CHL: Chapter Two

                                    

                                          
Nikolai Lyev Baranov
                          
Do you just ever wish that you could rewind time and go back and change things?
                          
Man, that's me every day.
                          
For the first three years of living on my own, I lived a life of absolute solidarity. I had no friends, no job, no pack, hell, barely even a wolf. Lance only came when he wanted because he was so depressed that he inverted himself into a god damn shell. Perks of being an omega: you felt the hidden pain.
                          
It was no worse because my dear mate had sex with everything that breathed and I had to bear the brunt of it. There was no way to describe the mind shattering pain that ripped through my heart and left me to bleed. That really hurt and I wanted so bad to be mad as hell, to be pissed, but all I could do was cry and wish that he understood that I wasn't the enemy here. "Shit." I scoffed down some water with my heat suppressant pill as I cracked my neck, getting my day started. I wanted to lie in pity for the rest of my life, but I met someone who changed everything.
                          
"Whatcha doing, just sitting there all lost?"
                          
I looked up and smiled at the voice, thankful that she made the last three years of my life a better hell to live. "Hey, I'm just getting my things." I grunted as I grabbed my bag and keys, following her out of the door. "Did you spray-
                          
"No need to worry, Niko!" She winked at me as she pulled out a canister of scent blocker spray. "I downed myself in it before I came here." I smiled softly, wishing she didn't have to do so. Three years ago, I was going to lose my mind, rotting over in complete silence with nothing to do, when I heard a quiet knock on the door. I jumped in alarm, eyes narrowing as I knew that no one was supposed to be here. It was me and only me in these parts of the woods. No one would have the utmost nerve to run here. I stood up slowly and walked to the door, sniffing the air as I looked through the peephole.
                          
There was a girl standing there with brown hair and brown eyes, looking sullen. I opened the door as slowly as I could, pondering why her eyes widened in glee as her gaze landed on me.
                          
"Who are you?" I quietly whispered as she held a finger to her lips. "May I come in?" She mouthed with a bright smile and oddly, I didn't catch a tinge of danger in her aura. "Sure." I nodded and stepped to the side, letting her in. She smelled awfully of the Blazing Rage, so I stayed on alert, wondering who she was and what her business with me was. As I recalled, no one, and I repeat, absolutely no matter of the Blazing Rage pack, was to make contact with me. 

                          
Damn, they made me sound like I was some sort of deadly virus.
                          
I was cautious as I watched the short brunette look around the room in earnest as she took off her hood. "Man, they're treating you all wrong." She pouted and I stared, wondering what to do. Do I need weapons? They're in the next room. All I had to was discreetly walk over and grab them and I'd be able to protect myself. I didn't trust her; what if she had a whole arsenal of people waiting to torture me? I couldn't take that chance.

                          
I kept my breathing calm as I inched closer to the room of choice, noticing her gaping in awe at the very little pictures I had. "Oi, calm down." She raised a finger at me. "I'm not your enemy." She whispered and I narrowed my eyes. "I still don't trust you." She smirked at me and I wondered where I knew her from. She was in the pack, that's for sure, but I don't think I've ever talked to her. "My name is Imani Carrigan." She beamed as she turned to face me. I continued to stare at her with suspicion, wondering why she decided to come here.

                          
"I don't think that it's right that everyone treats you so terribly, especially when you did nothing but try to help," She began after a moment of silence and I furrowed my brows, nerves on edge. What? Huh? What was she talking about? "I know that you were only trying to save Trace's parents. Hell, if these motherfuckers pulled their head out of their asses, they'd know it too." She said and I snorted in annoyance. I hated hearing that because it sounded so easy, but deep down inside, I knew firsthand how hard it was to get people to believe such a simple fact.