Page 19 of Connected

“And what about them? The other wolves, Zak, we can’t just leave them here.”

“Well, we can’t let them out, not right now. Kat, they’re all-in wolf form and they can’t shift back while they’re pregnant.” He sighs, seeing the look on her face pleading with him to help them. “But I promise, we’ll come back for them. We’ll get them out, but first, we need to get away from here—find the rest of the team and get some help. Then we’ll come back and take care of this—take care of Alvarez and get that fuckin’ thing off your neck.”

“We should wait, for him to come back. Zak—Alvarez has the key.”

“No. No, we need to make a move and find the others. They’re gonna be lookin’ for us—Digby and Darius. Then we’ll come back and get that fuckin’ son-of-a-bitch.”

“Okay yeah. Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

She frowns, watching as he picks up the pants from the chair and pulls them on to cover his naked body. Then he tugs at what’s left of Raul—his wolf’s attack on him less severe and he strips him of his bloodied, torn shirt.

“Zak, what the hell are you doing?”

“Come here,” he smiles, pulling the remnants of fabric around her shoulders. Buttoning the front of the large shirt—it makes a type of dress that gives her at least a little modesty.

Kat laughs, seeing him in the pants, which are about five inches too short on his legs and show his ankles. Luckily, with Luiz being so much fatter, they’re huge on the waist and Zak pulls the belt, gathering them to his hips.

“What?” he smirks. “Hey, don’t laugh, maybe it will be a new fashion trend?” He then picks up the handguns laid amongst the bloodied bodies and wiping them, he gives one to Kat. “All right c’mon, let’s find a way outta here.”

Chapter 7

Stepping outside, both Kat and Zak take a deep breath of the fresh air. It’s less humid and smells far more pleasant than what they’ve been subjected to inside their prison.

The rain stops, the clouds break and the bright moon shines down, bathing everything around them in a warm glow of white light.

Looking beyond the compound into the darkness, Kat frowns. “So, what do we do now?”

“First, we get as far as we can away from here. We’ll go that way and follow the track, stick to the undergrowth. Alvarez has gotta come back this way, as it…” he swings around looking in every direction, “looks like it’s only one road. We stay off the track and hopefully they won’t see us, but we’ll be able to see them when they come past.”

“Yeah, good point,” she smiles hesitantly.

“All right then, let’s get going.”

Kat looks back at the building they’re abandoning and frowns. “Zak wait. Are you sure about this? I mean, about us leaving them. Shouldn’t we at least try to get them out before we go? They might be in danger if Alvarez comes back, and he realizes we’re gone, he might kill them.”

“Kat, we can’t get them out safely, right now. So, it’s just a chance we’re gonna have to take—we’ve got no choice. Most of them have been drugged, and we don’t know what condition they’re in to move them or if they’re even friendly. Trust me, they’re safer left where they are for now. But I promise we’ll get help and come back for them just as soon as we can. Kat, if we get killed stayin’ here, then no one is comin’ to save them, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. Zak, sorry. I’m just so tired, I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with me.”

“I know—I know you are, but let’s concentrate on getting away from here, and then we’ll find somewhere to rest up.” He places his hand gently against her cheek—stroking it softly before he kisses her lips. “Kat, we’re gonna be fine. Trust me, I won’t let anythin’ happen to you—hell, if I do then Digby will kill me anyways,” he smiles.

“Zak… sorry, I know I sound like I’m whining; it’s just… I really don’t feel like myself right now. I feel kinda odd. Being without her—Luna—I didn’t realize I would feel like this. I mean, she’s always been in my head and it just feels so strange with her not there.”

“It’s okay. Kat, we’re gonna get that thing off you and you’re gonna get her back. Now come on, start actin’ like a big girl—you’re slowin’ me down,” he laughs.

“Yeah, right, and thanks for that,” she smiles, brushing her lips to his.

He grabs hold of her hand and leads them back into the dense greenery of jungle foliage. They have no idea of the time—or even the direction they’re headed as they concentrate on following a path—keeping as parallel to the road as they can weaving a path through the tangle of leaves and trees.

“Oww…” Kat winces, as sharp prickly vegetation cuts at her bare feet and legs—things like this never bothered her before, but now without Luna’s strength for protection, she can feel everything. The smells that now fill her nostrils give her a weird sensation that makes her head spin—that and the fact she’s had nothing to eat and very little to drink. “Zak, I think I need to stop. I—” she places a hand to her throat where the collar is cutting into her skin and groans, “Oww… ow!” She crouches down, taking deep breaths. “Oh God, I don’t mean to whine but this fucking thing hurts so bad.”

“Okay, so just wait there and take a moment. I’ll have a scout around, see if I can find somewhere safe for us to rest up.”

He’s not sure where they might go and ideally, he’d like to have got farther away so when Alvarez came back it might take longer to find them, but he also knows Kat’s not in great shape—not being a wolf—she really needs to rest.

Then the rain falls, soaking them through. “Fuck,” he curses loudly. “That’s all we damn well need.”

He growls then sets off faster; farther away from the road and it’s not long before he finds an oddly shaped outcrop of rocks. The way the large boulders sit on top of each other creates an overhang which makes it into a secluded and almost cave-like area. It’s still quite exposed to the elements, but there is enough room beneath it for them to shelter from the rain and he hurries back to collect Kat.

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