Chapter Three

The Villain

The rest of the week is as uneventful as any other. Everyone is preparing for the upcoming Ball on Saturday. But surprisingly, they aren't the only ones. Gia is especially excited, taking a liking to the idea of sweet Freya as the Luna of the South Crescent Pack. 

Freya doesn't put up much of a fight as mother bounces around the house making calls and organizing a dress for her daughter to wear to entice the Alpha. Frankly, this is the first time I've seen my mother invested in something that doesn't involve drugs and dick so I'm all for it.

I blow a strand of unruly hair from my forehead and run a hand down my uniform, smoothing over what I'm sure are wrinkles since I was in a rush this afternoon. 

I overslept in the library during study hall and almost missed my shift. I pushed open the backdoor of the greasy dinner I work at and when I saw no one, I breathe a sigh of relief.

My boss always had a sixth sense when it came to this place, especially when it comes to tardiness.

I stripped off my coat and throw it somewhere in the backroom and spin on my heel to grab my apron when my eyes fall on the devil herself and an air-piercing scream try to rip out of me.

I swallowed it down, sure that I'd only make the situation worst. Her eyes were narrowed into slits as she raked over my figure.

"You are late, Pierce," She said sternly.

I gulped. "Well, you see...W-what had happened was—"

She put up a hand. "I'm not interested in your excuses. I have sixteen to spare and I'm getting tired of them all."

"Well if you'd get untired of them I'd bet you'd be a hundred times happier, I know I would."

Her left eye god-damn twitched. Fuck.

I'm screwed.

"I want a letter of resignation on my desk by the end of the night and your things gone," she said without a hint of sympathy in that ice-cold, leathery soul of hers.

"Whoa, whoa, wait, Mrs. Evans," She turned to leave but I sidestepped her and planted myself in the doorway. She stared at me with the most disinterested look in her eyes and I knew I'd have to pull a miracle out of my ass to get through to her. "Okay, look. I know I'm a fuck up—" Probably wouldn't get anyway cussing in front of her but it's already left my mouth. I couldn't suck it back in. "—I've shown up late a couple of times—"

"Sixteen times—"

I gritted my teeth. "Yeah, sixteen times. But I'm trying. I come here when I'm supposed to, I know our regular's orders by heart and everyone loves me.  I'm sorry I've shown up late in the past. I have the SATs coming up and I've been doing nothing but studying. I lost track of the time at the library today and I'm really sorry about that but please don't fire me. I need this job." I see her eyes soften and hope unfurls in my chest. "Please, give me another chance."

Silence falls between us two. She just stares at me and I start to doubt the effects of my speech until she shakes her head. "Fine. I'll give you one more chance. Only because you remind me of myself when I was younger." I throw my hands up in the air in cheer. "But only one more chance, Morgan. You're late one more time, you're done."

I nod like a dummy on strings then throw myself around her. "Oh, thanks, Mrs. Evans. I take back everything I said about you being an emotionless harpy risen from Tartarus to drink souls. You're way better than that."

"Wait... what?"

But I'm already grabbing my apron and nearing the counter. 

I work at Benny's Dinner at the edge of the pack, close to the underground, where my Dad and the Rogues hideout. After work, I usually sneak off to visit them and then back home. Gia is oblivious to this as she is with everything I do. Freya knows and she comes with me sometimes but she's usually busy, volunteering at Adopt A Pet in town.

I wave at a couple of regulars and join Mimi, whose off taking orders. A corner of her lips tilts upwards when our eyes connect. She flips her lavender locks over her shoulders and throws me an amused look. "How do you always get away with that shit?"

I beam, "I'm a charming person."

She throws back her head and laughs dryly. "Yeah, and I'm your long-lost cousin from Cuba." I shuffle over to the sink to get right on an order. "You come in here thirty minutes late and Evans barely bats an eye."

I don't tell her that I almost lost my job tonight and shrug instead. "Because unlike you, I actually am great at my job. Not to mention everyone loves me here. Don't you Mr. Ross."

The man in mention grunts. "I would love my order in my hand before I hit the ground, thank you very much."

I ignore him. "See, that's love." 

Mimi scoffs.

For the rest of the night, I take orders and threaten a bunch of handsy guys where necessary. But overall it's a slow night. It's closing time around ten and after kicking out the remaining patrons I head out back to get my coat and bag. Taylor, one of my co-workers and maybe one of my only friends in this place is waiting for me when I get there.

"Hey, sweetheart," Taylor greets me with his lopsided grin.

"What's up?"

"You up for a movie night tonight. I'm in the mood for some company," He says as he hops onto the counter, nibbling on some apple slices.

"Can't. I'm busy tonight."

He groans like a five-year-old. "You're always busy. Come one, this one time. Have some fun."

"Another time I promise." He groans again and this time I laugh. "Don't you have a bottle of lotion and a marathon of porn to keep you company? What do you need me for?

"...To help," he smirks.

"Ha and risk catching whatever disease you have from fucking this side of the zipcode. I don't think so, hombre."

