Page 27 of Ensnaring Their Rabbit

After long minutes of scenting and cuddling, exhaustion hit us, and we climbed into our makeshift bed. I had to say, even with the dank smells and hard packed floor beneath us, it wasn’t the worst place I’d slept. The twins were like my own personal radiators, keeping me warm and safe and protected in their arms. I let myself relax and drift off into the most restful sleep I’d had in weeks, maybe even years.

CHAPTER18

REEVE

We leftthe safety of our shelter just after dusk. There was some argument when we first woke up, about whether we should wait till nighttime to make a run for it or not. In the end, we decided we’d be way more obvious walking through the city at night, and we wanted to be well out of its limits before news got out about our escape.

I had no idea what Laurent did to delay it, but we took a risk and turned on the burner phone, just long enough to do a quick news search, and there was nothing about two escaped convicts from Western. Even though that didn’t mean we were completely in the clear–they still could have the cops looking for us without the media being alerted–we took it as a good thing, and a sign to get out of dodge before shit blew up. The fewer people looking for us, the better.

Brynn snuck into the diner and was able to grab us some day old rolls and an entire package of uncooked bacon. He also got himself a wrinkled tomato and bruised apples. Brynn seemed happy with his haul, so I kept my mouth shut, not letting the guilt get to me. We needed to get to safety before we could properly take care of our omega, but I vowed as soon as we did, he’d never have to make due with partially rotten fruit and stale rolls again.

The city was still quiet when we ventured out, but there were enough people out and about that we didn’t draw attention. This side of the Ashbrook had very little police presence–they couldn’t be bothered–which worked in our favor. We walked with our heads dead down to avoid any cameras, but at a normal pace, until we got to the metro station.

“The only way out of here is through the human side. Our best bet is to take the metro and stay on it till the last stop, which is on the edge of the suburbs, then we can either sneak onto a bus or hoof it till we’re out of city limits. After that, it’ll be up to you two to find your property.”

Riven glanced at me, but I ignored it.Ifwe could find the property. It was one of my worries. We had never actually seen it in person, and it had been so fucking long since we’d been out in the world. It was why we were trusting Brynn explicitly with this part of our escape. While the city hadn’t changed too much in a decade, it was enough that I didn’t feel confident in navigating it. But this was Brynn’s home, he knew the streets better than the back of his hand. If he said this was the way out, then it was. After that, well, luck had been on our side so far, hopefully it would last a little longer and get us to where we needed to be.

“Sounds good.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Lead the way.”

Brynn’s eyes bounced back and forth between us, and there was a little fear there. Finally, he straightened his shoulders and nodded firmly. “Alright.” He dug out the cash that Laurent gave us and handed some of it to each of us. “There are a bunch of different kiosks down there. Just pick one and get your ticket. One way. Green Line, last station. It’s really straightforward. Keep your heads down. Cameras are everywhere. Oh and try not to stand right next to each other. They’ll be looking for three people, or at least twins. Don’t make it easy on them.”

Right. I fucking hated that. I didn’t want both Riven and Brynn out of my reach, but I got it. Once he was sure we’d listen, Brynn flashed us a reassuring smile. “I’ll go first.”

He climbed down the stairs, looking sure and confident, and I watched like a dumbass until I could no longer see him. Riven growled as soon as he was out of sight. I squeezed the back of his neck, knowing this would be the last time I could touch him until we were away from all the fucking cameras of the city. “Easy. Focus on the bond. You can feel him. He’s safe.”

It was a reminder to myself as much as it was to Riv, but he eased up a little. “Right. Sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. I hate it, too. You go now. Remember what Brynn said but keep both of us in your line of sight if you can.”

“Got it.”

Riv went down. I counted a full fifteen seconds after I could no longer see him to follow. We probably looked ridiculous, but whatever. It it got us the fuck out of dodge, it would be worth it.

The station was loud and crowded despite it being so fucking early. People dashed this way and that with no regard to anyone around them. Moms held tightly to their pups’ hands, careful to keep them away from the tracks. Three different musicians played their instruments, the sounds battling with each other. A staticky voice over a speaker announced a delayed train.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and trying to compartmentalize. It was all too much at one time, but I had no choice except to push through. I let all the sounds fade away and focused on the thrumming in my chest, the bright bond that connected me to Brynn and through him, Riven.

I opened my eyes, feeling much calmer. All the overwhelming sounds and scents were right there under the surface, but I could breathe a little easier as long as I kept my attention on the bond. I leaned against the wall, needing something at my back, and scanned my surroundings for Riv and Brynn.

I found Brynn at one of the kiosks buying his ticket. I was glad Laurent thought to give us some cash. I’d hate to have this whole second chance at freedom ended because we jumped the turnstile at the metro.

Riven was hovering–there was no better word for it–about ten feet away. He was staring at Brynn with such intensity we were lucky no one was paying attention or they’d think he was stalking him.

Once Brynn had his ticket he shoved his change in his pocket. He didn’t even look at me as he walked past and headed toward the signs that said Green Line. It sprung me into motion, and I headed to one of the kiosks to buy my own ticket.

At some point, this was a common occurrence for me. I had a metro card and took the metro to jobs nearly every day. But it had been so long, and I felt out of practice as I stumbled with the machine. Brynn was right in that it was straightforward, but I hadn’t really used technology in so long.

Finally, I managed to get the right ticket, and I quickly grabbed it and put my change away. All my instincts were on high alert when I walked toward the turnstyle and to the train. It felt like all eyes were on me, wondering why I was a dumbass who couldn’t even use a ticket machine correctly. But no one was actually watching, and I got through and to the track with no issues, using the bond to follow Brynn and Riven.

It wasn’t until we got on the train that it occurred to me we wouldn’t be able to sit together. I took a seat in the back so I could keep my eyes on both of them. They sat across from each other and two rows apart. The train doors closed, and I was…not okay.

It was too enclosed. I was locked in, again. If danger came there was nowhere for us to go. It was a bad idea. A bad, bad idea. I stood up. I needed to get off. I needed to breathe. I needed to–

The train started, and I stumbled back to my seat, trying to get air in my lungs. It reeked of shifter. Predator, prey, all of the scents blended together, making me nauseous. It was worse than the prison. Didn’t they ever air this thing out? How did shifters deal with this? How did I deal with this?

I felt a pulse through the bond that had my head snapping up. I instinctively turned toward where Brynn was sitting. He wasn’t looking at me, but I knew it was him. There was another one, sending all the calm waves, all the love. I sucked in a breath, clinging to that pleasant feeling deep within my chest. I wished I could hug Brynn, kiss him, tell him thank you. But all I could do was focus on the bond and hope he could feel my gratitude through it the way I felt him. It was all so new, we were just feeling it out, but when I glimpsed his small smile, I could tell he felt me.

I relaxed back in the seat and managed to keep that calm and warm feeling as the train lumbered on. At each stop a new wave of anxiety shot through me. Every stop was a chance for the police to come on and grab us. If that happened, we would be fucked. We were sitting ducks in this steel death trap, but there was nothing we could do but wait and be ready.

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