Chapter 6

The rest of the day Jeremy and all the others kept their distance from Violet. There were a few times she swore she caught someone saying her name in a hushed whisper or people talking about ‘that human.’ All too aware of how they felt about her, Violet stayed in her corner, and only left to find the bathroom. Exhausted and worn thin, Violet tried to get some sleep. Yet, every time she closed her eyes, she heard the gun go off and her mother falling back onto the floor, blood pooling around her. When Sunday morning came around, Violet had perhaps five hours of sleep.

Jeremy joined her, handing her another breakfast biscuit and a small bottle filled with amber-colored liquid. “You’ll need to drink this so you can smell like one of us,” he told her.  Violet looked at the liquid through the bottle before she unscrewed the cap. She took a sniff and wrinkled her nose with a slight gag. He chuckled. “It doesn’t taste as bad as it smells. I promise.”

“Okay,” Violet said, not at all convinced. Steeling her will, Violet took a drink of the bottle. He lied. It was awful. She managed to swallow it, but her stomach roiled as soon as it hit.

Again he laughed. “I didn’t say it would taste good,” he told her when she glared at him. “But that will keep you hidden and safe. You have to drink all of it to work and you’re going to have to drink one bottle every day.”

Violet stared at the bottle, completely horrified at the fact that not only she’d have to finish the bottle, but as well she’d have to repeat the process every day.

“It’s the only way you can be sure no one will know who you are,” Jeremy told her, sobering up.

“Yeah, I know,” she said and forced herself to finish off. When she was done she took a bite of the biscuit, hoping the sausage and cheese would cover the taste of the drink.

“Good girl,” Jeremy said, patting her knee. “When you arrive at the alpha’s territory your scent should be fully masked. We need to leave soon. Your flight is in three hours.”

“Flight?”

“Yes, the alpha’s territory is up north,” Jeremy said as he stood. Violet stared at him, feeling slightly overwhelmed again, but he didn’t seem to notice as he continued. “We have your things already packed. Including, more of the serum. Now finish your breakfast. I’ll come to get you when it’s time to leave.”

Violet tried to take another bite, but her stomach churned with nausea. Setting down the biscuit she closed her eyes and breathed in slowly in an attempt to calm herself. When her stomach settled, Violet decided it was best to leave the food for now.

Violet didn’t have to wait long before Jeremy returned. He led her back to the SUV. They drove for about ten minutes before Jeremy broke the silence. “I know this can be a little overwhelming, but people are counting on you Violet,” he said, glancing over to her.

Violet kept looking out of the window so he couldn’t see her expression. He knew she was overwhelmed but decided to put more pressure on her anyway? Gee, thanks!

“And,” he went on. “This is the only way that you could be safe enough to return to your life again.”

Somehow Violet didn’t think that would ever be possible, but she decided to give him what he was looking for. “I know.”

Again, they fell in silence. They arrived at the airport. It was buzzing with activity. Violet watched as people moved here and there. It was so normal that it seemed strange after everything that had happened to her. “Here we are,” Jeremy said, stopping the car. “There is a number in the front pocket of your suitcase. As soon as you find the information, call that number and I will come and get you. When your plane lands there will be one of my people waiting for you. Erin will make sure you get to the alpha’s home safely.”

Violet nodded and opened the door. It took more effort than she expected to leave the SUV. Jeremy had already gotten out and left her luggage on the curb by the time she’d closed the door. “Good Luck,” he said, handing the boarding pass to her. He got back into the car and drove off. She watched him leave, her chest tightening and making it hard to breathe. Violet took a minute to breathe in slowly before turning around and forcing herself to go inside the airport.

Again, everything was so mundane that it seemed strange to Violet. She checked in, waited for the plane, boarded as if everything was normal. She didn’t understand it. How could the world go on as if nothing happened after her world had been so utterly destroyed? The flight was a little over an hour, but something about the hum of the machines managed to lull Violet asleep. She didn’t wake until the stewardess laid a hand on her shoulder. With a warm smile, she told Violet, “We’ve landed, hun.”

