6. INTO THE WOODS

Willow shuffled along in the darkness of the night, entering an area of the woods that was so dark. They had been walking for over twenty minutes, which seemed like an eternity to Willow. This time her hand was so sore from Kyler's tight grip. Willow's mind was so frantic, it was like a nightmare.

Who was hunting them? Kyler's pack? Or who? And what about the two officers who had accompanied Willow? Willow's head felt like it was going to burst and her chest felt tight. She was really tired.

"Stop," Willow pleaded and her body slumped to the ground.

"We have to get out of here," Kyler replied impatiently.

"I can't run like you!" she cried in frustration. "It's all dark, even my feet hurt from stumbling. I don't have LED eyes or anything like you!"

Kyler sighed softly, though Willow thought it was a rude snort that made her even more annoyed with the man in front of her. Suddenly Kyler crouched down and his hands cupped Willow's lower body.

"What are you doing?" Willow howled angrily.

"This is the fastest way. Be quiet." Kyler looked into Willow's glowing eyes. "You just have to hold on."

"Oh, dear!"

The man stood up and continued running, carrying Willow as if he had no load. Willow felt a gust of wind that was so cold it pierced the pores of her skin. But the shiver came not from the weather, but from her hand touching the skin of Kyler's neck. It was so strange.

Kyler's body scent emanated from him, like a woody aroma, and his body temperature was warm. Kyler's breathing was regular, not ragged, even though he was running very fast. Willow was like being wrapped in a blanket, and she felt comfortable even though the surroundings seemed terrifying.

"Where are we going?" asked Willow.

"To find a road and a ride so we can head into town."

"You don't have a car?"

"No."

"How can you follow me to the lodge?"

"By foot, of course."

"You can catch up the car I'm traveling in?"

Kyler didn't answer right away, he just gave Willow a quick glance and then looked forward again. Willow stole a cautious glimpse at the stranger she had just met, curious as to why Kyler did not answer immediately.

Could it be that the man was just trying to create an image that he could run as fast as a car, maybe even fly if he had wings? Just to impress Willow? It sounded just as lame.

"I traced your scent." Kyler said suddenly.

Their eyes met for a few seconds and Kyler suddenly smiled.

"Why are you smiling?" Willow asked.

"Nothing."

"You think saying 'your scent' sounds sexy to me?"

Kyler stopped abruptly, still holding Willow, his eyes staring at her in surprise.

"We'll talk when we get to town, Willow," Kyler said.

"There are still a lot of things you haven't explained to me."

"That's true. But I have no intention of flirting with you. I'm not a pervert." He took a long breath. "And I always turn my back on you when you change with the bedroom door open. Or not wearing a towel when you get out of the shower."

Willow lowered her face. She did that a lot because there were no men in the house. It was just her, Zoey and sometimes Charlotte. There had been an Alpha in the last two weeks, but Willow hadn't the slightest suspicion that the dog was human.

"I want to get down," Willow pleaded.

"You're still tired, aren't you?"

"It's OK. I don't want to make you..." Willow paused, searching for the right words. "...I don't want to burden you."

"I don't want to risk getting caught, Willow. They must be after us."

"Please, Kyler."

It seemed reluctant, but Kyler let Willow down from his arms. The man's hand was extended to Willow, and they walked together again into the darkness of the night. There was no more talking, both concentrating on finding a way out of the woods.

"Are you tired?"

The question came from Kyler's lips.

In the darkness, Willow could not see Kyler's expression. But the woman didn't know that Kyler was genuinely worried. Willow was unfamiliar with Kyler's form, while Kyler felt very close to Zoey's mother.

Kyler knew what Willow was like, even when she was tired and often fell asleep curled up on the couch.

"I can still hold on," Willow replied coldly. "You don't have to carry me."

"Okay." The man slowed his pace. He let Willow catch her breath as she walked, not wanting her to get too tired.

"Is it much further? The road?"

"Not really, but the deserted main road will only make our situation more exposed." Kyler cleared his throat quietly. "We'll just walk a little further into the woods and then we'll come out on the road where there are lots of cars passing by."

"It's your call. Because I have absolutely no idea where we are."

Impulsively, Kyler tightened his grip on her hand. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you acting like this?"

Willow's jaw hardened. She felt so weak, unable to protect Zoey. Especially with the odds stacked against her because Zoey was half human. Willow felt like the most careless woman in the world. If only she'd found out more about Max, maybe her life wouldn't be the way it was.

And now she had to meet Kyler and leave things to a man whose family was the cause of the chaos in Willow's life. It made Willow really angry and desperate.

Willow shook Kyler's hand. "Because of the guilt lurking in your heart? Being kind to me doesn't mean it'll erase what your pack did to me and Zoey."

"Willow, I'm..."

"Don't be nice to me! You and your pack ruined my life!" Willow cut him off sternly.

Not far from them, a wolf howled, making Willow's hair stand on end. Instantly grabbing Kyler's arm, Willow's eyes filled with horror.

"Is that your pack?" she hissed in fear.

"I just need you to focus. Run with me and never look back. Do you understand?"