"Your loss." He hops off the counter and kisses me on the cheek before he heads out. I don't bother pulling on my coat. 

The night is chilly as I make my way into the soundless forest that surrounds the dinner. When I'm sure no one's looking, I strip and shift. Groaning as my bones crack and bend under my skin. The transformation is quicker the more you shift but it still hurts like a bitch. I hold on to my clothes with my teeth and dart through the woods. I head North away from the town and deeper into unmarked territory. 

I come to a small clearing, listen for any unwanted presences in the forest and when the coast is clear, I shift back and get changed

To my right is an oak tree that had fallen fifteen years ago that no one has bothered to remove. Lifting it, I swipe the moss and fallen leaves to reveal a trapdoor. 

I slide into the dark chamber. All senses are useless here. The chamber leads to a dizzying number of tunnels and passageways that if you aren't familiar with, you could find yourself wandering helplessly. These tunnels go all across the parklands and seem to never end. With the right one, you could end up in the middle of the Capitol's town square. To my knowledge, these tunnels were used as an escape option if the werewolves of this Kingdom were threatened either by humans, witches, or foreign werewolves from across the seas.

Turning to my right, I let my hand follow along the right wall. Keeping to this side of the wall,  I traipse until I feel the small stone protruding slightly from the wall. I press and wait as a latch opens and two pairs of churning grey eyes lock with mines. "Password."

"Go fuck yourself, Jacob," I say to him.

"Hmm, sorry stranger that ain't it." He goes to close the latch but I stop him. 

"Open the door before I tell Malcolm and he kicks your ass for leaving me out here. It cold and my tits are freezing."

"Oooh, can I see," he leans further into the eyehole.

"Just open the damn door, Jake."

He rolls his eyes, closes the latch, and opens the camouflaged stone door. As soon as the door opens the deafening and exhilarating sound of laughter and music drift into the dark passageway. 

I enter the chamber. It's a circular room, filled floor to ceiling with wooden crates filled with food, bandages, and other amenities one would need to live. I see Malcolm and my Dad with a clipboard in hand, discussing something closely.

I saunter towards them. My Dad notices me first and he smiles. I walk into his arms as they surround me. "Hey, Dad," I greet him. "Malcolm. How is everything here?"

"Doing well, Morgan. The boys managed to get a lot of food from their last raid," Malcolm tells me as he points something out to one of the many men hefting and stacking the crates. This is the underground. A place Malcolm built in secret, it's basically a storage facility. 

Everything they find is stored here and given out to the dozens of rogue members hiding out around the parklands. These crates are the reason most rogues are still alive since the lands are getting harder and harder to hunt with the continuous patrols and the human hunters roaming around. There's always some threat. 

While Malcolm is the mastermind of this operation, my dad is the designated healer. Rogues with severe injuries come here to get fixed up before they can go out another day to risk their lives. My Dad is a big asset to this place and everyone loves him.

"Freya didn't come with you this time?" My Dad asked.

I shake my head. "She's turned pacifist. She doesn't agree with the raids and she's trying to convert me." I roll my eyes. "Besides, Mom is trying to get her ready for the Ball tomorrow."

Dad frowns. "She's actually letting you two go to that thing."

I shrug. "She wants one of us to steal the Alpha's heart and expects a Mansion or some shit as payment. You know how mom is."

His frown deepens, "Sadly I do. So are you going? Hoping to be the next Luna."

I scoff. "You can't even pay me to wear a dress. So no. I'll be here helping you guys."

Malcolm and Dad exchange looks and I narrow my eyes. "About that, honey. You're gonna have to stop coming here for a while."

I'm caught off guard so all I do is sit there with my mouth hanging open. "What?"

"Look, the Alpha Guards have been sniffing around here more than usual. Too many people are hearing about this place and the more people that know the more we're putting these people in danger."

"But, Dad--"

"No," he said firmly. "I know this place is like a second home to you but you have to remember that we aren't supposed to be here. If the authorities had word we were here it would mean death on sight. I can't have you here if we're busted, Morgan. I wouldn't know what to do if something happened to you."

Inhaling, I nodded. Didn't mean I liked it but I understood his concerns.

"Good," he smiles, his forehead crinkling with his contempt. "Now go help Jacob with those crates. It might be your last day but you're not getting away from work."

___________________________

Every muscle in my arms was sore. They felt like spaghetti as I hauled myself up to my window from the oak tree leading into my room. 

Gia locks the doors at nine at night knowing I get off work at ten.  Wincing, I managed to get into my bedroom safely. I strip to my panties, grabbing my shower things I pause when I caught sight of something on my bed.

A glittery sea blue dress sits on my bed. I recognize almost instantly. It's the dress my Grandma gifted me to attend the Rival Ball last year. I didn't end up going so the dress has been sitting in my closet, catching dust bunnies... Until now.

Apparently, Gia had it mended and even added more embroidery along the bust.

I didn't realize Gia was that serious about us going to this Dance. Too bad I won't be wearing it again. Picking up the dress I stuff it somewhere in my closet. I get to mine and Freya's adjoining bathroom, feeling spent and wishing today would be over.