CHAPTER 5

I must have fallen asleep during one of the books, which month is beyond me.

At some point Tom must have snuck out, to my memory I left no door or window open. Another mystery.

I think a day out in nature should do me wonders. So I heat up my last cup of Joe, and finish off my leftovers.

I must jump into another shower even though I will just be sweating in the sun again.

My hike through…… is unbelievably beautiful, the view doesn’t compare to home in the slightest but it brings me closer to nature and calms my soul, as I sit on the wooden planks with my feet hanging off into the lake I hear footsteps behind me but I feel no fear so I am unbothered.

“What is a beautiful woman doing all by herself in the woods?”

“Good day to you too lad, I thought it was a hiking trail? It brought me here. If this is private property you should better label it so.” I say still soaking up the sun with my eyes closed and my face angled to the sun.

The man scoffs, “Not at all the property is state owned, but there are plenty of wild animals missing.”

Smiling but keeping my posture, “I assure you, lad, I can hold my own against any beast. If it so happens that I am to be its final meal then so be it.” A boisterous laugh escapes the man “Are you Irish?” Standing up I look at the man in his golden brown eyes, I allow my eyes to roam his body, I can tell you this man IS 6 Foot 3 Inches with the curliest dark hair I have ever seen, his face reminds me of Nick Fink but his body is more on the Thor side of life. shoulders squared, chest out proud. I make a fake hurling voice, I must have a look of disgust on my face “If ye dinnae ken the difference between the two lads it would do ye best to keep ye mouth shut about a lasses background.”

Hands in the hair as if to surrender “Hmm I did not have the opportunity to see the color of your eyes before I opened my pie hole, please accept my apologies.” I stare at him to assess his sincerity and he truly is sorry. “Apology accepted. Please forgive my inner scot from coming out, I am trying to Americanize my accent so it’s better for me to be understood.”

He sniffs the air visibly and stares back at me. with a small frown;

“You are not human... What are you?”

“A question I am yet to find an answer to myself Alpha but as soon as I figure it out I will let you know.”

How the fuck did I know he's not human either? Okay, this is fucking awkward.

“My name is Jackson” he smiles at me, head bowed and tilted slightly to the left. Strange isn’t that a gesture of submission to a being more powerful than his status?

“Ai, my name is Scarlette, pleased to make your acquaintance.” We shake hands but he flings back as if he was struck by lightning, I could literally see the skin on his face vibrating.

“Likewise, so What brings you all the way to New Orleans?”

I smile at the mere thought of telling him my story, he would probably think I'm bonkers or something.

“A wild dream about the jazz festival lad, now what has you been following strangers in the woods young Alpha?”

Releasing a low chuckle he takes a step closer, I remain unmoved by his attempts to intimidate me, “just keeping my territory safe from discovery. My friends call me Jax.”

Nodding my head, “Well Jax as can be seen, I am but one woman unaware of myself, I will ne say I’m a threat to ye pack Alpha, you may calm your erratic heart. Perhaps take a listen to mine, I dinnae think one intent on harm could have such a steady melody huh?”

I watch him carefully as he listens to my heart and studies my body language.

“Thank you for your honesty, there is a calmness about you that aroused curiosity in my pack so I figured I would check it out, no harm done right?”

“Indeed no harm done, I will be happy to introduce myself to ye pack when I’m not reeking if ye would like?” Looking in the direction of the woods he nods his head and smiles at me “My pack would be delighted, I will find you at the festival then?”

Nodding my head “Ay I will be wandering around, I should leave ye territory before ye beast release itself from your human.” I state patting his chest as I walk past him to leave.

Now I will admit I was not smart enough to check the weather in New Orleans while I was packing, but It was warm in Scotland so I packed according to Scots weather but bloody hell I feel like I am in the depths of hell in this Louisiana heat. After my shower I went in Search of a clothing store, luckily there is an Urban Outfitters within a 7-minute drive from where I am staying. Looks like I will be driving in a circle.

First Stop Scriptura, being the stationary store, then Walmart, so I can pick up some heat and eat food, and coffee you know the essentials, and of course something for in case Tom decides to come back and we end at Urban Outfitter because it is closest to home. Yes of course I do realize I could have gotten everything I needed at Walmart but I would rather get the lay of the land and go exploring.

About three hours later, I found myself back at my temporary home with enough Healthy Choice meals to last me half a year, I saw too many things that looked good and I took one of each, along with some frozen snacks and not-so-frozen snacks and boy am I glad I found a Walmart because turns out the stationary store has customized everything, I had a little something made don't you worry but in the meantime, I have found this, Toplive Leather Refillable Journal Notebook, which has a 6 Ring Binder it's an A5 sized journal which makes it perfect for traveling, it is also a Personal Planner with A5 Refill Papers, Binder Pockets and Subject Dividers Paper Sheet. Really worth the $20.99 if you ask me. I had the option to choose between pink and blue and of course I went with the latter.

Mind you I also found some Sofia Vergara activewear cute ripped Denim shorts, and a four-piece crop tank top, honestly I only wanted the white one but the rest I can make use of too, that I could wear for the festival if I cannot find anything suitable or too my liking at the next stop. I found a white pair of slip-on sneakers that look like vans but I have a feeling I will stick to my low-cut Converse which are also white.

I did indeed find a beautiful UO Phoebe Mesh Asymmetrical Midi Dress, it came in green and pink, I went with the green one, and yes I will wear it with the Converse too because who the hell can run in sandals?

While strolling through the isles in Urban Outfitters I bump into Lydia

"Hey outlander, how are you?" Chuckling, I look at her in a black tank top and black yoga pants.

"I am very well thank you, how are you today Lydia? It's great to be able to hear your voice outside of the noise."

Tucking a lock of curled white/platinum blonde hair behind her ear, is she blushing?

"Yeah, likewise. Are you shopping for the festival?" I nod my head "Ay, amongst many other things, it's been a day for me. I was wondering if you would be able to point me in the direction of a gym or something?" Haha, I don't go to the gym, I am just trying to see if what happened with Jax will happen with her if I converse with her more on a personal level.

" Yes, there is one in St. Charles Ave, Called Prime Fitness Rx CBD. It is actually owned by a friend of the pub's owner, his name is Jackson. You should bump into him at the gym, tell him I sent you" she smiles. I smile back at her, could it be the same Jackson I met this morning? I wonder to myself. "Thanks a Million, Lydia, I will see you at the festival then?"

I move in for a hug which she reciprocates, "Yesthe  you will." As I embrace her I can feel the waves of vibration on her skin,

same as Jackson did when I shook his hand, which tells me she is not human, and by the gasp that escaped her lips I can tell she knows I am not human either. "See you around!" she yells lowering her head allowing her hair to curtain her face she spins around and disappears. Did she just drop everything she was doing to get away from me?

Strange, unlike Jackson, something about Lydia felt dark. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing kind of vibe. Raising my eyebrow, I pick up her basket pay for both our stuff, and ask the cashier to pack them separately. Perhaps I should go back to the pub to figure out what the deal is with Lydia.