Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 8

I drove for the rest of the night and half way through the next day. By the time my exhaustion started to get to me we were in North Carolina. We entered into a small town that seemed nice enough. I drove until I found a motel and got us a room.

“Momma can I have another donut?” Tate asked as we walked through the door of our motel room.

“Yes baby you can.” I told him.

I set the donuts down on the small table in the room and Tate climbed onto one of the chairs. Once he was happily eating, I flipped on the TV and flipped through channels until I found some cartoons. Tate smiled happily at me. I inspected the motel and then shut the curtains before laying on the bed.

“Momma are you sleepy?” Tate asked me.

I nodded.

“I am baby. Momma is gonna take a small nap okay?” I told him and he nodded to me.

“Do not answer the door for anyone. And if you need anything you just wake Mommy up okay?”

“Okay Mommy.” Tate said cheerfully.

“There are other snacks in the bag and you can have the other donut if you want.” I told him and then yawned.

“But that one is yours Mommy.” Tate said.

“Mommy is full. You eat it so it doesn’t go to waste.” I told him.

“Okay Momma!” Tate said cheerfully.

I smiled at my son and soon my eyes were fluttering shut.

*********************************************

I woke up hours later in a panic. Shooting up in the bed I could tell that it is late in the evening. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on my son, who was sitting on the edge of the bed in front of me watching TV.

I blew out a sigh of relief. Sitting up fully, I snatched my son and pulled him into my lap.

Tate squealed and I started to tickle him. His soft giggles are my favorite sound in the world. Once I stopped my tickling I pulled him against me and shoved my face in his hair. Inhaling deeply I sighed again. He smells just like his father, fresh dirt, camp fire, and also a hint of jasmine.

Sometimes when he is asleep in my arms I just lay there and sniff him like a weirdo. His scent is just extremely comforting.

“Did you sleep good Mommy?” Tate asked me.

I n

“I did baby. What did you do while I was asleep?” I asked him.

“I watched cartoons and went to the potty and I ate all the snacks.” He told me.

I gave him a wide eyed look.

“You ate all the snacks?” I asked.

Tate nodded and turned back to the TV. I had enough snacks to last us a few days. Looking at the table I could see all the wrappers of the eaten snacks. Wow, his hunger is growing worse. I looked at the clock to see how long I was out. Six hours.

That is plenty long.

Setting Tate to the side I walked over to our bags. I counted the money that I have right now and decided that we have enough to get dinner. Peeking out the blinds I could see that there is a diner across the street.

“Hey butterscotch, you wanna go get some food? Or are you too full from snacks?” I teased my four year old.

Tate jumped up at the mention of food.

“I’m starving Momma.” He told me.

I laughed and picked up his shoes.

“There is a diner across the street. How does burgers and fries sound?” I asked as I put his shoes on.

“Can I get a chocolate shake too Momma?” Tate asked excitedly.

I laughed.

“Yes you can, but only if I can have a drink.” I said with a wink.

Tate squealed with excitement and soon we were walking to the diner. Once we entered there was a sign that said seat yourself. I told Tate to pick a spot and he ran off to a random booth. He sat down on one side and I slid on the seat opposite of him.

“Do you know what you want to eat?” I asked him.

“I want a big burger with lots of bacon.” He said and I laughed at him.

“How can you always be so hungry?” I asked him and my son shrugged his little shoulders. “I envy your ability to eat everything in sight.” I told my son.

Tate furrowed his brow and puckered his lips.

“What does envy mean?” He asked me.

“Envy is another word for jealousy.” I told him and Tate nodded.

“And what does jealousy mean?” I asked him.

“When you want something that someone else has and it makes you mad or sad.” He summed up.

“That’s right.” I told him.

“Momma, if you’re jealous because I eat a lot should I eat less to make you feel better?” Tate asked me.

Oh my heart.

My son is so selfless. He is everything that I wasn’t when I was his age. Tate questions things and is already figuring out his own morals. His kindness is something I never had.

Not that I am a mean person just that I am a… blunt person, and someone who keeps to themselves. Nothing like the kind and curious child I created. He must get that from his father.

“No baby. You should eat as much as you want because that means your body needs it.” I told him.

Just then our waitress stopped by. She is an older women maybe in her 50s. Her dyed red hair is pulled back in a bun and her eyes look tired. She smells like stale cigarettes, a smell I am far too used to.

Her diner uniform is a very light mint color and white, it looks like something from the 40s. And her name tag read ‘Betty’.

