Shattered Ascension

Chapter Two

“Sawyer, my favourite employee, my lifeline, my true love,” Ruby said as she swung the door to the back open and penguin waddled toward Sawyer, who stood behind the register.

“Flattery,” Sawyer said. “Will fricking get you everywhere.” She smiled as she watched Ruby sway back and forth. The pregnant walk was hilarious to witness.

“True love?” Curt’s voice shouted from the back.

“He’s just jealous.” Ruby rested her hand on Sawyer’s arm. “Will you close up tonight?”

“Depends. What’s the occasion?” Sawyer asked, as if she’d say no to Ruby, her one true friend. Most of the people that lived here were wolves and that’s how they preferred it. People were potentially dangerous to them and it gave them less freedom to run wild and free as a dog in the woods. However, Sawyer was under strict rules, she either acted as a civilian or became a member of the pack.

Her parents made an agreement with the pack before she was born, which was the only reason she wasn’t in the pack right now. According to the agreement, Sawyer had to live as a human and if she changed once on pack land, she was required to join the pack or leave this land forever.

Ruby let out a snort. “Just a quiet night at home before the baby.” Her hands rubbed her stomach.

“Too tired to go on a real date?” Sawyer said with a short laugh as she ran her fingers through her red hair.

“Oh my gosh you have no idea.” She covered her mouth as a yawn escaped her. “I’m not even sure we’ll talk. I may just fall asleep the second I get home.” She sighed. “But we want some one on one time. My sister said to take advantage of the quiet nights because they won’t happen again until they’re grown and gone.” She chuckled lightly.

Sawyer smiled. “Of course, I’ll close up.” Sawyer closed most nights and was surprised that she didn’t close more. She looked into Ruby’s brown eyes. If it were anyone else asking, she’d be annoyed, but Ruby wasn’t just any person.

“You’re a doll. A true friend.”

Curt came through the back door and slid his hand in Ruby’s. “We really appreciate it.” He looked at Ruby, his expression softened. “Help yourself to anything you want,” Curt added as they walked toward the door. “You can close early if it’s slow.”

Sawyer nodded. “Enjoy your quiet night.” She waved as they walked out the door. This bakery was usually the first to open and last to close. Curt and Ruby wanted to make sure the town had a place for people to go to.

Sawyer leaned over the small counter and sighed. It was a Monday and Monday’s were dead. Usually, they closed early. She checked her watch. It was only six-thirty and they closed in an hour. She walked into the dining area and began wiping the tables before flipping the chairs onto them. There were only two customers; a young guy and girl. They came in every Monday at six and stayed for about an hour. The two weren’t overly chatty, but she applauded them for their commitment.

“Sawyer, we need some advice.” The guy asked as Sawyer moved to a table beside theirs. Sawyer nodded as she met the boy’s bright green eyes. “What’s more beautiful in the summer, Montgomery's historical house or the Arbour church?”

Sawyer slung the rag over her shoulder. “Hmm.” She bit her lip. “That’s a tough call.” Her eyes traveled to the papers scattered across the table. They had lists of venues, caterers, and colours. “Wedding?” She raised her brow at the two.

The girl cheeks reddened as she smiled. “Yes. We’ve been engaged for a couple months now.” Her brown eyes darted over to her fiancé. “We’re just having a hard time deciding where.”

Sawyer rested her hands on her hips. “Congrats.” She smiled as the two beamed. “The Montgomery house is stunning and would give you a more unique look for photos, but churches are classic.” The two nodded. “If it were me.” She paused; she’d go for the cheapest. “I would probably lean toward the house. The floral there is stunning with the wildflowers. Unsurpassed.” She nodded.

The boy began writing on the paper in front of him. “Thanks Sawyer. No one weighs it like that. They keep telling us where we should have it.” He shook his head. “They act like the wedding is being held for them.” The girl’s smile faded at his comment.

“Anytime,” Sawyer said. “I’ll be here at eight AM if you want more.” She chuckled before turning back to the table behind her. She wasn’t interested in getting invested into their personal lives. Wedding’s weren’t her favourite. Actually, she hated attending them and merely did out of obligation.

It wasn’t long before two couple packed up their things and left. Sawyer finished wiping their table down after they left. She stretched before cracking her knuckles, a habit she’d almost broken. That was it. The place was clean, and the streets were rather vacant tonight.

