Page 22 of Grace of a Wolf 1
He swoops in to kiss me, but I get my hand between our lips just in time. My heart races at the anger darkening his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together in the end. I know I said things that hurt you, but it was all in the hunting haze."
He presses his lips against my hand, in soft, sensual kisses that only make my skin crawl.
"I made a mistake, Grace. But I'm going to get you back. You'll see. You were meant for me."
* * *
Rafe eventually leaves.
And I shower, because his touch leaves me feeling filthy.
Which, of course, means Margo screams at me for being a filthy laze-about, then sends me back to the main lodge to continue work on the garden, despite having had only a couple hours of sleep.
In short? Rafe ruined my entire day, all to steal a few kisses behind his precious mate's back.
Instead of heading to the garden, like Margo demands, I sneak back into my room to pack the few things I now have. But a girl needs clothes. And shoes that fit. And food.
Those aren't in my room.
The kitchen is too busy, so I can't steal food from there. But there's a mini pantry on each floor, filled with simple things like graham crackers, water bottles, and beef jerky.
I've stolen a few things from them before, but Margo caught me with empty wrappers on the first day. I never tried to take snacks again.
This time? I don't care. I have a large backpack (which, I admit, I stole from someone's room) and I fill it with as much as I can. There's even a machete (also stolen from someone's room). I do have to sneak around to avoid Margo, but I score a pair of shoes (yes, stolen from someone's room). They fit better than what I was given… because they'remyshoes, given away to a random omega, all to show me how little I mean to the pack.
My heart pounds against my ribs as I slip out of the omega lodge. The weight of the stolen backpack feels like an anchor, threatening to drag me back into the hell I'm desperate to escape. Each step away from the building sends a jolt of adrenaline through my veins.
Surely someone will stop me. A hand will grab my shoulder, or Margo's shrill voice will cut through the air. But nothing happens.
The forest looms ahead.
I don't bother trying to hide my trail. What's the point? They're wolves. They'll catch my scent no matter what I do. Instead, I stick to the well-worn path, my stolen shoes—myshoes—carrying me deeper into the forest.
The plan, if you can call it that, is simple. Follow the trail until I reach the river, then use the water to mask my scent. It's not foolproof, but it's all I've got. My real hope lies in the chaos back at the pack. With the Lycan King's impending arrival, maybe they won't notice I'm gone until it's too late.
Leaving is an impulsive decision, obviously. But I can't stay.
I'll die there. Either from a jealous mate, or overwork, or unchecked bullying by angry wolves. And, if Rafe doesn't stop whatever delusions he's on, I'm going to end up violated with more than a stolen kiss.
The forest air fills my lungs, crisp and clean. It should feel like freedom, but all I taste is fear. What am I doing? Where am I going? The questions swirl in my mind, threatening to overwhelm me.
No money. No real plan. Just a backpack full of stolen goods and a desperate need to escape. The thought of finding some sort of help in the city is a thin thread of hope I cling to.
The trail winds through the trees, familiar yet suddenly alien. How many times had I walked this path with Rafe? The memory of his touch, once comforting, now makes my skin crawl. I push the thought away, focusing on the sound of my footsteps and the rustle of leaves overhead.
A twig snaps somewhere to my left. I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. Is this it? Have they found me already? I strain my ears, listening for the telltale sound of wolf paws on forest floor.
Nothing.
Just a squirrel, scampering up a nearby tree. I let out a shaky breath, forcing my legs to move again.
Chapter ten
Grace: Great Escape
The beam of my flashlight flickers, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. My heart skips a beat. Not now. Please, not now. I tap the plastic casing, and the light steadies.
Thank God.
