Page 14 of Rescued By the Beast
"See you," I reply, getting out of the car as quickly as possible.
I don't know what to think about what just happened, but I don't have the energy to dwell on it right now.
I'm too exhausted and hungry. I'll leave the freaking out for tomorrow.
When I get to my flat, I go straight to the kitchen and make a blackberry smoothie, drink a full glass and eat the last slice of bread.
All I have left is milk for the next few days, nothing else. And I can't spend a penny until I pay the rent.
With a sigh, I take a shower, brush my teeth and throw myself onto the old mattress.
My grandmother's photograph is on the side table, the frame worn by time. I look at her and feel a pain tightening my chest. I raise my hand and caress the image, letting a tear fall.
"Grandma, I'll be fine, I promise. Don't worry," I whisper, more to myself than to the photograph.
She would hate to see me like this.
I would hate to know that I lost everything to pay off the debts I accumulated as her guardian, especially when she needed to start treatment for the cancer that ultimately took her life. The burden of hospital debt still haunts me, and the instalments I have to pay leave me with almost nothing to live on at the end of the month.
I lost her house to the mortgage, I lost everything we had.
And I would give everything again, I would trade everything, if I could just have her here with me.
Ah, Granny...
I'll be fine, yes, for you.
I don't know how, I don't know when.
But I will.
Chapter 4
Mark
The quietness of the cabin is my refuge.
Only the whisper of the wind, passing through the crack in the window, and the slight crackling of the parquet floor under my feet accompany the rhythmic sound of my fingers on the keyboard.
Today is Sunday, the day the company is normally closed, but after the latest events, I can't rest. I continue to work, along with three sentries on duty, patrolling the city. If any more strange apparitions appear, I'll be ready.
I finish reading a report when a slight pressure builds in the back of my mind. My senses pick up something approaching. Instinct takes over and my claws emerge, sharp and ready.
Then the motion sensor triggers an alert about intruders, but I don't need to look at the cameras to know who they are.
I sense their presence in the air, the smell of bear and human...
Ted and Ethan.
I let out a deep sigh, forcing my claws to retract, but the tension still remains in my body.
They are the only ones I trust with access to my home, but that doesn't mean I like visitors.
The sound of knocking echoes, and I frown, pushing my chair back. With heavy steps, I walk to the entrance and open it, not bothering to hide my bad mood.
"What are you doing here?" I growl, crossing my arms. "If it were an emergency, you would have sent me an alert."
Ethan raises his eyebrows, clearly surprised, while Ted lets out a low, mocking laugh.