Feeling out of sorts, Violet nodded, gathering her things. However, the realization of just how close she was to the alpha, chased all the fogginess of exhaustion away. Her stomach immediately knotted and her heart pounded. She gathered her luggage and made her way out of the airport. She was a nervous wreck by the time she neared the exit. God. What was she thinking? She should have taken her things and ran. However, as soon as the thought entered her head she saw her mom in a pool of her own blood.  Her dad, beaten and unable to defend himself any longer. They had tried to protect not only her but countless others. Violet couldn’t run. She couldn’t leave without trying to get that information for Jeremy. She owed it to her parents. She owed it to Jeremy for saving her life.

A boxy looking woman stood holding a sign with her name on it. Swallowing, Violet made her way towards him. The woman sniffed, giving Violet a look over. “Well, I sure hope the boss knows what he’s doing,” she said. “Come on, we got ground to cover.” She grabbed Violet’s luggage as if it weighed nothing and marched out of the airport.

“Oh, yes, of course,” Violet said, scrambling to keep up with her. The woman was short with thick little legs, but she could move like a gazelle. The woman led her to another SUV, this one a light gray instead of black like Jeremy’s. Violet climbed in the car and the woman drove them out of the much larger airport. The woman didn’t make any moves to converse with Violet or even look in her direction. “So,” Violet said after a while. “I’m Violet… well, I guess you already know that.” 

“I do,” the woman said, flatly.

When the woman didn’t say anything more Violet asked, “Uhm, what’s your name?”

“Erin.”

Again, silence fell. “Do you know this alpha?”

Erin grunted with a stiff nod. “He’s not a man to be trifled with.”

Silence.

Violet fiddled with her seat belt feeling nervous. “Are you, uh, a werewolf too?”

“Look, I’m not here to be your friend okay? I’m here to do as I was ordered: take you to the alpha’s home.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean…I just…” Violet said, trailing off.

A heavy sigh came from Erin. It sounded like a bull blowing out air just before it was ready to charge. “Yes, I’m a werewolf.”

“Ah,” Violet said, having a million other questions, but wasn’t sure what she should ask.

To her surprise, Erin continued without her asking. “Yes, we can’t stand silver. Yes, we change during a full moon.” That one Jeremy had already told her. “Yes, we can smell lies and changes in body chemistry so keep that in mind. As I said, Alpha Frank is not a man to be trifled with, but as a maid, you will be all but invisible to him. The higher-ups in packs never look at the help. To them, we’re not worth their time.”

Violet nodded, feeling a little better. “Thank you.”

The woman finally looked over at her and gave her a stiff nod then turned back to the road.  They fell in silence again, but this time, Violet didn’t try to break it. They drove for almost a half-hour until they reached what looked like a small town, not too different from Violet’s own home town. Another ten minutes and Erin slowed the car as they drove past an enormous iron gate. “That’s the alpha’s house,” she said.

Violet gawked. The ‘house’ was huge. That had to be a mansion, Violet thought as she looked at it. There were two floors, by the look of it, and it was built from a deep red brick. Erin drove past the mansion and turned onto a side street, stopping the car. “I can’t be seen so you’re going to have to walk up on your own,” she told Violet. “Near the gate is a call button, push it and tell them you’re the new domestic. Ask for a Mrs. Chaplin; she’s the governess and oversees all the servants of the house.”

Feeling her heart in her throat, Violet nodded. She got out of the car, taking the handle of her luggage. 

“Good luck,” Erin called out to her and drove off.

Violet walked along the sidewalk, feeling her palms start to sweat from her nervousness. Stopping in front of the iron gate, Violet saw the weather-worn white button next to a gray speaker. She pressed the button.

“State your business,” a staticky voice came over the speaker.

“Uh, I-I’m Violet,” she said, her voice shaking. “I, um, was told to speak with…Mrs. Chaplin, I’m the new domestic.”

The speaker fell silent and Violet’s heart pounded so hard it almost hurt. The squeak of the gate opening made her jump. She jumped a second time when the voice demanded, “Come inside and wait in the foyer. Mrs. Chaplin will be with you in a moment.”