Escaping Dominance (Heart of a Wolf Series - Trina's Tale) Read Online Free PDF

“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 a nxious to see what was outside the bus since he had ne ver 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 p ole 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 wante d 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 bac k pack bouncing with each step.
    Walking up to the hotel she noticed the parking lot was half full, mean ing 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. “I s he your son or your brother?”
    “My son, this is Toby.” Trina ruffled his blonde hair aff ectionately 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 to ok 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 toss ing 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 lo oked 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