As River slept, I brainstormed plans. When the buyer arrived, could River play along until he saw a chance to escape? That sounded good in theory, but I didn't want to leave the variables to chance. There were too many things that could go wrong and not enough things that could go right.
I glanced at the wall with the boarded up window. How flimsy was it? Could I chew through it before tomorrow? If it was only made of wood, I had a good chance, but if there were bricks or steel hidden inside the wall, it would be impossible in the short amount of time I had.
I looked down at River, peacefully asleep in my lap. I didn't want to disturb him. He needed to rest so badly and selfishly on my behalf, I wanted to enjoy this.
That left one other plan. The poachers, cruel as they were, were still bumbling idiots. I figured there was a good chance that they'd slip up somehow during the buyer’s visit, and we could slip away during the chaos and excitement.
I sighed quietly. It wasn't the best idea in the world, but it had to work. I couldn't let my fated mate down.
* * *
It was the poachers’voices that woke me. The urgency in their tones made it clear what was happening. The buyer was here.
River was still asleep. His lashes fluttered against his soft cheeks and he looked so peaceful. I hated that I had to wake him up and throw him back into the chaos of the situation.
"River," I murmured, rocking him gently. "He's here."
He roused with a mumbling sound and rubbed his eyes. He was so adorable. A moment later his sweet sleepy expression changed into one of dread when he remembered what was going on. I wished we could be anywhere but here.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He sighed. "Not your fault."
We stopped talking as a loud, crisp knock came at the front door. I cursed the boarded up window. I wanted to see what was happening, but all we had was the sound of voices to go by.
"I assume this is the correct address?" The buyer’s voice was cold, nasally and curt.
"Yes, it is. You must be Mr. Z?" one of the poachers asked.
"That's right. Where is it? Let's make this quick."
"Of course, yes, come right in. It's over here in this room."
My heart raced. The muffled voices were getting closer fast. River looked afraid and exasperated. He’d barely woken up and he already had to deal with this. I felt awful for him.
I realized I was still in my human form. A quick idea flashed into my mind. What if I stayed and took on the humans? No, that wouldn't work. There were three of them and only one of me. I didn't want River to get involved, but even if he did, the odds weren't in our favour. The best course of action was for me to keep hidden.
"River, I'm going to shift," I told him quickly.
He frowned in disappointment but nodded. He understood it was to our advantage.
One of the poachers’ voices called out loudly, “Sorry, Mr. Z, could you wait a moment?"
Mr. Z sounded impatient. "What for?"
"Just remembered there's other cargo in the room. Let me get it out of your way."
Shit. I hoped the poachers would've forgotten about me. I barely had enough time to shift before the door handle twisted and the poacher ran in. River gasped as the man ran past him and grabbed the back of my neck. I squealed in pain as he threw me into the cage and pushed it into the corner of the room.
River and I were separated. My fated mate stared at me, aghast. He looked lost and terrified.
"Okay, Mr. Z, you can come right in."
My heart pounded as the buyer stepped into the room. He scanned the area with a haughty sneer. He noticed me in the corner, but I meant nothing to him. Then he looked towards his real prey—River.
I'd been utterly careless. What could I do trapped here in this cage? Why didn't I think they would separate us like this? I should have known better. I was so angry with myself for letting River down.
The man called Mr. Z circled River, who sat in the middle of the room. I could just see River's defiant expression as he glared up at the new human.
