Claiming His Fate by Ellis Leigh Page B

worked. Perhaps because of the way Numbers watched me, his eyes taking in every detail. Analytic and unrelenting, I felt like a science experiment under his microscope. I tried to ignore the way his eyes watched my every twitch as I continued my walk of shame that led to nowhere. 
    I wanted Rebel back beside me. I didn’t know him, had only just met him, but I had the distinct impression he shouldn’t have left me alone. I felt it, a pressure in my chest, a sensation of something pushing against my heart. Something wasn’t right. He should be with me.
    I was about to ask where Rebel had gone when a loud roar thundered through the air. Numbers turned toward the door and tilted his head, his focus on the ceiling. His movements were precise and quick, much more animal than man. They made me think of what Rebel had said. 
    Wolves.
    But that didn't make sense. Men who could change into wolves were the stuff of legend, of horror movies and myth. They weren’t real, and they especially weren’t hanging out in a strip club outside Milwaukee. 
    When a sharp, short scream broke the silence, Numbers growled. 
    “Stay here.” He gave me a glare then ran out the door. 
    I sat on the edge of the bed, my legs shaking and my stomach churning. I wanted to leave. I didn’t know what was going on in the club, yet I wanted to get away from it. But Rebel had told me to stay put. He said he’d come back for me. 
    Overhead, something crashed and people shouted, the noise making my decision for me. It was time to move. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath to clear my head. Looking around only intensified my desire to run. The room acted as a trap. If something popped off in the hallway, I'd have no way out. I needed to go, to find a way up the stairs and out of the building. My keys were in my purse, which was in the changing room. I only needed to make it up the stairs and down one hallway, and then I could sneak out the employee entrance. My car was parked right outside the door. If I could just make it outside, I could get out of there. Drive home to my brother.
    Rebel would have to find me, if he even meant what he said about coming back. 
    Plan in place, I crept to the door. Being careful not to do anything that might catch the attention of people in the hallway, I pulled open the door and peeked out. All clear. I hurried up the stairs with my heart pounding in my ears. Stepping carefully, I kept my footfalls quiet. The stairwell was the worst part of my trip, the area where I couldn’t hide should someone come to the top or bottom. I needed to be quick and silent.
    When I reached the upper landing, I pressed my back against the wall and slunk toward the open doorway to the main floor. A quick glance in either direction confirmed I was alone. I could see the changing room door from where I hid in the darkness of the stairwell; I only had twenty feet or so to go. With a deep, stuttering breath, and a mental kick in the ass, I stepped into the hall and strode directly to the changing room. I didn’t pause or look around. That door was my safety zone, my sanctuary. I only needed to get on the other side of it.
    Hands shaking as they turned the doorknob, I slipped inside. I leaned against the door for a moment with my eyes closed, taking two deep breaths to calm my racing heart. But it wasn’t the time to celebrate. Locker, keys, car—that’s all I needed to do. With one last deep breath, I rushed to my assigned locker and threw open the metal door. 
    “You smell like one of those whores.”
    I spun, my heart practically leaping out of my chest. Caleb sat against the opposite wall, hidden behind a double-high rack of lingerie. He glared at me, his eyes hard and his face practically glowing with rage.
    “Hey, Caleb.” I swallowed and edged back, pressing my hip against the lockers. “I was just getting my keys so I could head home.”
    He growled, deep and rough and not at all as enticing as the noise Rebel made. That