Chapter 26

Miranda's POV

I rub my eyes, trying to ease the pain that hides behind them. The dull pain has been bothering me for hours now. I think coming into the lab gives me a headache. It’s just a constant reminder of what I have to endure in order to save the lives of Gammas and other werewolves.

“Excuse me, Miranda?” My lab assistant, Jessica, taps my shoulder. I circle around in my chair and smile a very tired smile. “Is it okay if I go home? It’s my mom’s birthday and I would love it if I could make it to her birthday dinner!”

“Yes!” I stand from my seat. I turn her around, “Please don’t hold back because of me! Tell her I say happy birthday! You can take the day off tomorrow, too, to spend time with her!”

Jessica and I stumble around each other as we gather up her belongings. I help slide her bag over her shoulder and open the door for her. She quickly walks out and down the hall. She waves and I wave back.

“See you on Thursday!” I call out to her as the elevator doors close. Once she’s out of sight, I sigh and close my eyes. I lean against the wall and slip back inside the lab, closing the door behind me.

Very slowly, I walk back to my work area. The top of the desk is black and on top is a scale. The scale has a piece of plastic paper with white powder on top.

I sit back down and the chair slowly sinks. It lets out a pathetic puff of air when I reach the bottom. I lean down and rest my chin on the cool countertop, sighing.

“My life is so sad,” I murmur to myself. My fingertip daws random lines and squiggles across the countertop. I can barely even look at the pages of work I have next to me.

I sit up and push the pages away, swiping off my lab goggles. My head turns to the side and I look at myself in the mirror.

Big, blue eye bags hang under my eyes and my hair is so frizzy it sticks out in multiple spots. My skin looks so dry too!

Oh no, I need to go home. I need to sleep. And eat. Maybe just take care of myself in general. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan.

I push away from the work area and stand from the chair. My hands push up into the air and I stretch my body while I walk to the door. Kicking off my shoes, I shrug off my lab coat and any other trace of the lab that can be found on me, leaving me behind with my simple outfit of jeans, sneakers, and a cozy t-shirt.

“Purse, check! Phone, check! Wallet, check!” I announce the checklist to the empty area. I toss my bag over my shoulder and step around the lab’s door. The lab keys jingle in my hands and the lock clicks shut. I tug on the door just once and when it doesn’t open, I smile to myself and walk down the hallway.

The parking garage is colder than usual. A chilly wind makes my bones feel cold. I pick up my pace and swing my car keys around my fingers.

My walk slows and I look around the parking garage level. There are barely any cars. Usually, there’s about a handful of employees left over, but tonight? It looks like it’s just me.

“What time is it?” I yawn, covering the back of my mouth with my hand. I pull my phone out.

7:32 P.M.

“Huh. That’s weird.” My phone slides back into my pocket.

Yeah…there should definitely be more people here. Maybe their boss was nice enough to give them a day off…who knows?

My car comes into view and I sigh in relief. The car clicks and flashes its lights, signaling that it is unlocked. I swing the door open and throw my bag into the passenger seat. The engine roars to life and I reverse out of my spot, heading towards the exit.

Whenever I roll over a speed bump in the garage, the car slightly veers to the side. Once I exit the parking garage, I pull off to the side, parking it, and turning the hazard lights on.

I get out of the car and slow;y walk around the car. All of the tires look fine until I reach the back right one. A sigh leaves my mouth and I rest my hands on my hips.

“This has got to be the worst day ever,” I yell. I pop open the trunk and pull out my spare tire alongside a car jack and wrench to pop the nuts off. I set them on the street side of the flat tire.

Car lights blind me when I stand up. I cover the source with my hand, squinting to see who could possibly be here at this hour.

Maybe it’s Sebastian…

No! It can’t be! He doesn’t care about me like that.

The lights turn off and I’m faced with a small pack of tall werewolves. Their claws are out and their eyes seem to glow under the moonlight. Their laughter sends chills down my spine and I inch backwards.

I clench the wrench in my hand, knuckles turning white, as the group’s leader approaches me. He keeps his distance, though, and places his hands on his hips. My skin erupts with goosebumps and chills run down my spine.

“Do you need some help there, lady?” His voice is gravelly in all the worst ways possible. I cringe; his voice is like nails on a chalkboard.

“N-No, I think I’m okay. Thank you, though!” My voice trembles. He doesn’t stop inching closer to me. I step backward.

“I think she’s scared of us!” The man calls out. Laughter erupts from behind him and more werewolves appear. Some carry weapons, whereas others simply have their claws, showing off their teeth when they enter the light.

“Leave me alone!” I yell. They laugh once more. My back hits the driver’s side door. They form a half circle around me, their eyes burning into my skin.

I swing the wrench when their leader gets too close. He leans back and laughs, smacking the wrench out of my hand. I gasp and watch it fall. It clangs against the concrete and the man grabs me by the face. He pushes me up against the car, his nails digging into my cheeks.

“We just want to help you, little lady, what’s so wrong about that?” He asks, his tone going from feigning innocence to pure patronization.

I thrust my knee up, hitting him right in his groin. He doubles over in pain, releasing me from his grasp. I push him to the side and lunge past him.

My effort is worthless. His gang grabs me and they push me around. My head feels dizzy and when I’m able to catch my breath, my whole body feels disoriented.

My head tilts up to the sky, my eyes fixing themselves on the moon.

Someone, please! Please help me!

My cries will never be heard, though, and I quickly accept my doomed fate.

“Oi! Who the fuck are you?” The group’s leader calls out. My gaze falls upon a man covered in the shadows. His silhouette fades and his face is revealed under the moonlight.

“Release her! Now!” Sebastian’s voice shocks my body to life. I’m able to breathe again, a surprised laugh escapes my lips. The wolves’ grip on me loosens and I fall to the ground. I hold my arms to my chest and watch as Sebastian throws the first punch.