Leo
I bolt out of the elevator, and I rush to the parking lot to get my car.
I drive past a scene of an accident, and I notice a truck. Then there are people and cars surrounding the area, with blue and red lights flashing.
I try to trace Jessica’s scent, but I struggle to find her.
I make a U-turn and park my car on the side of the road to see what’s going on.
‘Asclepius, I need you to take control. Please help me find my sister.’ I ask my wolf to come forth to so that my senses can be elevated.
My wolf takes control, and he smells Jessica’s scent coming from the scene of the accident. He lets out a distressed howl, and I let myself regain control.
I take deep breaths to try to remain calm, and I slowly head to where the crowd is gathering.
“What happened?” I ask the first person I set my eyes on.
“These kids and their motorcycles. Poor thing didn’t see an approaching truck. That was unfortunate.” The lady with the grey hair says as she walks away.
A motorcycle, a truck? My heart drops.
An icy feeling surges through me, but I manage to run towards the scene, wishing I could rewind. I shouldn’t have let Jessica leave the apartment.
“Jessica! Jessica!” I move through the crowd and I get to the centre where the paramedics are busy.
“Jessica! Please tell me that they will be okay.” My voice breaks as I say to lady who is trying to control the crowd, and for the first time in a while, I don’t care about crying in public.
“Sir, please stand aside and let us help.”
“Calm down.” I feel a hand on my wrist, and a cool voice.
“Don’t tell me to calm d...” I turn angrily. “Jessica!” I hold her, slightly lifting her off the ground.
“You are an idiot brother, and a drama queen.” She grins.
“I know,” I exhale. “Are they alive?”
She nods, and I sigh with relief. We leave the scene of the accident and we stand outside my car to feel the cool air.
“Right now, when the lady mentioned a motorbike, I wanted to ask if the person is alive, but I was afraid to hear the answer. I thought it was you on the ground.”
“And so you decided to do the most dramatic entry that ever existed.” She laughs.
“No, my wolf convinced me that you were in danger, and he sounded so distressed.”
“Classic Asclepius, I always liked his sense of humour. I wish we could shift, and do mischief together.”
"A wolf is supposed to be protective and help me make rational decisions, but not him." I shake my head.
"I love how the two of you used to drive dad crazy."
We laugh, and talk about happy parts of our childhood memories.
“What does he say about the bike and you being defiant?” I ask her.
“I don’t care. See you bro, there’s my bike.”
I notice the way in which she avoids the question that there might be something wrong, but I decide not to probe.
“What the hell are you doing?” I stand in front of her.
“What does it look like? I’m leaving.”
I try to convince her to drive my car to my apartment, and to follow her while driving her bike, but she opts for her bike.
“I don’t understand why you were so upset.” I say when we arrive in my apartment.
“Let’s see, you act like dad, and you don’t care whether you die or not. Did you, for even a moment, think of me? I know it’s selfish, but I can’t live without you.” Her eyes get teary.
“You don’t deserve me. I’m not a good brother.” I sigh, and I hold her in an embrace.
“What are you talking about?” We sit on opposite couches.
“Jessica, I’m a drug dealer.” I hold my breath for the judgement that I expect to follow.
“Funny,” she laughs. “I just didn’t know you were the type to make dad jokes.”
“I’m not talking about legal medication that I create for the companies.”
“What are you talking about, then?”
“Illegal stuff. I probably killed a few people, including Willow’s brother.”
Her eyes widen. “What did she say when she found out?”
“She doesn’t know.”
“What really happened?”
“Her older brother overdosed on limbicus.”
She gasps. “Oh goddess! Leo! Why?”
“I didn’t know about the effects of overdosing or what it does when high doses are mixed with alcohol.”
“Why?” She glances at me.
“For money, remember your dear dad made me leave. When I first got here, I was still a student with no job, I had no means of income, and I really regret this.”
“So, you created a recreational drug and thought something good would come out of it?” She bellows.
“Come on, don’t be such a mother!”
“I don’t care what you say to me, Leo, but what you did is horrible.”
“Thank you for reminding me.”
“How are you going to get out of this?” She purses her lips.
“I can’t. When I became financially stable, I realized I was not going to get out of this. Mike buys limbicus from me, and sells it to so many drug dealers.”
“Can’t you tell him you want out?”
“No, he would kill me, but he would kill Willow first.”
“How do you feel about her? Now that you met your mate.” She looks at me quizzically.
“I’ve never felt like this about anyone, about any of my mates. Her sister draws me in with the mate bond, but it’s still not as intense as what I feel for Willow.”
“She is one lucky woman.” She beams.
“I doubt it. I have messed up her life with every chance I get. It’s my speciality. Mike’s goons are already out to get her.”
“This is hard, but if you care about her as much as you say, you will find a way to protect her.” She takes her tiny handbag and heads to the door.
“Do you really have to go? I will make you breakfast in bed.” I look at her pleadingly.
“Fine. I can’t believe you want to buy my time with breakfast.” She rolls her eyes.
I chuckle, knowing that she can’t resist the breakfast I make.
“I’m gonna take a shower and sleep in my room. Goodnight bro.” She smiles and heads to the guest bedroom.
I wave at her, and when she is out of sight, I confront my wolf.
‘Dude, I know you want your mate, but you should stop playing tricks on me. It’s not funny. You made me worry about Jessica.’
‘It was funny to me. I mean, the drama you created...It’s actually not about my mate. I just enjoy using every moment as payback for those days when you took that potion and made me suffer.’
“Drama queen,” I mumble.
‘No, drama king. You are the drama queen.’ He retorts.
‘But we are sort of the same person.’
‘No, I’m more fun. Are you going to speak to Mike? You know what my name means, right? I’m tired of you poisoning people. That’s not what you were born to do.’
‘I know. Wish us luck then.’ I exhale.
‘Whatever, drama queen.’
I just chuckle, but then my hands tremble when I scroll through my phone to dial Mike’s number. He is still probably at the club at 01:00.
“I thought I would never hear from you. You are slow these days. We are low on stock. When can we expect you to...” He says and I hear a faint sound of music in the background. Indicating that he is in his office.
“Mike, I want out of the deal!” I interject.
“Bro, you can’t decide to call and tell me that. I’m not some random girl you hooking up with. Did you find someone better? If you want a break up, break up with me face to face.”
I roll my eyes at his dramatic speech. “We both know how that might turn out.”
“I thought you were many things, Leo, but not a coward. You know I can have access to your sister at anytime. Right? Did she tell you my friend paid her a visit on campus? I think we can find some use for her at the club.”
"That wasn’t my sister, that was my girlfriend, and we broke up."
“Smart man, cutting off relationships before breaking off deals. We have to talk, man. When will you get here? If it’s about money, we can discuss an increase...” He persists.
“I think it’s best if we don’t meet. I want out, and that’s final.”
“If that’s what you want." He sighs. "I wish you all the best on your future adventures.”
“Thanx, man.”
I clench my fists after ending the call.
‘This is not over, is it?’ My wolf asks.
‘No, it’s far from over.’ I exhale.
‘Poor Willow,’ Asclepius comments sympathetically.