Runaway Angel

Chapter 3: Our New Home

**Mila's POV**

I woke up to Izzy shaking my shoulder. "Wake up, Mila. Time to hit the road."

"What time is it ?" I yawned. I haven't slept that hard in years.

"It's alomst 5:30am. I figured we could get breakfast and be on the road by 7am." 

I got out of bed and got Amelia and myself dressed. About fifteen minutes later we walked to Denny's and had breakfast. When our food was brought to us, Izzy told me that I wasn't going to the facility in South Dakota. That she would be taking us to a small town in Minnesota. 

"Is it okay for you to take me somewhere that isn't within the organization?" I asked while cutting Amelia's pancakes in tiny squares.

"No. The lady at the facility in South Dakota will not happy about it, but I need to do what you are comfortable with. So... what would you prefer? I can take you to a facility in South Dakota or I can take you to a small town in Minnesota." Izzy was mixing sugar and creamer in her coffee while she waited for my answer.

I don't know why she wants to take me somewhere else if their success rate has been perfect, but she has been doing this for so long and she knows what she is doing. Maybe this small town is better and that is why she trusts me to be there.

"So what is the small town in Minnesota like?" I asked after finally realizing that I trusted this woman, and I trust that for whatever reason it is best to go where she thinks is safer. 

A smile spread across her face and her blue eyes lit up like a christmas tree. "I am so happy you are trusting me with your location. It is a really small town, maybe three thousand people." She paused and seemed in deep thought. "You should know that people there are different. Don't pay no mind to gossip you may hear. Women and men there are also very possessive over their significant others so it is probably best if you avoid any contact with the males."

All I could think was she has to be joking. I'm running away from an abusive man I'm not about to run into the arms of some other lunatic. It is going to take some time before I feel comfortable even conversating with other men. "No worries there. I am not looking to date or have any intimate relationships anytime soon."

"Good. Now lets finish our breakfast so we can get on the road. It is a seven hour drive. I will drop you off first to make sure you get settled. Originally I was going to pick up the load first, but the dirt roads in Minnesota are too narrow to drive through with a load attached to my rig." Izzy started to dig into her breakfast with an urgency. 

Once we cleared our plates, Izzy graciously paid and we climbed into her rig to hit the road. About halfway through our trip we pulled over to stretch our legs and have lunch. Around noon we hit the road again. The closer we got to our destination the more nervous I became. A new town, new people, new life. I was ready for it, but I was also very scared. I just want to make sure that no matter what these people may think of me or how they treat me, I just do not want Amelia to be treated as an outsider. She is an innocent child and should not be subjected to any type of ugliness in this world at such a young age. 

I was so deep in thought wondering how things were going to play out, that I didn't even notice Izzy stopping to what looked like a road block right before a sign. 

Welcome to Ely, Minnesota !

"Izzy, we weren't expecting you until tomorrow. Nice to see you, its been what... four years?" The first man approached the driver's door. He had tan skin, blue eyes, and blonde wavy hair. 

A second man started approaching my side and I began to get scared. His furrowed brow and intimaidating stance made me feel like I was in danger. "I- I- Izzy.." I stuttered. Next thing I know there was five other men standing infront of the grill of the rig. 

She looked over and saw the man approaching my door. "Step back Darrell !" 

The man Izzy referred to as Darrell seemed unhappy with her tone and almost sounded like he growled. "Alpha said we were allowing one woman to cross the pack line. Where did the child come from." 

I held Amelia closer to me. I didn't like where this was going. Darrell's black eyes were staring daggers at me. His shoulder length black straight hair danced in the wind. His eyes never left mine as he continued to speak. "She's human. I can't believe Alpha is allowing this. SHE DOESN'T BELONG HERE." 

What is this guys problem, and why does he keep using weird words? Alpha? Pack line? What the hell did he mean by I'm human? Well duh ! I'm not a freaking mermaid!

"That is none of your concern! Now get away from her door Darrell oh so help me Goddess I will tear your throat out ! She has been through enough and you all are frightening her!" Izzy's voice seemed to boom through the trees around us. "NOW BACK THE f**k UP!" 

Amelia jumped and started to cry. "Shh baby girl you're okay. Izzy is just trying to keep us safe."

"Like auntie Rose keeps you safe from Daddy when he's mad?" Amelia asked as she tilted her head back to look at me. I hate how even at so young she understood when I was afraid of her father. 

I looked to see the blonde guy give me a sympathetic smile. I don't know what he was smiling for, there was no way he heard her tiny voice. "Yes sweetie."

"Alpha said to let you pass. He will allow you to get her settled at the cabin and then he wants to see you. Apparently you did not inform him of the child." Blonde hair guy said. How does he know what the "Alpha" said? I don't recall seeing him on the phone.

Izzy nodded and the guys moved in order to let us pass. 

"Sorry about all of that. The guy's don't particularly like it when I disrespect them." Izzy chuckled. "We all get along, but they don't like that I don't stay home. It'll take them some time to warm up to my charms again." She winked at me, but my head was still spinning. 

"What was all that? Alpha? Pack? Human?" I asked while pulling Amelia closer to me. 

"Oh that was nothing. Basically just little code words we use. There isn't anything to worry about."

We drove for about another fifteen minutes before Izzy turned into a small dirt driveway. "Here we are!"

