Toby rubbed his eyes and nodded.
Trina left him to go stand in line, nervously glancing over her shoulder to where he sat staring out at the people. Waiting in line, she glanced around the terminal. She spotted a police officer standing by the wall and watched him for a moment.
He nodded in her direction.
Two more officers were outside the door by the bus, talking to the driver.
Trina didn’t bother hiding her scared expression. She returned his nod timidly, allowing her eyes to break away immediately and scan the bus stop. She counted on the officer reading her body language, hoping if Dean showed up the officer would respond the way she needed him to.
Releasing a frustrated sigh, she turned back once again to face the window where the ticket agent stood shielded from the public. She wondered briefly why there would be such a thick piece of glass between him and his customers. Apprehensively, Trina looked over her shoulder. Her eyes met the officers and she stared for long moment, breaking contact she turned to Toby, confirming he was still sitting in the chair where she had left him.
He had propped himself up on their backpacks and fallen back to sleep, poor thing. Her lips pressed together, the corners of her mouth turned down at the thought of dragging him from his bed in the middle of the night.
Finally, she was next in line. The sign on the overhead announcement board told her the bus she wanted would be pulling away from the station in a few minutes. Passing the money to the ticket agent, Trina breathed a sigh of relief when he accepted the money without question and handed her two stubs. With tickets in hand, she turned around with a triumphant smile that quickly slid from her face. Her heart leapt into her throat then stopped for a long moment. The room became a blur and she thought she was going to fall over. Her stomach heaved, she wanted to throw up. Here we go, she thought to herself when she met his eyes.
Dean stood looking at her, his brows furrowed, his bloodshot blue eyes as stormy as the night outside. Somehow, he had awakened from his drunken stupor and followed them.
Really scared now, Trina wasn’t certain she could pull this off. The bus to Texas she and Toby were supposed to be boarding at that very minute had started its engine a few moments earlier. They needed to be in their seat when it pulled away from the station.
Glancing around the terminal, Trina didn’t see or smell any of the other pack members. Surprisingly, Dean had come alone. Seeing the frightened look on Toby’s face made Trina even more determined to get him away from the pack. She wanted Toby to grow up to be a real man, not the shadow of one Dean had allowed himself to become.
Dean leaned down to pick Toby up from the chair.
Trina went into action. Screaming like a madwoman, she ran towards Dean and started pummeling him on his back and when he swung around, his chest.
He reared back to slap her, but the hand was caught mid-swing by the large police officer who suddenly appeared beside Dean.
Giles was the name tag on his uniform. She’d heard one of the other officers call him Frank. He had read her expression of fear and stuck around instead of leaving, watching her closely, responding the way she had anticipated.
Intervening, Officer Frank Giles moved quickly and blocked the blow from landing with his nightstick, hitting Dean’s wrist. “You okay miss?” Frank glanced down into Trina’s worried face.
Trina nodded and stepped safely away from Dean. She snatched Toby into her arms and close to her body, pressing his head to her shoulder so he didn’t look at Dean. Reaching for their backpacks, worry still etched on her face, she glanced from the officer to the exit where her escape opportunity would not be waiting much longer. The driver finished his smoke break from behind the bus and walked towards the front.
“Don’t miss your ride, ma’am.” Officer Giles gave her an encouraging smile and motioned with his head for her to go on.
Trina gave him a quick frazzled smile, turned and rushed Toby to the door.
Dean made a lunge to grab her when she was close enough, cussing loudly, “You fucking bitch! You are not taking my son from me.”
Giles grabbed Dean’s arm and twisted it behind his back. His knee pushed into the back of Dean’s, forcing him to the floor.
Trina ran with Toby tucked safely against her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Dean struggling and was happy to see the second and third officer moving in to help restrain him. Before she made it out the door, she heard one of the policemen asking Dean if he had been drinking.
The bus driver, seeing the ruckus and her being the cause, shook his head. He motioned urgently for her to get on the bus. “Hurry, take your seat so we can get out of here before he gets loose.”
Trina hurried Toby on to the bus and stared out the window, watching as the officers wrestled Dean into the back of the police car. Leaning back in the soft leather seat, Trina released a slow breath. Rolling her neck to relieve the tension, she closed her eyes for just a moment.
For a week she had planned her get away. It was dangerous for her to run like this, but a risk she willingly took. She knew there was a possibility the alcohol and sleeping pills would not remain in his system long. Once he woke up and realized her and Toby were gone, all hell would break lose. He would come after them, tracking her scent. Her plan of sticking to the forest would make it impossible for him to take the truck. Throughout the week she kept her thoughts blocked. Even so, she’d pull the wires from the distributor caps on all the vehicles in the driveway, just in case.
When he showed up alone at the bus station it surprised her because he never did anything without the pack. This worked in her favor. Relief had washed through her when she stepped through the doors and saw the police officers hanging around.
Luck on her side, she heard Officer Giles call in to dispatch that his domestic dispute case had been resolved. He was getting ready to leave, when she caught his eye. She kept looking at him nervously, hoping and praying he would catch the stress signals she was sending his way; glancing over her shoulder, constantly keeping eye contact with Giles while he stood by the wall watching her and Toby.
