Page 97 of Bind Me

“Fuck, that’s him,” I shout to Kaden, taking off after Zane with a burst of adrenaline. Kaden’s there in seconds, thundering like a train behind me.

We chase Zane through the bustling dock area, weaving between crates and containers. My heart pounds in my chest, a savage determination driving me forward, Kaden’s footfalls a steady beat beside me. The salty sea air fills my lungs as we sprint past workers loading and unloading cargo, their confused gazes following our frantic pursuit.

Zane is fast, his bulky frame surprisingly agile as he darts around the shipping containers like a rat fleeing the light. The docks are alive with activity, workers shouting instructions to each other, forklifts beeping as they move pallets, and the low hum of ships idling in the harbor. The sound is almost overwhelming, but my focus remains fixed on Zane’s retreating figure.

We dodge past a group of men unloading a crate of fish, their shouts of surprise barely registering as we race by. One of them tries to grab my arm, probably thinking I’m a thief or worse, but I jerk free, the urgency of our mission driving me onward. I can hear Kaden behind me, cursing under his breath as he pushes past obstacles with brute force.

“Out of the way!” I yell, ducking under a crane arm that swings overhead. The operator shouts something in Norwegian, but I’m already past him, my eyes locked on Zane, who’s slipping into the shadows between two stacked shipping containers.

For a moment, I lose sight of him in the maze of metal and rust. My heart skips a beat, panic rising in my chest. But then I spot a flicker of movement—a flash of his overalls disappearing around a corner.

“There!” I shout, pointing as Kaden skids to a halt beside me, his gaze following my gesture.

We take off again and burst into an open area, a loading bay where a ship is being prepared for departure. Workers pause to watch us, more curious than surprised. The smell of oil and salt hangs heavy in the air. Zane is just ahead, slipping through the crowd, his gaze darting around as he searches for an escape route.

Kaden and I split up, flanking him on both sides. I duck behind a stack of wooden pallets, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I watch Zane attempt to blend in with a group of sailors, but his broad shoulders and distinctive gait give him away. I lock eyes with Kaden, who nods in understanding.

We converge on him, moving swiftly through the throng of people. A sailor steps in my path, asking if I’m lost, but I brush past him with a hurried apology. There’s no time for explanations, no time to lose our target. Zane’s red, round face flickers with recognition as he spots us closing in, his lips curling into a sneer.

Just as he’s about to slip away again, Kaden lunges, his hand grazing Zane’s shoulder. The impact spins Zane around. He stumbles back, crashing into a stack of crates, sending them tumbling to the ground. Zane regains his balance and bolts to the edge of the dock.

Fuck!

I’m breathing heavily, my legs pushing after him, Kaden close by. We’re gaining on him, the distance between us shrinking with every stride.

He rounds a corner, disappearing behind a towering pile of rusted shipping containers. For a heartbeat, I fear we’ve lost him again, but as we sprint forward, I catch a glimpse of him slipping into an alleyway that leads toward another section of the wharf.

“This way!” I shout, and we pivot, our feet pounding the pavement as we close the gap. Zane glances over his shoulder, his face twisted with frustration, and pushes himself to run faster.

Fucker, you’re not going anywhere!

The alley opens onto a quieter part of the docks, a place where abandoned ships bob listlessly in the water. Zane’s footsteps echo hollowly as he races toward a derelict vessel.

Kaden veers left around a container left near the road, motioning for me to take the opposite direction. I nod, turning right, and as I round the corner, I find myself face-to-face with Zane.

“Fucking bitch, you found me,” he gasps the words breathlessly. “But big fucking deal… because I’ve got you now, and you have no idea what shit you’re in.” His voice is a low growl. He lunges at me, swinging a massive fist at my face.

Breathing fast, I duck to the side, driving my elbow sharply into his ribs. He grunts, spinning around, and I take the opportunity to kick the back of his knee, sending him sprawling onto his hands and knees.

Fury surges through me, hot and fierce. As he struggles to get up, I can see the trembling in his limbs, the telltale signs of a shifter on the verge of transformation.

I catch a glimpse of Kaden approaching, his eyes blazing with fury, and the wolf inside me stirs, a growl rumbling just beneath my consciousness. I can feel her power, a fierce command urging me to let her out. The sensation is overwhelming, a primal instinct that resonates through every fiber of my being. It’s as if she’s speaking to me in my mind, and I find myself whispering, You can come out.

I surrender to the call, allowing my wolf to emerge. The transformation is swift, a rush as my body begins to change. It’s not painful, but I feel every shift, every stretch of muscle and bone as they rearrange themselves. My skin tingles, the sensation spreading through my limbs as white fur erupts.

There’s a moment of disorientation as I drop to all fours, the world tilting to accommodate my new perspective. I’m grounded now, paws digging into the gritty surface, my senses sharp… sounds louder, sight crisper. I inhale the salt of the sea, the sweat of exertion, the metallic tang of Zane’s fear.

It’s only the second time I’ve transformed in as many days, but the wolf feels natural, as though she’s always been a part of me, waiting for her moment. My ears flicker, catching the sound of Zane’s ragged breath and the scuffle of his boots as he tries to scramble away. But he’s too slow, and I’m on him in a heartbeat.

I lunge at Zane before he can completely rise to his feet, a growl rumbling deep in my chest. He throws an arm up in defense, but I bat it aside with ease, my claws raking across his sleeve. He cries out, the sound music to my ears as I snap my jaws, catching the fabric of his shirt and tearing it away.

I bowl him over, and he’s rolling to his back, arms up to defend himself. A growl rumbles in my chest, and I snap at his arms again, my teeth tearing at his skin. He cries out, and I latch onto his throat, pressing down just enough to draw blood but not kill him. He’s not transforming because in his vulnerable position, I could rip out his throat if he tries… and he knows it.

I let out a low warning growl, my eyes on Zane’s, daring him to make a move. It’s an ultimatum, a demand for submission, and he seems to understand.

“Fuck,” he gurgles. “Fine, just let me go.”

A shadow falls over us, and I inhale Kaden’s scent—a mix of pine woods, seawater, and something uniquely him. He steps on Zane’s forearm, and when I glance down, I see the glint of a blade in his grip.

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