On the Run

15. I Don't Like Doing Things Twice

"Yo, Andy, I'm literally pulling into town, right now. Where do you want to meet me at?"

"Um, there's a mall? I could meet you in the food court. Think you can find it?" I ask, throwing my keys up into the air and catching them repeatedly.

"I'm offended that you think I don't know how to find the mall."

I laugh for the first time in ages and ask, "How are you going to do that?"

"Follow the crowds of teenagers, duh."

"Alright, see you there." I go out of the building and make my way to my truck which is parked a few blocks away. I hop in and drive to the depressingly small building. Getting out, I can smell greasy food and the desperation of teenagers. I pad into the mall, heading straight for the food court and sitting in one of the plastic chairs. I drum my fingers on the table, putting my back to the wall so I can see the entire room. I look for familiar faces, searching for threats in the crowd. A smile lights up my face at the sight of a tall black man with a cheesy grin on his face. I get to my feet and squeeze the life out of him when he's close enough.

"Dude, it's been way too long." I say, pulling away.

"Yeah, we need to get together when it's not just a life or death situation." His voice softens and he claps his hand to my shoulder, "I'm sorry to hear about your dad."

I acknowledge his words with a horribly sad smile, "Nothing we can do about it."

"No, I suppose not." He heaves a sigh, then he's asking, "So, what's going on exactly?"

"I'm not talking in public, Adrian."

"Yeah, okay."

"Follow me back, okay?"

"After you, butt-face."

Huffing a laugh, I start past him and back out to the truck. Looking over my shoulder and watching for tails has become second nature in the past week. I park the truck several miles from the apartment, Adrian pulling up beside me in his old Dodge.

"Grab your stuff, we're going for a walk."

The two of us walk in companionable silence to the complex, aware of the lives that pass around us, of the little kids getting off the bus down the road, of the people zooming past in their cars. We double back several times before finally reaching the building. The only sound is that of our boots thudding as we walk up the stairs. Opening the door, I can feel Adrian tense up behind me at the death glare he receives from the Alpha. I nod in greeting and take Adrian into the room where I've been sleeping so he can drop off his stuff. We go back into the room, Adrian acting as my shadow. I lead him over to where Chris is glaring and say, "Adrian, this is Chris - the Alpha. Chris, this is Adrian - also known as backup."

"Is that all I am to you? Backup? I'm not even worthy of the title friend?"

"Aww, did I hurt your delicate little feelings?"

"Did you hit your head or something?"

"No, but I'm pretty sure that Adam did." I grumble to myself, frowning.

"Alright, I'll pretend I didn't hear that. When are the others going to get here?"

"Mondesir and his boys will be in before Thursday and Robby will be here in a couple of hours."

"Alright, what do we know?"

The goofball that I know and love is gone, leaving behind a professional.

I lead him over to a table where maps and documents are scattered, the other four 'wolves pouring over everything. I point out the possible hiding places we've come up with and fill Adrian in on the situation we have in hand.

"Wait a minute... Why is Adam in charge?" Adrian asks, frowning down at the papers.

"I'll explain when Mondesir and Robby get here." I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. "The rest of the pack has been found, although some of them do have some major injuries that are still healing. Even with their super healing stuff. Chris says that his pack is trained but..."

"Why do you say 'but?'" Lilly asks, auburn hair shining in the light coming through the windows.

"We can't be sure what your training has been like. It varies from pack to pack. We would need to examine someone to see what exactly your training was like. And we can't exactly do that right now." Adrian explains without looking up from the table.

Lilly looks to me for confirmation, green eyes wide and curious.

I nod and she goes back to reading her book. My magic tingles as Chris moves toward me on silent feet, which is why I don't jump three feet in the air when he says at my shoulder, "You would need to see a fight?"

"Yes, but that would have to wait until the others get here."

"Why?"

"I don't like doing things twice." I reply shortly and Adrian leans into me, trying to calm me down.

Chris's eyes flare gold and a rumble starts up in his chest, his pack quickly following suit.

"Calm down," I demand of both parties, having noticed Adrian's hand twitch to where he has a knife hidden. I wait until the growling has stopped, but the Alpha's eyes are still glowing. My voice grows harsh as I demand, "Hey! Back off, the both of you!" I keep my eyes locked with Chris's until his eyes turn back to dark brown and the rumble in his chest stops. I hold my hand out, palm up towards Adrian.

Adrian glares but he hands over the knife, grumbling under his breath.

I grab my backpack and go out into the front room and call over my shoulder, "I'm going out!" I zone out slightly as I walk down the different streets, letting my feet take me where they will.

Adam and Co. have been suspiciously quiet, haven't made any sort of moves. Since that note he left me, there's been no sign of them. Most would say that a large group couldn't be in such a small town without making noise, but you can't be a hunter if you can't blend in. Well, not if you want to keep breathing.

The taste of gunpowder grows heavy on my tongue, my magic buzzing beneath my skin in warning.

They're here.