Taking one last precaution at home, she had counted on knowing Dean. When he woke up and saw her not in bed, his immediate response would be to come after her, throwing on the first pair of jeans and shirt he came across, which happened to be the ones on the floor. Pouring tequila on his clothing, the liquor dried quickly, but the odor lingered. Dean wouldn’t pay attention to the smell. She knew if officers were involved, alcohol would give them a reason to detain him, even if only for a little while. It had all fallen into place nicely.
Staring at the schedule in her hand, Trina realized the bus ride was going to take two very long days to get to Texas. Dean had seen which bus she and Toby were boarding. He could connect with his pack and easily send them after her in a matter of moments. They would chase her down. She smiled, that is after they got their wiring situation straightened out. She needed to think quickly and have a backup plan in case they did show up though.
Looking around at the people on the bus, she saw that everyone was busy doing something. Some had their noses stuck in a book, their overhead spotlights shining down. Others had earphones in, jamming to tunes or trying to drown out the constant murmur of people talking and laughing. Some drifted off to sleep the moment the bus pulled out of the station. Trina envied them being able to close their eyes without worry.
Their escape would be short lived if she didn’t figure out how to outsmart Dean and quick. Wracking her brain, a thought floated across her mind and her eyes flew to the schedule in her hand. He would never think to look for her so close to home. After the forty-five minute ride, they slowed and pulled in to the next stop, a handful of the riders got off. Trina gathered their things and joined those exiting the bus.
Hurrying into the station, she ran up to the ticket window. “I bought these tickets to Texas. I changed my mind and want to go to California instead. Can I get a refund?”
The agent frowned slig
htly and shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t give you a refund.” Glancing down at Toby, her face softened. “I’ll tell you what though, I can give you a reduced rate. Would that work?”
Trina nodded. “Anything you can do would be great.” She handed over the money with one hand while keeping Toby by her side with the other. Her eyes constantly scanned the exits.
“You’re lucky, the next bus leaves in about ten minutes.” The woman smiled and slid a sucker through the small opening of the window for Toby.
****
The early morning sun leaked through the branches of the tall pine trees. The hues of pink and orange mixed with shades of blue shimmered in the distance. The bus pulled to a stop and the sound of air brakes hissing in the morning hours stirred the riders awake, including Trina.
They had arrived in Redding, California. Trina wished there was some way to cover any traces of her on the bus, but knew it was useless. Once a werewolf shifted, they could be tracked down by their scent. She took the precaution anyway and, to the frowns of the other passengers, she used a baby wipe to clean the seat where they had sat. Ignoring those around her staring and making comments, she leaned over to Toby. “Do not touch anything okay?” Her face was close to his ear so only he heard her words.
Toby smiled and nodded eagerly. He was anxious to see what was outside the bus since he had never been away from home before.
With his hand in hers, Trina led Toby down the steep steps and out of the noisy bus. Her hand went to her back pocket to ensure the money was still safely tucked away. A backpack slung over both arms, she made sure nothing was left behind.
The stop was small, a patch of black top extended just far enough to pull the huge bus off the two lane main road and let people exit or get on. No buildings to buy tickets or to get her bearings, it was literally a bus stop as indicated by the sign on the metal pole sticking out of the ground.
Trina stood looking around. They were still in the mountains with lots of tall trees around. This would be the perfect place for her and Toby to run and hide, to hunt when it was her “time of the month.” Across the street and up the road a few hundred feet stood a typical roadside mom and pop motel with a small diner attached. In the window stood a bright red sign for housekeeping help wanted and Trina smiled.
Finally something was going right in her life. Looking both ways, the highway wasn’t busy and she hurried across the paved road with Toby running alongside her, his back pack bouncing with each step.
Walking up to the hotel she noticed the parking lot was half full, meaning it actually had some business, which was good. Pushing the door open, a bell sounded and a woman raised her head from behind the counter.
The owner of the establishment looked Trina up and down, then over to Toby. “Is he your son or your brother?”
“My son, this is Toby.” Trina ruffled his blonde hair affectionately and smiled proudly.
“I’m Mable Struthers, you can call me May or Mable, whatever you like.”
She held out her hand. “Trina Rivers.” Her name was out of her mouth without a thought and the scared look that crossed her face must have shown before she had time to hide it.
“No need to worry, you’ll be safe here.” Mable took her hand in her strong grip.
Not commenting, Trina turned to her son. “Toby, say hello to Ms. Mable.”
Toby looked at the woman a little hesitantly, and then nodded his head as if he approved of her. “Hello, Ms. Mable,” he said quietly.
“I take it you are here for the job?” Mable moved out from behind the counter without waiting for her response, grabbing the sign from the window and tossing it on top of the counter.
“Yes ma’am.” Trina stood with a hopeful look on her face.
“I don’t normally hire anyone without experience. I know taking care of a household and a bunch of men is a lot of work, but nothing like working in a motel.” Mable looked Trina up and down.
