Shattered Ascension

Chapter Six

Crap. She didn’t have much time. He may not have lingered outside the bathroom like a perv, but he was always nearby. The only solitude she found was while she was using the loo because he couldn’t come inside. A chill ran down her spine, she could hear him. Crap, crap, crap. He called her name.

All day she dodged him. After he gave her a tour of the mansion, he insisted on cooking for her, which ended horribly. He burnt the toast for her canned soup; his inability to navigate the kitchen was glaringly obvious since she had to show him where the toaster was. That wasn’t the most deflating part either, it was when he grabbed the Campbell’s soup that she felt more defeated than before. She wasn’t kind enough to eat it to please him. It wasn’t worth sacrificing her life to please that man. After the dinner disaster he gave her a history lesson, as if her mother hadn’t taught her everything. She did learn more about the pack rules, which ended up being the one takeaway of today.

Sawyer dashed down another hall. They all looked the exact same and she felt more lost than before. His footsteps behind her grew louder. There was a door to the right, hopefully it would provide some reprieve. Her hand rested on the handle before she turned it, unlocked, score. This wasn’t the first one she’d tried, but it was the first unlocked door.

She stepped inside and closed the door. She was positive she’d already walked down that hall before and felt confident it led to the front door, but she wasn’t excused yet. She doubted she had the liberty to leave when she wanted, and she prayed it wasn’t Reece that gave her the okay to head home. Home. To house mates. The defeated feeling traveled through her aching chest and into her stomach. She felt slightly nauseous. After everything today, she wasn’t even allowed to go home alone.

Someone cleared their throat behind her. She stiffened. She hadn’t considered whether or not the room would be occupied. She turned around to see another tall attractive individual. Were all wolves sculpted from the finest clay? This man was more toned than muscular. His dark brown hair and bright hazel eyes were a nice combination. He had a long square face with high cheek bones. His nose was slightly crooked, but it was kind of cute.

“Sawyer,” he said, his pink lips were in a straight line. His hazel eyes left hers and rested on the door. “Are you hiding from my brother?” The corner of his mouth pulled up a fraction and a small smile rested on his lips. It was subtle, but noticeable.

“If I say yes, are you going to rat me out?” Sawyer asked, half smiling at the wolf before her. If Reece was his brother, that would make him the next alpha, unless Corinne had another son.

He shook his head, making his brown hair sway back and forth. “No, you have my word,” he said resting his hand across his chest.

“Then yes. I most definitely am.”

“Now that’s out of the way.” He stepped closer to her and stuck his hand out. “We’ve not been formally introduced. I’m Quinn.”

She took his hand. “I’m…” she trailed off. “You already know.”

“Indeed, I do. It is my job.” He chuckled softly. “How are you liking the pack so far?”

She hated it. There was no joy in any of the activities she’d done today, or any friendship started with anyone, not that she wanted it. “Fine,” she said before clenching her jaw. The ability to disguise her true feelings were dissipating.

“That well, huh?” He nodded looking down at his hand. Before he had a chance to speak, she released the hostage; she hadn’t realized she was still holding onto him. “It will get easier.”

“Is it your job to say that too?” She asked, her voice thick with sarcasm.

He raised his brow at her and smiled. “Sort of.” The similarities between the brothers was subtle. They both had similar facial structures, but their build and eyes set them apart. Reece was practically a beefcake, whereas his brother had obvious definition, but wasn’t overly muscular. The ice blue eyes were nice, but Quinn’s were nearly gold.

“Do all future alpha’s hide themselves in their office all day?” A smile tugging at her lips. “Or are you hiding from someone too?”

He laughed. “I am not hiding from anyone. Being alpha is a taxing job.” He moved over to his desk. The room wasn’t as grand as Corinne’s office, but it was pleasant. It was half the size of Corinne’s, but similar in appearances. He had bookcases on the right and left. The desk was placed at the back of the room, facing the door, and before the office was a small couch with a coffee table in front of it.

Sawyer stepped closer and placed her hands on the back of the couch. “Is it only you and your brother?” He nodded. She knew his father died about ten years ago because her parents went to the funeral while she stayed home.

“I heard you breached the agreement. That surprises me.” His voice was low as he spoke. His hazel eyes locked onto her.

