Chapter 4

Naomi

I follow Jasper up the narrow windy staircase as he leads me to the room the floorboards creak like a sinking ship as a draft whistles from the thin glass windows as we pass. The sun is rising a bright golden glow as my eyes itch from being so tired. I’m dead on my feet, but until Jasper leaves, I can’t relax yet. He seems harmless enough, but I can already feel my gashes on my back reopening. We stop at the end of the hall as he opens a small wooden door. “I’m afraid it’s not much but it will eh … just have a look at see what you think,” he mutters as we both step into the small room that may as well be a closet. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but it’s a roof over my head. There is a fireplace. Thank god an old stuffy arm chair that has seen better days. It matches the small single bed. There’s no wardrobe or chest or draws just a small window overlooking the bay without a curtain. “It’s perfect,” I thank him as he nods, looking a little surprised.

“I’ll um see what other clothes I can give you,” he gives me a warm smile as he turns to leave. I walk towards the fire surprised it’s burning at all but grateful all the same as it heats my skin. Bloodmoon bay is freezing compared to home. My back itches as pain rushes up me as I stand a little closer to the fire, only realising the dust is actually the ash from the wood. Great, I will have to choose between smelling like dust or being cold. “What happened to your back!” shit. He hadn’t seen it as I’d only been facing him front on and now he can no doubt see the blood seeping into my shirt. “Oh, it’s nothing,” I stop seeing his expression on his face. Obviously, he doesn’t believe me. I can feel the dried blood on my skin along with the fibres of my shirt so it’s obvious what happened.

“Here, put these on. I will get something to clean the wound,” he utters looking horrified before strolling off, mumbling under his breath. Despite thinking he is regretting letting me stay, I need to make sure the wound is clean in order to ward off a fever and allow it to heal. I stare at the flames some more, watching as they dance and spark the wood crackling as it burns. No matter how close I get, it doesn’t stop the chill that has seeped into my bones.

I look at the clothes he has left for me sitting on the armchair. I can smell the salty air in this part of the room … almost taste it, it’s so strong. He has left me a large white shirt that’s clean. It will be perfect as it will be loose enough allowing my skin to breathe, although I hope he has some bandages all the same. There is a pair of black trousers, a black top and a short black skirt. Okay. I guess this might be more for me to wear in the bar. After all, I can’t just wear this now, can I? I’m not exactly going to make many tips that way. I unbutton the shirt, keeping the last three buttons done up as I then strip off the other garments I found hissing as it tugs on my back where it had stuck to the dried blood. I quickly put the shirt on before spinning it around so my front is covered and my back is exposed.

There is an abrupt knock before Jasper comes back in. “Oh goddess, it’s worse than I imagined! Who did this to you?” it’s sweet hearing him sound so concerned for me. Ever since Kara arrived, everyone has distanced themselves from me like I was the problem. Friends stopped calling my family ignored me all because I was the one in her way. They were all too eager to welcome in their new luna. What they all seemed to forget is that Elio chased me. Elio asked me to be his luna, fucked me. Sure, I may have dangled the carrot like most of the she wolves in my pack, but he still picked me. But as soon as his mate came along, I was the bad guy. He even had the nerve to have a go at me for rejecting Jamal.

The guy was sketchy. I wasn’t going to be bound to him under any circumstance. Besides, I loved Elio. He could offer me so much more. I barely felt the bond being ripped away as I rejected him. He accepted pretty fast so he can’t have been to cut up about it. Although I did see his face every time I would leave Elio’s office or lounge, the scent of sex hanging in the air. It’s not like I was trying to rub his face in it. I guess he saw it that way, as his eyes burned dangerously whenever he saw me. I knew what he got up to … everyone did. It just proved I was right to avoid him. The fact my wolf didn’t even fight me on the rejection was telling enough.

“Can I tell you another time, Jasper? It’s been a long day?” I asked, yawning. He nodded, “Sure as long as I’m not harbouring a criminal it’s fine,” he jokes, but he wasn’t that far off the mark as I respod with a weak chuckle. I’m sure they will come looking for me. I heard him dunk something in some water before he placed it on my back. “This might sting a little,” he added sympathetically as I winced, biting my tongue. Sting, more like a fucking burn. What was it he was putting on my skin? “I know it hurts, but it will help draw out the infection, then it will cool the skin to stop you from having a fever.” He explained quickly he must have caught sight of my knuckles going white as I clenched my fists from the pain he was causing.

He was right after a few minutes; the burning subsided, and I was left with what felt like a cooling balm. “If you sleep on your front, it will keep them in place. You can then just peel them off in the morning. If you need any more, just let me know… I suppose it’s morning now.” He chuckled before he stood up, heading towards the wooden door. “The bathroom is the 2nd door on the right. I’ll let you sleep and bring you some food and drink before your shift tonight at 6pm,” I nodded. I hope whatever he puts on my back fucking works. It’ll be a blast working with my back splitting open every time I move in an attempt pour pints.

I stand up and lock the door after he leaves. Jasper seems sweet, but I’ve seen some of the patrons that come here so best to be safe. Anyone could just walk up those steps after all. I’m a wolf and there aren’t many that can beat me, but still I think I’m going to pass out from how tired I am right now. I sway on my feet as I drag myself over from the door to the small dusty bed. It’s nothing like my queen size bed at home where I can starfish in the middle and not reach the sides. But it’s comfy enough. My eyes flutter as I listen to the seagulls chirp as my eyes close and sleep takes over me.