Chapter 79 NEXT AGENDA
CURTIS' POV
(Eight days later)
A peal of boisterous laughter left me as I proudly walked through the human town in the heated afternoon. It's been eight days since I traveled in my wolf form, trespassing and prowling through territories to make it here. I'm in another state and could lie low here. Having to skip two other towns so that I'm not easily reached, in case they send troops to scout for me. Satisfaction and gloat are at the base of my emotions because I eluded a grudgeful Alpha Virgil and a vindictive Beta Astrol.
I trudge through the arid open land vetting the emptiness of this region. Houses appear to be far distant from little businesses of boxlike buildings. The rain had made itself a rare visitor as the land cries out for saturation. The cashmere scarf covered my nose and mouth as I scoped for abode through the dusty wind.
More importantly, I got the vial and dagger from Devyn, who hates my guts now. Who cares about what she feels towards me? My heed was more devoted to the forthcoming battle as I put everything in motion.
I sighed. It was a thousand dollars that she gave me to assist my journey and cater for some basic needs. Being a warrior, I have never worked any other jobs. I pondered about my financial status. My account would be monitored and my parents' house would surely be bugged. They would be forced to comply with any measures that Alpha Vance implemented. But these few notes were like pocket changes to me. A major difference from the abundance that my parents accustomed me to having. I must find additional income to survive here. The daunting reality was that I was pauperized.
Thinking of my parents weighed sadness on me. My Dad was utterly heartbroken, while my Mom was devastated and they had pleaded for me to leave Sianna alone, but how can I when our love was real? When Sianna and I have kids, I'm sure that their grandchildren would make them come around.
My body feels weak from not eating properly. Being on the run did not provide much opportunity to settle down to eat because I could not stay in one place too long.
Now I saw a motel before me and I crossed the street into the outside parking lot and entered the antique-looking building. Everything in there looked like it required fixing, especially with the copper-brown color that reduced its appeal. I was a little pissed at my inability to do better than this dilapidated shed. However, this will have to do because I have no money and I could not carry on any further.
There was a fat old man with gangly teeth sitting at the reception desk eating a burger sloppily. I almost leaned on the counter of the reception area when I noticed how flies perched on it. Some drinks had spilled and were not cleaned. This incited that the rooms must be in deplorable condition. I pulled the scarf down and the rancid odor hit me. I coughed and channeled my tolerance.
"Hello, welcome to Lijoe's Motel. I'm Joe and would you like a room?" He talked with food in his mouth as some of the contents got on my face. I recoil and wipe my face with both hands.
"Hey, man," I began, and thought I would not last two days in here. Getting a day's rest should be good before I moved on. "Just one night if you have rooms available." Why am I being this polite when I would not be surprised if I was the only guest here?
Joe gets excited and smiles, "Yes, there is plenty of room, and I will give you the best one at a good price." He sucks the food from his teeth, shamelessly.
Yeah right! A good price was always a high price. "How much?"
"Fifty bucks will cover you unless you have company?" He peeked outside to see if anyone else was out there waiting for me.
"No, I am alone," I said, digging into my pocket and taking out a hundred dollars.
He quickly grabs the note and gives me the change. "This room comes with hot water and air conditioning." He adds as if that was not a requirement of providing the accommodation.
Charging fifty bucks was highway robbery for this dump. I collected the change without protest. Remaining calm, so that I kept my cover. "Thanks, man." I smiled through my revulsion.
"Once you go through the door, turn to your left, go up the stairs and take a right two doors down, and that's you." He goes back to his chair, fans the flies off his food, picks up the rest of the burger, and starts chewing.
A nod was all he was going to get from me because I had to get out of his revolting presence quickly. I followed his instructions and found room 31, holding my breath as I opened the door to expect the worst.
Surprisingly, the room was under a tortilla brown theme with black antique furniture. It appeared clean, though it smelt like pimento seeds. This relaxes me a bit.
Placing my bag on the chair by the right side of the room, I took out the phone Devyn gave me. I checked the bed for loose springs and dust, and it was fine. I lay on my back thinking about the call that I was about to make.
By now, Alpha Vance would know that I had become a lone wolf. Lone wolves could go wherever they wanted as long as we made no trouble in the human world. Of course, the exception is not to trespass into the vampire or witches' territories.
Making friends had to be kept at a minimum to make information difficult when the trackers come hunting for me. Technically, I was a free man because I had already received punishment for attempting to abduct Sianna. So, they would have to sentence me for new crimes, and so far, I have not done anything. Nevertheless, they had to monitor me to see what I was up to.
You know, when she used her Luna command to stop me that night after she married the Alpha. I knew by then that she was gone, totally engrossed under his control, stuck in a powerful mind delusion.
Thankfully, I have one last card to play. With the items from Devyn, I will get my woman back. This motivated me to make the call. I remembered the contact number from memory and dialed.
It rang.
"Hello,"
"Don't say my name. Are you able to talk now?" I asked him. If he was around others, voicing my name out loud would draw unnecessary attention, and they might attempt to listen to the conversation.
"Hold on a sec," his footstep indicated that he trod somewhere. "I can talk now but make it quick. I thought you were in a coma."
