Somewhere on the Road...

Lily sat stiffly in the back of the black SUV, her wrists bound in front of her with thick zip ties. The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from the dashboard and the occasional flash of headlights from passing cars. Her heart pounded against her ribs, but she forced herself to remain calm. Panic wouldn't help her now.

Sebastian, the Alpha, sat in the passenger seat, his broad shoulders filling the space. He hadn’t spoken much since they’d left her apartment, but his presence was impossible to ignore. His Beta Jonah was with her in the back. Jonah, the Beta, sat directly beside her, his sharp, assessing gaze making her skin crawl. Liam, the Gamma, was behind the wheel, his grip firm on the steering wheel as they sped down the highway.

The air in the car was thick with tension, an unspoken weight pressing down on her. The scent of the werewolves filled her nostrils—earthy, wild, and completely foreign. But the worst part was the strange pull she felt toward Sebastian. The moment she had locked eyes with him in her apartment, something had shifted inside her. She didn’t understand it, but she could feel it—a thread tying them together in a way she wanted no part of.

Mate.

That’s what he had called her.

Lily clenched her jaw, shoving the thought away. She wasn’t his. She wasn’t anyone’s.

Sebastian finally broke the silence. “You’re quiet.”

She turned her head sharply, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror. His eyes were dark, unreadable.

“What do you expect me to say?” she shot back.

Jonah smirked. “Most would be honored to be chosen by an Alpha.”

Lily narrowed her eyes. “Yeah? And most would probably want to go with you. But guess what? I’m not most.”

Liam let out a low chuckle. “She’s got fire. You sure she’s not one of us?”

Sebastian didn’t respond, just kept his gaze locked on her through the mirror. The weight of it made her skin prickle. She looked away, staring out the window at the darkened landscape rushing by. Trees, streetlights, the occasional gas station—none of it offered an escape. They were moving too fast.

She needed a plan. Fast.

Her phone had been taken from her, but she’d managed to swipe it back from Jonah’s pocket while they were struggling in her apartment. It was still in her hoodie’s front pocket, pressed against her stomach where her bound hands rested. If she could just turn it on…

Slowly, she shifted in her seat, angling her body so she could press her hands against the fabric. The motion was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Jonah’s sharp eyes caught it.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

Lily froze. “Trying to get comfortable. These zip ties aren’t exactly cozy.”

Jonah studied her for a second before nodding. “Don’t try anything stupid.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she muttered.

Sebastian sighed. “We’re not your enemy, Lily.”

She let out a dry laugh. “Really? Because kidnapping usually falls into the ‘enemy’ category.”

Sebastian turned in his seat slightly. “I know this is a lot to take in. But you are my mate. That’s not something we can ignore.”

She glared at him. “Watch me.”

Jonah chuckled under his breath. “You’re in denial. That’ll pass.”

Lily gritted her teeth, focusing on the phone. With her fingers, she fumbled for the power button, her heartbeat hammering in her ears. If she could just turn it on and call Alex—

The screen lit up against the fabric. Her pulse spiked. Slowly, carefully, she slid her thumb across the screen. She had one shot at this. One chance.

She tapped on Alex’s name and hit call.

The ring was silent—she had her phone on vibrate. Good.

Now she just had to keep them talking long enough for Alex to hear.

“So, what happens when we get to Seattle?” she asked, forcing her voice to sound casual.

Sebastian tilted his head. “You’ll come with us to the packhouse. You’ll have time to adjust.”

“Adjust?” she echoed, her voice rising. “To what? Being your prisoner?”

“You won’t be a prisoner,” he said, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. “You’ll be my Luna.”

Lily’s stomach turned. “Not happening.”

Jonah sighed. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

Lily ignored him. “What if I say no?”

Sebastian’s expression darkened. “It’s not that simple.”

Her grip tightened on the phone. “It is that simple. You don’t get to decide my future for me.”

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. “You don’t understand—”

A voice suddenly rang out from the phone’s speaker. “Lily?”

Her heart leapt. Alex.

The car went dead silent.

Jonah’s head snapped toward her. “What the—”

Lily acted fast. She twisted in her seat, shoving the phone under her bound hands and pressing it against her stomach.

Sebastian lunged over the seat, grabbing her wrist. “Who are you talking to?”

“Lily?!” Alex’s voice was sharp, urgent. “Where are you?”

Lily gasped as Jonah ripped the phone from her grip. He glanced at the screen, his face darkening. “It’s him.”

Sebastian cursed under his breath, snatching the phone and ending the call with a single tap. He turned back to Lily, his expression unreadable.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

Lily lifted her chin, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. “Then you shouldn’t have taken me.”

Liam swore, gripping the wheel tighter. “We need to move. Now.”

Jonah nodded. “If he was close enough to answer that fast, he’s already looking for her.”

Sebastian’s eyes locked onto Lily’s. “Then we’ll have to make sure he never finds her.”

Lily’s blood ran cold.

Alex had heard her. He knew she was in danger.

Now, she just had to hold on long enough for him to find her.

Because he would find her.

She was sure of it.