Trina froze in place, wondering how the woman knew she had taken care of a bunch of men and a household. She knew Mable wasn’t wolf and couldn’t read her mind. Maybe she had a sixth sense, or maybe it was just a good guess.
Mable didn’t respond to Trina’s hesitation and continued. “You’re kind of small and you look like you could stand a few pounds.” Mable pursed her lips, continuing to look at Trina with a critical eye. “For some reason, I have a good feeling about you.” Clicking her tongue a few times, she made up her mind and nodded. “Okay, you’re hired. I take it you can start tomorrow morning?”
Mable was in her late sixties and her face was full of fine lines, but she was a hearty looking woman who had spent her life up in the mountains. Her thick frame and broad shoulders told Trina that Mable was not afraid of hard work. She had a good feeling about this woman as well, and nodded her head. “I can be here at whatever time you like.” She glanced down at Toby and her eyes peered questioningly back up at Mable.
Mable nodded her head. “Since you’re not from around here, I’m assuming you don’t know anyone. You can take the room next to the laundry so it’s convenient for you. Since Toby will be with you, just keep an eye on him. Make sure he keeps himself out of trouble and out of the way.”
Trina smiled. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied following Mable out the door.
131
ESCAPING DOMINANCE
CHAPTER four
Trina and Toby fell into a routine over the next few months. She began to relax, though never completely. The escape into the night always floated at the edge of her mind. She was constantly watching the road for any sign indicating Dean, or any of the pack members, had found them.
Seeing Toby interact with Mable, and being his happy-go-lucky self, made her glad the whole ordeal hadn’t affected him too severely. He never mentioned his father and she didn’t bring him up either. Toby shadowed their every step. Mable loved having him around and made a great surrogate grandmother.
One Friday afternoon, a woman showed up and Trina didn’t like the looks of her, her vehicle looked too official. Grabbing Toby, she snuck towards the back door of the diner, hearing Mable greeting the woman as if she knew her. Trina hurried to their room, quickly closed the door and peeked out the curtain. Waiting until the car was long gone, Trina told Toby to stay in the room. The door locked behind her and she headed into the office to see what she could find out about the woman.
“Cass is the counselor at the elementary school. She saw Toby the other day and wanted to know why he wasn’t in school when she asked around about him. You need to get him enrolled or show he’s being homeschooled.”
Leery of having him in a public school because it would make it easier for Dean to find him, she fought an internal battle of what to do. She had to keep him safe, yet abide by the laws of the humans she hid among. Plus, it wasn’t fair to keep him from getting an education. Of course she knew basic math and how to read and write, but she didn’t think she knew enough to teach him properly. So that pretty much solved her dilemma, he had to go to public school.
The following Monday, Mable drove them to the closest elementary.
Reluctantly getting out, Trina opened the back door.
Toby hurried out and stood anxiously beside her. His eyes wide, he stared at the school. He could barely contain his excitement.
Leaning inside the window, Trina forced a smile on her face. “Thanks, we’ll get back to the motel as soon as we can.”
Mable didn’t frown at her a lot, but there was definitely a frown on her brow when she leaned towards the passenger window and looked at Trina. “Honey, call the diner when you’re done and I’ll be right here to pick you up.”
“We don’t mind walking, it’s only a couple miles.” Trina ran her hand through her hair, holding it in place when the wind began picking up. The skies were darkening, a sudden storm moving through the mountains.
Mable shook her head, leaning further over, her voice low like she was afraid someone would hear her. “You don’t want to get caug
ht.” She looked around. “You two will be out in the storm, just call the diner.”
Trina nodded and smiled slightly, stepping away from the curb when Mable waved to her and Toby, then pulled away. Looking towards the entrance, Trina drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. She dreaded going through those doors. Her experiences with school had not been so great, but she didn’t want to project those feelings onto Toby. Pasting a bright smile on her face, she looked down at Toby, who peered up at her with an excited smile. “You ready to go to school?”
He eagerly nodded and tugged on her hand, pulling her towards the door to hurry her up. With a grin on his face, Trina couldn’t help but smile as they headed into the building in search of the main office.
After spending the day going from office to office, then back to where they first began, Trina sat in the chair, frustrated that it was taking so long.
Toby fidgeted in his seat, ready to go to class.
Blowing the lock of hair from her forehead, Trina let the back of her head fall against the wall with a slight thud. No wonder Mable had dropped her off, she must have known how long it would take.
The lady in REGISTRATIONS kept frowning at her, requesting documents. Releasing a frustrated breath of her own, the woman gave Trina a stern look over the top of her black-rimmed glasses. “When you receive his birth certificate, come back in and I can help you. Until then, there is nothing I can do.”
There was no way she could put Toby into public schooling. Being born on pack lands, she didn’t have any kind of documentation the schools required to enroll him. She didn’t have his birth certificate and had no way to get one. A midwife had delivered Toby. The only official record she knew of births in the pack were the council’s files. Wolves went by scent and knew who the child belonged to. Without documentation, she couldn’t enroll him. She had to find a way to teach him herself.
Escaping Dominance (Heart of a Wolf Series - Trina's Tale) Page 3
