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"Hello?" he called, waiting a few minutes for a response, but none came. So he pushed the door open, looking inside. There was no one around. Instead, a small bed and an oven sat across from a table covered with dust and two small chairs. It looked like it had been abandoned for a long time.
"We can stay here for a while." He looked around at the canyon they were in. The sun was hot, and they needed shade. This building at least allowed full view around them, so if anyone was coming, they could see it.
Reika frowned, throwing her bag onto the ground. She stepped onto the porch with a sigh. "Do you want to go back?"
"What?" Owen looked at her, confused. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because you keep looking back with a longing look." She crossed her arms, "It's not like you can't, Owen. I know this is your family and that we hardly know each other. God, we only met a week ago."
"Stop." Owen threw his hand up. "Just stop." He didn't like where the conversation was heading.
"Well," she said, waving her hands. "Tell me I'm wrong. Owen, we can go back. You can go to your father and tell him you hate me. God, fake an apology if you have to. Beg on your knees. I can go back to my brother and have him send me off somewhere. We can put this behind us."
"What makes you think I would want to go back?" he asked, shaking his head. "Why would I want to?"
"Because they are your family. You are giving up so much. Too much." Her face shifted into a hurt expression.
He knew she was hinting at the fact that he was giving up being alpha. Owen took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He sighed, hating they were having this conversation now. "Reika, I never wanted that."
"You're only saying that because of our situation."
Owen shook his head, looking back at her. "No, believe it or not, I never did. I don't want all eyes on me, wondering what my next step is. I have always, always, wanted to be a free wolf."
"And starting our own pack wouldn't make you alpha?" she asked.
"That's …" He frowned, hating how she had a point. "No, that's not what I'm saying. We both agreed we wanted to be free from that, and we are if we leave and go on our own. I don't want to be in a pack that believes someone should die because they are from another clan."
"It's your birthright," she said, looking sad. "How can you say no to such an honor? I don't blame you for wanting it."
Owen took two steps toward her, closing in on her space. "Because I would give up anything and everything to have you, Reika. I love you."
Her eyes widened slightly, and he pulled her close, cupping her cheeks. "I have always wondered what was out in the world for me or who I wanted to be, and I know now. You were the person I was waiting for, and I'm not letting this slip away from us because we are scared. But, if I have to, I'll be courageous for both of us."
Reika had tears in her eyes. She swallowed. "You swear? You're not saying that to make me feel better."
Owen laughed, wiping at her eyes. "It can be trueandbe said to make you feel better."
Owen pulled her closer and kissed her. Sure, they were pretty much homeless and smelled like they had walked a hundred miles, but in front of that abandoned cabin, Owen realized he never wanted to lose her.
He loved her with his entire heart and soul, and there was no way he was giving her up without a fight. If he had to give up being alpha, so be it. He never wanted it anyway.
NINETEEN
REIKA
Reika could tell Owen was growing tense. She understood why. She could smell them as well. The Raff pack was getting closer, and their running tactic wasn't working. She looked at Owen, who was still scanning the area, desperate to find a chance to run.
But as he did, Reika felt them too close now. She saw them around the cabin, a distance away, ensuring they couldn't escape. Her stomach churned, and she looked at Owen. "Owen?"
"Nothing is going to happen to you," he said, promising her. "Nothing. They will not harm you when I am here."
It gave her little comfort considering there were at least eight of the wolves against the two of them. Her stomach churned harder, and she tried to steady it. She needed to stay strong.
Owen took a few steps away from her, looking for Connor. But, just as he did, Reika was yanked back, clear off her feet, landing hard on her ass. She screamed as the air was knocked out of her lungs.
"Reika!" Owen yelled, rushing to her. Reika didn't understand what was going on. She didn't realize that a wolf had her by her hair, yanking her across the ground.
She threw her elbow back, connecting with his nose. A yip filled the air, and she tumbled free. But another rushed at her, and Owen growled.
