We drive for three hours before any thoughts start running through my mind.
The first one that hits me makes fear race through my heart.
Where will we go?
I can't take us to my parent's pack. Hunter's pack is really strong and it'll only be a matter of time before he comes for me. He'll charge me with attempted murder and take Maya away from me before he kills me. My parents won't be able to stop him, and Hunter's pack will stand behind him.
So maybe I should take us elsewhere.
I have a distant cousin who lives a few cities away. My atm and one of my credit cards are in my pocket, and luckily it's the one Hunter doesn't have access to. I've been saving some money for Maya's education in case Hunter decides not to sponsor her schooling anymore, I'll have to use some of it to get us far away from him.
Tears prick the back of my eyes and I blink them back, keeping my eyes on the road and watching as the clouds roll by, thick and heavy in the night.
I've been living in so much fear for my daughter, always preparing myself to cope with whatever is thrown our way and always preparing to step in if Hunter decides he doesn't want to take care of her anymore. I know I should resent him.
I should resent him for hating Maya, his own daughter. He even wanted to kill her, and I should wish he burns in hell for that.
Yet I can't help but feel I understand him.
My tears break free from my eyes as a sob racks my body and I let myself cry.
It's all my fault.
My hands grip the wheel tighter and I sob silently.
Hunter needs a male child if he's going to keep the Alpha title in his family's bloodline. His father and his father before him all had male kids. He's the only one who doesn't and if he fails to produce one, the pack will have to choose another Alpha and he loses his title. It would be a shame on him, a disgrace to his name and his family's, all because his fated mate couldn't give him a male heir.
I clean my tears and sniffle before laughing.
I'm being silly!
He should have never resorted to beating me. No matter what!
The harm he inflicted on me didn't make me love him more, the pain, the hours of beatings and assault, didn't make me produce another child for him. I'm much more than my body and he's never seen me as anything more than that.
I hate him now. Heir or no heir, he can rot in hell for all I care!
"Mummy?"
Maya's sleepy voice brings me out of my thoughts and I'm surprised to see the sun already rising. The clouds are now fluffy lumps of light and color and though it's not fully dawn, it will soon be.
"Yes, Maya?"
"Are we going to see Grandma and Grandpa?"
I chuckle and clean my face more with the back of my hand before shaking my head.
'"No, not yet. One day we'll come back to see them, but first, we need to get as far away from Dad as we can."
I look at my daughter's reaction through the head lens of the car and what I see shatters my heart. Maya's face takes on a crestfallen look, like she's dejected and she remembers what almost happened to her, but all at once she hides all that and a resilient look enters her eyes, she stiffens her chin and nods. She understands.
No child should ever have to go through this.
Some more hours of driving pass by and soon we're passing through a more populated area. The town has a picturesque effect and I see Maya climbing onto the chair so she can get a better look at the fountains and people. There's a grumble not less than a minute later and she turns to me.
"I'm hungry."
My eyes flit to the time being displayed in the car and I frown. It's nine in the morning already. She should have had breakfast by now.
I keep a lookout for a hotel and when I see one I take us there.
"Come on, let's freshen up before we get something to eat."
Maya waits for me to fully park before getting out of the car but the minute I do, I snatch her hand and pull her to me.
Wolves!
The air is thick and heavy with the scent of them. I shield my face with my hands slightly while telling my wolf to calm down. I‘m fiercely protective of my cub and wolves from another pack could mean trouble.
"Is anything wrong mummy?"
I shake my head and pull my daughter closer to me.
"Stay close Maya, and if anything dangerous looks like it's about to happen, hide."
She nods and lowers her head. Seeing that gives me all the courage I need and we walk bravely to the reception. The lady there is human, and she checks us in with polite efficiency. We have no bags so we go straight up to the room and all the while I'm on the lookout for any sign of danger.
The space I've booked is a single room and parlor and considering the cost isn't that much, the thought strikes me that we could hide out here for a few days. If I smelled other wolves just now that means there must be a pack nearby. This could be part of their territory. If Hunter somehow succeeds in tracking us down here then there's no doubt he'll be in a rage. He's going to be confronted by the other wolves around and before he gets to us, I'd have carted off with Maya and we'd be on our way out of here.
I hear that grumble again, louder this time, and my chuckle is as sweet as the smile that lights up my face.
"Let's get some food into that belly."
Maya nods and after we brush our teeth, we head out. The receptionist tells us there's a diner not far from the hotel so we drive there.
