Page 20 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

Now what do I do?

The sounds of people arriving in the village are pretty distant, so I believe if I could find a weak point, I’d be able to get away without being seen. I run my hands over the walls, looking for cracked planks or loose screws.

Along the outer wall, I suddenly find a plank that’s bouncier than the rest of the wall. I press on it hard, and the wood groans in protest.

Stepping back, I take a look at the wall. The planks in one section are a slightly different color to the rest.

It’s a boarded-up window!

New strength floods through me as I feel around for the edges of the wooden planks. Excitement builds as I get a good grip on one of them and tug it easily away from the wall. The wood shrieks a little as it cracks, and nails scatter across the floor.

I’m going to see my son!

Darkness has been creeping into the cabin for some time now. The sun must be setting. I can’t bear to stay away from Caleb for another night.

Growling with determination, I rip another board off the wall. I get cuts on my hands, but I don’t even care. I pull off one more plank, and the hole is big enough for me to crawl through.

To my relief, there’s no glass, just an open space. I pull myself up, wriggle through, and fall into a pile on the ground on the other side.

I don’t hesitate for a second—I shift into my wolf and bolt.

No mistakes this time! I’m coming home, Caleb!

As I run through the woods, I keep my senses on high alert. My ears are pricked up to catch the slightest sounds, and I keep my nose high as I search for any sign of other wolves. Hope blooms in my chest as I see the next line of mountains rearing up ahead of me. I’ve still got a lot of ground to cover, but I’m definitely on my way home.

That’s when I hear a sound behind me.

No! Not again!

I keep my ears pointed in that direction and take a big sniff of the air. They must be downwind, and I can’t catch the scent. I’m beginning to think I imagined it when I hear it again.

Fear flooding through me, I turn and run. My suspicions are confirmed when the noises behind me increase—I’m being chased.

My chest cramps up, but I refuse to let the terror win. I put all my effort into running, focusing on seeing Caleb again. It gives me the strength to keep going, and I run faster and farther than I ever thought I could.

But by the time I reach the next peak, the other wolf is still gaining on me.

I’m trembling with exhaustion as I turn to run down the mountain. He’s still right on my tail. Sobs of fear escape me, even as I try to hold them in.

I can’t stay ahead of him!

I hear a sharp, short growl, and I’m knocked off my feet as the other wolf pounces on me. We hit the ground hard and roll, getting bruised and bloodied as we roll down the hill together.

A huge tree stops our fall, smashing the breath from my lungs and making me cry out. The shock shifts me back to human form, and I look up in terror, waiting to see Tobias looming over me.

“Rider?” I shriek, recognizing him even in the pale light of the stars.

“Fiona,” he gasps. “Stop trying to run away! Please!”

“What happened to you?” I ask, seeing the bruises and cuts on him.

“You should see the other guy,” he laughs softly. “I hunted Tobias down and taught him a lesson he won’t soon forget. But come on, let’s get you home.”

You aren’t my home!

He stretches out his hand. I stare at it for a second, then take it, letting him help me up. Then I yank as hard as I can, making him stumble forward. I land a kick on his ribs and try to harden my heart against his cry of pain as I turn and run.

It’s too soon to summon my wolf. All I have is my own two feet and strength of will. I can only hope I’ve disabled Rider long enough to get ahead of him.

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