I have no idea what way is north, where the river is, or how I’m going to find my way.
And now I’m being followed.
Why didn’t I grab a weapon?
A branch snaps somewhere behind me, and I walk a little faster.
Whoever it is has kept his distance, probably hoping I’ll tire myself out. And while I am exhausted, fear and adrenaline has kept me going. A part of me keeps expecting to see Burke, glaring down at me every time I turn around, but he’d havealready pounced on me by now. Patience is not the alpha’s strong suit.
My breath comes out in harsh pants as I force my way up a steep hill. The front of my once beige shirt is stiff with dried blood, and my bare feet are sore.
Leaves rustle somewhere behind me, but I don’t turn to look. I’m too tired, and everything hurts. The muscles in my face ache when I move my mouth, and pain shoots through my right leg every time I step over a downed tree or large rock. It doesn’t surprise me. I hit my hip pretty hard last night.
Inhaling deeply, I try to settle my nerves, but all it does is fill my lungs with the spicy aroma of cloves.
Cloves.
The hairs along the back of my neck rise and I freeze in my tracks.
Clove trees don’t bloom in the fall. They only flower in the spring. It doesn’t make sense for the lush plant to smell so strong right now.But alphas are known to smell like cloves….
Leaves rustle, but this time it’s right at my back. Awareness threads down my spine as something big and warm moves closer. Then the soft sound of feet settle right behind me.
Honestly, I pray it's a vicious bear. I’d rather die as someone’s meal than snatched by a wild alpha.
Bracing myself, I slowly turn my head, looking over my shoulder. A wall of thick muscle greets me. Swallowing hard, I force myself to look up, up, up. The alpha looming over me looks to be about a thousand feet tall. He has short, unnaturally white hair with pock marks on both cheeks, and his clothes are dirty like he’s been wandering the woods for days.
“You look lost, little girl.” the alpha smiles, making the marks on his face pull deeper. “Are you all alone?”
Fear makes my abs tense, and I jerk backward. My feet catch on a twisting root, and I fall onto my ass. Pain bursts across my hip, but I ignore it, clambering back onto my feet.
The alpha laughs, and strong arms wrap around my upper body, crushing my back against his hard chest. “Not so fast,” he says as he lifts me into the air. “Where is your pack, little one?” He turns both of us, clearly looking to see if someone might jump out a save me. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous for omegas to roam the woods by themselves?”
“Let me go!” I yell loud and clear, shocking even myself. “My pack is nearby,” I warn as I wiggle and squirm, trying to escape his powerful hold. But it’s no use. He’s too strong. “They’ll rip you limb from limb.”
The alpha chuckles, pushing the vibrations into my back. “We’ve been following you all night.”
We?
Fear and defeat grip me, and I squeeze my eyes shut tight.Who knows how many alphas are circling me right now.
“You’re all alone and you know it.” The alpha manhandles me, spinning me around in his arms so we’re face-to-face. He pins my arms at my side, flexing his big muscles and squeezing my ribs. His dark eyes zero in on my cheek, then the dried blood caked around my mouth. His brows draw together. “Who beat you up?” And I swear I can hear a hint of worry in his voice.
“The same alpha that’s going to kill you if you don’t let me go,” I say with all the confidence I can muster, but my voice pitches high. Scared. “Save yourself and let me go.”
For a second, the alpha just stares at me, thinking. Then he tips his head back and lets out a booming laugh. He has several gold fillings along his back teeth, and his breath smells bitter. “If you had anyone with you, I’d already be flat on my ass.” He adjusts me a little higher in his arms, holding me even tighter.
I swallow thickly, trying to think of what to do next. But it’s hopeless. I have no way out of this.
“Fuck, you smell good.” The alpha licks his lips, then drops his head into the crook of my neck. He inhales long and loud, making my stomach churn. Then his wet tongue snakes across my skin. I shutter as he laps at me, leaving a trail of slobber. “I’ve never been this close to an omega before,” he says, nipping at my throat.
Disgust and fear bubbles in my gut, forcing me to breathe deeply through my mouth. “I’m warning you.” I lash out, slamming my fists the best I can into his sides, but I’m at an awkward angle and have no real strength.
“That’s right,” the alpha hums with pleasure. “Fight a little harder. I like it rough.” He presses his hips forward, making me feel his hard cock through his jeans. Bile rises in my throat and I thrash with everything I have. Kicking out, I bring my knee back, then swing forward, connecting hard with the alpha’s crotch.
A brutal roar leaps from his chest and his hands fly to his groin. And I fall, slamming into the cold ground. Pain cuts up my spine, crippling me for a moment. But right as I move to stand, someone steps out of the bushes just next to me.
“Goddamnit, Stone.” A bald alpha looks down at me, and the last of my fight dies.I’ll never outrun two of them.“We need her unharmed.” This alpha is just as big as Stone but he has weirdly kind eyes. “Let me help you up.” He reaches for my hand, carefully holding it as he helps me steady my feet. It’s weirdly gentle for an alpha.
