ELENA
I was barely conscious to know what was happening around me.
My vision was blurry and hearing of sounds was becoming a problem for me as well.
“What’s…” I inhaled gradually taking a deep breath before I continued speaking, “going…..on?”
Before I could process my words properly I heard the sound of the door forcefully being wrenched open.
I felt strange hands grabbing me as they pulled me from the wreckage.
I fight, but there are too many of them.
They’re dragging me toward a van when suddenly I began hearing Howls splitting the night.
My eyes caught up with different wolves.
Dozens of them.
The Nightshade pack.
Led by Damien in full Alpha form, massive and terrifying.
Luna Catherine’s people scatter.
My brother shifts, human again, naked and furious.
“Let her go.”
“This doesn’t concern Nightshade,” Catherine says coldly.
“She’s my sister.
It concerns me.”
“She’s a criminal.”
“She’s innocent and you know it.
You set her up.
Set Dominic up.
How many people have you killed to protect your operation?”
Catherine’s mask slips.
Just for a second.
But it’s enough.
“Take her,” she orders her people.
They tried taking me but the Nightshade wolves attack.
I didn’t realize what was going on through the fight, when I felt a sudden grip around my arms length and was forcefully pulled aside.
It’s Alexander, bleeding from a shoulder wound but alive.
“Can you run?”
“My ankle!”
He scoops me up.
“Hold on.”
He shifts with me in his arms, something that should be impossible but somehow isn’t and runs.
Behind us, the battle rages.
We run until we reach the docks.
A boat is waiting, engine running.
Jiang stands at the wheel.
“Get in!” he shouts.
Alexander deposits me in the boat, shifts back.
“Get her out of here.”
“You’re not coming?” I grab his arm.
“Someone has to stay.
To make sure she pays for what she’s done.” He cups my face.
“I’ll find you.
I promise.
But right now, you need to disappear.”
“Alexander!!!!” I cried out his name with mucus dripping off my nostrils.
“Go!”
Jiang guns the engine.
We pull away from the dock.
I watch Alexander shift again, run back toward the fight.
Watch until the shore disappears.
“Where are we going?” I ask Jiang.
“Somewhere safe.
Somewhere Catherine’s reach doesn’t extend.” He hands me his phone.
“There’s a message for you.
From Sage.”
I open it.
Elena by the time you read this, I’ll be presenting evidence to the FBI.
Everything Catherine’s done.
All the proof we need.
You need to stay hidden until this is over.
Trust Jiang.
Trust yourself.
You’re stronger than you know.
—S
I look back at the city lights fading in the distance.
Somewhere back there, my brother is fighting for my life.
Somewhere, Alexander is keeping his promise.
Somewhere, the truth is finally coming out.
I lean back against the boat’s railing, exhausted.
“How long until we’re safe?”
Jiang’s expression is grim.
“I’ll let you know when we get there.”
Three hours later, we dock at a small island.
Remote.
Isolated.
Jiang helps me onto the pier.
“There’s a cabin up the path.
Food, supplies, everything you need.
Stay there.
Don’t contact anyone.”
“For how long?”
“Until I come back for you.
Or until Sage sends word that it’s safe.”
“And if neither happens?”
He meets my eyes.
“Then you start over.
New name, new life.
It’s not ideal, but you’ll survive.”
After he leaves, I limp up the path to the cabin.
Inside, it’s small but comfortable.
Someone stocked it recently with fresh food, clean clothes in my size.
I collapse onto the bed.
My phone buzzes.
Unknown number.
You think you’ve escaped?
You think you’re safe?
I always find what’s mine.
And you, little Omega, have always been mine.
Sleep well.
I’ll see you soon.
—C
C.
Catherine.
I look out the window at the dark forest surrounding the cabin.
How did she find me this fast?
How long do I have?
And more importantly, who can I trust when everyone seems to have secrets?
I hear a branch snap outside.
Then another.
Someone’s out there.
I grab a kitchen knife, press my back to the wall.
The door handle turns slowly.
I raise the knife, ready to fight.
The door opens.
And standing there, silhouetted in the moonlight, is someone I never expected to see.
Someone who should be dead.
“Hello, Elena,” Dominic says.
“We need to talk.”