“What…mean…how…she be here?” I couldn’t catch all of Dante’s question to Callen.
“SHE TOLD ME SHE WANTED TO GO TO UT FOR COLLEGE!”
FUCK! I forgot I told Callen my college plans. He will be looking for me everywhere around here now.
“Well, maybe she hasn’t made it here yet. Maybe you got here faster than she could?” Dante must be closer to the door now because I can hear him trying to reason with Callen.
“I’m staying here until we find her!” Callen declares with a growl.
That didn’t settle well for Dante because he immediately let out a loud growl, “THIS IS MY TERRITORY! You are a GUEST HERE, need I remind you! You are welcome to stay a night or two, but beyond that, you will have to trust my security detail and wolves to do a deeper search of the pack territory. IF YOUR Luna is here, she WILL turn up Callen! I will GLADLY hand over your Luna IF she ever turns up in MY territory!”
I can’t listen to this any further. I HAVE to get out of here. I feel my grip starting to slip and I know I have to risk it and try to slide past this balcony without them hearing or smelling me. Hopefully, Dante’s scent all over me from last night masks my scent enough that they don’t smell me.
I use the last of my upper body strength to slowly and quietly reach for the edge of the second-floor balcony ledge, press my back against the bricks, and shimmy as quietly as I can until I am just at eye level with the second floor. I see Dante pass the balcony door inside and I immediately duck to hide behind the balcony stone railing.
I hear a distinct growl from Callen, “...carrying…pup…Dante! …sure of that…left her! …scent could have…now.”
I didn’t catch all of Callen’s panicked whines and grumblings as I was trying to focus on not falling and hitting my ass on the ground as I was desperate to try and remain quiet and out of sight.
“...she-wolf’s scent is still much more distinct than that of the disgusting scent of a rogue or the scent of a wolf from another pack. She WILL be found if she is here, Callen.” Dante assures Callen.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO LOOK FOR HER NOW!?” Callen growls loudly.
“Fuck Callen! I just woke up! I’ll send my patrol out to look! I’ll tell them to start on the borders since most likely if she is trying to hide, she’s in the woods on the borders somewhere,” Dante grumbles.
At that moment, I knew my time was limited. If I don’t make a run for it now, I won’t get another chance. I drop the last couple of feet to the ground and duck behind a bush lining the brick wall. My heart is beating so loud, I swear everyone can hear it thumping out of my chest. I try to make as little noise as possible as I get to the edge of the packhouse closest to the woods that surround it.
‘Okay, Bree. This is as far as I can get on my own. We need to shift from here to make it to the woods. I won’t make it through the clearing in my human form and you know that.’ I try to reason with her to coax her back forward to shift.
I wait a few minutes for her to come back and I get nothing.
I get the message, my hussy of a wolf isn’t going to be of help at the moment. So, since I’m going to have to make this run across the meadow to the woods in human form apparently, I am going to have to run faster than I’ve ever run in my life. I take a deep breath and inhale the scents in the air to see what kind of threats are around.
I picked up the scent of two wolves in the area. They must be on patrol. I survey the area to see if I can see them somewhere. I catch one by the front gates going into the guard shack. Okay, he isn’t as big of a threat. I will just dig under the fence somewhere in the woods and get around that. Where is this other one though? Every move I made in the shrubs against the packhouse is another risk of exposure, but I can’t risk one wolf scenting me or seeing me and catching me. I can tell by the scent it isn’t one of Callen’s. It’s definitely one of Dante’s wolves. I decided to sit and wait a little longer. The wolf is bound to eventually show himself as he makes his rounds around the property.
Eventually, the other wolf shows himself as I catch him patrolling towards the back of the house. I wait for him to disappear to the back before I make my mad dash to the woods. My heart is pounding so loud, I swear everyone can hear me bolting to the woods. I am so panicked in my run that tears start trailing down my face. I am running for my life, quite literally, because if these wolves catch me, it’s game over and I’m back in the clutches of Callen.
Just as I reach the treeline, I hear screams from the packhouse. Dante must have discovered I am now missing and sent his men to search the property.
‘BREE I NEED YOU NOW!’ I scream at her and she lunges forward at that moment and we shift.
Now with Bree in control, she bolts into the woods and we keep plowing through the bushes and shrubbery until we see a fence up ahead. We are so close to getting off this property! We reach a corner of the fence and immediately start digging under to try and shimmy ourselves under the fence to our escape.