She put the rag away before scooping up her purse and keys. Sawyer gave the place a once over before heading outside. She stuck the key into the hole and pulled it out once the lock clicked. Home wasn’t far, just a couple blocks down the road. She slid the keys into the purse as she began her walk home.

Nights like these were her favourite. It was seven o’clock and the sky was beginning to darken. Summer wasn’t close enough to keep the sky lit up. Her small town quieted down when the sun dipped low. This was her downtime. The air was chilly, and the wind was soft as it blew her hair back. The sight of her apartment complex made her smile. Soon she’d snuggle into her couch and watch an episode or a movie before bed.

The teen with dark hair was walking toward her, still several feet away. That girl wasn’t familiar, but she knew everyone in town. Well, that was untrue. She wasn’t familiar with many of the wolves in the area. They schooled their children privately. She looked about the age wolves first turn, which was in their teens. She had a scent of wolves, but it was difficult to decipher whether or not it was her or her clothes.

A loud growl erupted as a wolf darted out from between two buildings across the street. The dark wolf raced straight for the girl. Sawyer wasn’t notified of any rogues in the area, not that they always remembered to tell her. As a mutt, she didn’t get the same privileges.

The girl screamed before running to Sawyer. Sawyer stepped in front of the girl and growled back at the rogue. The wolf slowed and began circling the two. Sawyer kept the girl behind her as the wolf surrounded them.

The wolf lunged and Sawyer grabbed the girl’s arm, yanking her sideways before punching the wolf’s side. He faltered, stepping sideways before glaring at Sawyer. She wasn’t sure how to play it. It was difficult dodging while protecting the girl. If she was alone, she could take him in this form, but without taking wolf form she couldn’t engage him directly; she needed to engage him and take his attention off the girl. He lunged and they dodged. The girl whimpered and grabbed her arm.

The wolf was undeterred and didn’t seem to be slowing down. No matter how many times Sawyer dodged, he was right there, ready to go again. Yanking the girl was hurting her and Sawyer was growing tired of it. If she changed now, she’d be forced to join the pack, but that wasn’t the worst-case scenario. The worst case would be losing the girl to this monster.

The speed of their dodging slowed. They leapt again, but the wolf cut Sawyer’s arm. She grunted as blood slowly slid down her fingers and onto the cement. She released the girl’s hand and allowed her wolf to take over. It had been a few months since her last change and her aching joints served as a reminder. She needed to get out more often, but she didn’t have the time to travel a couple hours to run as a wolf and then travel those hours back home.

She growled, lowering her head. The wolf’s eyes widened before he stepped back. She lunged and he dodged before dashing away from her. She followed him until the end of the road. He scurried off in the woods. Sawyer waited a few minutes, listening to his retreat until she couldn’t hear him anymore. When she turned around the girl was gone. She picked up her purse and clothes with her teeth before walking down the alley between her apartment complex and the building beside it.

She wiggled her fingers before pulling out a few bricks of her apartment building. She’d found this spot a while back. The kids in the neighbourhood hid their stash in it before they went off to college. Now, it belonged to her. She hid clothes just in case and she’d prayed she never need them. She pulled on her gym shorts and tank top before grabbing the keys out of her purse.

When she closed her door, she leaned against it and swore under her breath. The girl would tell. There was no doubt in her mind that the pack would confront her. She balled her hand and slammed it against the door, cracking the wood.

Her eyes scanned the apartment. She was a minimalist. Her couch, TV, TV stand, bed, and dresser were the only large objects she owned. Her kitchen was scarcely supplied. She had a pot, pan, a few utensils and Tupperware. Her studio apartment was neat and overlooked the street she’d just fought in. Her couch and TV were on the left and her bed and dresser were on the right. She used the dresser as a divider between her bedroom and living room.

Slowly she made her way to the window. The streetlights were on and the road was empty. Resting her hands on the sill she sighed. She loved this town and the people she’d met. Maybe starting over wouldn’t be too bad, then she wouldn’t have to worry about wolves, as long as she moved somewhere they weren’t.

“Screw it all,” she muttered as she walked down the short hall and into the bathroom. She stripped her clothes off and hopped into the shower. The dried blood ran down the drain and the warm water eased her aching bones.