Dark Hunger

Nessa called the clerk who had informed her about the bills. She wanted to collect the number of Neal but the clerk started cross questioning her. 

"How do you know Mr. Neal Perry?" he asked with a doubt in his voice. 

Nessa went on high caution. "He is a relative," she replied.

"While Mr. Perry has agreed to pay the bills. Why is it that I don't see any Owen in our records?" he said and Nessa could hear the clicks of the computer keyboard. 

Nessa's stomach plummeted to the ground. How could there be any record of Owen when he wasn't only admitted? "How would I know what you all have done?" she said in defense. "I had submitted all the papers. My husband got shot in his right arm and he is lying unconscious in your hospital. Now when someone has come to pay all his bills, you are only sounding suspicious. If you don't want the money from his hands, then please give me his number so that he gives the money to me and I can pay." She tried to sound frustrated over the phone. 

The clerk became quiet for a moment and Nessa thought that her cover would blow. Owen was sitting right across her, watching her intently. He wasn't even taking a breath for the fear that they would come to know that they were faking it all. The plan was clear. As soon as Nessa would get the money from Neal, they had decided to flee from this place forever. Urhan, Laurel and Edyrm could go to hell. The money that they had quoted to Neal was enough for them to sustain for a year. They had even thought of an island where they would spend the rest of their lives and open a small business. Basically, they planned to go off the grid once they had the money. 

"Well?" Nessa prodded the clerk. 

"Mrs. Nessa, you have to come and give the money yourself as we would need your identity," he said and then gave her Neal's number. 

Nessa noted down his number immediately and cut off the call. She yelped in delight and hugged Owen. "We are going to get out of here, Owen!" she said and placed a kiss on his cheeks. "We will never ever come here. They can all go to hell!" she squealed. 

Owen chuckled. "Yes honey. Now call that bastard and ask him to hand us the money." 

Nessa nodded excitedly. She dialed Neal's number and it was picked on the first ring. 

"Hello," a deep throaty voice came from the other side. 

"Hi!" Nessa replied. "This is Nessa, Elize's sister-in-law."

A long silence followed. "What do you want?" Neal asked. 

"The accountant who you had called wants me to pay the money for my husband because he wants to confirm my identity," she replied, faking a shaky voice. "I request you to hand the money to me please." 

"Then come to the hospital because I am right over here." 

"I can't come!" she blurted. If she went to the hospital, she was afraid that her true identity would be exposed. "Can you please come home and give the money or if you like you can wire transfer it? I will take over from there. If you want to see how he is doing, then go to the trauma ward on the third floor. He must be admitted over there. But you have to hurry because they might take him inside for another operation." 

"Why can't you come?" asked Neal. 

"The hospital has strict policies on visitors." 

After a pause and an exasperated sigh, Neal said, "Okay, I will come to give you the money." 

"Thanks!" Nessa replied, trying her best to sound shaky and not excited. "When will you be here? I will text you my home address." 

"No need. I know where you live. I will be there in an hour." Neal disconnected the line. 

Nessa jumped with joy. Finally, their plan was going to work. She called Laurel and said, "I just talked to Neal. I think he would like to confirm the identity of the injured man. You better start your illusion trick." 

"And what about the money?" she asked. 

"He is coming home to give it to me," Nessa replied with a hint of joy in her voice. 

"Good. Once you have the money, let me know. We will come and then proceed to part two of the plan," Laurel remarked. This was getting better and better. 

Nessa looked at Owen and grinned. "She is such a dimwit!" 

Owen laughed. "And you are a genius, wife!" 

Nessa patted her shoulder. "That I am. If I am not wrong, Laurel will come after a long time. She is going to hold her illusion for as long as possible for the fear that Neal might stay there. But she doesn't know that Neal will be here in an hour. So by the time, she comes to check upon us, we will be gooonnnee!" 

"Aren't you one smart woman?" Owen said with a chuckle and hugged his wife. He was still shaking with disbelief. But the way Nessa handled it all, it was simply brilliant. 

Nessa placed her hands against his chest and said, "Go and get ready. The moment Neal gives us the money, we are going to get out of here."

"What about Elize and Caleb? I feel Elize might come to see me. I am her brother and when she hears that I got shot, she will come to see me. She is extremely foolish and emotional." 

"Let her come!" Nessa scoffed. She is going to land in the hands of Laurel and Urhan, who are waiting for a chance to kill her. "Let's not be bothered about her, Owen. She is the bitch because of whom we are in this position. Let us focus on our future now!" 

"You are right!" Owen tapped the tip of her nose once with a huge smile. His sister was an idiot and he didn't want to be bothered about her murder. "I am going to our bedroom to pack." He rushed to the bedroom and Nessa followed him. Together, they packed whatever little they could because they didn't want to carry large suitcases. They picked up the map of the place where they would fly to after they got hold of the money. 

Once they were dressed, Nessa asked Owen to leave from the backyard, when Neal came. She knew that werewolves had a great sense of smell. If Owen stayed in the house, Neal would smell him immediately and their plan would be jeopardized. "Why don't you leave now?" she suggested. "Stay around the block. Once Neal leaves, I will call you." 

"Sounds good!" he said. They hid their packed suitcase in the wardrobe and came to the drawing room. "Call me as soon as he leaves," said Owen and walked to the door. He opened the door while looking at Nessa. However, he saw that as soon as he opened the door, Nessa's face blanched. He whipped his head to look out and his thoughts became blank. "Elize! Caleb!" Scared, he tried to close the door shut but Elize stopped it with just one hand. 

"Owen?" she said with narrowed eyes.