Chapter 29: Vampire-Werewolf Partners: Part Three

The hooded figure waved his hand towards his chest, indicating that Esme should follow him. Instead, the she-wolf tilted her head to the side, her brows arching together as she remembered a smaller hooded figure doing exactly the same thing. But that was years ago; it couldn't possibly be him, he was dead, and this situation was different. Whoever it was, she did not trust them.

Recognising their scent meant she either knew the person before she met Alpha Ethan or after; neither idea was really thrilling. But from the way he moved, it seemed the former was a higher possibility.

It couldn't be him.. She started to doubt herself because she had not seen his body, and a common phrase he used to throw at her kept passing through her mind like he spoke right next to her ear, "It'll take more than that to kill me, Nyx."

Esme almost jumped out of her skin as she felt the sudden gust of wind and Niko's appearance by her side. She had been staring back at the figure, deep in thought. Niko placed his hands on his hips and scowled at her, but she redirected her attention to the silhouette which had now vanished. Esme narrowed her eyes briefly while biting her bottom lip, her curiosity almost making her throw away her cautiousness and chase after the man.

"What happened?!" Niko demanded, interrupting her inner turmoil. It was a good thing he did interrupt; she was close to following them.

Instead, Esme turned away from the building the hooded man disappeared from and placed her hands in her leather jacket pockets shaking off the sudden chill of the cool night air. "I was following someone whose scent I recognised." She stopped walking after feeling Niko's hand wrap around her arm and looked up at him.

"Then why did you let them get away?"

"Because he wanted me to follow him. Whoever he was.. it was probably a trap," She shrugged and stepped out of his hold before hopping down to the rooftop terrace of an office building.

Niko followed her quietly until they were on the streets once more. "We should head back. There was nothing at the alley, and the only possible lead ran away," He suggested.

"That's fine by me. I need to eat anyway. I don't think an apple pie this morning counts as a nutritious meal. It was bloody good, though!" She exclaimed, her mouth almost watering as she remembered Grannie's pie that made her feel much better after the previous night's fight.

Niko frowned, looking down at her. "Did they not feed you?"

Okay, I'm not a dog that needs looking after..

"Gabriel is terrible, but Vincent of all people should know better," Niko continued in exasperation, staring at Esme while parting away from her, briefly walking in between oncoming civilians before returning to Esme's side again.

Esme leaned in close to him, though her head barely made it to his shoulder. "Was Vincent human before!?" She whisper-shouted, covering her mouth as she did so.

Niko nodded his head and started to shrug his jacket off.

"I knew it!" She grinned, then blinked at the large jacket covering her tiny shoulders and her backpack, making her look like she had an odd hunchback.

"You look like a tortoise," Isana snickered.

"That was very funny, Isana. I'll give you a gold star for that," Esme replied dryly to her wolf. Isana only cackled some more before quietening down so she could watch her favourite vampire.

Niko walked by Esme's side so casually as though he was not the one to have given her his jacket. But Esme knew he could feel her gaze on him because his ears slowly started to go red again; she had to refrain from smiling at his cuteness. This was a typical date night move, giving the girl their jacket, but Niko seemed more like a gentleman, and he would do this sort of thing for anyone feeling cold.

It was just surprising that she didn't realise how cold she was until his jacket made her feel warm. Esme was used to putting up with the cold or going hungry. But wasn't Niko now cold? "I do not feel the cold." He shrugged as though he had read her mind. "No, I cannot read your mind, and I knew you were thinking that because it was written all over your face," He smirked.

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Esme snapped her lips shut and frowned; she wasn't used to having a 'readable face'.

"Anyway, there won't be anything in the kitchen to eat, so we can either eat out or order something at yours." Esme's lips twitched into a small smile at Niko's suggestion. It seemed her boss was either going to hang out with her or keep an eye on her. Maybe it was a bit of both.

"I am going to take full advantage of the apartment before I return to my own. So, I think ordering in is a sound choice! Plus," She looked around cheekily, "people won't look at me funny for eating so much."

Niko chuckled, "Order as much as you want. I won't judge. I still don't think you eat enough anyway."

Esme's smile slowly faded away as she pretended to take an interest in a few boutiques they passed by. She had actually put on some weight since coming to Chester; since starting at ONYX, where the pay was ridiculously high, she ended up paying a little more for food and eating more. She was still careful and budgeting, though, because her lifestyle would be changing again once she left. Her next job might only cover the rent, or it might be a while until she finds her next job.

"You know.." Niko began waiting to gain Esme's attention. The she-wolf looked back at him, her face composed again. "I don't think Gabriel would mind if you stayed at the apartment."

Esme smirked, albeit a little forced, as she was still worrying about the future that lies ahead. "Didn't you just give me a speech in the alley to be careful? I don't think accepting the apartment just below his penthouse is a smart move."

Niko shrugged, "I would have a neighbour, though."

"Just a neighbour like fifty floors above you," Esme replied while clutching at his jacket as the wind seemed to bite her face. Niko smiled and parted his lips to respond, but he stopped and pulled his smartphone out of his jeans' pocket, checking the caller ID before answering.

They were two minutes away from ONYX now, and Esme panicked after seeing Hana and Rory walking in their direction; she slipped into a small group of women, keeping her head low as they passed the pair and sighed in relief when her name was not called out. She turned to look at her colleagues retreating bodies, who waved at Niko and continued walking. He smiled at them but seemed to continue with his conversation on the phone.

She usually would not have minded running into them, but even though the claw mark on her face had decreased in size, it was still there. With her werewolf healing, her face would be smooth again, and she would have to answer their questions. No, thank you! So, for now, it was better to avoid them.

Niko caught up to her, chuckling at how quickly she hid among some girls. Somehow she stayed hidden even with his jacket covering her 'hunchback' that would make her stand out more. He tapped his fob to the electronic box to the side of the door and pulled it open for Esme to walk through. "Niko, did you hear me?" Gabriel's voice came through on the other end of the phone.

"Yes. We are returning to her apartment now for food," Niko replied before pressing the button for the elevator.

"I'm going to walk up the stairs," Esme called out, pulling off his jacket and handing it back to him.

"I'll walk with you," He replied before paying attention to his King again. But it seemed Gabriel had yet to respond as the line went quiet.

"Charge the bill to me, and if Esme is cold, I will get her a warmer jacket."

Niko gulped, not needing to look up at the CCTV camera to know Gabriel was watching them. The sound of Esme's clicking heels against the stairs stopped as she paused and looked at him with her brow raised questionably. He had unknowingly slowed down, but that wasn't why she had stopped.

"Tell Gabriel I appreciate the offer, but I can buy my own damn coat." She crossed her arms and stared up at the camera, looking unimpressed.

Niko stared at the she-wolf wide-eyed. How did she know to look at the camera? And of course, Gabriel could hear her, but he was yet to respond.. Niko parted his lips to say something to break the tense silence building on the staircase between the Vampire King on the phone and the rogue werewolf standing before him.

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