Page 6 of Heron's Flame

I stayed here long after I should have gone, unable to leave because I’d run for the last eighteen months and didn’t want to keep doing it anymore. For the first time, I found a place where I fit in. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder in fear. Behind these gates, I was safe.

If I wanted to stay that way, I had to keep my mouth shut and keep a low profile.

My ex could never find me.

I’d run to one of the most populated cities in the U.S. to avoid detection, coming to Las Vegas so that I would blend in and be hidden among all the people. I never anticipated the wolves. Undertaker’s pack found me during a full moon and brought me to Lake Alpine in California, where I met the ruthless Alpha of their pack.

My breath caught in my throat as I thought of the months I spent there. It wasn’t the worst I endured. No, Paul, my former fiancé, was capable ofmuchworse.

Right when I had given up hope of ever escaping, Crow’s club showed up at Lake Alpine. They rescued all the women from Undertaker’s land and set us free. I met Bella on the ride back to The Roost since I had nowhere else to go. She was the first person to believe my story about the wolves. How did I run from an abusive relationship and end up kidnapped by shifters? It shouldn’t have been possible.

If I had never seen those men change in front of me, I would have doubted what they were, but I witnessed it numerous times. Hell, I was hunted more than once. Undertaker liked to use us as bait. I sighed as I shook my head, still trying to come to terms with the fact that Undertaker was gone. Crow and his club defeated the vargulf. They separated that evil part of him and destroyed it. Only Alpha Caden remained, no longer the bloodthirsty beast he’d once been.

It was a complicated mess—another reason to avoid Heron. The guy wasn’t around when all this shit went down. He probably didn’t believe it. I didn’t have the energy to convince him.

“You’re deep in thought.”

I blinked, watching as Bella joined me at an empty table in the bar. “Yeah.”

“I’m a good listener, you know.”

I didn’t doubt it. “I’m sure that’s true.”

“Then unburden yourself, Rebel. You’ve been holding back since the day you arrived. It’s been a year, babe. Talk to me. If not me, then Bree. She’d understand if no one else did.”

Bree, Bella’s sister, had been through shit I couldn’t fathom. She’d been hurt in the worst way possible. Kidnapped. Beaten. Tortured. Raped.

God. My heart ached for her. “I know,” I admitted.

“Okay. I won’t push.”

I gave her a look.

She laughed. “Fine. I won’t push anymore tonight.”

I snorted. “At least you’re honest.”

Bella picked up her longneck bottle and tapped her beer against mine. “To honesty and friendship. Cheers!”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Cheers.”

We clinked, each took a sip, and settled back in our seats.

“I love it here, Bella. You know that. It’s the only place I’ve felt safe for a long time.”

“I wish I knew why.” She set her empty bottle down and pushed it away. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to keep secrets or hide. You’re holding back so much. It’s your choice to do that,” she added, “but I worry about you, Rebel. Holding everything in isn’t good. I watched Bree go through the same thing. It’ll rip you apart from the inside out.”

She was right, but I couldn’t disclose that. “Give me some time. I process things slowly,” I teased.

“I’m here for you no matter how long it takes.”

“That’s why you’re my ride-or-die bitch.”

“Damn fucking straight.” She tossed her long dark hair over her shoulder and winked. “We should go for a ride.”

“Right now?” I asked. It was already after one in the morning.

“Right now. You comin’?”

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