CH4 Hotel Off Main

Continuing Jossie's POV:

Father's voice echoed from downstairs, 'Jossie'. He called for me and it must've woken me up. I was at home curled up in my velvet purple bed sheets. Tucked under my arm was a rainbow llama plushie. I stuck the plush under the blanket for security before throwing the blankets back. I crept out of bed as my head throbbed from a morning headache. 'Jossie,' his voice echoed once again. I walked downstairs and paused when I hit the last step of the staircase. 'Jossie.' His voice was there again. I couldn't help but to feel deja vu. "Dad?" I asked as I eyed down the kitchen. My heart raced in my chest. 'Jossie,' he whispered out. "What is it dad?" I wondered as I walked towards the kitchen.

'Don't go in there.'

I should have listened to the warning.

I passed down the hall leading to the kitchen. I wanted to see what was there. The kitchen seemed to grow farther away. I kept walking towards it but never reached it. My feet began to ache and I had to pause as I came across the hall's decorative mirror. There in the reflection...

'Jossie.'

My mouth arched with a gasp as I looked at the girl in the mirror. My hair was done up with a fancy red bow to hold it together. I was in a silver cocktail dress. Red lipstick stained my lips. I was in matching high heels that stabbed the floor like needle work. My eyes shined my father's blue tint back at me. But despite my new features... I was holding a kitchen knife.

'Dearest Jossie...'

My lips parted as I talked to myself.

"What did you do?"

The lights flickered on and off. On and off. On and off. The hall began to change to the kitchen. There in front of me the mirror changed to my father's appearance. He stood in front of me now. His blue eyes widened as tears filled them. He lowered his eyes to look down. I looked down too. His hand touched mine as I realized I was pushing a knife into his chest.

'Bloody fucking Cromwell.'

Wolfsbane. A scent I recognized as I opened my eyes to the night air. My eyes were filled with cold tears. I sat up suddenly and felt my chest, touching the attached coat I got from my father's truck. I didn't transform. I felt around through the dark for the items I fell asleep with. I pushed them back into my pockets and stood up. Snow fell off my body that made me realize... the snow didn't affect my skin as much as it used to. "But, it's still hard to see in the dark." I spoke to myself as I often did. I trudged through the snow over to where I placed the truck's keys. They were still where I left them. I walked back towards the fence and froze up as I saw headlights beaming inward at the forest. I ducked down behind a bush and crept closer to have a better look. Police lights flickered. My heart raced as I noticed the distortion of the blue and red. I winced as I heard two voices nearing the fence.

"Yup, it's the truck put on the database. Over." A man's voice echoed. A flashlight flickered towards where I got through the fence at.

"There's a missing person report attached to the license plate. Over."

"Let's call for backup," I heard a voice whisper. A rookie cop, maybe?

"Lettie, what's the mp's appearance? Over."

"Suspect is female. Five eleven. Black hair. Blue eyes. One twenty five pounds. Over."

I threw a hand over my mouth to stop from gasping. No way... no way that's me! I trembled slightly as I kept low and quiet. I snuck away from the area and went around to the other side of the fence. I tried to be fast and not draw any attention to myself. I got to the opposite side of the fence and watched them cross on the other side. Until they disappeared. They must have seen some of my tracks. I hopped over the fence. My heart raced as I snuck up to the empty police car. I twisted the tire's valve stem and went over to the next to twist it. Once I finished my heart raced as I knew I have one chance at this. I went over to the truck and pulled out my keys. I unlocked the door and quietly climbed into the truck. I didn't want to make any noise until I got the engine running.

I threw the keys into the ignition and crank the car. The noise disturbing the quiet lot. I heard someone shout from the woods before their flashlights appeared near the fence. I gasped as I spun the truck out driving forward. I circled the police car's front end as I drove off towards the main road. In the rearview I could see them hopping the fence to jump into the police car and come after me. No... No... No... I can't go home. I kept focused on the road as I pushed the s10 to drive as fast as it could. I watched as lights appeared in the mirror.

After a few minutes of them attempting to catch up they suddenly slowed down. I realized then my plan must've worked. I eased back in my seat. The 'empty' sign flashed to let me know to fuel up. I groaned and pulled into a gas station. I pulled out the money I had and counted out just enough to fill up the truck. I took it in to the register and paid for the pump I parked on. I went back out to the truck and as I pumped gas I kept an eye on the road. Dread filled the back of my mind. What if... What if...

