Lacey found herself in a forest face palmed on a pile of dead leaves.
She scrambled to her feet.
She looked at her surrounding in shock, she was far away from her mother's mansion.
But not far enough.
The expanse of trees ahead of her were never ending. Or probably she thought so. The canopies provided a slight glimpse into the overcast weather which turned the shades of greenery even darker. Unnecessary criss-crossed pathways with crickets chirping in broad daylight - it was a sight to behold.
She looked back, there was no way she could fully explain how she was in the woods.
All she knew was that one minute she was entering the portal and the next minute she was face first into a pile of leaves.
She had to go as far away as she could if she ever hoped to survive the wrath of Ianthe.
Hunt and Aidas had been walking for quite a while, tracking Lacey's scent. They were in the outskirts of the city and Aidas was getting annoyed.
They had been walking for a long time and there really was no sign of life whatsoever. He was starting to think Hunt had lost her scent and was just leading him on so he wouldn't get mad at him.
"We've been walking for quite a while Hunt..."
He said grumpily but Hunt ignored him. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration. He was trying so hard to concentrate on not losing her scent.
"I know. But this is the woods. It's very large. She can be anywhere."
Aidas sighed. Perhaps they had to try other ways, or maybe Lacey had left, the possibility was endless. They had nowhere else to look for her and he didn't know what he was supposed to do.
"Well.. To be honest I don't think she's here. Have you lost her scent?"
"Tell me because every minute here is a minute wasted! She could be in danger or something!!!"
Hunt sighed as he shook his head.
"Will you fucking calm down!!! Don't try make this anymore harder than it already is!"
"I mean, try searching for someone in the woods with acres and acres of land and different scents to deal with."
Aidas backed down.
Hunt was right, he was being miserable. He should have just let him focus and do what he had to do without interrupting him.
Hunt was about to continue reprimanding Aidas when he caught a whiff of the air.
It was Lacey.
He thought as he paused and concentrated on the scent.
She was close.
He took of running, without even as much as an explanation for Aidas.
"Hey! Where the fuck are you going?!"
Aidas shouted as he started running too.
As Hunt ran through the woods with the speed and agility of an alpha, he let himself concentrate on the scent of Candy that was getting stronger and stronger as he got closer to her.
He didn't care about Aidas who was behind him gaining on him fast, for the last few hours all he had been able to think about was her scent.
It was one of the first time he had to look for someone by scent.
As an alpha such things were left for betas to do, there were lycans that were specially trained as hounds. It was a skill he never really honed, mainly because he had never had the need to use it.
"Candy?!!"
He called out as he slowed down a little.
There was a figure running towards him.
In a yellow blouse and dark jeans pants, her long brown hair didn't let him see her face but he knew it was her.
She looked up, pulling her hair from her face and saw that it was Hunt.
Her hand flew to her mouth as she let out a sob.
He outstretched his hands and she ran right into it.
In her embrace the world stopped still on its axis. There was no time, no woods, no Aidas. Hunt's mind was at peace.
He squeezed her tighter and she settled in his arms sighing.
"You don't know how much I've missed you. Why didn't you tell me where you were?"
Hunt asked and Lacey slowly broke away from the hug.
He had every right to ask, she knew.
"I didn't plan to... I was looking for answers..."
She trailed off seeing Aidas coming towards them.
He was here too?
She looked to Hunt for confirmation and Hunt nodded with a smile.
Aidas stopped in his tracks as he saw Lacey and sighed.
She was okay.
She was okay.
That was all that he could think of.
"You certainly gave us quite the scare..."
He said as she walked closer to him.
Nervously, slowly they both walked towards each other.
Till they were standing close to one another, barely inches apart.
Lacey leaned forwards, her warm breath in Aidas's ear, she grazed it softly, teasingly. Aidas's lips, the ones that had failed to smile that whole day, crept into a grin.
He takes her into a bear hug and kissed her.
Passionate. Strongly.
They broke away quickly, with Lacey aware that Hunt's eyes was on them.
When she turned to him he had a small smile on his face.
She went towards him and locked his fingers with hers pulling him closer to her.
It felt natural. Having the two of them together.
All to herself.
"We can't stay for long. Ianthe, she's looking for me."
She finally said as she looked around nervously, fearful that Ianthe might be out in the woods waiting for them or watching them.
"What's she doing here?"
Hunt asked with his eyes widened and Lacey shrugged.
"She came to see Yvaine. I managed to piss her off."
"We have to leave now!"
She said urgently and Aidas nodded.
"Get on Hunt's back. It'll be faster that way."
He said and Hunt crouched while Aidas supported her as she climbed on his back.
"Hold on tight. This might get a little bumpy."
Hunt warned as he started walking.
Lacey slowly nodded as she interlaced her fingers around his chest.
And then he started running.
And all she could feel was the wind on her face and the trees going on in a blur.
Their car was parked at the side of the road. And they drove off immediately they got in. But it was getting late and they were all tired. Lacey especially who had been running for quite a while. She explained as much as she knew to them and they did the same for her.
In the end they decided to spend the night at a motel. Claiming they would be better rested and ready for the trip back to the City the next day.
Lisa's Ann was small and cozey, with the two bright lights and quaint little receptionist box. Aidas and Lacey stayed back while Hunt did all the sweet talking. Lacey with her arms hugged together to prevent her from the chilly night air.
"You okay?"
Aidas asked and she nodded.
"Just a bit cold."
Aidas shrugged off his coat and put i around her. He was always cold himself so touching her wouldn't make her feel better.
"Thanks."
She murmured as she put his jacket around him.
She looked at his face and saw that he was fixated on her.
"How did you know I was gone?"
She asked and he shrugged and looked at Hunt.
"He told me everything."
"Which I'm assuming he must have told you first."
He said and Lacey nodded.
"I wanted him to tell you. It didn't feel right that the both of you were fighting because of something like that."
Aidas scoffed.
Lacey knew what exactly he was going to say.
"Don't tell me this doesn't change anything because it actually does. You know Hunt did what he had to do to protect his family."
"He is still your friend."
She said quietly.
Aidas shrugged.
"He didn't think it was important to tell me till you got involved..."
"Some friend that is."
Hunt came out of the reception with a small frown on his face.
"So they only have two rooms. Who's going to be pairing up?"
He asked as he threw Lacey a wink and Aidas frowned.
"Lacey will stay alone. We'll take shifts watching her."
Hunt shrugged.
He seemed to be okay with it too.
"Fair enough."
He replied as Lacey gave the two of them a nervous smile.
She had a feeling things weren't going to turn out as they had planned.