The Billionaire’s Burden(41)

I shoved my shoulder against the door, trying to ram it open. Harder and harder I threw my body against it, until at last, it jarred open.

I peered inside, but the lights in the room were off. The dog snarled in surprise, howling once more.

Though I wasn't in the best shape of my life, I was somehow able to force the door open just enough for me to slip in.

Through the heavy darkness, I could hear the dog's low growling noises, his heavy breathing filling the air. I searched the walls for a light switch, finally finding it beneath my probing fingers.

The light flipped on, blinding me momentarily.

I covered my eyes in surprise, blinking away the dark spots.

When I finally was able to peer before me, I found the dog.

Though, this was no puppy like any I'd ever seen.

He stood on two legs, heavy silver chains wrapped around his waist, legs, and wrists, binding him to the wall. He snapped at me, growling heavily, his muscled chest heaving. Under the fluorescent lights, his fur shimmered like yellow dusted darkness.

It was the creature's eyes that struck me the most though.

I knew those straw colored orbs, I knew that golden gaze that pierced right through me.





Chapter Eight





A scream filled my throat at the sight of the salivating, growling beast that was once Eli Hunter.

I stumbled backwards, falling over another heaping pile of chains on the ground. I skittered backwards, startled shriek dying before it could reach my gaping lips.

He gnashed his teeth at me, straining against the silver binds around his body. Somehow, I managed to flip over onto my hands and knees, careening straight out of the apartment and into the darkness of the cool night.

I ran and ran and ran. I ran through the burning in my ribs and lungs, I ran through the ache of my feet, I ran through the blinding tears in my eyes.

I had no idea where I headed, all that I could hear was my breath ragged in my lungs, my heart pounding against my ribs, and my brain buzzing.

Desperately, I tried to make sense out of what I saw.

Eli was some sort of human dog hybrid? Or was it wolf?

None of this made any sense at all.

I shook my head, hot tears prickling in my eyes.

I couldn't go back home, I couldn't put Lucy at risk of the beast. It wouldn't be fair to her.

Would Eli come after me? Was he dangerous?

He certainly looked dangerous. I'd never seen teeth as long and sharp as his own, though he looked part animal, his muscles had bulged threateningly.

A shudder ran up my spine as I turned sharply down a side road. A jogging path split through a forest, leading to a small children’s playground.

Around me, the owls hooted curiously, each sound of the trees rustling and the wind blowing making me practically jump out of my skin.

As soon as I reached the playground, I threw myself underneath a bright orange, plastic covered dome where children played hide and seek in. Inside of it, I was sheltered from any beastly eyes.

It was a pitiful place for a grown woman to hide, but I was desperate. Eli could come after me at any moment. Though the chains looked strong, he looked stronger.

Burying my face in my hands, I desperately tried to calm the sharp breaths that jabbed through my lungs.

This couldn't be happening, this couldn't be real.

My neighbor was some kind of beast creature. I'd been living next to him the entire time and never realized it.

Those stupid parties weren't parties at all, it was all just a cover to hide the sound of his howls.

I moaned at my stupidity, curling into a ball on the rough ground.

Was this my home now? Could I ever return? Would Lucy worry about me?

Surely, she would notice sooner or later that I was missing. She wouldn't be concerned tonight, she'd just think I was shaking up with him, but what about later?

Would she try and talk to him? Would Eli attack her? He’d never shown any bit of aggression, he’d never seemed dangerous in the slightest. Was he a danger? Should I be scared?

I shuddered, squeezing my arms. This was too much, I wasn’t even sure where to begin making sense of this whole messy ordeal.

All that I knew was I had to go back. I couldn't leave Lucy alone and defenseless next to some monster.

Going back right this minute would be useless, though. I had to wait until morning, when I would feel safer again. Lucy would be fine alone tonight.

Leaning against the cool plastic of the dome, I rested my forehead against my knees.

My heart still thundered on, my brain still desperately tried to pull some logic out of the situation.

At some point, both gave up, leading me into a very restless sleep.

The sound of footsteps tracing the outside of the dome jolted me from my uncomfortable slumber. Every inch of my body was numb and tired and stiff. From the pinpricked holes up top, I could just barely see the light of morning shimmering through tiredly.

Though, I didn't have my watch, I would have guessed it to be seven or so in the morning. Lucy would be up now, sipping her gross coffee and smirking to herself about how I never made it home.