I was back on the road before I knew it. I wanted to get to the next town. Maybe I wasn't far enough out from my pack's lands. I wouldn't stop again unless it was for gas.

By morning, I felt exhausted as I found myself pulling up to a motel. I entered through the lobby and waved politely at the man behind the desk. He smiled at me kindly.

"Welcome to Motel Off Main. I'm Jered." Jered had a manager's name tag on his chest with his name on it. He was in a blue uniform. He was a kind-looking older man. Gray hair and faded green eyes. He had wrinkled and saggy skin around his face and his fingers trembled as he reached out a hand to shake mine.

"Hi, I was hoping to get a room here," I explained as I shook his hand. "Preferably something facing from the road." I could park the truck in the pack and it would be facing the woods with some privacy that I was looking for.

"I'll need a two hundred deposit and I'll have to see some ID milady." He said as he began to pull something up on the computer. I laughed nervously and he broke his concentration to look directly at me. He gave a serious expression. "Two fifty without ID," he whispered under his breath. I was able to catch it. It'll be an expensive room... I was hoping to have- He caught my sad expression. "I am looking for extra help..." He trailed off. "If you agree to do some part time work around here I can give you a discount."

"Really?" I asked and widened my eyes. How can I trust this guy... he's being too nice. "That would be great." He smirked and shut off the computer. "Why... are you being so kind?" I asked him. "You're not a murderer are you?"

"With these hips?" He asked me and laughed heavily. He turned around to the wall behind him and grabbed a key before passing it over to me. "You'll owe two fifty a week princess." Wow, that's some discount!

"Do you know anywhere good in town to eat at?" I asked him as he sat down.

"Nah," he shook his head. "I haven't been out to eat in years. Why are you asking to take me?" He chuckled out in a silly grandpa tone. I shook my head and gave a wide smile. "Well..." He trailed off and looked to be thinking. "Your work starts at six on the weekends. I'm always here otherwise. Come here at six," he told me. I nodded quickly. "I reckon you'll also be looking for a proper place to work around here. There is a good place to work that makes the best apple pies. You can try putting an application in across the street. Tell them who sent you."

"Wow! Thanks a lot, Jered." I widened my eyes in surprise. That WAS helpful.

"Go on. You're wasting my time," he told me. I stayed put to count out the first deposit of two fifty and handed it over the counter to him.

"I put the deposit in with the first week's," I told him.

"Such a lovely girl," he said as he took the money and started to count it. "Remember to lock the door at night." His warning stuck in my head as I walked out of the office with the room keys in hand. I looked at the number on them to see fifteen. I drove the truck around back and saw the room was on the second floor in the middle. It would be close to the ice machine at least. I cut the car off and only took the money with me to the room. Not that I had much to take with me anyway. I locked up the truck when I got to the second floor. I went up to the room and went in to give it a look.

The room was clean. No bugs. It was a little outdated. There was a king bed, attached bathroom, two nightstands, a desk, a chair and lamp, and a little dresser that had a microwave and mini fridge bar sitting by it. There was a TV on the dresser that looked covered in dust. I checked around the bed for bugs before determining it was safe to live in. I locked up the door and went into the bathroom to find clean towels. The color scheme of the room was a burnt yellow and blues. It clashed terribly together. But, whoever was here cleaning the rooms actually cared. I was relieved. After checking out the bathroom I walked over to the bed and jumped onto it. I curled up onto the plush blankets and looked towards the door. I shut my eyes as I tried to get some rest.

Veronica's POV:

"Luna Rabidcrest? It's Vee from earlier."

"Then you better have some good news."

I looked at Beta Matthew and the others. We had just got back from tracking down the rogue's scent. Unfortunately we were too late and it reached out of our land. In order to pursue its trail we would have to get authority to cross over into another pack's territory. Which is what our luna would have to get. Beta Matthew tasked me with the phone call while he waited patiently with the others. We were at my house since it was closest to the border where we lost the tracks.

