The Fugitive - Chapter 139

Esme led the way back to the Hub from the tree line. She now had her dishevelled hair back into a ponytail; her long dark brown locks still fell down in waves past her shoulder blades. Esme made sure to wipe away any dirt that was on her face but still took one of Marcus’ masks to cover half her face. This time, she would gain entry with it on. Unlike last time, she was not really wearing a disguise, and she still had Ethan to worry about finding out her location.

Just as she thought about her first mate, her mark started to burn. Which was strange considering it used to cause her pain from slightly touching another man. She’d done a lot more than touch Gabriel, and for a fraction of a second, her heart twisted, and she felt bad for Ethan. He undoubtedly knew she’d slept with another; in the time she had been running from him, the most she’d done was hug another.

But that moment of guilt swiftly went as she was reminded of all the things he’d done to her. Sure, he hadn’t cheated on her, but he treated her like dirt and pushed her over the edge to the point that she’d rather kill herself than live in the world with him. It angered her so much, but now that anger had turned into a grudge. If she had succeeded in killing herself, she would never have met Gabriel, and he might have continued his long life without ever finding someone else. For once, she could honestly thank the Moon Goddess if it was she who made sure Esme would not die.

“Maybe, she knew our other fated partner was still to come..” Isana wondered. Her wolf had not once cursed or screamed at the skies to Selene; unlike Esme, she was a true believer in her. Esme was now conflicted about the Goddess. She’d been through a lot, and maybe Ethan was her punishment for the lives she’d taken, but now she had a second mate, a second chance.

It wasn’t adding up in her mind.

“Nyx?”

Esme looked up and met Marcus’ eyes. She’d unknowingly stopped while she was lost in thought. “Oh, sorry,” Esme mumbled, making Marcus’ eyes widen in almost shock. Had she ever apologised to him before? Was that why he reacted in such a way?

As they neared the building and the sounds of the music and people became louder, Esme placed her hand on Brody’s back hopefully in a comforting manner before she let her hand drop and pulled her shoulders back, clicking her neck from one side and to the other.

“Nyx, we’re not fighting..” Marcus joked as he pushed open the double doors.

“You’d think that, but for some reason, people think picking on a small girl make them real werewolves,” Esme sneered, knowing well that others could hear her.

“Hey, you’re meant to be on good behaviour! We are here for Brody!” Isana scolded her with a slight growl to her voice. Esme grimaced at the sound but nodded her head apologetically.

They walked in, but unlike last time, only a few people glanced in their direction. A few nodded at Marcus and only briefly eyed her curiously and Brody before returning to their conversations. It was still busy but a lot calmer than when she visited the night before. Maybe the nighttime really did bring out the worst in all creatures?

“Mask off-” The bouncer, the same from last time, started to approach her, but Marcus stepped in front of her and revealed his gold card to him.

“VIP or not.. The she-wolf should follow the rules-”

“You know..” Esme stepped out from behind Marcus. “I followed your rules last night, or did you forget me because of the black and red hair?” She tilted her head to the side, her dark eyes glinting playfully at the bouncer. He blinked and looked her over again; obviously, her attire was a lot more dressed down than previously. She was surprised he didn’t comment on the fact that all of them walked in without wearing any shoes.

But maybe they weren’t bothered about such things considering they were werewolves, and anyone can tell by the smells surrounding their scents that they’d just come back from running around in their wolf forms. Esme also released a slight bit of her pheromones, and the bouncer backed away nervously. “Let’s head up.” She started to lead the way and then realised Marcus was the only one who could get them access upstairs. That was what she thought until the bouncers on the second floor blocked her and Brody’s path.

“I’m starting to lose my patience. Einar get out here,” She growled, looking around before the stairs that led up to the ‘VIP’ section she met both Einar and Davian at.

“What’s got your knickers in a twist, my dear?”

Esme spun around after feeling Einar’s breath tickle her ear. But before she could respond, both Marcus and Brody stepped in front of her.

“Seriously? You guys are being overprotective,” Esme complained. Since when did Marcus start thinking she couldn’t take care of herself? Or was it because of Gabriel’s threat earlier? She didn’t really think he’d take it to heart, though.

Esme sighed after seeing Einar wave from behind the other two. “Let us go somewhere a little quieter.” She heard Einar speak quietly, and with the sound of his fingers clicking, their surroundings warped like paints mixing together until their surroundings changed again and they were suddenly inside his office.

Esme watched Einar remove his long black coat and suit jacket. He walked back in just his waistcoat and started to pull his long hair back into a ponytail similar to Esme’s. Although she looked at his hair with slight envy, it was so neat and straight. Putting his hair up also showed the piercings running up his right ear and with only one dangling red feather earring in his left.

“Nyx.. Who is he?” Marcus asked warily as he eyed a few glass jars with bubbling liquids in. Einar snapped his fingers, and they were gone.

“It is a little late to be asking who I am, boy,” Einar said as he walked over to his desk and sat behind it comfortably. “Now, what can I do for you?” His eyes moved from Esme’s to Brody like he already knew what she would ask.

“Stop wasting my time, warlock. You know why I am here,” Esme said irritably as she pulled her mask down before crossing her arms against her chest.

Einar sighed dramatically. “I wish you were just a little nicer to me,” He pouted. “Like how you treat young Brody here!”

“Young? You look younger than him,” Marcus muttered, looking at Einar like he was a little crazy.

“Ah, looks can be deceiving,” Einar winked. “Okay, my dear. I will take young Brody for a favour. And I am not a meanie to experiment on someone!”

“Is this a separate request to the first?” Esme asked, tilting her head to the side. She felt relieved to hear that Brody wouldn’t be experimented on, though she would probably check up on him weekly to make sure Einar would keep up on his part of the bargain. Maybe with a little bit of time, Brody can return to how he used to be.

“Of course. Last night was a separate occasion. For Brody to stay with me, all I ask.. Is for you to complete a job for me, it will be easy for someone with your experience.. In a week, late evening, I want you to go on one of your little runs in wolf form. I will send you the location; it won’t be too far from here,” Einar said, his tone now only business-like with a hint of mystery.

“What do you want me to do?” Esme asked as she stepped towards him curiously.

“You’ll know when you get there.” His words seemed a little ominous, and she wondered if her job was to kill someone. It was something she was capable of, but the idea made her sad for some reason. But when she looked at Brody, who looked at Einar warily and scrutinised the office, she felt responsible for him. If Einar so much as hurt a hair off his head-

“Mumma wolf,” Einar winked, gaining her attention again. “Do we have a deal?”

Without hesitation, she agreed. “Of course.. We have a deal.”