Joe's Diner is a small yet fashionable place painted in bright colors and fitted with crystal clear glass. The moment we get seated Maya is already reading through the menu and not a minute later she drops it on the table and taps on one of the dishes.
"I want that one."
I take the menu, turning it back to me and I am not surprised.
"Eggs and bacon. You only ever eat eggs and bacon Maya, why not try something else for a change?"
That stubborn jut to her chin surfaces again and I chuckle before raising my hands in surrender.
"Okay, eggs and bacon it is."
The waiter comes and takes our orders and soon Maya has a steaming hot plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. She doesn't even look at me before she starts wolfing it down and that makes me smile.
She's a little wolf my Maya, and speaking of wolves...
"Won't you eat your food mummy?"
I am as still as a rock right now and I don't know what to do.
"Maya," The scent of male werewolves is heavy in the air and I think they know we're here "Can you drop your fork right now and stand up?"
The scent of one gets closer to me.
"Hey beautiful, can I get your name?"
The moment he speaks I know he's already at our table and when I turn, I see him. A rugged-looking male with a nasty scar down his chin but dressed in good clothes all the same. His golden brown hair lays flat on his head and even reaches his shoulders, but it doesn't diminish the danger I feel radiating off him.
"Maya get up."
"Hey, I asked a question."
"We're out of towners" I don't stumble or search for words "We're only passing through and we don't want any trouble."
He grabs me by the arm and pulls me to him, a violent light glinting in his eyes as he rasps.
"I only want to know where you're from, honey."
I yank my hand with as much force as I can and I'm surprised when it gives. I'm walking towards the door with Maya pulled close to me the next moment.
I can feel the tension in the air.
The silence that has engulfed the diner and the promise of violence that's creeping down my back makes me shiver. I move faster and I'm almost at the door, I'm almost at my escape, but the door comes open, and in walks a man who makes my heart stop.
My footsteps halt, and soon I'm looking into eyes the color of a deep blue unlike any other.
Fuck.
He has an Alpha aura.
There’s a frown on his face but our eyes lock, and the moment it does I gulp.
Fuck.
Roman's povA few hours earlier....."You're being silly Roman."My father paces behind his desk."Think of the pack, the wolves you have to protect. Are you going to leave them without an heir!""I'll do what I want Father."My anger gets the best of me and I squeeze the pen in my grip, keeping a hold on the frustration I'm feeling right now and reining my emotions in once more."I won't be forced to go on blind dates with someone I barely even know. I'll do what is best for me when I'm ready."My father is quiet and I know he's assessing me. We come from a long line of Alphas and even at sixty-two, I can still see evident traces of the man he once was. The man he forever is though the title he once held is now mine. He turns to look at me and I can see the stubbornness in his eyes."This can't go on for much longer, Roman. A pack needs a Luna as much as it needs an Alpha and there's nothing holding onto the past will do for you except cause you more pain. The blind dates are being
Scarlett's pov Why is he looking at me so much? I can barely pull my eyes away from his but if he had pulled his away from mine then we wouldn't be here, would we? What startles me the most about him is how huge he is. He's as large as Hunter, maybe even larger. I probably look like a younger sister next to him. "Who are you?" His voice sends a shiver down my spine and the pleasure that rocks through my brain is unexpected. I don't know what to say. "I... I... Actually..." "If I wanted you to stutter I wouldn't have asked a question at all. What the hell are you doing in my pack, Rogue?" The way his voice is dripping with disgust and hate snaps me out of my reverie. I take a step back before stealing a glance at everything around me and clearing my throat. "I am not a Rogue." "What are you then? I don't have too much patience and the little I have is already running out." Okay, who is this prick? Annoyance flares alive in my bones and I want to lash out at him. Ask him
"What is your name?" "Scarlett Johansen." "What pack are you coming from?" "The Greenwoods pack." The sound of his pen as he writes on the jotter in front of him, does nothing to quell my fear. "How old are you?" "Forty-two." At this, he raises an eyebrow. Like I haven't been lying to him all along and he's just noticed that I have. "Is there any reason why you're in my territory?" I avert my eyes from his and look around. There's something strange that happens whenever he looks at me. Something in my stomach becomes liquid and my mind can't stop bringing up disturbing images. It's shameful. If I blush, I'm going to slap myself right here and right now. "Well...... we were driving, and Maya said she was hungry so I drove to the diner to get her something to eat. I didn't know this land belonged to the Ironclaw pack." Alpha Roman chuckles and stands up so he can walk out from behind his table. "Now that you know it belongs to the Ironclaw pack, and you know I am the Alpha of
