CHAPTER 9: HUNTED

The sound drew closer and closer, Ryder swing Nora around and quickly hid her beneath his arm just behind the refrigerator. The door swung open, accompanied by a shining bright torch light.

“There's no one here,” Alpha Alex's husky voice broke the silence….

I saw her walk in here, and I watched Alpha Ryder crip in afterward….Eve reassured

He took more steps, closer to the refrigerator and stopped….

Nora felt like a sharp knife had been pierced into her heart and Each step brought deeper fear into her…shaking her of her every being…

“What if we're caught “

“All hell will be let loose,” she murmured within her.

The fear of what Alpha Alex would do to her skin made her almost want to pee on her pants….she shut her eyes tight on Alpha Ryder's shoulder, waiting for it to happen.

Suddenly…the door of the kitchen swings open… A loud noise of warriors trilling them was held in the corridor

My lord…

We saw a trace of Alpha Ryder in the mini hut behind the park house… the husky voice said

“Quickly” find them, Alpha Alex roared into the silence of the kitchen…

Immediately, he hurried up and held Eve by the clew…

What do you take me for?... He spat…why did you lie that you saw her walk in here…

He flings her in the direction of the door.

Now join the men and find her… he stared around the kitchen for a moment before he hurriedly walked out from the kitchen….

Nora rested against Alpha Ryder’s chest, her breath shallow as Alpha Alex’s footsteps disappeared into the distance away from the kitchen. She could still hear the voices of his men outside the pack boundaries, their shouts barking commands as they searched for Ryder.

“Nora, we need to move,” Ryder whispered, his breath sharp against her ear, sending a vibration down her spine.

Nora’s fingers dug deep into his arm, her whole body shaking. “Ryder, he'll kill me if he finds us together or smells you closer to me.”

His eyes turned red, his grip tightening. “I won’t let that happen, never again.”

With a quick motion, Ryder pulled her from behind the refrigerator, looking toward the door. The kitchen was dimly lit with shadows, the only light coming from the corridor. He took her to the back exit; he stopped to listen for the movement of Alpha Alex warriors.

Outside the kitchen, the air was cold, carrying the scent of moist earth and pinewood. The moon was high in the sky, casting fearful shadows across the pack house assembly.

He turned and held her tight. “We need to get out of here now.”

She refused. “ Ryder If I run now, Alpha Alex will know something is wrong. “Stop and think for once, what my escape with you will cause for both packs? I have to go back to my room, or he’ll come after me with worse torment.”

Ryder murmured under his breath. “Nora, so you think staying here is safer?”

Hmm...“It’s the only way to buy time,” she said firmly, though every strength of her being screamed at her to escape.

He studied her, his jaw clenched and his fist tightened. “Fine. But I won’t leave you alone again.”

“R…Ryder, if Alex catches you here—”

“Let him dare.” His voice was murderous and dangerous as he growled.

Y...you..Before she could argue more, a wail cut through the night air. It was a signal from Alpha Alex warriors.

“Damn it,” Ryder murmured. “They found my trail and it seems they’re tracking it.”

Fear rushed through her veins. “You need to go now.”

His facial expression was unclear for some time, then he held her, holding her face. His touch was both possessive and soft. “This is far from over, little wolf.”

Nora's throat hardened. “Ryder—”

Before she could say anything, he was far gone, vanishing into the shadows of the thick wood like a ghost.

Nora stood there for a few moments, her heart trembling against her rib cage. After taking a deep breath, she adjusted her dress, cleaned her face, and forced herself to walk quickly back inside as if nothing had happened.

She had barely stepped into the corridor when she ran straight into Alpha Alex.

Y.you...his blue eyes burned with suspicion and anger.

“Stand right there..he commands with an angry voice…” Where have you been Nora Lawrence?” Staring deep into her eyes, like he could pull out the truth from her soul.

Nora swallowed hard, forcing her voice to remain calm. “Cleaning up the little wolf's kitchen as I was ordered.”

Alex’s stare roamed over her, his nostrils poking slightly as if he was trying to catch a scent. “Is that so Nora Lawrence?”

She held her ground. “Yes, Alpha.”You can ask the guards to confirm from Mother Wolves…

In a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then, to her fear, Alpha Alex’s hands suddenly gripped her chin, holding her face up to his. His grip wasn’t gentle—it was commanding, demanding, and possessive.

His gaze locked straight onto hers. “You smell… different little wolf.”

Nora’s stomach twisted into knots. Did he sense Ryder on her? But she did use the vinegar leaves behind the corridor to kill t

Alpha Ryder smells on her…

She forced a confused look. “I’ve been in the kitchen, Alpha. Maybe the scent of food lingers on me?”

He didn’t look convinced, but he finally let her go. “Run to your room now.”

She nodded, keeping her face neutral as she quickly walked past him, even though every step felt like walking toward the den of her mystery.

Quickly inside her tin room, she locked the door and collapsed onto her bed, pressing a hand to her wildly beating heart sobbing silently.

Tonight had been too close.

Memories of her and Alpha Ryder keep on flooding in, giving her untold hope.

She tried to smile in remembering his touch but the joy of the pleasure was soon wiped off by unforeseen worries. And something told her this was just the beginning.

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