I turned and started walking in the other direction, veering off to avoid going by the truck stop parking lot. My skin was tight as anger raged through me. Jack McDermott was an ass. An incredibly sexy, make my teeth ache, ass, but still an ass.
I didn't need him.
I lucked out and saw a taxi coming down the road. I waved it down. When it stopped, I opened the back door and climbed inside. I could hear Jack yelling at me as I closed the door. I refused to look back, no matter how much I might want to.
"Head west, please."
The driver raised an eyebrow. "West?"
"Just drive west. I'll tell you when to stop."
We drove for about twenty minutes, long enough for the city lights to fade away, replaced by twinkling stars. When I saw an off ramp close to the woods, I told the driver to pull off there. Once he stopped, I paid him then climbed out and shut the door. I waited until his headlights disappeared as he drove back toward the city before heading toward the woods.
I saw a set of headlights flash up the off ramp just as I stepped into the thick underbrush and shifted. I smirked—or as much as a cat could—and padded deeper into the thick forest.
Let's see him follow me now.
Moving through the forest on four feet—paws—was surprisingly easy. I was able to cover a large amount of territory in very little time.
I had no idea what time it was when I stopped to take a rest break under a small cluster of pine trees. The sky was starting to lighten, so I knew daylight wasn't far away. I had no idea how close I was to the nearest town, but I didn't think it was far.
I hoped it wasn't far.
As much as I liked getting my fur on, my paws ached. I'd been running through the woods for hours. I wanted somewhere warm to thaw out and something to eat.
And then I'd try and figure out an easier way to get to Ian's place.
I froze when I heard a growl. It definitely wasn't of the human variety. I crouched down as close to the ground as I could. I was hidden fairly well in the under bush, but that wouldn't matter to a real animal. They'd be able to smell me anywhere.
This was not good. I refused to go out as somebody's kitty snack. I glanced around, trying to figure out my next course of action. I wasn't going to sit here and wait to be eaten, and considering the intensity of the growl, whatever was out there was a hell of a lot bigger than me. I didn't think I had a chance if I decided to stay and fight.
I ran.
I ran just as fast as my little paws would carry me. Under bushes, over fallen logs, zigging and zagging, covering as much ground as I could as quickly as I could.
When the trees suddenly parted, I skidded to a stop and stared at the small town before me. I was up on a hill overlooking the buildings and streets, but close enough to see people walking around and cars driving down the streets.
I glanced over my shoulder when I heard a twig snap. A pair of dark eyes stared at me from the bushes. When the creature growled, I took off running again, heading right down the hill toward the town. I was hoping that the people and activity would keep whatever was chasing me from pursing me any further.
When I reached a small picket fence, I squeezed through two of the wooden slats and ran under the wooden porch. I hunkered down behind the wooden stairs and scanned the area for whatever was chasing me. I caught the tail end of a wolf running back into the woods.
I waited a few minutes then crawled out from under the porch. I took a quick look around before squeezing back through the spot I'd come into the backyard then darting into the alleyway behind the house.
I stayed close to the fence line as I padded down the dirt alley. I needed to find someplace hidden where I could safely shift away from prying eyes. I didn't plan on being caught and turned into someone's bizarre science experiment.
There was a small corner store at the end of the alleyway. I ran over to hide behind the large industrial dumpster, then waited and watched until I was sure no one was coming. I also checked the area for any cameras. I didn't need anyone getting my shift on camera.
Bizarre science experiment, remember?
My shift was quick, something I had learned from Santos. I hadn't wanted to take any of the training he insisted we have, but tended to get brow beaten into them when I went to visit Ian and Hank. Santos was a very determined jungle shaman.
Once I was back in human form, I made sure no one was around then simply walked out of the alley and headed down the sidewalk toward the main road. I started to head for the closest diner I could find, but changed my mind when I saw that the little market was open.
Maybe I'd skip diners for a little while.
A bell rang when I pushed open the door of the small market. It was a little jarring after so much silence. The woods could be a very quiet place, minus the growls, of course. I headed for the bottled water, grabbed a couple, then walked over to the deli counter. I'd need something to get me through however long it took to get where I was going.
I grabbed a candy bar just because I wanted one then walked up to the counter and set my items down. I smiled at the clerk—an older woman—as she started ringing them up. As I waited, I looked around.
