Page 11 of Savage Daddies
Chapter Five
Ipause and stare atthe sunrise, so glorious as it climbs over the green landscape. It’s morning and I’m still alive, and I’m proud of myself for walking straight through the night without stopping once, not even when I heard strange noises in the forest that left me downright terrified. I’d heard a few growls, some high-pitched screams that sounded almost human, and plenty of rustling in the underbrush. More than once, I’d glimpsed eyes peering at me in the darkness, too, and while I have no idea what kind of animals were watching me last night, the fact remains that I survived.
Surely Axel and Nash have noticed I’m missing by now. But I plan to run into the forest the moment I hear their truck—if they even bother to come looking for me. Maybe they’ll decide I’m not worth the effort and they’ll continue on their way back to their village deep in the mountains. Or maybe they’ll venture near another techno-city and try to kidnap a different woman. Worry for my fellow techno-city residents fills me at the very prospect.
I need to get back to Emerald as quickly as possible and warn the authorities that savages are real and on the prowl for women who venture outside the safety of the techno-cities. Perhaps that will mean women won’t be allowed to go on hikes for a while, or maybe guards will be assigned to accompany hiking groups in the future. But it doesn’t matter—all that matters is that I’ll be helping other women escape a fate they don’t want. Who in their right mind would want to live in the wildlands amongst the savages, anyway?
You would, a voice whispers in the back of my mind. I flush and remember how it felt when the savages handled me roughly, spanked me in the bottom of the boat, and how they tended to me on a constant basis, never leaving me alone for a second. Though I’m embarrassed to admit it, having their undivided attention has been nice.
But no matter how the brothers make me feel, I absolutely cannot remain with them. Not when they kidnapped me with the intent to use me in a sexual manner. Even as I try to convince myself how awful they are, I can’t help the incessant aching between my thighs that starts up whenever I think about them. Surely I’ll feel back to my normal self once I reach Emerald, return to my apartment, catch up on sleep, and enjoy the VR story with the sexy merman.
My feet ache and I’m thirsty, but still I keep walking. I hope to reach the lake soon, where I’ll be able to get a drink of water and hopefully find the boat. If I can’t find the hiding place where the savages stashed their boat, it’ll make my travels a lot more difficult.
Despite my exhaustion, I plan to walk for the remainder of the day and I pick up my pace. The sun rises higher and the warm rays heat my skin, causing me to perspire and pant. I peer through the trees, wondering if there’s a stream nearby. Why didn’t I think to take some of the brothers’ supplies with me? They had plenty of water and food packed away in their various bags in the truck.
At least we only traveled for two full days. At least I’m not so far away from Emerald that I doubt my ability to find my way back. Eventually, I’ll reach the lake and see the tall dome of my techno-city towering over the trees in the distance. I swallow past the dryness in my throat and clutch my aching side. Walking miles and miles through the wildlands is more physical activity than I’m used to, much more demanding than a game of racquetball or volleyball.
The sound of an engine revving makes me spin around. I gasp at the sight of the truck cresting over the hill. For a moment, I can only stand in the middle of the road and stare as it slows but still heads in my direction.Fuck fuck fuck. I snap out of my trance and race into the trees. I can’t let them catch me.
Why didn’t I hear the truck until it was too late? I chide myself for being so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice it sooner. A door slams and I run faster, desperate to escape. I should’ve gone off-road earlier in the day. Now all I can do is run and hope they don’t catch me. As I race through the trees, ducking under low branches and pushing others out of the way, I scan the forest for a hiding spot.
“Josie! Joselyn!”
My stomach flips. I recognize Axel’s voice and he doesn’t sound happy.
I spot a large fallen tree ahead that’s surrounded by thick underbrush. It looks like as good a hiding spot as any. As soon as I reach it, I lay myself down on the forest floor and pull fallen branches over myself, wedging my feet down under a bush that’s growing beside it. Holding my breath, I close my eyes and wait for them to give up the search.
Nash is calling for me now too and his voice echoes through the trees. He’s closer than I would like, but I remain as still as possible and hope for the best.
I can’t become their mate.
I can’t live in the wildlands and have real sex with real men.
Something stings my arm. I gasp and open my eyes, searching for the source of the pain. I spot a small orange bug—possibly an ant?—crawling on my arm. Then I see three more of them and feel yet another sharp, searing sting. The sting is awful and though I try to hold my breath and remain still, after I’m bitten a few more times, I jump from my hiding spot and start brushing off my arms, desperate to get the beastly little creatures off me.
When I turn around, two large figures are approaching me.
