Forsaken Chronicles

Chapter 9

This is pathetic.

No, seriously, it was. Logan couldn't help hating himself even as he followed several paces behind the woman on the sidewalk. He didn't like following because it meant biting down the anger - and ignoring the rumble of his beast - every time someone jostled her.

It happened all too often. She held herself tightly, arms tucked in, head down. A victim waiting to happen. One he wanted to save. It didn't matter how many times he reminded himself that he wasn't here to protect her. He still wanted to grab and shake everyone who touched her.

Kill them, snarled his beast.

How about cooling it there, Cujo. He didn't need to start something that would draw attention, especially not when he couldn't explain why he trailed her.

He'd told himself all during breakfast that he would go into work and then check her out after his day was done. Instead, he found himself on the phone claiming to his crew - an inner circle of boys from his pack - that something had come up, all so he could play stalker. Something he now kicked himself for doing because what he'd seen so far had pissed him off.

In the light of day, her building looked even more appalling. How anyone could live there baffled him. He understood poverty, but there were much cleaner buildings she could rent for the same pittance. The building she chose was a place of last resort, somewhere you went when no one else would have you.

It made no sense. Discreet questions yielded no information. As suspected, his mystery lady was newly arrived. So, Logan had settled down to watch and wait.

When she'd emerged from the rank pit she called home, he'd followed her. He'd ground his teeth as she counted out her money, carefully paying for a meager amount of groceries that looked barely enough to feed her for a day, but which he knew would probably have to last longer. He'd cursed under his breath as she washed a pathetic amount of clothes, nothing even close to a full load, which told him she had nothing more.

And then the phone call. With his hearing, he'd easily heard both sides of the conversation, one that deepened the mystery. From the sound of it, she's had some kind of accident. But why would her doctor of all people set her up to live in the worst slum available? And, even more puzzling, find her a stupidly dangerous job?

Logan knew part of the equation was still missing. Things didn't add up, and now it went further than the fact that Adara - the pretty name he'd overheard when she spoke on the phone - was more than human, a fact noticed by someone else.

While Logan shadowed her movements, so did Stefan, that bloodsucker, Titus's, servant. Logan and Stefan had run into each other a few times in the past, amicably mostly, but something about the vamp's employee made Logan's beast growl.

There's something not quite right about the man. And it was more than just Stefan's choice in employers.

Despite knowing Titus would find out, Logan found it impossible to hide his interest in Adara. Stefan, who also shadowed her steps, had grinned knowingly at Logan.

When she'd entered the laundromat, he'd cornered Stefan for a moment. "Why are you following her?"

"Why do you think, dog breath? The master asked."

"Why?"

"No idea." Stefan shrugged. "But if I had to wager a guess? She's pretty."

"She's off-limits." A statement practically growled.

"Do you lay claim to her?" Stefan asked with his benign brown eyes staring.

"No." The spoken word, yet inside, his wolf snarled a yes.

"Then you can't make any demands. The pack does not get to tell the Cabal what to do."

In other words, keep his wolf out of it. Except Logan couldn't, not this time.

What does the vampire want with her? Probably not anything too bad. Logan could grudgingly admit that Titus actually seemed a decent sort for his kind. And by kind, he meant blood-sucking vampire.

At least Titus didn't attack and kill indiscriminately. He seemed to follow a certain protocol with his feeding that didn't involve using the unwilling. So why his interest in Adara? She's not his usual type, thought Logan.

Don't touch. His beast just rumbled - Mine! And Logan almost echoed it.

He took note of when Stefan left him alone to watch the laundromat. He didn't see the man again until Adara made her way to work, never knowing two men shadowed her.

Only when she disappeared inside the store did Logan corner Stefan for a second time. "I want to know what Titus intends to do with the girl."

"Whatever he damned well likes."

The flippant reply saw Logan grabbing Stefan and slamming him against a wall. People on the sidewalk stepped around them. None dared to interfere.

"How long has Titus known about her?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Stefan said with a shrug. "But if I had to wager, I'd say he discovered her last night. When I arrived for work this morning, I found my instructions."

"What instructions?"

"The basics. Who is she? Where did she come from?"

"And what did you discover?"