“Hey y’all. Sorry ’bout the wait we are a bit short staffed.” She apologized in the sweetest southern accent. “Can I start you two cuties with drinks?” She asked smiling to us.

I looked at Tate to usher him to order his shake. Tate is a bit shy. What else could I expect when he had little social interaction with anyone other than me?

I was never shy, even growing up in a lab. This was just another thing I wondered if he got from his dad.

“Can I get a chocolate shake please?” Tate asked our waitress quietly.

Betty smiled down at my son.

“Absolutely little one. You want whipped cream and a cherry?” She asked him.

Tate looked to me and I nodded for him to answer.

“Yes please.” He said.

Betty wrote it down on her pad with a smile before turning to me.

“And for you honey?” She asked me.

“Can I just get a water please?” I asked.

“Sure thing darlin’. Are you two ready to order or do y’all need a few more minutes?” Betty asked us.

I looked at Tate.

“Oh I think we are definitely ready. My growing boy here is starving.” I said to Betty.

She smiled brightly at me.

“Alright then, what’ll it be for ya’s?” She asked.

I looked at Tate and this time he was a bit less shy.

“Can I please have a huge cheeseburger with lots of bacon please?” He asked her excitedly.

I could practically see the drool pouring out of his mouth.

Betty looked to me and I nodded.

“Alright sugar, do you want everything on that?” She asked him.

Tate nodded his head enthusiastically making Betty and I giggle.

“How do you want that cooked sugar?” She asked Tate.

I was thankful for that, most of the time people looked to me for answers and I wanted Tate to learn to do this on his own. I know it is silly but I want him to get used to it now. There might come a day that I won’t be around to help him anymore. I need to prepare him for that, even the little things.

Tate put his tiny finger on his chin as he thought about it.

“Bloody.” He answered making Betty giggle.

I just stared at him with a frown, usually he gets it medium.

“You sure you want it really pink baby?” I asked him.

Tate nodded.

“Yeah and fries!” He shouted excitedly.

Betty chuckled and wrote down his order. I gave her mine and before we knew it our plates were put in front of us. Tate was going to town on his shake but as soon as that food was set in front of him the shake was long forgotten. I chuckled at my son as I watched him devour his burger.

“Momma, my gums feel tingly.” Tate said to me once he was half way through his burger.

“Does it hurt?” I asked.

“No but it feels weird.” He told me as he scrunched up his face.

“Hmmm, maybe it’s just because of how much you ate today. Maybe it’ll go away when you’re done eating.” I told him and he nodded.

Betty came by to check on us and I asked her if they were hiring. I explained that we were new to town and were looking for a place and a job. She seemed excited and actually brought the owner over to the table.

The owner is an old man who I guess has owned the buisness with his wife for decades. He hired me on the spot and I was extremely happy.

The owner, Bob told me that he has a side buisness of renting out houses as well and offered me a small two bedroom house around the corner. With the promise that I would keep coming to work he told me I didn’t even have to put down a deposit.

I was extremely thankful to be able to save the money. Now I can get a cake for Tate’s birthday tomorrow. And five pizza’s for him to eat to himself. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

Bob sat down in the booth with me and Tate talked his ear off. Apparently my son got a really good feeling from Bob just like I did. Bob’s wife Helen showed up a bit later and they offered to take us to the house.

Tate and I went to the motel room and got our belongings together. We got in our shitty car and followed the older couple a few miles away to the house.

It’s a cute small yellow house. A fixer upper but we wouldn’t be here more than a couple of months anyways. Bob and Helen showed us the place before I paid them.

They insisted on cutting my rent in half until I could get on my feet better. I wasn’t sure what I did to deserve their kindness but I was greatful.

On their way out Bob and Helen pulled me aside to tell me something without Tate hearing.

“There is one thing that you should know dear.” Helen told me.

“Okay.” I said as I crossed my arms.

“The man that lives next door is a mean old drunk who hates women and kids. He’s the reason that we can never keep this house rented. He might seem harmless but just be careful around him okay sweatheart? We are just down the street and I left our number on the counter. If you have any issues you call me and I’ll come down here. Even if it’s in the middle of the night.” Bob told me.

I nodded to them.

“Thanks for letting me know. We’ll be fine.” I told them with a smile.

After they left I took Tate to the bathroom for a bath. Once he was cleaned and in his jammies I placed him in the only bed of the house. Not that we wouldn’t share anyways. I sat across from him on the bed and grabbed his little hands in mine.

“Tate I think we should talk about what happened at that gas station last night.” I told him softly.

“You mean because I killed that mean man?” Tate asked.

