Page 7 of Wolf Unleashed
“I’ll make it painless, Alyssa,” her father said. “I’ll kill the beast within you.”
Two more threads snapped, weakening the rope.
“Wake up, Artemis,” a deep voice said as someone pulled Alyssa from the bed. Her hand snapped back, aiming for the person’s nose, but he caught her wrist. “It’s me, precious. Rafe.”
She flung her arms around him and dug her nails into his back, desperate to hold on to him.
“I’ve got you,” he said, his words blowing her hair across her face. She didn’t dare loosen her grip to push the errant locks aside. If she let go, she’d lose him, too.
“What’s wrong?” Tiernan said, jolting awake in bed.
“Another nightmare,” Rafe said, still holding her. “She was crying out when I came in.”
Tiernan shot from the bed and disappeared into the main part of the cabin. She heard running water, and a moment later he appeared at her side, offering her water. The nightmare had left her paralyzed. She couldn’t even make herself saythank you, let alone hold the glass.
Rafe petted her hair. “Get dressed,” he ordered Tiernan. “We’re leaving.”
“Now? It’s the middle of the night.”
Her shifters exchanged words, none of which made sense. Alyssa stared at them, feeling as if she were trapped in a fog, unable to process what was happening. Tiernan dressed quickly, and then he was kneeling in front of her, guiding her legs into her jeans.
Damn it, she wasn’t helpless.
“Stop,” she said, pushing herself upright. As much as she hated leaving Rafe’s embrace, she wasn’t going to be a burden to them any more than she already was. As she sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her jeans up, Rafe’s hand moved to her back. His expression looked grave as he stared out the window. Whatever had happened between him and his father wasn’t good. That much was clear.
“You two are never to dress me. Only undress me,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Rafe smiled, barely, but enough that she knew she’d given him what he needed from her. A woman who didn’t give up.
Tiernan’s eyes bounced from her to Rafe. “What of the guard?”
“Gunnar won’t be a problem. But the guards at the border might be.”
“Where’s my gun?” Artemis asked, searching the nightstand.
Rafe frowned as he retrieved her gun and holster from the dresser. “You don’t need a gun, not with us protecting you.”
“I promise I won’t shoot unless absolutely necessary,” she said as she clipped the holster to her waistband. “And I’ll aim for an arm or leg, nothing lethal.” They were sneaking off in the middle of the night, but these were still his people, hispack.
“Was it the same dream?” Rafe asked, changing the subject. “The one about the threads breaking?”
“Yes.” She hadn’t told him the rest of her dream, about her father killing Tiernan and trying to rip the wolf from her.
“It’s not natural being separated from a blood-bonded mate,” Tiernan said. “We should return to the DSA, try to find Maddox.”
“Going near the DSA is too risky,” Rafe said. “Agent Gallagher was here a week ago, looking for us. He gave a different spin on what happened.”
“What did he say?” Tiernan asked.
“Later. First, we get clear of my pack. My former pack,” he corrected.
Alyssa cupped his cheek until he looked at her. She smiled at him, trying to give him a sense of hope. “Whatever happened, I’m sure we can fix it in time. This will always be your pack and your home.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re my home. Let’s get going.”
She followed Rafe, and Tiernan brought up the rear. A near-full moon flooded the woods with enough light for both shifters to navigate the trees easily. After she stumbled for the second time, Tiernan took her hand, helping her around tree roots until they reached a well-worn path.
Gunnar stepped into the trail, bringing Rafe to a halt. She hadn’t seen him when they’d left the cabin. She’d just assumed Rafe had dismissed him. Him showing up like this, blocking their path, couldn’t be good.
