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“You could be my ticket into a pack,” he smirked like he had a secret I couldn’t possibly know. And from the inflection in his tone… I knew it was all a show anyway. Lies were easy to spot and he wasn’t even trying that hard to hide them. “Did you know there’s a bounty out for a blonde girl that fits your description, princess? Better yet, my pack would have fun with you.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I said evenly, refusing to show my fear.
“And I’ll leave a trail of dead bodies in my wake then. You’ll eventually fold. They always do,” he said with a shrug. The waitress walked up and slid my food across the table before turning to him.
“Can I get you something to drink or eat?” she offered. He didn’t even look her way and I gave an apologetic smile as she huffed and walked off.
“You’re an asshole,” I growled. “Let me eat in peace.”
“For now. I have another kill to plan it seems,” he laughed. “And don’t even think for a second that pack on the hill will protect you.” He got up and walked out. My eyes followed his retreat, not glancing away or breathing until the chime over the door rang out and he slipped outside.
Fuck. Now things were escalating and I’d already made a possible enemy of this other pack.
My food was tasteless as I shoveled it in, knowing I’d likely need the strength despite my stomach revolting at the idea. Fear was clawing at my insides like a wild animal, knowing that his threats were genuine. Fuck. How did I let things get so out of control so quickly?
“Can I get you anything else?” the waitress asked, friendlier than I expected after she was dismissed so rudely last time.
“No, just the check,” I said but then realized I needed directions. “Actually… can you tell me how to get to the Bluffs? I have a friend out there and I’m awful at directions.”
She raised her eyebrows at the mention of the Bluffs but pointed up the road. “Keep going up this road and you’ll reach the winding road. It’s Bluff Road, easy to find.”
“Thanks,” I said, handing over the check and my money, including a nice tip to make up for the rough morning we gave her.
Since I was truckless, I started up the road. It was dangerous, but I was banking that daylight might be my saving grace. And I tried not to think about my return trip later in the day.
The idea of swallowing down my pride for protection was against everything I stood for, but truth be told I would kill for a pack I felt like I belonged to. But I’d seen wolves integrate into my old pack, it was never a pretty process and it’d take everything I had not to fuck it up royally with my mouth alone.
The walk to the Bluffs was slow, but in a car, it would be only a few minutes down the winding road. At least it was gorgeous out here. Trees lined both sides of the road, giving it a secluded feel. The scent of wolves was stronger out here but they didn’t seem to rub against the trees or pee on the territory lines like most packs did. The hopeful part of me wished that meant this one was different. Better.
The moment I approached the gate, a man stepped out of a nearby building. He had curly black hair and shining brown eyes, though he was trying to hide the suave smirk on his face with a stoic glance.
“Can I help you?” His words held the slight inflection of an accent, even as he practically purred out his question.
“I need to speak with your alpha, I seek sanctuary,” I said with a sigh. He studied me before a grin spread across his face. He pulled out a phone and made the call, holding it up to his ear even as he refused to take his eyes off me.
“Alpha,” he greeted respectfully. “I have a woman seeking asylum out here.” He paused for several beats. “Yes, she’s a woman.” His confirmation was followed by slowly raking his eyes over me. I crossed my arms in front of my chest, far too tense to appreciate his obvious flirting. He hung up and tucked it away before filling me in, drawing out my worry. “He’ll be here in a moment.”
The alpha walked up the street, a full scowl on his face now. Internally I cringed, knowing damn well he had every right to send me back to town. Not many alphas dealt with insubordination, loyal or not.
“Well, she comes crawling back after closing a door in my face?” he intoned as he stared me down. “Why now?”
“He came back,” I said honestly. Somehow I kept my voice even and my face a mask of calm, despite being truly terrified inside. “He plans to kill towns people every day until I go with him. Apparently there’s a bounty out for a blond wolf and he assumes it’s me.”
“Is it you?” he asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
“I’m a wolf traveling alone. It could be. I was attacked two days before I arrived here and barely escaped with my life. My truck didn’t survive which is why I’m stuck in Dixon.”
His expression softened slightly but was gone as quickly as it flashed across his face. “Let her in, Antonio,” he said as he turned to the flirty guard. “Keep her in the office until I come back. Watch her.”
“Gladly,” Antonio grinned as he hit a button on the other side of the wall, the gate sliding open to let me in. Now that I was past the tall walls, the Bluffs came into full view. It was gorgeous. The huge mansions and pristine grounds were great, but it was the forest and Bluffs beyond that were breathtaking. Each home was bigger than the last, a variation of mansions all in one neighborhood, though the largest rested in the very back.
“The Bluffs aren’t for everyone,” Callum said as he looked down at me with annoyance. “Don’t get used to the view.”
My heart sank. “Then why tell me to wait here? If I’m not welcome, I’ll leave before sundown.” I tried to turn and walk through the gate again, anger and embarrassment flooding me so my cheeks heated and I had to fight back traitorous angry tears.
“I didn’t say you wouldn’t be safe here,” he countered in a bored tone that had me swiveling around, shooting daggers at him through my glare but he seemed unaffected by my fury. “Follow orders and wait.”
There was command in his tone, and I knew it was a test. Turning to Antonio I gestured toward the guard building. He led me inside the large building, stopping in a small waiting area. There was a barred door beyond it and he scanned a keycard to unlock it.