Roman's pov What am I doing? Scarlett's eyes are wide with fear and she's moving back, away from me. Fuck. ~I told you you'd hurt her~ I growl and push my wolf's voice out of my head. What the fucking hell am I doing? My word is a command that cuts through the air and stops her right in her tracks. I have to be more controlled than this. I need to get a hold of myself. But how can I when she's standing right in front of me? My second mate, totally oblivious to that fact because she didn't break the mate bond with her first mate. She’s running away from him and has somehow managed to get to me, and now she’s planning to run away from me too. How can I watch that happen? "Are.... you feeling okay, Alpha Roman?" Scarlett takes one step closer to me and I growl at her while stepping back to put some space between us. I'm acting like an irritable wolf who hasn't seen a female in years. When she says she wants to flee far enough that no wolf will ever get to her, I panic and re
This house is huge. That's the first thing I notice about it. Alpha Roman's beta takes us through wide hallways and past beautifully furnished rooms. The sunlight streaming in through the windows and the obvious wolf design incorporated into almost everything makes me feel a sense of awe. I pull Maya closer to me and I notice she's actually focused on something else, or rather someone else. The blond-haired man Roman says is his beta walks in front of us, but I notice the way he always turns back after a few minutes to shoot Maya a silly look. Sometimes he sticks his tongue out, other times he makes a silly face. Maya's look is neutral and I don't know if he's trying to make her laugh or loosen up a little. I'm pretty sure Maya's more on guard than I am, and that's scary. "Here are your living quarters, princess." I frown and open my mouth to correct him that my name is Scarlett, not beautiful or princess, but Maya beats me to it with a very uncharacteristic scoff. "My name's M
~You can come to me Scarlett, I won't hurt you.~The voice sounds so far but it feels so near.~You're my mate, Scarlett. I could never hurt my mate.~My eyes snap open and I notice it all at once.Maya's gone!I get up and a second later I'm bolting out of the door.I'll kill them!I'll kill every person that has laid a hand on my daughter!"Maya? Maya, where are you!"A lady comes out from one of the rooms in the large hallway and I rush to her, grabbing her by the shoulders."My daughter! They have my daughter! Where have they taken her?"Maya's scream is like an electric shock when it wafts into my ears and I jolt away from the bewildered lady. My ears follow the sound of Maya's screams and my legs spur me on faster than they have ever. I take the stairs four at a time, slipping more than once on the tiles but running like my life depends on it."No! Cockroaches are gross! Arghhh get them away from me!"I see Maya, in her nightshirt and pants, her hair loose and unruly but running
Roman's pov.My father is livid."What is the meaning of all this, Roman!"My eyes snap up to meet his and I can see the rage he's trying to control. I reply calmly."Of all what?"The rest of the council is behind him, and soon they all come into view. My father and his beta remain the tallest amongst them, and even though they're all aged now, the black ensembles and fitted suits give them looks of potent danger and power.I direct my gaze back to my father and I see the anger behind his glowing blue eyes."I heard you brought a Rogue into the pack, Roman. You're sheltering a rogue in our pack!"I lean back in my seat and place my clasped hands on the table."The issue of the female werewolf and pup now taking residence in the pack will be addressed accordingly, that isn't the only thing we have to cover today. And lest you forget, Mr. Kai, this is now my pack. I am the Alpha and I will handle the pack in whatever way I think is best."My father recoils into himself so fast that I w
Hunter's pov. The sound of moans fill the air. "Ah, fuck me harder Alpha!" A cruel smile lights up my face when I hear those words. There are three ladies in the room with me and they're all stark naked. The scent of female pheromones is heavy in the air and each whiff of it sends a fresh dose of blood to my cock. I love that feeling, being so hard that your cock feels like a rock. The bitch who moaned is riding me. This is the first time I'm having sex since that bitch ran away. This is the sort of sex she could never give me. These whores will bear children for me. Strong sons that will carry on my name and put a smile on my face. I look into the pleasure filled eyes of the redhead riding me and I smirk as I drag her head down to kiss me. A knock comes from the door. "Alpha Hunter, Beta Knoxx is here to see you." The guard's words are rushed but Knoxx doesn't wait for him to finish talking before he barges in. His eyes scan the expanse of the room and upon realizing what