I nodded to him.

“I’m not mad about what you did. You did so good my little butterscotch. If you wouldn’t have stopped him he would have really hurt us both.” I told Tate and he beamed at me. “But I don’t understand how you did it baby. Do you think you could tell me how you were able to do that to him?” I asked gently.

Tate shrugged, like this whole situation was no big deal. My son killed someone without touching him. My five year old son. And he was treating it like it was any day of the week. I’m such a sorry excuse for a mother.

“I don’t know Momma. Skoll said we had to protect you and he growled in my head. Then my body felt all fuzzy like when you shock me by touching me sometimes. And it just happened.” He said with another shrug.

I nodded to him.

“Have you felt anything like that since?” I asked him.

Tate put that little finger on his chin and I had to fight down a laugh.

“No but my gums still feel tingly and my throat is kinda scratchy. Like I’m really thirsty.” He told me.

“Okay well I will go get you a glass of water and then you’ll go to bed okay?” I told him.

*********************************************

After my son was asleep I lay in bed with him and pulled him close to me. I have no idea what I’m doing.

How was Tate able to do all of that? What is going on with him? Tears filled my eyes as I realized the life I was giving my son.

Sure, this was a better life than what I had lived but what kind of life is this? What is going to happen if I ever meet my mate? What about if Tate meets his mate? What will happen if they catch me? Will Tate get away? Will he stay and try to protect his mother?

This is too much. I have to figure out a back up plan for him. Just in case.

*********************************************

Over the next two weeks we fell into our normal routine. Tate stayed home while I went to work and worried about him all day. Every night Bob made me take home food for the two of us. He was saving me so much more money than he realized and I was eternally greatful. There were a couple incidents with the grumpy man next door as well.

At first it was just dirty looks, that I had gladly returned. Then he was coming over knocking on my door and making s****l comments to me, along with talking about how ‘my little brat’ could use a father. I literally gagged and slammed the door in his face.

Today I was running late for my shift and Tate was the grumpiest I have ever seen him.

“Tate baby I know you don’t want me to go but I gotta go to work. If you are good I’ll bring you home a shake okay?” I told him.

My son frowned at me and crossed his little arms over his small chest. Maybe he does have more of my attitude than I thought.

Why today though?

“Fine.” Tate shouted as he stomped off to our room.

*********************************************

My shift seemed to drag by. I was impatient to get home. Something was off with Tate. I just know it. He never not one time has ever been difficult.

Tonight is a full moon. I wonder if the power affects him in some way. It does most supernaturals but it never has with me, and it never has with Tate before. I need to figure out what is going on with my son and soon.

Finally my shift ended and I hurried home with my son’s shake. I was fiddling with the keys to the house when someone came up behind me and put, what I could only assume was a gun, to my back.

I froze as hot breath fanned the back of my neck. The smell of stale alcohol and cigarettes waffed to my nose and I had to fight down a gag.

“Don’t scream.” Came the voice of my grumpy neighbor. “Go on in.” He told me as he pushed the gun into my back.

Why is this happening to me?

“You aren’t going to get what you want. Leave now before you regret it.” I seethed quietly.

He laughed behind me.

“I’m the one holding the gun here missy. Get in the house.”

This time I did as he said. I didn’t need to make a scene on the front porch. So I opened the door and walked in. Tate came running out of the bedroom but once his eyes landed on the man behind me he frowned.

“What are you doing here Mr. Larry?” Tate asked angrily.

“How do you know his name Tate?” I asked my son.

I didn’t even know this man’s name.

“Well I did notice that you leave your boy here all the time all alone. I came over and tried to introduce myself but the damn kid never opened the door.” Larry said to me.

Larry held the gun up to my head and looked down at my son.

“Go back in that bedroom while your momma and I talk kid.” He ordered.

“No.” Tate stated.

“Tate, just go.” I ordered my son.

Tate’s eyes glowed that bright orange again. This time there were no black viens though. A loud growl ripped from my son’s chest making me jump.

What the f**k?

“What in the hell..?” Larry trailed off as he stared at my son.

I used his distraction to my advantage and pounced on him. Larry and I struggled for the gun for a few minutes before he got a good hold on it. He used the gun to hit me in the face and I fell to the ground.

“Stupid b***h!” Larry yelled and then spit on me.

My vision was slightly blurred but I could see my son watching and shaking with pure anger. Larry followed my eyes to my son and chuckled darkly. He crouched down and grabbed my face, forcing me to look at him.

“We could have had a fun night just the two of us but now I’m gonna make your son watch.” He told me.