About halfway through our digging, something massive slams into us and pins us to the ground.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” The wolf snarls before commanding me to shift. He isn’t a gamma or higher because I don’t shift and Bree won’t follow the command of a wolf below her rank.
“Shift or I alert the alpha of your presence NOW!” That does it! I shift and as I shift so does the wolf.
I look up at the wolf and gasp, “CHARLEY?”
“Celeste? What are you doing on my alpha’s property?!” Charley realizes it’s me and we both look at each other with panic.
“I’ll explain everything to you later Charley, but right now, I need to get home! Please don’t tell him about me! Please!” I beg him.
He looks around and goes to the hole I was trying to dig under the fence, “C`mon! We don’t have much time!” He begins to help me dig and we both shift back to our wolves to dig quicker.
Just as the hole widens enough that Bree and I can crawl under, we hear someone call out to Charley.
“Hurry Celeste! Get as far away from here as you can! There’s a shack out by the lake that no one really knows about anymore. Hide there and when I’m off my shift, I’ll come to find you there! HURRY!” He shouts as he stands and starts shoving dirt back into the hole as I get my paws free on the other side and take off.
His instructions weren’t lost on me. Bree and I kept running until we reached the lake on the edge of town. Luckily there are tons of lakes in the area, but this lake is closest to the packhouse and I immediately see the shack Charley was referring to and make my way to it.
Inside, I see a cot, a water basin with a mirror, a small wood-burning stove, and a fireplace. This must be a hunter’s cabin. It’s too basic and the dust, dirt, and debris in here suggest no one has been here in a few decades.
When I shifted my clothes were shredded, but, luckily, I had my clutch purse already wrapped around me like a crossbody purse so when I shifted, I didn’t lose it, my money or my phone!
I sit on the cot after I shut the door and push a cabinet in front of it to secure myself inside. I grab my clutch and pull my phone out to start reading my messages. I have a TON of messages from several people.
I start with the most obvious - Joan. I heard Callen say he spoke with her so I know what her text messages probably say, but I have to know she’s okay.Joan: MAYDAY MAYDAY! Your time is up! Callen knows you’re gone!
Joan: He knows where you are Celeste! I had to tell him! I’m sorry! He threatened my parents if I didn’t tell him what he wanted to know.
Joan: Please tell me you are okay?
Joan: I’m sorry Celeste!
I can tell she feels bad. My heart aches for everyone back home. What have I done? The guilt hits my heart and gut and I immediately feel sick. I cup my mouth, run to the basin sink, and throw up.
I wipe my mouth, but before responding to her, I check my other messages.
Mom: I understand why you left. I don’t blame you. Your father and I love you. Be smart and protect yourself. Please reach out to us when you get somewhere you know you are safe. We will always love you - our daughter - Celeste.
After reading that, a wall I had put up in my heart from the hurt and anger of knowing my parents knew everything Callen did to me comes crashing down and I fall to the ground and cry. They knew and did nothing then, but now, they are giving me their blessing to run. They do love me, they just couldn’t step in the business of another alpha’s, even if it did have to do with their daughter, due to rank. At that moment, I just want to curl up and still be home, in my warm bed with my mom and dad hugging me. I miss everyone back home and wish so badly I was still back there and that Alpha Callen had never walked into my life!
Emi: Where did you go, Celeste? I thought we were best friends!? How could you not tell us!
Terry: Girl! What did you do? You had it made!
Emi: Joan, did you know about this?
Terry: She must have her reasons for not telling anyone.
Emi: Celeste, we love you and we got your back! Be safe, but bitch you better call us when you get to where you’re going so we know you are alive!
Terry: Yeah Celeste, text back an emoji if nothing else so we know you are safe!
I get up and go lay on the cot, curl up, and hug my knees. I’m freezing in here without clothes and apparently the only thing left in here is a tiny blanket on the cot. I use it to cover myself up, but it isn’t much. I’m scared to start a fire in the wood-burning stove/fireplace because I don’t want the smoke to signal my location to anyone. Eventually, I’ll need to go find clothes and make my way back to Charley’s place but he said he would find me here when it was safe so who knows how long that will be.
Satan: I’m coming to pick you up in an hour. Be ready for me when we get there little one.
Satan: I expect an answer when I text you little one!
Satan: I didn’t know you enjoyed your punishments so much. Be ready for another punishment like the last one when I get there if you don’t plan to answer me in the next five minutes!
Satan: WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU CELESTE?
Satan: DON’T MAKE ME TRACK YOUR PHONE!
