AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As he approached the outskirts of town, Kenji felt the tension in the air increase. It was as if the storm he had sensed earlier had gathered strength and was about to unleash its fury.
It was just a feeling, but he’d learned long ago to listen to his instincts.
Finally, he reached the edge of town, where the houses began to spread out. He could see Kramer’s house ahead, its windows dark and ominous. He quickened his pace, his heart pounding wildly.
He slowly made his way to the back of the house, using the cover of the trees and bushes to stay hidden. He could hear muffled noises coming from inside, but he couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.
He had no doubt that Luther and Kramer were inside, plotting their next move. Kenji knew that this was the moment of truth.
Taking a deep breath, Kenji steeled himself and began his final approach. He moved with the stealth of a wolf, crouching low to the ground to avoid detection. He was determined to get his mate out of there and back to safety, no matter the cost.
He moved closer and closer to the back of the house, his hand on Marlon’s knife. He couldn’t let himself be caught unprepared, not now. Not when his mate was inside.
As he neared the back porch, he stopped and listened carefully. He heard nothing from inside. The muffled sounds had stopped.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door—wincing when it creaked a little—and stepped inside the covered porch. He froze when he heard something outside the porch thump, but when the noise didn’t repeat itself, Kenji turned back toward the back door and eased it open.
* * * *
When he heard the click and the lock disengaged, Tido wanted to do a happy dance. Tired of waiting to see what would happen, he’d used the stolen knife in the keyhole. Honestly, Tido didn’t think he would be able to do it. He’d never picked a lock in his life.
Now he was so stoked that he pumped his arm in the air. He could hardly believe it had worked. Tido peeked through the slot in the door, making sure there was no one in sight before stepping out. A quick check of the hallway confirmed he was alone.
But that didn’t mean he was out of danger. Tido moved with silent precision, sticking to the shadows and keeping low as he crept along the hall. His heart still pounded with exhilaration, but he forced himself to focus.
He could hear the faint voices coming from the living room, along with the occasional creak of a chair or the clink of a glass. Tido ducked into a nearby room, staying out of sight as he tried to figure out how to get past whoever was down there.
Time was running out, and any moment now, Luther would surely come searching for him. He needed to make his move soon.
Taking a deep breath, Tido stepped out of the room and crept toward the stairs, his heart in his throat as he listened for any indication that someone knew he was out of his room.
The smell of danger hung heavy in the air, and Tido could feel his nerves on edge. He didn’t know if he’d have any opportunity to slip past Luther without a fight, but he had to try.
He could have simply waited for Kenji, but it had passed the time when Kenji should have already been there, and Tido was no longer confident that Kenji would get there in time.
Not that he blamed Kenji for being late. Anything could have happened. A flat tire, an accident—which Tido prayed wasn’t the case—or, god forbid, Kenji had been caught coming into town.
Though Tido doubted it was the last one. If Kenji had been caught, those muffled voices down below wouldn’t be so quiet. Luther would probably shout his triumph.
The bastard.
He made it to the top of the stairs, ready to descend as quietly as possible, when he was grabbed from behind, a hand slamming over his mouth. Tido struggled to get free, but whoever had him was much stronger and kept a tight hold on him as he was dragged backward.
And back into the room he’d just escaped from.
“I’m going to remove my hand, and you’re going to be quiet.”
Tido nodded.
The hand fell away, and the person released him. Tido spun then blinked several times. He had no idea who the guy was. He had short, stylish brown hair, big green eyes, and was Tido’s height and build.
The stranger had to be a wolf shifter, though, because he’d been strong, but why had the guy dragged him back here?
“I’m going to get you out of here,” he whispered. “Follow me.”
“I don’t even know you,” Tido argued.
“Either follow me or I can leave you here, and trust me when I tell you Luther will make your death very painful.”
