Chapter 3

A recent noncomfort familiarity with my place welcomed me at the apartment. I double-looked at the front door and went straight to the coach, I was heavy. I stared past the pink curtains, the view from my door wasn't spectacular but it was comforting.

Situated on what was once the main Street, the building next to where I rented was a movie studio but downstairs. On the upper side was an apartment with tightly drawn curtains until soon it seemed that its emptiness was occupied by someone. I had a new neighbor whom I had never met. He might have moved in a few weeks ago.

During the countless sleepless nights since his murder, I have been taking comfort in the glow of the window, it brought my thoughts together and reminded me that, despite the tough nights, I wasn't alone in the world. That was for sure.

I turned back to my small apartment and looked over the living room like I'd not seen it before. Two old furnished bookcases dominated the furnishings while the couch sat pressed against the wall, both splattered with creamy-coloured flowers.

A coffee table was stacked with various items including unopened books, knick-knacks, a bottle of nail polish, and a disused mug, that had been a gift from him.

After scooping up a delicate glass piece, I balanced its weight in my palm. I made a gloomy smile and had a thought of how impossible to wash red marks from the cut mug.

It had been something trivial and odd, a strange person by then just gave me the mug. Closing my eyes, I pictured him, and just as quick as I pushed that image away I felt the comfort of my seat.

He would been so delighted when he presented to me the funny-looking mug, very stupid and proud that it matched the candy dish that sought its place on top of the television.

Despite the many days I'd warn him to refrain from alcohol. The very day of his presentation, he had grinned, his breath dented sweet with alcohol, while his deep blue eyes always loved at some private jokes. The man, with his blonde hair, his smile, and some dark moods.

A month ago, he'd brought me some new nightmares. I had found him in his hotel room, the doors and windows locked, and his poor throat was torn out in a mess of gleaming gore. At first, I thought that maybe it was a wild animal that attacked the man, but No, that wasn't an animal, an animal would leave behind something... Maybe hair or some kind of saliva, however, the police didn't find any, nor did they discover any fingerprints or footprints out of the known ordinary. Not even a stray air or a flake of skin.

I have been grilled relentlessly.

The police would call my phone, at my workplace even my Nani, or even my father as well always in pursuit to know if my fiancée had told me anything that might help in their investigations. I wouldn't want to interfere with their work, but they were too much on me when I sought justice. I didn't need them this time. Would I?

I cross-flittered my face with a wicked smile, lover, fiancée, an Alpha to be! Of course, everyone held their thoughts about it and about what I might have done to him- apart from me! Myself.

In the timeframe I had known him, we called one another, we could sleep together, went out, and made fun. But we had our limits, I wasn't sure if I was really in love with him. I always thought that I did Al that for my father, and our Pack.

However, he was a good man of my age, he could take risks for me, and he could do anything to protect our "relationship" but that same person I had known and had gotten used to isn't alive anymore.

I remember so well when we exchanged our vows and gifts on the quarter moon day, my father was excited and he had already started calling him his son-in-law. No matter the many times I had tried to deny it. That ma appeared to be a lot of things, a treasure, and a gem; he was sweet, charming, special, moody, and as well temperamental: most of all, deep down he was as fragile as spun glass. But he wasn't my mate yet.

I couldn't deny either that I had started to have feelings for that man. I have always been very careful never to scratch our surface to find out how deep we ran. I preferred to think that we were shallow, but sometimes late at night, thoughts overwhelmed me and I wondered if that was true.

I dropped the silly mug on the table and sagged as a deep warm voice paused and unpaused in my mind:

"I know who killed your lover!" It sounded like some cruel trick. The police were yet to find out, and I had to prove to the people in our Pack that I wasn't involved in his murder.

The trick sounded like it wanted to take me into the darkness, a nowhere place with no return. Who knows that the killer could kill me too?

I grabbed a bottle of cream nail polish and repeated the norm of touching up my chipped nails. The sharp smell brought me to life again. It left room for nothing, a reality clicked in my brain. I had wasted my entire day without going to work. I am sure my boss would dock me to pay for it and I am certain I will have to face the wrath of my boss.

When the polish was cool and dry, I turned to check up on my phone.

The screen turned on and there was a flash on my face, I stared to check the message. Nani had sent me a voice note. I had to get back to her, although I knew she would lecture me about when I'd be getting married and how time was moving faster. I knew she would remind me of how soon the full moon will be up.

I had to respond with a greeting and hung up. At this point, I didn't think of something else but to clear up my name from everyone who thought I was behind the murder of my late fiancée. Marriage was the last thing I now could think of. Even though I didn't have plenty of time.

I walked towards the kitchen only to find out, after staring blankly into the refrigerator that I had empty drink cartons and whilst jars dotted the back of the shelves. I had to do something, some shopping, but I have been so busy I have had no chance to think about my own life.

A rumble in my stomach made me check the cupboard. In return, they were equally empty. With a final resigned sigh, I rushed into the bedroom and changed into ragged jeans and black denim. I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

I had had a chance to take myself on a small trip to the mall or a cafe maybe, to find something to eat, then back to spend a good evening at my place watching movies. Of course, I had missed watching one. And not today again!

As I locked the door behind me, a strange sense of foreboding swept over me as though a dark cloud had crossed the sun and left me with the shadow. I looked at my door, the tiny silvery numbers. A hard and painful Lough sneaked out of my mouth with a dramatic mood. "I will be back" I assured the unbothered door.