We collided hard. I tried to bite him, but he ended up dodging quickly to the side, which left my guard very low. He managed to make his way down the side. His big body pushed me against the nearest tree and pinned me to it painfully. His growls were firm. He glared at me and tried once more to assert his dominance. An itch went up my body. He showed those huge teeth in my muzzle. But when I stared into her emerald eyes, I was confused and hesitated. Those eyes weren't marked, they didn't transmit any hatred. In fact, they conveyed more curiosity and perhaps even frustration, but not hatred. I could very well recognize that look. This motherfucker was testing me.

 

I snarled and tried to snap at its snout, but again in vain. Does he think he's kidding me?

 

Thinking about it made my blood boil.

 

I tried to lunge for his neck again as swiftly as I could and was surprised when my teeth dug into his skin with ease. The wolf yelped in pain and backed away. I took the opportunity and slammed my body as hard as I could into his, making him fall to the ground. I went up and this time I faced him with bared teeth. I planted my paws on the ground and growled. I really growled. I could only see my own anger when the wolf's ears flattened and he remained still in a low snarl. He averted his eyes from mine and bared his neck for me, totally surrendered. That was fast... I wasn't using up my dominance yet. I analyzed his neck. I could hear the whine of regret coming from him. The hairs where I had bitten him were soaked with blood. It was the perfect chance to kill him if I really didn't want to be discovered by the pack. If he escaped, they would know my scent and my wolf form. But...

 

Things would only get worse. One hour they might discover me and the punishment would be even worse. They would probably kill me for killing a member of their pack.

 

I got off the wolf slowly. My wolf already seemed to have accepted the consequences that would follow. I couldn't kill him.

 

The wolf rose and shook its head. Surely he was brooding inside.

 

Who is he? I could have seriously hurt myself if I really wanted to when he pinned me to that tree.

 

He looked at me once more. The two emerald orbs staring at me with annoyance. Until it started to change. I saw the brown wolf transfiguring. Her bones and nerves and skin squirmed and clicked together again. And after seconds, his human figure was in front of me. He was a tanned man, tall and well muscled. His brown hair was light and his eyes had the same shade in human form. He looked at me now, stamping even more frustration.

 

" What's your problem wolf?! " He asked angrily. " Who are you?

 

My wolf sighed and I started to change too. The rain was lighter and some rays of sunlight were threatening to break out. After a few seconds, there I was six feet away from him. His eyes roamed over my naked body, probably memorizing every part of my face for easy searching later. And apart from the noise of the rain, the forest did not emit any. Everything was very quiet.

 

" I'm asking what your problem is. Moron. " I frowned.

 

" You who attacked me first!

 

" But you pissed me off first and showed this faux little dominance. " I looked at his bloodied neck.

 

" It never crossed my mind that you were dominant too. I thought he would run or surrender when he saw me, not that he would challenge me. It was not my intention to attack you.

 

" To run away? Did you think that just because I'm a female? " I furrowed my eyebrows.

 

" It's rare to see dominant females around, you know?! " The mocking tone irritated me.

 

" Who are you?! " We asked at the same time.

 

" Speak you first. " I ordered.

 

I saw him roll his eyes and sigh.

 

" My name is James.

 

" Did your pack send you after me? " I saw him raise an eyebrow and touch the injured neck.

 

" What? "She ended up grimacing when she bumped into the bite that was still bleeding a little. " I'm a loner.

 

I widened my eyes.

 

" You're not from the pack? " I asked.

 

" Not. "He spoke harshly. " And by the way neither are you.

 

" I only attacked you because I thought you were from here. " He looked at me carefully.

 

" Can you answer me now who are you? " He asked placing his hand on top of the bite to stop it.

 

" My name is Sarah. Came here recently.

 

" A lone wolf? " He groaned in pain. " Come here... why did you bite me so hard? My God, he could have killed me...

 

" Sorry OK? " I answered.

 

It wasn't easy for me to apologize unless I was really wrong or had a bad conscience. He faced me again and his features relaxed a little more.

 

" All right. It was a mistake. "She stared at the floor trying to contain her nerves a little. " I attacked you because I'm living hidden here. And with this rain I thought no wolf would come out to run.

 

" Well, is it? " I babbled. I looked at his body and then back at him. He had a great structure. He had never spoken to a loner before. I hear they are extremely violent and cowardly wolves. They live on the run or in hiding. Often fighting for space. They end up becoming strong because of it. " Do you know anything about the pack here? " I asked, trying to divert my thoughts.

 

" All I know is that the Alpha here is called Stanley Wright.

 

" Have you seen him?

 

" Not.

 

" James isn't it? How did you find me?

 

" I smelled blood. " I saw him looking around. " I got curious.

 

" How old are you? " He looked at me seriously.

 

" Look, not to be rude or anything, but you don't need to know anything about me. We won't see each other anymore. "She said. " Well, it was great to meet another loner around here, but I can't trust you. "She waved and turned her back. " And neither do you in me. You understand that, don't you?

 

I rolled my eyes. He must still be mad at being overpowered.

 

I started to transform again without making a point of answering him and I saw him do the same. His wolf form was larger than mine, but his dominance...was negligible. He wasn't even close to those guys I saw at the diner.

 

His wolf took a look back at me once more before disappearing into the trees. My wolf was already tired and stressed, so I soon went back to where I had left my clothes.

 

I got close to the abandoned shed again or whatever that place is and I transformed. I went to my clothes and quickly put them on. Since the rain had already stopped, I got out of there as quickly as possible before any wolf could think of running away.