CHAPTER 13

Before bed I decided I needed some fresh air and a minute to myself. Kitana and Billie recommended I head out the fire escape at the front of the gym. Thanks to my first interaction here, I knew where that was.

I was overwhelmed by this place. In both a good and bad way. It was exhilarating and breathtaking. It was also brutal—at least I could tell it was going to be. And so different to what I was used to. The depth of what I was doing had hit me like a tonne of bricks after dinner. The fact that I was here—in an unknown city. In a brand new place full of warriors, that I didn't know existed until twenty-four hours ago, trained to hunt the very person I had loved for most of my life.

But this was what I needed to do. I couldn't just sit around in Saint Claire and pretend like my life was normal. Not after all mum had told me. And certainly not after River. So I had to be brave. I had to embrace my new surroundings and train. I had to become a warrior—a Knight.

If that meant learning how to fight in an academy full of lethal recruits with years of experience on me and sleeping in a room full of strangers or showering in a communal bathroom, then so be it. At least Kit and Billie welcomed me in with open arms and were extremely accommodating. And Griffin, although he seemed like more trouble than anything else, was still helpful and … I guess you could say kind—although that was likely for other reasons.

I could do this. With their help, I could do this. I wouldn't break down.

I climbed out onto that fire escape and once I scanned my surroundings to make sure I was alone, I cried. Strong, heavy, persistent drops of tears that cascaded down my face. So much for not breaking down.

I would try to make it through this whole experience but that didn't mean it would be easy. I needed to let it out. Sometimes a girl just needed to cry, you know? So I did. I cried for my old life. I cried for my broken relationship with River who had once been my everything. I cried for Amelia. I cried for the uncharacteristically harsh way I left my family. I cried.

Suddenly extra aware, as the hair on the back of my neck prickled, I pulled my face from my hands. My instincts kicked in but obviously they were not as tuned as I would have liked them to be because my unwanted company was already sitting along the window sill—an unlit cigarette in his mouth. Not Griffin as I had somewhat expected, but I had seen this guy earlier at dinner. This was the fourth member of their group. I had no idea how long he'd watched me sob like an incessant child. This wasn't exactly how I'd imagine our first meeting would go.

What a great first impression, Vee. Good job.

Now that he had been discovered, he lit his cigarette casually. "Hello love. I'm Carter. You were with the gang earlier. I would remember a face like yours around here. You must be the new meat everyone has been talking about." There was an accent, British maybe? His introduction was nothing short of surprising considering that he'd just witnessed me crying my eyes out. He almost acted like this was a normal occurrence: to introduce yourself to a random new girl on a fire escape while she was drying fresh tears. Unless he somehow missed it? God, I hope he missed it. The moonlight lit up the blonde highlights in his fair hair. It was slicked back with a few escaped pieces falling in front of his face.

He didn't comment on my crying or ask what I was doing out here. He just kept talking as if he hadn't seen or heard anything. "Venus, right? We finally have a shiny new toy here. Things can get boring real quick." It definitely had to be British. He blew out a puff of smoke. I was too gobsmacked about this whole situation to comment on the fact that he'd call me ‘new meat' or ‘a shiny toy'. And weirdly enough something about him reminded me of a blonde Zander, so instead of retaliating at the insulting terms I replied softly with, "You can call me Vee."

He got up from where he was sitting and walked to my side. He had a white shirt on and a leather jacket thrown over his shoulder. A few silver chains dangled from his neck, one with a silver dog tag on the end, just like Griffins. "We're going to be fast friends, Vee. I can already tell. I was actually just heading out. Usually, I'd find Griffin out here. But I'm not complaining about his substitute for the night." He gave me a wide, sincere grin. "Although Griffin might kill me if I made a move—he did call dibs".

"He did what?" My tears had definitely dried up now.

Crouching down beside me, he grinned. "Would you prefer me? I told him I'd be more your type but he was incessant that I wouldn't be."

"Uhh..." I was honestly speechless but he had got me to stop crying and I had to wonder if he did it on purpose to cheer me up. He took another drag of his cigarette and then offered it to me. I shook my head.

"So, what do you say, Vee? Doesn't seem like you have any other pressing plans tonight. Let's go out. It'll be fun." He seemed thoroughly excited by the idea and the genuine smile on his face almost had me saying yes. I didn't know if it was the accent, but I found him charming. It was like a secret weapon. He could probably say anything and get away with it. So far both the guys I'd met here seemed to have the same talent and I wondered if they taught that here too. I could probably use a lesson or two.

I didn't hear the window creak or the metal frame beneath us groan as Griffin quietly joined us.

"Don't you have better things to do than harass the new girl?"

I jumped.

He was leaning casually against the frame of the window, arms crossed, face stoic. He was dressed in grey sweats and the charcoal-coloured tee from earlier. It clung to his broad chest in the slight midnight breeze. I stared at him, wiping my eyes to hide all traces of my earlier tears before he could notice them. I didn't know why I cared if he did. But I guess I didn't want to embarrass myself further. It was bad enough Carter may or may not have seen me.

Carter laughed at Griffin"s remark. "I did have prior engagements but Vee here seemed like more fun."

"Is this idiot annoying you?" The question was directed at me now. But there was humour in his tone. Like this was normal banter between them.

"No actually, we were just getting acquainted." I smiled at Carter who flashed his pearly whites at me.

"Griff lad, you coming out tonight? You can join me and Vee. Although she did tell me she prefers my charm and good looks," Carter boasted.

