Page 1 of Marigold Run

Two Years Ago

Mari

“There’s no point in running!” a massive alpha mocks us as we rush through thick forest.

“Stefan!” I yell at my brother when he stumbles. I grab his wrist, trying to steady him. I know he’s exhausted. We’ve been running over the rough terrain for hours…or at least it feels like it. My thighs burn and my back aches, but determination pumps in my veins.

I won’t let those alphas hurt my brother.

“Give it up, little omegas.” Another alpha chuckles and the hair along the back of my neck rises. He’s close.Very close.

A soft sob jerks from Stefan’s throat as he pumps his twig-like arms and legs. He’s so small and underfed. I’ve done the best I can in the two years we’ve been living on the run, but it’s so hard to feed myself, let alone two people.

“Don’t stop,” I grit out, tugging my brother down a steep hill. The sloped ground gives my thighs a bit of relief, but not much.

“I c-can’t…” Stefan pants, his thin chest rising and falling. His dirty blond hair hangs in his face. “I can’t breathe.”

“I know.” I pull his arm even harder, forcing his feet to move. His last inhaler ran out over a year ago.

“Mari,” Stefan wheezes my name and his knees give out.

“No!” I scream, begging him to keep moving. “Don’t give up.” I hitch his arm over my shoulder and heave him to his feet. I risk a quick look behind us and dread cuts through my gut.

Two tattooed, shirtless alphas stroll down the hill toward us. They look almost ecstatic, their biceps flexing and their fists curling tight. They both have very similar features with the same long black hair. One wears his in a low ponytail and the other one’s falls over his shoulders. Their matching light brown eyes drink in Stefan’s slight form, then mine. They must be brothers.

“Come on.” The alpha with the ponytail chuckles. “We won’t hurt you.”

I want to laugh at his obvious lie.

Grunting, I force Stefan to lean on me as we walk. “Keep going,” I command. I know it’s pointless. They’re going to catch us. Abuse us. Rape us. But I have to try. Even if it’s pointless.

My scent is simply too easy to track.

Stefan smells like flowers—thick jasmine and soft primrose. He’s easier to hide in a forest, but my peppermint perfume is impossible to mask out here. Even the thickest layer of mud on my skin barely mutes my scent.

“There’s nowhere to go.” The other alpha’s voice is rough. Almost like he’s been screaming for hours on end.

I let out a high-pitched growl, lugging my brother down the hill and over the twisted roots All too quickly, sloped ground levels out, and my heart stops as the trees part.

A defeated sob bubbles from Stefan’s throat as we stare at an unexpected cliff. I don’t need to look over the edge to know we’re too high up to jump.

“It’s okay,” I whisper as I lower him to the ground. I should take this moment to apologize for what these alphas will probably do to us, but I can’t force the words from my throat. After all, this is my fault.

I got lazy, relaxing and swimming in a cave near the river. I didn’t catch their scents until it was too late. I panicked and left behind our few belongings.I should have grabbed my pocket knife.The tiny blade was too short for a stab to the heart, but it was perfect for jabbing someone in the neck. It could provide a quick, deep wound. One that only took seconds to take down an alpha.

But I was stupid and left our only weapon behind.

“It’s going to be okay,” I lie to my baby brother, helping him slip onto the forest floor.

“Easy there, blondie.” Ponytail hitches up his pants, coming to a stop a few feet from me. His bare chest glistens with sweat. It makes his tattoos stand out, almost shimmering in the sun. I eye the words TENUS PACK across his abs, then I look down his body at the huge bulge pressing against his zipper.

Bitter fear spreads across my tongue and my jaw tightens. “Don’t come any closer,” I warn, moving myself between the pair of alphas and my brother. My weak body is a pathetic shield, but I refuse to give up that easy.

“I think we’ve got a fighter.” the rough-voiced alpha palms his crotch.

My stomach churns and my mind races.How do I get Stefan out of this?

“Are you two lost?” I ask, trying to buy time as I check out the ground around my bare feet. There are no rocks or sticks to use as weapons. Just smooth, lush grass.Fuck.

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