I sneak back the way I came and pull myself up on the fence before slipping down. I reach for my cowl, but it’s gone. My hands tremble. I look back and around frantically because there’s only one reason it wouldn’t be on my body. Someone took it from me.
My skin breaks into goosebumps, and, for a moment, I shake, unsure, terrified of what to do.
It doesn’t last long; I’m too well trained. I take off, diving into the buildings and running like that wolf is on my tail. It would be better if it were him.
There are much worse options in black robes.
Hours pass, but I’m too scared to stop moving. The sun rises, and the empty streets fill with people, the smell of food and the bustling sounds as they go about their business. My legs ache, and I find that I can’t go on. I crawl into a building, go up to a hidden corner that looks like it hasn’t seen people in decades, and lay down.
I’m bordering on sleep hours later, when I hear the first furtive movements. I almost hold my breath, letting out a silent whine, hoping it’s not him.
“You’re late, Marshall.” The voice is strong, deep, commanding.
Far too commanding. An alpha? I tense and roll onto my hands and knees.
“I know I’m sorry. Things got more complicated than we thought.”
“Complicated how?”
“The Warden is here.”
“Oh, of all the omega’s heats,” the first guy curses. “Has he found anyone?”
There’s a heavy pause.
“He’s got Cai.”
I feel the tension in the space thicken, and the pulse of an alpha’s rage spreads out, pressing at my chest and making me want to whine out a sound to convince him to stop. I shove my hand in my mouth to smother any such sound.
“Right. Plan B, then.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. Get back to your positions and make sure everyone is in; we’ve only a week or so until the Culls begin. We’ll meet you there.”
There’s only a week until the Culls? How did I not know that?
The second male leaves, I catch a scent of dried grass, strong and intense. Another alpha. The first lingers in the building, causing my arms to break out in goosebumps. I peer down, and something seems familiar about him. It takes me a long minute, but I recognise the infamous leader of the failing Resistance.
I’d met him briefly, though he hadn’t known who I was at the time. He’d tried to talk me into joining the cause several years ago, but I’m not idealised enough to think they can make a difference in this world.
He’s a massive alpha with thick arms, thick brown hair, warm eyes, and the most impressive aim with a bow. We’d shared a meal and a campfire one night, but nothing more than that. He’s not mine, and his heart is set on someone else; that was clear to see.
Still, I’d been impressed by him, enough so that I was almost tempted to help him.
Almost.
I slip down from my perch and land lightly, but he whirls all the same, his eyes lighting up with delight when he sees me.
“Keres.”
“Bear. You discovered my identity?”
“Of course, I couldn’t believe I’d let you slip through my fingers.”
He holds out his hand. I reach out and take it only to jump back when another figure looms out of the dark, someone neither of us had seen or heard. The low growl continues until I pull my hand back. Only then does it cut off.
His scent hits me, wild, icy, and full of things I can’t name.Alpha, my mind whimpers. This male is a much stronger alpha than I have ever met before, and he’s staring at me like he wants to devour me.