Satan: YOU LEFT THE PACK! DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE RUNNING FROM ME? I do enjoy a good chase, game on little one.
Satan: Oh and I found you. I’m coming for you little one. If you thought that punishment was going to be bad when I got to your parents, just wait till I find you now!
OH FUCK! He’s tracking my phone! I have to get rid of this phone soon! That must be what really led him to Dante’s packhouse! FUCK!
I quickly decide to text Joan back before I disconnect the phone.
Me: I’m okay…for now. I know it isn’t your fault. I don’t blame you for anything! Thank you for everything you tried to do for me! Please let C know I’m safe and the view is beautiful and peaceful here.
Joan: OMG! CELESTE! I’m so glad you finally replied! I will. I love you girl! Stay safe!
Me: I will try. I have to disconnect my phone. Callen is using it to track me right now. I can’t risk him finding me further. He’s in the pack already.
Joan: Reach out to me when you know it’s safe again! I’ll tell C.
With that, I pop the sim card out of my phone, put it in my mouth, and bite down on it to crack it into a few pieces. After it’s cracked, I take it and bend it back and forth a few times until I know without a doubt, the sim card is destroyed and then I walk out to the lake and throw it in. Without that, they can’t track my phone. No service, no signal, no tracking. Problem solved.
As the day progresses, it slowly turns to night and that’s when I get the idea that I’m going to be spending the night here. I’m not sure how long one shift is for the wolves on patrol, but considering both Callen and Dante are now looking for me, they just don’t know they’re looking for the same girl, my guess is Charley won’t be coming for me tonight. Rather than lighting that fire my body oh so desperately needs for warmth, I opt to shift to my wolf form so Bree can keep me warm. The only reason she won’t shift is if Callen is in the area. Since we are far enough away from him, she doesn’t mind and actually is happy about it. I haven’t let her out much these days since I’m constantly working at the club and trying to stay hidden. Tomorrow morning, I can let her go hunt for breakfast too!
I drift to the back of Bree’s mind as I fade into a deep sleep.
I am jolted awake as I feel my body shift back to my human form.‘Bree what’s happening?!’‘I can sense him! He’s near!’ And with that, she disappears deep into my subconscious. SHIT! I scramble to my feet off the cot, grab the thin blanket, and wrap it around me. With Callen near, I can’t risk my scent getting out in the woods. Just as I come to my senses, I hear noise around the shack and start to freak out. The door to the shack flings open and Charley runs in and shuts the door.“They’re coming for your Celeste! Shh!” Charley whispers as he moves to a giant old and dingy rug I barely noticed covering the ground. I watch him as he pulls the rug up and lifts a door with a latch.He motions for me to come over to him and points to the dark hole in the ground. He wants me to climb into this dark hole in the ground that I didn’t even know existed. I’m so panicked I don’t even hesitate and start climbing the creaky wooden stairs down into the cellar-type hole. It’s dark, dusty and I d
“Where have you been?! You missed two shifts!” Mandy, the door receptionist at the club interrogates me the minute I step in the door. “I was sick and I dropped my phone and it broke. Sorry! I’m here though!”She gives me a glum and disapproving look, “Well hurry up! The club is starting to get full! Word out is a visiting alpha is in town with his men which means, eventually they will find their way here for some stress release! Be ready!”I nod and head to the back to begin getting ready for the night. Knowing some of Callen’s men might come in has me a little worried, but every girl here at one point doesn’t want someone to find them here so we have a few wigs in the dressing rooms for that exact reason. Any girl seen wearing one of these colorful wigs is a dead giveaway we are hiding from someone the night we are wearing the wig. The blue wig means we are hiding from an angry ex-boyfriend, the pink wig means we are hiding from family searching for us, purple means we are laying l
“Shh…shhh…Celeste! It’s me!” Charley says calmly as he pulls me into his embrace by the back door of the club and I exhale a huge breath. “Shhh…he thinks you’re running. He’s waiting out back by the dancer’s cars. If you would have opened that door, he would have grabbed you.” He whispers in my ear and all the tension in my body visibly relaxes.“What did you say to get him back there?” “I didn’t say anything. I saw him go back there when I was coming inside,” He smirked and I laughed. “Is the coast clear out front? Has the club closed?” I ask nervously.“It’s about to. C’mon, let’s get out of here before Alpha gives up waiting back there and comes back inside.”I nod, take his hand and follow him out front to where Frank and his truck await us. “Hey, sugar! Heard you needed an escape plan! Hop in!” Frank chuckles as he unlocks the truck doors.“Shut up Frank, just drive!” I growl as I slide into the middle seat of the single cab truck. “RO-OH-OW!” Frank squeals as he starts driv