"Not anymore," I was glad that he was treating me like a usual friend.
"How is your new pack?" He expected me to be at Crimson Hyde. The news has not spread to
the elites as yet.
"It's good. But it's not home to me." I wasn't going to tell him that I had run off.
"I'm sorry about what happened with the Alpha." His tone lowered to project his sadness.
"Listen, I need your help." I yawned but kept talking. "I need some dough. There is some cash at my old apartment. Could you get it and bring it to me?"
"Can't your parents do an online transfer?" he queried.
"The truth is that I haven't spoken to them since I woke up. I don't know how to face them." I was being honest.
"What are you talking about, man," he chuckles softly. "Your Mom misses you a lot." Then his voice got serious, "I know that it's hard to get over loving someone that much, but in time, you will be okay. I'm here for you."
"I will when I have settled down, so will you help me?" Silently, I urged him to give in to me.
He paused and sighed, "Where is the cash?"
"In the main bedroom behind the headboard is a hidden compartment. Twist the knob to the right and it will open." That should gain him access.
"And the keys, how do I get into your apartment?" he retorted, "I am not going to break down
your door."
"My Mom has an extra set. Could you ask her for me?" I know that she would not object but I do not have an untraceable account that I could use right now. I was trying to be as low as possible under the radar.
"Curtis, you ought to talk to them." He encouraged and scolded me like a father would his son, "And stop messing up your life."
"That is why I need the cash, so could you do that today?" I pleaded innocently.
I could picture him shaking his head as he uttered, "No, you know better than that. Not until tomorrow on my day off."
I perked up in the bed, "Good, then you could bring it to me. I'm desperate."
"I will see what I can do."
"Thanks a million," he was my best friend, so I believed that he would come through for me.' Friend,' the mention of that word snagged at my heart.
"Any time my friend," he went off the line.
The conversation went better than I expected, but my joy was short-lived until I got that cash
in my hand.
Deciding to take a nap, I closed my eyes and slept. Five hours passed and I sat up in the bed, feeling a little back ache from the soft mattress. Rubbing the area as best as I could to reduce the soreness, I thought that it was time to get some food into my system.
Earlier, I spotted a diner two blocks away and that's where I intended to grab a bite. I went over to the bag and took out my hooded jacket. Getting a shower would wait until later. I put on the jacket, covered my head with the hood, and embarked on the streets.
The sun dimmed and hid behind the white cluster of clouds, cooling down the evening as it prepared for its descent to set and take its leave. Vetting my surroundings every five seconds, turning my head to the mountains whenever a vehicle passed, and keeping my head bowed were ways to not be easily detected.
With humans, my experience with them was minimal. I mean, how hard could it be to get along with them? After all, I was part human too.
I turned into the 70's-style diner, where its vintage elements added to the casual ambiance. The retro décor with a combination of cyan booths and seating for approximately twenty people was clean. I tread to the long sit-down counter looking at the impressive roster of specials. This place was better than the stinky motel.
The waitstaff was casually dressed. I sat on the round stool to decide what I wanted to eat. A brunette came over to me.
"Hi there, handsome. It's nice to have ya." Leaning on the counter and chewing bubble gum loudly, blowing a round bubble and letting it pop before adding, "What can I get for ya?"
"I'll have an open steak sandwich," I ignored her batting eyes, "and the hot turkey with
mashed potatoes and gravy, and toss some onion rings on there."
"Any drinks, sugar?" She licks her lips.
"Just coke," I smiled and surveyed the small area. There were about three other people in the booth seats. The waitress stepped away to go into the kitchen.
The ding-dong sound indicated that someone had entered. Her scent, which only lingered as a
rich, sweet perfume billowed while she was close by and quickly vanished, tickled my senses.
The female approached the counter, two seats down. Wearing a white woven laced-up corset top, with grey denim jeans and coffee brown wide-fit square-toe heeled boots, she was very chic, and I admired her style. Her light brown hair formed a curtain that hid her face as she rummaged through her grey handbag.
By the time she lifted her face, the waitress came with my order. "So sugar, what's your
name?"
I released an incomplete scowl and stopped myself before it turned into a loud growl. Totally forgetting that humans were not used to our animalistic nature, I cleared my throat pretending that something was stuck in there. My disgust was prominent and the waitress retreated in fear, going around to the kitchen.
With that, I sensed a pair of eyes on me. Biting into my steak sandwich, I turned to meet her
brown eyes.
Big mistake!
Who would have thought that I would see this familiar face staring back at me? Her mouth
dropped, and I frowned. There goes my intent to lie low as she called my damn name.
"Curtis?"
Glaring at her did not stop the friendly exchange that she coaxed me into. With a genuinely wide smile, she came over to hug me. The sad reality was that we were never friends. I had only known her through meetings and attending to her pack on assignments.
"It is wonderful to see one of my kind," Her embrace was a bit too long.
My nose flickered at her aroma, wondering why her perfume was so potent. My internal self
began to shift, and I battled it.
"Gail Howlers!" Stifling my irritation, I attempted a grin. "How have you been?" Not that I
cared.
"Are you asking as a spy?" A sly smile persisted on her lips as she cocked her head to the side. " Or are you asking as my mate?"