Staring into my own green eyes, I made a decision. There would be no more waiting. I had to leave.
It took me just a few minutes to collect what I needed and throw it into a bag. I dug out a pair of sweatpants and a tshirt to wear, cutting through the fabric of the sweatpants and pulling out the elastic to knot it tighter around my waist. Once I was certain they wouldn't fall down, I took out the old pair of sneakers I'd pulled from the garbage months ago and hidden. They were too big for me, but they'd protect my feet outside.
I shouldered the gym bag and walked to the door. I hadn't stepped foot outside in a year. The fresh smelled sweet andpromising and sunlight danced through the trees around the cabin.
This was a one chance thing. I either made it or I didn't.
Stepping outside the house, I started to run.
The too-big shoes flapped on my feet as I headed for the road. My plan was to reach the road, flag someone down and get as far away as possible. But when I reached the main road, it was deserted.
Frantically, I tore off the collar and threw it into the underbrush, knowing the alphas had already been alerted to my escape. Waiting here was the worst idea possible, so I started to jog along the road, hoping someone, anyone, would show up to take me to safety.
With each step, I grew weaker and there was still no sign of a vehicle. My heart pounded in my chest, not only from exertion but also from sheer panic. What if no one came by? What if I was still running down this desolate road by the time the men came back?
Then I heard it, a car. Turning, I realized it was the truck, THEIR truck.
Turning, I headed into the forest, but not before there was a loud bang and a searing pain cut through my side. I ignored it, too terrified of being caught to stop or turn.
I ran through the thick underbrush, one shoe coming loose and falling away. Behind me, I could hear the shouts of four furious alphas. They were gaining rapidly, their heavy bodies better at pushing through the scrub around the trees. They had the added advantage of getting exercise every day, while I'd been locked in the house.
There were sounds ahead, traffic, and I strained toward them. If there were other people around, I could get help. Maybe.
The footsteps behind me were so close I was just waiting to be grabbed when I burst out into a parking lot. Something hard hit me in the back of the head and I stumbled, my vision blurring.
"Got you." Mark's cruel voice cut through the fog and rough hands dragged me back into the dimness of the woods. I struggled, twisting and turning in his grip. He rained blows on my body and then Rich was there, with his cold eyes, smashing a fist into my face.
As pain exploded, I fell and somehow, Mark lost his grip on me. I scrambled away from them, between Rich's legs and lurched to my feet. A pickup was moving past us, pulling out of the parking lot and I lunged for it, throwing myself over the back of the truck and tumbling into the truck bed. The driver didn't seem to notice and sped up as he pulled onto the highway.
Staring up at the sky, I heard the pack yelling for me, but they couldn't keep up. I lifted my head just enough to see over the tailgate. Three of the alphas were running after us, rapidly fading into the distance. Josh had disappeared back into the woods behind the diner parking lot, probably to get their vehicle. But they couldn't catch up. Not now.
I fell back onto the rippled metal and blinked at the sky before turning on my side to spit out blood. The world was still blurred, but I knew I was out of Pack Parker's reach for now. All I had to do was stay out of reach. This truck would do for now, but I had to get out before anyone saw me and took me to the hospital.
Gently touching my face, I checked the swelling. My nose felt huge and blood was trickling from both nostrils. My entire body felt like I'd dragged it through a marathon, even though it had only been a short sprint through the woods. For now, I had to rest. I would figure out the rest when the truck slowed or stopped.
That didn't happen for a long time. The sun was low in the sky when the pickup finally pulled into a driveway. I didn't move andthe driver got out, whistling to the music he'd just turned off. He didn't glance in the back and I heard children calling out for their father. He answered them, sounding happy to be home.
Once I was sure they were all inside, I lifted my head and realized I was in a suburb. Rows of houses with neatly manicured lawns lined the street. I'd stand out like a sore thumb here with my borrowed clothes. If I wanted to avoid being noticed, I needed to stay put until dark. At least then, people wouldn't notice how odd I looked.
My skin was already feeling burnt from the sun beating down on me all day, so I carefully crept out of the pickup and darted into the open garage. That gave me a little respite from the heat.
I was pretty sure no one had seen me, but now the adrenaline had waned, the pain was taking over. I crawled under a tarp in the corner of the garage, hiding from anyone who might look in. Then I leaned my sore head against the wall and waited for night.
Chapter 9
Feeling Her
Finn
She was in pain. So much pain. It burst through the bond and whited out my brain for a brief moment.
I staggered to my feet and rushed out of my office to find Aiden standing in the hallway between our offices, his eyes wide and frightened.
"What's happening to her?" he gasped.
"She's not okay." I closed my eyes as a wave of terror came through the bond, then it dimmed, but the pain was still there, throbbing, pulsing, like a living thing.
We moved toward Mace's office at the end of the corriddor. He was still typing away on the computer, ignoring his secretary who set a cup of fresh coffee on his desk and whisked away the old coffee.