My cabin so-to-say was a one bedroom one and a half bath. With an open floor plan and sky light overseeing the main area. It had a lot of open windows to overlook the forest surrounding it. I spent a lot of time cleaning and maintaining it. I was unmated... despite being a pretty good wolf all my life. I never found the one. I spent a lot of time teaching first timers how to control their forms. I was a pack teacher and a pretty good one in fact. Pursuing a rogue wasn't my cup-of-tea to say the least. I just happened to be on border patrol with my students when we got caught up in the alpha family's drama. This wasn't my forte. I don't even know why Beta Matthew or Luna April didn't notice. Matthew was so stuck up his own ass in his own thoughts. He seemed more like a recluse since the last time I met him.

Luckily I kept a few clothes around for pack members to use. I made sure to distribute them to my students and got some to fit Matthew. Damn Matthew... this should be his phone call... not mine.

"No ma'am," I said as I swallowed hard. Remember... I have to respect that alpha bitch. "We lost its scent crossing the border aligning The Lycan King's territory." I waited a second. I wanted the news to sink into her tiny brain cells. "In order to pursue-" Her growl interrupted me from talking further.

"I know what it means," she snarled out. "I just don't think he needs to be brought into my pack's problems. Veronica, you will go alone."

"I'm sorry?" I asked in confusion.

"You're to go after that rogue. ALONE."

"But, if the royal Lycan family catches me in their territory pursuing a rogue- what am I supposed to say?" I asked.

There was no way I would lie to the royal lycan family. The royal lycan territory was also called Deepfur's territory which was the center life and popular city amongst werewolves. Everyone wanted to live there and be under that kind of protection. But, with such a large city came a big responsibility. The pack there was large and it matched a population of about eight million people. But, there wasn't just Deepfur's pack there. There were rogues and other mysterious people living there. Along with humans. It was something our little pack could never dream about. Deepfur's territory stretched far outside of the city's limit. That rogue could be anywhere between here and beyond! The probability of me finding that rogue before being caught trespassing were greater than zero.

"I don't care. Lie. Say anything but the truth."

"WHAT?" I asked and my jaw dropped.

"You will do it or I expect your insubordination means your resignation to this pack. You will be escorted out of territory either way. Now what will it be?" I didn't reply back as I waited for her voice. "Then the silence means you're in agreement. Don't come back without that rogue. Dead or Alive." She cleared her throat then. "Now... give the phone to my brother." I looked over at Beta Matthew and held out the phone in his direction. He winced but stood up and came over to take it from me. That fucking bitch. I won't make it home... I'll be stuck in jail. No... I have to be more optimistic. Matthew eyed me over before turning away. He shielded a hand over the microphone and meant to talk in a low voice. As if to try to keep a private conversation with his sister... in a room full of werewolves.

"Yes?" He asked softly.

"I sent out a missing person's report for Jossie. Go down to the station and keep an ear on what progress they've made in the other territories as to finding my daughter." I heard Luna April demanding a voice, seeming to authorize Beta's slack. He would get to have a nice and relaxing desk job until they find that stupid girl. At least I won't be tasked with hunting down the cursed one. "And, the funeral for William will be tomorrow afternoon. So find time to get your suit dry cleaned." William sighed heavily before hanging up the phone on her.

"Don't worry Beta Matthew. I will find that rogue and before you know it I will be giving you the call you'll want to hear. I know the station's number. When I kill that rogue it will be the first place I will call." He put a hand up to stop me from talking.

"Vee, can you promise me to bring that rogue back alive?"

"Alive, sir? Why?"

"Because I want to ask it some questions."

"What on earth do you have to ask for?"

"I just want to make sure we have the right killer."

Matthew looked at the six standing around with us. I remembered them as well and turned to dismiss them. "Oh you guys can go home," I told them. "Proceed to your normal tasks and when I come back we will pick up training." They were my students I was training for border patrols. They were barely capable of keeping up with me when we were pursuing that rogue. I don't need them with me when I cross territories to go after it. They looked grateful to be dismissed and headed outside right away. I looked back at Matthew. "I can't lock up with you in my house. Don't worry Beta Matthew. I will do as you wish and bring the rogue back alive." He nodded my way once he got confirmation from me and left the house. I sighed in frustration when I realized I wouldn't get to watch The Bachelor since I would be out on my first Bounty Hunt. I just hope I get a reward for bringing the rogue in when I come back. I'll stop by the station before I leave to borrow a bag full of things I can use to bound the rogue in.