My mother wouldn't do that... would she? She—She wouldn't. I know she's hit hard lows before, but surely she wouldn't let a stranger live at home. She's only been seeing him for two weeks! My heart raced feverishly as I pulled together any options I could to avoid going home. I didn't like the tone in his voice when he spoke or the inappropriate touching, or the claim he so fiendishly made! Who the hell did he think he was?!

I shake my head, trying to calm myself and take deep breaths. I pressed my clammy palms together as I pace in the parking lot. With not much time left, the first ideal thought popped into my mind: Kenzie. That's who I'll call. Hopefully she will answer. She always has her perfectly shaped button nose shoved in hosting parties and volunteer work that she has created a strict no phone time for her own mental health. It's understandable, just extremely inconvenient. Especially right now.

I shakily dialed her number and waited. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Fifteen seconds.

"Heyyyyy! What's up girl?" Kenzie's zealous voice echoed loudly through the night. I pulled my phone away after her ear piercing squeal nearly ruptured my eardrum. Moon goddess that was loud! I composed myself once more and hurried along with the conversation in full desperation.

"I need you to come to Luigis and get me." I say with urgency as I hear the door slowly open again. My heart pounded thinking it was Christian and my mom again. "Now!"

I hung up the phone and ran behind the first car I could see. I use the camouflage of darkness to hide from them. I narrow my eyes to the entryway, watching diligently for any sign of them. As the door shut, an older couple walked out of the restaurant, tenderly speaking and cuddling to one another. A breath of relief passed my lips but it was too soon. Christian, with my mom looped around his arm, walked out smugly. He appeared to be whispering sweet nothings into her ear and she was ready to drown herself in them.

Looking at them made me want to gag. My mother is a perfect fool. Sorrow shifted through me, but I needed to put that aside. I needed to get out of here.

My phone vibrated in my hand, illuminating the darkness which concealed me. I glance down and see a text from Kenz saying she's five minutes away. Thank goodness.

"What a disgusting little dick!" Kenzie scoffed, just as appalled by the events of tonight as I am. "That's it. I don't want to hear any more of Christian. Tell me about these wolves!"

Her eyebrows wiggle with perversion and an impish grin stretches her mouth from ear to ear. She was just as curious and fearful about them as I was, however she's been known to go down on one or two herself.

The wolf I met outside haunted me. He made an imprint on me that I haven't been able to shake off all night. Those bewitching forest green eyes were seared into my memory. I can still feel his warm, minty breath fanning my face and lighting up every nerve in my body. Just the mere thought of him made my cheeks burn. His luscious dark brown locks curl at the end and fall ever so slightly into his face. I did want to know more. He was so breathless and, for lack of better words: hot.

"There's not much to tell." I shrugged, leaning deeper into the fluffy sofa and breathlessly continued, "He was just so... I can't explain it."

"So did you get his number? Anything?" She asked, sucking off the remains of her chocolate ice cream from her spoon. I shook my head and lowered my eyes to the floor in regret.

Kenz shook her head in disappointment before rambling on about what she has 'taught' me in these past years. I keep an ear open to her but I mostly sink into my own thoughts, which circled back to my mom. Did the alcohol really cloud her judgement? Did she always have the worst taste in men, or is that after my dad's death? She is weak and makes herself vulnerable to genuine beasts like Christian.

The thought of him once again made my stomach turn. I dread going home. I don't want to cross paths with him. I don't want to live with him. I let out a sigh of defeat. I am getting nowhere.

"You don't have to go home, you know? You can stay here with me. I've got clothes, a bed. Certainly no creepers either... You need to clear your mind and breathe." Kenzie's tone softened with sympathy. "I'm worried about you. You run yourself ragged between working and taking care of your mom... Does she even know you dropped out?"

I shifted in my seat, looking away from her eyes. "I, um..." I clear my throat of the nervousness setting up shop and attempt to coolly speak, "No. No. I did not tell her that."

"Oh moon goddess Grace!" Kenz threw her hands in the air, shaking her head in disappointment once more.

"What she doesn't know won't kill her." I gave her a weak grin and she rolled her eyes. A rapid knock on the door broke the tension building in the room.

Kenz kicked off the throw she was wrapped in, glaring at me as she walked to answer the door. She stood on her tiptoes as she peered through the small peephole.

"Oh great." She breathlessly says, evident disdain submerged in her tone.

"What?" I ask, perking up in curiosity and concern. "Is everything okay?"

She quickly unlocked the door before swinging it wide open. An older man in a crumpled suit squared his shoulders while staring us down. His brown eyes are cold and hard. His yellow tinted hair flies wild in the air like wheat in a field. Liver spots cover him like a Dalmatian and the intense smell of body odor reeks off him like a trash dump.

"Mr. Witoski, how may I help you today?" Kenz tries to be nice but I can sense that every once of her wanted to help him meet his maker instead.

"Ms. Horvath," he loudly clears his throat. "Your mail."

He pulls out several sealed envelopes from his pocket. His eyes keep shifting back and forth between the two of us as he shakily hands them over. Before they are firmly planted in her grasp, his eyes land on me. He narrows his beady eyes on me with concentration and purpose, which heightened my curiosity as to why he's handing her "her mail." His gaze makes me shift uncomfortably. I dig myself deeper into the sofa, wishing he'd go away.

"Have a good day." He whispers as he walks away. Kenz slowly slams the door shut, a freaked out look sealed on her face.

"Why do you have the creepiest neighbors like ever?" I chuckle to cover up the discomfort brewing inside of me after he left. Why did he look at me with such intent?

Kenzie shrugged, blowing it off and then crashed onto the couch next to me. "A lot of weird shit has been happening lately, Grace."

A/N

I hope you like this so far! Please let me know in the comments ❤️

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