Chapter 141

Almara’s Pov

“So did it hurt?” Cathy asks hunching forward and popping a fry into her mouth. Her cherry red lips ae curved into a smile as she focuses on Roberts words. The whole night Arthur and I have been exchanging amused glances with one another.

We’re both amazed that this date is going so well. “Nah, I mean I have a really high pain tolerance.” Robert says, clearly bluffing but Cathy just laughs and seems genuinely impressed by him.

Arthur looks at me with raised eyebrows and a slight turn of the head and I know exactly what he’s saying. Can you believe this? The other amazing thing that came out of this night is realizing just exactly how in sync Arthur and I are even when we aren’t explicitly communicating.

Any time Robert held the door open for Cathy, or Cathy laughed at one of Robert’s lame jokes- Arthur and I would share a facial expression and know what the other is thinking or feelings.

As of so far, we kept the date very old-school and classic. We went to a carnival though instead of the usual kinds of games there was wolf-specific games. We figured it might be a good way to get the most out of Roberts wolf nature while we can and a good way to welcome Arthur back to his complete full wolf nature.

We all did a scratch off, which Robert inevitably lost due to only having one arm though he was surprisingly a good sport about it. Though our favorite was the sniff and hunt scavenger game. Arthur won that being able to sniff a cloth that was spritzed with some persons cologne and he found that same person on the other side of the park.

Currently we’re sitting in an old-timey diner where the floors are checkered, the plastic swivel seats are red, and the waitresses are wearing volumized skirts and roller blades. We all ordered burgers, shakes, and fries.

I become a bit nostalgic as I think about my parents who used to love to take me to places like this for our nights out. We could never afford any of the luxurious restaurants that Arthur takes me to, so I spent a lot of my childhood in diners like these.

Arthur also picks up on this subtle shift in my mood and puts his arm around my shoulder and plants a wet kiss on my check, instantly bringing a smile to my face.

“Eww, Arthur.” I tease back while wiping my face.

“What? You’re wiping off my love?” He plays back. A few people have given us looks over their shoulder and lingered on their stares but it seems like no one but me seems to notice or if they do then they’re all really good at hiding it.

Arthur explains he’s used to people staring at him all the time anyways, it’s become something he’s used to. Cathy and Robert are so involved with one another, I don’t even think they notice when Arthur or I say anything directly to them.

Fortunately, these stares seem kinder especially as Roman has been making headway in recovering his reputation. He still has made no comment on the accusations if Robert is his son or not and I imagine that’s the main question in people’s minds as they see all of us seated here.

I slurp the last of my strawberry milkshake as a shadow lurks over us. The heavy presence instantly dampens the light-hearted mood. I notice as even Robert and Cathy are pulled from one another’s loving gaze and drawn to whoever this is that stands over us.

Everyone’s smiles falter and Arthur’s knuckles whiten. I look at the figure above us and see a tall and well build man in a black tux and even though we’re inside he wears sunglasses. Though what really gives away who he is, is the ear piece and shiny gold badge that reads FBI.

“Robert, Cathy, Arthur, Almara.” The man says with a deep hollow voice. “You’re under arrest for the breaking and entering of private property, attempted murder, and harboring an accomplice to a crime.”

We all look at one another hoping one of us will begin laughing at this awful joke, but no. The man pulls a couple pairs of cuffs from his waist and begins to force Robert out of his seat. If people weren’t already staring, they are now.

“Hey, let go of me. What are you doing?” The man continues to be forceful. After he cuffs Robert he goes to grab me, but Arthur grabs the mans wrist.

“If you don’t explain what’s going on, I will break your wrist.”

“I’m going to add threatening a law enforcement officer to your list of charges.” The man pulls my elbow and I clumsily raise to my feet where I’m very quickly turned around and pushed over the table. My face floods with heat.

“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney, if you can not afford one then one will be provided to you.” The FBI agent continues on as though having done this speech a thousand times before.

“I think you have the wrong people.” I saw with my face still smooshed against the sticky counter top. I’m straightened out and I see Arthur already standing with his arms behind his back, refusing to be manhandled.

I can see rage is close to over taking him. If he were to transition now, there’s no saying what would happen. His wolf self has been suppressed for so long, it’s probably dying to come out. I look at Arthur and try to tell him to keep his composure.

Luckily, we’ve been on the same brain wave length all night that he understands this. He knows it’s not in our best interest. I look at Cathy who seems completely terrified and I can’t help but feel guilt consume me. Every time she’s been with us recently, something bad has happened.

I’m sorry. I mouth to her and she shakes her head telling me it’s not my fault. We all remain quiet, as does the whole restaurant as we’re escorted out. Every single pair of eyes following our every step until we’re shuffled into a van and peeling out of the parking lot.

We drive some distance only having one small square window to use as an indicator as to where we’re headed. Once the land becomes more barren, the vegetation thinned out, and the air foggier- I understand where we’re going. I just wish I knew why.

The realization of our location is imparted onto each of us one by one, the somber realization that we seem to be stuck in this never-ending nightmare daunts on me. Though we’ve managed to avoid becoming vampires, it sure feels like death and eternity have become a theme in our lives.

I think of Grace and how she must be wondering where her parents are. I try to not think of that and instead let the bumps and bounces of the rocky ride try to soothe, just as I do with grace.