At the question, Stefan's face twisted. "Not f*****g much. She's like a ghost. There, yet unseen. About the only thing of importance that I discovered was her name. Adara."

"And?"

"And that's it. No last name. No previously known address. Not even a date of birth. The only thing I can say for sure is, judging by her scent, she's not human."

Which only served to confirm Logan's theory. "Do you know what she is?" Logan asked, pumping Stefan for info.

"Not a clue, and given that Titus is intrigued, it means he has no idea either." Stefan frowned over his shoulder in the direction of the store. Logan set him down and turned to look, as well. They could see nothing from their spot.

"I don't get the impression that she's been here long." He would have noticed.

"I didn't get that either from scouting her place. She has very little to her name and appears to be living alone."

"You broke into her apartment?" Logan faked his shock. He'd thought of doing the same thing.

Stefan rolled his eyes. "Of course, I did. While she was doing her laundry. I was looking for answers."

"And?"

"And I already told you. Nada. There was nothing to find. No pictures, no mail, no clothing, hardly any furniture. It's as if she just arrived with the clothes on her back."

Arrived from where? Given her call to the doctor, he wondered if she'd spent time in a hospital. He almost asked Stefan until he realized the other man might not have been privy to her call. For a moment, Logan debated sharing, but then thought screw it and kept that info for himself. This doctor could have the clues needed to unlock some of her mystery.

A mystery he didn't want to share.

No share. His wolf agreed. Except his wolf meant Adara.

"Since we're on the topic of the girl, I should probably mention I've also got orders to do something about her current residence," said Stefan.

That startled him. "Like what?" asked Logan, who couldn't disagree that she needed to move.

"After having seen it, I have to say that a nuke would probably be the only thing that cleans that hole."

Logan chuckled. "I agree with you there. How the health unit hasn't shut that place down is beyond me. I'm going to try and befriend her today. See if I can let slip that I know of a place opening up in her price range."

"Titus has already stated he'll subsidize the rent to ensure she gets a nicer place."

Logan didn't like the amount of interest Titus was showing. Curiosity was one thing, but his inner beast paced restlessly. "Listen, I'm not about to have her move somewhere so she ends up an easy snack for your master."

"Don't be insulting," Stefan said, quite affronted. "As if Titus would stoop to those methods. He's intrigued, not hungry. He's a master vampire, don't forget, not a fledgling still under the curse of the bloodlust. He can control himself better than you can, wolf."

"I can control myself just fine."

Stefan looked at him appraisingly. "You can, perhaps, but I wouldn't say that of all your pack. And you have to admit, she smells tasty."

That she did, however, the fact that Stefan had noticed it agitated Logan's beast. Kill him now before he touches.

Logan must have done something to show his disquiet because Stefan chuckled. "Down, boy. I was just making a point, not a play for the woman. Speaking of whom, I must bid you adieu. My master will waken soon and want a report. Just so you know, I will have to inform him of your interest in her."

"Go right ahead." Logan grinned wolfishly. A little healthy competition was always welcome. Besides, I already know she likes my wolf. I doubt Titus, one of the undead, will be able to compete. Soft fur versus cold fleshÉ If all else failed, he could resort to puppy eyes.

With a wave, Stefan wandered off. Logan took up a position at a fast food place, sitting at the chipped counter in their window, nursing a cola while downing enough hamburgers and fries to feed a family. It kept the staff from bugging him because he wouldn't budge.

He stared at the store. Go over there and talk to her.

What would he say?

"Hi, I saved you from a zombie last night. Want to go to dinner and tell me who the f**k you are?"

Or he could try being flirty and suave. If he knew how. As pack alpha, Logan didn't usually have to work too hard to get women to notice him.

But I don't want her to notice me. I just want answers.

He ordered another burger, munching on the food to quell his pacing wolf.

Twilight approached, and Logan knew he only had a little time before the vamp showed up. Once she met Titus, that charming blond bastard, what chance did Logan have?

Perhaps she wouldn't like a slick gent in a suit with obvious money.

Snort.

Yeah, because a woman would choose a scruffy-faced guy in worn jeans and a faded T-shirt instead.

Only one way to find out. Logan exited the restaurant and crossed the street, ready to meet her in person.

I wonder if she'll pet the man like she stroked the wolf.