Page 101 of Awakened
Don’t make us tie you up to keep you away from the targets.
These guys had issues—watching me, threatening to tie me up. I was tired of my invisible watchdogs.
If I’m not supposed to do anything with this info, what exactly am I here for? To find my mate?
Your role will become clear if it’s not already.
Blerg. Can you be more vague?
No idea what you’re talking about.
Now you’re being obtuse?
Sitting at 179.9 degrees, so yup.
Oh, Goddess. I’m done.
Goodnight, Les. Sweet, unspecific dreams.
I waited two hours for Zach to return, but he never did. I stood on the front porch, hoping to catch sight of him. Instead, I caught the scent of at least three wolves moving in the tree line. Since stepping foot on the territory, my senses were utterly worthless. I picked out what I thought was Zach’s citrus scent, but it was muddled by the forest.
Feeling like a sitting duck, I went back inside and locked up. I kept peeking out the window as if my obsessive behavior would bring him back. There wasn’t much I could do. I mean, it would’ve been irresponsible to go traipsing around an unfamiliar territory alone, with confirmed murderers only cabins away. Eventually, I gave up pacing the small cabin and settled into bed, so pissed off and worried that I tossed and turned all night.
Waking up to church bells should be illegal. In college, the clock tower bells chimed on the hour, and for a minute, I thought I was back at Northeast Missouri State. Imagine my disappointment when I realized I was in the middle of fucking nowhere Montana, alone, in a shitty cabin.
After dragging myself through a half-assed morning routine, I headed toward the main house for breakfast. The Wolf Pack had slipped the day’s schedule under my door while I slept. On the agenda? Breakfast followed by a fucking field day. The list of activities read like a cheesy corporate barbecue, complete with a three-legged race. I wondered if I had time to bail on this total nightmare.
While I mulled over different escape options, Zach darted out of his cabin. Grabbing my shoulders, he stopped me in the middle of the road. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come back last night.”
“Mm-hmm, next time, give me a heads-up. We’re in enemy territory, and you disappeared.”
“I know, but someone was watching Hope’s cabin. I stayed until they left. It was too late by then, and I didn’t want to wake you.” He kissed my forehead.
“Whatever, let’s get breakfast.”
I turned to leave, but Zach held me in my spot. “Are you mad? I figured you wouldn’t want me to wake you. Today’s going to be a long one.”
I noticed that the other betas from Zach’s cabin had emerged. They were staring at us and whispering back and forth.
Grabbing his hand, I dragged him to the other side of the gravel road, near the trees, where they wouldn’t be able to make out my whispered yelling. “Yes, jackass, I’m mad. My boyfriend left and never came back after getting some very upsetting information. I didn’t know if some assholes killed you, or if you were out murdering an alpha-to-be. Imagine if I left and didn’t come back. How would you feel?”
His mouth pulled down at the corners. “I’m so sorry, Les. I didn’t want to worry you. It was late, and I needed a little alone time. I won’t go MIA again, scout’s honor.”
When he moved in to kiss me, I turned my face. “Don’t. Your betas are watching. You need to carry on with this nonsense.”
“Fuck them. I don’t plan on being a part of a three-legged race. This whole thing is ridiculous.”
The Howlers had placed him in the general population for a reason, so he needed to accept that.
“Zach, it’s better if one of us is in the thick of it.” He opened his mouth to protest. “And you can keep a closer eye on Hope.” At the mention of her name, his posture deflated in defeat. My stomach cramped at his instantaneous devotion to Hope, and I realized the Howlers may have been right. I needed to watch him. He very well could do something dangerous in the name of protecting her.
After a tense biscuits and gravy breakfast—something that should never happen—Zach and I made it to the designated field grounds for the day. He was quickly swept up in thegroupings while I was left standing with the mated couples. I searched the field for Emily and Brandon, only to find them standing under a tree,occupied, so I sat in the snow alone, waiting for anyone to even look my way.
It was official. I was the camp loser.
Creating little snow mounds, I lamented the choice to even come to The Gathering. If I wasn’t allowed to kick some ass or disrupt the proceedings, what was the point? The Howlers were seriously cramping my style.
A shadow fell over me and my mini snow village.
