Music to binge-read>>>

Boston, Owl City.

Halo, Beyonce.

Miss Independent, Ne-yo.

Shakara, Ckay.

Breathless, Shayne Ward.

As time goes, MItiS

Escape, Aaron Shirk

CHAPTER ONE

#Sit Back

The soft sun rays fell on the areas where the sunflowers beamed, adding beauty to the purple cones of the sweet smelling lilac just beside it.

Lucy placed bread and scrambled eggs on the four plates on the table, as Dan placed his Tareyton 100 beside it

"Really Dan? When you're just about to eat?"

Dan rolled his eyes as the faint sound of a dog barking teemed the air. "You can just look away for once woman."

The door flew open, startling everyone in the garden.

There stood Artems, the Alpha.

"There iz going to be an important meeting. 12AM. A collaboration I've been waiting for. And I am going to supervise it."

Dan frowned. " Alpha--"

" Ester iz the only one coming. No questions asked." He stuffed his large hands into the pockets of his shorts and turned, walking away.

The door remained open, displaying his back as he wove his way towards his black Aston, Ramon holding the car door open for him.

"Debbie, go close the door." Dan said softly.

Debbie who had been hiding behind her large purple teddy bear stood and did as ordered before coming back to sit.

There was silence, the fragrance of lilac hung in the air, along with the sweet scent of jam Lucy spread over the bread.

Next was the honey, which Lucy meticulously poured into the cups.

"Mom that's oil!." Ester spoke up, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Oh my." Lucy's eyes widened and she dropped the bottle.

Dan sighed.

"Come sit, Lucy," he said. "I'll do this.

"Let me, dad." Ester and Dan stood at the same time; Ester took the actual honey bottle and began dishing it.

"I'm just... gonna take a quick smoke."

Dan retired to a corner to light his cigarette.

"How long are we going to let this keep happening; Dad? Mom?" Ester looked to the both of them.

Lucy stole a furtive look at Dan who pretended he hadn't heard; lighting his Tareyton.

Lucy sat and began eating.

"Do we have any choice Ester?" Dan finally said. "I don't get it. What do you feel like you want to do differently? Look around you; we are in a werewolf world...our business is for them.. unless you want us to pack our bags and go. If that is what all of you suggest just let me know." He took a smoke.

Debbie pushed her chair back and stood. " I've lost my appetite."

"Debbie, you haven't even eaten anything." Lucy called out.

Dan scoffed as she walked away from the flower house. "Eat up, Ester... you have a meeting to attend to."

After downloading two slices, Lucy said." I know not having werewolf ears is one of our big disadvantages, but glean as much as you can."

Ester nodded and continued eating.

.......

Ester relaxed into her seat after spotting the head lights of Alpha Artem's Aston as it reared it's poke-nosy head into the parking lot, searching for a spot to park.

To think that he had scheduled whatever meeting this was, at 12, and he was arriving 30mins later.

She had been here before, but the identical sleek black cars that lined this place were too many--as of today.

So many imposing vehicles, so many things to prove to her that they had no business being in this place.

But Dan wouldn't agree, a part of her wouldn't too.

They couldn't go broke--because of her woke sense of justice.

When they had parked she stepped out of the car, smoothening her ash-colored velvet suit and locking up.

She walked up to Artems and his crew as they alighted as well.

"Good morning, Alpha Artems." Ester said, awaiting his next command.

Artems gave her a scornful look. "Stay far away, as much as possible. I do not want to catch you eavesdropping.. Just sit back, drink some coffee, catch some fun dat iz allll"

He scoffed and walked away.

His gamma followed, but Ramon the beta's look lingered on her.

"Good morning to you too, Beta Ramon."

"Humph." He said and walked away.

" You're welcome." She said and followed.

Fresh-brewed coffee and ground beans wafted into Ester's nostrils along with the scent of crunchy cookies and fresh baked muffins as she opened the glass door into the house.

So many---black men? Or rather men in black.

Artems didn't inform her that black was the occasion. She felt like an outsider, it was a normal feeling already.

She sat far back, and quickly made an order.

It arrived soon and she wrapped her hands around the smooth ceramic cup, taking a sip.

She hadn't realized she had been staring hard at the two men talking, because she'd have noticed how hot the coffee was.

But the damage was done, it scalded her. She emptied the contents of her mouth back into the cup; She checked her clothes and looked around in the hopes that no one saw her.

No one did, except him.

Her cheeks flushed.

The man Artems was speaking to.

He was a tall man--the tallest in the room, dressed in thick black sweatshirts and pants with a fucking dope face.

The dopest, she'd seen.

He was frowning, his sky-blue eyes--like hers--were laser beams piercing indeterminately into her soul.

Well there was nothing to see there, except loathing for his kind.

One of the waitresses dropped a cold mug of iced coffee in front of the two men.

"Dhat would be for my frrriend; Ulmea, here" Artems explained, carefully moving the drink to him.

Ulmea didn't reply, simply taking the drink and chugging it down.

"Let me get you your usual Alpha " The young lady asked, redoubling her apron strips.

"No no. I would take this as well." He pointed to what Iced coffee Ulmea was taking.

The waitress nodded, a bit surprised.

"My friend, It's been a while we spoke, but I am glad you saw it fit to accept my proposal."

" I am here for business Artems, not pleasantries or iced coffees." Ulmea dropped the cup. " Are you the owner of this business?"

"Of courrrse," Artems looked shocked. "Who else? I have subordinates of course, that run it in my absence, but it is mine."

" Right. Let's get down to business then."