“I should go,”
he says, as if he’s wanting me to argue and beg him to stay.
Relief floods through me as he pauses only for a second before moving toward the door. His hand rests on the doorknob, but he turns back, expression solemn.
“I’m never going to hurt you again, Grace.”
The words fall from his lips with weighty significance, as if he’s delivering a romantic vow rather than an empty promise. 2
I don’t bother responding, turning my back instead as I walk toward my bathroom. When I finally look back, the door’s closed and he’s gone.
Thank. Fucking. God.
How can he possibly forget his cruelty on the night of the Mate Hunt, and the way he treated me the moment his fated mate appeared? Such thick skin he has, acting as if none of it happened-like I should be grateful for his attention, thrilled by his promise to
“bring me home.”
Perhaps all shifters are closet psychopaths. 1
I press my palms against my eyes until random shapes and colors bloom behind my eyelids. Rafe’s visit has left me rattled, on edge again, ruining what rest I’d managed.
I splash cold water on my face, trying to wash away the lingering disgust. The mirror seems to emphasize the dark circles under my eyes, but at least the water helps clear my head.
When I step back into the bedroom, I freeze. Andrew stands by the window, dressed head to toe in black like some wannabe cat burglar. Black jeans, black hoodie, even black sneakers. My mouth drops open.
“Are you serious right now?”
He turns, frowning.
“What?”
“The all-black ensemble? Could you be more obvious about sneaking around?”
I gesture at his ridiculous outfit.
“You might as well wear a sign that says ‘I’m up to no good’ in neon letters.”
“This is tactical gear.”
“It’s a hoodie from Target.”
I cross my arms.
“You’re a wolf. You should know better than I do, anyone following is going to smell us anyway. The color of your clothes won’t matter.”4
Andrew tugs at his sleeve, looking slightly offended.
“It’s about blending into shadows.”
“In a pack full of creatures with night vision?”
I shake my head.
“You’re going to stick out like a sore thumb. Everyone’s going to take one look at you and know something’s up.”
He scowls.
“You sound like you’ve done this before.”
“No, I just have common sense. The best way to not look suspicious is to not act suspicious.”
Andrew sighs.
“Whatever. It’s too late to change now. We need to move soon if we want to make it out before the ceremony starts. Did you meet with Rafe?”
I bite back the annoyance building in my chest.
“He thinks you’re taking me to Forest Springs.”
“I figured it’d be better to tell him after.”
He grimaces, scratching at his head.
“No point starting a fight when we’re on such a tight schedule. I’ll just explain everything once you’re settled.”
“Or you could just never tell them,”
I mutter, even though I know full well he would never keep a secret from Rafe.
Andrew’s frown deepens with my words, disapproval radiating off him in waves. His loyalty to Rafe is basically his only personality trait. Even now, he’s probably only helping me because Rafe asked him to, not out of any real concern for my wellbeing. paste on my best fake smile. This is no time to alienate my temporary benefactor.
“Should we get going?”
I gesture toward the door, eager to leave before anyone else decides to pay me an unexpected visit.
Escape, take two.
Leaving pack lands is laughably easy with Andrew by my side, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s laughing at me in his head for overreacting to his blacked-out getup.
There’s no one around to care, much less notice us.
The dented blue Toyota looks like freedom on four wheels. It’s just one of the many cars parked here, but it’s my gateway to a new life.
“Do you have the keys?”
I ask, standing by the locked passenger door.
Andrew dangles them from his finger.
“What, you think I’d walk us out here without them?”
He slides into the driver’s seat, and I fold myself into the passenger side. The seats are clean and well-maintained, and it smells like French fries inside.
“There’s a blanket in the back seat, if you want it.”
A blanket in this weather? But I realize why he offers when he cranks the AC as high as it goes.
Once it kicks in, I’m going to turn into a human ice cube.
When Andrew turns the key in the ignition, my heart stops, wondering if someone’s going to come running and ask why we’re in the car.
But no one comes.
I’m still tired from Rafe waking me up earlier, but napping isn’t an option. Gripping my seat belt,
I stare out the window with wide eyes, intent on watching every minute.
I’m in the car because it’s the easiest way out of the Blue Mountain Pack’s territory, but there’s still no guarantee Andrew isn’t going to deliver me straight into the hands of Ellie’s father. There’s a point when the rural road leading to pack lands joins with the highway, if he goes left, he’s taking me to Forest Springs.
Right? Sterling City.
Andrew’s profile gives nothing away. The moonlight catches on the angles of his face, shadows pooling beneath his cheekbones. After the past few days, he looks suddenly very young to me. Much younger than Caine or the Lycan Beta, and with only a fraction of their confidence.
His fingers tap an uneven rhythm against the steering wheel. Is that nervousness? Guilt? Or just a habit?
Paranoia blooms in the silence of our ride, not even broken by the radio. I guess Andrew prefers to drive in silence.
The closer we get to the highway, the tighter the grip on my seatbelt. My breath catches in my throat. I’ve prepared myself for the worst-to fling myself from the moving car if necessary.
It feels like hours have passed, but the city isn’t that far.
The turn signal clicks. Right. O
Sterling City.
The breath I’ve been holding escapes in a soft rush. My shoulders drop an inch as we merge onto the highway, the needle on the speedometer climbing steadily.
Andrew glances over.
“You okay?”
Moonlight bleeds through the windows, casting his familiar features in an unfamiliar glow. For a heartbeat, I see the boy I grew up with, not the wolf who’d snarled at me in the forest.
“I’m great. I can’t believe we’ve made it this far.”
“I told you, everyone’s busy. The Alpha succession isn’t really a voluntary event.”
“I
The highway is filled with cars, even at this time of night. We’re just one of many. Even if someone’s looking for us, it won’t be easy to find a single car among so many.
Silence falls between us again.
“Why are you helping me?”
Andrew keeps his eyes on the road.
“You really want to know?”
“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t.”
He sighs, a long exhale that seems to deflate him.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.