Chapter 9 “Brilliant or Stupid”

Amara

I arrived at the bus station a little before midnight. It was a 15 minute bike ride to the store and my legs were burning a little from pedaling so hard. I was definitely out of shape. I placed the bike behind the store and took a seat on the bench. The store was still open but I could only make out one clerk inside along with an older man sitting at a table scratching lottery tickets. I sat there enjoying the peace of the night. Crickets were chirping and the sky was lit vividly with bright stars. I took a deep breath. The bus should arrive at 12:30 on the dot to drop off the tourist coming back from nightly events.

I ran my fingers through my hair going over my plan. Joslin mentioned higher up wolves ran a private poker game every friday night at a popular restaurant in the city. All I needed to do was find the restaurant and locate Alpha Zeothis. I've never met the man before but I had to talk to him. Surely he would have more information on Titus. I know Tabitha and Beck are withholding details to protect me, but if it is true they are torturing wolves to find my location I cannot imagine what they would do to the Reeves. I have to convince him to get Jesse back and stop Titus.

The night was getting cooler and I regret not putting on a pair of pants. I crossed my arms in hopes to stay warm. I laid on the bench waiting for the bus. About 20 minutes later I heard an engine coming up the street. The bus stopped right before a light post and a handful of people, some tipsy, got off. I waited for the last person to exit before getting aboard. The driver was an latino man wearing a cap. He had a toothpick pressed between his teeth. I smiled, handed him the little pocket change I had and said, "the city please."

He nodded. The bus was almost vacant and I took a seat near the front. The seats were surprisingly comfy and the bus was way nicer compared to the ones in Florida. I have never been to Los Angeles before but this was my only chance to catch the Alpha. I would rather navigate the city than an entire forest looking for one man. It took a while to arrive in the city but I had to admit the drive had good taste in music. I was humming the entire way.

I pulled out my phone to google the location of the restaurant. I got off at the stop that was the closest to my destination. My breath was instantly taken away from the beauty of the city. Music, lights, people laughing was all around me, including buildings that soared so high I had to tilt my head all the way back. It was amazing. I set a mental note to explore the city one day when I'm not on a potential suicide mission.

According to google maps the restaurant was located a few blocks from here. I still took extra caution remembering Titus' asshats were still out there looking for me. Hopefully, they were not in the city.

I continued walking when my phone started buzzing. I looked at it to see JOSLIN's name across the screen along with a selfie of the two of us. I gulped. Shoot!

I ignored it and kept walking. I only got two steps in before it started going off again. This time I mustered the courage to answer, "Hey, what's up?"

I tried to answer as calmly as possible. "What's up? What's up! You're missing what's up! Where did you go? It is not safe for you to leave the house, especially leaving alone at 1 o'clock. Might as well be wearing a hat that says; Titus I'm here come and GET ME!"

I winced. That was a little bit dramatic, even coming from a drama queen like Joslin. "Does your parents know I'm gone?"

She let out a deep sigh. "No. Not yet anyway. Just tell me where you are and I'll come get you."

I thought about it for a moment. I guess I could tell her my plan, having her here would have been a smart move. "I'm in the city."

"I'm coming. Amara, please don't do anything stupid. Stay where you are, I'll be there in 30."

"I have to do something first."

"No, no you don't. You have to stay put."

"What are you, my mother?" I snapped. Intensity feeling bad. She hesitated before responding back.

"I overheard my parents talking about spotting Titus' mutts poking their noses around here. I went to tell you, but you were gone. Amara, I thought they found you."

There was real fear in her voice. I never saw Joslin afraid of anything these past two months. I felt a tinge of regret for leaving without her.

"Meet me outside the Lou Caves Restaurant. I'll tell you my plan when you get here."

I could hear a sigh of relief. I ended the call and continued walking, this time faster. If it was true Titus people were around here, it made me worry about what Jesse told them. I had to find the Alpha and get there quickly before spotted by a potential tracker.

I was now one block away from the restaurant. It was getting chillier outside so I hugged myself closely as I approached a crosswalk. As I was approaching, an unusual sensation overcame my body. The air became filled with an unknown smell. If heaven had a smell it would have this scent. It was now fully overtaking my senses. I searched for the source of the smell. Wondering what on earth could possibly smell this good. If it was someone's perfume then I had to buy it by the gallon. As it became stronger I took a step forward trying to get a better smell of the air. That's when I noticed a large figure standing across the street staring at me.

It took my eyes a second to adjust to the dark. The man was at least seven to eight feet tall. He was built like a tank and was dressed neatly in a suit. The man's eyes were latched unmistakably on me. I studied his face for a moment. My body started tingling as I realized how handsome he was. He had the looks to be a model of some sorts because that face was not from earth. Black wavy hair with the purest of blue eyes. A jawline that could cut steel. Oh my goodness he was sexy.

The man took a step forward. I snapped out of whatever trance this man had on me and realized the potential danger I was in. A person that tall, strongly built, and good looking could only mean one thing. Werewolf. Adrenaline started to kick in. It had to be one of Titus trackers, why else would he be looking at me like a piece of meat. Before I wasted another second I turned around fast and sprinted with all my might in the opposite direction of him.

Thank goodness for my speed, which I assume I got from my father. I was able to get sort of a head start. I felt his present behind me. This man was following me! I started to slightly panic now. I swerved right down a dark alleyway. I got half way down when I noticed a door was slightly cracked. Without a moment to second guess myself, I ran inside the building. Closing and locking the door behind me. Inside it was too dark to see anything. I turned on my phone flashlight and kept traveling down the maze of hallways. This building must have been under construction because paint cans, tools, and plastic were spread out randomly around the halls. After a while I was able to locate a door leading outside. I texted Joslin letting her know my new location.

I stayed in the building until a familiar red mustang appeared outside on the street. I ran to the car and hopped in. Breathing heavily as the adrenaline from the night started to subside. Joslin looked freaked out, "Girl, what happened to you."

"I….I was chased by this large man." I left out the gorgeous part, that was an unnecessary detail.

"I told you it wasn't safe! Now Titus might know your location."

"I know I know. That is why I have a plan." I smiled at her. I can tell by her facial reaction she was not going to like it