The first door opens to a huge gym so soaked in Hunter’s sweet smoke, I choke before I can whip it shut. The blast of air carries undertones of the other guys, but Hunter’s thick scent rearranges my sinuses.
Note to self: no working out in Hunter’s pheromone cloud.
The other locked door leads to the inside stairway. I close that one just as quickly, hating how many stairs and doors and ways there are to find me.
Definitely need to find a better hideout.
My omega instincts want me unpacking my duffel, tidying, and securing the nest, so I keep the bag zipped. I’m not moving in for real.
But I do need to backtrack to the lake and pick up the clothes that I dropped, because all I have are two spare sets, not counting the little black dress and silver heels that I’m going to burn.
I take a quick but necessary shower, needing to wash off all the scents of last night’s club, but mostly Finn’s orange-soaked touch.
After body wash and a towel that both reek of Hunter, I spritz myself all over with de-scenter.
Eyes closed, holding my breath, the shit burns at the same time it feels too good. Even if turns me half lobster, I just want to smell neutral so I can feel at least a little bit like myself.
Next, I have to figure out how the hell I’m escaping.
Thank the gods and goddesses, Evgenia packed my tablet.
Maybe the OCC just didn’t want to reclaim the cracked-screen dinosaur. Either way, I’m grateful.
Now I have almost everything I need.
Only one problem. The Wi-Fi password.
I don’t have data. I have a little cash saved in my secret accounts but no way of accessing or adding to the funds if I can’t get online.
Like I said.
I can go a week without food.
I can go four minutes without oxygen.
But I cannot survive a single day without Wi-Fi.
I just have to be a good ghost and wait for the right time to sneak upstairs. I creep to the bottom of the stairway and press my ear to the door.
Nothing but silence.
Wood creaks somewhere else in the house, but I don’t hear footsteps, music, or any other sign that anyone’s home.
I chew my lip, hesitating.
I have to be brave. Make a break while I can, try to find their router, and pray that someone wrote down the password.
Clutching the half-busted tablet, I sneak through the door. My feet sting and my blood pumps. I move silently, hyper-aware of every scent and sound.
At the top of the steps, I press my ear to the door again.
Still nothing.
Breathing fast, I touch the doorknob.
A door slams in the house, and I snatch my fingers back like the knob’s on fire.
Craig’s voice carries in a sickening whine. “Yes, Alpha. I just got back. No. She’s downstairs. No, I haven’t. Yes, I will. Yes, Alpha. Can I come meet the pack? I’ll—”