Page 51 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

Drawing away from him, I instantly decide where I’m going to go. The greenhouse. “Good luck to you,” I say, turning on my flashlight and heading down the stairs.

I don’t watch where they go. I’m too excited to go to my perfect hiding place. There aren’t a lot of things to leave my scent on along the way, with the neatly trimmed paths, so I think I have a solid chance of winning this game.

The darkness of the night closes in around me. For a while, I see flashlights bouncing in every direction. But as I keep going to the lesser known area of the greenhouse, the flashlights disappear, and it’s just me, alone with my light. The wind picks up, and instead of bringing a welcoming chill, it just leaves a chill.

I’m biting my lip by the time I reach the greenhouse.Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. Maybe I should go back where theothers are.Except, this is a game. I’m supposed to end up alone, so I don’t get caught. I’m worrying too much, not that anyone could blame me after all I’ve been through, but not everything is dangerous. Not everything has to be scary and horrible.

Entering the greenhouse, I go until I reach the back corner, where I find a stool. Sitting down, I breathe a sigh of relief. As beautiful as the pale blue dress is, it’s also very heavy. And these shoes aren’t the most comfortable to walk in.

Flicking off my light, I wait, alone in the dark. Minutes tick by. My anxiety starts to creep back up. I angrily try to push it away. All I want is to be normal. I want to go back to the way I was before, when I didn’t have anxiety. When, if I was worried like this, I’d know it was my instincts, and I should listen to them. Now, with anxiety warning me abouteverything, I can’t trust it to tell me when I’m truly in danger. And I can’t imagine I’m in danger in this greenhouse.

I see a flashlight outside the greenhouse. It bounces around in the dark. Holding my breath, I wait, wondering if it’s Cayson and Ezra, or if it’s some other seeker mistakenly coming to find me.

“Faye,” Kurt calls, his voice dark and playful.

My blood turns to ice.No, no this can’t be happening.

Water rushes in my ears and my heart hammers. I squeeze the flashlight as hard as I can, willing myself to calm down.It's okay. I can get away from him. Just not if I'm trapped in the greenhouse.

The flashlight continues to bounce around, probably checking the bushes and trees. He might have picked up my scent, but I was careful. He won’t know where I am, at least not right off the bat.

As silently as possible, I climb off the stool and duck down. Crawling on my hands and knees, I try to make my way back tothe door of the greenhouse. I don’t want him to see my shadow, or my movement.

But if he reaches the door before I do, I’ll be right near him, right within his grasp. And I can’t be. I need to be faster than him, and silent.

Creeping along, trying not to breathe too deeply or let my heart race too loudly, I keep going. I’m aware of the light near me, of the shadows and the light fighting as his flashlight moves around.

I should’ve stayed closer to the others. I should have hidden with Xander or Maverick.It was foolish of me to think he wouldn't try to find me when I was alone and vulnerable.

I’m berating myself, trying to fight off the terror that’s threatening to swallow me at just the awareness that Kurt is so close and that I’m alone. Kurt, a man capable of murder, a man I’ve pissed off over and over again. A man who was humiliated tonight. It’s strange just how confident I’ve become when I’m around my guys, and upsetting to realize how vulnerable I actually am the second I’m out of their protection.

Glancing up at the row of plants I’m behind, I realize I’m nearly to the door. It’s also the same moment that I realize Kurt’s light has disappeared. There’s only darkness now. I want to believe that means he’s left, and that I’m safe, but I just don’t think I’m lucky.

The end of the row of plants is just up ahead. The door just beyond that. All I have to do is reach that door, and then I’ll have room to run. A chance to be seen by others if he tries to hurt me.

Crawling a few more steps forward, I reach the end of the row of plants and peek out. My eyes land on something, something I’m not sure about as the shadows separate themselves, and then horror uncurls within my belly. I’m staring at legs.

My gaze slowly moves up, and I see Kurt smiling down at me.

A tremble rolls through me, and I don’t move, frozen in horror. I hope against all hope that I’ve conjured up this image of Kurt from my nightmares, and that he’s not really standing in front of me.

“Hello, Faye,” he greets, his voice low and pleased. “You’re exactly where I want you to be.”

He reaches forward and flicks open the button on his pants, then slides down his zipper.

“No,” I say, terror grasping me tightly. “Leave me alone. Just get away from me. Please. Please. I don’t want this.”

His smile widens, and he reaches out, but he doesn’t quite touch me. “Yes, you do. Believe me, Faye, I’m not doing this for me. After all you’ve done to me, the only thing I want to do to you is teach you a lesson. Remind you of your place.”

I start crying. I can’t help myself. Broken sobs come over me. I need to yell. I know I need to, but I’m just so scared.

A large shadow rises up behind Kurt, and before I can comprehend what's happening, Kurt’s suddenly dragged back from me. He makes a shrill, surprised sound that's abruptly cut off into nothing.

I brush back my tears and see Xander with his arm around Kurt’s neck, squeezing with all his might. His expression is something worse than anger, something darker and more dangerous.

Kurt flails about, clawing at the arm with his nails, but Xander is someone else. Something else. His expression is dark and intense. His mouth is drawn into a firm line.

I try to stand but fall several times, my legs shaking too badly to support myself. I finally make it to my feet. All I want is for Xander to hold me, but he’s still squeezing Kurt’s neck. I find myself standing, watching as the life drains out of Kurt. His panic is so similar to the panic I saw on my brother’s face.

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