The day was the same as any other.

For the breakfast rush I had served the customers and then when the chef for the morning went home, I went to the back to do lunch. Once the rush was over, near the end of my shift, I was back out on the floor to tidy up before the dinner rush. Talking to Taylor while we cleaned the tables and swept the floors, it was as if nothing was wrong. As if I wasn't being hunted for the being the rogue on the most powerful pack in America.

Once I made Rhoda something to eat and clocked out, I was soon leaving to go back home.

As I stepped out though, I felt him before I saw him.

I didn't have to look to see where he was, knowing that he was yesterday. Standing across the street, at the storefront, leaning against the wall.

I didn't feel his other pack members this time and for that, I was grateful but also confused. He knew I was the rogue, didn't he? Why didn't he capture me yet? What was he waiting for?

The questions in my head irritated me to the fact that I didn't have any answers.

As I turned to my left to begin walking home, I felt him do the same. Following my footsteps across the street. I knew it was a matter of time before he would cross over and come to me, and for thinking that, my heartbeat picked up. Was I nervous about being captured? Yes. This felt more than that though.

I reached in my purse, pulling out my phone and beginning to dial Malena's number, I soon felt an arm go into mine.

"Didn't I tell you to wait for me at the diner?" questioned Malena who showed up next to me.

I hid my confusion but I knew it showed in my aura. "Sorry," I say softly. "Just a little tired from work, slipped my mind."

"Well I was hoping for a slice of pie," said someone else, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Looking to my left, I couldn't hide my confusion this time. Cause on my left was a man who I'd never seen before but yet he spoke like he knew me.

"Oh, Lucas please," said Malena. "Must you always think with your stomach?"

"I don't remember you offering me any food before we came here."

Malena scoffed and I took the confused expression off my face as we continued to walk to my apartment. I didn't feel him anymore, must've stopped when Malena and Lucas made a presence. Now that there were legit witnesses, he couldn't do anything about it.

Once we got to the apartment complex and made our way to my floor, once inside, I motioned my hand and the candles lit up the room. Privacy.

"What are you doing here?" I instantly ask as Lucas and she sat down on the couch.

"I knew that you'd keep calling me to be an outlet from not being captured as much as you possibly could so I came down here to stop you."

"Stop me from what?"

"Stop you from trying to get out of this."

Before I could ask the question that was on my mind, possibly already knowing the answer to it, I looked at Lucas. "How much does he know?"

"Everything," he answered. "I'm a friend of Maximus'."

I nod my head slowly. "You should've worn cologne. You masked your scent and don't have anything to put over it."

"I-"

"Oh Emerald stop this," Malena interrupted, stopping me from changing the subject any further. "You have to stop looking for an outlet and let the chips fall where they may."

"Which one spoke to you?" I say. She didn't answer right away. "Of course it was Luna."

"Okay, this mind reading thing is getting very annoying."

"Oh stop complaining, I don't use it unless it's necessary." She didn't respond and we settled in silence. "How long are you here for?" I question, breaking the silence. "Dinner?"

"Oh, what are you cooking?" Lucas asks. "I hear you're a great chef."

Looking at him briefly, I say, "Moussaka."

He stopped short. "That's my favorite di-"

"I know."

With nothing else to say, I head to the kitchen to begin dinner.