I absolutely loved this little cabin. It was a log cabin with a black dutch door and large windows all around. I looked around and saw so many beautiful trees and I had a perfect view of mountains. 

"It isn't much, but it should be sufficient for you both. There is a total of ten acres with trails that lead to a near by tiny lake. I own the lake as well." Izzy said while grabbing my suitcase and headed for the front door. "Come on let me show you around."

We entered the house, and I couldn't hold in my excitement. "Izzy ! This is beautiful !" There was a small kitchen off to the left with a small table settled infront of the bay windows. The livingroom was just one brown leather couch and one recliner infront of the wood burning fireplace, where a flat screen was hanging above. 

"I see the guy's must have put in the tv."

"Why would they do that? They seemed like they wanted to kill me twenty minutes ago!" Men here are so confusing.

"They seem like big jerks, but really they have a soft spot for women. Especially women in need of rescuing." Izzy winked as she walked further inside. "There is a half bathroom right throught that door, and upstairs there is one bedroom and one full bathroom. All together its like 850 square feet of pure relaxation."

"It's perfect Izzy. Absolutely perfect." Amelia was already heading over to the couch and asking for me to turn on the tv for cartoons. I turned on the tv while Izzy checked the kitchen. 

"Fully stocked. Perfect. Now you both just sit down and relax. I have to go talk to Alp- I mean the boss." Izzy left and I decided to cook homemade mac and cheese casserole for dinner. 

About two hours later Amelia was asleep on the couch when Izzy walked through the door laughing with a big intimidating guy right behind her. They were both bleeding!

"Izzy what happened ! Are you okay !" I rushed to her side to look her over. She had a busted lip and a black eye. I felt like throwing up. This was bringing back some horrible memories. 

"Hey, Mila? Are you okay? You look pale." Izzy grabbed my shoulders and tried to look into my eyes. I was trying to focus on my breathing. "s**t, Mila I am so sorry. Seeing me like this must be bringing up some bad s**t. But hey look at me. Look at me, Mila."

I looked up and saw her blue eyes staring into mine. "Sebastian... One morning I forgot to lay out his clothes for work before he was done with his shower. I was so exhausted from waking up early to make sure his breakfast was made and the kitchen was clean, that I forgot to go back upstairs to have his clothes ready for him. He came down and punched me in my face until I passed out." I didn't even notice I was crying until Izzy got me a tissue. 

The guy just stood by the door looking like he was ready for bloodshed. His body was tense, and his knuckles were turning white with how tight he was balling his fists up.

"Dammit Mila I am so sorry. I just had a playful fight with a friend. I swear I am ok." Izzy tried reassuring me, but all I could think was that my being here got her into trouble. "Look I got some good hits in too! I may be small but I am a force to be reckoned with!"

"Yea aunt Izzy, you only got a few hits in because it wouldn't be right to win so easily." I looked passed her and eyed the guy she came with. He was about 6'0 and had black hair that was cut neatly and blue eyes. He was also sporting a black eye and busted lip. Except he also looked to have a broken nose and was limping.

 "Did you have to go for my ankle? You know how hard it is to run with a bitten ankle?"

"You bit his ankle?" I asked looking over to Izzy. 

She cleared her throat and punched the guy in the ribs. "Yea he had me pinned and his ankle was close so I bit him. Anyways this is Joseph. He will check on you every now and then, I'll write his number on the notepad by the counter incase you need anything."

As she walked towards the kitchen Joseph walked up to me. "Hi Mila, you can call me Joe or Joey. I am sorry for your situation, but I will try to make this as comfortable for you as possible. The first few days I can show you aroud the town, show you a few places that are hiring if thats okay?"

"Yea Joey that would be great thank you." I couldn't help the smile that crept up on my face. He seemed like a sweet guy, but I've been wrong before. So for now, I'll keep a good distance. 

"Izzy !" Joey yelled to the kitchen, never taking his eyes off me. "You never said she was such a looker!" He winked at me and it made me feel a little awkward. 

Izzy came and pushed him back. "Down boy. You have enough tail to sniff back at the main house. Leave Mila be."

"I was just making an observation. She is a beautiful girl." He smiled at me again like he was trying to have some secret conversation. "Plus the tail back at the main house has been like a revolving door. Not my type. I like them vulnerable. In need of rescuing." He winked at me again!

"Listen Joseph. I may be in a shitty situation, but don't ever get it confused. I don't need rescuing. If this "friendship" is going to work you need to stop talking with your dick." I said not once breaking eye contact. 

Izzy burst into laughter and Joey just stood there with his eyes popping out of his head and his jaw slacked open. "That was perfect!" Izzy finally said. 

"Well Mila I apologize." There was a smile in his words. "I promise to be respectful going forwards, but be warned. I'm still gonna flirt a little. It comes naturally." He shrugged his shoulders. Yea I can tell he is a ladies man.

"Flirting is one thing. Thinking something will come of it is another." I replied back.

Izzy, Joey, and I sat at the table laughing and eating my casserole. They both seemed to love it. Even Joey said I need to show the cooks at the main house a few things. I don't know why he kees putting emphasis on the main house. Like there is another name for it that they can't use around me. 

Around 10pm Joey left and Izzy made her a spot on the couch. She would be leaving in the morning before the sun was up so we said our goodbyes when we were going to bed. Tomorrow Joey is going to pick me up and take me to a few places to find a job. My new beginning is off to a pretty good start.