Anger knotted her stomach; it wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have. “Yes.” She sighed. The agreement was broken by her and she was furious about it. The thought of it was like a bitter taste in her mouth. It was a set up, but he wasn’t likely to believe her. “Why does it surprise you? Brom ma-”

“Brom is an idiot.” He sat and leaned back in his chair. “His pride controls him. Blinds him from reality.” He motioned toward the couch across from him. “You may sit.” Sawyer moved around the couch and sat. His company wasn’t cloying like his brothers. He seemed more easy going and he treated her like a human instead of a mid-afternoon snack. It pleased her to hear that her distaste for him wasn’t limited to her. “He used to be different.”

“Now he’s pompous.” She chuckled lightly keeping her words on the kinder side.

“Why didn’t you want to join the pack before?” He asked leaning forward on his desk. Those gold eyes were entrancing.

“Freedom,” she said. “I have the ability to go anywhere I want without asking for permission. I can live alone. I’m only responsible for myself.” No one depended on her, aside from Ruby. She wasn’t tied down by routine, responsibility, and no one told her what to do.

“Doesn’t it get lonely?”

She shrugged. “I have my friends and my work.” The plural in friends truly meant two. “I can’t miss what I never had, or what I never wanted.” Her gaze left his eyes and scanned the bookshelves. This topic hollowed out her chest. The freedom she’d fought so hard to keep was destroyed in a night.

“I see. I’m sorry for what you’ve lost, but I hope you see what we can offer.” He half smiled at her, his tone light.

“All I’ve seen is your brother, well, rather my shadow, and all I’ve heard are insults.” The pack life seemed like high school all over again, except this time Sawyer was the loser, the butt of every joke instead of cruising through.

His smile faded. “I’m sorry. The pack doesn’t take newcomers lightly. When you get to know them, they are the most loyal companions you’ll find.”

She stood. “I’m used to being called a mutt, but that doesn’t mean I like it.” Her voice rose as she spoke. “This is like high school.” She laughed dryly.

Quinn stood and walked over to her. “Mutt is a terribly inaccurate term. Half the pack are mutts and there is nothing wrong with that.” She rolled her eyes and he sighed. “Big families bring drama, packs especially because not many are related to one another.” And that mean more relationship drama.

“This is like a werewolf high school.” She looked up at him. “Or a wolf hell.”

“I’ll show you that it isn’t that bad,” Quinn said as he stuck his hand out. “Please, I want you to see what we have to offer.”

Her green eyes rested on his hand before meeting his golden gaze. “It will take more than hollow words to convince me.” She slid her hand in his. “This doesn’t mean I trust you either.” He chuckled lightly before the door opened.

Reece stood in the doorway and glared at Quinn; his blue eyes darkened. The wolf crossed his large forearms. “Sawyer,” he said, his voice hard. “Quinn.” He growled at his brother’s name before his eyes locked onto their hands. “I don’t believe your training is done.”

Quinn dropped his hand and turned to face his brother. “It’s late, Reece,” Quinn said before looking over at Sawyer. “She should be getting home now and meet her new roommates.” Frick. The roommates, she internally rolled her eyes. “Her training for today has concluded.”

“You’re not alpha yet.” Quinn’s eyes met his brothers gaze.

“She is excused,” Quinn repeated. “Alpha or not, I am your authority.”

Reece growled. “I’ll walk her out.”

Quinn nodded. His golden eyes met her green ones. “I wish you luck.” He smiled before walking to his desk.

Sawyer smiled. “Thank you,” she said before walking over to Reece. The wolf tensed when she walked by him. The similarities stopped at their appearances. The boys were nothing alike. Reece was a controlling individual and Quinn was more free spirited.

“I will see you here tomorrow,” Reece said as they headed toward the front door.

“I work in the morning,” Sawyer said. “I get off at seven thirty.” He growled.

“You don’t have to work. You’ll live on the pack wage.” He looked down at her.

“No. I love my job.” She looked up at him.

He furrowed his brow at her. “We will see.” He opened the front door.

“We won’t.” She growled before she walked to her Pontiac. Reece waited by the front door as she drove away. It was time to meet her roommates. A yawn escaped her as her stomach growled. This was awful. “Crap.” She didn’t even know the apartment number. After everything today, maybe she’d just spend the night at Ruby’s or in her car.