Chapter 7

We walked back to the bunker quietly. Each one of us was buried deep into his thoughts and his own world.

I looked at Alice and wanted to say something to ease her worries, but my mouth didn’t cooperate.

I needed some support myself, someone to tell me don’t worry and everything is going to be alright.

This situation was fucked up more than that one with the cannibals.

At least those monsters didn’t hide their identity or play saviors, but Johnson was like someone was raising cattle, then selling them.

I shook my head, no there is no need to fret about this, I won’t interfere in anything. I have Alice to think about. Her safety comes first.

We reached the bunker and I signaled her to go inside first. I need to check our territory to see if we have been followed or there were some stray undead.

I thought it was odd that we didn’t see any of them for a couple of days or so, but I think it had happened thanks to our neighboring pack. I guess they are not as stupid as they seemed.

It took me ten minutes to make sure that our location wasn't compromised and I checked the traps, there was nothing as expected.

Fuck that asshole and his pack.

I’m sure they hunt twice a day or something to feed all of those mouths. But again, that prick doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I smelled it again. There was this faint scent that always evaded me when I tried to pinpoint it.

It was fresh and clean on the flowery side, which was weird. We are living in a big forest so I shouldn't be alerted by it.

But it was so unique that my sensitive nose picked it up from between all this greenery around me.

I looked around me discreetly and scented the air, but I couldn’t distinguish its source or direction.

But when I was about to kneel and open the hidden hatch, I heard a very faint noise of leaves rustling.

I turned around and barely noticed some shadowy figure move. I straightened my back and followed the movement, but I couldn’t identify it.

I inhaled again, and yes, the wind kept playing with the sweet scent.

“I don't know who you are or what is your species, but believe me I won’t hesitate to hurt you. I will protect me and mine”

I didn’t wait for an answer; I knew they don’t want to harm us.

They have been following us from a distance for a while now and didn’t start anything.

So I opened the small hatch and climbed down. Alice was pacing the small space, and she had a frown on her face.

I watched her silently waiting for the storm that was about to happen and it didn’t take her long to notice me, unfortunately.

‘I know what you are thinking, but we can’t leave them like that as if we didn’t see anything.’ She signed quickly as if afraid that I won’t let her talk.

I ignored her and went to the bathroom after dropping my weapons and started to take off my clothes. I needed a shower.

She growled to draw my attention, but I kept on ignoring her. I sighed and closed my eyes when the cool water rushed over my body.

It was cold and refreshing; just amazing.

I only had five seconds of peace before I was turned around roughly and Alice signed into my face.

‘Don’t you dare use my weakness against me, Alexandria. You have been a bitch all day, and I excused you. It was a shock to face your past like this, but I won’t tolerate the way you treat me now.’

I gritted my teeth and counted from to ten. I want to be alone for a moment. Is that too much to ask?

“I’m not doing a fucking thing, Alice. You are the one who is in the bathroom with me. I’m trying to take a damn shower. Can’t I do that alone?”

She laughed loudly, and it was sarcastic and ugly. ‘Don't fucking patronize me, Alexandria. I will help them whether or not you decided to do something.’

She signed angrily and left. I closed the water and followed her outside.

“Weren’t you with me and saw everything? These people are a lost cause. We can’t help them end of discussion.”

She turned around and her vivid green eyes turned into flaring amber. They glowed like fire and the small place warmed.

‘You are just a coward. It isn’t the challenge with that fake alpha that scars you. You are afraid to be responsible for all of those people. You are scared to act like an alpha. You are hiding from what you truly are.’

I growled. “You think that you have figured me out, and that is the only reason for my decision? But you are wrong about one thing, Alice. I’m not a wolf; I’m a human with some strength. I’m not a leader material, and I’m not a fucking alpha. Those people are better off with that asshole than me.”

I said in one breath and stood in front of her, panting. She gritted her teeth and her body started to shimmer.

This was the first time I saw her on the verge of shifting unintentionally, and it was exhilarating and scary at the same time.

If she managed to pull it off this time, she might hurt us both.

I helped her to shift three times so far, but we always were in the open and in a wide space.

‘All I have heard was a bunch of pity excuses.’ She signed while looking at me as if I was a piece of shit she had stepped on by accident.

“Oh really? Ok, so tell me, why are you afraid of shifting so far? Or why aren’t you embracing yourself like you are trying to make me do, ha? And fucking, why are you still choosing not to talk, Alice? We both know that there is nothing wrong with your vocal cords. We are supernatural. We don’t get sick or damaged.”

Her anger dimmed, and her eyes watered, and I groaned internally for hurting her. She jumped on the bed and gave me her back.

I growled and put on some clean clothes and snatched my sword and left. I need to blow up some steam. If I stayed here, we will keep on hurting each other.