I stilled as Griffin looked at me. He replied drily to Carter without breaking our eye contact. "I think you'll have just as much fun on your own tonight, Car. Pebble here needs to rest before her first day of training tomorrow. I won't be going easy on her." Was that a play on Stone? Arrogant asshole. I glared at him.

"Ahh always the ball buster," Carter whined. "Alright boss, see you in the morning so you can kick my ass." He grabbed my hand and gave it a quick kiss. "And I'll see you later, Sunshine." He winked at me and I knew he had definitely seen me crying. He butted out his cigarette and threw on his jacket before jumping off the fire escape and casually sauntering off into the night.

And then there were two.

I stood up, getting ready to leave for bed. I had to listen to the Captain, right?

"So, Carter huh?" Griffin questioned, catching me off guard and putting a pause in my exit. I thought I may have heard a bit of an edge to his tone. "No boyfriend back home then?"

I swallowed, leaning against the ladder that Carter left unoccupied. I wasn't sure if I wanted to get into this so soon. A part of me wished I could pretend I didn't have a crazy story back home and that I could just enjoy being in this new place with new, interesting and incredibly good-looking people. Maybe even make up a whole new alter ego. Start fresh.

"Maybe Carter," I said confidently, as if I were actually considering it. But I couldn't stop thinking about how the gorgeous guy in front of me had apparently ‘called dibs'.

"I've known Carter my whole life. He's a good guy. A bit of a philanderer but he'd make a good boyfriend when it comes down to it. For the right person." It was nice to hear him sound so sincere about his friend. He ruined it when he added, "He's not half as good looking as me though."

I didn't respond to his remark, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of agreeing. I sighed instead, knowing there was no point starting my life here with a lie. So after another beat I added, "I had a boyfriend back home."

"Had?" he prompted.

"It's kinda the reason that I'm here." I paused momentarily, deciding if I should tell him the next bit.

Since I was going to be here a while, I might as well. After all the lies I'd dealt with, honesty was the best policy right now. Lies were what got me into this mess. So I continued, "I was dating the alpha of Saint Claire." I let that statement hang in the air between us, waiting for his reaction. I didn't miss how his eyebrows raised as he registered what I just said. I kept going but kept it brief; the details would only be shared on a need-to-know basis. "He wasn't who I thought he was. He hurt someone … and they all kept secrets from me. I don't want anyone else getting hurt." I couldn't help my words from sounding clipped as I recalled the events, seeing it all replay in my memory—feeling the pain and terror all over again. "I want to be able to protect people. To protect myself." As mad as I was at River, I still didn't want to incriminate him by explaining the full story. Especially to the equivalent of the supernatural police.

"You dated a wolf?" He didn't let me respond before he added. "You're a hunter." Curiosity laced his gravelly voice.

"Yes, well I didn't know that until yesterday." I paused. "And neither did he."

"Your last name is Stone. Your mum is Maya. He definitely knew. No alpha would be dumb enough not to." He said it so matter of factly that my head spun. "I'm surprised though, that there is a Saint Claire pack. Bastards have kept a low profile," he muttered under his breath.

"You … you think he knew … and kept it from me?" I thought for a second. "Used it to his advantage?"

His response sent chills through me. "I don't think. I know how wolves operate."

Rage filled me once more and I wanted to take back the tears I had previously cried for River. I wondered what else was a lie. I didn't mean to sound so harsh as I told Griffin I better get to bed and tried to push past him, but I couldn't help but shoot the messenger.

His reply was soft, concerned even, as he refused to move and let me through. "How are you finding it here?"

I snapped again, "I thought you told Carter I had to go to bed?"

"Maybe that's because I wanted you to myself tonight, Luna." His smile was wicked.

I ignored the butterflies it elicited in me. "I don't think Sienna would appreciate that very much. She'd probably take it out on me tomorrow." I was annoyed but somehow still found a way to pry. Curiosity often got the better of me.

His grin grew in response to the interest I just showed as he said, "Sienna was a fling once. Besides, I think you could take her."

Okay, so not his girlfriend then. Good to know.But clearly he was a player, just like Carter. Which did not surprise me one bit. You could tell just by looking at the guy.

I thought back to his previous unanswered question and figured answering it would be a good distraction from the flirty path this conversation was heading towards. "Things are definitely different here. My life has been such a mess the last forty-eight hours. I'm still processing it all … but I think I could like it here." My response was softer now. The rage simmered inside me and I let the cool city breeze calm my senses, closing my eyes to take it all in. I wouldn't let River have that hold over me.

Griffin was quiet for a bit, letting me have my moment. After a few beats he said, "I think I'm gonna like having you here, Jupiter." So much for throwing off the flirting. Despite it, he sounded earnest. Minus the condescending nickname, which I was beginning to think was his thing. But it gave me hope that I was in the right place and that I could belong here.

I smiled at him as I passed—a real smile—stepping around him and through the window as he moved over a tad to let me through. "Goodnight, Griffin."

He didn't move all the way though, so that I was forced to brush past him as he watched me climb back inside. A subtle nod and smirk was his only reply.

My thoughts were scattered as I snuck back into the Bunker and slid into my new bed. I thought about River—how genuine he'd always seemed. I thought about all the moments we shared and how happy we were. I thought about all the secret meetings the pack would have and how much they kept from me. I thought about my training that would start tomorrow. And finally, I thought about Griffin and how he was excited to have me here. And then sleep overtook me.