Nothing but pure fear coursed through me.

“Tate.. Tate run!” I tried to shout but Larry kicked me in the gut.

“You stay away from my momma!!!” Tate shouted and an even louder, more primal growl left his little chest.

My eyes went wide as I stared at my son. The sickening sound of bones breaking echoed in the room as Larry and I watched in horror.

My son, my little baby boy screamed in agony as fur sprouted from his body. Minutes later he was standing on four paws.

What…? How..?

“What the f**k..?” Larry whispered out.

Before anything else could be said my son pounced on Larry. The man screamed in pain and all I could was watch as my son literally tore him to pieces. Larry’s screams echoed in the nearly empty space until they turned into choking sounds and eventually stopped altogether.

I was still watching in horror as my son continued to eat Larry’s now lifeless body. His little wolf form drinking up the b***d.

After what felt like hours my son’s little snout moved towards me. He trotted over to me and I held my breath. I know that werewolves have control usually but they don’t shift until puberty at earliest.

And how the hell is my son a wolf anyways!?

Tate moved over to me and whined when I scooted back. Carefully I put my hand up and his pushed his little cold nose into my palm. I ran my fingers through his soft fur and started to sob.

He’s so beautiful.

Completely black, like a deep and rich black, but he still has his normal eyes. Blue eyes with golden flecks stared back at me.

I held my son in my arms running my fingers through his fur. I’m sobbing so hard that I didn’t even realize it when Tate shifted back from his wolf form. He sat up in my lap and I looked him over. He’s covered in b***d but otherwise okay.

“My gums stopped tingly Momma.” He said happily, like he didn’t just tear a grown man apart after shifting into a wolf.

*********************************************

An hour later we were back on the road. I had cleaned Tate up in a hurry before packing all of our things and throwing them into our car. Pure panic was still rushing through me and tears were still falling.

I had to pick myself up and do what I needed to do though. We can’t stay here now. Neither Tate or I technically exist to the humans. So there was no way we could count on the police.

After two hours of driving Tate finally spoke.

“I didn’t wanna leave there Momma. I liked it there.” He complained.

“I know baby but we have to.” I told him.

“It’s not fair!” He shouted angrily.

My eyes snapped to his through the rear view mirror.

“Don’t you take that tone with me Tate Ambrose. We have to leave because you shifted into a wolf and brutally murdered our neighbor.” I said using my ‘mom voice’.

Tate’s eyes filled with tears and I instantly felt bad.

“Honey, I know you did it because Larry was going to hurt us. You lost control and shifted for the first time. It’s not your fault but unfortunately we can’t stay.” I told him in a much softer tone.

“Momma, I didn’t know that I was a werewolf.” Tate said after a moment.

“I didn’t either baby.” I said honestly.

“Is my daddy a werewolf?” He asked me.

My heart broke. “I don’t know baby.” I told him.

Tate went quiet after that and I thought about what he asked me.

Was Ambrose really a Morningstar? There’s no way. He didn’t seem threatening in the slightest.

In fact, I’ve never felt more safe in my whole life like I did when I was with him for that one night. No, he wasn’t really a Morningstar, but maybe he was a werewolf.

Still, I would never be able to find him anyways.

*********************************************

I drove for the rest of the night and Tate slept soundly the entire time. The next day I continued to drive, only stopping for food and gas. I wanted to keep driving through the day and I planned to.

We can’t stop until we are states away and right now we are only in Georgia. I stopped in a small town to get gas and snacks for my hungry son.

Getting out of the car I ran inside to prepay and started to pump the gas. I opened the door to check on Tate who was on the opposite side now, something he demanded after his fifth birthday.

Why? I don’t know. He has his socks off and is wiggling his toes around.

“Momma how much longer do we have to go? I wanna get out.” He asked me with a whine.

“Just a bit longer and then we can stop somewhere to sleep for the night. I want to get a few more states over first.” I told him.

“Awhh. Okay.” He said pouting.

“How about I go back in and get you some M&M’s?” I asked him.

“Yeah!” He shouted as he pumped his fists in the air.

I giggled at him and got fully out of the car. As soon as the gas is done pumping I’ll go back in. The breeze blew and I got a wiff of a familiar scent. One I hadn’t inhaled in years.

Fresh dirt and camp fire.

Am I dreaming?

“Epperly?” Someone said and my head whipped to where the voice came from.

My eyes went wide and my breath caught in my throat. There standing about 10 feet away from me is none other than, Ambrose, the father of my child. What the hell is he doing here?

“Ambrose..”