As we walked to Charley’s truck, Dante now pushing my grocery basket, I decided to ask Dante some uncomfortable questions, “So where is your Luna?” I smirk. I know this answer, but I want to see how he responds.“I don’t have a Luna. You know this,” He glares at me acting like he’s insulted that I would ask. “How would I know that?” I asked him, confused.“You are one of my pack members. Everyone in my pack knows we don’t have a Luna and we won't ever have one, which raises the question, why do you not know this?” He stops when we get to the truck and he studies me. Shit!“Oh yeah! I forgot! Silly me!” I give him a silly yet nonreassuring laugh, hoping to play off my terrible attempt to distract him.He rolled his eyes. It worked! Phew!“So…what do you plan to do without a Luna?” This no Luna thing still has me confused. I make a mental note to ask Charley and Frank when I get home.He shrugs, “This your truck?” He is clearly deflecting. I guess you really can’t bullshit a bullshitte
Charley and Frank didn’t miss a beat on that note. Both their eyes grew big and Charley spat out the sip of beer he was beginning to drink.“Our alpha is your MATE?!” Charley exclaimed as he wiped his mouth and shirt of the sprinkles of beer he spat out on himself and around him.“How long have you known?” Frank asked more level-headedly.“Since I met him at work. He asked for a dance, requesting me by name. I don’t know how he knew my name but he did,” I explained as I poured the pasta I was cooking into bowls for each of us to eat before sitting at the table with them.“Dude…you know how pissed the Alpha is going to be when he finds out we’ve been hiding his MATE at our place?!” Charley groaned out to Frank.“He doesn’t know she’s his mate. Remember…the curse,” Frank looked at Charley while he took a big bite of the pasta.They both look
At the club, all the girls hugged me and welcomed me back with open arms. It was nice being around people that showed genuine concern for me. I don’t think my soul and heart will ever fully heal, but being around people that I knew cared about me helped soften the dull ache in the pit of my stomach and around my chest.I was doing pretty good that night between tips, dances, and stage money collections. It made me feel better about some things. I was really missing my friends from back home, but I knew I couldn’t reach out to them without being found out and now that I don’t have my own cell phone, I needed to use some of my money to buy a burner phone so I could still reach out to them and let them know I was okay. I made a mental note to pick one up tonight on my way home from work.“Celeste, some guys came in about a week or two ago looking for you…are you okay? Did they find you?” Kelsey, one of the dancers, asked me when she ca
“Shhh! Shhh! It’s me, Celeste! It’s Frank!” I was in the middle of hyperventilating at the thought that Callen had caught me when I realized what he said and it wasn’t Callen. He removed his hand from my mouth and let me go. “What the fuck Frank!?” I growled, turning around to smack him in the chest. “SHHH! I was trying to stop you before you went inside so I could warn you! The Alpha is inside finishing up a business deal. You should wait in the truck until he leaves.” “Frank, as sweet as it is that you thought to tell me, I can’t be late for my shift or they will fire me. Especially after my two-week hiatus. I’ll just avoid the VIP lounge for now.” I go to grab the back door and walk inside. “Be safe Celeste. You don’t want the Alpha to see you working here, after he forbid you from working here anymore. Nothing good can come from that,” Frank whined, staring at me with such a caring and concerning look. “I don’t deserve you and Charley,” I smiled at him and hugged him befor
Dante presses his lips to my closed eyelids in the most gentle and tender soft way. It sent tingles and flutters to my stomach and straight to my core. The mate bond is really pulling us together and working hard, that’s for sure!“Why are you so scared, precious?” He coos into my ear as he trails gentle kisses down my neck to my marking spot, which instantly creates a pool of arousal in my panties, “I won’t hurt you. I think I’ve proven that much.” He pulls away and sits next to me before pulling me on top of him to straddle him. Dante allowing me on top of him is his way of giving me the opportunity to control him and dominate him, which is a pretty big deal for an alpha to do. It’s a sign to show trust and care for their partner. This comforted me a bit, so I took a deep breath and said, “I can’t work anywhere else because I don’t have an ID or pack permission to be here…yet.”There. I’ve confessed. This could be a disaster. If he was going to be vulnerable with me, I would give h