I had been driving for two days straight, and my younger cousin was getting on my last nerve. I was exhausted and didn't really want to stop because we were still too close to the pack for my comfort. The fear of Camen getting me back was strong, and I knew that he would use my cousin.
"Can we-"
"All right I get it," I snapped, slamming my hands on the steering wheel. I growled and closed my eyes, trying to curb my anger. "You don't want to eat at a gas station again." I opened my eyes, glad to see that I didn't hit anything.
My younger cousin, Clarity shut her mouth when she heard me yelling. She took a deep breath but didn't cry like I thought she would. "I'm sorry, Cass," she said, apologetically. "I should've known that you were in a bad mood."
I took a deep breath and offered my younger cousin a forced smile. "And, I am sorry, too. I shouldn't have snapped. Forgive me?"
Clara smiled and nodded her head. "It's fine. You need to get food in you." She gave me a knowing look, and I couldn't help but think that she was going to be like my aunt when she grew up.
I offered her a small smile, knowing that I wouldn't be able to eat. My ex-mate had made sure that I had eaten a small bit, because he said I was "too" fat, even though I was literally just skin and bones. "Are we in a clear area, that we can eat?"
"Yes," TJ said, looking at the map that my ex-beta's parents had given me. "But, we are close to Alpha Xavier's pack."
"It doesn't matter," I replied, coldly. "I'll deal with him when we need to. Right now, we need to find a place to eat. After that, I want to drive a bit more before I pull over and get some sleep."
"No, you are going to find a place here. You told me that Alpha Xavier wasn't that bad," TJ said. "Even though, you never met him." He gave me a look, causing me to just raise my eyebrow at him. "He could be as mean as they say."
"I never talked to him because of your father," I replied, pulling my gaze towards the road. "He thought it would be best that the other Alpha didn't meet me. I think I talked to his Beta and might have had an argument with your father over the Alpha."
"Of course," TJ muttered rolling his eyes when I smirked at him. "What else did you argue about with him?"
I stayed silent, clenching my jaw. "It's unimportant," I said, coldly. I didn't want them to know that we actually argued about my mate and how my uncle thought that I was too good for him. I should have listened to him, but I didn't and I paid the price.
"Look, there is a nice place to eat. Why not eat there?" Clara asked, pointing to a little diner. And in that moment, I was grateful that she had a one track mind when it came to food.
***
The smell of freshly baked food made my stomach turn, causing me to want to just turn tail and run.
"Come on, Cass," TJ said, pulling at my hand. Excitement filled his eyes because it had been a while since we had been at a restaurant. "We can sit wherever we want."
"Take the one in the back," I said, letting him pull me that way. "Clara, you are in first and then TJ."
"Awww, but I want to sit by- ok." Clara caught my look and instantly agreed. She glared at her brother before sitting down in the booth with her brother following her. She knew better than to argue, and I was grateful.
I sat down in front of them and moved a hand through my hair. I was exhausted, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I didn't care that we were close to Alpha Xavier's pack, because if need be, then I could show him a coin that I had gotten a long time ago. "After we eat, we'll find a place in town to sleep," I said.
"Will you actually sleep?" TJ asked, "or will you be screaming?" He gave me a knowing look, and I couldn't help but feel guilty for keeping them up.
I didn't reply as the waitress came over. I didn't look at her, not caring that I was being rude. "Coffee, black," I grunted. "Please." I narrowed my eyes at my cousin when he cleared his throat and pursed my lips.
"I am sorry about her behavior," TJ said, with a cute smile on his face. "She has not been sleeping well lately."
I turned my head to see that the waitress was female and that she looked scared for some reason. "I apologize too," I replied. My hand ached to reach for my coin that showed who I was, but I knew that that would be the best way for him to find me. I knew that the female was a Werewolf, and I was sure she knew that I was one, also.
The female tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. Something wasn't right, and I could tell that she wanted to protect me for whatever reason. "It is all right, Dear," she said. "Would you like anything to eat?"
No. I will only throw it back up. "A pancake, please." I looked at my cousins. "Order what you want."
"I would like an Orange Juice and a Waffle." Clara looked at me and pouted, trying to give me her best puppy dog look. "With chocolate chips?"
"Don't ask me, ask her," I replied, wanting to treat them. I did not know when I would be able to treat them again, because I didn't have that much money to do so. "I said you could order what you want."
"With chocolate chips," Clara said, smiling at the female.
The female nodded, smiling at her. "What about you?" she asked, looking at my other cousin.
"Can I get the special with Orange Juice?" he asked, looking at the menu. "Please?"
"You may. Would that be all?"
I modded my head. "Yes, that will be all. Thank you."
The female smiled and nodded. Worry and pity filled her eyes, and I couldn't help but as to wonder why. "My pleasure."