Firecracker

Chapter 1 - Firecracker

I looked at my shop one last time. The sold sign was sitting in the big window bidding me one last goodbye. The bank was more than happy to buy this piece of land from me once I told them I was leaving the province. The final part of my past, a darker time, was finally gone as I closed this chapter of my life.

I looked down at the ring on my finger, the glowing sapphire staring back at me. It had done precisely what Colette had promised. It sealed Eris away, keeping him buried deep inside of me in a place I couldn't reach, a place that kept people as far away from him as possible, a place that kept everyone close to me safe.

My body felt lighter, and my mind clearer. I finally felt like I could breathe again. Like all my thoughts were my own, and for the first time in over a decade, I felt like I could finally plan for a future. Or at least I wanted to, but that little nagging voice in the back of my mind told me not to get too comfortable, never to get too comfortable.

I ran my fingers through my hair, already missing the length now that I had trimmed it down. The barber by my shop always bugged me about my hair telling me how a grown man like myself should keep it clean. So as a farewell to the old bastard, I let him clean it up for me.

I figured a haircut would help me transition into this new life again. And I'd be lying to myself if I didn't admit that I also wanted to look nice for a whole different reason. One that I might be able to entertain now that I didn't have to worry about losing control.

"Well, I'll be damned, my little Thomas went and got himself all spiffed up." Irene teased as she moved in behind me, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder.

Like me, Irene didn't have lots. We both had no family; well, at least, I thought I didn't. So we tended to travel light just in case the hunters ever found us again. It was easier to live this way, live a life on the run.

I gave her a sheepish grin, nudging her shoulder.

"Ahh figured I'd give old man Walter a farewell gift. He is the one who pestered me about it, after all." Irene nodded, pursing her lips as she eyed me suspiciously. Then, finally, her eyes landed on the ring on my finger.

"You sure it isn't for another reason? A lady reason?" She said, wiggling her eyebrows like the pervert she was. I let a deep chuckle, not even dignifying her with a response. I let out a sigh lifting up my duffle bag that was filled with the last of my belongings.

"You ready to go? Our plane leaves in a couple of hours. We don't want to miss it." She scoffed, shaking her head.

"You always do that." She pointed out as we both headed toward the taxi waiting to take us to the airport.

"What?" I asked, lifting up the trunk door.

"Avoid the subject of females. You got that ring thingy now, so why not have some fun? I know if I were in your position, I'd be banging every Tom, Dick, and Harry I could get my hands on. Life's short, Thomas. You've got to let loose sometimes. Or, in your case, stiffen up." I shut the trunk, giving her a shrug.

"It's not my fault you always have your head in the gutter, Ren. Now get in the car before I decide to leave you here." She barked a laugh, sliding into her seat, and I followed her.

The flight was like any other, long, boring, and full of turbulence. It was nice to be back on solid ground again. It was nice until we stepped out into the pickup area and saw who was waiting for us.

Paige leaned against a large blacked-out range rover. Her one arm was tucked across her chest as she looked down at her phone. Her chocolate brown hair was braided back, leaving her sharp features on full display. The setting sun made her olive skin glow and the outfit she wore. The band muscle shirt, the ripped black jeans, and the checkered plaid shirt tied around her waist made me realize how right Irene was.

This female was like the devil, full of sin and twice as pretty. Paige looked up from her phone, feeling my eyes on her. She arched a brow at me before flicking her gaze to a very smug-looking Irene as she shot me a look that told me I was fucked.

"You going to just stand there looking like an idiot all day, Evergreen, or are you going to get in the car so we can get back to the pack house? I mean, I'm all for leaving you behind, but I don't want to have Lettie pissed at me." Paige muttered as she moved to grab Irene's bag, throwing it in the back of the car.

An unfamiliar warmth filled my chest, hearing Paige use Colette's nickname. The two were thick as thieves, instantly clicking the short time they knew each other, and for that, I would always hold a level of respect for Paige even if she did seem to hate my guts. Though I couldn't really blame her for not trusting me, I didn't even trust myself. Even with this ring, I was still a risk factor, on the run from Ivan's group of hunters and all.

Irene tried to hide her smirk, but she did a shit job as she got into the car, and I knew I would have to pay her back for the ear full she was going to give me once we were alone. I gave Paige my best smile because I knew how much she hated it when her attitude didn't piss me off. In fact, Paige had me realizing just how much I liked a female with as much bark as she had bite.

I didn't miss how her eyes trailed over my new haircut and freshly trimmed beard or how her throat bobbed as her eyes moved down the rest of my body.

"Like what you see, firecracker?" I jabbed as I moved a step closer, the toes of our boots almost brushing. Paige scoffed, stepping around me.

"As if. I was just thinking how much more of an old man you look like now with that haircut. And you're in the back seat, Grandpa. Your little female friend already claimed the front." I stared at Paige in disbelief for a minute as she moved to the driver's side, getting into her seat and slamming the car door before starting the engine like she didn't just insult me.

Irene laughed at my expense before I could completely hide it. I sent her a scowl before opening the back passenger door, sliding into my seat, and placing my duffel bag beside me, my knees pressing against her back seat as I squizzed in the small space. I wasn't built for back seats. It was why I always drove a truck.

Paige's eyes flickered to the rear-view mirror long enough for me to see the fire burning in her hazel eyes before she slid on her sunglasses and turned her attention back to the departure lane.

Irene reached over and turned the radio's volume up. Smells like teen spirit by Nirvana blasted through the speakers.

I shifted in my seat, turning my attention to the cars as we moved. I found myself again thankful for the ring on my hand keeping my wolf away because this would be one hell of a long drive, and I was going to make sure I paid Zane back tenfold for sending this little Vixen to come and pick us up instead of himself or my sister.