Alex had never met a nicer group of people, which was why he couldn’t stay. If the police didn’t eventually track him down, Valcore would, and Alex couldn’t let these kind men get caught in the crosshairs.
One night. That was the deal he’d made with Wade. Come tomorrow, he’d disappear. The thought of leaving his mate carved a hole in his chest, but what else could he do? Stick around and let a demon punish them all for giving him shelter? No. He couldn’t do it.
That only made him hate Drew even more. If it wasn’t for that bastard, none of this would’ve ever happened. Alex wouldn’t be a murderer, and Valcore wouldn’t be after him.
Drew hadn’t just died. He’d poisoned every inch of Alex’s life.
The slim collar seemed heavier than it looked, a chokehold on his existence. There was no way to take it off. Not without the key. But he knew where it was—or at least, who had it.
Valcore.
Alex was sure of it. After everything that happened, after Drew was dead on the floor, Alex had searched him, hoping the key would be there. It wasn’t. Which meant his literal freedom was dangling in a demon’s pocket.
After bidding the mates goodnight, Alex climbed the stairs, hollowed out by exhaustion and dread, wondering if he would make it out of this nightmare alive.
Chapter Three
After poking around the guest room, Alex discovered a small balcony outside his window. Despite the earlier rain, he climbed out and sat on the ledge.
It wasn’t very comfortable under his butt, the cold ledge digging into flesh, but at least he could enjoy the fresh mountain air.
The skies were now clear, allowing him to see a million twinkling stars overhead. He tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and finally exhaled after what felt like years of not breathing.
He didn’t even mind the cold. Not when he had the option of going back inside to the warmth of his room.
Thanks to Wade.
Alex still couldn’t believe he’d found his mate in the middle of his life falling apart. The wolf had fed him and given him a place to stay, even if it was just temporary.
But…Alex didn’t want to leave. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere and didn’t want to give up the friendship the mates offered or the possibility of a relationship between him and Wade.
Alex glanced to his right when he heard grunting. Wade was climbing out of the other window, struggling to get his ginormous frame through it.
He looked like a giant squeezing out of a sausage casing. “Maybe you should take the long way around,” Alex suggested.
“We’re on the third floor,” Wade grunted. “I think I might’ve had better luck if I’d come out feet first.”
“Careful!” Alex’s eyes widened when Wade pulled himself back inside, nearly taking the entire window with him. The wood groaned and the glass shook, but thankfully it stayed intact.
Then Wade vaulted through the window like he’d been shot out of a cannon.
Alex gasped, hoping the wolf stopped before he reached the edge of the balcony.
It was a steep drop.
Wade used his booted feet to press against the rails then just lay there, staring at the stars while chuckling.
“Totally ruined my cool creds. Worst entrance, or exit, ever.”
Alex hid his smile behind a hand. “What did you do, get a running start before launching yourself?”
“Pretty much,” Wade groaned. “Seriously thought I wasn’t going to stop.”
Neither had Alex. The fall wouldn’t have killed Wade, but it would’ve hurt like hell.
“Is there a reason you became a human missile?” Alex asked.
Wade glanced over his head at Alex. “To chill with you. Maybe next time I’ll just paraglide to the balcony. Probably would be less painful, unless I missed the landing.”
