“Lola, it’s time to go.”My eyes fluttered open to see Alec standing over me. My heart started racing and I was excited to see him. Then I remembered why he was here and all of yesterday came crashing in around me.“Shh, Sheila’s still sleeping,” he warned.I wasn’t sure how long I’d slept or what time it was, but this trip down memory lane wasn’t going to be any easier no matter when I went or how rested I was.Tossing the sleeping bag aside, I sat and tugged on my boots. Then I followed Alec to the front of the tent. I paused at the door, glancing behind me at Sheila. My stomach tightened and I suddenly wished I’d said goodbye last night, just in case.For some reason, I had a sinking feeling I might not be returning here. I wasn’t as set on running anymore, but I knew I couldn’t put Sheila, Mario, Megan, and all the others I’d met at risk. If it was too dangerous for me to return, I’d find somewhere else to go.With lingering sadness, I exited the tent. Hopefully, we’d cross paths
I’d never thought about returning here, let alone bringing a visitor so I honestly never asked. It made sense that there was a work around.We drove in silence for a while and Alec turned from the dirt road onto a narrow, paved road. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the trees around us were bright green and the sky was a brilliant blue. Under different circumstances, this would be a fun way to pass the time. If only we were headed somewhere else. Fuck. Anywhere else would be better.I watched out the window as Alec took us onto larger roads, and through a few smaller twisty roads. I had no idea where we were going and I stopped trying to pay attention to the route. With my terrible sense of direction, I’d need to take this exact trip several times before it sunk in.When we stopped, panic gripped me. How could we already be at Wolf Creek’s border?“You know what to do, right?” Alec asked as he killed the engine.It seemed impossible now that I was facing it. “What if I rea
The trailer park was about two miles from the barn. The route was familiar, something I’d done a hundred times or more. A life spent avoiding others had taught me all the less traveled paths and given me an edge at staying invisible.I kept my head down and walked past homes and stores. I knew enough to act like I belonged without making eye contact. My fifth-grade teacher walked past me on the street. My pulse raced, worried she’d stop me and say hello. She didn’t even acknowledge me.Soon, I was out of the shopping area and cutting through neighborhoods and parks. In the distance, I could make out the trailer park that had been my home my whole life.Some of the residents were outside this morning. Ethan McIntyre, a regular of my mom’s, was sitting in a blue plastic kiddie pool with a can of beer in hand. I wrinkled my nose. How my mom was willing to even let him in her bedroom, let alone between her legs was a mystery to me.A dog barked and ran toward me, only to be pulled back by
My mind was racing as I took the long way back to the barn to avoid running into anyone. I was wanted in my hometown, despite the fact that I wasn’t the one who tried to kill anyone.Fucking figured.The book I was carrying might be worth millions, but at this point, I didn’t care about anything other than Wolf Creek getting what was coming to them. They already had the recipe for the toxin, but they were the only pack with that knowledge. I knew it was an awful drug, but maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if the playing field was leveled.I arrived at the clearing much faster than I expected. Grateful for no run-ins with locals on my walk, I crept around, searching for Alec. He wasn’t outside where I’d left him, but at least I didn’t see any signs of anyone else. He must have taken his chances inside the broken down barn. I wondered if someone had come by here.For a moment, I worried that he’d been caught and I picked up the pace, jogging over to the barn. I walked around the dil
There was minimal light coming in through what looked like thick curtains. It was likely day, but I had no idea if it was morning or afternoon. Memories came flooding back and my chest tightened as I recalled Alec’s betrayal. How could he do that to me? He knew how my pack treated me and he knew I didn’t want to be with Tyler, but he brought me back. He never had any intention of breaking the bond. He used me to get the information about the toxin, then sold me to my vicious mate.I fought against tears, knowing that whenever my captors walked in, they’d think I was emotional over getting caught. I probably should care that I was tied up but my stupid broken heart was causing more discomfort than the familiar threat of Tyler’s violence.Until this moment, I hadn’t realized how much I gave to Alec. It wasn’t even about my virginity. That wasn’t all that special growing up in a pack like I had. Sex was fun and partners changed often unless a mating bond formed. I’d held off, though. Not
My wrists were rubbed raw from the ropes. No matter how much I turned and moved, it only made the restraints cut into my flesh more. Grunting with frustration, I tried again. Wincing against the pain, I blew out a breath to keep myself from crying out.Time didn’t matter in this dark room. I’d been in and out of consciousness several times. Whatever they’d given me took a while to leave my bloodstream. Or my body was making me sleep to avoid the discomfort.This waking was a little different. My mind was less foggy and I was more aware of my surroundings. Squinting into the dim room, I looked for anything that might help me identify where I was or how I could get out. Aside from the bed I was tied to, there was a dresser and a window. Little flutters of hope filled my chest and I tugged on the restraints again. If I could break these, that window was my ticket to freedom. Unfortunately, they held fast. Whoever had tied me up had done a good job.Fuck.I had to get out of here.As far as
I grinned. “If you kill me, your son could be like me. Never shifting again. Then how will you parade him around as the false alpha?”Ace stood so fast that he knocked the chair to the ground. “You don’t deserve the kindness Tyler is showing you.”Laughter bubbled up in my chest and it came out unbidden. Crazed, insane laughter. “That’s what this is? Kindness?”“I told him to take you in the field while you were unconscious. He is determined to have you submit on your own.” Ace grinned. “Keep laughing. Tomorrow he’ll be claiming you weather you like it or not.”That stopped my laughter. I glared at Ace. “Break the bond, asshole. He’ll get his shifting back and I’ll be out of your life forever.”“It’s too late for that,” he said. “Submit or not. I don’t care how the bond is formed.”I was left alone in the dark and my chest felt like I had a hundred-pound weight sitting on my ribs. Breathing was hard as dread gripped me. I must have been more out of it than I realized. Tyler had given
When the door opened again, I steeled myself for what was to come. If I was going to get out of here alive, and untouched by Tyler, I was going to have to give the performance of my life. Viki had been easier to fool, but I wasn’t sure anyone else would have accepted that I’d taken this path so quickly.“They don’t trust you yet.” I recognized Kyle’s voice before I realized the silhouette approaching was him.“How appropriate. I don’t trust them, either,” I said.“You’re really going to go through with it?” He sounded surprised.My brow furrowed and I peered into the darkness, trying to make out his expression. “Why do you sound so surprised? Isn’t this what you all wanted? You won. I lost.”Even saying the words made my stomach lurch uncomfortably. I wasn’t planning to go through with it but the thought of giving in was almost too much for my mind to process.“Sure, I suppose,” he said. “You know, when I heard you’d survived the cave, I really thought you had a chance at escaping.”“